So You Think You Can Dance Review: I’m So Excited!
June 2, 2010 by Trisha Leigh
Filed under Television
I’m showing my age, but I have a confession. I can’t think of the phrase “I’m so excited” without my brain immediately going to the episode of Saved by the Bell when Jessie Spano has to go to rehab for popping caffeine pills. Other children of the 90’s – you know what I’m talking about.
The song (or the show) has nothing to do with Thursday night’s return of So You Think You Can Dance. A friend of mine insisted I watch the series, and last fall was my first experience. I’m not terribly familiar with dance, but I loved it. I cry nearly every week. I loved all the dancers who made the top ten last year and am looking forward to loving this year’s as well.
The show kicked off with two days of auditions in NYC, followed by two days in Miami. There are simply too many neat stories, lovely auditions, and funny moments to begin to mention them individually. Offhand, there were auditions by two “bigger” dancers that both brought the judges to tears, though only one of them made it to Vegas. The funny little guy who wore a plaid monstrosity of an outfit to auditions last year returned and was sent through to Vegas week as well. A couple of beat boys arrived, touting the great inspiration of Legacy’s run on last season’s cast, but only one went through to Vegas after passing choreography. A few total nutballs, but the producers chose, as usual, to focus on the good stories and talent of the winners rather than glorify the oddities. For the most part.
American Idol is over. I’m not just talking about this season, either. If you want this writer’s opinion (and since I’m the one with the keyboard, you don’t have a choice) AI will never return to its former glory without Simon. To be frank, the season that just ended was complete horse apples when it came to talent. The rant point (of course I have one!) is that if you like to see people with big dreams work to make them come true, if you like to watch performances so gritty and heartfelt they’ll bring you to tears, if you want to genuinely enjoy every minute of an hour long show, consider So You Think You Can Dance. I doubt you’ll be disappointed. I know I wasn’t.
Next week the audition tour moves through Chicago and Los Angeles. They’re going with a bit of a different format this year, with only ten new dancers making the live shows after Vegas week instead of the usual twenty. The new contestants will then be partnered with ten all-stars from season’s past.
I know people who have watched and loved the show will be ecstatic to watch their former favorites return. My favorite girl from last season, Kathryn McCormick, is one of the returning all-stars and will perform in her genre of Contemporary. She’s beautiful. Can’t wait to see her again.
The other returning all-stars are Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Comfort Fedoke, Courtney Galiano, Anya Garnis, Lauren Gottlieb, Neil Haskell, Allison Holker, Mark Kanemura, Pasha Kovalev, Ade Obayomi, and Dominic “D-trix” Sandoval.
For another take on this week’s episode, check out NYC & Miami Auditions by Inisia Lewis
Season 7, Episode 1: Auditions 1 & 2 (originally aired May 27, 2010)
For more on So You Think You Can Dance, click here.
Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro
