So You Think You Can Dance 5/21- It’s Baaaaaack!

Hey folks,

Nate here. If you didn’t see my previous two posts, I will be your handy-dandy recapper for the season. Anyhoo, I’m super excited that So You Think You Can Dance is back! Can we all have a collective whoo girl moment? SYTYCD WHOO!!!!!!! Wasn’t that fun? I promise, I will not be this goofy the rest of the season. It’s just I’m finally getting a weekly Cat Deeley fix again. It was a rough winter folks. Rough. There may or may have not been rioting in the streets. On second thought, I may have imagined that. But either way, I’m glad to have my Cat back.

We start out with a Cat video package of auditions, and watching all the dancey goodness is making me ooze with anticipation. At least, I hope that’s what that ooze is. Folks, I swear I’m not this goofed out always, for serious. But audition episodes are always hard to recap, so what I think I’m gonna do is just highlight the dancers who, for one reason or another (meaning the good, the bad, and the ugly (both good and bad versions of ugly)) and give mention to anyone who the show picks out.

New York (Fine, Brooklyn, but that doesn’t count, you’re just a borough after all)
Ok, so Cat dances with some of the auditioners, and she’s even more adorable than I remember. Seriously folks, be prepared for ridiculous amounts of Cat love throughout the season. The judges for New York are Nigel, Mary, and Tabitha and Napoleon.

Gabi Rojas- She was raised in the circus and has rheumatoid arthritis. Ok, so she hasn’t danced yet and I’m already rooting for her. Good way to start the show. But when she starts dancing, I’m really rooting for her. She reminds me a little bit of Mark (S4) in the way she moves. But it’s absolutely captivating. She’s so fluid and remarkable. If she doesn’t get a ticket straight through to Vegas, I’m gonna be mad. She gets a standing ovation from most of the audience and judges, and that’s a good sign. Nigel says it’s one of the best auditions of any season and says she’s destined for the top 20. She also earns a Mary Murphy scream (Oh god, I forgot about that). She goes straight through to Vegas. Good.

Mutation (Storyboard-P and Hobgoblin)- Ok, so they’re painted like zombies. The show subtitles all their weird terms, and they say they’re dancing to show change, like Obama. I’m… intrigued. It’s interesting, certainly, but besides being contortionists, it’s not great. In fact, the way they move their bodies is creeping out both me and the judges. I do like when they climb on the judges table and send the judges cowering in fear. Ok, I’m not a fan of “joint-tortionism.” The judges deem them interesting and they inspired Napoleon, and are sent to choreography to see if they can actually dance.

SIDE NOTE: You’ll see these a lot during my recaps. They’re thoughts not really connected to the show, but that I feel like saying. For instance, I LOVE the new Prius commercials with nature made of people. It’s like Soylent Green, but warm and fuzzy.

Peter Sabasino- He challenges Nigel to a tap duel AND gets a video package at home, which means he clearly makes it far. He seems charismatic, and I don’t know much about tap at all, but he seems impressive with his footwork and the judges clearly like it a lot. Nigel calls him tremendous, Mary wanted him to wear less clothing, and Napoleon liked his buildup. He gets sent straight to Vegas on his tap alone, which is… impressive.

Tiffany Geigel- She has a form of spinal dysplasia and was not expected to live through her first night. She’s 23 now, and Cat has a genuine and great chat with her about her life. Her dancing is really amazing, considering her condition. She is genuinely really good. Nigel dances around (Pun!) how to critique her, and then surprisingly enough gives her a real critique of her technique before talking about her bravery, for which the entire room gives her a standing ovation. They can’t really put her through to Hollywood, but they praise her for showing up and dancing. She just wanted to prove her point though, and she’s glad she did.

SIDE NOTE: I really want a Weight Watchers Hungry. I don’t know why Weight Watchers thinks anyone would want to fight one. I wanna cuddle it.

Maksim Kapitannikov- He’s dancing with Faina from season 3, and is a ballroomer. The judges see potential, and send him to choreography.

Nabuya Nagahama- The show seems to be making fun of his accent at first, which is a little strange for the show. But I actually really enjoy his audition. The judges seem to be having fun, but I have my doubts about seeing him again. He seems like one of those cannon fodder fun auditions. But he is sent to choreography.

Choreography Day 1- Lauren from season 3 is doing the choreography round and, according to her, it’s tough because its season 5 and it should be. Mutation leaves before even dancing, because they don’t want to face their competition. Maksim makes it to Vegas and so does Nabuya.

Arielle Taylor- She auditioned for season 3, made it to Vegas, but she admits she wasn’t ready yet. She’s pretty good. Not blow your mind amazing, but very fluid and graceful, and she knows how to connect with the audience. Nigel thinks she’s absolutely terrific, Mary calls her stunning, and Tabitha likes that she’s come back. She gets a ticket to Vegas.

Thomas Martin and Amanda Clark- They’re doing the Bolero. He was a champion baton twirler when he was young. Napoleon starts laughing during their routine, which is not really appropriate since they’re not that bad. Nigel calls it ungainly, Mary calls it novice dancing, and it’s just a no across the board.

Nina Estrina and Igor Zabrodin- They’re a ballroom couple doing a cha cha. As I’ve said before, I don’t really know much about ballroom and ballroom technique, but they’re really good. Exciting to watch, certainly. And Nina spins like 20 times at the end in succession and it’s kind of banoodles. Nigel calls it fabulous, Mary calls the spin the longest one she’s ever seen (She uses the technical term but I didn’t catch it). Tabitha and Napoleon thought their control was great. They go to the choreography round.

SIDE NOTE: That Honda Fit Blowfish ad is one of the best car ads I’ve seen in a long time.

Kellen Stancil- He dances with an umbrella, but seemingly ditches it at some point, oh no, wait, it’s back. His dancing is good, but honestly, the umbrella is distracting. He’s clearly a very talented dancer, though, and I think he’d catch my attention more without the prop. Apparently, the umbrella for his lost aunt, and now I feel like a jerk for dissing the prop. Sorry dead aunt. Tabitha hones in on the connection and importance of the routine, and Napoleon was moved. He gets a ticket straight to Vegas.

Chimezie Nwosu- He’s a breaker, and he seems fun in his intro video package. His actual dancing is kind of preposterously awesome. I love watching him, and he runs up a wall and just misses landing the flip. He’s still the best breaker we’ve seen yet. Nigel calls it fun and inventive. Mary smiled the whole time. Napoleon wanted more meat and foundation, but loved the performance and Tabitha congratulates his smart choices. He goes through to choreography.

Choreography Day 2- When dancing with new partners, Igor succeeds and Nina fails. Chimezie makes it through too.

DENVER
Judges: Nigel, Mary, and Sonja. YAY SONJA!

Kayla Rodamski- A cute blonde with a video package back at home, which means she’s makin’ it far. The video package reminds me a bit of Chelsie (S4). Her dancing is pretty great. There’s something about her hands that I can’t tell whether it’s good or bad. But they keep distracting me from her actual dancing. Nigel says she brought it and liked the hands. Mary agrees. Sonja calls it smokin’ hot and slick and slippery and this makes me want Sonja to be a judge A LOT. Like, her critiques are great. Kayla goes straight through to Vegas.

SIDE NOTE: I can’t wait to see Up. The last time I wanted to see a movie this badly was… Wall-E. Pixar, like Cat Deeley, can do no wrong. Wait, I forgot about Cars. But still, you catch my drift.

So, in the video package of great dances, Sonja proves she’s not a one time great comment fluke. Like, honestly, lock this woman into a long term contract.

Misha Belfer and Mitchel Kilber- They are a male-male ballroom couple. Oh god, I can’t imagine the problems Nigel’s gonna have with this. His homophobia is the one thing I truly dislike about SYTYCD. They seem to be pretty good, but Nigel is having a hard time not laughing. Which is understandable when they fall, but not before then. Nigel doesn’t know how to critique and compares it to a Will Ferrell movie. Nigel dances around the fact that he doesn’t like men dancing with men, but it’s clear he’s not gonna send them through. Mary critiques them on the ambiguity of roles and thinks they did lead and follow well, but their technique needs work. Sonja, also critiques them on valid reasons. They go to choreography, but not before Nigel disgusts me with a comment about how maybe they’ll find they like dancing with a girl.

Choreography Day 1- Mitch doesn’t get through and neither does Misha. The clips they showed off them during choreography makes this seem valid, but I still have doubts about the motivation behind their cuts.

Allison Moist- First, her name is amazing. Moist is a ridiculous last name. She dances with light sabers, and it’s clearly meant as comedy, but is just kind of awesome in that she clearly is in on the joke. Nigel and Mary make Star Wars puns before tearing her apart. Mary calls it comical, and Sonja is laughing so hard she can’t speak, and then tells her that she can’t believe she’s really serious. Allison seems to be crying, so I guess she wasn’t in on the joke after all?

Elias Holloway- He’s dancing with his brother Enoch, and they’re really corny. They’re the youngest of 14 children. They’re really white boys dancing hip hop, but, surprise surprise, they’re actually really fluid poppers. They also have good synchronization. All in all, I’m actually a big fan. Nigel found it extremely entertaining. Mary calls it the cutest thing she’s seen in all five years. Sonja can see him doing dance commercials and calls him very marketable. He’s sent to choreography.

Natalie Reid- Natalie is Katee (S4)’s roommate. Wow, her dancing is just gorgeous. Sonja is tearing up during it, and seems to be dancegasming at the judging table. So, she better make the Top 20 this season, that’s all I’m saying. Sonja says she’s her biggest fan, and it makes her get chills. Mary is so proud of her. Nigel makes a Katee joke, calls it superb, and says it’s an honor to see her dance. Needless to say, she’s straight to Vegas.

Brandon Bryant- Ohmygod Brandon. He so should have made it into the top 20 last season. He was robbed, even though I’m glad Gev made it. And OHMYGOD I am hooked from the first second. Is it too early to say Brandon FTW? He’s like a combination of all the things I loved about Danny, Will, and Mark. Jaw-droppingly phenomenal. Mary is crying and says she has the greatest job in the world. Sonja seems blissed out and I realize that she’s like a great combination of Mia and Lil’ C. Nigel sees exponential growth in him. He gets THREE tickets to Vegas (all the judges held them up).

Choreography Day 2- Elias is not asked through, but they want him to come back next year.

So, WOOT ALL! SYTYCD IS BACK! Also, folks, let me know if these recaps are too long. I kind of write as I go and they recaps just get longer and longer. I’ll try to cut down on them if you guys want. But I hope you guys enjoyed reading it. If this wasn’t enough of a SYTYCD for you, hop over to SYTYCD.ca. See you guys next week for Miami and Memphis!