"So You Think You Can Dance": The tryouts continue in Charleston and DC

Aside from the art they produce onstage, the dancers on "So You Think You Can Dance" tend to be an enjoyable lot to watch on TV. While the Snuggle "Happy Dance" feature of the audition episodes is pretty cheesy, it highlights what makes the dancers so watchable. They're real performers, trained to use their entire bodies to convey messages to their audience. Nigel Lythgoe isn't just being a typical guy when he praises a comely performer's face: He's complimenting her for using her whole self in her performance. That's why the judges got on Marcus Shield's case for dancing beautifully but keeping a morose expression. It's just genuine fun to watch the dancers goof around before the auditions or explode with joy after an intense performance.  It could be considered hammy if it didn't seem so real. 

One interesting point that Nigel raised on last night's episode was on the subject of flamboyancy.  Someone named Jason Looney tried out in a wig, women's clothes and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" makeup to a Paula Abdul song and insisted on being called "Betty Wallace."  Like on Wednesday night's episode, the judges raked him over the coals.  Guest judge Tice Diorio called him "disrespectful" while Mary Murphy uncharacteristically cursed him out.  Nigel took the time however to inform Looney that he was part of the reason why fathers are uncomfortable when their sons go into dancing: because Looney conveyed the type of embarrassing camp that convinces closed-minded people that performance art is a weakness, and not a calling. 

"So You Think You Can Dance" rarely conveys big messages and doesn't always do them gracefully (like with the heavyhanded peace dance to the John Mayer tune last season) but Lythgoe brought up a good point last night that hopefully made a few people think.

--Claire Zulkey

Comments

[kerouac9]

Hey, Claire!

I've been trying to put together a theory about how to watch these audition episodes. It's not like the audition episodes for A.I., where you pick your favorites early on and then sit back and enjoy the humiliation.

For one, the SYTYCD auditions are of higher quality, and the feedback the auditioners get from the judges is of higher quality. But who is going to be able to pick a favorite from what we get to see? I think that most of the dancers (who are real contenders) don't get screen time because licensing problems with their music (which is understandable).

I think that SYTYCD does a good job of making these shows entertaining by giving us good stories from some of the dancers and some good overall comments from the judges (how often on television do you see people telling contestants that they need to learn more?). I wonder if that's a reason that they continue to call these episodes "Season Premieres." We're going into our 8th hour of premire next week.

I think that Cat (the loveable Cat Deeley) said that they took 41 (!) dancers from Salt Lake alone. We are hardly seeing any jazz or ballroom dancers (who make the cut). I'm excited for Hell Week in Vegas, when the show really gets rolling.

Highlight of last night: Cat cradling a crying returning dancer to her bosom after he got cut (but before he went into a predictable tirade). I would love to have Cat Deeley... Well, this is a moderated forum.

What do you find yourself watching these premires for, Claire? Are you looking for dancers to follow into the Top 20? Mostly, I find that these episodes make me wish that my parents had enrolled me in some dance when I was a kid, and resolving that I'll do the same for my daughters AND sons.

[Claire Zulkey]

Hi Kerouac:

I actually watch these I think the same way the judges watch their favorite hip hop dancers--I can't wait to see these guys take on other genres and how the competition shapes them.

I loved the look Cat gave to the camera after that guy wiped his tears and then proceeded to have a mini meltdown.

[Lindsay]

I can't believe so many people are failing to see the humor in Betty Wallace (Jason). I'm sure the guy wasn't making any snide comment about transvestites, homosexuals, or people who pursue dance or the arts. I think he was making fun of the show and everything we invest in reality tv. Why are we looking at a television show like "So You Think You Can Dance?" and people like the judges to provide us with a value system? That is where the problem lies.... not with Betty Wallace.

[josh]

So what was the point that Lythgoe brought up exactly? Is it that America should express hatred and contempt for diversity? None of the judges even said anything about the dance or the choreography. Just like the prospect of "gay marriage" should we further denigrate those who do not fit the norm. I thought it was humorous and brought an interesting slant to a show that is lackluster at best. I do not think Looney's performance was offensive. What was offensive was the comments of the Judges themselves.

[sarah]

EXCUSE ME?! How was what the judges said offensive? They merely made a point that the show was for people who were serious about dancing. And Jason Looney was offensive as he portrayed all transvestites to be way dragged up and insane.

To be completely fair, a lot of these kids have been dancing for a long time and they want that to be something they can hopefully make a career out of. Jason Looney spent more time on that makeup than he did working on that dance. And it was rude, that he thought as jacked up as that dance was that he could possibly make it through to vegas.

Nigel did not say hate and contempt diversity, that was you that made that comment. If you paid any attention to the show you would know that not all dancers have the same style and the ones with potential make it to choreography. Trust me, Jason Looney didn't even have the talent to make it through that.

Yes, it was hilarious, but the auditions were meant for serious dancers, not ones that practice in the bathroom for 5 minutes before they go. And the only thing lackluster, is you.

[Lindsay]

SARAH?

is fox your religion or something... are you the fox payrolll... or are you just this brainwashed???????????????

people like you never fail to disappoint and confuse me.

im sorry you're this ignorant.
really.
i will pay for you to go to school
wait, i probably do.

[SafeTinspector]

The judges tirade against "Betty" was fine except... their producers have most likely seen this wierdo dance before putting him on the stage for said lambastation.
"disrespectful" was completely avoidable, had the tryout unit producers seen fit to send him home in the first place.

Really, these judges should get just as angry at their own staff for letting it happen, or they should give up that sort of posturing.