Well good thing Kim set me straight today, because I thought the next set of auditions was on next week! I could have sworn that's what they said at the end of last nights show... huh!
Joining Nigel and Mary tonight in LA is none other than Adam Shankman, who I thoroughly enjoy every time he is on the show...Oh Shankers...I don't think I will ever get enough of you!
And in the audience we have a few familiar faces from last season - Josh, Katie and Comfort! And of course, Lauren doing choreography - and this time I actually caught a glimpse of her!
It starts off well with a tapper named Bianca Revels who performs a capella. She is so good she gets a standing ovation from Mary, who tells her she's the best female tapper they've had on the show. Straight through to Vegas.
We move to... an interesting pair, a brother and sister combo who apparently can't stop holding hands, and who, apparently, don't think that's strange. Wasn't there an episode of Friends about that? Anyway, Brynette and Xavier Blanton are going to do a contemporary piece for us, and despite their... oddness, it seems like it might be good. Except... it isn't. It's awkward and fumble-y and all the judges can really add is... strange. Well, as Cat says, at least they still have each other.
Next up is Debra Lawson, and can only hope the judges show mercy, because there's a pretty good chance she may not be that good. There's a point when Nigel thinks the dance is over and says "thank-you" but oh, wait, more music and more... dancing... And thankfully, Nigel handles himself well and is very diplomatic and goes on to give her some good advice regarding dancing with her body type. Adam consults his notes and asks her about the struggle she is having with religion, which seems to be conflicting with her dancing. And when Adam said "God doesn't make mistakes, and he made you a dancer..." I thought ' Well how cool are you Adam Shankman!"
Fairy medicine dancer performs next and I laughed when Nigel asked her what she was on and she said "Joy!" Tee hee.
Now this part was just the best. Calico Sequeira, a swing dancer, comes on with a partner, and they do a nice little number, but the judges feel it is at a purely social level and not as professional as they are looking for. After a bit of banter, she invites Adam up to come and dance with her - and he does! I think that was when Kim text me saying "For the record? I adore Adam Shankman!" The fun continued when the judges stepped aside and let Katie, Josh, Lauren and Comfort critique him... which resulted in Adam reminding Josh that he put him through last season, so think twice before you get carried away with that mike...!
I apologize, I didn't get this next girls last name - Asuka ? and partner Ricky Sun who are returning from last year - and they are fantastic! The judges adore them and they both get their tickets to Vegas. I remember them from last year. They were good then, even better now.
Nathan Trasoras takes the stage after informing us that he quit dancing for a year after being harassed all the time by other kids, but with the prompting of his older brother decided to give it another chance. And lucky for us that he did, because he was amazing. He has a really interesting look, very quirky and strong with a fantastic centre. Adam says he was beepin' impressive, and everybody loves him. But we have a problem. Damn it, he's only 17! And although they can't stretch the rules, Nigel gives him a ticket straight through to Vegas for next season, which I think is pretty cool.
After Day 1 in LA, 24 dancers make it through to the next stage.
Day 2 starts off with Sammy Ramirez, a popper with a wrestling background who inspires Cat to show off some of her moves. Her wrestling moves. Uh huh. His performance on stage is awesome, very cool. They move him through to choreography and he ultimately gets his ticket.
Stacey House graces the stage next, complete with leg warmers and a moonwalk. Adam asks her where she learned to dance and she said at a school on a farm. Ah. I get it now. This may not be the competition for her, I'm thinking.
Followed by a montage about her dad who has MS, Amanda Kerby dances a contemporary piece next, and she is superb. Nigel loves her so much that I think his teeth are going to fall out of his head, and they put her straight through.
Oh! Phillip Chbeeb is back! He made it through last year, but then got sick at the last minute and wasn't able to attend, so this year, they don't even make him perform, they just give him a ticket.
But wait, there's more! This year, he has a partner, Arielle Coker, and they do a number together that I loved. I thought she was just delightful, and their performance was a quirky combination of both of their styles. I was glad that the judges let it go all the way to the end without cutting it off. They give her a fake out straight to Vegas. I actually don't think their piece showcased her very well. I get the feeling she would have seemed better if she was dancing solo.
We finish off in LA with Kevin 'Shakiro' Cormier, who thinks he's got the Shakira hip moves down pat. Yeah, Kevin, pretty much only in your head. He leaves the building saying he's going to come back once he finds a teacher and gets more training. Okee dokee!
18 more dancers make it through and the gang heads off to a rainy day in Seattle, where they are joined by Mia Michaels - yay! I've missed her! She's got great hair this season.
There's so much to say about the first day in Seattle, and none of it good. It's actually a little bit embarrassing... with Seattle so close to Vancouver, I kind of think of them as an extension of us, (or us of them, whichever) but when I watched all the nightmarish performances, I want to put as much distance as I possibly can between the two cities.
We start off with Christopher Keller and partner doing an Argentine tango/swing/something else. As I watch, I keep thinking, is this just a put on, is it about to get good? But no, it's not, and Nigel finally makes it stop. As awful as they were, sometimes I think Mary's laughing is just downright hurtful, she totally can't keep it together for this, and the poor guy and partner are just standing up there with the high pitched laughter rolling over them. Sheesh Mary, a little professionalism please. Trust me, the day is only going to get worse, so save the hysterics for the more deserving!
Like this next guy, Nick Salzman. He's kind of full of himself in the opening shpiel, but once he starts dancing I'm thinking he's actually not too bad at all, and I think he'll at least make it through to choreography. And he might have too, if he hadn't of opened up his mouth and beaked off to Nigel, totally out of line. Nigel calls him on it, as do Mary and Mia, and at least he does apologize for being disrespectful, but I don't really think it's sincere, and am happy to see the back end of him as he heads out the door.
Wait, what's this? An upcoming dance battle? With... Sex? Really? Who keeps bringing this guy back? What kind of mother does this to her son? (The kind who is completely in denial about her son's mental illness? Just a guess.) But then I can't help thinking... is there some kind of arrangement between Sex and SYTYCD to keep him coming back year after year? Because really, what would the auditions be without him? Anyway, the battle is just a teaser for now, I sense we'll have to wait until the end of the show to see how it plays out.
Next up is Demitrios something, a B-Boy, who said he saw himself on tape recently and lost all his confidence, suddenly realizing he may not actually be that good. He should have gone with that instinct - the gut is always right, I'm telling you! I hear Mia mutter that she thinks he's going to hurt himself, which is understandable, the way he's flailing around up there. Please Nigel, make him stop, please! And now make Mary stop screaming and imitating the song please, it's hurting my ears! Mia said it was like the music was beating the shit out of him, which prompt Mary to point out that you can't say shit on TV, which causes Nigel to question whether or not you really CAN say shit on TV. At least something good came out of Demitrios, cuz that part was actually kind of funny.
It just gets worse from there. Cat wonders if there is any real talent in Seattle at all, Mia is losing the will to live (I was losing my will to watch) and telling the unknown they are disgusting!, there's no guts here!, what's WRONG with this city? and my personal favourite by a pissed off Nigel- 'It's not called So You Think You've Got Attitude!' I think I may have that put on a T-shirt. For Kim.
By the time Kelsea Taylor arrives Nigel is begging 'please, please, PLEASE be good, please...'
And finally. She is good. Really very good. Did anyone catch the name of the song she danced her quirky little number to, because I really enjoyed it. The judges think that Sonya would just love to work with her, and Mia calls her a 'beautiful, disastrous weirdo'. From Mia, that's a good thing. Into choreography with her, and off to Vegas, one of the FOUR, yes, only FOUR dancers to make it through for the whole day.
Just embarrassing.
It's sunny in Seattle for Day 2, and we can only hope it's a sign for better things to come.
Seemingly so! A guy from Hawaii we'll just call Kupono Aweau, cuz I'll admit I didn't even try to get his first name down properly. He does a contemporary piece that I just know Mia will love. Which she does. Choreography for this boy, and then on to Vegas. He was just lovely. And I mean that sincerely.
They seem to be putting more people through today, so at least it hasn't all been for nothing.
Well, except for this guy from the Ukraine, Leonid Knyshov (sp?) Well, isn't he... interesting. His beforehand shpiel is all over the place... something about how he helps people improve their online dating profiles and he does such a good job that something something something and then one night this girl calls him on his UNLISTED phone number at like ELEVEN O'CLOCK (because 11pm is the new 3am) at night and that's about all he's going to say on the matter. Huh. Way to go, dude! A phone call from a girl at 11pm... now THAT's something! Put him straight through, I say!
He does go on about having some training in ballroom when asked... and I'm thinking, 'yeah, says YOU!' Let's just say it didn't exactly shine through. Nigel is at a loss for words once he's done his 'performance' and Mia suggests that she would like to see a dance off between Leo and Sex - ahh, here we go, this is how it all unfolds...
So Sex turns around and asks his mom if it's alright that he attend said challenge, and she gives her blessing for what is quickly dubbed "Sex with Leo!" Oy vay, seriously?
Moving on to three rounds of a challenge, with both of them jumping around with a play by play of each of their moves... Round 1 goes to Sex, 2 is a draw and 3 goes to Leo, leaving the judges in a position to vote. Both Mary and Mia vote for Leo, but Nigel draws deep from his well of compassion and gives Sex the thumbs up, and actually sends him on to choreography - but to be clear, it's just to give Sex a reality check so that he can see for once and for all that he is not cut out for this show. Mary says fine, she'll enter the Twilight Zone and play along, but Mia says she will not.
In the end, of course, Sex does not make the cut, but Nigel applauds him for his tenacity in showing up season after season, but hopes this will be the last of him. I guess only time will tell!
And that's it for auditions - we'll be moving on to Vegas next week and it looks like Sonya, Mia and Tyce will be doing some of the choreography. We are left with the promise of the 'most shocking Vegas week ever!'... and I'm wondering if they are simply referring to the fact that it seems Nigel gets a haircut between now and then?
Okay, I've gotta say this. After the first audition episode last week, I was feeling pretty good about them showcasing more of the good auditions and less of the crap. Clearly I was misled. It's lucky that the auditions are over now, because I'm to the point where - if there were more audition episodes - I wouldn't bother tuning in. I'm not interested in seeing people that are actively making fools of themselves. I realize that for suspense purposes they can't highlight everyone that's going to Vegas, but how about some of those great dancers and some of the ones that are close, but no cigar? That would be a good episode. I just want them to stop wasting my time.
See you next week!
Joining Nigel and Mary tonight in LA is none other than Adam Shankman, who I thoroughly enjoy every time he is on the show...Oh Shankers...I don't think I will ever get enough of you!
And in the audience we have a few familiar faces from last season - Josh, Katie and Comfort! And of course, Lauren doing choreography - and this time I actually caught a glimpse of her!
It starts off well with a tapper named Bianca Revels who performs a capella. She is so good she gets a standing ovation from Mary, who tells her she's the best female tapper they've had on the show. Straight through to Vegas.
We move to... an interesting pair, a brother and sister combo who apparently can't stop holding hands, and who, apparently, don't think that's strange. Wasn't there an episode of Friends about that? Anyway, Brynette and Xavier Blanton are going to do a contemporary piece for us, and despite their... oddness, it seems like it might be good. Except... it isn't. It's awkward and fumble-y and all the judges can really add is... strange. Well, as Cat says, at least they still have each other.
Next up is Debra Lawson, and can only hope the judges show mercy, because there's a pretty good chance she may not be that good. There's a point when Nigel thinks the dance is over and says "thank-you" but oh, wait, more music and more... dancing... And thankfully, Nigel handles himself well and is very diplomatic and goes on to give her some good advice regarding dancing with her body type. Adam consults his notes and asks her about the struggle she is having with religion, which seems to be conflicting with her dancing. And when Adam said "God doesn't make mistakes, and he made you a dancer..." I thought ' Well how cool are you Adam Shankman!"
Fairy medicine dancer performs next and I laughed when Nigel asked her what she was on and she said "Joy!" Tee hee.
Now this part was just the best. Calico Sequeira, a swing dancer, comes on with a partner, and they do a nice little number, but the judges feel it is at a purely social level and not as professional as they are looking for. After a bit of banter, she invites Adam up to come and dance with her - and he does! I think that was when Kim text me saying "For the record? I adore Adam Shankman!" The fun continued when the judges stepped aside and let Katie, Josh, Lauren and Comfort critique him... which resulted in Adam reminding Josh that he put him through last season, so think twice before you get carried away with that mike...!
I apologize, I didn't get this next girls last name - Asuka ? and partner Ricky Sun who are returning from last year - and they are fantastic! The judges adore them and they both get their tickets to Vegas. I remember them from last year. They were good then, even better now.
Nathan Trasoras takes the stage after informing us that he quit dancing for a year after being harassed all the time by other kids, but with the prompting of his older brother decided to give it another chance. And lucky for us that he did, because he was amazing. He has a really interesting look, very quirky and strong with a fantastic centre. Adam says he was beepin' impressive, and everybody loves him. But we have a problem. Damn it, he's only 17! And although they can't stretch the rules, Nigel gives him a ticket straight through to Vegas for next season, which I think is pretty cool.
After Day 1 in LA, 24 dancers make it through to the next stage.
Day 2 starts off with Sammy Ramirez, a popper with a wrestling background who inspires Cat to show off some of her moves. Her wrestling moves. Uh huh. His performance on stage is awesome, very cool. They move him through to choreography and he ultimately gets his ticket.
Stacey House graces the stage next, complete with leg warmers and a moonwalk. Adam asks her where she learned to dance and she said at a school on a farm. Ah. I get it now. This may not be the competition for her, I'm thinking.
Followed by a montage about her dad who has MS, Amanda Kerby dances a contemporary piece next, and she is superb. Nigel loves her so much that I think his teeth are going to fall out of his head, and they put her straight through.
Oh! Phillip Chbeeb is back! He made it through last year, but then got sick at the last minute and wasn't able to attend, so this year, they don't even make him perform, they just give him a ticket.
But wait, there's more! This year, he has a partner, Arielle Coker, and they do a number together that I loved. I thought she was just delightful, and their performance was a quirky combination of both of their styles. I was glad that the judges let it go all the way to the end without cutting it off. They give her a fake out straight to Vegas. I actually don't think their piece showcased her very well. I get the feeling she would have seemed better if she was dancing solo.
We finish off in LA with Kevin 'Shakiro' Cormier, who thinks he's got the Shakira hip moves down pat. Yeah, Kevin, pretty much only in your head. He leaves the building saying he's going to come back once he finds a teacher and gets more training. Okee dokee!
18 more dancers make it through and the gang heads off to a rainy day in Seattle, where they are joined by Mia Michaels - yay! I've missed her! She's got great hair this season.
There's so much to say about the first day in Seattle, and none of it good. It's actually a little bit embarrassing... with Seattle so close to Vancouver, I kind of think of them as an extension of us, (or us of them, whichever) but when I watched all the nightmarish performances, I want to put as much distance as I possibly can between the two cities.
We start off with Christopher Keller and partner doing an Argentine tango/swing/something else. As I watch, I keep thinking, is this just a put on, is it about to get good? But no, it's not, and Nigel finally makes it stop. As awful as they were, sometimes I think Mary's laughing is just downright hurtful, she totally can't keep it together for this, and the poor guy and partner are just standing up there with the high pitched laughter rolling over them. Sheesh Mary, a little professionalism please. Trust me, the day is only going to get worse, so save the hysterics for the more deserving!
Like this next guy, Nick Salzman. He's kind of full of himself in the opening shpiel, but once he starts dancing I'm thinking he's actually not too bad at all, and I think he'll at least make it through to choreography. And he might have too, if he hadn't of opened up his mouth and beaked off to Nigel, totally out of line. Nigel calls him on it, as do Mary and Mia, and at least he does apologize for being disrespectful, but I don't really think it's sincere, and am happy to see the back end of him as he heads out the door.
Wait, what's this? An upcoming dance battle? With... Sex? Really? Who keeps bringing this guy back? What kind of mother does this to her son? (The kind who is completely in denial about her son's mental illness? Just a guess.) But then I can't help thinking... is there some kind of arrangement between Sex and SYTYCD to keep him coming back year after year? Because really, what would the auditions be without him? Anyway, the battle is just a teaser for now, I sense we'll have to wait until the end of the show to see how it plays out.
Next up is Demitrios something, a B-Boy, who said he saw himself on tape recently and lost all his confidence, suddenly realizing he may not actually be that good. He should have gone with that instinct - the gut is always right, I'm telling you! I hear Mia mutter that she thinks he's going to hurt himself, which is understandable, the way he's flailing around up there. Please Nigel, make him stop, please! And now make Mary stop screaming and imitating the song please, it's hurting my ears! Mia said it was like the music was beating the shit out of him, which prompt Mary to point out that you can't say shit on TV, which causes Nigel to question whether or not you really CAN say shit on TV. At least something good came out of Demitrios, cuz that part was actually kind of funny.
It just gets worse from there. Cat wonders if there is any real talent in Seattle at all, Mia is losing the will to live (I was losing my will to watch) and telling the unknown they are disgusting!, there's no guts here!, what's WRONG with this city? and my personal favourite by a pissed off Nigel- 'It's not called So You Think You've Got Attitude!' I think I may have that put on a T-shirt. For Kim.
By the time Kelsea Taylor arrives Nigel is begging 'please, please, PLEASE be good, please...'
And finally. She is good. Really very good. Did anyone catch the name of the song she danced her quirky little number to, because I really enjoyed it. The judges think that Sonya would just love to work with her, and Mia calls her a 'beautiful, disastrous weirdo'. From Mia, that's a good thing. Into choreography with her, and off to Vegas, one of the FOUR, yes, only FOUR dancers to make it through for the whole day.
Just embarrassing.
It's sunny in Seattle for Day 2, and we can only hope it's a sign for better things to come.
Seemingly so! A guy from Hawaii we'll just call Kupono Aweau, cuz I'll admit I didn't even try to get his first name down properly. He does a contemporary piece that I just know Mia will love. Which she does. Choreography for this boy, and then on to Vegas. He was just lovely. And I mean that sincerely.
They seem to be putting more people through today, so at least it hasn't all been for nothing.
Well, except for this guy from the Ukraine, Leonid Knyshov (sp?) Well, isn't he... interesting. His beforehand shpiel is all over the place... something about how he helps people improve their online dating profiles and he does such a good job that something something something and then one night this girl calls him on his UNLISTED phone number at like ELEVEN O'CLOCK (because 11pm is the new 3am) at night and that's about all he's going to say on the matter. Huh. Way to go, dude! A phone call from a girl at 11pm... now THAT's something! Put him straight through, I say!
He does go on about having some training in ballroom when asked... and I'm thinking, 'yeah, says YOU!' Let's just say it didn't exactly shine through. Nigel is at a loss for words once he's done his 'performance' and Mia suggests that she would like to see a dance off between Leo and Sex - ahh, here we go, this is how it all unfolds...
So Sex turns around and asks his mom if it's alright that he attend said challenge, and she gives her blessing for what is quickly dubbed "Sex with Leo!" Oy vay, seriously?
Moving on to three rounds of a challenge, with both of them jumping around with a play by play of each of their moves... Round 1 goes to Sex, 2 is a draw and 3 goes to Leo, leaving the judges in a position to vote. Both Mary and Mia vote for Leo, but Nigel draws deep from his well of compassion and gives Sex the thumbs up, and actually sends him on to choreography - but to be clear, it's just to give Sex a reality check so that he can see for once and for all that he is not cut out for this show. Mary says fine, she'll enter the Twilight Zone and play along, but Mia says she will not.
In the end, of course, Sex does not make the cut, but Nigel applauds him for his tenacity in showing up season after season, but hopes this will be the last of him. I guess only time will tell!
And that's it for auditions - we'll be moving on to Vegas next week and it looks like Sonya, Mia and Tyce will be doing some of the choreography. We are left with the promise of the 'most shocking Vegas week ever!'... and I'm wondering if they are simply referring to the fact that it seems Nigel gets a haircut between now and then?
Okay, I've gotta say this. After the first audition episode last week, I was feeling pretty good about them showcasing more of the good auditions and less of the crap. Clearly I was misled. It's lucky that the auditions are over now, because I'm to the point where - if there were more audition episodes - I wouldn't bother tuning in. I'm not interested in seeing people that are actively making fools of themselves. I realize that for suspense purposes they can't highlight everyone that's going to Vegas, but how about some of those great dancers and some of the ones that are close, but no cigar? That would be a good episode. I just want them to stop wasting my time.
See you next week!
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