‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Every week should be Vegas week!
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For those first-time watchers who tuned in to the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ auditions and deemed it ‘American Idol’ but with dancing, last night’s episode exemplified what’s truly exciting about the show, as the top 20 were chosen.
No matter the dancers’ specialties, to reach the final round in Vegas each had to prove him- or herself by learning a hip-hop, Broadway, ballroom and contemporary routine, not to mention choreographing a number on their own and dancing solo for their lives.
Unlike on other reality TV shows, where tears and drama seem concocted for the camera, the physical and emotional exhaustion the dancers were going through was clear. One popper quit before the eliminations even began, sensing himself about to embarrass himself and a potential partner. And some dancers simply took themselves out of competitions, such as the tap dancer who complained about physical fatigue after Mia Michaels’ routine, while another stormed offstage and out of the show when he erred in the same round.
One would have to have a heart of stone not to feel for Erica Gee, who had tried out several times before on the show and had willed herself to believe that she would be in the top 20, whose face crumpled when she was cut in the first round and then had to call her parents.
Many dancers vowed to be back next year (with encouragement from the judges). It was interesting that, in contrast to ‘American Idol,’ where everyone seems to go home angry, only one bitter dancer was shown, complaining that it was her looks that got her cut. Paige Jones, the steely pageant girl who got cut after ballroom, summarized the chilly philosophy of competition life: ‘The one thing you’re taught not to do is fail, and if you do fail, don’t cry, and if you do cry, do it in the room by yourself.’ It’s a shame because that small scene doubled her likability factor.
This was the episode too for viewers to start choosing their favorites (incidentally, this critic did not see this episode ahead of time -- the fact that three-quarters of the people she mentioned in yesterday’s post made it to the top 20 is just a sign of skill and intellect).
Hip-hop dancers Comfort and Joshua gained points for tenacity and spirit as they worked their butts off on their ballroom routine and wept with relief when they made it through to the next round. Twitch is hard not to like for his talent, cool attitude and professionalism. And Katie, the last girl to make the top 20, will have to doubly prove herself as she almost talked herself out of her spot by saying she wouldn’t try out again next year if she didn’t make the cut, while her best friend and roommate Natalie stood up for her and was an exceptionally good sport when she got cut.
It’s going to be a lot of fun watching this group compete together and against one another as the next phase of the competition begins. It would have been nice if the Snuggle Bear had also been cut in eliminations, but unfortunately he and his happy dance seem here to stay.
-- Claire Zulkey