SYTYCD Recap: Reach for the All Stars

32 Comments

1. 1
   nooneinparticular
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 9:13 am

   I don’t have Oxygen so I haven’t been watching ATRM but I would love to.

   This was a great big week of meh for me. Alex and Eliana were the best for me but like you they still weren’t all the way there for me. No one else was that great. I didn’t think Cole was as bad as they acted like he was. Benjamin Millepied was useless. Millepied means a thousand feet. So it’s the same concept as the Latin millepede because French is a Romance language aka has Latin roots. But it doesn’t literally mean the bug if that’s what you meant.

   I really hope this week is much better. I don’t know why this season isn’t better. Except for Cyrus they are pretty good dancers. Oh and I was very disappointed in the Cyrus tongue bath. Not only was he not given much to do, but the few moves he was given were not executed well at all. As you say he is no Twitch. When they started that crap I just fast-forwarded through it and figured he clearly was in no danger of going home.

2. 2
   suedisco
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 9:15 am

   The first thought I had when the show came on this week was “Why did they put Cat in futuristic bedazzled pajamas?”

3. 3
   cherrylipgloss
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 10:04 am

   I lost interest when Amelia got knocked off. she was my personal favorite.

4. 4
   blazergirl
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 10:12 am

   I had also wondered why they haven’t given Cyrus more difficult dances, but then I thought, maybe they have given him more difficult choreography and he wasn’t able to do it, so they were forced to dumb it down. It is really frustrating to watch more talented guys go home week after week.

   I really loved Nick and Whitney’s piece as well as Jakob and Lindsay. I thought Will and Kathryn also did a fantastic job, minus Will’s ridiculous faces.

5. 5
   wcsdancer
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 10:52 am

   Am I the only one who can’t. freaking. stand. Doriana Sanchez’s routines? They are way too frenetic, all lifts and about 1% dancing. I don’t want to watch acrobatics. PM, you’re so right about the rough transitions.

6. 6
   WishICouldDance
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:11 am

   Seems that I’m not alone feeling very… Blah… About this season. I felt the same last year. For me, I think it comes down to the choreography. I keep waiting for a “Wow!” routine but haven’t really seen it yet. There have been some good ones but… I keep waiting. It feels very “been there, seen that” to me.

   And I do believe that the routines get “dumbed down”. Maybe it’s a safety issue or an inability on the part of the dancer but things in rehearsals don’t always show up on the floor. The first time it really stood out to me was with Kent. SO many lifts were cut and all I could think was that he could not safely lift his partner. I would also go so far as to guess that the choreographers want the dancers to look good so that they in turn look good. Someone with actual dance training and experience would be better to address this but… That’s my impression.

7. 7
   Enrique's Mole
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:19 am

   Dave Scott signed Chehon’s death warrant, I’m afraid. And, I. am. pissed.

8. 8
   unwise
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:24 am

   I loved how utterly serious Mary was when she declined to put Cole on her fictional train.

   When I first watched Nigel’s critique of George I was really feeling a sense of gay panic from him in his opinion that George wasn’t believable in wanting to jump Allison’s bones. I was pretty convinced of it and thought I would see similar opinions in the recaps/reviews I read. Almost universally everything I read agreed with Nigel. I now think that while the gay panic somewhat subtly surrounded George this entire time he really wasn’t believable in his chemistry. This may sound like a joke but I actually blame the mustache. I found it really off-putting.

9. 9
   Enrique's Mole
   Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:26 am

   By the way, was it just a coincidence that the two people going home were both #5, thus making it easier for people voting for next week? After all, the judges knew before the dancing began who was going home. And as much as I ADORE Chehon, George’s solo was absolutely amazing.

   Dave Scott’s choreography sucks ass. The only thing that sort of saved the coffin dance was Twitch’s personality. Why do they keep having that joker back? It only screws the dancers.

   And, Travis Wall absolutely gave Cyrus very little to do, probably because Cyrus couldn’t do much.

   I was so glad to see Nick back! I think Travis probably got him (and Jamie) their gigs since he’s the show’s Wunderkind. I wonder why Nick was absent for so long. Was there a rift between him and the producers? Nigel? cough.

10. 10
    Honeybee
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Tiffany (Disco) – I thought this was fun, and had great energy. I like Tiffany and I think that she is often overlooked and forgotten about. Right now the focus seems to be on Lindsay and Eliana and Tiffany is in there and has had a great waltz, hip hop and other numbers. Of all of the girls, I think she has shown the most range and adaptability. I am really pulling for her.

    Whitney (Jazz) – I liked this and I like Whitney however this was not my favorite of the night. It was just good. It kind of fit the theme of the night which was, there were good dances but not really anything I was ecstatic about.

    Cole (Cha Cha) – Yeah, I didn’t like it. I really like Cole, but he tried too hard to be “sexy” and it just felt off. There was zero chemistry with Anya.

    Lindsay (Broadway) – Loved it!! It was fun and not contemporary. I really have nothing bad to say about it.

    Matt (Bollywood) – Yeah, I didn’t really like this. While Matt is cute…it’s just too much. I find him like an annoying 8 year old who is trying to still be cutesy and instead just comes off as awkward and annoying. I love Katherine though (she can do no wrong in my book).

    Cyrus (Contemporary) – Agree 100% that they are doing a great disservice to this guy by not making the dances more demanding on him. He had a leap in this dance and although it wasn’t perfect he did it. And if he was doing more demanding choreography he can only improve. He’s made it far enough he will go on tour which is what Nigel wanted anyway. Give him something challenging and hope for the best.

    Chehon (Hip-Hop) – I didn’t like this one. And I am actually getting bored by Chehon. He reminds me a lot of Billy Bell. Someone that I rooted for; but eventually just got bored with. Technically is a superb dancer, but there is an intensity and passion that does not translate in his dancing. You see it in the solos, but rarely in the chorography. I was ready for him to go this week.

    George (Jazz) – I actually really liked this dance. Total agreement in the chemistry, but Allison is just phenomenal and I think George did a great job. I was genuinely sad that he left this week.

    Eliana (Contemporary) – My favorite of the night, but not an overwhelming favorite in the sense of the show. Like most I adore Alex and just about anything he does. I loved the song, the dancers and the choreography…but felt the “story” Stacy Tookie was trying to tell did not come across. I think the story fell flat.

    Audrey (Hip Hop) – Audrey is too cute to be hard, and that was her problem. Her movements were sharp or made with any intent. As a result, she was just overshadowed by Twitch.

    I agree that this episode was just “meh…”. The thing that I initially loved about this show was the demand of the dancers in genre’s that were not their own and seeing magic. And it seems that in the past few seasons, we get dancers who are given something the “powers that be” believe will showcase how awesome the dancers are in a genre close to their own.

    Magic is when dancers like Ivan get contemporary and kill it, or when Alex gets hip hop and just is so awesome you can’t believe it. It’s when you get someone like Legacy who has no training and have him dance a waltz that moves the whole audience.

    There is a certain something missing in the most recent seasons, and I think it is because the producers are trying too hard to make magic; instead of just letting the show move at a natural pace.

11. 11
    Honeybee
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 11:53 am

    @unwise – I actually kind of agree with you. I think his little mustache was not doing him any favors.

12. 12
    WishICouldDance
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Ok, this is odd but explains my feelings about this season. Bear with me:

    I am cleaning and have music on shuffle. The song “Why” by Annie Lennox came on and I just stopped. I clearly remembered the dance with Allison & Ivan and just HAD to go watch it again. I cannot hear that song without thinking of the dance. This is not the only example of this but it’s the one that just happened – That resonance or impact or whatever you want to call it.

    So far, there has no been music/dance/dancer connection that has really stuck with me. Maybe it’s just me.

13. 13
    wcsdancer
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    I watched a lengthy series of interviews with a former winner of SYTYCD. He confirmed what we’ve all suspected. If a dancer is in the bottom two by viewer votes, the producers have the power to save that dancer. The only time it strictly view’s choice is the final show.

    ITA, this season has been really lacking in ‘wow’ moments. I don’t know if it is due to casting, or maybe they need to get some new choreographers? Fewer contemporary dancers? Bring Wade Robson back?

14. 14
    blueberryPancake
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    I am still loving Eliana and Will ( yes yes,he can mug a bit , but there is something so endearing about him )

    Audrey and tiffany and lindsey and whitney cancel each other out …i think they take votes from each other. (we will see now that tiff is gone we will see how it shakes out )

    Cyrus is there for filler and backstory…and that is a shame because he is truly talented.
    He and his crew need to hit up ABDC where they can be appreciated for their true talent

15. 15
    Kammie
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    I know I should know this…but why is Lauren the devil’s spawn?

16. 16
    Cat Is My Idol
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I had very high hopes for this season after they introduced the top twenty. It hasn’t panned out in the way that I would have hoped (you know…like season 4!), but I really don’t think it’s the fault of the dancers.
    I think a few things are to blame.
    First, because we only get one night, everything feels SO rushed. I don’t always like the pre-dance segments, but maybe a little more time spent with the dancers in rehearsal would help us connect to them more. Also, it appears that they are mainly showing reruns on Thursday night….seriously Fox?!
    Second, while I understand the dilemma, skipping the show first for the 4th of July and then for the olympics made it so hard to become fully invested in the dancers. I had to keep reminding myself who each dancer even was.
    Third, (and this one is directly related to the second), TWO double eliminations!!
    Complete agreement…this has been the longest/shortest season ever. We whittled it down to the top ten without even getting a chance to know the dancers–and yet it feels like it took forever to get there!

17. 17
    sagittariuskim
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    First off SQUEEEEE Twitch!

    Does Tyce use a magic 8 ball to decide his choreography. His routines are always such a random and chaotic mess. I kept expecting Gene Kelly to climb out of his grave and come and slap Tyce.

    Anya was looking rough this episode, it looks like she gained weight or something. She was just really bloated and puffy looking.

    I really wish Spencer Liff would become the permanent Broadway choreographer. Or they need to try and get Wade to come back.

    This episode was definitely a palate cleanser after last week’s disappointment.

18. 18
    hot cawfee
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    I agree kids– my darling Cat (would totes go for beers with her and with Princess Carole of NYC) has been under serious wardrobe distress.

    And the all-stars as partners isnt working muchly for me. Some dancers are getting over shadowed. Challenge them with choreography not necessarily a partner.

    @13 wcs– YES!!!! That is it– there is no “wow” factor with this group. I’d love to see them put on A Chorus Line rather than do this season.

19. 19
    Liz
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    @Enrique’s Mole – I noticed that too. Made me wonder if next week I should pay attention to who goes last.

    Was I the only one who was distracted by the fact that Gene Kelly would have been 100 and his widow looked round about 50? Apparently, there was a 40 year age difference there. Wow. That is all.

    I actually like Will, mostly. He could tone it down a bit, but he seems sweet and genuine. Robert I hated because it seemed like such a put on, like he obviously thought he was awesome but was always, “what???? you like ME????”

    Agreed to everyone about the blah of this season. I do think it’s the choreographers, because every dance feels very been there done that. And the lack of dancers really excelling outside of their comfort zones. I can’t think of a single performance this season where that has happened.

20. 20
    s-k-s
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 6:21 pm

    Some follow-up on the fall-out from Ven’s behavior and some behind-the-scenes info: http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2012/08/27/13509035-project-runways-real-size-model-show-was-adult-bullying-at-its-best#.UDwBOdXeb6E.twitter

21. 21
    Lizbot
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    @blueberry pancake: I agree with you. I think part of the problem with this season is the similarity in casting — I often find it difficult to differentiate between Tiffany and Audrey in terms of both personality and look, and it was similar to LIndsay and Witney in the beginning, but at least they have pretty distinct personalities. I can’t say that I will miss, Audrey, cute and sweet as she seemed (and she was a solid dancer too), simply because she never really made a huge impact for me in her dancing.

    George is a talented soloist, but he really did not have the skills for connecting with a partner, even a partner as dynamic as Allison.

    I agree with nooneinparticular: I think they were overly harsh on Cole and did not give him enough credit for what he did. But then, he’s my favourite guy left, so I might be biased. I also thought Dima’s music choice for the chacha was all wrong, and even Anya couldn’t dance it as fabulously as we know she can dance with the right music/choreography.

    I didn’t notice Tyce in the opening number — I stopped paying attention after I realized it was another Tyce Diorio “Broadway” number. Nigel should be ashamed of himself for letting Tyce continue to bastardize the greats (first Fosse, now Kelly?). I second the motion for making Spencer LIff the sole broadway choreographer.

    I love Dave Scott. I didn’t love the concept for the 400 year old couple, but I would love to see him on the show more often (I’m not sad that we’re seeing less Nappytabs — and for a happy reason too)

    Eliana is by far my favourite dancer of this season! I loved her number with Alex Wong, but it was a win win win for me: Stacey Tookey + Alex Wong + Eliana = amazing in my head.

    Overall I felt this week was a vast improvement over last week (and most of the season so far, actually), but I agree that they have yet to reach the wowness of past seasons.

22. 22
    lifesabeach
    Posted August 27, 2012 at 8:27 pm

    God I had forgotten about how much Sir Bitchypants being in the opening number pissed me off until the recap came out.

    Why? And cole didn’t look ‘injured’ to me. AND the smug faces that Tyce pulls. Sweet jesus when will Nigel learn that we all HATE the guy?

23. 23
    jerseyj
    Posted August 28, 2012 at 8:03 am

    Ugh, I knew that opening number was that hack Tyce’s and then I saw him dancing in it and almost lost my dinner.

    I LOVED the Spencer Liff number with Jacob/Lindsey. My boyfriend thought I was nuts because he heard me clapping and screaming “that’s how broadway should be done!” from upstairs. Of course, I’ve always been partial to Jacob, he’s one of my favorites. But even without him, the choreography was leaps and bounds better than Tyce’s! That number he put together for George and Allison sucked.

    I also agree about Dave Scott, I can’t remember ever really liking anything he’s done. Im pretty sure Chehon goes home next week thanks to him.

    I was surprised Whitney stayed. I thought that was Audrey’s first time in the bottom (but maybe I’m wrong) and whitney has been there a bunch. She just hasn’t had a wow moment for me either.

    When I saw that Eliana was going to be dancing with Alex Wong in a Stacey Tookey number I almost had a dance-gasm! Unfortunately, I have to say I was a little disappointed. It was a nice dance, but didn’t wow me. Still, so much better to see her dancing with someone as good as her!

    Cyrus needs to go! How the hell have him and Will not ended up in the bottom yet? They just aren’t as talented as the other male dancers. Will is better than Cyrus obviously, but he’s nothing spectacular. And Cyrus just walks around and picks people up. They don’t give him any real dancing to do. He literally walked around pushing a broom in the opening number…that’s it!

24. 24
    jerseyj
    Posted August 28, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Oh and I didnt think Cole did a bad job at all. It wasn’t the best ever, but it certainly wasn’t bad. It was leaps and bounds better then Kent’s dance with Anya, when she basically dragged him all around the floor. And, the judges gave Kent a tongue-bathing for that piece of crap!

25. 25
    WishICouldDance
    Posted August 28, 2012 at 9:00 am

    I remember that!!! It was if she was dancing with a kid and it kinda creeped me out.

    Yes, Kent was a talented dancer but his whole “farm boy” thing got on my nerves and every time there was a lift in a piece…. Well, I was worried for his partner. His dance with Neil was really great but disco? Yikes! The Anya dance? Ewww! Every time people talk about how Cyrus gets special consideration, I think about Kent. I am convinced that routines were modified for him as well.

26. 26
    sfspurri
    Posted August 28, 2012 at 11:03 am

    Cole had a foot injury. He was told by the ER doctor to stay off his foot the two days before the live broadcast (which apparently was the two rehearsal days). There was concern that he had gout, but it turned out to be a torn ligament. (I’m such a Facebook creeperrrr.)
    But yeah, I was kind of pissed, because Cat did acknowledge he had an injury when he didn’t participate in the opening dance, but when he did his number, EVERY judge commented on his footwork, which is obviously impaired if he has an injury on his…FOOT!
    I’m really concerned about the rest of the season for him. I hope his injury doesn’t get him the boot, because he’s my fave guy.
    I’m ready to place bets. Eliana & Cole for the win.

27. 27
    Honeybee
    Posted August 29, 2012 at 9:37 am

    Being that we get a new episode today, I was thinging about this show today.

    Moreof something WishICouldDance, said earlier. She mentined that she heard a song and just had to go and lookup the dance.

    And I have to agree. I have shuffle running on my desk and I head “if it kills me” and had to watch the Jason and Jeanine. I can’t really think of a whole lot this season that I really want to watch over and over.

28. 28
    PottyMouth
    Posted August 29, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    Hi Gasmi! I think we all seem to be mostly on the same page yet again. I guess minds really DO think alike!

    nooneinparticular: Bummer about not having Oxygen, but you may be happy to find out that Oxygen actually shows full episodes it online!

    suedisco: LOLOL! I still can’t get over that outfit. SO awful.

    cherrylipgloss: Awww…it alwas sucks when your favorite goes home. Especially in a season where there doesn’t seem to be much excitement to be found.

    blazergirl: I agree. I think it’s how we all felt when Jose was hanging around for weeks on end. When the guys (or girls) that come from a specific genre other than contemporary can really step up and transcend their label it’s SO incredible, but when they don’t…..we’re all left feeling bleh.

    wcsdancer: You are NOT the only one who can’t stand Disco Doriana. I am convinced that she is on a mission to kill every dancer she choreographs for.

    WishICouldDance: I agree; there really hasn’t been a WOW moment at all. It’s crazy because this cast is incredibly talented, but they just aren’t grabbing my attention. What a waste.

    Enrique’s Mole: I think you are probably right. I am pissed also.

    unwise: Mary takes that fucking tamale train VERY seriously. What an idiot. I feel a sense of gay panic from Nigel for almost every male dancer. Shit, even with Dmitry and Pasha he always had to make comments about them needing to put their shirts on! HATE him.

    Enrique’s Mole: Oooooooo……very interesting! I didn’t notice that but I’ll be paying more attention to the order this week! I don’t know why Nick has been gone for so long, but I adore him so I was super happy to see him back. Now if they’d only get Danny back as well….**sigh**

    Honeybee: I kept confusing Tiffany and Audrey for a while because they look so similar! I COMPLETELY agree about the magic that used to be on this show. I STILL remember the contemporary with Ivan and Allison. And Alex doing hip hop with Twitch. Benji and Travis dancing hip hop together. Lacey and Danny’s spicy samba. This season has NONE of that. It makes me sad.

    wcsdancer: I will always vote YES to Wade coming back!!!!

    Blueberry Pancake: It really is a shame about Cyrus because they will never know if he COULD have risen to the occasion given that they haven’t even bothered trying to give him that chance. I don’t think he probably would, but I’d be happier if they had at last let him TRY.

    Kammie: I call Lauren the Devil’s Spawn for a few reasons. 1. I can’t stand her. 2. She assists Sir BitchyPants. A LOT. 3. Nigel adores her. 4. I can’t stand her. She’s either the Devil’s daughter or she made a pact with him because she gets FAR too many opportunities that should go to other dancers. In my opinion. Plus, I can’t stand her.

    Cat Is My Idol: I agree. The only thing I would add is that they need more variation in the choreographers. Everything else I think you nailed.

    sagittariuskim: I think Tyce randomly stops videos of other people’s choreography and then tries to string them all together. He is awful and a hack.

    hot cawfee: If you go for beers with Cat and Princess Carole you had better invite me!!! I wasn’t a fan of the all-stars concept when it was introduced, but this season I was actually looking forward to seeing them, hoping they could inject some life into this season!

    Liz: Oh crap – I had thought I mentioned the widow!! I think you’ve nailed the difference between Will and Robert for me, why I don’t have that visceral feeling about Will like I did with Robert. Dude definitely needs to tone it down, but he seems genuinely overexcited to be there.

    Lizbot: I think it’s funny that you tuned out the dance when you realized it was a BitchyPants routine! I wish I could have done the same thing. I was betting that Gene Kelly wanted to crawl out of his grave and beat the crap out of Tyce. Or maybe that’s me. Minus the whole grave thing.

    lifesabeach: I was actually yelling at my TV I was so pissed!

    jerseyj: Spencer Liff is so great. Every now and then he has a dud (who doesn’t), but he is leaps and bounds above Tyce. I also wish they’d just stick to him for Broadway. I’m convinced Tyce has naked pictures of Nigel with another guy or something.

    sfspurri: They only acknowledge someone has an injury when it’s one of Nigel’s favorites. Most of the time someone can dance hurt and you only hear about it later. I’m curious to see what happens this week with him because torn ligaments don’t heal in a week.

    Thanks so much everyone for reading and commenting! And, of course, for keeping me company throughout this rocky season. Always love hearing what you all have to say.

    Talk to you soon….

    SWAK, PottyMouth

29. 29
    PottyMouth
    Posted August 29, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Uhhhh…that should be GREAT minds think alike. D’oh!

30. 30
    Kammie
    Posted August 29, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    Wow…you are a dedicated recapper!! Thanks for answering so many questions from us. I’m watching this week’s SYTYCD right now and cannot wait to read your recap for it!

31. 31
    Lizbot
    Posted August 31, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Me too — I can’t wait for this week’s recap!

32. 32
    PottyMouth
    Posted September 4, 2012 at 11:49 am

    I have not forgotten about you Gasmi!! I broke my ankle and was in the hospital briefly and then have been at my parents’ house and on pain meds. Now home, but still on meds and a little loopy. I’m trying to work on the recap and get it up as soon as possible. Keep getting sleepy. Will try to finish soon.

    SWAk, PottyMouth