So You Think You Can Dance Season 11 Atlanta auditions

25 06 2014

Day 1

SoYouThinkYouCanDanceL’il Buck joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe for this day’s auditions in Atlanta.

Mariah Reives, an 18-year-old from Sanford, North Carolina. I liked her. She was fun and sassy. Mary said she was an actress up there. L’il Buck did not want to blink. Nigel said her good technique and performance makes her a star. She is through to the next round.

Erik “Silky” Moore, age 26, from Orlando, Florida. I LOVE THIS GUY! His quirky dance gave my goosebumps. It felt like someone in a straight jacket. He moves on.

Kelly MacCoy, an 18-year-old, from Cincinnati, Ohio. It was entertaining but not anything that made me feel anything and her jazz-dance facial movements of a ballroom dancer which was strange to me. Nigel says she has a sway back. Mary says she has a lot of power. She liked her humor but it was too much in the face. L’il Buck likes the confidence. She gets a ticket to the next round.

Dragon House is represented by Christopher “Mr. Strange” Griffin, age 25. He was actually the one who put Dragon House together. He was very entertaining and gets through to the next round.

Conrad Dechabert, age 26, from Louisville, Kentucky was accused last year of dancing too much like a girl. This year–no way. That was VERY MANLY. I loved it. He looked like he was about to go into battle. Mary felt he was really talented. L’il Buck thought he was a strong dancer.

Taveaus “Dynamic” Woods, age 18, Las Vegas NV is Fik-shun’s best friend. Fik-shun is his inspiration. He was wonderful! Some spots could be a bit sharper, but when he was great, he was great. L’il Buck loved it. He said he could use a little work on his glides. Mary liked his use of the whole stage. Yes to choreography. But he was a no after that. His partnering skills need work.

Branden “Sideshow” Feimster, age 22, Detroit, Michigan, is also part of Dragon House. He is a fantastic dancer, but his emotional breakdown worried me. Nigel called him out on the fact that his original pop-locking looked more like pantomime. Mary said he was fun but she needed more. And then he blows it when he starts talking badly to Nigel. His mom looks like she wants to disown him at least momentarily. The members of Dragon House walk down to apologize for his behavior.

Day 2

Today, Mary and Nigel are joined by Jenna Dewan-Tatum for the judges’ panel.

Ricky Ubeda, age 18, from Miami, danced his piece for his mom. I like his personality. He is a funny guy. And I have goosebumps love the height on his jumps. Just wow! Nigel said he was super. He sees him going all the way in this competition (he is really that good). Mary thought it was hot and puts him on the train. The movement, the quality, the passion–he has it all. Jenna said he was amazing. He gets a ticket to go through.

After another montage of strong male dancers, the next featured dancer is Marissa Milele, age 18, from Nashville, who made it to the green mile last year. I am worried that her acrobats are trying to compensate for lower skills in dance and people say wow to those like a singer doing runs. It looked like I was watching floor exercises at the Olympics. Nigel thinks she is this year’s beast. She gets a ticket.

Then there was a montage of women dancers coming through. Elaine Kimble said that mom had a stroke at 43 and it changed the dynamic of everything for her. Elaine is a 26-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri. It was okay. It seemed rush. Mary felt she could dig deeper. Jenna agrees with Mary. Yes to choreography and is through to the next round from there.

ATL cranking Brandon “Crazy Legz” Jacobs, age 23, from Atlanta. That is some fast dancing!! He gets a pass to choreography but choreography proves too difficult for him.

Angelina Grantiz, age 16, from West Palm Beach had a lot of emotional connection to the song. Mary thinks she is breath-taking. She is through to the next round.

Cristina Moya-Palacios, age 18, from Miami. She gave me the biggest goosebumps I have had yet. Her dance was so full of emotion and technique. I don’t think I have seen another contestant move in that manner yet through the shown auditions. She is fantastic. No critique from the judges–just a ticket.

Kobe Swain: This small pint got woken up from a sound sleep but I am glad he was. I don’t think SYTYCD will be around when he grows up, but I hope some show is.  His father, Jerrod Swain, age 25, from Atlanta was a fantastic animator/popper.  Nigel wanted more.  Mary found it entertaining but wanted more.  It was a yes to choreography but he did not make it any further.

Dance Crews

Jungle Boogie or Control Freakz.

You know I think I might like this segment more if Justin Bieber and Nick DeMoura had more life to their presentation. It’s like a teenager giving a presentation in class. Infuse some excitement in your reading of the cue cards boys! Yes, I know, I just said something negative about Justin Bieber.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance S11 Los Angeles Day 2 and Philadelphia Auditions

18 06 2014

Los Angeles Day 2

SoYouThinkYouCanDanceChristina Applegate joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe for day 2 of the LA auditions.

Serge Onik (age 25 from Upper Saddle River, NJ) made it to the green mile last season. He has a new partner this year, Alla Kocherga, a 24-year-old woman from Los Angeles. Five seconds in and I loved it. Goosebumps! Rarely does ballroom give me goosebumps. That had a sizzle finish. Mary loved it. They are through.

Timothy Joseph is a 24-year-old, B-boy dancer from Sacramento, California who specializes in “suicides.” He is fantastic. He reminds me of Legacy. Mary thinks he is fearless. He was flipping too much for this. They send him to choreography; however he hurt himself during the solo so he has a decision to make. He was in too much pain to continue.

Casey Askew, 19 years of age, a contemporary dancer from Seattle, Washington. Goosebumps! I loved watching him. He had such great emotion. I got more impressed the more he dances. They stop the music and give him a ticket.

After a montage of successes J4 might have a problem with his height. But he IS only 9. He wants to show him hip hop “for the experience.” Fik-shun and Cyrus join him on stage. This kid is fabulous! What a joy and talent he is. Everyone is on their feet. He was able to meet his idol Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss. According to him, it was the best day of his life.

Her dance is for her brother who was struggling with addiction who is now sober and healthy. Jourdan Epstein, age 24, from Plymouth, Minnesota is fabulous. I again had goosebumps. She gave Christina chills. Mary puts her on the hot tamale train. She is through.

Johnny “Waackd” Gibson, age 22, from New York City. I think he had improved from his audition 2 years ago. It is a “yes” to choreography and from there he is through to the next round.

Armen Way is a 28-year-old from Glendale, California, who tried out in season 10. I was turned off by him last year. His dance appeared to be all about himself. He seemed to objectify women from this rap video they showed in his audition packet. Last year he was sent home because he dropped Malece Miller on her head. I LIKE this version of Armen better. This year he had a new partner, Malene Ostergaard, a 25-year-old from Studio City, California. She reminded me of Mila Kunis. That dance was hot and sexy. I felt that Armen’s attention was on his partner this time and the dynamic between them sizzled. Yep, I like this version of Armen much better. Mary Murphy talked the entire way through the dance about how impressed she was. What a dynamic couple they are. She felt Malene ran the hot tamale train straight off the tracks. Christina said people would love them both. They are through to the next round.

Philadelphia Day 1

Prima ballerina Misty Copeland joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe during this audition.

Bridget Whitman, age 19, from Tempe, Arizona was up first. Her back-story was making me cry. One of her last memories of her dad before a tragic car accident killed him was her telling him that she wanted to be on the show. He told her that she could get there through a lot of hard work. I was sobbing. Mary Murphy was crying, too. Is she the best contemporary dancer I have seen during the auditions? No. But she does deserve a shot in the next round. Misty thinks she is a beautiful dancer. Mary can feel everything she is going through. She gets her ticket.

They then showed a montage of really fantastic male dancers.

Amir Sanders, age 21, is a self-described funky ballerina from Baltimore, Maryland. She is interesting from her look to her style of dance. It did not give me goosebumps, but I enjoyed it. Misty thinks her technique and lines are beautiful, but there were small moments she needs to focus on to improve. Mary thought for a moment it was like watching Diana Ross striking a pose. They sent her to choreography, which shocked both the audience and me. However, she does make it through to the next round after choreography.

Last year’s Jenna Johnson had a partner last season who was too young to audition. Landon Anderson, age 18, from Springville, Utah came back to audition (along with Jenna). He had some nice foot work but is he as strong as some of the other guys on the show? I don’t know about that. Mary thought he was a great partner. Misty said that he became someone else for dancing–like a little boy in speaking but a man in dancing. He gets a ticket to move to the next round. Jenna gets a surprise as well when Nigel extends to her an invitation to come back this season to be an all-star, something they don’t usually do when they were just contestants the prior year.

The last contestant for day 1 was Shafeek Westbrook. In season 9, he left with a really bad attitude. His words were “not coming back ever.” He hails from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and is 24 years old. I loved his moves, but I was not sure why he felt the need to take his shirt off. Mary wanted more “wow” moments. Misty felt like he was trying to sell them his body versus his dancing. Nigel says yes to choreography. He makes it through to the next round after the choreography sessions.

Philadelphia Day 2

Billy Porter joins the judging panel for this round of auditions.

First up is Stanley Glover. His mother died when he was 4 years old while he was sleeping next to her; she had a heart attack in her sleep and they found her dead in the morning. Both sides of his family failed to go to the court date that would decide guardianship of him. His mother’s friend, Margaret Chamberlain, stepped up and brought him into their home. He is a 19-year-old from Chicago, Illinois. His choreography was genius and for a moment the words “Shelob’s mate” popped into my mind. Or at least a creature from the show on the CW called “The 100.”

Krumper James “Banks” Davis was shot twice in his knee four years ago. They were about to amputate his leg but his pulse came back. He is from Brooklyn, New York, age 24. This gave me goosebumps. It was such a unique style of krumping. Way to represent Brooklyn (I was born there). Billy felt like he was a true storyteller and it was fantastic. He gets to go to choreography, but he does not get to the next round.

Dance Crews

This was a tough choice. It was between a Bollywood/Hip-Hop Dance Crew called Wanted Ashiqz versus a group of hip-hop street style called Mix’d Elements. I’m really torn between them.  As of right now, we do not know the results of the vote.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance S11 Chicago Day 2 and Los Angeles Auditions

11 06 2014

Chicago Day 2

Joining Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe for day 2 of the Chicago auditions was Fabrice Calmels from the Joffrey Ballet.

First up was “The Puppet” Paul Brushaber. He is 18 and from Mokena, Illinois. He makes it look so easy but I cannot imagine how difficult his style of dance is. I would send him to choreography just to give him an opportunity to partner with someone. The judges surprised me. Mary wanted to live in his world. Fabrice loved that he created his own style.

Emily James, a 21-year-old from North Kingstown, Rhode Island, auditioned twice before in seasons 8 and 9. She took season 10 auditions off so she could use her degree, but she discovered that it is dance is what she should be doing. I got a mini-set of goosebumps at times. She has power but there is something missing here. Maybe it was just nerves or maybe a disconnection of her dance to the chosen music emotionally. I remember when I first saw Melanie Moore and I knew she would be the winner. Melanie always extended her reach lines just a little bit further. But Emily had some interesting moves I have not seen others do. Fabrice said it was solid. She is through to the next round.

We are then shown a montage of people who get through, but they are cutting the audition features down it seems.

Next up is Franchesca Bass, an 18-year-old young lady from Crown Point, Indiana. I loved that she created this story behind her dance. It was unique and interesting. Nigel was mesmerized by her and she had fabulous techniques. Fabrice, too, thought it was unique and he really enjoyed it. She is through to the next round.

Jenna Scaccia is an 18-year-old trainee with the Joffrey Ballet and apparently has a slight crush on Fabrice. She is a ballet dancer but it looks more like contemporary with ballet mixed in. It was light and heavenly and I’d give her a ticket. And they do. Nigel said she had a good flow of movement and it was very beautiful. Mary said it was like she floated on a cloud. She made Fabrice proud; he loved it.

James Thomas is a hip-hop dancer who does contortion and bopping. He is from Chicago. This type of dance is always so freaky to watch (in a good way). Fabrice thought it was insane. He tells them that he knows other styles so they give him a yes to choreography. Choreography proved too much for him and he drops out.

Los Angeles

Christina Applegate joined Mary and Nigel for this round of the auditions.

Jessica Richens from Yorba Linda, California did a jazz number. I loved the routine but I hope her “sexy” does not become a crutch. I think this particular audition was my favorite to watch so far of all the ones shown to date. Mary and Christina thought she could win the show and she is through.

I enjoyed Valerie Rockey‘s tap routine quite a bit. Mary said she was full of light and life. Christina said she wanted to look at her feet but she was drawn up to her face and then she saw what she was looking for in her expressions. She is through to choreography and from there she got through to the next round.

Jana “JaJa” Vankova is part of Phillip Cheeb’s animation crew who hails from the Czech Republic but now lives in Chatworth, California. She needs some lessons from Cyrus to get her animating to the next level. It was enjoyable. She is through to the next round.

The next contestant was a joy. Kyle Taylor is a 28-year-old man from Wichita, Kansas. He does popping in his home, but has never had professional guidance. I was amazed. Kyle just wanted to get a favorable opinion from other dancers. Kyle, I don’t know if my opinion counts, but that was hot! You were on fire! Nigel proposes a battle and Fik-Shun, Cyrus, and Legacy get up from the audience and join Kyle on stage for a little dance-off. I enjoyed this part so much. It made this guy’s day. He did such a great job that they give him a yes to choreography but he bowed out when he realized it was too much above his level.

Justine Lutz has experience in ballet and jazz but decides to do a contemporary routine for her audition. For a moment I was worried for her. For someone who has no experience in contemporary (and freely admitted this to the judges) who had the guts to do contemporary, it was beautiful. I had goosebumps. All three judges were standing and she is, of course, through to the next round.

Mauricio Vera and Deise Mendoza are in love. They are 27 and 23 respectively from Santa Barbara, California. I got goosebumps. Christina was in tears. She wanted to watch them all day long. Mary started crying. Off to the next round for both of them.

Hailee Payne is a 19-year-old from Roy, Utah. Her family is a lot of fun as well. I think Sonya Tayeh will LOVE getting her hands on her. I loved her hair (I want it). I also loved her dance. I will remember her because of the unique style that makes her stand out. I also liked her personality. That is a big part of the ability to win over people’s votes. It is not always being about the best dancer. She is through.

Sebastian Serra, a 24-year-old from Orlando, Florida, was fabulous! He was cut last year right before the green mile. I hope he makes it further this year.

Dani Platz‘s story of overcoming an eating disorder (and still fights these demons) between ages 16 and 18 was powerful. Her story was in her dance. She is such a brave young lady and a great role model for other dancers who starve themselves. Not only did I have goosebumps, but I was crying. I felt like she was broken and then at times healed and then broken and then healed throughout the entire dance. This is what I mean about having an emotional connection to the dance that I felt was lacking in Emily James. This is NOW my favorite dance shown to date. “Dance is like oxygen for the soul.” I loved that. Christina saw her story in her dance, too. She said she was healing through dance and it was beautiful. I was SHOCKED that they wanted to put her through choreography (and Christina was, too). But she fortunately made it through that round.

Marie “Poppins” Bonnevay is a popper who lives in North Hollywood, California and performs on the street. In doing such, she has to engage the audience in order for them to leave money to support herself. She utilized this skill during her audition with a very positive response as well. When she got close enough to the show’s previous contestants, Fik-Shun jumped up on stage and engaged with her. I love seeing this with the other dancers coming up and getting caught up in the moment (or if it is rehearsed, who cares about that). They need to keep this portion of it. She is moved to tears by it and she gets a ticket to the next round.

Dance Crews

Breaksk8 versus Academy of Villains.

Breaksk8 was interesting but I liked the Academy of Villains better.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance S11 New Orleans & Chicago Auditions

29 05 2014

NEW ORLEANS

SoYouThinkYouCanDanceWayne Brady joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe for this round of auditions.

Shelby Rase, age 18, from Covington, LA. I have been to Covington on my way to Atlanta. Nice little town. She had really beautiful stretches and lines but seems to only lift up her right leg which I thought was kind of odd. She did well. I didn’t get goosebumps or anything, but she was nice to watch. Her emotion seemed a little detached but I think it was more song choice than her dancing. The judges loved it. Nigel engaged her in discussion and I like her personality. Nigel called her father down to “bottle dance.” Her dad is a brave, brave man. I loved it. She is through to Los Angeles.

Shelby

Shelby Rase

Tanisha Belnap, a ballroom dancer, age 19, Payson, UT. This one I got goosebumps on. I am not one to get those on ballroom. Ask Aaron Turner and Jasmine Harper about my goosebumps and how they never lie. As far as the judges, Nigel wanted to see more. Mary said her technique is great and she looks great. She is through to LA.

Shelby Skipper, age 25 & Shane Skipper, age 21, both of New Orleans. I enjoyed it so much and was grooving along with them. Shane goes home but Shelby goes through to choreography. Later, he drops out of the choreography round.

Megan Marcano, age 22, from (YAY!) Houston! She has had a tough life. Now SHE caused the emotion I was expecting with Shelby Rase. I had major goosebumps! Nigel thought she was fabulous. Mary felt like she is a star. Wayne said she has the complete package.

Trevor Bryce, age 18, Orlando, Florida. He is unique indeed. What do you call that? Ballet fusion? Best of all he made me laugh and watch something I hadn’t seen before. Nigel said it was the greatest solo performance in SYTYCD history. Mary loved the whole world of Trevor. Wayne said it was like he said, “I trained for this bitches!”

Courtney Barnes, age 22, Jackson, MS. Interesting but it lacked a lot of technique. However the moves shown where enough to go to choreography. He does a wicked Wendy Williams impression. Nigel says no but Mary and Wayne give him a chance at choreography, but choreography proved too difficult and he bowed out.

Novien Yarber, age 22, Huntsville, AL. He auditioned last year in Memphis. I remember him. I had goosebumps! His strength, his flexibility, his emotion–the great trifecta. They all give him a ticket to continue.

Caleb Bruner, age 21, from Blue Springs, MO. I remember him from last year, too. I lived in Blue Springs from Sep-Dec of 1978 (before he was even born). I still have friends there. My heart was just breaking for him. Last year, his father was called up on stage with him to dance. Sadly, his father died this past year. The father he got to dance on stage with the previous season passed away. I was crying right along with Mary Murphy. Nigel said the dance made him smile and thanked him for working so hard this past year. Wayne said he had spark. They move him to choreography, but his partnering skills were not strong enough. He is not given a ticket to Los Angeles.

Jacoby Jimmerson, age 18, Mount Pleasant, TX. He should stick to Zumba. He has great energy. Wayne tells him to be healthy. Nigel invites him back to some future audition. He made me smile.

Jacoby Jimmerson

Wayne dances with Jacoby Jimmerson

Marcquet Hill, age 18, from South Jordan, UT, auditioned with Witney Carson in season 9 but was too young to audition at the time. Now he partnered with Brooklyn Fullmer, age 18, from Provo, UT who reminds me of the actress Summer Glau. His lines are a little sloppier as he got older and taller. I think she was better than he was. Nigel was blown away by it. Mary loved the together. Wayne loved them too. They are both through.

MarcquetBrooklyn

Marcquet and Brooklyn

SYTYCD Twist!

We will get to votes on different crews with the ultimate crew dancing in the finale. Up first is Poreotics from LA. I was going to vote for them because no one has done the song “What Do The Fox Say” in a long time and I enjoyed hearing it again. However, the second crew, Syncopated Ladies, a tap group, had a better presentation. I was watching this too late to vote, but I would have voted for them.

 

SyncopatedLadies

 

Poreotics

CHICAGO

Jenna Elfman joins Mary and Nigel for this audition. I really enjoyed her when she was guest judge last season.

Nick Garcia, age 18, ballroom dancer, Miami, FL. He needs to stop singing the song. It was distracting. Nigel loved it. Mary said he was completely awesome, Jenna said double thumbs up.

Rudy Abreu, age 18, Miami, FL. His style of dance is “emphasize my scar.” He’s got skills but they need to be refined. The judges love it and send him to LA.

Caleb Bruner is back! This was a much better audition because it came from a place of honesty. Jenna loved it. But he is through once again to the choreography round. However, he makes it through this time.

FAME dancers are back and brought Mary and Jenna to the stage to perform for them.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

Fox Upfronts Fall Schedule

12 05 2014

FOX ANNOUNCES FALL 2014 SCHEDULE AND

NEW PORTFOLIO OF CONTENT

FIVE NEW DRAMAS, TWO NEW EVENT SERIES, FOUR NEW COMEDIES

AND ONE NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES JOIN SCHEDULE

POWERFUL UNTOLD ORIGIN STORY “GOTHAM,”

YOUNG ENSEMBLE DRAMA “RED BAND SOCIETY,”

10-PART MYSTERY EVENT SERIES “GRACEPOINT,”

MULTI-CAM COMEDY “MULANEY” AND

BOLD SOCIAL EXPERIMENT “UTOPIA”

TO DEBUT IN FALL 2014

NEW SERIES SET TO DEBUT IN 2015 INCLUDE

MUSIC-INFUSED EPIC FAMILY DRAMA “EMPIRE,”

FANTASTICAL ADVENTURE “HIEROGLYPH” AND

OFFBEAT COMEDIC CRIME DRAMA “BACKSTROM”;

M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN’S MIND-BENDING 10-PART EVENT THRILLER “WAYWARD PINES”;

WILL FORTE’S COMEDY “THE LAST MAN ON EARTH,”

SINGLES ENSEMBLE COMEDY “WEIRD LONERS” AND

THE ANIMATED “BORDERTOWN”

Live Specials JUMP OF THE CENTURY (working title) to Make Grand Leap in Fall;

PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION (working title) to Explode into the New Year; and

GREASE LIVE (working title) to Electrify in 2015

New York – Kevin Reilly, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX), today unveiled the FOX portfolio of content for the 2014-2015 television season to the national advertising community during its annual Programming Presentation at the Beacon Theatre.

“Our portfolio of content this year reflects the biggest investment in programming we’ve ever made,” said Reilly. “FOX is redefining the network experience on our air and as a 24/7/365 platform, with distinctive series, addictive event dramas and can’t-miss live specials that will deliver broadcast’s most youthful audience at scale.”

Joe Earley, Chief Operating Officer, FOX, added, “The new series and specials we’re presenting today feature buzzworthy worlds and characters that we think will be the most talked about, liked, tweeted and shared of the season.”

Origin story GOTHAM and touching, coming-of-age series RED BAND SOCIETY are the two new dramas set to debut this fall. GOTHAM traces the rise of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer/writer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist,” “Rome”) and starring Ben McKenzie (“Southland,” “The O.C.”), Jada

Pinkett Smith (“Hawthorne,” “Collateral”) and Donal Logue (“Vikings,” “Sons of Anarchy”), GOTHAM follows one cop, destined for greatness, as he navigates a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil, and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time.

From Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and starring Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer (“The Help,” “Fruitvale Station”), Dave Annable (“Brothers & Sisters,” “666 Park Avenue”) and a charismatic cast of fresh faces, RED BAND SOCIETY is a provocative, inspiring and, at times, comedic young ensemble drama told through the eyes of a group of teenagers who meet as patients in the pediatric ward of Ocean Park Hospital in Los Angeles.

Also this fall, 10-episode mystery event series GRACEPOINT, starring Welsh BAFTA winner David Tennant (“Dr. Who”), Emmy Award winner Anna Gunn (“Breaking Bad”), Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte (“Warrior,” “Affliction”) and SAG Award winner Michael Peña (“American Hustle”), joins the schedule. The riveting mystery follows the tragic death of a young boy, and the major police investigation and nationwide media frenzy that subsequently overtake a picturesque seaside town, where anyone is a suspect.

The new comedy premiering this fall is MULANEY. MULANEY stars Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian John Mulaney (“Saturday Night Live”) as a rising stand-up comic trying to take his career to the next level, and the friends and mentors who lift him up, hold him back and push him around. The multi-camera sitcom boasts a cast of comedy all-stars, including Martin Short (“SCTV,” “Saturday Night Live”), Academy Award nominee Elliott Gould (“M*A*S*H,” the “Ocean’s 11” franchise), Nasim Pedrad (“Saturday Night Live”), Seaton Smith (“Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell”) and Zack Pearlman (“The Inbetweeners”).

One new unscripted series debuts in the fall: the groundbreaking social experiment UTOPIA, which asks, “Does a perfect world exist?” From unscripted mastermind John de Mol (“Deal Or No Deal,” “Fear Factor,” “The Voice,” “Big Brother”), and based on the Dutch hit of the same name, UTOPIA is a bold new series that moves 15 everyday Americans to an isolated, undeveloped location – for an entire year – and challenges them to create their own civilization. Will it be ultimate happiness or utter chaos?

In 2015, the portfolio of new content joining the schedule includes three distinctive dramas, EMPIRE, HIEROGLYPH and BACKSTROM; an evocative event series WAYWARD PINES; and three comedies, singles ensemble WEIRD LONERS, Will Forte’s THE LAST MAN ON EARTH and animated comedy BORDERTOWN.

From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Precious”) and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Game Change,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”) comes EMPIRE, a sexy and powerful new drama about the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne. Set to an original soundtrack written and produced by hip-hop hitmaker Timbaland, the family drama stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (“Crash,” “Hustle & Flow”) and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson (“Person of Interest,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”).

The world of ancient Egypt – a time of magic, Pharaohs, gods and thieves – lives again in HIEROGLYPH, an adventure series from creator/executive producer Travis Beacham (“Pacific Rim,” “Clash of the Titans”). The epic fantasy follows a notorious thief who is plucked from prison to serve the Pharaoh, forcing him to navigate palace intrigue, seductive concubines, criminal underbellies and divine sorcerers, as he races to stop the downfall of one of history’s greatest civilizations.

Created and executive-produced by Hart Hanson (BONES), offbeat comedic crime procedural BACKSTROM centers on Detective EVERETT BACKSTROM (three-time Emmy Award nominee Rainn Wilson, “The Office,” “Six Feet Under”), an unhealthy, offensive, irascible – albeit brilliant – detective who is brought back from exile to run the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Crimes Unit (S.C.U.).

Based on a best-selling novel and brought to life by suspenseful storyteller M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”), WAYWARD PINES is an intense, mind-bending 10-episode thriller starring Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon (“Crash”) as a Secret Service agent on a mission to find two missing federal agents in the bucolic town of Wayward Pines, ID. Every step closer to the truth makes him question if he will ever get out of Wayward Pines alive. The all-star cast also includes Academy and Emmy Award winner Melissa Leo (“The Fighter”), Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (“Crash,” “Hustle & Flow”), Carla Gugino (“Entourage”), Shannyn Sossamon (“How to Make It in America”), Toby Jones (the “Harry Potter” franchise) and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Juliette Lewis (“Cape Fear”).

WEIRD LONERS, from writer Michael J. Weithorn (“The King of Queens”) and director Jake Kasdan (NEW GIRL), is a new single-camera comedy about four single 30-something underdogs who are unexpectedly thrust into one another’s lives and form an unlikely bond in a Queens, NY, townhouse. The series stars Becki Newton (“Ugly Betty”), Zachary Knighton (“Happy Endings”), Nate Torrence (“Hello Ladies”) and newcomer Meera Khumbhani.

Created by and starring Will Forte (“Nebraska,” “Saturday Night Live”) and directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord (“The Lego Movie,” “21 Jump Street”), THE LAST MAN ON EARTH is a new single-camera comedy about the life and adventures of the last man on earth. PHIL MILLER (Forte) was once just an average guy who loved his family and hated his job at the bank – now he’s humanity’s last hope. Will he ever find another person alive on the planet? Would hoping that she is a female be asking too much?

A new animated comedy from FAMILY GUY’s Mark Hentemann and Seth MacFarlane, BORDERTOWN is a satirical look at the cultural shifts taking place in America. Exploring family, politics and everything in between with a cross-cultural wink, the series centers on two very different families living in a fictional Southwest desert town on the U.S. – Mexico border.

Also announced for the 2014-2015 season are brand-new LIVE specials JUMP OF THE CENTURY (working title), PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION (working title) and GREASE LIVE (working title). This fall, on the 40th anniversary of Evel Knievel’s high-stakes attempt to jump across Idaho’s Snake River Canyon, two very different personalities – professional stuntman Eddie Braun and daredevil Big Ed Beckley – hope to achieve what Knievel could not by crossing the gaping 2,300-foot-deep canyon LIVE on JUMP OF THE CENTURY (wt). On PITBULL’S NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION (working title), global superstar Pitbull will be joined by some of his favorite A-list musicians and celebrity friends to ring in the New Year LIVE from the sandy beaches of America’s hottest city – Miami! Get ready to do the hand jive as FOX enrolls at Rydell High with GREASE LIVE (working title), a LIVE three-hour production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease.” Featuring a young ensemble cast, GREASE LIVE (wt) will reintroduce the great music and timeless story to an entirely new generation.

Additional FOX series include: AMERICAN IDOL, ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF, BOB’S BURGERS, BOOM!, BONES, BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, FAMILY GUY, THE FOLLOWING, GLEE, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOTEL HELL, MASTERCHEF, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, THE MINDY PROJECT, NEW GIRL, THE SIMPSONS, SLEEPY HOLLOW and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. TEEN CHOICE 2014 will also return to the FOX schedule.

Additional new and returning series and schedule information to be announced.

Following are the FOX fall 2014 primetime schedule, as well as social media information for and synopses of the new series:

FOX FALL 2014 SCHEDULE

(All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM GOTHAM (new)

9:00-10:00 PM SLEEPY HOLLOW

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM UTOPIA (new)

9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL

9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN

9:00-10:00 PM RED BAND SOCIETY (new)

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM BONES

9:00-10:00 PM GRACEPOINT (new)

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF JUNIOR

9:00-10:00 PM UTOPIA (new)

SATURDAY

7:00-10:30 PM FOX SPORTS SATURDAY: FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY

7:00-7:30 PM NFL ON FOX

7:30-8:00 PM THE OT / BOB’S BURGERS

8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS

8:30-9:00 PM BROOKLYN NINE-NINE

9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY

9:30-10:00 PM MULANEY (new)

BACKSTROM (new), BORDERTOWN (new), EMPIRE (new), HIEROGLYPH (new), THE LAST MAN ON EARTH (new), WAYWARD PINES (new) and WEIRD LONERS (new) join the schedule in 2015, as do returning series AMERICAN IDOL XIV, THE FOLLOWING and GLEE, among others.

 

(Press release)


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, TV shows

Fox Summer and Spring Programming News

27 03 2014

FOX ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SPRING AND SUMMER PREMIERE DATES

GORDON RAMSAY’S “KITCHEN NIGHTMARES” RETURNS FRIDAY, APRIL 11;

NEW UNSCRIPTED SERIES “RIOT” SLIDES INTO TUESDAY, MAY 13;

SEASON FIVE OF “MASTERCHEF” LAUNCHES MONDAY, MAY 19

NEW ACTION-DRAMA “GANG RELATED” TO PREMIERE THURSDAY, MAY 22

NEW DATING SERIES “I WANNA MARRY ‘HARRY’” ROMANCES TUESDAY, MAY 27;

SEASON 11 OF “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28

RAMSAY CHECKS INTO “HOTEL HELL” MONDAY, JULY 21

FOX is announcing additional spring and summer premiere dates for 2014. FOX spices up summer with new seasons of Gordon Ramsay’s KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, MASTERCHEF and HOTEL HELL; the debuts of event series 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY and new drama GANG RELATED; the premieres of dating show I WANNA MARRY “HARRY” and new unscripted series RIOT; and the Season 11 premiere of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

THE MINDY PROJECT returns for its Spring Premiere with two nights of all-new one-hour events airing at special times Tuesday, April 1 (9:00-9:30/9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Tuesday, April 8 (9:00-9:30/9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). The comedy then moves into its regular time period Tuesday, April 15 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), following an all-new episode of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).

In an epic KITCHEN NIGHTMARES Season Six Premiere, Friday, April 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the fan-favorite series catches up with the most talked-about restaurant in KITCHEN NIGHTMARES history: Amy’s Baking Company in Scottsdale, AZ. Find out what has happened with Amy and Samy in the past year since the original episode aired, and the media firestorm ensued. In this special edition of the show, Chef Gordon Ramsay will reveal never-before-seen footage and take the audience through the highlights of the public’s reactions.

Slide into Tuesdays with the premiere of RIOT (formerly titled SLIDE SHOW) on May 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following the Season Finale of GLEE (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). From executive producer Steve Carell and Shine America, and hosted by Australian comedian and talk show host Rove McManus, the series features the nation’s funniest celebrities and comedians facing unpredictable song, dance and sketch challenges, often while navigating the show’s trademark one-of-a-kind set, tilted at a 22 degree angle.

MASTERCHEF returns for an exciting fifth season on Monday, May 19 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). MASTERCHEF gives talented home cooks from all walks of life the chance to showcase their skills, knowledge and passion in front of the show’s esteemed judges: Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot.

Gritty new action-drama GANG RELATED will have its series premiere on Thursday, May 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following an all-new installment of HELL’S KITCHEN (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The series follows RYAN LOPEZ (Ramon Rodriguez, “Battle Los Angeles,” “The Wire”), a rising star in Los Angeles’ elite Gang Task Force – led by SAM CHAPEL (Emmy Award winner Terry O’Quinn, “Lost”) – who teams up with longtime Task Force member CASSIUS GREEN (RZA, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” “Californication”) to take on the city’s most dangerous gangs, including one that he swore an allegiance to as a boy. Encores of GANG RELATED will air Fridays, beginning May 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Reality meets romance, with a little twist, in the surprising dating show I WANNA MARRY “HARRY,” premiering Tuesday, May 27 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Summer love is in the air, as an average English “bloke” is given the royal treatment and an upper crust makeover before meeting 12 single American women searching for Prince Charming. Will he be able to convince them he’s regal? And if he does, will they fall for the crown, or fall in love with the real him? Join “Harry” as he courts each of the ladies, taking them on romantic dates worthy of a princess and trying to make some version of their fairytales come true.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE soars into its 11th season with a two-hour premiere event showcasing America’s most talented dancers during the audition rounds, beginning Wednesday, May 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Hosted by Cat Deeley, and featuring resident judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, the new season of the Emmy Award-nominated hit dance competition series once again will include awe-inspiring performances, as well as nail-biting eliminations, as the contestants compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer.

HOTEL HELL opens its doors for a second season on Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Gordon Ramsay is back and hitting the road to fix some of America’s most horrendous hotels, troubled inns and struggling resorts, many of which are on the brink of closure. Ramsay will travel to locations including Applegate, OR; Las Cruces, NM; Longview, WA; Murphys, CA; Pipestone, MN; Starkville, MS; West Dover, VT; and Woodbury, CT.

As previously announced, new comedy series SURVIVING JACK, starring Emmy Award nominee Chris Meloni (“True Blood,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), premieres tomorrow, Thursday, March 27 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). Also, as announced, the iconic pulse-pounding clock resets when 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY premieres with a special two-hour television event Monday, May 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and makes its time period premiere the following week on Monday, May 12 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Set and shot in London, the suspenseful event series once again will follow the exploits of heroic agent JACK BAUER (Kiefer Sutherland), as he attempts to thwart an unthinkable terrorist attack that could change the world forever. An encore of 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY’s two-hour Series Premiere event will air Friday, May 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Beginning the following week, Friday, May 16, encores of the highly anticipated event series will air at 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT.

FOX finales include: RAISING HOPE (one-hour series finale Friday, April 4; 9:00-9:30/9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), THE FOLLOWING (Monday, April 28; 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), NEW GIRL (Tuesday, May 6; 9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), THE MINDY PROJECT (Tuesday, May 6; 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), BONES (Monday, May 12; 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), GLEE (Tuesday, May 13; 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), SURVIVING JACK (Thursday, May 15; 9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), BOB’S BURGERS (Sunday, May 18; 7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT), AMERICAN DAD (Sunday, May 18; 7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT), THE SIMPSONS (Sunday, May 18; 8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), FAMILY GUY (Sunday, May 18; 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT), AMERICAN IDOL XIII (two-night Season Finale Tuesday, May 20; 8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed and Wednesday, May 21; 8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) and COSMOS: A SPACETIME ODYSSEY (Sunday, June 8; 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Additional finale dates, summer premiere dates and schedule information to be announced.

RECAP – FOX 2014 ADDITIONAL PREMIERE DATES

(All times ET/PT, except as noted)

Thursday, March 27:

9:30-10:00 PM SURVIVING JACK (Series Premiere)

Tuesday, April 1:

9:00-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT (One-Hour Spring Premiere)

Friday, April 11:

9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season Premiere)

Monday, May 5:

8:00-10:00 PM 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY (Two-Hour Series Premiere)

Monday, May 12:

9:00-10:00 PM 24: LIVE ANOTHER DAY (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday, May 13:

9:00-10:00 PM RIOT (Series Premiere)

Monday, May 19:

8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF (Season Premiere)

Thursday, May 22:

9:00-10:00 PM GANG RELATED (Series Premiere)

Saturday, May 24:

7:00-10:00 PM ET Live FOX SPORTS SATURDAY: BASEBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA

Tuesday, May 27:

8:00-9:00 PM I WANNA MARRY “HARRY” (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, May 28:

8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere)

Monday, July 21:

9:00-10:00 PM HOTEL HELL (Season Premiere)

 

(Source: Press Release)


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, Glee, So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance S10: The Winners!

13 09 2013

Wednesday night was a celebration of the best dances of the season. It was also announced that So You Think You Can Dance will be back for Season 11. As Mary Murphy would say, “WOOOOOOOOOOOO- HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Put THAT on the hot tamale train.

Logo

We were also treated to new dances. Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval from season 3 is now part of the new movie, “Battle of the Year” which showcases unscripted live acts. Dominic’s crew, choreographed by Dave Scott, served up an extraordinary dance routine to the song, “Fast Man (Z-Trip Remix)/Know The Ledge” by The PC’s Ltd./Eric B. and Rakim. It was like a mixture of dance and martial arts especially with those kicks.

Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo had the top 20 dancers, Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe and some of the other choreographers dancing to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

Mary and Nigel also danced alone to “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, when Adam Shankman crashing the party.

But we get down to the winners: Congratulations to Amy and Fik-Shun for winning.

Winners

Amy and Fik-Shun

To Aaron and Jasmine and all the other contestants: Remember that not everyone can take the prize home. It is what you do with the opportunities that present themselves from this point forward that truly will determine your life-long success in dance. There are so many contestants who did not win on the show, who have had extraordinary success: Travis Wall, Dominic Sandoval, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Alex Wong, Robert Roldan, Lacey Schwimmer, Mark Kanemura, Kathryn McCormick just to name a few. Just BE AWESOME.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance S10 Performance Finale Show

5 09 2013

Tonight was the last performance show that would count for voting before next week’s announcement of the top girl and top guy winners. It was a terrific season with such wonderful dancers. There were highs and lows but overall the quality level of the performers continues to improve each year. At the end of 10 seasons, this show has not lost its appeal. I think part of that is because other networks are not producing dance shows that are causing us to fatigue of them unlike perhaps American Idol. Although I have a special place in my heart for Aaron and Jasmine, Amy and Fik-Shun had a terrific night as well. I think they will have wonderful careers ahead of them regardless of whether they win the big prize. Every dancer had the opportunity to work with some of the best choreographers in the business and provided a wonderful education for them. Let’s review tonight’s show.

The Judges

Gabby Douglas, Paula Abdul, Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy.

The Dances

Dancers: Aaron and Amy
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Ray Leeper
Song: “Primitive” by Richard Vission vs Luciana

Rawr! Rawr! Rawr! It is nice to see Aaron always connecting with his partners whoever they may be. It was high energy. They both extended themselves with each stretch. I think Aaron kept his shoulders down, too. I think there may have been a time or two when I think Aaron’s leg should have been extended more if I was comparing it to Amy’s legs. I liked the mixed tempo of the song, too because it allowed for a mixture of dance styles which I guess is why Ray was calling it jazz fusion.

The judges: Nigel said it was a great way to open the show. He loved the costumes. They laid down the gauntlet. Mary said they knocked it out of the park again. They had so much strength said they attacked it ferociously. Their strength as dancers blows her mind. Gabby said it had spunk and attitude. She loved the costumes. Paula said Amy’s center is ridiculous and stunning. She felt Aaron is a generous partner. He does not steal focus from Amy. He breathes character into each one he portrays. He takes her breath away watching him. The two of them are fantastic–great opening.

Dancers: Jasmine and Fik-Shun
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Travis Wall
Song: “Spiegel Im Spiegel” by Angela Yoffe and Vadim Gluzman

Couple growing apart floating away from each other (imagine under the ocean). I thought it was lovely how they were already into character before the song even started. I am very impressed with Fik-Shun and how much he has grown. There were definite issues with height here though. At times it was clumsy because of it but there were times when I felt myself breathing in their ebb and flow. Jasmine always stole my eye but Fik-Shun rose to the occasion. It embodied a great sense of sadness. Not quite goosebumps but right on e edge for me.

The judges: Mary was standing. She thought Travis was brilliant. It was such beautiful movement. They looked beautiful together. Jasmine is captivating to watch. Fik-Shun throws her off all the time. His emotion and his tenderness and his partnering to her is so magnificent to watch. The beat hit in the chest got her. Gabby had goosebumps. Jasmine’s lines are phenomenal. Paula admires Jasmine. She has been exquisite this entire season. She bought that they were underwater. Every time she sees him on stage, she is increasingly aware of the incredible journey he has made on this show. Nigel thinks that Jasmine’s lines were just perfect. Nigel said Paula nailed it in her critique. In Vegas he was like Bambi on ice and now seeing him now extending himself, and this routine did not allow for him to show his personality–it forced him to dance. Both did really well.

Dancers: Aaron and all-star Melinda Sullivan
Style: Tap
Choreographer: Anthony Morigerato
Song: “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars

I have not had opportunities to see a lot of tap done to modern music. Next time I have an argument with my husband I will suggest tapping it out. So nice seeing Melinda back. The depth of emotion was there as well. I really enjoyed it. Go Aaron!

The judges: The panel was standing. Gabby thought it was just incredible performance. She loves tap. They nailed it, they killed it, were on fire, and wow–just incredible. She was in awe. Paula is excited that there was a tap routine. She thinks Aaron is the ultimate storyteller of this season. Nigel thought who could have thought of doing so much in a couple of step pickups. He thanked Aaron for being the first tap dancer in the finale. It was a great concept that you can have a conversation tap dancing. It was well danced. Mary LOVED IT!!!! She thought it was spectacular and the complex rhythms that they brought to the dance right now was music to her ears.

Dancers: Jasmine and all-star Comfort Fedoke
Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo
Song: “Run The World (Girls) (Nappytabs Remix) by Beyonce

Bikes! Girl power! That was fabulous. I know exactly why she picked this–strategy. She knew Amy was going to choose contemporary. She wanted to show us she can handle anything, and she can. She kept up with the fabulous Comfort. That was so fast and hard-hitting, I am amazed these finale dancers have the energy and strength to do so many dances tonight. The audience was crazy excited, too.

The judges: Paula said wow, unbelievable. If these two girls ran the world life would be really fun. She was ferocious on this stage. Nigel said Jasmine is showing us that she is better than just contemporary. She is “in it to win it” tonight. She is fighting to win. Mary said Jasmine danced it like she choreographed it. She is a bad ass in the best possible sense. Gabby said she should get a call from Beyonce–that routine was the bomb. She is looking for a new floor routine for 2014 and maybe that was it.

Dancers: Amy and Fik-Shun
Style: Argentine Tango
Choreographer: Leonardo Barrionuevo and Miriam Larici
Song: “Hazardous/Zero Signs” by PP Music (UK)

I think this music was on Battlestar Galactica (the newer version). I thought she was leading. He tried hard and did his absolute best but Amy did a better job. I really do admire his spirit.

The judges: Nigel thought this was Fik-Shun’s toughest challenge yet. It was a brave attempt but was not strong enough for him. He felt Amy was really strong in this. The competition begins now between Jasmine and Amy. Mary said he was there for her as a partner but pointed out some weaknesses in technique. Amy is one of the most dominating dancers on all the seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. Gabby loved it and the emotion and chemistry. Paula thought Fik-Shun was handling Amy pretty darn well and Amy was perfection.

Dancers: Jasmine’s solo
Song: “Ready For Love” by India.Arie

I could watch her all day and get goosebumps all day long. I also now want her haircut. New news–Cat Deeley fought for her to be in the top 20. So Aaron and Jasmine were both not supposed to be here and here they are, poised to take it all. I love you Cat Deeley!

Dancers: Jasmine and Aaron
Style: Samba
Choreographer: Dmitry Chaplin
Song: “Can’t Touch It (Radio Edit) by Ricki-Lee

That was soooo entertaining! But where were the samba hips? Felt it was danced more like a jazz or Broadway dance versus a samba. Wardrobe malfunction but in this case the costume would not come off Jasmine. Aaron’s arm positioning is a bit sloppy.

The judges: Mary said it was not danced very well. Jasmine fared a little bit better. This was not the best thing for both of them but not bad. Gabby loved it. It was not their strongest one. Paula said they have been one of her favorite couples of all time. The energy and the synergy are beautiful. Nigel said every single thing you do tonight has to be outstanding. He wanted more from them. The chemistry was not there tonight. He felt they were not comfortable with the routine tonight.

Dancer: Fik-Shun’s solo
Song: “Gangham Style” by Psy

I like what he said in his montage. He may not be America’s best dancer, but he could be America’s favorite dancer. I had my doubts about how this would turn out with such an iconic song. I loved that he pulled some of Psy’s dancing and made it his own. I enjoyed it so much.

Dancer: Amy’s solo
Song: “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers

We’ll never forget your dance with Travis either. Amy has such passion and such beautiful technique. I have said it before and I will say it again. She reminds me of Melanie Moore.

Dancers: Fik-Shun and all-star tWitch
Style: Hip-hop
Choreographer: Luther Brown
Song: “Hello Good Morning (Remix) by Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross

Wow! Fik-Shun is short! They looked like a father and son dancing together. That was a fun routine. I was watching tWitch, however. I could not help myself. I thoroughly enjoyed that.

The judges: Gabby thought it was fantastic and she loved it with the spark and attitude she loved. Paula wants to dance with Nigel. Nigel thought it was tWitch and tWitch Jr. It was fantastic. He gave Fik-Shun some career advice that tWitch kept growing after the show was over and that is what he needs to do, too. Mary loved it. She thought he is going to be very proud when he sees it play back later.

Dancer: Aaron’s solo
Song: “You & I (Acoustic) by Jason Mraz

He truly has made me fall in love with contemporary tap. The height on that jump! Nigel said it–Fate has brought you to us for a reason. I believe it.

Dancers: Amy and all-star Robert Roldan
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: “Say Something” by A Great Big World

It is a story about courage and bad timing. Best friends; he’s been in love with her for years. She realizes that she loves him back. She has to find the courage to tell him before he goes. Goosebumps! Oh my God. That was my favorite routine of the night. I held my breath when he lifted her up in the air and held her for a second before coming down. It was so powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I felt every part of the story as they danced. And the story did not have a happy ending. Maybe there will be a part 2 of this story. I love Robert.

The judges: Paula said this was her favorite routine of the night. The pairing of the two of them was a symphony up there. Her raw emotion–she just steals her heart every time. Nigel said this was terrible choreography–why did he leave her? They were getting along very well (he was kidding). The combination of emotion, performance, technique from the pair of them was intoxicating. She stepped into his lead tonight. Mary loved it. Amy gives every single part of herself. The energy comes from her soul and radiates outward across that stage. Gabby said it was one of her favorites this evening. Everything was on-point.

Dancers: Fik-Shun and Aaron
Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: “The Jitter” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Enjoyable. They both did a good job but it is not quite my style. They complimented each other well.

The judges: Nigel said it reminded him of a Michael Kidd routine. It gave them fun stuff. They did not stop dancing since the music began and they must be exhausted. Mary said that absolutely was the cutest thing ever. Aaron was back on top again with this number and Fik-Shun just charms the pants off everyone. Gabby loved the energy. They were fantastic, phenomenal. Paula said both of them were in their element completely. The two top showmen of the season. She also reminded the audience that Tyce was paper of her dance crew a long time ago.

Dancers: Amy and Jasmine
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Mark Kanemura
Song: “The Diva Dance” by Eric Serra

Mark has been hanging out with Lady Gaga too long. Siamese twins from the fierce jungles of Saturn? The music reminded me of The Fifth Element. Wait! It is the same music–when the blue diva who has the stones inside of her and she sings opera and gets shot and dies but not before Bruce Willis does a c-section and delivers wind, fire, water, and earth stones. I am not really sure about this one. It was different and creative. The ladies did a wonderful job. It will be something I never forget and that is a good thing.

The judges: Mary said she has a bit of clown in her soul too and that was crazy and creative and quirky and she loved it. If Mary could vote them both into first place she would. Gabby thought it was a great way to end. It was crazy and fun and had humor to it. Paula said she finally felt like she was home. E.T phone home. She loved it. Nigel said it was a zany routine. It was loopy which is why he understands why Paula felt at home. It was fun. He felt this year the girls have stolen the show for him. If they were both in competition with the boys this year, he felt they would both would have won. They are some of the best dancers they have ever, ever had.

I will have to agree with Nigel here. Both Amy and Jasmine overall did the best job tonight.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows, Uncategorized

So You Think You Can Dance…The Winners Are

3 09 2013

Gotcha! It takes me about 4 hours to get my blog up because of the detail in it, but I’ve rooted for these two since the beginning. Since I will actually be home to watch it live (I don’t have to work tonight), I will also be voting my fingers off versus writing up the blog. I may not have my blog up until Thursday or Friday (so come back and visit then) and see what my thoughts are.  These are my picks for winners of Season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance.

 

AaronTurner

Aaron Turner

JasmineHarper

Jasmine Harper


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

So You Think You Can Dance S10 Top 4 Revealed

29 08 2013

Opening Number

Song: “Hlohonolofatsa” by Soweto Gospel Choir
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman

Goosebumps! What a joyous dance. It is wonderful, too, to celebrate African-American roots with the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

Judges

Jesse Tyler Ferguson joined Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy for tonight’s performances. I really enjoy the judging panel with him as a guest.

Couples

Dancers: Paul and all-star Kathryn McCormick
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: “Tied Up” by Yello

Need for control and power between a woman and a man. I smiled the whole way through. It sizzled. Tyce was smart to choreograph this to Paul’s strengths.

The judges: Not standing. Nigel thought it was a great routine. He said week after week he has shown he can do anything. Mary said Paul has charisma and talent, and it was a great way to get the show started tonight. Jesse is happy that they bypassed who might be in the bottom and went straight to the dancing. He thinks this top 6 is an insanely talented group of people (I agree). He has been so pleased seeing him grow since his audition. He also will now wear leather pants more (Jesse is a riot–love him on the judges’ panel).

Dancers: Hayley and all-star Joshua Allen
Style: Hip-hop
Choreographers: Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo
Song: “Work Hard, Play Hard” by Wiz Khalifa

Ex-champ coming back to train the new kid. I was distracted by her facial movements but she did pretty well. I liked the slow-motion moves. I just don’t buy into her tough angry face because right behind it you can tell she is smiling. I prefer a smiling Hayley and the contemporary-dance-serious Hayley.

The judges: Not standing. I was a little worried we would see a standing ovation for every dance tonight. Mary said what a way to fight to stay in this game. Mary said Ali said it took skill and will and Hayley definitely has the will. She was as strong as she had ever seen anyone doing hip-hop. Jesse said that was the greatest work-out video of all time. She has been consistently awesome this entire season. Nigel said Hayley reminded him of Hilary Swank in “Million Dollar Baby.”

Dancers: Aaron and all-star Melanie Moore
Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Spencer Liff
Song: “Faith” by George Michael

A couple totally in love but they know how to push each other’s buttons. I love Melanie’s straightened hair! Aaron rocks. He is my choice to win for the guys. OH NO!!!!!!! Dropping your partner can’t happen! I was so worried she hit her head.

The judges: I love Melanie for sticking up for him. Jesse said you dropped her and she got even more mad at you. He looks forward to the day when everyone on the show is forced to do tap or ballet. He thinks he has risen more tonight with Melanie. Nigel likes Melanie’s hair too. What a great idea for a routine, not that it happens in real life with people dancing and arguing like this (which he thinks is why now he has an ex-wife) and Jesse chimes in, “Did you drop her on her head?” He wants Aaron to lower his shoulders. Mary brought up his injury and he did not want to use that as an excuse and Nigel thinks holding his shoulders up might not be helping. If Mary had to partner with dance during the entire show it would be him. (MARY–how about during the finale results show?).

Dancers: Fik-Shun and all-star Witney Carson
Style: Foxtrot
Choreographer: Jonathan Roberts
Song: “Sexy Silk” by Jessie J

Good thing there is no voting tonight because the foxtrot would not be popular. He gets an A for effort and an A for personality. I like how the choreographer put a Fik-Shun footprint in it with that sidestepping.

The judges: Again not standing. This pleases me. Mary pointed out he had some rough spots but also pointed out the good points as well. Jesse thought Witney was doing more leading but so was Mary at his wedding. He also was doing the “white man’s overbite.” He thinks he is amazing. Nigel said this was not particularly strong and said the vote from last week will carry over to next week (did he just give it away that he makes it into the top 4?). He gave him pointers of where he can improve. He complimented him on his solo tonight.

Dancers: Jasmine and all-star Neil Haskell
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: “Unfaithful” from Unfaithful (Soundtrack)

People’s lives being wiped away by natural disaster. I got goosebumps watching the rehearsals (deep breath). Definitely the biggest goosebumps I have gotten all season and then came the tears. We are coming up upon the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Ike here and I have loved ones who were affected by Hurricane Sandy in the northeast. That hooking-foot move was impressive because it is counterintuitive.

The judges: Rightfully on their feet. Nigel said she continues to steal his heart. He can see her signing up with a company as soon as the tour is over. Mary is crying. She said it was seeing rainbows in your soul when you have tears. She thinks Jasmine is spectacular and has been amazed by her whole journey. She said the history books will tell the stories about what happened, but dance will tell us how we feel. Jesse said it is easy to get behind a piece that has social relevance but you also have to have the heart and humanity behind it and they both had it. She has become his favorite dancer this year.

Dancers: Amy and all-star Alex Wong
Style: Bollywood
Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: “Munni Badnaam Hui Darling” from Dabangg (Soundtrack)

The girl is a Bollywood bombshell diva. Alex is her servant. They are in love and in their world it is unacceptable. They too missed a connection early on that did not have potential disastrous results. Those knee turns made my knees hurt. Was it as well as Melanie Moore could have turned up adult diva? No, but it was still fun and she did a great job.

The judges: On their feet. Mary said it was crazy. It had great athleticism. The knee spins were nuts. Jesse said good golly Miss Bollywood (and cringed at his own corny comment). He needs a massage after watching that. It was insane. Nigel said all these routines (Bollywood) always make him smile. He reminded us that this is the style of dance on which Alex tore his Achilles heel. It was incredible and he had never seen a Bollywood routine that was so demanding.

Dancers: Hayley and Paul
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Dee Caspary
Song: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by Sleeping At Last

A man reassuring a woman that he will be there for her. Goosebumps! You would never know that they have never danced together before if you were not told. That was so beautiful. Paul–you did not look like you were out of your element at all!

The judges: Jesse and Mary were standing. Dee looked like this was very personal to him as I saw tears in his eyes after they were finished. Jesse said he is so stressed out that people have to leave tonight. He thought it was amazing. The love and trust that they have for each other from this shared experience on the show was evident. He was going to keep this Carly-Rae-Jepson short–it was amazing. Nigel loved the flow of the movement. He said it validated for him that they are complete dancers. Mary is hoping they become a real life couple because they are so cute together! Their connection together was so friggin’ amazing. She commented on the contrast from Hayley’s other number tonight.

Dancers: Amy and Fik-Shun
Style: Hip-hop
Choreographer: Dave Scott
Song: “Lemme See” by Usher featuring Rick Ross

The woman shopping and showing off what she got. I think Amy channeled the sexy better in this dance versus the Bollywood number. I really enjoyed that.

The judges: Nigel said they have this wonderful chemistry brings out the best in both of them. He took a swipe at Miley Cyrus saying that this just proves you don’t have to put it in someone’s face to be sexy. Twerking! Mary said it is fabulous to have the dream team back together. The body rippling was so right on it was ridiculous. They have the ability to make us feel the movement. Jesse said he was heartbroken when the all-stars came in and broke them apart but happy to see them reunited tonight. Fik-Shun is a mega star. His solo erased the image of Miley twerking in his mind. The two of them together is so special and so spectacular. He thinks Amy is small enough to go into his pocket and he just loves that.

Dancers: Aaron and Jasmine
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman
Song: “Mirror Mirror” by Lord KraVen

A man who appears to be vain but is mesmerized by this woman in a mirror only he can see. The woman is so obsessed with herself that her essence got trapped in the mirror. In rehearsals Aaron had trouble flipping Jasmine over his head; I bet that move disappears on the final product. Aaron is wearing GUYLINER! The mirror reflection of this dance was the co-star with these two. Aaron needs to refrain from singing the lyrics, although I love him so I am just teasing. (So inquiring minds want to know if he’ll be trying out for Idol or X-Factor or???) That leg move that Jasmine had where it went 120 degrees over was sick. I was right–they got rid of that move and it wasn’t really necessary. I think in the end, Jasmine chewed up his essence and spit him back out again.

The judges: Standing. Mary thought it was a phenomenal concept. The two of them have such a deep conviction dancing together. She touched on Jasmine’s beautiful solo and how there is a class and artistry in everything she does. Aaron was such a strong partner. The synchronization part on the mirror was just out of this world. Jesse agreed with all that. He called her a protractor. She is just a crazy robot and he hates her and loves her and hates that he can’t be her. To Aaron he said last time he got so tongue-tied because he is such a fan and then gushed and blurted out that he has a crush on him. Cat said it was the guyliner. Jesse was turning all sorts of shades of red. Jesse said Aaron looks like his husband. Aaron could not stop laughing. Nigel said like Amy and Fik-Shun they complement each other so well. Nigel complimented him on his tap solo. He noticed that Aaron kept his shoulders down in this routine with Jasmine and Aaron was excited he noticed. Nigel could not believe what Jasmine did with her legs. He remembered doing that to his sister’s dolls right before yanking their heads off. He thought it threw the gauntlet down to others in the competition saying “Beat that!”

Solos

Amy danced to “Anna’s Theme” from The Red Violin (Soundtrack). Breathtaking! Major goosebumps! Her extensions and lines were exquisite. Fik-Shun danced to “Look At Me Now” by Chris Brown featuring L’il Wayne and Busta Rhymes. Fantastic animation and I thought I was double-jointed! Jasmine danced to “Outro (Amazing Grace…Dedicated to Andretta Tillman) by Destiny’s Child. Goosebumps!!!! Jasmine for the win! Paul danced to “Mamba Negra” by Huecco. You know what I love about apart? He makes you smile because he just loves to dance. Hayley danced to “Be Mine (Acoustic) [Live At The Cherrytree House] by Robyn. She dances beautifully but I do have one criticism–they always look the same and too much of it is usually rolling on the ground. I really like to see things that they have learned on the show incorporated into their solos. Aaron tapped to “Use Me” by Bill Withers. Whoa! Superb. Aaron for the win!  I cannot even begin to know how difficult that must have been (and the judges gave him the only standing ovation during solos).

Top Four Revealed

Aaron, Jasmine, Amy and (sad face) Fik-Shun. That ruined my almost perfect record of picking who was leaving. I like Fik-Shun, I do, but Paul is the better dancer. What? It is only going to be one winner this season and not favorite girl and favorite guy? Don’t make me pick between Aaron and Jasmine. That is just not fair.

 

8/29/2013 Update:  I just saw a commercial for the show on Tuesday and it is favorite guy and favorite girl, so I won’t have to pick between them.  Phew!


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Fox Shows, So You Think You Can Dance, TV shows

« Previous Entries Next Entries »