I'm Calling You Out: SYTYCD Editors. Again.

So, I know there’s a lot of outrage in the SYTYCD community right now. Oodles of backlash is rising up from the shock elimination of Natalie Reid and other dramas. And while I was sad-ish to see Natalie go, I have a much much bigger problem right now with SYTYCD. Namely, that they need a whole new crew of editors that know how to pay off their audience. Editors, for the second straight season, I’m Calling You Out

Last season, I wrote a post where I called out the editors for overediting the dances to within inches of losing watchability. The editing destroyed all flow of the dance, focused on only one dancer, or some other gaping problem. It was really ruining the season, but they kind of got it together by the end of last season. So it was really disheartening to me this week when I realized that they were having the exact same problem with the beginning of season 5, in a way. See, this season so far, they aren’t ruining the flow of dance, but rather, as we have been talking about so frequently in light of Vegas, the narrative flow of the show.

And one need look no farther than the gaping holes in Vegas week to see this problem unfold. I’m not talking about judging oversight or anything like that, I’m talking about literal holes in information for viewers. As I said all week in my recaps, where in the hell was Kelsea Taylor? Or African Dancer Geo Smith? Or Memphis Juker Marica Flaka? Or Contemporary ladies Anna Dunn and Arielle Taylor? How about our Guerra Sisters? Anyone know Tapper Peter Sabasino’s fate? Did Kellen Stancil dance with an umbrella again?

See, we don’t know. Because, despite these people all being deserving enough to have their entire audition solo shown during auditions, they apparently didn’t merit a single mention (at least by name) during Vegas week. Sure, Peter or Arielle could be seen in the background of shots, but they, and, frankly, us, the people who watched their auditions, don’t deserve any mention of their fates? That’s not cool.

Also, what in the hell did Amanda Kerby, Travis Prokop, or Peter Sabasino do to merit video packages from home if they were either only mentioned by first name when they were cut, summarily dismissed within the first five minutes of the show, or NOT MENTIONED AT ALL? I can kind of understand it in Travis’ case, given what his video package from home entailed and how it fits with Nigel’s message of men can dance too. But really, did we need to see Amanda Kerby’s home life and her dad’s disability if she was just gonna get cut in Vegas with little mention of it? Or have dinner with the Sabasino family if he was never to be seen again? No, we didn’t. This isn’t to say that seeing their audition solos was pointless, it’s actually the opposite. I was glad to see their solos, but I wanted to actually know what happened to them.

So, really, from a continuity standpoint, the show has been dreadful this season. I get why there are certain dancers in the top 20 who we have yet to see anything from (Abe Who?), either because the judges are hoping that they will go gently into that good night, or they want us surprised when they burst out of the gate and knock our jaws to the floor. But what is the point of showing us a complete audition solo, arguably the way viewers are supposed to first invest in a dancer, if we never hear from these people again. I’m not saying that the editors should only show the solos of our top 20, I just wish we could have seen some of these people pop up in Vegas, even if only to see them get cut. In past seasons, they’ve had this problem, but I never questioned it, because (correct me if I’m wrong here folks), we saw more audition episodes. With a greater number of shown auditioners, it’s inevitable that there will be dancers shown getting through and never being heard from again. With this season though, I feel like we only had a limited number of audition cities. And, by not telling us what happened to this fairly small number of people who earned mention from their auditions, you just have angry viewers, who will continually wonder what in the hell happened to Kelsea Taylor.

So You Think You Can Dance 6/4- Season 5's Top 20 Revealed!

Hey Folks,

So, since this is the abbreviated version, this recap only features blurbs about those who made it through. So, I guess, spoiler alert? Can a recap really have a spoiler alert? For the full version, visit sytycd.ca. But, since you're here, enjoy the happy happy smiles version of tonight's proceedings...

As we left off last night, Jeanette Manrara is up first. I picked her for my top 20, so I’m hoping she gets through. She had a rough few weeks before Vegas (car accident, boyfriend troubles), so she’s hoping for a bright spot. Nigel teases her for a bit before revealing her to be our first member of the top 20.

Vitolio is our next potential top 20 member. He has an impressive backstory (he was an orphan in Haiti), and I’m shocked the show hasn’t told us about it before. He describes his nerves as a “diarrhea moment.” Lil’ C didn’t like that he was a slow-starter, but that isn’t keeping him out of the top 20. Nigel tells him to bring his fantastic personality into his dancing.

Kayla Rodamski is up next, and I know she’s got a ton of supporters here. I put her in my top 20, but in all honestly, she was my 10th pick. She’s still very talented though. Mia loves that she auditioned and tells her that she is one of a very small number of female dancers who have captivated her. Mia cannot wait for her to tear up this season, because she’s a member of the top 20. So all you Kayla fans out there, get your rejoicing on.

Kupono is next, and I’m still unsold on him, and especially the early comparisons to Mark, which I just don’t see. Kelsea Taylor was the Mark-iest dancer I’ve seen this season. He shows us a checklist he made of things to do today, including Shave, breathe, and make the top 20. Shankers brings up all the Seattle criticism of him, and then makes some stupid joke about the producers having trouble with his name because he’s in the top 20.

Paris Torres, Jeanine Mason, Ade Obayami, Karla Garcia, and Jonathan Pratero are all as well, but apparently don’t merit enough to get individual packages. I would have thought Paris would get one at least.

Brandon Bryant, the ever devisive Brandon, is up next. Mia can’t take him, and says she can’t take what he brings to the floor, it annoys the shit out of her. She sees attitude, and doesn’t see what all the fuss is about. Get your eyesight checked, Ms. Michaels. Debbie vocally disagrees, and Debbie gets it when he dances, and doesn’t judge his personality. He doesn’t impress Lil’ C, but Mary cuts C (Lil’?) off and says she doesn’t want to listen to this crap, and tells Brandon not to question his talent, and that she doesn’t want to listen to it anymore. Nigel, saving us all from having to endure more of this, sends him into the top 20. Mia wonders what’s gonna happen when he has to work with her, but Brandon promises that it’ll be bomb and he wants to show her and Lil’ C what he can do. They seem to accept this. I seem to accept that this was all likely faked drama in order to derail another fantastically talented dancer from cruising away with the title without a challenger (Shades of the Danny Tidwell Arrogance debacle, anyone? Or Will Wingfield supposedly lacking a personality?).

Tony Bellisimo is next, and I’m not at all sold on this kid. He was non-existent before Vegas and I didn’t love his Nigel obsessed solo. His dancing just doesn’t seem up to par. Nigel reiterates this, but says everyone loves his charisma, and apparently, that’s enough to get him into the top 20. Not gonna lie, I see him as an early casualty. It’s up to him to prove me wrong. Nigel says they want to see him grow. Cat notes that now he’s feeling cocky.

Maksim Kapitannikov, Caitlin Kinney (who greatly says “You’re not serious?), Melissa Sandvig (our naughty ballerina), and Jason Glover (who I really dig despite the distinct lack of featuring he’s been given), all are in the top 20, and also all don’t deserve individual packages apparently. Ashley Valerio is next, and this is the fourth time she’s tried out for the show. And apparently, resilience pays off, because she’s in the top 20 too. Her reaction in the hallway is great.

Randi Evans is next, and it’s been a while since we’ve had a cut, so I don’t think this bodes well. Mia likes her tigress body, and thinks she hasn’t stepped into her glory yet, but loves her commitment to her unitards. She is ALSO in the top 20. Damn, it’s been a while since anyone got cut.

Philip Chbeeb is next, and OBVIOUSLY he’s making it through. Like, he was a lock from the moment he set foot onscreen during his audition with Arielle Coker. So, surprise surprise, he’s through. They’re all pleased with his growth, his love of dance overall, and etc. Yeah, shocker, he’s made it.

Which means we’re down to our final two guys and our final two girls. And OF COURSE they are making the brothers Kasprzak face off against each other. Cat hates being the mean one, she tells us. Cat, we could never hate you, no matter how bad the news you have to deliver is.

Deanna Brickley vs. Asuka Kondoh- OK, OK, I know saying versus is not entirely fair. But it’s my recap, so I can do what I want. Considering Asuka is now in the final run for her second season and we’ve never, to my recollection, seen Deanna before, I’m guessing I know how this is going to play out. Debbie says one of them didn’t do enough and didn’t go the distance they needed, and, shocker [sarcasm], it’s the end of Deanna’s journey. Asuka is our final girl in the top 20.

Kasprzak vs. Kasprzak- Cat asks the brothers how they would feel if the other made it. They are very gracious to one another, all hugs and such. Seriously, these two are SO likeable, that I really wish they could both make it. The brothers describe this scenario as their worst nightmare. Nigel points out that they are too similar in style to put both of them through. Nigel makes sure to mention that there’s only room for one THIS SEASON, and tells Ryan to be proud that his choreography got his brother through to the top 20. Evan is our final guy. I’m certainly rooting for him. I love that old timey style.

Here’s out Top 20:
Boys: Ade, Brandon, Evan, Jason, Jonathan, Kupono, Max, Philip, Tony, and Vitolio.

Girls: Ashley, Asuka, Caitlin, Janette, Jeanine, Karla, Kayla, Melissa, Paris, and Randi.

Well, folks, reactions? Any early favorites (For me, it’s Brandon, Evan, Jason, Janette, and probably Kayla or Asuka)? Shocked by how little how much of the top 20 has been featured up to this point? It seems like there’s an awful lot of new names there, which could make this season either a blow-out or a really interesting free-for-all. Either way, you know I’ll be watching. And, I say again, WHERE IN THE HELL WAS KELSEA TAYLOR?

So You Think You Can Dance 6/3- Vegas Baby! VEGAS!

Note: The Posts here and at Sytycd.ca this week are pretty close to the same. That one has slightly more, but since there wasn't really much I could cut out, they're pretty close.

So, folks, it’s here. Vegas Week! Woot! This season had a bunch of great auditions, and there are certainly a few people I’m hoping to see during those final solos (Hello Kelsea Taylor, Brandon Bryant, Philip Chbeeb, and Bianca Revels, will you please move to the front of the class? Please?). Well, lets do it to it, folks!

172 Dancers are trying to make the top 20. The judges look tough, the dancers are looking, well, a little bit weak, and Cat is, well, she’s Cat, i.e awesome. And also wearing a weird leopard print-ish top. Way to take your name literally, Ms. Deeley! Judging Vegas, we’ve got Mia, Shankers, Lil’ C, and Debbie Allen, and the stalwart Nigel and Mary. Welcome back to the judging table Debbie. Everyone starts with solos to remind the judges how they got there.

Alex Wong- Finally gets a video package of his own, and he’s ridiculously impressive. Mia, wait strike that, EVERYONE is shocked by how good and strong he is. Mia gives the Flava Flav “wooooooow” afterwards. This also totally justifies my placement of him into my potential top 20.

Nigel starts out, by telling the dancers that they are not as good as the judges thought they were. And there are cuts happening NOW! Tony is safe. 45 dancers are cut immediately, including Travis Prokop, Talia Rickards, and Chimezie. Also it seems like Devin Oshiro is cut too. Sad to see Chimezie cut, means my top 20 officially can’t happen now.

Day 1 Hip-Hop: Napoleon and Tabitha are choreographing this round, and it is apparently set to the worst pop song in recent history, aka ‘Boom Boom Pow.” Gabi Rojas, who rocked it in New York, falls apart early here and puts like no energy into it. Mary, I have to note, looks very sultry during this judging. Mia says she loves cutting people, because it sends bad people home. Gabi is given a pass because of her amazing solos. The choreography during this routine actually seems to be on the better end of NappyTabs choreography. No one worth mentioning gets cut during this round, though, apparently.

Day 2 Ballroom: Ballroom with Jean Marc Genereaux and France. The dancers seem worried. Philip Chbeeb and Arielle Coker are “worried”, and performing with different partners. Phil is having… troubles. Shankers accurately points out that Phil can’t stop popping, regardless of the style. He’s given a pass for this round. Arielle impresses me, although her extensions could use a little work. Although the judges disagree, because she’s cut. All the ballroomers who we’ve met so far, though, are getting through fine. Other dancers noted for rocking it are Kayla Rodamski and Priscilla Marrero. Nabuya Nagahama also impresses. He’s overcome with emotion about his success, and thanks his teachers profusely.

Day 2 Jazz: Sonja! Yay Sonja! Glad to see Sonja having such a big role early on this season. Natalie Reid and Brandon Bryant are owning this rehearsal though. Sonja even calls them to the front to show everyone how it should be done. Wow, they OWN this. Like, this should send them directly to the top 20. However Natalie appears to be nowhere near as Own-some in the actual routine. And she has this weirdly big goofy grin on her face the whole time. Mary lays it on thick about how much they were all rooting for her, and then tells her that she’s done, because she didn’t bring it enough. Natalie even gets send-off music, which only shows that she was supposed to be in the top 20. Big oversight on the judges part, I’m guessing. EVERYONE is shocked she’s gone, and NO ONE feels safe any more. She feels bad because she thinks she let the judges down. Brandon is just gonna rock it harder now, for her, it seems. And own it he does. He could book the lead in Goddess with that routine (I promised you Showgirls references, didn’t I?) Mia and Lil’ C are NOT fans of Brandon, because he’s been overhyped apparently. Nigel disagrees, and tells Brandon that he thinks he’s one of the best dancers the show has ever had. And Natalie gets ANOTHER exit package, this one more about Brandon’s loss of her though. I’m sad to see Natalie go, but not heartbroken about it. But it does mean ANTOHER member of my prospective top 20 is dunzo. After the commercial break, the last group performs, this one featuring Gabi Rojas. And, in a sad turn, she’s again quite awful. She’s breaking Debbie Allen’s heart, fer chrissakes. The judges are hurt by how wrong they are. They are giving her ANOTHER chance though, because she’s dancing for her life. Sami Ramirez, is also cut. Dang, I really liked him. And now I’m FOUR down. My predictive skills suck.

Gabi Rojas For Her Life in the Thunderdome- Can we get rid of the terminology “Dance for your life”? It sounds like they are dancing with Mad Max (hence my terming for dance for your life solos this Vegas week) They are basing their opinions on this solo, and her whole dance-ography so far. I like the solo, and I’ll never say no to anything danced to Nina Simone. She needs more than 3 yeses. Mia is a yes and can’t let her go yet and tells her to shape up or ship out, Lil’ C is a yes and calls her buck, Mary is a yes, Shankers is a yes, Debbie is a yes and is glad she reminded them who she is, and Nigel is a sixth yes but mirrors Mia’s comments. Needless to say, with six yeses, Gabi makes it through.

Overnight Group Dance- The groups picked a song at random and had to choreograph it themselves. We thankfully do not have to go through watching all the group drama.

Group 1: Features Eric “Silky” Moore. And he’s worried, because apparently, we HAVE to get group drama. His group is clashing. He’s also already planning his dance for his life solo. NO ONE seems to know what’s going on. Eric is the most impressive in the group, but it is most definitely weak sauce. Everyone is really disappointed. REALLY disappointed. And it’s a good thing Eric was prepping, since he WILL have to dance for his life.

Group 2: Features Brandon Bryant. Who is hoping to FINALLY live up to the judges praise. I think he always has, but whatever. Mia is still unconvinced, and tells him to STEP IT UP. He (and Priscilla Marrero and Maksim K, seemingly) is through.

The Final Group: Features Ryan Kasprzak (and a Hart twin?). They are called “Nerdography.” And they are FULL of win. They are FUN and they are GOOD and they have PERSONALITY. The judges all love them, and they made Shankers miss dancing. Aw, poor Shankers, who has to direct multi-million dollar movies, Boo hoo. Don’t make me slap you Shankers. And I’m already willing to for your unleashing of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 on the world. They’re all through.

Eric Silky Moore Dances for His Life in the Thunderdome: His tap is still remarkable, features two GREAT flips, and yet he still does not have Mia, Nigel, or Debbie’s votes. He needs all the remaining judges to stay in. He doesn’t have Lil’ C’s vote either, which means he’s done.

Day 3 Mia Michaels: Everyone is like “DEAR GOD MIA MICHAELS! OH NOES!”. Hell, even if I knew I was gonna be a miserable failure, I’d be like “ZOMG I GET TO DANCE A MIA MICHAELS ROUTINE!” Seriously, everyone seems to be crapping themselves in fear. Tony Bellisimo is seemingly impressing the judges, enough to earn him a second video package tonight. He’s worried about Mia. He’s like a beat ahead of everyone, but I think he did an okay job. Mary says they love him as a person but his dancing is not good enough. He gets to dance for his life. Only not quite, since he has to dance the choreography again. Amanda Kerby gets cut, as does Nabuya. The Kinney sisters are featured (I preferred Megan, but both were initially good). Unfortunately, Megan seems to be falling apart, and I will be very surprised if she gets through. But she DOES get through, which I’m fine with, because I had her in my top 20. Caitlin is up next, and seems to be a lot better than her sister. But Mary disagrees, and can audibly be heard saying so during the dancing. She is asked to dance for her life RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

Caitlin Kinney Dances for Her Life in the Thunderdome: She seems to be pretty good. I’m still not blown away by her, but she’s putting enough energy and personality in it to stay in. Nigel and Debbie are yeses, Mia and Lil’ C and Shankers are all nos, and it all comes down to Mary Murphy. Mary gives her a reprieve.

Mia Michaels Part 2: The Kasprzak brothers are up next, and Ryan makes it through first. Evan is up next, and based on his dancing, if he doesn’t make it through, it’s kind of a travesty. But he makes it clearly through. A number of dancers are emotional on having made it through. On Tony Bellisimo’s second shot, he vows to leave it all on the stage. Cat talks with him and asks for a little smile, which, when he gives it, she adorably calls pathetic. He seems to bring it this time, but I’ve been disagreeing with the judges all night, so who knows. Debbie takes a VERY long time to tell him he’s made it through. I wonder if this is a decision that Mia disagrees with though, because she’s sitting awful far apart from the rest of this and says “I can’t take it anymore. I quit.” He gets a post interview with Cat too, where she admits that she loves when grown men cry. Why is Cat so adorable? Seriously, does ANYONE know how she manages to be so chock-full of just ridiculous amazingness?

Day 4 Tyce Diorio: They have girls routines and boys routines today. Tyce’s two routines are inspired by West Side Story. It’s Tyce, so I have low expectations.

The Girls: While the girls dance, we get a package of all the boys hanging out at the pool. I wouldn’t mind it as much if it wasn’t set to Metro Station’s “Shake It.” Tyce says the girls are gonna have to own it. I can see Jeanette Manrara owning it up front, which is good. Bianca Revels seems to be having some troubles through. Bianca looks good in the actual performance to me. Priscilla Marrero continues to stand out to me despite her distinct lack of being featured. Even though she falls at the end of the routine. But she does it amazingly, and the judges all love it. Bianca gets cut, which means she is the second of the five locks for top 20 spots that I predicted who didn’t even make it to the end of Vegas. Gabi Rojas, Megan Kinney, and Priscilla are all cut as well. 3 Dancers who ALL made my top 20 list. Which makes half my girls done, as well as a complete lack of mention for two of them (Where in the hell is Kelsea Taylor?). The girls get cut down to a top 16, and will have to solo later.

The Boys: The girls relax at the pool while the boys go through Tyce’s broadway hell. The Kasprzak’s are up in the first group, and I manage to like both of them more each time they’re on screen. And they are both OWNING it, IMO. I liked the girls routine better overall, but neither was terrible, so I guess good work Tyce? That Hart Twin that I keep spotting gets cut, but he’s the only notable male cut.

We end with everyone doing final solos in order to get the judges attention. Alex Wong Jeanette Manrara, Brandon Bryant, Asuka Kondoh, Philip Chbeeb, Kayla Rodamski, Jason {No Last Name That I Can Remember}, and Evan Kasprzak all impress me with the few seconds we saw of everyone.

Jeanette Manrara is the first one up to find out their Top 20 fate. Or will she? Because this is the end for tonight. Cat tells us it’s the most dramatic top 20 reveal yet. And it looks like only one of the Kasprzak brothers is gonna make it through, since they seem to be the dramatic end pair. Sadly, folks, tomorrow night the recap will be up later than usual. It’s my mom’s birthday, so I’m going out to dinner and will miss the live broadcast. But it’s gonna be DVRed, and I would expect the recap should be up by like 1130. Sound good folks? And what did you think of tonight? And I say again, WHERE THE HELL WAS KELSEA TAYLOR?