Gev has never been in danger, but he has never been a crowd favorite either. All of that could change after his stunning solo this evening. Backstage after the show, Nigel Lythgoe called it the best of the night.
Free T-shirts make tweens scream
When Tommy the warm-up guy offered a free T-shirt to the audience, the screams from the mosh pit climbed into the whistle range. "They're cheering for that shirt louder than they're cheering for me," quipped Nigel.
Yeah, we know she was a professional ballroom dancer, but we never
get to see Mary's moves on "So You Think You Can Dance." Tonight, the
way she shook her hips on her way to her judge's chair was worthy of a
seat on the hot tamale train.
Nigel has a soft spot for JT
When "Sexy Back" began to blare through the speakers, Nigel couldn't help dancing right there in his chair.
Come on. It's just not fair. The crew's ninja performance may have been the best of the season, but Super Cr3w's Clark Kent-to-Superman routine was pretty close to it. Super Cr3w had to come up with an illustration of flying high. Kind of like the Jabba Wockeez task to defy gravity. Super Cr3w flew over the challenge, throwing a member so high in the air he was ceiling-bound, but NOT CATCHING HIM WHEN HE LANDED! He came back to the ground easy enough, but the stunt was spectacular. Even Mario chimed in during the judges' comments: I thought they were going to catch him, then they stepped back. Lil Mama called them "supermen," and the "Super crew!" "Super crew!" chants are still echoing.
Fanny Pak The song: "Toy Soldier" -- Britney Spears
Their strength is, again, their weirdness and creative style. With Britney's song, there didn't seem to be a lot to do to surprise the judges. But in coming out with the flat toy soldier bottom, and using fellow crew members as guns (Shane: I was wondering if they went hifeyon us.), the Fanny Pak drew in the audience. Lil Mama said that it was so inventive that she could see herself "in a toy store" during their routine.
Supreme Soul The song: "Elevator" -- Flo Rida featuring Timbaland
The NoCal crew of Supreme Soul is very versatile. There were more staging and performance aspects in this week's challenge than they've previously done -- and it paid off. The elevator motif was played out with a bit of a cliche (you know what's gonna happen when you have a song called 'Elevator'). JC pointed out that the crew "highlighs a different player each week. You may have come off as cocky, but that's very unselfish." Like I said, versatile.
Phresh Select The song: "Big Things Poppin" -- T.I.
JC said it best: The creativity was there, but you guys have got to be cleaner." The Select crew looked like they were having fun this time, but it WAS a do-or-die situation. Being in the Bottom 2, they came out with an above-average routine to help beat an average rival. Hopefully the blowup at the end is not an omen for next week.
ASIID The song: "Roll" -- Flo Rida
Their energy overflows, but this was not one of ASIID's best technical performances. The judges liked the performance, but Lil Mama endured some boos to give a little criticism. "Y'all was sloppy. I don't care what nobody says. Y'all was sloppy." Agreed, and though they "rolled" in body and with a few tricks, it was not one of the night's best. But so what? They're still Annabelle's favorite!
So Real Cru The song: "Snake" -- R. Kelly
They keep chugging along. The crew that got the loudest intro cheer had another strong performance. They didn't blow me away, but their "snake" interpretation was pretty good. The "snake moonwalk," as coined by Shane, was a very cool move, and the crew itself is filled with solid dancers. But, eh.
Boogie Bots The song: "Game Over" -- Lil Flip
Shane said that the group "finally lived up to its name." That and more. It helped the crew's creativity that the song was about video games, but their glow-in-the-dark clothing and performance were a highlight of the night. The Street Fighter reference, the Transformer created at the end ... it was perfect for this group. the dancing may not have matched other crews', but their routine was amazing.
Xtreme Dance Force The song: "Earthquake" -- Tech N9Ne
They came hard. Definitely the hardest, most tricked-out routine they've done. Simulating an earthquake, they kept it lively, threw members up in the air and got crazy on stage. Despite the "organized chaos" (as Shane called their routine) and the support of readers from The Naperville Sun and Rockford Register Star, it wasn't enough. Neither was pulling down their pants at the end (spelling out "earthquake" -- what?) Shane called them "wack" once, and Lil Mama said their choreography was "simple." Like Sass x7, many assumed the crew was on thin ice, though the image change last week put them on the right path. Not xtreme enough, not loose enough, not ... good enough overall.
It felt inevitable that Kourtni Lind and Matt Dorame would go home sooner or later: Although they were a fun couple to watch (especially Kortni), they never grabbed the public's or the judges' attention the way, say, Joshua Allen and Katee Shean or Twitch Boss and Kherington Payne did. Plus, if you're in the bottom three again and again, typically the frequent fliers will get sent home before those new to the bottom three (so Courtney Galiano and Gev Manoukian were safe, although their solos were also impressive, and particularly in Gev's case, entertaining).
TV One, a cable network that targets black viewers, has lost its executive vice president of programming and development, Rose Catherine Pinkney, just days before the network is slated to unveil its new slate of programming to a national gathering of television writers in Los Angeles.
Pinkney, who left her position this week, joined the network two years ago to develop original programming. The executive, who previously was the head of comedy development for Paramount Pictures Television, told insiders she wanted to "pursue other interests."
“I wish you knew how good you were,” guest judge Adam Shankman told “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant Jessica King after her performance June 25. Adam went on to tell Jessica that she was her own worst enemy.
I caught up with Adam after last Thursday’s show to talk about his statement’s impact on Jessica and to talk about the other 15 dancers.
Adam on Jessica:
“She just came up to me, almost with tears in her eyes. She said, 'I can’t thank you enough for what you said.' I felt like I was stating the obvious, because I’ve seen in her performances since Vegas; she’s holding herself back. It’s like she’s afraid. … I was like, ‘Dancing is not something to be afraid of.’ … she, like I said, was her own worst enemy. I’m hoping she heard me. She said she heard me.”
Adam on the importance of last week’s solos:
“The solos solidified some stuff for us. We were a little on the fence with the boys. … What it boiled down to today was evolution. Who has the potential to evolve the most and who have we seen change since Vegas. And the two who were going home probably changed the least. But they are still special dancers. Who I would hire.”
At the aging San Diego Sports Arena, the crowd at the second show was perceptibly younger than the firmly middle-aged audience in the premiere show in Glendale, Ariz. The difference was immediately noticed by the performers as they made their way backstage after their sets, who, although somewhat bleary from the first night’s journey, seemed to get a fresh burst of adrenaline from the crowd. First up, Chikezie, who came backstage soaking wet from his energetic set but smiling broadly at how it had gone.
Some moments from the night:
+ Micheal Johns introducing "Dream On": This song got me kicked off the show, but I’ve been told by the authorities it won’t get me kicked off the tour.”
+ Kristy Lee Cook seems to make a tradition of throwing T-shirts to the crowd, a country-friendly gesture that sets off a mad scramble. Also her rendition of “God Bless the USA” seems to provoke different responses. In Arizona, the crowd was instantly on its feet. In San Diego, the room stayed mostly seated, although a sizable percentage of the room could be seen mouthing the words along with her. Kristy seems more comfortable in the rocking country mode than either of her "Idol" country chanteuse predecessors, Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. One can see her in a duet with Bo Bice much more naturally than either of the others.
+ Massive huge explosion of applause for hometown girl Carly Smithson, although she later says that because of the monitor in her ear she was unable to hear the noise except what came through her mike, which she kept extending to try to make it out. “Do you know how awesome this feels?” she asked the crowd. Once again, and especially on home turf, the set of the greatest performer in "Idol" history was, simply, electrifying.
+ Carly’s introduction of the next singer: “She tans worse than I do. Her name is Brooke White. And if she makes a mistake in her song, she’ll start it again for you!”
+ Jason Castro’s fan base is the most clearly identifiable, with hippies in tie-dye dotting the auditorium. Most introduce themselves by their dreadhead number, given in the order of their registering at the Castro fan site. “I’m dreadhead No. 3052” is a typical hello.
+ The scream for David Archuleta’s set was once again deafening. Young girls, in tears, hopped up and down. And once again, one can see the young man who can be so awkward grow into the most confident, self-assured human being on the planet when he sings before a crowd of thousands.
+ On my second listening, David Cook’s set is truly great. All the nights that he brought the Idoldome to a standstill are relived.
+ Backstage after the show, Kristy reports that there are thousands of people standing outside the bus parking area waiting to see them get on board. Carly says that the night before, when a similar crowd was arrayed, Kristy impishly ran in and out of the bus to provoke the tidal wave of screams every time she came into view. Tonight, she tries to egg Carly into joining her.
And then, finally, it is on board again and on to Fresno. Two cities down, many to go!
-- Richard Rushfield
Photo: Michael Johns, courtesy Michael Buckner / Getty Images)
Now that we've had time to consider the news of Brenda Walsh's possible return to "90210" on the CW's reboot of the series this fall, it's time to evaluate whether this is a good or bad thing.
Our first reaction is good: It would mean Shannen Doherty reuniting with co-stars such as frenemy Jennie Garth, who’ll be back as Kelly Taylor, the girl who peaked in high school-turned-guidance counselor, and Tori Spelling, whose Donna Martin will be working in … wait for it … the fashion industry.
But who knows whether Doherty will actually seal the deal. She's reportedly already demanding more money and wants to see the final script before signing on (a true method actress!).
So while we wait, we've prepared a pro-con list. Would Brenda’s return be a career-reviving move for Doherty or spell doom for the CW?
GOOD: We get the scoop on Brenda’s whereabouts for the last couple of decades. Doherty left the cast so much sooner than her peers and, well, we could use the closure. Last we remember, she was supposed to be living happily in London with Dylan, but we also recall some discussion that they had broken up during the series’ final season.
BAD: Don’t count on a Dylan-Brenda reunion. Luke Perry (a.k.a. Dylan McKay) has already said he’s out. “It’s just not something I’ve thought about to be quite honest. I don’t see it happening,” he told Access Hollywood in June. And as the cast stands now, Brenda’s either going to be a singleton or a cougar. (Wait, that could be a good thing…)
GOOD: Maybe she could seduce a French student. Then we’d be able to hear that illustrious French accent of hers once more. (Surely you remember her charming the socks off of Dean Cain with it. Here, let’s reminisce: "Ah, yoo doo not need zee book."
BAD: Brenda could be, like, a mom now. And older “bad girls” that work, such as Amanda Woodward of "Melrose Place," are hard to come by. Doherty should know. She was a late addition to the cast of flailing Fox soap “North Shore,” but her character, the long-estranged sister of Brooke Burns’ character, wasn’t the show-saver that Locklear was for “Melrose Place.”
GOOD: Another possible fisticuffs between Doherty and Garth. It would blow Lauren vs. Heidi out of the water. US Weekly could give us regular updates. And it could so happen: Creator Aaron Spelling wrote in his memoir that the two came to actual physical blows after an argument on the set during “90210”’s heyday.
BAD: The dissolution of Doherty’s bad girl rep. She and Jennie could mend fences. The character of Brenda might be tame and boring now that she’s older and wiser. We’re not into boring. One of our all-time favorite Brenda moments was when she destroyed a science lab with a group of animal rights activists.
GOOD: Because we were sad when Oxygen ended “Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty.” It was like Brenda meets “Cheaters.” She’d help jilted girlfriends and boyfriends break up their bad relationships. A shame that not many can find Oxygen on their cable box. Her job as host of “Scare Tactics” was also pretty terrific.
BAD: What inane fashion trends might she spark this time? Once upon a time, Brenda helped push the bangs, the Seattle grunge flannel, the oversized blazers and scrunchies. Heaven help us from seeing Brenda rock leggings underneath a dress, espadrilles or polka dots. (We’re almost free of them!)
GOOD: She could save the CW. And, by extension, “Gossip Girl.” Think of a “90210”-“Gossip Girl” crossover! Blair meet Brenda, Brenda Blair. The thought alone makes us shiver. In a good way.
BAD: We might get attached. And then she’ll just up and ditch us again. She ditched Dylan, then she ditched her “Charmed” sisters. Who’s to say she won’t up and leave town again? We just don’t think we could take that kind of rejection.
Immediately after the Glendale, Ariz., show, the Idols boarded buses and attempted to sleep on the long ride across the desert to San Diego, site of their second concert. Reports seemed near unanimous that little sleeping got done on this first overnight trip as they each adjusted to their new homes for the next 52 cities and counting –- bunks on the boys' and girls' buses. David Cook said later in the day that he had been too pumped up with adrenaline from the excitement of the Glendale show to get much sleep. In any event, by the evening, if their enthusiasm remained undimmed, it was tinged offstage with a barely perceptible bleary quality.
Not having a berth on the bus myself, I hopped a plane to San Diego, following the path of the tour. With time to spare before the evening’s show, I paid a visit to one of the most intriguing and little-known figures from this season, Todd Smithson, husband of Carly, the greatest singer in Idol history.
Throughout Season 7, Todd was the subject of much curiosity and a fair amount of rumor-mongering in some of the Web’s more scurrilous corners. To say he stood out among the homespun, sorority-girl-heavy audience in the Idoldome would be an understatement. With his skater garb and his body blanketed in tattoos, face included, Todd blended into the crowd about as well as Bob Dole might fit in at the mosh pit at Lollapalooza. At almost every show, he gamely watched his wife’s brilliant "Idol" career but gave few interviews or public appearances during the season, leaving many to judge the book entirely by its well-adorned cover.
What a night! On Wednesday, for the first time this season, each couple was asked to present two dances in one evening. The resulting spectacle left me with nothing but questions, chief among them, Why does Will Wingfield ever have to wear a shirt? Here are the other –- admittedly less pressing –- questions raised by tonight's show. What was in Cat Deeley's water tonight?
The British bombshell usually plays the mother hen role on "So You Think You Can Dance," shielding the fragile contestants from the wrath of Nigel Lythgoe. Tonight, however, she couldn't get enough of the boys! "I believe they call that ripped," she announced to a shirtless Twitch Boss. She also got giddy over the aroma of Will's shirt. Get a grip, girl -– or better yet, don’t! We like this randy new Cat.
At the end of the opening number, when all of the dancers froze in pairs, Kourtni froze holding male dancer Gev Manoukian in her arms! And not at all ironically. Just because she's tall doesn't mean she has to play the male part!
Did the SYTYCD hairdresser forget his or her glasses?
Between Katee Shean and Kherington Payne's freaky pompadours and Cat's cinnabun-inspired 'do, something strange was afoot in the hair territory tonight.
Is Nigel Lythgoe a mind-reader?
Just moments after I jotted in my notebook, "I want to dance with Will!" Lythgoe took a poll of the studio, asking who would like to dance with Will. Every hand in the room went up. Drat. Competition.
While the viewers at home were treated to a few noteworthy performances (specifically those by Mia Michaels), something seemed a little off about tonight's episode of "So You Think You Can Dance." Perhaps it was Cat Deeley's quirkier-than-usual dress. Maybe it was the feedback of guest judge Napoleon, who was rivaling Randy Jackson in terms of inanity of commentary (like how it's the moments that make a story, or something). A tiny bit of tension seemed to hang between judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe and definitely between the audience and Nigel (who, correctly, told the crowd to shut up when he's giving constructive criticism.)
Gev Manoukian is a dark horse.
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At the aging San Diego Sports Arena, the crowd at the second show was perceptibly younger than the firmly middle-aged audience in the premiere show in Glendale, Ariz. The difference was immediately noticed by the performers as they made their way backstage after their sets, who, although somewhat bleary from the first night’s journey, seemed to get a fresh burst of adrenaline from the crowd. First up, 
Now that we've had time to consider the news of Brenda Walsh's possible 
Immediately after the Glendale, Ariz., show, the Idols boarded buses and attempted to sleep on the long ride across the desert to San Diego, site of their second concert. Reports seemed near unanimous that little sleeping got done on this first overnight trip as they each adjusted to their new homes for the next 52 cities and counting –- bunks on the boys' and girls' buses. 
While the viewers at home were treated to a few noteworthy performances (specifically those by 
