Sd601

I changed my votes to Shangela after that freestyle. Wow. I’ve always hated Glen (and been quite vocal about his sleaze), but I’m a convert. I loved them! Shangela hasn’t had the technique as others, but she had the pizazz freestyle “it” factor tonight! I loved it. I did vote for Wayne and Charli via text because I love watching them both, but online was only Shangela. I have never voted for Gabby before—I’ve always felt she’s too timid and cautious in her dancing, so much so that I don’t enjoy watching her, but of why her freestyle was fantastic and perfect for her. I almost added her to my votes. She was wonderful. Congrats to Charli and Mark. They’ve had some of my favorite routines this seasons, one’s I’ve gone back to watch again.

I haven’t voted for Charli since week one. But with some of the online hate she gets for being a ringer, I don’t mind. While she trained for years in dance, she obviously wasn’t good enough to pursue dance as a career. Who would have thought a silly little social media platform would bring such fame and opportunities? So here she is, now considered a “Star,” getting invited to dance on a National TV show. She seems to be working really hard—her dances are intricate, elegant, and polished. There’s definitely a lot of preparation on Charli and Mark’s part. I enjoy rewatching her dances and now, finally, wouldn’t be angry if she won. I’m still rooting for Wayne though.

I can see some favoritism for Mark—I mean, he and Derek are best friends, but I assume they’re careful not to try and be overly biased. But Mark’s choreography and Charli’s execution are fantastic. Yeah, many of us aren’t fans of hers. I didn’t even know who she was until this competition (I follow like 7 people on TikTok—my kids and a couple funny farm people (Karen the angry emu)). Caveat aside, Charli is a great dancer. I think she is a dead fish or a basket case of anxiety in the real world, but I think she emotes and dances with passion and grace. Mark is so talented to create incredible routines that work well for her. I wouldn’t hate her winning. I tend to rewatch her dances and Wayne’s. Sometimes Shangelas. I’ve been voting for Wayne, Shangela, and Daniel—not Charli, even though I’d like her to continue. I figure she has enough voters.

Wayne killing it tonight! I love him! I’m also embarrassed at how much I’m loving this theme. This was my music in high school—it wasn’t great then but I still enjoy it. They’ve all been great live!

I don’t get the Charli hate. They’ve had stupid social media/reality for years. I just watched the Disney+ memorable dances clip and I forgot Kim Kardashian was on. Ringers have always been part of the show. Charli was a dancer who never found fame. Now she is a little “famous” and is probably amazed to be considered a star on the show. I give her grace. She is certainly not winning anyone over with her personality (like really!? This dead-in-the-eyes girl has a show?), but she’s a great dancer. But great dancing alone wont win it—you have to win over an audience….or I guess maybe her millions of fans will? Anyway, I enjoy her dances with Mark. Is it because of Mark’s awesome choreography? Probably. But is she executing it very well to create great dances? Also yes. I’m not voting for her, but I do enjoy her dances. I hope she sticks around.

On a rewatch: overall, I really like this season! The live crowds make it better, the production and sets are more intricate than last year, the openings are fire (literally, this week), and the dancers all seem to be really trying and genuinely want to improve. There’s someone to complain about, ringers to hate or love, biases or underscoring from judges, slightly less Tyra, a welcome 2nd host, decent band, and no commercials. It’s shaping up to be a great season! A little of everything for everyone.

Is Charli’s awkwardness in packages an act? I had never heard of her TikToks or her reality show, but she seems surprisingly uncomfortable being interviewed. She plays her characters really well in dance. Her dance was amazing! I loved it. I have no biases of her, so I hope she stays so we get more Mark choreography. Yes, others have way more enthusiasm and adorable spirit (which she lacks), but her beautiful technique is so enjoyable to watch. I love the ending. I didn’t enjoy her first cha cha, so maybe her downfall will be those types of dances. I’d love to see her Argentine Tango.

I’m surprised that I really liked mark and Charli’s quickstep. Maybe I just enjoy Mark’s choreography? Their cha cha last week didn’t have the joy (from either) that makes it fun to watch, but while Charli sure doesn’t emote jn real life, she was pretty animated on the dance floor. I love Wayne, Shangela (which makes me love Gleb—I usually really dislike him), and Daniel (so endearing!). Joseph seems to be trying hard, and I love his enthusiasm. Watching Selma makes me anxious. I’m so afraid she will hurt herself even though she’s very graceful. I also love the new pro Koko but don’t like Vinny. I forgot to vote during the broadcast. Grrrr.

Loved Daniel and Wayne, Jordin and Selma. I love Koko but whew, that dance with Vinny was a mess. He is not my favorite type of personality. Glad they get another chance though. speaking of personality, I don’t think Charli has the endearing personality to win. Great dancer obviously, but remember Heather Morris? Great technical dancer, but voters didn’t connect. But maybe her following will vote for her, like Bobby Bones. Geez, 100+ million followers. I follow about 10 people—my kids and their friends. And they all post stupid stuff. 🤷‍♀️ Mark didn’t seem to have the joy that he sometimes does when he loves his partners. I loved him with Sadie. Or Lindsey Sterling, whom I thought I saw in the audience.

Bummer Lindsay Arnold isn’t back. I guess she decided to grow her family. Will we see shots of pregnant Jenna in the audience? Interesting that Sasha is in the troupe. Emma is a pro, though. And so is Koko, i guess a first-time pro. Hmm. Alexis Warr? Is that the girl who just won SYTYCD? She was adorable. I really enjoy troupe dances, so I hope we get more.

Ugh I’m so shallow too. He looks much better without chin pubes. I didn’t watch the auditions or choreography rounds, even though those are usually my favorite (I love watching old Vegas rounds). I just came here and read the threads (thanks everyone, for posting so I don’t have to watch boring stuff). I haven’t really watched a whole season since Lex, although I went back on YouTube and watched many of Mariah & Bailey’s routines. Very fun. Truly, I’ve watched SYTYCD from the beginning, but maybe I’m getting old (yeah, definitely accurate). I saw a clip of Alexis and Keaton on Instagram, so I made sure to watch this episode—the whole thing. Really missed the practice clips and choreographer intro, but wow, the dances were mostly great. Gosh I loved Alexis & Keaton. Watched it many times. I love Talia’s stuff. I’ve seen some amazing dancers do her choreography (look up Sean Lew). Keaton is one who might not have the absolute best technique of all the 12, but he just moves and dances really well. Like, Alexis might have better training, but I couldn’t not watch Keaton. He still is really well trained, obviously. I think of it like old contestant Allison, who has great technique, but I just don’t enjoy her dancing. Give me slightly sloppy Witney or the little softer hitter Katee or graceful Gabby, whom I thought connected so much better to the moves, the emotion, their partners, and the audience. Alexis reminds me a little of Jenna Johnson. She’s definitely got the skills and she knows it! But wow, that number was lovely. And after my first 4 views, I did watch Alexis instead of Keaton, and she was great! It will be interesting to see how they do with other styles. Looks like Keaton does a lot of hip hop, and he was great in that Luther last dance. How will he do in Latin? How will Alexis fare in hip hop? I think they’re the couple to beat, thanks to their execution of Talia’s dance.

While *this* particular challenge did seem to favor Evelyn because of experience working and eating these ingredients, I am assuming it was just lucky coincidence. She’s a local favorite in Houston obviously, but Top Chef has always had local chefs in various seasons. I think she was really lucky, and she still pushed herself. Seriously, all these chefs are great. Still pulling for Buddha. I’ve been rewatching the older episodes, and that first challenge, he just killed it—beef fat dessert, the “spotted dick.” But all are deserving. Tom seems to really appreciate Sarah’s food, as well. On an Instagram post from Bravo, the main judges were asked to describe the final 4 in one word on a quick interview. Did Tom give a hint? I can’t remember it all, but Sarah was “quirky” & “mystery.” Damarr was “flavor” and “thoughtful.” Buddha was “cerebral” & “precision.” Evelyn was “bubbly,” “exuberant”, and then Tom said “extraordinary!” Hmm…

I thought the evolution of this show, moving from more background and drama between contestants, to more food-focused was Padma’s influence. I really like it. It’s hard to watch earlier seasons. The last several seasons, particularly the last 5, have been a joy to watch. Really nice contestants, really good chefs, really yummy food.

Yeah, especially since the judges didn’t have printed menus to know what to expect. Wonder if he totally could have fudged something else. “Fish crumble” 🤣

More notes on a rewatch. Woah, boobs out for Gail & Padma while eating while discussing their food. Some distracting, close shots of cleavage. Now y’all are probably gonna do a rewatch, huh. They really did love the creativity of Sarah’s dish. I also love the shots of Padma taking big bites of the food. Sometimes we see guest judges (cough, looking at you, Brooke) who just carefully push the food around, lick the knife, take tiny bites. But almost every episode the camera has a shot of Padma taking a rather big bite. I love it.