'America's Best Dance Crew': Fanny Pak vs. Super Cr3w

It had to happen, but again, it probably was an episode too soon.  Super Cr3w, with its skill, heart and battletude, should easily have been the top crew, but that distinction went to Houston's SoReal Cru.  In Lil Mama's first assessment of them, she said that they reminded her of Kaba Modern, and she's right in terms of style.  SoReal is smooth and talented, but most of all, popular.   Like Boogie Bots, their popularity probably helped them through rough patches.  Unlike Boogie Bots, they also usually perform really well.  Despite criticism, they've been a highlight this season -- a season Lil Mama and Shane summarized.

But against Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w?  On '80s night?!  As you would think, the throwback hoofers of Fanny Pak and the breakdancing battlers Super Cr3w thrived with their challenges.  It wasn't much of a contest.  JC Chasez may have said it best when uttering: "If you think that SoReal Cru outdanced these two crews this episode ..."  Then he was drowned out by the audience's agreeable shouts and dismissive boos.  What he continued to say was that you're wrong if think SoReal Cru is in their class.  The judges gave Fanny Pak a standing ovation (season's first, as was pointed out to me by a commenter and Mario Lopez) after their Missy Elliott performance, and Super Cr3w's routine caused Missy to call her own video "whack."  So how did SoReal end up on top?  It's all about votes, fair or unfair, and that's been part of what Shane calls a great season.

Back to the show.

The '80s music was not SoReal Cru's element, and it showed.  Bell Biv Devoe's "Poison," Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step" and more were used in their mix, and "Breakin'" was the film they had to emulate.  The performances were a bit stiff (Was that the 'Roger Rabbitt'? Hardly.), and their creativity lacked a bit of inspiration (the brooms seemed to slow everything down in their second routine).  Everyone has a down night, but when it's so hotly contested, flaws are magnified. And this is no 'pile on SoReal time,' either.  They were respectable last week.  Voting was based on last week ... so fine, let it go.  This week? They didn't perform as well as Fanny Pak or Super Cr3w, and that's what everyone sees.

Super Cr3w's roots are in the 80s, when the explosion of break-dancing occurred.  Velour sweat suits, Kangol hats and huge gold chains is how it was, and how they came out.  Dancing to Digital Underground's "Humpty-Hump," Cameo's "Word Up" and more, Super Cr3w brought back the old school with the running man, the wop, and a breakin' twist. Then came their "Footloose" tribute. A lot of energy and familiarity, though not as strong as the first routine, except for the triple head spins, which may have helped put them over the top.

Fanny Pak. '80s challenge?  The retro crew gets its own decade to groove to. Dancing to the Teddy Riley sound of "New Jack Swing," Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice Baby" and more, Fanny Pak showed that they can dance.  Not that they were just creative, or great with choreography, but can just straight dance.  Glenda, Tiffani and crew sweated it out, then cooled off.  Their second performance was interpreting "Flashdance."  Their concept was, as usual, greatness. Re-creating the dance tryout atmosphere of the movie -- and substituting Lil Mama, Shane and JC was brilliant -- the crew had another creative hit.  But the actual dancing may not have been as exciting as the look and setup.  So, when having to judge using both performances, the judges sent the popular crew back to the Valley (leaving a little girl with a great hat next to me in tears!). Above, JC speaks about the group, and a somber Fanny Pak talks about their time on the show.

After being eliminated, the group's choreographer Matt Cady urged the viewers to "vote right" while speaking to Mario.  Some message boarders also say that Fanny Pak member Beau also pointed at Super Cr3w's banner as theirs fell.

In the mini crew battle at the end of the show, there was a bit of competitve flavor going on between Super Cr3w and SoReal Cru.  Despite Fanny Pak's exit, this should still (hopefully) be a good finale.

-- Jevon Phillips

'America's Best Dance Crew 2': Meet the Top 10 Crews (photos)

Comments

[CCC]

SoRealCru isn't bad, but a SuperCrew/Fanny Pak finale would have been ideal, if only because Fanny Pak seemed like a fad at the beginning of the season and they completely blew everyone away as the season progressed. Somehow I think SoRealCru being in the finale is somehow retribution for the Kaba Modern snub in season one. But honestly, I'd rather it had been Kaba.

[Dani]

Here's my problem with SoReal: they haven't done a lot that is super memorable or iconic for me week. They are smooth, but I feel like I see a lot of the same moves over and over week to week. IMHO, Kaba was much better--more original. I still remember their dances. So, is SoReal dope? Yes. But do they deserve a spot in the finale? Nope.

It sucks that Fanny Pak basically won the night but lost the competition. You could see on Super Cr3w's faces that they thought there was a dang good chance they were headed home. I disagree about the dancing in the second set not being exciting--I was out of my seat cheering for that number, I was so pumped. Glenda was getting down on that back table, and the pirouette and the iconic flashdance strut were all impeccable--and yet still looked "Fanny Pak." Best number of the night, hands down.

[never]

Jevon,

I agree with your post and assessment of the crews' performances. A lot of message boards felt like FP should have been saved but I felt that their theatrics played influenced people's opinions more than their dancing. FP, nonetheless, is an entertaining crew and should have been alongside SC in the finals.

[BiasReview]

What a bunch of balony. Could you write more like a bias person? This is why New York times is 100% better becaues of writers like you. You dont actually do the research. First I am sick of hearing the "soreal" does the same moves all the time. What do the breakers do? All they know is bboying and have said that from casting special. Eat your words for gosh sakes. Second, SoReal is not like Kaba at all. Kaba is all about Isolations and SoReal while they have some, rides the beat more often and portrays a smooth style.

Fanny pak was classless when being booted out. What is vote right? How can you vote right?? My vote who I pick is whats right. How dare you tell me my voting is wrong. I pick based on my preference of STYLE - which in itself is a subjective opinion. And before I go, I am a super cr3w fan but seriously the routines are so mundane, theyre awesome breakers but the choreo is something related to a high school dance team. They will win because theyre the most marketable.

[Hadi]

The finale should have been Fanny Pak vs. SuperCr3w. I honestly feel that the show is rigged because there is no way SoReal deserves to be in the finale. I agree with the posts above where SoReal has not had any memorable performances and they were not clean in last nights dances. ABDC is doing the same thing they did last season where the top 3 crews consisted of Jaba, Kaba, and this other team that was definitely not up to par (I forgot their name). At this point in time, Kaba was the underdog and there was so much hype for them by the time they reached Top 3. And when America voted, Jaba and Kaba were put in the bottom 2 spots and that random team moved forward to the finale. That's exactly what happened last night where the underdog (Fanny Pak) had proved themselves consistently every week, but were then kicked off the show. SoReal crew is a good team, but to be in the finale, c'mon now, it's obvious to most people that they shouldn't be there. MTV is whack and they are not basing the show solely off of talent, they are just trying to get ratings by causing drama.

[Jevon]

Hey, Dani. You may be right, and i used the wrong wording. Fanny Pak's "Flashdance" performance was fast-paced and very exciting, but the only things that were really memorable (to me) are the kicks, the spin, the butt slap and the look. Not so much the actual dancing. I went back and watched it again, and I like it even more, but the judges have to go on one viewing. Just not sure if their two routines surpass Super Cr3w's two. JC's video helped confirm it for me.

Thanks!

[Gabriel]

I think america has a problem reading the name od so real crew and super crew, I think everybody loves supercrew, there moves are very very hard, and they never mess up yet.
I belive there vote was for super crew but they put so real crew instead, that can only be the reason why there on top every week, there where 3 teams better then them

[Jabba Baby]

SoReal Cru dance routine reminded me of Kaba Modern's intricate dance style, except they did it better than KM. They deserved to have gone to the finals with Fanny Pak, not SuperCr3w. Alothough I wouldn't have minded another West Coast match up with Fanny and Super.

Honestly, I think this is Randy Jackson's pathetic way of retributing for favoring Status Quo last season. If this man had thought with his head instead of his ass, he would've realized that a West Coast Match up between JabbawockeeZ and Kaba Modern would've been more interesting finale, especially when both dance crew have never been inconsitent thoughtout the first season. However, SQ has shown more inconsistencies and deserved to have gone home at the last challenge. The crowd that booed SQ for being saved was very justified because no one wanted them to be in the finale. That's why no one watched the finale, he rigged the votes. The East/West Coast match up didn't garner any ratings and RJ had no one to blame but himself.

[marc]

For me it's hard to appreciate a show that always sends it's top two performances into the elimination round. Such is the case for the last several weeks of ABDC.
Because of this constant, we have the making for a ho-hum season finale. Supercr3w, an awesome and deserving finalist, has been pitted against Sorealcru, a crew that has been consistently good but not great like the teams it has beaten. To put them in the finale with the supremely skilled, multi-dimensional dance machine, Supercr3w, is demeaning to the show and a disgrace to the more deserving Supreme Soul and Fanny Pak crews. Those two crews came with the difficulty, the creativity, and the wow factor of true champions. I have reviewed each of these crews weekly presentations several times and I dare any ABDC eyes out there to find a justifying weekly performancewithin the last three weeks that would have placed Soreal cru in the finale over Supreme Soul or Fanny Pak.
Sorealcru will probably leave the contest with an unblemished mark, having never been in the bottom two. It still won't make them ABDC. It will just make them the unconvincing victors. The spoils of this contest will go to Do-Knock, from Supercr3w, Matt, ffrom Fanny Pak, and Pharside from Supreme Soul. In the world of entertainment there are head hunters out there desperately seeking talented choreographers and their crews. These cats were dominate in every aspect of the word dance.

[benny]

Fanny Pak smashed it last night. In the fnal they just showed more variety of dance then what they usually do, or is usually seen on this show. The entire performance was hot . also remember this is the 80's challenge so they maintained alot of that integrity. NO crew has been as tight and clean as fanny pak , and they are doing much more difficult moves ( speed up challenge for example), but they put a fun factor to it, that no other crew could ever show. They outdanced both crews last night , which makes this more upsetting.
Matt has a right to ask America to vote for who they feel is more entertaining. i've seen alot of blogs where people said they thought fanny pak smashed the missy challenge but they still voted for another crew. wth is that ??
Who ever wins, it will be a hollow victory. Super crew will be seen as a one trick pony , and so real cru will be seen as the "taylor hicks " of the competition...popular for the moment, but forgettable. Fanny Pak will be legends for bringing originality, an entertainment value and skill set we didn't even know we were waiting for.

ABDC is FANNY PAK

[Eddie Barker]

First, it was disappointing to see Fanny Pack go (I think I did have to fight back tears a little). Super Crew has been my favorite since the beginning, but Fanny Pack has outperformed them recently. Don't know why So Real Crew is even in the same category as these two crews. Second, can someone please explain to me why on 80's night, they were playing songs from the 90's? Last, I hope Super Crew wins in the finals.

[Pak Fanny]

I think the fact that some people will vote for the crew representing their region came into play last season and this season again. In other words, people on the west coast will most likely vote for crews from the west coast (Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w), while people from the south will vote for the crew from the south (SoReal). So while SoReal is getting the votes from the south, fanny pak and super cr3w are basically splitting votes from the west, giving them less than SoReal, and leaving them in the bottom. There are other possible factors (like who the east/midwest is voting for), but i believe this may have caused the Fanny Pak/Super Cr3w face off this season, AND the Jabbawockeez/Kaba Modern face off last season. That is just my explanation of why the two most consistent and unique crews ended up in the bottom. But looking to the finale, I hope Super Cr3w will win (i think fanny pak fans will see how much the fanny pak loves super cr3w, and vote for them to win).

[Anthony (from Hawaii)]

First, great work all season long providing analysis and backstage footage. Of the newspaper blogs that follow this show, I read yours and the Houston Chronicle's and I find yours much more insightful and less biased. And the well-thought out comments of your readers adds to my enjoyment of this blog. Great work.

It seems the theme of Season 2 is 'Vote Right.' There were a lot of undeserving early exits this season courtesy of some questionable Bottom 2s -- the eliminations of Supreme Soul, ASIID, and Distorted X come to mind -- but this week's results take the cake. It's hard for me to believe that SoReal Cru was America's top choice to be in the finale, and not the more deserving Fanny Pak or Super CR3W. I'm glad JC pointed it out -- to think SoReal outperformed this week's bottom 2 last week (and cumulatively all season) is just insane. SoReal just lacks the versatility and the special 'wow' factor that the winner should have. If SoReal does win, the 'America's Best Dance Crew' title should be taken as a joke because there would be two others (or three counting Supreme Soul) that were danced even better.

The problem lies in the voting system. I urge ABDC producers to take a closer look and fix it to prevent future deserving crews getting 'Kaba Moderned.' With the current system allowing multiple votes from a single computer/phone, a few die-hard fanatics can skew the results unfairly. A thousand votes made by a single fan should not equal a single vote from a thousand casual voters.

[Andrew]

i see what you are saying, but my opinion is, it should have been soreal vs fanny pak. i'm not saying super crew is bad, but if isn't super crew also doing the same thing every time? soreal is good because they dont need to do tricks, they depend on the dancing and detail. super crew is good because of the tricks. soreal does deserve to be in the top, and i think fanny pak out-danced super crew... also, through the missy challenge, fanny pak should have been the safe crew.. so i dunno. lol

also, i can think of a reason of why it may seem like randy jackson has rigged the show... because in a mathematical sense (i probably sound like a huge geek right now), we could assume all the east side viewers vote soreal, while 50% of the west coast viewers vote fanny, and the other 50% vote super crew.

[Riffraff]

I don't understand this show. Why is it that a lot of the time what the judges say and how the crews perform don't seem to affect the votes the way they're expected? I think the argument of America having peculiar voting preferences can only be taken so far since not even American Idol operates this strangely. For instance, it's plainly obvious why someone like AI's Sanjaya managed to stay on the show despite largely terrible performances. (He's hugely entertaining.) You could even say that the urging of Howard Stern and the folks behind VoteForTheWorst.com had something to do with it. Thing is, eventually the ruse wore off and we all bid farewell to that fauxhawk-ed weenie. THAT'S easy to understand.

What I don't understand is why a nation full of already fickle viewers would vote so passionately for a crew that has essentially flown under the radar since Day One? SoReal Cru, while no spring chickens to the dancing game, has called significantly less attention to themselves with their performances than Super Cr3w or Fanny Pak. What else is left to explain their apparent popularity? That they're the only non-West Coast crew left? That they're pulling all the Asian (or Filipino -- yes, I'm Filipino so I fully understand the influence of cultural pride) votes like Jasmine Trias did when she overstayed her welcome on AI? That they're smooth and they know how to groove to slow tracks?

Really, Randy Jackson? Really?

America can certainly be accused of having an abundance of voters with bad judgment, but to assume that the bright shiny objects that were Super Cr3w and Fanny Pak's performances weren't enough to attract more votes than SoReal's comparatively less eye-catching acts is difficult to swallow.

[jojo]

If you're upsed just like me to see Fanny pak leave the competition, sign this petition http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring_back_Fanny_Pak/ .... It's a first move so please sign and talk about this petition to all you'r friends.

Thkz

[LIMELIGHT]

In an Interview Meg from Fanny Pak said that the final 3 vote was based on cumulative votes, meaning the total number for the season. Now if this is true, then this show is truly unfair. It's not about showing skill it's about a poularity contest. Groups will be at a disadvantage starting out, instead of having to earn their respect like Fanny Pak. ABDC needs to reveal how this show is run, because too many people are noticing things not adding up.

[Autumn]

I cried when Fanny Pak got eleminated I love those guys!!! and they got eleminated over super cr3w what is wrong with America? Come on everyone ! i just hope they r coming back for season 3 of ABDC! I love u Fanny Pak!!!!<3

[jay]

"But the actual dancing may not have been as exciting as the look and setup."

Are you serious? Not only did they showcase their sharp clean Fanny Pak movements, they do so while also incorporating classical dance elements from the layouts to the double pirouettes. And you can't tell me Glenda ripping it on the table with the same fast and intricate choreography as the guys on the floor is not "actual dancing."

Also, you might want to look into the fact that the producers of the show used cumulative votes throughtout the entire season to determine the "top vote getter" to set up the final two. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that SoReal Cru would have an edge if votes were tallied cumulative, especially considering that Fanny Pak had to fight and earn their fans.

[Jennifer]

I am so mad that fanny pack didnt make it into the finale..are u kidding me right there was the finale for me...what do i wanna watch some unorginal boring same old crap..fanny pack was the best crew americas best dance crew has ever seen..that show is definetly rigged..if i ever think of a sick dance crew ill think of fanny pack..there so inspiring..my love goes out to them

[Ree]

Fanny pack has IT. This is coming from caribbean. All my caribbean and african friends think Fanny Pak is the hottest crew on tv. They are professional, CREATIVE, fun and not to mention very versatile. Look at the piece of crap coming from So Real Crew and if So Real Crew wins, a lot of people are not going to watch America's Best Dance crew ever again. I don't really like to watch these dance shows but I couldn't wait to see what Fanny Pak had in store. No other like Fanny, so go Fanny Pak!

[DanceReviewer]

The Fanny Pak elimination was the judges decission. The same thing happened to KabaModern last season. Picking the top two is the only time the judges decide. Based on the history of this show there are obvious issues with the voting. I was upset last season about KB; this year was the last for FP did not make the top two! I can't take and stand this show anymore. I vow to never watch the show and protest the show until they can get it right! Somehow I get the feeling Randy Jackson is calling all the shots, and Mario just read of the cards.

[t]

fanny pack should have won.
the whole show.

[K-girl]

Who the hell cares about SoReal Cru? The judges should've been smart to have picked both Super Cr3w and Fanny Pak over SoReal. Someone please fire Lil Mama soon because all she does is kiss ass and her judging is by far the most biased on ABDC. JC Chasez is a far better judge than her because his judging is non-biased and if he hated seeing a dance crew being cocky and arrogant, he'd let them know it, even if it means being booed by the audience. The point is MTV and RJ rigged the show a second time gave us a West Coast Match up. The judges should've thought with their heads and sent SoReal against Super Cr3w. Had they done so, it would've made a very interesting match up.

[STOP HATING]

umm ok? soreal deserved to be in the top they been doing their best to prove it and people are starting to see it. honestly what the heck was jc talking about fanny pak was better then both soreal and super cr3w on both preformences.