So You Think You Can Dance: Week 7

Anyone know the name of the song or singer of the song that Lacey danced solo to? Thanks.

I love watching “So You Think You Can Dance” because it embodies the love of dance. It is evident that every judge, choreographer and almost every contestant truly loves to dance and that makes this show so fascinating. However, and Danny-lovers out there, please understand, I think Danny is an amazing dancer. But I think he lacks the “love of dance”. He is perfect in technique because he wants to be the best. But I really believe he has no understanding of human emotions, sympathy, empathy, etc and only pretends to feel emotion when he dances and when he listens to the judges’ critiques. That’s why I think the national TV-watching audience and the voters cannot connect with him on a visceral level like we can with the other dancers. When he was up against Neil last night and he was voted to continue, he ran off the stage without any word or gesture to Neil. Only after he ran a few steps, do I believe he thought to himself “uh oh, that was not a good response, I better run back and pretend like I care about the other dancers”. I don’t mean this to be harsh; it’s just how I see him. He is an excellent dancer and I love to watch his leaps and spins and technique but his dancing is so cold.

Benji last year was the embodiment of “America’s favorite dancer” because with every dance he performed, he was exuberant and allowed us, the audience to feel his exuberance. Dominic and Pasha also bring that joie de vivre to the stage but Sabra is the embodiment of joy. She kills everything she does and makes us love her. I initially wanted Lacey to win because she’s so cute, such a good dancer and Benji’s sister. And I wanted Danny to excel because he was Travis’ brother. But Lacey I think is getting a bit cocky and it seems like she’s not trying as hard as before because she feels like she doesn’t have to. Neil, as cute as he is and as accomplished, is still a bit immature in that he doesn’t quite connect with his partners emotionally but I think he will in time because he’s so sweet. Lauren is amazing too but still very raw and young and just needs experience. Pasha is fantastic and seems to also rise up to every challenge. So there you go, I’d like to see Sabra and Pasha in the finals with Sabra winning, but I think it will be Sabra and Danny and I hope Sabra wins.

In the begining of the season I liked Dominic. Now I think that he is being outshined by the other male dancers.
Danny, Personality? I don't think so. He had no personality. He's gay and boring, and I DON'T want him to win!!! He is a good dancer, but he needs to step out of his shell.
Sabra, is the best all around, and she should win.
Lacey seems like fake to me, and it seems like she gets alot of her fans from Benji.
I love Lauren's personality, and I think that she seems so sweet. Unfortunetly, she'll probably go home.

I think, that the reviews for the routine by Mia Michaels, was based on the storyline, not the dancing. While, I was watching it, I zoned out, because I was bored. I didn't like it that much, but I can see how it would be touching to some people.




Lauren & Dominic are gonna go home.

I don't want Danny in the finals. He may have great technique, but in terms of "favorite" dancer - he would not even make my list. I don't think he dances manly at all. Not necessarily feminine, but I think maybe because his dancing seems more like "pretty boy-ish".

Choreographers keep putting in jumps and turns for Danny, which may not fit the specific style. It's very distracting and reminds me of 1st season when Melody kept showing off her leg extensions in every piece she was in. You may be good in one thing but that doesn't mean you should constantly do it over and over again.

None of the dances or couples did much for me. I actually found it really boring - though Pasha and Sabra's pieces were a little interesting.

Mia's piece was okay, but I didn't really see what the judges loved about it.

i think, considering the fact that mia's peice was meant more to tell a personal and emotional story, that that dance was pretty good. .. and i do remeber the judges saying that america's fav. dancer has to be able to tell a story and incorparate emotion along with their movements. i think that lacey and neil did a great job illustrating mia's story... yea, mia didn't throw put as many tricks and turns in it as she could have done, but in all honesty, wouldn't that have taken away from the story and the point as well as the feel of the dance?...just a thought...

Brett, I totally agree that the judges' reactions were over-the-top. But those were live, and of the moment. For me, it was a moving performance. Your analysis was excellent, but the website comments seem to overlook the fact that the performance was about something larger than technique and show. I actually might write a column about his for the Examiner, where I write on Mondays about "education." I think everyone would agree that "sytycd" is educational! Thanks, btw, for your fabulous site. It's nice to read serious thoughts about a show that is not taken seriously enough by media pundits.

Erica, I wouldn't boo-hiss you for that reasoning. The points you make are why I said that Mia got good performances out of Lacey and Neil. My problem stemmed much more from the over the top reaction out of the judges. To me, it seemed that their comments were more about Mia and her story than what the dancers actually did. It was good, but to call it one of the greatest dance performances on tv ever leans to hyperbole in my book.

In a years time, when it's being shown on the web as a stand alone performance, without the touching intro, I don't think it is going to measure up to the park bench, the umbrella, or a number of other performances we have seen.

I think Lacey is becoming too full of herself. She is always looking for the camera! She is good, but I am getting tired of her. Pasha and Sabra were just an absolute joy last night. And I think without the background to Mia's dance - I certainly wouldn't have understood it....

This is my first time looking at your site, and I love it! Your posts are really thoughtful and specific, and the comments are intelligent and interesting to read. I agree with many that Danny has so much technique that he will probably make it to the finals, and Sabra is a no-brainer. I think Lacey will be the third because she is such a seasoned performer, and she can do a bit of everything. But Sabra is my hunch for the overall winner.
I would like to disagree with everyone on Mia's piece, though. It was very subtle and I picked up on many details watching a second time. It was remarkable in being about a totally unusual relationship for this show: father and daughter. ("Hot tamale" cannot be applied!) I am older than many of your readers (and the show's viewers) but I found Lacey's innocence in the initial wave, and Neil's look of total pride as he gazed at her across the stage totally moving. The magic wasn't sexual---it was something else far harder to convey through dance. And did you pick up where he tried to tickle her and she backed away, just like a kid and parent? Good stuff. It was not a maudlin piece but still had genuine sentimentality---the good kind.
I know I'll get some boo-hisses, but this one wasn't about technique, it was about the small gestures that define a relationship quite tellingly, and that's what the greatest choreography offers viewers.

I agree that Sabra and Pasha were the couple of the night. I thought Mia's number was beautiful and how lucky for Lacey to get two Mia numbers this season. I know the park bench was much better and even the number Lacey and Kameron did the first week was better but this number did bring out alot of emotion. It's obvious Mia and Wade are the shows bread and butter.... so they are going to praise them to keep them on the show. For Top 8 numbers, I thought the choreographers were bad last night other than Pasha and Sabra's numbers. Maybe the strength of the dancers were stronger last year but I remember much more difficult numbers at this point in the show.

I adore Lauren and I know she shouldn't win but I would like her to last one more week. I just haven't bought into the Sarah love. She's good but I didn't even think she was that great of a B Dancer.

I love Lacey too but she hasn't been as good without Kameron. Maybe it's the trust factor involved and she isn't as laid back with Neil or Danny but she shined much more before the Top 10. I agree with Adam's comments about Neil goes on 11 all the time... he over jumps things and pushes it too far. It works on some numbers but not all of them. The fact he toned it down for Mia's number was a surprise.

The top two are Sabra and Danny..... if the female voters identify with Sabra she might win but I have a feeling a guy might win again this year. I am tired of the judges really pushing their opinions now that they don't have any control.... the praise for Sabra and Danny might work against them with some voters.

Anyway I hope the choreography is better next week.... I want to see the tight, difficult numbers like the quick step was last night.