SYTYCD: Where There's A Will, There's No Way
Somewhere out there in TV Land, somewhere near a television set to Fox and a remote control that's been flung across the room in a rage, Debbie Allen is crying/clawing her eyes out. And she's probably ready to hit America's viewers over the head with that prop cane she used to threateningly wield in the opening sequence of Fame.
Yes, people, it's true: So You Think You Can Dance's golden boy and Debbie Allen's protégé, the almighty Will--the guy who's been pimped by the judges more aggressively than Carly Smithson and David Archuleta ever were this season on American Idol--was voted off tonight.
On the plus side, this means Debbie can now return to SYTYCD as a guest judge (to preserve some flimsy semblance of neutrality, she had to bow out when Will was selected to compete on the show). And perhaps even more on the plus side, it seems like the public has finally spoken out against all the astonishingly blatant favoritism on SYTYCD. But on the minus side, it's a pity that Will--one of the best, if not THE best, male dancers this season--had to be the scapegoat here. He truly deserved to stay, especially after his dynamite James Brown-tribute solo last night.
But the fact is, So You Think You Can Dance has had a long history of nepotism. On season 2, both Benji Schwimmer and his cousin Heidi both made it through (Benji won; Heidi came in fourth); then on the following season, the finalists included former Tice Diorio assistant Lauren, Benji's little sister Lacey, and Danny, the adopted brother of season 2 first-runner-up Travis. Somehow this it's-all-who-you-know policy never conjured up the same kind of unbridled outrage created when the many industry-insider connections of AmIdol finalists Carly, Michael, Kristy, or David A. were uncovered, maybe because the producers weren't at all secretive about it. But I do know all this favoritism still didn't sit too well with more suspicious, skeptical viewers.
Anyway, perhaps Will--with his Debbie Allen endorsement and his salivatingly over-the-top praise from the judges week after week--was just the last straw. Maybe viewers didn't want to vote for someone who seemed to have such a surefire inside track. That might have even been why Twitch was in the bottom this week, too:
Perhaps last night's odd revelation that he and Katee had been friends before coming on the show aroused suspicions as well.
Or maybe it's just because neither Will nor Twitch took their shirts off last night. Who knows?
Whatever the reasons for tonight's results, they certainly were shocking. Twitch was so taken aback when he found out he was in the bottom two guys, he totally broke down--his hard 'hood persona completely crumbled and he literally dropped to his knees, sobbing like a lost little boy. Cat Deeley actually had to help him back on his feet, he was so upset. And my heart really went out to him. It was in that moment that I realized just how badly Twitch--who narrowly missed making the show last season--wants to win this. His reaction kind of had me rooting for him to stay over Will--because Twitch has had little pro training and therefore really needs and wants this victory, while Will could always go back to Debbie Allen.
But I think when Twitch realized he was up against the Golden Boy, he assumed he was doomed. Hence why he freaked out like that.
Anyway, on the subject of SYTYCD surprises, Mark was equally shocked...shocked that he WASN'T in the bottom this week, that is. I can understand Mark's reaction, because I was astounded too--after all, Mark's foxtrot, with weakest link Comfort, was pretty much the only dance last night that didn't get high praise across the judges' board. Plus, Mark had already been in the bottom the week before. His awesome solo was what saved him from elimination then, and I think last night's equally great solo is what saved him this week. Honestly, I was glad that Mark would be sticking around, as I've always adored him...but I was crestfallen that Mark staying meant that either Will or Twitch would be leaving. It couldn't be a three-way tie; that's just not how this show works, unfortunately.
The one result that wasn't shocking in the least was Comfort being in the bottom again. She didn't seem too surprised, either; I highly doubt she'd even unpacked her bags from when she returned to the competition as the injured Jessica's understudy. Courtney's poor placement was a little more surprising, but she was up against Katee and Chelsea, both of whom were stunning last night, so she must have known there was some chance she'd bottom out tonight.
But Comfort ended up getting cut for the second time, while Courtney prevailed--which is how it should have been. At least America got that decision right.
And so it came down to Will and Twitch...and, if you were reading this blog's second paragraph closely, then you already know Will was the one with the fewer votes. I bet the judges really wished they still had their veto power, but the public had spoken and there wasn't jack squat that Nigel and company could do about it. It was curtains for Will.
You want fame, Will? Well, fame costs. And right here's where you start paying--in sweat.
But don't you worry, Will, if you're reading this: You're a genius dancer, and I'm sure you have a great deal of fame in your future, with or without any industry connections.


Just my Thoughts...
ok...conspiracy theory...the show wants to be able to have Debbie Allen choreograph the top 4...so they rigged it to have Will go home! ha!.. seriously.. Will doesn't need SYTYCD anymore.. he's had plenty of exposure now and has Debbie backing him up...and LP, i agree, it's cause he didn't take his shirt off ;-).. It is kind of wierd that we didn't find out until NOW that Will and Katee were friends before...like, why hide that?
I'm glad Mark stayed.. i love him.. white guys can dance! LOL! but steel town man, i agree.. there's no way he's gonna make it past Joshua(the maaaaan) and Twitch...
btw, LL Cool J and the LA Ballet?? who knew!
Well, I wish Will the best of luck in his future. I hope he becomes the big star that he truly is!
I was shocked it was Will that went home, however he didn't do all that great this week, neither did Twitch. My opinion of course. At this stage it is hard see people leave because they are all so great!
Thanks for your daily Conspiracy theory!!!
I think you'll have Joshua til the end so you can keep that excitement til then.
Remember new start new life , don't look back, go forward and don't let anything or anyone stand in your way, you earned it!!!
( advice for my amusing friend )
It is true though, Will has a future already cut out for him with Debbie and he is on the tour so thier should be no tears there.
I think Comfort knew it was coming, so no surprise there.
Just my Thoughts....
Lindsay, you did not comment on Nigels comment that maybe voters were voting for the underdogs because they felt the front-runners (Will and Twitch) were safe. We have seen this happen on idol too.
To test this, isn't there a dialidol type site devoted to SYTYCD?
Anyway, glad to see Twitch still around.
Rest of the way:
Courtney, Chelsea, with Katee in the Final
Mark, Joshua, with Twitch in the Final
Although I would like to see Twitch win, my bet is on Katee.
steeltown man: do you have messenger?
:-).. technically not supposed to be posting here! ha!
Like everyone else here I was shocked to see Will and Twitch in the bottom 2 considering they are wonderful dancers. Caseygamer mentioned the AI conspiracy with favorites being voted off because people thought they were safe. It kind of seems like the same case here.