Destination 'So You Think You Can Dance': Nigel Lythgoe gets real
After Thursday’s "So You Think You Can Dance" elimination show, I went backstage to get Nigel Lythgoe’s take on the evening. As usual, he held nothing back.
On Thursday’s bottom six:
“For my money, none of the six tonight, I don’t think, will be there at the end of the day.”
On the most oddly matched couple in the competition:
"Chris [Jarosz] and Comfort [Fedoke], no question."
On the importance of the final, 30-second dances:
“They are important, although I think we go in there with thoughts. I thought Marquis [Cunningham] probably did the best routine tonight out of everybody for impact. In talking to Mia and Mary, I think we decided that it was a lot of tricks and it shouldn’t just be about tricks. And Mia pointed out that if she is choreographing someone, she wants passion more than somebody that can flip over and land on two legs.”
On sending Marquis Cunningham home, despite the popularity of his trick-heavy routine:
"Mia said tonight, ‘We’re educating them.’"
On hip-hopper/popper Comfort Fedoke’s fading star:
"I think Comfort has been very dull in the last couple of weeks. It could be her injury. I don’t know what it is, but very dull. And tonight was just a few ripples. Didn’t really dance. I thought she was really good in the Shane Sparks routine, which I pointed out, and we’re taking that into account, as we’ve taken into account her past work."
On Chelsea Traille and Thayne Jasperson landing in the bottom six:
"Two things. The first place in any competition is always difficult 'cause you’re the first one on. And I think what they were wearing was bad, as I pointed out. And I don’t think the style they were doing was strong enough for them. They had to add more style to it or they had to dance more, and the choreography was set so they had to add the style to it."
-- Stephanie Lysaght
With all my heart I want so much that this small comment to reach to Mr. Nigel. I am such a fan of this show and particularly Mr. Nigel’s precise and so right comments and suggestions to the dancers. The thing I am writing is related to Joshua and Katee’s Bolewwod dance number, when Mr. Nigel noted that the same knee dancing is done by Georgian dancers from Russian steps. I am one Georgian living in the USA and this comment pierced my heart. As Russians disorient people about other cultures – saying everything under Russian umbrella. Please review Georgian Folk dances (dated 12-13 centuries). Itself Georgia is ancient country with very unique traditions and culture dated from B.C. and Russia and Russians even did not exist as a nation back then. It is very hard to hear when people inadvertently misinform audience. Hope this letter reaches Mr. Nigel and it worth to check out Georgian Folk dances and see the history of it. The main thing in Georgian dancing is that man and woman never touch each other. It is unique as I said and very interesting history.
Thank you and regards,
Keti
Posted by: keti | July 09, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Hello,
Just an idea for your wonderful show...How great it would be to see Leslie Feist "FEIST" sing and do her 1 2 3 4 video on your show as a guest performer. See YouTube 1234. Maybe next season?? Thanks for you time. Angie
Posted by: Angie | July 25, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Hello, 7-25-2008
Would love to see Leslie Feist (FEIST) on your wonderful show as a guest performer(singer). See her video on youtube Feist 1234. Maybe next season?? What a treat that would be. Thanks for your time. Angie
Posted by: Angie | July 25, 2008 at 01:45 PM