'So You Think You Can Dance' Results Show: Not A Thriller
Tonight's So You Think You Can Dance results show was an especially bittersweet one. It marked the separation of the existing couples, who after weeks of on- and offstage bonding will no longer be dancing together; it was the last time the judges were allowed to save any dancer, no matter how worthy, since the top 10 will be voted solely by America from now on; and, most troublingly, Nigel Lythgoe dejectedly announced that Sony is refusing to let SYTYCD license the Michael Jackson catalog for a planned Jackson SYTYCD tribute special.
The last bummer bit of news made NO sense to me at all. First of all, both American Idol and season 1 of America's Best Dance Crew put on all-Michael episodes in the past, and while those shows obviously aired before Michael's untimely passing, that shouldn't affect Sony's decision now. Second, on the actual day of Michael's death, Nigel delivered a live on-air speech about Michael's impact on dance--pretty much flat-out saying SYTYCD wouldn't even exist if not for Michael Jackson--and he spoke so eloquently and from the heart, I was literally brought to tears. Such an outpouring of genuine sentiment alone should be enough to sway Sony execs.
It's damn shame. I know that this show would treat Michael's music with respect and reverence, and that all the participating choreographers would create unforgettable routines that would honor and celebrate MJ's legacy. Can you imagine a rough 'n' ready Mia Michaels contemporary routine to "Dirty Diana"? A Nappytabs hip-hop number set to "Wanna Be Startin' Something"? Doriana Sanchez disco to "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," a lovely Tony Meredith waltz to "You Are Not Alone," or even something with a Broadway vibe to "The Way You Make Me Feel"? It would be such a thriller...and compared to some crass cash-in MJ tributes I've witnessed lately, it would be so much more special and well-intentioned.
This may sound blasphemous, but I honestly believe Michael Jackson himself would be proud to lend his music to such an elaborate SYTYCD production. So I'm taking advantage of my blog space here to beg the Sony powers-that-be to reconsider! I hope they're reading this.
OK. Moving on. The bottom three couples tonight were, in my opinion, pretty much the right ones; this gives me hope that viewers will continue to make smart decisions in the coming weeks, when the eliminations rest squarely in their hands without any judges' input.
I was sad to see Jason & Caitlin in the bottom again, but hardly shocked since a) the judges were quite hard on them last night and b) they'd been on the chopping block two times before, indicating that they've never been that popular with voters.
Ade & Melissa weren't huge shockers either, since their downtempo waltz last night was not as memorable as some of the evening's flashier routines, and Melissa noticeably stumbled during their disco number.
And finally, though I was a little surprised that Phillip & Jeanine were in the bottom given Phillip's longstanding popularity, I believed they--or at least Phillip--deserved to be there. This pair's Russian folk dance routine last night was almost painful to watch, and while they redeemed themselves with their entertaining jive, it wasn't enough to make them stand out from superior couples like Kupono & Kayla and Brandon & Janette, who were jaw-droppingly amazing last night.
When it came time for the dance-for-survival solos, Caitlin was clearly the weakest among the girls tonight. It seemed like all the fight had gone out of her. So it was no big shocker when she was subsequently unanimously eliminated by the judges--although I did think it was a little cruel for the judges to fake her out by calling her name first, since in past elimination episodes the contestant called up by the judges first was usually safe. I could see how stunned Caitlin was when it turned out the show had switched format and she learned she was in fact going home. My heart broke a little for her in that moment.
It was a closer race among the guys: Phillip definitely excelled, as he always does when he's allowed to dance in his specialty genre, but Jason totally stormed out of the gate and Ade seemed like a new man, dancing with a fire and passion I'd never witnessed from him before (he even received a standing ovation). So I think the judges made the correct--if possibly unpopular--decision to send Phillip home in the end. He'd probably gone as far as he could go in this competition, given his limited range.
But it turns out that Phillip will be going further than we all thought, because he--as well as Caitlin--will be going on the So You Think You Can Dance tour after all, making it a top 12 revue this year instead of just 10! This makes sense, since it's understandable that the producers would want Phillip on the tour to add some hip-hop flava and do his thang. He'll be awesome on the tour, getting to show off his signature, triple-jointed breakdance style without having to struggle through an awkward tango or Russian folk dance ever, ever again.
The unexpected but welcome news that all was not lost for Phillip and Caitlin was an upbeat ending to an otherwise sad evening.
Now, please excuse me while I go start a petition to send to Sony...though you're free to post your opinions regarding Sony's controversial decision below, in the meantime. Let it rip! I wanna be startin' something!
I do think a Michael Jackson special would be awesome. The caliber of the choreography and the dancers is just so unmatched. I hope they will reconsider.
As far as the elimination....I completely agreed with the decisions. I knew they wouldn't be cutting Jeanine or Melissa since they absolutely gushed over them last night. I'm a big fan of Melissa's so I'm good with the decision. And as far as the guys...with Nigel's little speech about already knowing who they wanted to cut and people not in the top 10 being able to go on tour as "swings" I was sure it was Phillip going home...since he could still be on the tour.
Overall, I very satisfying elimination night. This show is honestly one of my favorite competition shows....there is so much talent and it is beyond entertaining.
I am also sad that Sony/MJ's family won't allow SYTYCD access to MJ's music catalog. I agree that it'd be a great show! I can almost see the group "Thriller" number...possibly choreographed by Wade or Mia...? So sad...I hope Sony changes their mind too!
And finally, was anyone else slightly disappointed to hear that the judges pretty much have their minds made up about who's going home the morning of the results show? If that's the case, why even let the bottom 6 dance solos? Just rubbed me the wrong way for some reason...
Yes, I think that the solos have made an impact before, but like Nigel has said more than once, they base their decision on how the dancer has been doing overall--so to hear him say that they've had their minds mostly made up before the show even airs is hardly a surprise.
I assume the solos are there for two reasons: 1. To see how the dancer handles a do or die situation, and 2. To help them make up their minds about a dancer they're on the fence about.
Anyway, great column as always, and while I'm on the here, great job with your interview of the AI finalists!
i agree shanin.. they need to see how someone performs under pressure..
and umm.. did Cat have a wig on wendesday night or something? i thought she had gotten a haircut.. lol!
I disagree with the comments above about the judges knowing the results in the morning. I think Nigel explained it very fairly and I don't think it's wrong that they know ahead of time. First of all, having an entire day to think about who they want to send home as opposed to less than an hour makes alot more sense since they SHOULD take into account not just the solos, but the dancers progression and body of work. That makes alot more sense and is the fairest way to judge. Secondly, the solos are not insignificant because they do give the bottom 6 dancers a last ditch effort to dance their asses off and possibly sway the judges vote, which, most of the time, I don't think they take advantage of it. Alot of them seem to half ass their solos. And not just that, it gives them a last chance to perform on the stage and have that experience one last time before possibly getting eliminated.
I for one am very happy with the results. I don't think Phillip was as popular as you think LP. I for one didn't see what was the big deal with the guy. And Caitlin just annoyed the crap out of me and I don't really know why.
All I know is all of my voting Wednesday night for Kayla and Kupono paid off!!! If they would have ended up in the bottom again I would have just died. I love them and Brandon and Janette. I think that's who should be in the top 4.
Anyway enough rambling. I can't help it! I'm just so in love with this show!!!!
Aside from it being a fantastic idea for the show, Sony should think about the millions of viewers who would likely go out and buy the songs those performances.
Dumb Dumb Dumb. Perhaps they deserve to lose that money.
OH...by the way, you can't do a waltz to "You Are Not Alone"...it's in 4/4 timing, and a waltz has to be done in 3/4 timing. MJ doesn't have any 3/4 ballads...except for Little Susie. That would be interesting...
Nigel's speech was very touching, but I also think it was a little unprofessional for him to bring it up on-air. Sony probably has its reasons for not releasing the music, but now there is bound to be outraged fans and confusion. This is truly a shame.
So if you truly want to remember MJ, go on YouTube and watch his old footage or pop in one of his albums. It really is dumb to squabble over these trivial matters, especially when things are not always the way they appear.
Keep up the great work. I love reaking your blog.