SYTYCD News Roundup

TVSquad talks to Shane Sparks. He discusses making the transition to America's Best Dance Crew and his inspiration for knocking down the 4th wall.




Salon.com asks "what if a trend is popular because it's good?"




Tonya Plank knows dance and shares her observations on this week's performances.



So You Think You Can Dance is a frequent subject of inter-office IMs at Crosswalk.com.




Several familiar names were recognized at the 2nd Annual Choreographer Media Awards.

News Roundup

TWOP released an interview with Dan Karaty. Asked if there will be any changes for season 4:

You're going to be seeing obviously some new musical performances, how we have guest recording artists come out there. We got a couple surprises in the bag, and a couple other performers that'll be out there that'll surprise you. And we've mixed up the audition dates this year and we're doing new cities. Like Washington, D.C., which we've never done before. So we're going to scope out some new and different talent out there.

Dan also discusses the growing popularity of dance, Mia Michaels' creative process, and his take on Wade Robson's anti-war solos last season.




Last night was the Dance Times Square showcase. Tony & Melanie presented, Pasha & Anya performed, Sabra & Kameron were in the audience, and fortunately for us, Tonya Plank was there to report.




Commenter KJ found video of Sara Von Gillern dancing on the current Avril Lavigne tour. Check out the mohawk.





Brett Love at TVSquad shows why he's the web's top TV dance journalist in this interview with Dancing With The Stars' Jonathan Roberts. He couldn't resist asking about So You Think You Can Dance:

Brett: One more question that I was wondering about. Now that Dancing With The Stars is ending, I'll turn my attentions to So You Think You Can Dance and I was wondering if that's something that you watch, or are you a fan?

Jonathan: Definitely. I've had several friends that have been on it, some of the ballroom dancers. We pretty much all know each other, so it's great for me to see the success that a lot of them have had on the show. What I like about So You Think You Can Dance is that there are no celebrities involved. It's basically whatever they do on screen is how people perceive them and vote for them and it really is these young kids showing off their amazing talent.

Brett: That's the biggest thing for me with that show. I'm always amazed at the level of talent they are able to bring in every year.

Jonathan: Absolutely.

ABDC's Kaba Modern performed at the APIA Vote Townhall Meeting. (Video)

Step It Up & Dance News

Both BuddyTV and It Happened Last Night have recaps of last night's episode.

Two of our favorite dance bloggers watched, Tonya Plank and Maria at A Time To Dance.

I think we know now why Michael Silas was cast for the show, and why the judges let him survive last week's debacle. Still, I admired the way he handled the criticism from his fellow dancers ("you've got to have a thick skin in this business") and refused to turn it back on them.

SYTYCD News Roundup

Go now. Here's one I can't recommend highly enough to TV dance watchers. Our friend Tonya Plank has begun writing a column for ExploreDance.com. Congratulations Tonya! In her first column she reviews the current and upcoming crop of TV dance offerings and asks "Why Are TV Dance Shows All the Rage?" There are so many insightful observations that I lost count.

LINK


American Smooth. Ballroom afficionados who watch PBS's America's Ballroom Challenge will want to get Tonya's take on the show at her blog, Swan Lake Samba Girl.

LINK


Getting his status straight? Shimmy Online Magazine recently interviewed Hok Konishi:

Shimmy: What did you do once you were eliminated from SYTYCD?

Hok: Well, nothing too much really. Did some interviews, just jumped back into reality. I did a show in England and then came back the next day to start rehearsing for the tour!! I have to say I was shocked at first though!

"Just jumped back into reality"? But Hok, SYTYCD is a REALITY show! You mean reality shows aren't reality?

LINK



The Post and Enquirer reports from the auditions in Charleston.

LINK



Geoff at Geofftech blogs about meeting Cat Deeley at the Charleston auditions:

So I got to get up close a personal with Miss Deeley. She’s still got that slightly skewed nose that I remembered. And just as I was trying to act all work-like I could hardly talk either when she identified me as being from the fellow motherland. “You’re English?” she says “Yes I am!” I reply, and it’s only later that the photographer who took my picture here told me that she did start to extend her hand to shake mine, but I seemed not to pick up on it - I’d like to think it’s because I’m a professional and was weighed down my some heavy camera equipment, and not just because I came all over bashful.

He mentions a video, but I can't seem to find it.

LINK


Flickr user Tendolab caught some shots outside the Charleston auditions.

LINK


You may be aware that Benji Schwimmer is himself extremely talented with a camera in his hands, but he recently went before the lens of photographer/blogger Daniel Brock.

LINK


The Salt Lake Tribune previews the auditions starting there next Monday.

LINK