Music Monday: Arms by Christina Perri

I first heard about Cristina Perri because of So You Think You Can Dance. Her heartbreaking and soulful Jar of Hearts was used in Season 7 when Billy and All Star Kathryn did a beautifully danced Stacey Tookey routine. After that number, that song immediately made it on to my So You Think You Can Dance Playlist for that season and then I never heard anything from her again. This summer, she released a new single and it's just now starting to get more radio play and I am hooked! Her voice is beautiful and she's proving herself to be a talented songwriter. I hope she keeps it up! Watch the official video for Arms after the break.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 4 Perform

Kenny Ortega and Katie Holmes join our judges tonight and it's the LAST performance episode of the season. I thought America got it right this season and am so happy with the Top 4. I'd be happy with any of them winning tomorrow night.

Melanie and Marko
Doriann Sanchez Disco
I Feel Love (12" Version) by Donna Summer
Well, the lighting and Melanie's faces were the best part of that painful routine. There's a reason this is one of the "dances of death." Katie loved their facial expressions and really that was the best part of the routine. Mary pointed out how their lifts, coming in and out, were rough and not smooth transitions. Nigel thought it was a bit of a struggle and they were uncomfortable in the style.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 6 Perform

The Top 6 are being judged by the usual duo as well as Christina Applegate and Lil C. For time purposes, I may have to just not quote him at all, or I could be writing all night. The Top 6 are all strong, but I'm still a bit surprised to see Caitlynn there instead of Jordan. I just expected her to be there the whole time, it's hard to adjust. Oh well, let's get to tonight's dancing!

SYTYCD Season 8 Highlight: Tadd's Top 8 Solo

While I was surprised to see Tadd in the bottom two guys this week, it was totally worth it for this solo! I can't believe the strength he has to do those leg moves while holding himself sideways on the post. Just watch it already and be amazed!

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 8 Perform

Tonight, Lady Gaga joins the judging table, as well as PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4 director Rob Marshall. The Top 8 take the stage with All-Stars, but also partner up with each other to bringing some "dances of death" along with one routine that may just be my favorite of the season.

Read about all the routines and who I think will be going home tomorrow after the break.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 12 Perform

Tonight the judges panel is filled with Jesse Tyler Fergeson (Mitchell on Modern Family), who has an extensive background in Broadway, and one of my favorite choreographers Sonya Tayeh. With only 6 couples left, they'll all be performing two routines so this night is packed to the brim with dancing. Love it!

We're so close to the Top 10 and there are more than few couples I didn't imagine would make it this far. I'm sure you can guess I'm thinking of Ryan and Jess. Their respective partners are great, but I definitely didn't see these two in my Top 10. This is the last chance for America to make my dream Top 10 a reality! The other couple I didn't expect to see this far in is Caitlynn and Mitchell. They have been a fantastic surprise duo! They not only pull off the dancing well, but they have amazing chemistry as partners and even pull of the romantic stories well. (Which I didn't quite expect from someone as flamboyant as Mitchell, that just proves how talented at performing and diving into his character he is.)

Now, on to the dancing!

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 14 Perform

This week Travis Wall and Carmen Electra join the judging table. While Travis makes complete sense, Carmen Electra doesn't...is she going to critique their stripper abilities? After her intro, she does have a bit of dance credibility - she majored in ballet and performance arts, danced with Prince and won Miss Dance Ohio. I didn't even know there was such a thing!

Justin Gilles Guy's Contemporary Routine
Song: Prague by Damien Rice
Chris, in the back far right, was really off for one small section of the routine and that really threw off the whole aesthetic. I liked the slow introductions to each guy and how each piece was a bit separate but then came together to up the emotion.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 16 Perform

This week Kristen Chenoweth and Lil C join the judges panel to comment on the Top 16 performances. If you don’t know who Kristen Chenoweth is, you need to get on Netflix and watch Pushing Daisies. Ok, you back after watching? Good, we’re in some fantastic dancing tonight! Let’s get to it.

Tyce D’iorio Group Broadway Routine

Song: Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles

The chairs were really well incorporated into the choreography and they were really throwing them, which added a bit of danger to the routine. I thought they all did a great job, even though I’m not a fan of Tyce and therefore it’s hard for me to admit that.

Sasha & Alexander

Dee Caspary Contemporary

Song: Belong by Cary Brothers

I loved that Sasha came out of the piano and that ending bit where her hands came out of the piano. Nigel thought Alex needed more of a connection with the audience, Sasha, and the emotion of the piece. Kristen loved that she couldn’t even hear Sasha dance, she was just so graceful and fluid. Lil C loved it and said it so verbosely that I can’t quote him.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 20 Perform AGAIN

This week, living legend Debbie Reynolds is guest judging! Famous for her work in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and tons of other musical movies, and danced with dancing legend Gene Kelly.

Ricky & Ryan
Mandy Moore Jazz
Song: Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer
Ricky's jump into the splits was impressive. Otherwise, nothing really stood out to me and thought it was just average for the show. Nigel thought they were on the Hot Tamale Train, with it being so hot and raunchy, with huge sexual tension "like something between Mary and [Nigel]." Mary shrieked that she's addicted to them and thought Ryan was a "warrior vixen" while Ricky was in character the whole time. Debbie Reynolds was hilarious: "I've never seen anyone dance sexier, I mean you fell out of your top, you fell out of your bottom, you gave it your all!"

Music Monday: In For The Kill (Skream Remix) by La Roux

While I had heard this song before, this remix is completely new to me and I am totally loving it. It played on Wednesday's episode of So You Think You Can Dance, during Caitlynn & Robert's jazz routine. It fit perfectly with the story that they were trying to convey and is just a great jam all on its own.

Give it a listen after the break.

SYTYCD Season 8: Top 20 Perform and Wow America

This week the Top 20 perform in 10 awesome partnerships. Megan Mullaly is the guest judge, and just to prove that she does belong there, they went over her previous dance creditials: danced in a ballet company in New York during high school and just after graduating and just recently starred in 3 broadway shows.

Unfortunately, there's already been an injury in the ranks. Mitchell hurt his elbow after his first rehearsal, so he's sitting this episode out and in danger of going home this week. Let's get started with the dancing!

SYTYCD Fantasy League: Join Me!

I'm fairly new to fantasy leagues in general. I've only started in the past couple years thanks to my fiance's activity and enthusiasm about them. But now there's a fantasy league that I actually am just as passionate about: So You Think You Can Dance Fantasy League!

I just signed up and created my own league in addition to joining the public one. If you read my blog and are a fan of SYTYCD, please join me!

League Name: Too Interesting For Twitter
Password: Twitch

It'll be fun!

STYTCD Season 8: Top 20 Revealed!

This season the format gets changed up again. They're taking the best of both worlds and having a Top 20 where the contestants will have a steady partner until they are eliminated or until the Top 10. Then, the Top 10 will partner up with a new All-Star each week. So we get to see some great chemistry and partnerships form while the contestents grow, but then we also get to see our favorite dancers from previous seasons return! They won't announce the All-Stars until the Top 10 are revealed, but who do you think they'll bring back? I'm hoping Twitch and Courtney will return, but since they came back last season they might get all new All-Stars.

And now, we see who of the final 31 contestants gets to become - Season 8 Top 20. 

ABDC and SYTYCD collide: Hiro McRae of We Are Heroes heads to Vegas

There has already been a good amount of cross-pollination between the two shows,  and it looks like that trend will only continue. In the LA auditions, a young japanese hip hopper looked so familiar to me. She did some fantastic popping and as I watching, I recognized her style. It was Hiro from We Are Heroes, winners of America's Best Dance Crew Season 4!

Watch her audition and learn more about other ABDC/SYTYCD crossovers after the break.

So You Think You Can Dance drops by Ellen

So You Think You Can Dance is in full swing with the auditions continuing tonight at 8pm on Fox. While the auditions are my least favorite part of the show, I do love the hype machine that starts and gets former contestants back on TV.

Ellen has been a huge fan of the show since the beginning, even standing in for Alex Wong in last year's finale doing a surprise hip-hop performance with Twitch. She had a few members of previous seasons on her daytime show yesterday to remind everyone just how amazing these dancers are.

See Alex Wong do an amazing jumping spin into a split -- along with great dancing by Comfort, Brandon, and more! -- after the break.

So You Think You Can Dance: Season 8 Controversy Already?!

With only one aired episode, there's already controversy over one of the auditions on So You Think You Can Dance. Hip hop duo Deon Lewsa Jr. and Damon Bellmon won their tickets to the Las Vegas round after a funny, personality-filled routine that allowed them both to shine.

However, it has come to light that this routine was originally performed by Les Twins, Laurent and Larry Bourgeoi. You can watch their performances side by side after the break.

Summer 2011 TV Premiere Dates

With the start of So You Think You Can Dance, the summer television season has officially begun! I'm most excited about SYTYCD, obviously, but also really want to check out the new TNT show Falling Skies. Steven Spielberg, aliens, Noah Wyle - that all sounds good to me! 


With Mad Men gone, what will you be watching these hot summer nights? 


Catch the full list of premiere dates for summer shows after the jump. 

So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 Premieres Tonight!

YOU GUYS KNOW SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE PREMIERES TONIGHT, RIGHT?! Ok, good.

Auditions start tonight at 8pm on Fox and I'm so excited! Mary Murphy is back after missing last season and it seems like we're in for more All-Stars too. They won't announce the All-Stars until the Top 10 are revealed though, so we've got a week or two of speculating ahead of us.

Watch Mary Murphy tease the new season after the break, and don't forget to tune in to Fox at 8pm tonight!

ABDC Spotlight: IaMmE's The Brain Bang

When I made my judgements on the crews based off just their 3 sentence blurbs yesterday, I had no idea that Philip Chbeeb's crew had made the cut! He was a fantastic hip hop dancer on Season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance, but he couldn't translate those skills in to the other styles that the show requires. With America's Best Dance Crew, he won't have that problem. Check out this video of his crew IaMmE:



I'm totally retroactively adding them to my list of crews to root for.

So You Think You Can Dance: Season 8 Premiere Set for May 26

My little blog has grown a lot since last summer, so my newer followers may not know just how big a fan I am of the show. I'm a fan of dance shows in general, but So You Think You Can Dance takes the cake for talent and entertainment.

After crowning Lauren Froderman winner of Season 7 in August, they've been auditioning across the country to find the next major dance talent. And finally, on Thursday May 26 in a 2-hour premiere, we'll see some of what's been cooking for the past few months. They haven't announced if they'll repeat the All-Stars format, or have a Top 20, but no matter what they go with I will be glued to my screen.

One confirmed change is that Ballroom judge Mary Murphy will be back! While she is by far the most annoying judge, I actually missed her last season. Her enthusiasm kept the critiques lively, but she has had concrete criticism on how they could improve. Mia was just too harsh, which threw off the balance of the critiques. You can't tear these kids down after a poor routine, the critiques should end on a high note with how they can improve. With Nigel, Mia, and Adam Shankman on the judges panel, there was no knowledgeable voice for the ballroom routines either. It will be nice to have that balance back. I'll tolerate the shrieking more now, knowing that this show really is better with her.