SYTYCD Final Thoughts

I’ll try to make this quick.  Happy for Joshua, although I had a strange realization during the finale: I didn’t care who won.  They all seemed like nice people and I found them all entertaining.  But, big ups to Joshua.  He was wonderful all season long.

Phillip Chbeeb totally kicked Robert Murraine’s ass.  Apparently everyone but Mia was watching something else.

For once I completely agreed with the picks for the best performances of the season.  I really enjoyed watching them all again, though I’m not sure where they would rank in terms of past seasons.  And, even though I don’t normally enjoy Debbie Allen, I LOVED her L’il C impression.  And can they please give Mary’s permanent judgeship to Shankman?  He is so much more interesting.

Where the hell is Sabra?

Loved seeing the all-stars, but I really couldn’t see them all that well.  Are the cameramen all drinking during the show?  (It didn’t help that my local station was displaying election results on part of the screen.)

Congrats to both Nigel and Mary on having the guts to take the stage and for not making fools of themselves.  I think every judge should have to prove themselves in a similar manner.

Cat Deeley for President.  Oops… Foreign born.  Well, hell.  It’s time for a new amendment.

SYTYCD

Season Four–I’ve got a lot to say and limited battery power, but here goes…

I’m extremely disappointed in the judges this year.  They are spending entirely too much time congratulating themselves on “the best season ever” than actually watching and evaluating the performances.  It’s clear that they are going to push their favorites through, no matter what actually transpires on stage.

Cicely & Olisa suck.  I know that’s harsh, but they are just not good enough.  Time to go.  I’m sure there are some other hip-hop choreographers who deserve a chance.

I love Mary, but even she is getting annoying.  She’s pushing too hard to be full-on Mary all the time.  Take it down a notch, sweetie.

Praise be to Adam Shankman.  I have never really been a fan, but I wish he were a judge more often.  At least he really gives constructive criticism.

I really like Tabitha & Napolean.  Maybe it’s just because they haven’t been around long enough to annoy me, but I think they present some really interesting work and thoughtful criticism.

How great is Cat Deeley?  A truly enjoyable host.

Oh, yeah.  I almost forgot!  There are contestants as well…

Poor Jessica needs to go.  I did like her in Mandy Moore’s piece, but there is no way she should still be dancing while Kortni is already gone.  Not that Kortni was the best, but she was a hell of alot more interesting.

I like Kherrington, Katee, Chelsea and Courtney, but none of them has really stepped out as a frontrunner in my eyes yet.  As for the guys, I like Mark.  And I didn’t expect to.  Twitch, Joshua and Will are all good, although I’m not sure Will is the god the judges keep trying to make us believe he is.  He’s a fantastic technician and a decent performer, but something is missing and I can’t figure out what.  Maybe he really does just need a better partner.

As for the performances, there have not been too many standouts.  At least nothing like last year.  I think I have to agree with the rest of the SYTYCD blogosphere and say that Chelsea and Mark’s lyrical hip-hop is the best so far.  But, I have a soft spot for Twitchington’s Not-So-Viennese-Viennese-Waltz.  Celine Dion and all.

Basically, it’s time for the choreographers to step their game up and for the judges to start doing their job.  Nigel, are you listening?