Yeah, the judges aren’t looking forward to this either. Nigel says he’s a bit scared, but he’s ready to see this.

WOW. That was SO not what I expected. He’s really good, and even though I’m not sure he’ll be able to do anything else, I’m sort of hoping they put him straight through rather than sending him to choreography. Mary is crying by the time he is done, so obviously he danced the devil out of her.
If you feel the urge to rewatch this one again (as I’ve done a few times), Flipit was awesome enough to post it here.
The judges give him a standing ovation. So does the crowd. I know I’d have been on my feet if I was there. Nigel tells him that he is an artist. He thinks that he could be a genius. Nigel’s not sure how he’ll get on in the rest of the competition, but he doesn’t really give a fuck; he says that Hampton has GOT to go to Vegas, he’ll pay for it himself if he has to.
Mary tells him in nine seasons she has not been effected in this way by that style. She breaks down again while she’s trying to talk to him about a part of the routine. She feels like she’s been exorcised. Lil C liked it so much that he wants to kick Hampton in the face right now.
Hahahahaha! You’re so funny. Wait. That was a joke, right? RIGHT?!?!?!?
Lil C tells him that shit was BUUUUUUCK. That right there, when it comes to freestyle, from the heart and the soul and creating something that no one has seen before, and really trying to move people? That’s what he’s about. Lil C, that is. So when he sees that, him coming to an arena and a realm like this, and he doesn’t have a problem putting himself on a platform to be judged……hats off to him. Hats off.
By off I mean I’m totally keeping my hat on.
Hey, hat hair’s a bitch, ya know?
Yes, Hampton gets a ticket to Vegas, and Mary gets a touch up from the make up department.
Montage of other good dancers, and then we skip right over choreography with Cat telling us that five more people made it through.
Day two in Dallas starts with Daniel Baker, Aussie ballet dancer, currently living in San Francisco and dancing for the San Francisco Ballet. I have a feeling I’m going to like this guy.
Yep.
Looks like someone else likes him too!
The judges do the same thing they did with the other ballet dancer, pretending they’re not that into him before sending him straight through to Vegas. I still don’t find them to be amusing.
Daniel is followed by a montage of good female dancers, all getting tickets to Vegas.
Next up is Sam Shreffler who is obviously not going to be good at all. UGH. He gets up on stage and tells Nigel that he’s nervous. He also tells Nigel that he is involved in Autism research and is in fact on the autism spectrum himself. Nigel gives him props for having the guts to not only get up on stage, but also for the way he is handling it.

Let’s face it, we all knew the kid was not going to be good. And he wasn’t. But he’s sweet and likeable, so I’m not pissed off the way I usually am. Nigel is very sweet to him after the audition telling him he should never stop dancing.
He’s still a jackass, but I did actually like him for a moment there.
We get another montage, this one of dancers talking about how they’ve grown up watching the show, or how they became a dancer because of the show. Suddenly I am feeling very old.
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38 Comments
The “exorcist” guy, Hampton, had me rewinding the DVR a few times. Very, very powerful routine. I’m really glad Nigel wasn’t an asshole to Sam. I’m also glad he auditioned in Dallas instead of NYC, because you know BitchyPants would have been a complete bellend.
I loved the mom admitted that she was doing this for herself. I hate when moms come on reality shows and claim their doing it for their kids. There’s nothing wrong with doing something for yourself, your life doesn’t have revolve entirely around your kids.
I loved that they didn’t focus too much time on the delusional/crazies like they’ve done in past seasons. Hopefully, they won’t next week either.
I loved the Exorcist Guy too, I can only imagine how amazing it was to see that in person.
Since Von Crapper had SUCH a ‘tude, why did they put him on? If he just wanted to be on TV, why’d they let him? Must have not had much in the way of interesting stories… I also agree about “exorcist Hampton”. I watched him 3times! The kids were adorable.
I am actually glad that they will have two winners this year. The males and females have such different roles and requirements that I’ve always thought it was not really an equal competition. Eventually it ends up being a lot about personality anyways…
Great recap, Pottymouth! I agree with everything you said..especially about Lil C. I haven’t watched the last few seasons; has he always been this annoying? Barking, shouting during Nigel’s critiques, and making everything about him…that shit was Buuuuuck! And I don’t mean that in a good way. I wanna kick him in his face right now.
The zombie and the exorcist are masters of their craft, but I’m not sure they could master the Paso Doble. Nice of the judges to give them the necessary screentime so when they are eliminated in Vegas, someone will scoop them up for specific choreographed routines. Lil C, are you there? It’s me, the Undead.
A crying Mary is better than a screaming one. She can’t help it when she yells..she’s a cokewhore riding the Hot Tamale train. At least, according to her former manager.
http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/21/mary-murphy-so-you-think-you-can-dance-cocaine-nymphomaniac-desperate-judge/
I’m SO HAPPY this show is back! My family doesn’t understand why I get so emotional while watching it, but I know you all get it.
@Sarcasatire – I am totally with you on Lil C. And, I’m so glad you pointed out the Mary Murphy story on TMZ. I don’t know what to think about it…it’s a crazy story!
@Sarcasatire I agree about zombie and exorcist, It is pretty clear that neither is likely to do well in the competition. I am truly glad that they had some airtime.
Lil C was not this annoying before. He wasn’t so much about himself, BUT he would pontificate endlessly with unrelated multi-syllabic, sometimes made-up words. Some people may have found it charming… I don’t remember him interrupting others.
OMG this show’s baaaaaaack! I think it was me trying to look for recaps for this show that brought me to the Gasmi world years ago. Anyhoe, Great recap, PM!
I loved the ballet boys, too! To my surprise, I giggled at Nigel’s belly dancing quip to the aussie ballet boy. And then back to hating Nigel with his fake nonchalance after the routine.
I also lovedthe lyrical breaker (if there ever is such style) Shareef. Tho I was a bit turned off by him explaining the story of his dance (which is again, weird, because during the live shows the choreographers DO explain the story before the dance. IDK). Liked the sugary sweet mom with her adorable kids! Plus the exorcist guy – replayed it like crazy, cried like a boss every single time.
Regardless of what changes they have made, I’m so excited this show is back! Hands down, Cat is the best host on TV; there is just something so genuine and likeable about her. This show makes me happy!
Thanks for the great recap Pottymouth. So happy to see that Huge Jackman is back as well!
Danny…sigh. Best EVER.
I just wanted to add, for the most part, I am happy there will no longer be a results show, however the one thing I will miss is the group number at the beginning. I just recently rewatched Rama Lama from season 2 (if you haven’t seen it, you tube it!) and was reminded of the brilliance that can be possible in the group number.
Kid whose mom almost committed suicide…cried.
Kid whose mom was going blind…cried.
Exorcist guy….fucking cried.
I was a mess.
love you Pottymouth!
Thanks for the great ‘cap, Pottymouth. @blazergirl, I, too, will miss the group numbers. Who’s that guy who slept with Brit-Brit who’s now married to Asian lady? He’s a great group number choreographer. I hope that we get to see some Sonya Tayeh and Mia Michaels this season.
Also, what a weird juxtaposition to use Evanescence’s (say that word five times fast!) “My Immortal” for the two-year-old AND Hampton. Must have been a licensing issue?
@sheesh/ApplePie in Nads’ article about the changes there’s a quote by Nigel saying that they’ll still be doing the group numbers.
@ApplePie – My thought about the Evanescence music was that was the next track to be played (you know these auditions don’t necessarily go in order) that is why she they played it for her.
I have to say, my daughter is a dancer so this is must see tv in my house. And the two year old cutie is going to be an amazing dancer when she grows up. She is more coordinated that some 4/5 year olds I’ve seen at ballet class. It was just too cute.
Tyce D’Orio (or Tasty Oreo as we call him. We heard that by the EW recapper. She said that what his name sounds like when Cat says it lol) may be a bitchface but unlike other judges he gets to the point. I hate when people either go on and on (yes Lil C and Nigel, I mean you) or like Mary scream until my ears bleed. Tyce might be an ass but is a succinct ass. I can appreciate that.
Exorcist guy….un-freakin-believable…
I’m glad to hear they will still have the group numbers. ApplePie, the choreographer you’re thinking of is Wade Robson and he’s brilliant. He’s the one who choreographed the Rama Lama routine I mentioned earlier and he even danced in it with them. I also miss Shane Sparks. He had great choreographer too. If only he hadn’t had sex with that 14 year old. Way to ruin the fun for the rest of us.
In regards to Lil C’s response to Zombi guy: Your words “Way to make it all about you, C! ” were EXACTLY what I kept saying out loud during that segment. So annoying.
I loved so many of these dancers, but zombi guy and exorcist were the most entertaining. I’m so happy this show is back on, and I’m ecstatic that you’re recapping it again, PM!
And Lil C: Stop trying to make “Buck” happen!
I’m so happy to hear that the group numbers will still be happening — that’s the only part of results show I ever watched before FFing to the final result. Yay!
Okay, here is my take on Bree. She is talented, but I’ve seen hundreds of young girls do the exact same thing. Where I think Bree has the advantage is in her maturity and life experience. It will be a huge benefit in other types of dancing like ballroom, Broadway, etc.
Two of the greatest things about summer – SYTYCD is back and your awesome recaps are, too!
But seriously..I don’t remember crying so much while watching an audition episode. Well, I guess the fact that I was a little bit drunk did something.
Offtopic question: PottyMouth, why didn’t you recap ABDC this season?
Finally got a chance to watch this today… I was wholly unimpressed with hampton. Sure, he could move, but so can 80% of people who audition. I found him boring. Painfully so. One can only “skate across the stage” so many times before I yawn. I did love Bree, and I thought the guy with autism had heart, and I loved their response to him. I thought gerbil-boy needed to be kicked. I don’t get why they bothered to give him air-time.
Omg, with Hampton it’s not just dance steps. He brought an entire room to their feet and many of them were actually crying. That is an amazing feat.
Little C, who I don’t even know, annoyed me. Anyone who compliments another person by saying, “I want to kick you in the face,” needs professional help. Medication even. Maybe Hampton better exorcise him another couple of times?
I am hoping that some of what Hampton did got edited out.. I just did not find him interesting, and surely not standing ovation Mary crying worthy. I just didn’t “get” it. I was thrilled with their response to Sam shreffler. They could have mocked him. They didn’t.
I will be having happy dreams about the Aussie Ballet Boy.
@PG What was an amazing to me about Hampton was the emotion of it. And the control he had over his body. Can you imagine how hard it must be to make such staccato movement also look smooth and flowing. I know this sounds weird, but it kind reminded me of stop-motion animation.
The issue I had with what we saw of Hampton was that we saw one movement– a great one, yes– over and over again. They have sent others packing for more than we were shown. Maybe he did more we didn’t get to see. I hope so. I also didn’t see anything “uniquely created” in him. He did what other b-boys do, just to a rather ironic song. There was the whole buildup about this style he created, and it just wasn’t there. He “skated” across the stage, made some faces, and had a seizure. I am glad he got through, because I sense in him the ability to move in a way that others in his genre struggle with, and I want to see that. For me, though, his audition was merely adequate.
Oh don’t worry not trying to change your opinion. That just the Art History major in me coming out, I always hear people say that they don’t get certain works of art. I’m not sure what they think they’re suppose to get. But I figure maybe I started giving my perspective when I hear people say this, they might understand other people’s reaction to it and why they reacted the way they did. And you were just the first person I heard say that since I decided to start doing this.
I’m not one to cry easily. In fact I’m one of the few that didn’t get all emotional over the cancer dance that Ade and ballerina that always had her finger in her mouth did. But the sheer emotion of the exorcism dance was pretty damn powerful. And I guess that is what we all look for when watching dance. To feel some emotion: elation, sadness, love, depression, joy or just plain having fun. If you don’t make me feel something, it doesn’t matter how technically proficient a dancer you are. That being said, I don’t always agree with other people’s opinions of dances, but I think what most of us do have in common is that desire to feel the dance.
Can we just have Wade choreograph every week? His dances are the best (foxes notwithstanding).
I’d never seen this show before, but I love dance and it was recommended so many times that I watched and I LOVED it.
There were so many amazing dancers (the Aussie ballet dancer made me melt!!) and so many innovative moves. But I have to say, the judges really struck a cord with me. On most reality competition shows, the judges are either nasty, seemingly clueless, or have nothing useful to offer. These judges may have annoying, loud, or weepy moments, but they made sense (for the most part) and they were KIND. Sam (the autistic kid) actually had some cool movement, and for someone on the spectrum, just getting in front of an audience is quite a feat. No, he didn’t have what it took to make the show and the judges were upfront about that, but they were nice about it and encouraged his love of dance.
And they put that ridiculous, rude, gerbil-boy in his place without resorting to insults. He couldn’t dance, and he was a jerk. Simple as that!
PM in the house!!! Thank you for recapping this year!
I’ve never cried so much during an audition episode. Or any performance episode, for that matter. (Did NOT cry at the cancer dance – if you didn’t have the story spelled out for you, it wasn’t told in the movements.) (IMO. YMMV) I thought the kids were the cutest things ever and totally cried at the 2 year-old. Not entirely sure why, but there you are. Also thought either the exorcist or the zombie were going to be awful, but instead they were awesome! Total fake-out there by the editing crew! I’ve been describing the exorcist dance as cathartic – I was all prepared to be annoyed, but instead was served a piece of art in motion. Don’t expect him to get past day 1 in Vegas, but very, very happy he was rewarded for his unique talent with a direct ticket.
Looking forward to the season!
so so so happy SYTYCD is back!
I swear kids never made me cry till I had one of my own !
That little girl was adorbs. tears.
The autistic kid and his joy for dance. tears.
Blind mom and suspenders kid. tears.
I loved me some ballet boys and that Japanese b-boy was amazing, altho rightfully aware he was out of his element.
Girls that do Comtempo/lyrical/extensions-angsty-rolling on the floor-whipping hair, don’t do it for me- they have to really stand out ( ie Melanie) and be memorable.
nice work PM- looking forward to the season
Unless Hampton has some more tricks up his sleeve, I can’t imagine what he’ll do if he draws an odd (for him) style out of the hat. Then again, this show has been on a good portion of his life so he should have an idea what is required to progress on the show.
My fiance, who only watches dance because I make him, says he almost teared up watching Hampton.
It’s not in the steps, it’s working on another level. I have never seen anything like it. Yes, I have seen dances that superficially looked like it. But, those were just dances. He did something else there. Someone else could go out and do the exact movements and it won’t be the same. Nigel said they were honored to see it.
I mean, I guess if you don’t see it then you don’t. It being recorded reduces a lot of it. That’s o.k.
I have heard about people using dance for healing and I think this is what they mean.
I’m so happy this show is back!
John Bender: I can only imagine what Sir BitchyPants’ reaction would have been to the exorcist guy. And none of that is anything I’d want to see.
sagittariuskim: I was also glad to see they didn’t have too many crappy/joke auditions. Personally, I’d rather see NONE of them!!
Sel: I totally agree; when they give these assholes air time it only encourages MORE assholes to show up. I will never understand why they air those segments.
sarcasatire: Too true, crying Mary is better than a screaming Mary! How crazy are those accusations???
Kammie: TOTALLY get it!!
onehundredyearsofcholera: I still don’t get why Nigel & company were doing that whole nonchalance thing – I guess they think they’re being amusing?? SO dumb. The belly dancing quip did make me giggle as well.
blazergirl: I love Cat too!! She really is great.
Gerrit: You know Hugh had to come back! It’s in his contract!!
beebs: YES!
blazergirl: Ramalama is one of my fav group numbers of all time – I NEVER get sick of watching it!!!
sheesh: Love you too! You know my ass was crying, but I maintain that it was my allergies.
ApplePie: I LOVE Sonya, and as long as Mia’s not judging I’d love to see her choreograph more again. I hate listening to her in a judging capacity, but I do love her choreography.
Kimmi Paul: I hear what you’re saying about Tyce; personally can’t stand him because he is WAAAAAAAAY too full of himself. Totally agree about the two year old!!
blazergirl: Oh……Shane……..WHY????? I miss his choreography SO MUCH and they still have not gotten a replacement that lives up to him on ABDC.
zbird: I know! Right? With both of those guys he was so into making it about him, it was so annoying!
Southern Tippi: I agree. I’m hoping that the maturity will help her; the only problem I see is that Nigel doesn’t really cast for maturity. I hope she can hang.
Mel: Honestly, it was simply a matter of time and timing. I was already recapping OUAT and Survivor when ABDC’s new season started and I couldn’t add another show in there. I know Flipit was trying to get someone to take it on, but I guess no one wanted it. Sucks, because I love that show and would have loved seeing someone recap it this season even if I couldn’t.
Pageant-grandma: I wish someone would have kicked gerbil boy – THAT I would have enjoyed watching!!
gun kata: I agree. For me it was more than just the movement as well. It really was the performance and emotion he put into it. Do I think he’ll make it into the top twenty? Probably not, but I’m glad they showed him because it was definitely something I enjoyed watching!
Pageant-grandma: It didn’t seem like he was really edited at all. Not trying to change your mind about him, but wonder if your impression was colored by everyone talking about how awesome he was and then he didn’t live up to your expectations. For me, I do think my expectations played a bit into it as well; I really thought he was going to be a joke, so I was really pleasantly surprised by what he did.
StageMom: Me too.
RazzBeth: That cancer dance STILL pisses me off since it kept Melissa around in a week she should have gone home. I know, I need to get over it!! I WISH Wade would choreograph every week – the man is a genius!!!! Well, except for that damn fox piece, lol.
merry: Welcome! Glad you enjoyed your first viewing – once we get to the performance shows you’ll REALLY be in for a treat!!
Sharona: Totally agree! I usually get annoyed with the kid stuff because it feels manipulative to me, but they were just too damned cute to resist!!
blueberryPancake: LOL, it surely was an emotional first episode!! Couldn’t agree more about the contemp girls – Melanie is in a class by herself!!!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting everyone! I think we’re in for a great season and I look forward to talking through it all with y’all!!
SWAK, PottyMouth
OMG, I so agree about joke auditions. I think a better thing, if they want to break up awesome dancers with a figurative palate cleanser, is to choose someone who may have an interesting or humorous style. As in maybe this isn’t the right venue for them, but they do have talent and they don’t consider the auditions a joke.
Oh pottymouth how I’ve missed YOU. Seriously, I was waiting for this season to start just so I could come back to tvgasm and read your recaps.
Once again, looks like we are getting a season of modern/jazz/ballet dancers with a few hip hoppers thrown in. I miss ballroom
I really wish these shows would stop giving screen time to the william hung’s (yeah, I know, different show!) of the world. Autistic guy had his place. Rude gerbil was a waste of time.