OMG, I wanted to smack Mia too!

And I think the reason Natalie got cut so fast (that pissed me off too) is that the judges never had any intention of letting her into the top 20. She was fodder for the Katee drama last year (two roommates vying for the last spot) but I bet they feel like she's not pretty enough for tv (I think she's beautiful in her own right, but I'm not a shallow tv exec). I think they saw their chance to cut her and weren't going to risk her giving an undeniably amazing DFYL to make us all go WTF even louder than we already are.

I knew that they would pick Evan over Ryan for the same reasons -- Evan is just more camera ready (even though Ryan is equally, if not more awesome). And how much do you want to bet that if Ryan tries out next year they'll cut him the first chance they get using whatever excuse they can drum up.

Oh, and I love Lil C, but he needs to stay the hell away from Mia! She's infecting him with her evil bitchitude. I hope he returns to normal once they're no longer joined at the hip at the deluxe judging table...

Everyone's thinking it so I'm gonna say it: Natalie has 'tard teeth. I'm sorry. But her front upper mouth area resembles that of someone whose teeth are too big for their mouth and she has a severe overbite.

Not that it should matter, but have you noticed that there are never any ugly people who make it on to the show? Why do you think they kept giving miss "can't dance any style but her own" so many chances? She's adorable.

Why do you think they let that guy through who can't really dance? Because he's hot and likable. They want people to watch the show and vote for people.

Tween girls are gonna vote for the cute guy and the non-threateningly pretty girl.

Poor Natalie just isn't conventionally pretty enough to be on tv.

I love this show! It's the one competition show on television that features actual talent.

I enjoyed Vegas week, but missed the lack of drama it usually brings out in the contestants. What's with all these dancers getting along? It's like they're good people or something. To make up for it the editors showed plenty of crying. I understand that this is their passion and making it to the top twenty would be a huge break for the dancers, but come on, man up a little!

Still love the show and the dancers though. *sniff* now I'm getting choked up.

It was something of a shock that Natalie was cut - and so early. The judges did say though, that they were disappointed in her throughout the rounds and that they just couldn't keep pulling for her. Since they didn't show footage of her dancing in prior routines it's very possible that she really wasn't coming up to standard, and even you admitted (and I also noticed) that she didn't do as well in the judging performance as she did in practice. I'm just trying to give the judges some credit, because they don't gain anything from cutting talented, well liked dancers for no reason.

And then they show the Gabi clips and my faith in the judges erodes. After performance number one, "You were horrible, but we liked your solo so you can stay." After performance number two, "My gag reflex was working overtime. You have to understand that you are such a disappointment to us right now. But we remember your solo so you can stay." After performance number three, "You're making us question our career choice after having to watch that performance. There is nothing there... nothing. You're killing us, you are such a disappointment." (Please god just let them fucking cut her! Seriously, I'm not a dancer and even I can see she sucks ass. This is such bullshit!!!) "We are giving you one more chance. (Nooooooo!) Dance your solo and give us any excuse at all to keep you here (even though you can't pick up choreography, which is the end-all, be-all of this show so this charade makes less and less sense)." "We knew you could do it. You've justified our faith in you, we just can't let you go." (Urgg.)

Still love the show and the dancers though. Well, not all of them but you get my drift. I even like the judges for the most part. Anyone else notice that Mary hasn't screamed except once (I think) so far for all of the audition process? I actually like Mary when she isn't screaming - hate her when she is. I know it's probably too much to hope for once the top twenty competition begins though.

Methinks Mia has a god complex. It's been too long since she has had to audition for something or since everyone one around her wasn't kissing her ass and telling her how much of a genius she is. That said, I find her entertaining... yes, an entertaining cunt, but entertaining nonetheless.

My favorite dancer is still Caitlin Kinney, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she is smokin' hot. Ok, I admit it might influence me a little, but I do think the girl can dance (aside from her forgetting Mia's routine and the STAGED vote by the judges on whether or not she should stay).

I'm really liking the top 20 this year, and think it's going to be a great season.

Oh yeah, I also think your writing style is superb PottyMouth.

I agree with all of you who were upset about Natalie being cut. I was looking forward to watching her dance this season and remember her audition from last year being awesome too. I think the idea that she's not pretty enough is crap. She's plenty cute in her own way and watching her dance was great. I can think of a few less than attractive male dancers that went through.

I usually love Mia, her choreography is some of the best on the show. Well, aside from that crap she put together in memory of her father that no one would really critique. She's often good for a laugh or two, but I've found her unbearable this season as well. I agree with the god complex suggestion. She went from saying that she loves strong male dancers to ripping Brandon apart? I don't get it. I still remember when she yelled at the dancers for being so neeedy, and hope she gets over her bitch moment fast.

Thanks for another great recap, looking forward to reading them over the season :)

I don't think Evan can come back next year. He'll be over the age limit. I was disappointed. Although I do think Evan is worthy of going through, i think his brother was better. and I think Nigel just wanted Evan there now before he starts losing his hair.
I didn't really like Natalee. I guess as a non-dancer, i don't see the subtle nuances. but I keep hearing she's great, so i guess she's great. I didn't even think Katee stood out until she started doing the choreography.
Pottymouth, I love your recap! it's nice to hear it from a dancer's perspective coz I didn't even know Natalee did not so great when she was on stage. i just thought it was all great and then she got cut. and I may not like her as much as everyone else, but I do agree that was just pure horse shit! oh and btw, wtf on that hip hopper going through. I didn't even like his hiphop.

Darling Pottymouth;
I have to admit that I have never watched this show. I know, I know--bad couch potato! But, really, I've never been much of a dance fan. HOWEVER, I am loving your recaps. Seriously, the network should pay you. I can't believe that I'm the only tuning into the show AFTER reading your recaps.
Hugs,
Yenta

To all who said there hasn't been any ugly people to make the top 20, if I remember correctly, season 1 had a big man in the top 20.

I agree with you all about Natalie, and I thought the fact that one of the brothers was cut was bull*&^%. Six out of the ten girls are contemporary, but they can't have two broadway dancers? Give me a break! I don't get the hip hop guy, either. The suitcase routine was lame, unfunny, and most importantly, had NO DANCING. I'm not sure why the judges found it so hilarious. I can't dance a lick, but I guess I'll head to the auditions this Fall with a picture of Nigel taped to my ass. Look for me in the top 20!

Oh Yenta! you absolutely must watch this show now, as another nondancer I assure you it is very entertaining, especially now that we're past the auditions :)

I think the big man on the first season was Alan, I think they still use him in the intro (from the waist down) at one point, at least they used to. He was a bigger guy, but he wasn't unattractive. But to each his own, I personally was thinking more along the lines of Benji and Gev, although Gev grew on me a bit. Ahhh, I can hear the benji/gev fans with their pitchforks now!

TV Freak and Tadow -- I think there's a bit of a double standard when it comes to male and female attractiveness for tv. I mean I think there's a standard producers use for selecting males, I just think it's wider than the standard they use for women. Like Tadow said, Alan was big but not unattractive. Notice, however, that they will never allow a female that big to make it into the top 20, no matter how attractive or talented she might be. And they haven't let a male that big in since season 1 for that matter.

That said, I do have to give the show credit for not using as tight a standard of attractiveness as many other shows on tv use. Most of the contestants look like attractive people you would pass on the street, not like genetically modified supermodels with no body weight.

Still, it burns me up that they dumped Natalie so unceremoniously and gave other more tv-ready dancers chance after chance for much worse performances. I loved Gabi and wish she had made it, but really? The contrast between how they treated her and Natalie was glaring. And I wish Sonya had stood up for her from the back and let them know how amazing she was in rehearsals and it was probably Mia's evil glaring that set her off. Well, at least she won't be subjected to weeks of Mia-abuse like that poor girl who had the misfortune to be paired with Will did last year...

PottyMouth..."jackassery" may be one of the best words ever. I have immediately added it to my vocabulary, so...thank you.

Let me say, I am NOT a fan of Mia's. I find her choreography repetative and predictable. (The body as rubber, jiggle...the flying leap of a woman into a guy's arms, then going limp...blah blah blah.) Because it's so predicatable, I don't feel any emotion from her numbers. And she's a nasty bitch.

I also hate that one of the brothers got cut...especially since it was the one with the experience in choreography. Maybe they felt it would give him too much of an advantage. But I agree with the poster who pointed out the horrible imbalance of too many "contemporary" dancers versus everything else. I would enjoy the show if there were a better variety of styles, especially when it comes to the "dance for your life, or we'll shoot you" solos.

Also, Tyce didn't choreograph the West Side Story number per se...he staged it. The choreography (as noted correctly in the credits) was that of Jerome Robbins...a REAL genius when it comes to dance (as opposed to Mia.) He choreographed the original Broadway production, restaged it for the movie, and the new version on Broadway also uses his original choreography. He was that good. If you get a chance, watch the movie and look at the different genres he incorporated...salsa, ballroom (both Latin and classic,) ballet, and full out Broadway, among others. And I'm guessing the brothers were already familiar with it, which is why it came so easily. (That isn't a criticism of them. Most people in theatre or classical dance are usually familiar with that particular choreography.) I was glad to see them use something "old school," which in many ways is more challenging than some of the newer choreography.

Great recap.

OMG! Natalie! But I think Lizbot was spot on.

The choreography round is so random - random partners, random CD and, most importantly, random whether you had a great choreographer (Ryan) in your group.

I don't get Mia's attitude toward Brandon. Does he remind her of some guy from junior high, or what? And she is dragging others into it. Judge favorites - what is this... American Idol?

I knew they'd pick Evan - both because he was more camera ready and because they really liked him last year.

I wish they'd hire Ryan to do choreography - or maybe he could star in a musical about Jimmy Durante. I hope he doesn't get "down" about it. That WOULD be sad.

I don't even THINK I can dance... but I took years of karate, so I appreciate what amazing feats (feets?)these people can do - and how quickly they learn complex new routines.

I'm sure they'd like to have fairly fixed height limits for both boys and girls - which is probably true in real world auditions. Having an awkwardly matched parter can really present a challenge.

Despite its flaws, I love this show!

Great recap!!! And thank you for continuing the trend of incorporating Hugh Jackman as Wolverine cameos!!! LOVE!!!

I haven't even read the recap, but the first paragraph already has me nodding my head in fervent agreement.

What the HELL is up with Mia?! Seriously, that woman is so majorly talented, why is she such a giant bitch?

Personally, I think it's jealous. I think she's extremely insecure about the fact that she's old and no longer possesses a dancer's body, so she hates people who are hotter and more talented than her. That is my only reasoning for her unexplained hatred.

Lizbot: I hope Lil C has an exorcism scheduled to remove Mia’s evil taint before the performance rounds start!

pixiegal262: Ouch! I think there are some people who I would not consider attractive that have made it. There is definitely a double standard concerning the looks of the girls vs. guys.

ohhhyeah: I also love the show, warts and all. I don’t know if Mia has a god complex or if it’s jealousy as other commenters have mentioned, but whatever it is it’s unprofessional and uncalled for. I wish laryngitis on her.

Tadow: I think a lot of people were disappointed by Natalie’s cut and if she was cut for not being pretty enough that’s such a load of crap. How often do you see dancers in close up when they’re not on this show? You can be beautiful on the outside and be an ugly person. Ugh. I’ll shut up now.

chibby: You mean Tony, right? I agree. His solo was more mugging and running around on the stage than actual dancing. It’ll be interesting to see how he does.

Yenta: Awww, you are too kind. But I’m glad you’re tuning in! I love dance so much I try to get everyone I know to watch!!

tv freak: Yep. That was Alan, but he wasn’t unattractive, just a big guy. That whole first season was a little wacky. That guy stayed around for much longer than he should have, and I think he was the reason that they changed the format to the judges deciding who goes instead of the audience.

Emmyloo: Hahaha – I bet you’d get on TV if you did that! I totally agree about the brothers.

Tadow: They can come after me with the pitchforks too because those guys are FUG. And annoying to boot.

Lizbot: How great would it have been if Sonya had jumped up and went on a rant about Natalie being cut?

cattyfan: Heh. I’m glad I could help you expand your vocabulary :P Thanks for pointing out that the Broadway choreography was not Tyce’s. I had not meant to imply that it was, but then I did. I agree that anyone not familiar with Jerome Robbins’ work should check it out – he was an amazing choreographer.

fire@will: It would be great if they would bring Ryan in to choreograph! It’ll be interesting to see how they pair the dancers up – you are right about the challenges of an awkward pairing.

slumrville: Hahaha. You’re welcome.

georgiababe: Yeah – her attitude pisses me off royally.

Can’t wait to see what the performance rounds bring us! Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts – I love hearing everyone’s opinions – especially when you give me something to think about that I hadn’t before.

SWAK, PottyMouth

Posting way late, but wasn't this the episode where Nigel told Mia - at the very end - to please be nicer to the dancers? It was on one of her PMS days. Oh, wait. That would be EVERY day! Anyway, if it WAS on the first or second day she judged the tryouts, it didn't take. She was still hateful on the last day. Mary was my hero that day!