Saturday, June 26, 2010

SYTYCD - week 2

Don't think I like the new format. There were only 11 contestants (more about that in a minute), and they were partnered with a past contestant (the All-Stars) by random draw. It's hard to just keep your eyes on the dancer without watching the All-Star. Since this is partner dancing, both dancers have to contribute and play off each other. In the previous format, both dancers were judged, and the chemistry between them counted for a lot. Then if their partner was voted off, they got the other one left without a partner. It was interesting to see how the new partnership went. Sometimes, a dancer was changing partners all the time. That's actually a good thing. If they get work, they will have to be able to adjust this way. I guess in that respect, the new format does force them to adjust immediately. They won't have the same partner every week.

About the 11. A strange thing happened here. The original plan was to have just 10 contestants - 5 boys, 5 girls. The judges couldn't decide between the final 2 boys and changed the game by keeping them both. Seems to me that to be fair, they should have kept another girl as well.

So what do I think about the dancers this season? There are several very young people. By that I mean, they look and act young. A tiny little girl was voted off 1st week. Another this week. There are 4 boys that are just that...young boys. Everyone loves them, they are so cute, you can't not love them. But there are more mature dancers that I think should go farther.

I think it will be a male that wins this season. The girls are dropping like flies. My pick is Alex. He's an interesting case. Amazing, outstanding dancer! He had to drop out last season after he aced auditions because of his commitment to a dance company. They released him this season so he could take his shot at the big time. He's so technically perfect, he's having a hard time giving of himself. At least that's what the judges say they want more of from him. Their continued criticism of his lack of personality could cost him.

One of the things about the new format is all about the All-Stars. When the contestant pulls their name out of the hat, they get the dance style of the All-Star, as well as the chorographer(s) in that style. So if Twitch is drawn (how great to see him again!), the dance will be hip hop. There are some styles that don't really fit anywhere. Bollywood (one of my favs) I think they just use an All-Star at random, or maybe one that has danced the style before.

What else? Oh yeah, America's Got Talent. I haven't seen a lot of really Vega-worthy acts. Supposedly, this is about earning a headline gig in Vegas, and I think of what I'd want to see in a Vegas show. Flashy, unique, and maybe funny come to mind. There was the light show group. That was pretty damn cool. Actually, that's the only one that comes to my mind right now.

Some of the worst things were voted through to Vegas tryouts. That incredibly clownish old woman playing a portable piano badly, and singing worsely. How dare anyone murder Patsy Cline like that! Good god, doesn't she look at herself in the mirror after putting on her clown face. I get the feeling she thinks she looks good. That face would knock a sleeper out of bed as a nightmare.