Anothermi

Top 16 > Top 14 Post show interviews by DancePlug with the remaining dancers: Virgil & Gaby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wphj54e2X2Y Edson & Megz: http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlTGIwDzu_Q (starts with a lot of shoe talk but then gets down to the dance) Yorelis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQjfxw6kPFM (she explains - at the end - what the tape on the shoulder does for the dancers) Neptune & Alexia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQjfxw6kPFM (explained the wall dancing was a last minute change due to a producer request to use the "prop" more) Turns out I kind of like Alexia's voice. It's strong and not little girly like I would have expected. JaJa & Hailee: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4cVqWlIrBY Derek & JJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSd-a40COGo Jim & Ariana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-45wjWTXOXU Kate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9B8WkRXCGU OK, she has the high, little girly voice that I expected from Alexia. Too bad. A few of the dancers commented that they weren't going to know what dances they get until today (Wednesday). Hmmm. Something's up.

Gary comes across as a very "me" kind of guy, not so much a "we" kind of guy. At the 1st visit to his home his wife had to provide the fact that she had a part in his successful business because he didn't credit her with any part of it. It may be a deep seated feeling of lack of worth for which he is overcompensating. His father (mother's husband) may have been distant due to not being the biological father. That seems to be the case with his desperate attempts to gain favour with his bio father and family so it could easily affect his own family's relationships. Or, we may get more of his wife's story next series?

To be fair he said they all said how hard Asaf worked both times (as opposed to it being great to work with him) so it was tactical phrasing rather than out right lying. I call it tactical phrasing because that phrase can be perceived as them saying they had a positive experience rather than that they, too, had to put in extra work and work harder because of him (and with little to show for it).

Top 16 > Top 14 Marissa & Asaf: DancePlug... Marissa now supports her pal Gabby and Asaf was a Moises supporter.

I can't remember if it was when Caroline reminded Celia about not coming to her graduation or another interaction, but she said at some point that when her mother hurt her like that (not coming to her graduation) she told her (actual) father - who did come - there was no point in him being there. It seems it's her way of coping with the pain her mother caused her. I saw her as both hurt and angry, so she lashed out at the men she didn't care as much about - and who were the "cause" of her mother's behavior. She seems to have learned that behaviour from her mother. i.e. If someone close to you causes you pain, lash out against someone else close to you. At least Caroline chose to lash out at the the men involved with her mother instead of following Celia's lead and lashing out at her own children. [/small mercies]

Here it is - After Buzz of Top 16 - 2 Eliminated (with Dave Scott Guesting)

Thanks for the link, Nampara. The RossTheme violinist's name (Chris Garrick) made me smile. Very appropriate - even if he's associated with the lovely dog. Hope the 2nd album alluded to materializes.

Top 18 - Elimination interview(s) of: Burim & Moises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voEKfoKp1uQ&list=PLXd9aCB0yKuhsmY4CKYMrRZFp5hHBwYsZ This is a Fox compilation. I guess this replaces the "Let's watch your journey" segment we used to get. Also bringing this over from the Media Thread where I originally posted it.

D'OH!! Totally forgot that I created this thread last year. (still getting used to not being @ TWoP - that's my excuse) Here is the only clip I could find for the Top 20 elimination of: Darion & Lily

Don't know the answer to this. I was just discussing it. Here's your link. If it's not allowed I'm sure I'll be told (we don't seem to have an "ask the Mods" thread for this show).

I hope I didn't give the impression that they were, in my post, because I don't know the answer to that question. Since you asked, I thought I remembered some kind of confirmation about All Stars in the Media thread, but it turned out to be your post linking to a dance magazine article about Alex Wong where it said to watch for Alex as an All Star on SYTYCD this spring. However, Alex was on the Top 20 opening routine which was only All Stars so that might have been what that article was referring to. Otherwise I've seen nothing one way or the other about what will happen when we get to the Top 10 this season. The show has been known to make changes on the fly (i.e. moving the one-show-per-week eliminations from the start of the show to the end) so I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't yet decided if they will bring in All Stars - and in what capacity - after the Top 10 are revealed.

Neptune went by Eddie in the Auditions. Nigel was surprised that he began calling himself Neptune once the competition started and still calls him Eddie sometimes. Re: the partner and dance style choices. That's been discussed up thread quite a ways as well as in the Top 20 + Elimination ep. At the start of the Top 20 plus elimination ep Cat stated that the dancers had been separated into groups and those groups did a random draw for their dance styles (choreographers). This was questioned as it seemed unreasonable for the choreographers not to know in advance how many people they were to choreograph for. However, Spencer Liff stated on the recent After Buzz show that the choreographers don't know how many they will end up with. So, the question remaining is - what criteria is used when putting together dance partners for each episode? Contestants choosing their next partners normally didn't happen until Top 10. The exceptions were S01 and S07 when a draw was made each episode. So usually the criteria for the Top 20 pairings was height and different styles but we didn't really know what else was taken into consideration. Now, the lack of necessity for pairs each time opens up the field for different criteria to be applied so I, too, am curious about how the groups are chosen.

Here are interviews from some choreographers: From DancePlugNetwork (with Tara Jean Popowich - winner of S02 SYTYCDCA- interviewing): Jean Marc Genereux (9.75 min) Good to hear his perspective. He's got an interesting perspective, but he's always positive. Talks about Marissa & Asaf but moves on to other dancers as well. Wrote a book about his life with his wife, France. Is still a judge on DWTS in France (the country). Marty Kudelka & Justin Giles (7 min) Both are from Dallas and are friends. (Sidebar: from the Afterbuzz show I was reminded that Marty has been Justin Timberlake's long time choreographer and has also worked with Jason Derulo. I also learned that Justin was Nick Lazzerini's (sp?) teacher.) Seems their contact with any contestants they don't work with is limited to dress rehearsals and the live show.) Tovaris Wilson (3 min) Good things to say about JJ and Yorelis. Mentioned Edson's physical challenges affected the synergy of the group. tWitch (mentor) (5 min) clarifies that they mentor off camera as well and that Travis & Ivan served as a kind of mentor to him on his season. From PacificRimVideoPress: Pharside & Pheonix (3+min) They don't come with their routines planned in advance. They work with who they get.

I treated it like radio. I only listened. Made the whole thing much more enjoyable. I'd turn my attention more when Spencer was talking and do other things in between. That may explain why I remembered so much. ;-P

Thanks you so much for bringing all the links. I especially want to thank you for the one I'm quoting above. Very informative and thought provoking. I've book marked other blog posts by this person as I have "The Hollow Crown" on my "to see" list.

To be fair, Spencer was speaking as a choreographer, not a show runner. Asaf took all his energy and that meant the other dancers suffered because there was no time to give them the notes on the small but important nuances that would lift their performances from good to wow. (not to mention having to simplify or change the choreo to accommodate him). He also said he didn't get to give feedback to the judges on his experience with Asaf because Asaf wasn't in the bottom the week he worked with him and he (Spencer) would never volunteer that kind of negative info about a dancer. So, when Nigel says they spoke to the choreographers, he means the ones on the current episode (in this case for Asaf - Jean Marc, Marty Kudelka & whoever did the Top 18 routine). We don't know what they said about Asaf. I'm pretty sure Jean Marc would have been kind. In the interview that I posted in the media thread, Asaf and Marissa said Jean Marc spent extra time with them (when they rehearsed in hallways etc after the studio time was over) trying to make them look good, so I'd expect he'd talk about hard work and dedication. A couple of other things the Buzzfeed broadcast opened my eyes to were: 1 - The new format was required by Fox execs in order for the show to be renewed. There's a lot about the new format that smacks of copying other successful shows. The "mentors" ( fromThe Voice), the "Teams" (from ABDC). I'm surprised Nigel & his execs were able to salvage as much as they did from the original concept. 2 - The choreographers get screwed as much as the contestants - at least in this format (not knowing how many dancers you're going to get until after the show airs, the surviving contestants are split into groups and choose their dance styles. Rehearsals start the next day.)

Yes! Lots of interesting tidbits from Spencer in this one.: - The choreographers ARE required to adjust their plans based on which group (2-, 3- or 4- some) draws them. He thought that may have happened to Stacey Tookey's routine - He felt Jean Marc was thrown under the bus by Nigel blaming him for the lack of cha cha when Nigel knows JM will do what it takes to make his dancers look their best. Also thought Marissa was unfairly critiqued - Felt Asaf was kept because he's one of the few contestants that brings "personality" (TV wise but basically confirming what we've been saying) and knew if it came down to a choice between Asaf and Burim that they would choose Asaf. - he would have chosen Edson as well over Moises because 1) Moises is short, and 2) he has a difficulty bringing the masculinity required by most choreographers for their routines (which he said kind of apologetically "it is what it is"). - his issue with Asaf is that he has NO other training and when you add the language barrier Asaf takes all the energy from the room (instead of adding to it). Any routine he's in will be less than it could be and the other dancers won't be able to be their best.

I've been missing the easy access to the post show interviews that used to be posted on TWOP in the "Dancer" threads. They gave us a different POV than what is provided by the producers of the show. I've decided to try to bring some here at least: From DancePlugNetwork (with Tara Jean Popowich - winner of S02 SYTYCDCA- interviewing): Gabby & Ariana (7 min) Ariana has stage training (gasp) Kate & Neptune (6.5 min) They comment on the Twitter voting. Neptune has a 4 yr old daughter which might explain the discomfort at Jason's "chemistry" comment. Marissa & Asaf (5.5 min) English-as-a-second-language is definitely an issue, but they are both great personalities. Megz & Jim (5.5 min) Megz actually auditioned back in S02 and S05 and made it to Vegas but she stated she didn't "have the look" required back then. Yorelis, JJ & Edson (4.5 min) This group seems a bit wary of interviews but maybe something is up for next week? Jaja, Alexia & Derek (5 min) Derek is "shy", Jaja is "loud" & Alexia can never decide what food to order. Burim & Moises (6 min) Moises tries to put a positive spin of his exit. Burim had no expectations. They're kind of cute. Hailee & Virgil (5.5 min) Still on a high after their performance. Virgil roomed with Burim (who wears Calvin Kline underwear), and his robot voice was based on Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I wondered about that too. This seems to be a chronic condition for Edson and I do worry a bit for him going forward because the show gets progressively more rigorous. I also really like Moises, but I realized before the Performance shows started that we would be seeing great members of Team stage leaving before members of Team Street who can't dance outside of their wheelhouse. ETA: Wanted to add - on a completely different note - that I really enjoyed Sean Cheesman's routine (and he is looking fine!). Last night I realized that the opening tableaux for that dance looked like a giant spider (tarantula?) on stage. It was specifically the way the "canes" were being held. Anybody else think so?

I think there is a lot of pressure for this, and not just from producers. There has been criticism of this piece that people couldn't figure out the "story". There wasn't one. It WAS an abstract piece and way back in the early seasons, choreographers only gave the dancers the specifics of who their "character" was in order to help them find the emotion the piece is trying to convey. I kind of think the reaction to this piece explains why we mostly get routines that tell a story. Back in Season 2 Mia gave Allison and Ryan Rankine a completely abstract piece and Nigel complained that he didn't understand it. Apparently a "good" dance tells a story, therefore dance for movement sake is not good dance. Ditto, that expressing emotion through dance is not good if it doesn't have a story. I don't believe that is true, but I think that kind of dance is for a smaller group of dance fans, not popular culture, reality dance shows. The choreographers may take a chance from time to time to bring (what I will call) more avant garde routines to the show, but they are rarely received well.

I recognized Justin Giles, Marty Kudelka and Tovaris Wilson (you got his name right in your dance-by-dance review, but Daniel put down Tovaris Watson in his recap, so you're not alone). I had to look up which seasons they did and it goes waaaay back for Tovaris and Marty. Both of them choreographed in Season 1 & Tovaris also worked in Season 2. Marty turned up again in Season 7. Marty returned in Season 8 and Justin Giles appears for the 1st time that season. Justin appeared next in Season 10. They don't get a lot of work with SYTYCD so that might be why it's hard to remember them, but it does make them "fresh" when they are hired again. If you're interested I hunted down their routines: Marty Kudelka Season 1 with Blake Anthony (who got top billing) on a Hip Hop routine to "Touch" by Omarion - Nick & Kamilla's version (well liked) - Snow & Allan's version Season 7 with Dana Wilson (but he got top billing this time) - Jose Ruiz with AS Comfort Fedoke to Try a Little Tenderness Season 8 - Caitlyn Lawson and AS Ivan Koumaev (S2) to Mario's Let Me Love You Tovaris Wilson Season 1 he did what then was called Lyrical routines: - with Melody L and Ryan C (from Quest Crew) - for Blake McGrath and Ashle Dawson, and - for Blake & Melody Season 2 the labeling changes: - Musa Cooper & Natalie Fotopolous, contemporary to Closer by Golpele - Ryan Rankine & Heidi Groskreutz, Pop to Walk Away but Kelly Clarkson Justin Giles Season 8 - Top 7 Guys contemporary to Prague by Damien Rice - Jess LeProtto & Clarice Ordaz, contemporary to Light Through the Branches by Celeste Lear Season 10 - Jasmin Harper & Aaron Turner, contemporary to The District Sleeps Alone Tonight by Birdy (I couldn't find this one. It's premise was based on "The Giving Tree" story and although I remember loving it, it got mixed reviews.) eta: found it!!!

Hee! I think I'm more surprised that I agree with his honesty in this blog. I think he's always honest - but he's often deluded at the same time.

I agree that the "problem" is the way Nigel addresses an issue. He always comes off preachy, self-satisfied and pompous.... or rudely flippant. He rarely finds a good way to make a statement. But the discussion reminded me that just last week in the Decade of Dance Special we saw/heard Wayne Brady's method of addressing the "elephant in the room" which is that while this show can make a black male and a white female, dancing together in a romantic or sexual manner, appear normal and acceptable (which it should be) there is still danger in attempting this "at home" - depending where home is. Near the end of the last montage of special moments (just before the Alex/tWitch routine) they re-show the clip of Wayne Brady responding to Fik-shun and Amy's lovely contemporary dance in the 1st episode by saying: "Whenever I want to show my serious side I take my clothes off and dance with a white girl too." I remember both gasping at his daring and laughing at his wit when he said that. I don't recall any backlash for that comment either, but he was addressing that he was witnessing something that still isn't the norm and that was season 10 - just 2 years ago.

I wonder if the two couples co-ordinated their schedules so their dance friends wouldn't have to choose which wedding to attend?

Another good, snark filled recap by Daniel. Thanks for bringing it once again. Two off the top of my head were Brandon Dumlao (S06) who promptly became the 1st male cut, and in S10 we got Aaron Turner who came in after Emilio Dosal ( who returned for S11) was injured. This was a success story as he made it to top 4.