'So You Think You Can Dance': America's favorite krumper and more

I think the talent level of Season 6 was summed up when I found myself shocked that Ellenore Scott came in fourth place and Kathryn McCormick came in third, only to remember that they were behind Jakob Karr and Russell Ferguson, and then it didn't seem quite so unjust. 

Of course, tonight's finale didn't really need to be two hours long: cut out the flashbacks and the Jennifer Lopez lip-synched song that some of my favorite snarky bloggers call "Failboutins" and the show would have been just as good. I did enjoy seeing the reprises of the judges' favorite selections, like "Beggin," from the hip-hop boys, Jakob and Ellenore's Sonya Tayeh dance and Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasora's Bollywood routine (was it me or did they seem more mature this time onstage than the first time they did it?)    I also think Mary Murphy was reading my mind last night because she requested a Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello ballroom dance, which, if it was an audition for them to serve as choreographers for the show, made me pity their future dancers because those two do not mess around. Physically, they seem like a very competitive duo. Impressive, but a little intimidating. Also, Kelly Abbey's opening number for the Top 20 seemed to combine hip-hop with some Fosse-esque moves, and it was sexy and cool.

In general, though, I would have liked less singing and more dance. I thought Jennifer Lopez's tacky name-brand-dropping song performance was cheesy with the huge shoe set and everything, and Leona Lewis' song was basically a commercial for "Avatar." I didn't have any complaints about Adam Lambert (who seemed to have a dead pigeon on his shoulder) or Mary J. Blige's performances, but why was there only one guest dancing crew, the Groovaloos? 

The evening even had a bit of spontaneous drama, as, in one segment, Cat Deeley's mic cut out AND Russell Ferguson limped onstage, crying from an injury. That meant the reruns of the classic dances he was in had to come from tape, not live performance, which made me feel bad for his departed partners like Noelle Marsh, who I'm sure would have liked to perform the African jazz routine again. 

Don't worry about Russell, though. The guy who Nigel described as an "unpolished diamond" as compared to Jakob's polished stone won the show's title. I'm glad that he won: I would have been glad if anyone in the Top Four had won, but I liked that the underdog came out on top. Russell to me seemed fairly reserved all season, but when he found out he won he exploded, seeming to forget his injury, with a sort of proud aggression that indicated the show meant more to him than we really know. Tomorrow I'll be interviewing our new favorite dancer, so if you have any questions for our Season 6 winner, please leave them in the comments section and I'll see if I can get a chance to ask him.

-- Claire Zulkey

Photo: Joe Viles / Fox

Comments

[Kelly]

Ask him what necklace he is always wearing and if there is any significance in it!

[Mary Ellen Schroeder]

The top four were outstanding, but Russell was my favorite since the auditions.
The last few weeks were so enjoyable to watch because dancing just oozed from his being. Jakob is very polished but Russell's heart just kept shining through.

Russell is awesome!

[mandie]

and for those that think this is a BIG conspiracy from the black community need to take another look at themselves to redefine what you really are. I am white and I saw a young man (yes a BLACK MAN) live out his dream tonite. I dont care if he is black, green or red. He danced his behind off and did it to perfection in each style. Stop the negativity and give this man his props.

[HSmith]

Claire, please ask him at what point in the show he felt like he actually had a chance at the win and when he most doubted it? And who he would've most liked to lose to, if he did? And why did he pull Kevin on stage? and when he hurt himself during the finale?

[Kristal]

I'm so happy for Russell! It's true, it's always nice to see the underdog come out on top. And while Jakob was a superior dancer, Russell just grew so much over the course of the season. For more of my thoughts on the finale, check out my blog: http://toointerestingfortwitter.blogspot.com/2009/12/so-you-think-you-can-dance-and-winner.html

[Joe Brown]

For Russell: Are you a Christian? If so, why didn't you thank "Jesus Christ" instead of just "God". Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Are you serious?J.Lo killed the show.she was the ONLY reason i tuned in for the oh so long 2 hours.

[KT]

I loved, loved, LOVED Russell this season. Everybody in the top 6 was great, but he was so versatile and looked comfortable in just about every stytle he did. That cannot be said of everyone. Jakob is an amazing dancer, as is Kathryn, but Eleanor and Russell seem to have a kind of passion and intrigue that drew me in.

I'm happy for him, and for them all. I'm sure they'll all have great careers ahead of themselves. SYTYCD is a wonderful show!

[-Ship]

It was good to see Russell win. Jakob was a more polished dancer, but Russell seemed to grow the most over the course of the season. As for Adam Lambert, I don't think that thing on his shoulder looked like a pigeon. It looked like a driveway pooped on his shoulder.

[Terry]

First of all, wonderfully happy that Russell won! Fantastic. We all want to know how he hurt his knee and is he okay.
-Terry

[Robyn Marell]

Please ask Russell how he felt when he got the ticket to Vegas and how he felt about all the subsequent criticisms and accolades.

[Robyn Marell]

Please ask Russell how he was able to adapt and do as well as he did in the other dance genre(s)without any training.

[Danielle C.]

I'm so glad that Russel won. I've never been that invested in a reality competition before, but every time they came out for results my heart stopped. I loved all the top four dancers. And it was great to see the top 19 come out to dance again. I could literally feel how much loser they where knowing they weren't being judged. I also agree about Molle and Nathan. If they had been dancing with his maturity then their journey wouldn't have been so bumpy along the way.

My questions for Russel: What was his personal favorite dance that either he or one of the top 20 did? Also because of this show would he consider professionally pursuing other style of dance? I could definitely see Russel working the Afro-jazz circuit and I think he would make a beautiful contemporary dancer.

Congrats Russel, I voted for you every time and my entire family rooted for you.

[read123]

Believe or not, I voted for Jakob, Kathryn, Russell, three of them at voting night. I couldn't make up my mind, loved three of them. I was a little surprised by Russell's winning reaction, honestly speaking. I felt like I didn't really know him that well. If I were voting again last night, I think I would definitely deal Jakob's number for sure.

[Stu]

I'm not surprised he won but mostly because of the format this season with 6 people to split votes between in the finale. I think that Jakob probably would have won if it would have gone down to a final three instead of a final 6 because Russel will have pretty much everyone who likes his style voting for him while people could be split between Jakob, Ellenore, and Kathryn. I think Russel deserves to win, but anytime you are going between 6 choices and have one that's unique, any of the ones that are similar will have little chance of winning.

[YANA]

Russell can sing! I want to know if he is going to sing and dance. I mean really singing and dancing like Michael Jackson.

[Sacha]

I'm very happy Russell won, the growth he showed was beyond amazing! The guy just exudes so much emotion and joy in his dances! OT: Adam Lambert's performance was Glam Rock perfection! I think the writer has her birds mixed up though, if I were to compare the shoulder thingy to a bird, I would say a Crow. BUT, I think maybe it was an homage to the 30's era when they wore fur pelts on their shoulders, ala Marlene Dietrich. Maybe? Who knows with Adam, to me that is part of the fun and mystique of Adam.

[j9bt]

I am so happy that Russell won! If you can, please ask him if he was aware that he had stolen the hearts of America! I would also like to know who his favorite partner was on the show - he may not answer that question, but I'd still like to know.

[Leee]

Ask him about the extent of his classical training (he's getting a BFA in dance), and how he felt about being portrayed as an untrained diamond in the rough and if he had any say in his portrayal.

[hal9000]

i was for ellenore from the start. i thought she was threatened by legacy. i think legacy was under rated. love the show totally, and look forward to hearing from any of the top five or six or seven dancers.