So You Think You Can Dance: Boston Auditions

(S06E03) It still looks like we're in for a great season of So You Think You Can Dance. There have been some amazing talents already making their way to Vegas, and Boston delivered several more. They also delivered a middle-aged man in blue tights, so there's that. Yeah.

Tyce DiOrio joined Nigel and Mary on the panel to face the circus, and as usual, he came with plenty of sass and attitude. He's one of the better third judges they bring on board, and he was an effective critic for many of the dancers we saw, until he got crabby.

As has been the case this season, we've seen about 80% quality dancers to 20% terrible, which is a ratio I'm very pleased with. Especially as SYTYCD tries to build a fall-sized audience to compete with the best the networks have to offer. It's about a celebration of dance, and not a circus of freaks. Except for the one ... in the blue tights.

Highlights

Jean Lloret was crazy on his head, and I was a little surprised at how quickly he got three tickets to Vegas. Based on the footwork I saw at the beginning, I would have demanded choreography. He can't always dance on his head.

What the hell? Fabrizio "Breeze" Jenkins psyched me out again. I know some bigger people can dance well, but I still never expect it when it happens. Breeze looked like he about killed himself giving us that performance, fall and all, but oh, he was a lot of fun with his pop-and-lock. Unfortunately, he injured himself and couldn't handle the choreography segment.

I was sure 6'8" Ryan Casey was going to be one of their joke performances, but this giant had some true skills on his feet. His upper body could definitely use some work, as there's an element of full body performance needed in tap, but damn that boy can tap. Maybe next year.

Gene Burston had good technical skill, but I couldn't watch the arrogance dancing across his facial expressions through that. I don't know if anyone could appreciate him as much as the person staring back from the mirror. I can't get past the cockiness, but I've never been a fan of egomaniacs. Still, it's off to Vegas.

I've Got My Eye On You

So how did they decide to open the show in Boston? With a bow tie and plaid pants. Teddy Tedholm wanted to show a whimsical performance. After all, he's wearing a bow tie. So it had better be whimsical. Hey, that's his logic, not mine! He surprised the hell out of me. Inside that whimsy was a very talented dancer, who knew how to choreograph a uniquely bizarre, yet brilliant performance.

Is Vegas ready for a crumper other than Lil'C? Russell Ferguson definitely proved himself adept in that style. There was all the anger and passion required to sell it. Of the contestants we've ever seen crump, no one has come close to what Ferguson gave us tonight. And he handled the choreography? That kid is buck!

Channing Cooke proved her athleticism in her video package, and supplemented it with grace on the stage. She's not quite there yet as a dancer; she was still doing steps a bit more than she was performing, but she has that SYTYCD potential they so love to work with. And I saw personality in her face. Oh we need personality this season! Skill and personality makes America's Favorite Dancer.

Married couple Karen and Matthew Hauer brought our first look at Latin partnering ... sort of. Karen seemed right, but Matthew was dancing with a different approach, which created an awkward dynamic. He was good, he just wasn't the kind of strong partner her dancing was calling for. Still, it was off to Vegas for the pair of them.

Back after just missing the show during the second season, Kevin "K'Bez" Hunte was looking to go all the way this time around. I didn't think he was as impressive a hip-hop performer as we've seen from others, but he did put together a solid routine. He certainly wasn't deserving of Tyce's verbal beat-down.

In Conclusion

Why save the weirdos for last? I want to leave the show excited about the future of dance and the faces we'll see in Vegas. Instead I'm haunted by 46-year old Paul Magliato. Why did they even let him audition? He knew all the words to the song he was jumping around to, but really, dude? Really?!

Let's not think about that. There's some damned good dancers already this season. Get us to Vegas already so we can meet our Top 20!