Prosaic Paradise

I have been taking my one light of new live television over the past … well it’s only been a week, but it’s So You Think You Can Dance season! I never, ever thought I would be a fan, I never was a dancer as a kid, never really wanted to be one (except there was the musical numbers in the Wiz that one year! Those ruled.) But Fred and Christie talked me into it last year, and it only took one or two really moving performances to hook me. So you might find yourselves punished with these wrap-ups from time to time!

Tonight because our pizza arrived just as I finished my homework, Jack was forced/coerced/decided to watch a few of the dances with me. Considering how vitriolic he’s been about the show, this is big. His take: “I ripped the band-aid off, and it still stings.” I’m working on him.

And Megan – don’t think this means I won’t comment on your wrap-up!! I had fun last time. (I just want to see if anyone watching this space also wants to talk about it!)

For the DVR-delayed, I will place the commentary behind this magical link.

Randi & Evan: Jive

I really wanted one of the judges to tell me if their arms were supposed to flop around like that. They did it consistently, so I guess they were, but it was kind of weird at times. I felt like there were some moments where hands were supposed to connect and they didn’t. I want to give them a vote though, purely sourced from cute.

Melissa & Ade: Jazz

I started out with high hopes for this number, but somewhere in the middle they lost me. Ade in particular lost me, but I think that’s because all I could see were LONG  PINK LEGS GOING ON FOREVER. They should have let him wear pink pants too.

Caitlin & Jason: Hip Hop

Nothing in this routine had what they always describe as “hard-hitting”. Halfway through I was like, “oh, I think I saw Britney do this.” And then lo, Mary made a Britney comment. So, ehn.

Janette & Brandon: Disco

OH MY GOD A MILLION VOTES NOW. “The only thing I bench is girls.” Oh, Brandon, you are a funny guy. Well, all that bench pressing girls has obviously paid off and this choreography was hot and that back bend was hot and jesus h. those splits were hot and oops, I’m on fire, get the fire extinguisher! Win. In the post-dance comments, I kept seeing Brandon trying to curb that weird rictus grin he always has. I think he was coached to soften up his facial expression!

Asuka & Vitolio: Foxtrot

I really rooted for these guys last week and I am glad I did and glad they are back. Whatever the technical details, I am with the judges that this was pure personality, pure emotion. When Asuka turned her hear in one of those inital pirouettes (or something – I know nothing of dance terminology) you could see her total belief in this dance on her face. No one cares if they didn’t do a technical Foxtrot perfectly. Wardrobe snark though: That vest he’s in is AWFUL.

Kayla & Max: Pop Jazz

I don’t know what’s going on here, and they explained it to me. Who? What? I don’t know if it’s the choreography sucking or if they’re not selling me the characters. I think … it’s the former. I’ll make a vote for them though because I unfairly vote for Russian ballroom dancers.

(Aside – the More to Love promo is making me want to puke. This show is going to make The Soup unwatchable for weeks and weeks, because Joel is going to make fat jokes and I’m going to create a nuclear mushroom cloud over Laurel. A little Othering going on maybe? OK, as you were.)

Karla & Jonathan: Contemporary

I either love or hate contemporary most of the time and this time I LOVE IT. This canadian lady can stick around as far as I am concerned because THAT was some character and story and whatever. I felt like you could see how hard they were working at some point, it wasn’t “effortless” but I also did not care.

Janeane & Phillip: Tango

Ouch. The music really didn’t help them, it only highlighted the awkwardness. Bad choice, bad dancing, very sad.

Ashley & Kupono: Hip Hop

I wanted to muzzle the judges on this one. I loved the concept, I thought they brought it, I saw really strong teamwork. I have no idea what any of the judges were talking about on this.

Overall this seemed to shake everyone out of their comfort zones except maybe Randi and Evan, but that’s probably good. I have no predictions! But I can’t wait to see the ensemble number tomorrow!

Tags: TV

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