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So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 20 Revealed

by Michael Pascua, posted Jun 5th 2009 12:42AM
Evan and Ryan KasprzakIt's difficult for any summer reality show to emotionally connect with the audience, because there's less effort to watch. Unlike American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance has no big dance related prize. Don't tell me that touring with Celine Dion is anywhere near a multi-album contract. Dancers will eventually have to retire because their bodies can't take it.

The show finally made the cut from 32 to our top 20. I'm a little surprised how laid back Lil' C looks, and how he votes against these dancers. Most of the cuts were obvious and no one really has me emotionally tied at the moment, but I've made some snap decisions on what little impressions I got.

Favorites:

Asuka – She's bubbly and bright. Hopefully, she can survive without her partner Ricky. I can see her fly under the radar until top six.

Philip – If we want a real story about growth, it should be Philip (not Tony). He's likable and has a lot of potential past his pop/lock style. An infectious smile doesn't hurt either.

Kayla, Jeanette, and Jason – I can't pinpoint why I like these three, sans Jeanette's split kick lift during her auditions. I doubt that she can do that without the trust of her original partner. Either way, the three have caught my eye.

Middle Ground:

Brandon – What is up with Mia and Lil' C? Brandon will probably come back next week with either a) a really fake personality or b) become down to earth. It's not his dancing that's a problem, it's his personality.

Evan – The younger Kasprzak makes it through to the top 20. I want to see this Broadway guy do a samba for his first dance. We'll see how much hip action this guy can have.

Max – Max clearly took Ricky's spot for the Ballroom dancer, but like that other Maksim on that other dance show, he has machismo. He reminds me of Gev from last season, but with partner training.

Victolio – He has an interesting sob story and a very striking face. I don't recall his dancing being the best, but he has a lot of potential to grow.

Randi – I hate people who use the phrase "Words cannot describe," but I love people who can rock a unitard. Randi has the potential to be a sweetheart, but will it grate on America?

Already Over:

Tony – I don't see what is so special about this guy. He's a good looking guy who was placed to grow. That's all.

Kupono – Last season, Mark was so strong and manly. Kupono comes off a little too feminine. Oh and twist ties in ears is not a sexy fashion statement.

Caitlin - Generic blond. I liked her sister better.

Ade – I fear he'll get lost in the shuffle. I already looked him over and he was alphabetically first.

Reserving judgment for next week: Paris, Ashley, Melissa, Karla, Jeannine, and Jonathan.

Ranked 21-32:

Alex Wong – I appreciate that such a strong Asian male dancer showed up with the passion of dance. Unfortunately, contracts are something you can't just get out of.

Deena – There's that one mean moment where I wished that one girl would twist her ankle and Deena would replace her. The girl surprised me with the clip of her hip-hop routine.

Ryan – If he's fat, I'm obese. The guy was good, but his brother was physically stronger, younger, and better looking. I was a little surprised that they wouldn't put the older brother in so that the younger brother had another year to try out.

In the end, there's a strong set of dance genres represented. There's yet another ballerina (Melissa) and I feel nervous for her, seeing how ballerinas haven't done so well. Who do you think will get the first ticket to the hot tamale train?

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Sherry Simmons

I have a 10yr old grandson that has been dancing since he was 4.
This boy Can dance....

June 29 2009 at 7:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Xina

I agree. Mia has a right to her opinion. People here are doing the same thing, and this being the net it has the ability to reach even more people. Maybe she wasn't the most tactful person, but she gave her opinion, and was honest in it...

Brandon might be a complete jerk, but because he is technically great, they might be saving it for the show...as someone said, it makes for good television. I am not a fan, something about him is just a huge turnoff for me.

June 06 2009 at 6:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kris

eh. Mia has a right to her opinion.

June 06 2009 at 4:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CC

I don't think I'll watch this season - the person I was rooting for was Ryan (well, both brothers, actually). Everyone else is just another typical lyrical, hip-hop or ballroom dancer that they have on the show each season.

I didn't see the episode last night so I don't know the circumstances of Alex Wong's contract, but I'm sure he had to take some time off from Miami City Ballet in order to audition and for Vegas week. And then now they tell him he can't get out of his contract? Did he clear it with them in the first place?

What are the prizes for this season's SYTYCD? I don't remember them mentioning it - not like on America's Next Top Model, where Tyra mentions it at least once per episode and makes it sound like they haven't heard yet. Though there is no real dance prize, the cash must be pretty nice. Not to mention the publicity of being the winner of SYTYCD.

I personally like seeing non-professional dancers on SYTYCD. Some of my dancer friends and I were talking about it yesterday - why would a dancer in a professional ballet company want to be on SYTYCD? They've already "made it".

So if I were voting, I don't think I'd vote for someone like Alex Wong, or Melissa (the so-called naughty ballerina), who was a soloist (I think) with a pro ballet company for several years.

June 05 2009 at 11:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jessegxoxo

Alex Wong deserved the chance to be on the show! The artistic director of the Miami City Ballet should be ashamed for not letting Alex out of his contract. My life would have been different if I had not be let out of a dance contract to further my career as an artist. Letting Alex out of his contract would have been the right thing to do. After all, a dancers life is about soaring to new heights!

June 05 2009 at 8:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sarah

so, i was really mad watching the top 20 last night. they do this every year, so i shouldnt be surprised. but, i was all ready to be underwhelmed with the top 20 all because my favorites, the ones who initially received all of the camera time, got cut. but tonight, seeing the top 20's dance auditions, many for the first time, i understood why they made the cuts they did. it is still infuriating though when they focus on making good TV instead of focusing on good dancing.

June 05 2009 at 1:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

I used to like this show and hopefully I will if they keep the arrogant Mia off the show.

They are telling someone you are getting into the top 20, somthing they have put their blood, sweat and tears into over the past week, however i didn't vote for you and i don't get you and I I I I I. Hey beotch this isn't all about you! You may have your damn emmy (it was a slow year if I remember) however you have absolutely no class.

Everyone already knows what you think of Brandon and your credibility is blown now every time you talk about him or any other dancer for that matter because if they don't fit into your perfect little minded mold you don't get them! Maybe the producers will turn around and tell Mia they don't get her or need her....one can only hope.

June 05 2009 at 1:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jessica

I think Mia is a great choreographer, however she is also a freakin' Diva. I prefer extremely talented and respectful. There are right ways and wrong ways to critique people. She just seems to be mean to be mean rather than productive in her critiques of the dancers. On a more superficial note, I hate the squinty smile thing she does. Usually includes repeating the same word - like "yeah, yeah, yeah" - or give a "so, yeah". It is her approving of the dance smile with talking at the same time.

I am pulling for Kayla. She is beautiful, but there is something about that is totally approachable. There are some girls that just emit arrogance without saying anything. Where as Kayla, she...I don't know. I just like her and she is very talented.

I like Evan, but I also like his style of dance. It would be cool to have his brother choreograph a dance for the shoe. I think it would open more doors for him. Plus, maybe he could win an Emmy so we don't have to always hear about Mia's Emmy from a billion seasons ago. Yeah, yeah, yeah - I know it wasn't that long ago.

June 05 2009 at 12:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Helen Bryant

Enough is enough. Mia was completely out of line last night. To publicly humiliate a human being as she did Brandon was disgusting. He is a strong dancer and he smiles. I've yet to see anything about him that would suggest he deserved that kind of critique in front of millions of viewers. She's already tainted some attitudes against him without giving him a chance just because "SHE" can't stand him. She's good but not the best choreographer I've seen on the show. In fact - most of these kids are self taught, some from the streets, trying to realize a dream. Constructive critiques with kindness interspersed would be acceptable. I've noticed that Nigel and Mary have tempered their comments and Debbie Allen is the BEST. She is so sensitive to these kids. The lady has class which Mia Michaels obviously does not have. Mia should be asked to apologize publicly for her behavior and language.

June 05 2009 at 12:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Val

I FRAKING HATE MIA! I think she is so overrated as a choreographer.. the way they gush about her is nauseating and has clearly gone to her head.. The hype and constant praise makes me dislike her a little more each week.. anybody remember when she ripped into Kerrington(spell?) last year for smiling during a dance number? Mia was so ugly to her for no reason and was clearly off base.

Brandon: Cant understand why they hate him so much..and think he has an attitude.. if he did have an attitude or is arrogant they wouldn't hesitate to put that in the show.. anyone remember Blake from season 1?

Kupono: I think he should have kept his hair i think that was the only interesting thing about him.. there goes all his appeal..

Ade: I agree with FHH this guy looks like he is going to be good the small glimpse we got to see of him at the end was amazing.. I see him doing very well..

Phillip: everyone seems to be high on Phillip but i dont see it. i dont think he is that good outside of the popping and locking.. i think he will struggle.. Makes me think he was put in because Alex Wong couldn't get out of his contract. Phil or Tony had to be last second additions.

June 05 2009 at 12:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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