EDTSCD

By John Cabrera on Jul 22 2009

Comments (17)

17 Responses to “EDTSCD”

1. chadrullman on 22 Jul 2009 at 11:54 pm #

   

   I totally agree about the first half of the show. Way too slow, both in pacing and tempo. I like Ellen well enough, but her rambling was obnoxious during the first couple segments.

   I also agree Ade and Melissa’s contemporary number was the best of the night… they have been my favorite two dancers since the beginning and I always like the contemporary dances the best, as they are the most memorable each year.

   I believe their dance would have been just as powerful without the set up. Melissa was amazing in her portrayal, with tears running down her face and everything. Also, those two dancers have unequaled chemistry and it enhances every of their joint performances. The way she throws herself at Ade and his combined strength and grace as he effortlessly catches her and throws her across the stage. Beautiful.

   My biggest beef tonight was Evan. I like him less and less with each performance. I hate that he is judged on a different scale than the other dancers. How powerful would that Tyce routine been if Evan had danced it??? Answer: Not at All.

   I get that Evan has ugly-duckling charisma, and he’s a nice guy, and he’s great at the jazz-hands style of Broadway dance, but COME ON! He doesn’t have a place this deep in the show. Every time I see awesome choreography in a piece he dances, I can’t help thinking how any other man on the show would have done it better. I am tired of them saying: “and Even, you’re just a goofy, little guy… and you were able to keep up and you did OK!” Why does everyone else have to KILL it and be flawless, yet he just has to do OK for a little guy. I don’t like it. He is a one-trick pony… and we’ve seen his trick like 900 times already this season.

   Call me a shallow, insensitive asshole… but send Eddie Munster home already!

2. jennhoney on 23 Jul 2009 at 12:10 am #

   

   Ellen DeGeneres clearly didn’t want to sit in judgment she just wanted to watch some dancin’. I actually felt a little sorry for her like they just crammed another chair in at the judge’s table at the last minute.

   I thought Melissa and Ade’s second dance of the Top 8 show was beautiful (See how I carefully tried not to refer to it as the Cancer dance?) They are two of my favorite dancers from the very beginning and the…*sigh* The Cancer Dance really showcased their talent. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention but, I wasn’t so much bothered by the lead up and the story behind the choreography as I was bothered by all the crying after the dance was finished. The judges tears washed away my very memory. All I can remember now is Melissa in a scarf and salty tears. Oh, and I remember Zombies. I always remember Zombies.

3. jennhoney on 23 Jul 2009 at 12:21 am #

   

   haha, I really like Evan but he brings a little Goofy/Midwest/Broadway/Jazz hands to every dance he does. I would love to see Janette and Evan dance together a little more, there was something interesting there. Evan did not locate his Latino stallion within. It’s probably time for Evan to go home.

4. Melissa on 23 Jul 2009 at 7:31 am #

   

   I didn’t get why the judges went crazy for Brandon and Jeanine’s second dance. I know the choreographer is Mia’s soul sister or whatever, but I thought the routine wasn’t that great or memorable. Maybe it was one of those “you had to be there” moments, which I think was also the case with the opening performance. I was crazy in love with Travis’s choreography last week, but this one didn’t do anything for me.

   I 100% agree with Chad about Evan. He is the clear choice to go home this week. From what I can remember, he hasn’t received more than lukewarm comments in any style other than his own. He was better with Kayla than with anyone else, but still, he has nowhere near the versatility of the other 3 guys.

   I have no idea which girl should go home. I was thinking Melissa but maybe it’s Jeanine’s turn, as much as I love her.

5. Melissa on 23 Jul 2009 at 7:47 am #

   

   I forgot to add that I have a friend who fast-forwarded through the rehearsal footage and didn’t know what Melissa and Ade’s routine was about, and she said she was still crying.

   I think they danced it so well that the message would have been strong even without the scarf. But I think it was a powerful image for anyone who has been close to a woman who has lost her hair in cancer treatment. Just as cancer patients and their loved ones are perpetually confronted with visual reminders of the illness, so were we. I wonder if the scarf also helped Melissa connect with the character.

   It evoked a strong emotional response in many people, and it gave us a lot to talk about, and that’s what I like best about this show. That said, I never again need to hear any judge, especially Nigel, talk about how amazingly awesome SYTYCD is. I wonder if he’s got some contractual sponsorship deal with himself where he has to gush over his own product a certain number of times in each broadcast.

   The other thing I never need to see again is a dance with Kayla that is essentially about her getting smacked around in some ostensibly poetic way. First vampires, then addiction, now zombies…I love Kayla, and while she has brought great nuance to what are just versions of the same victim role, I wish more choreographers would let her do something else.

6. Caryl on 23 Jul 2009 at 10:25 am #

   

   When we go to a ballet or musical (along those lines) typically we know ahead of time what the story is about, and I just believe most dance numbers are more moving to us when we are aware of their meanings ahead of time… Same with Melissa and Ade’s dance… or any of the SYTYCD dances. They’re all set up, and explained to us on the show (rehearsal clips) and I believe I wouldn’t have like many numbers as much without the setup. So, I say, of course the dance wouldn’t have been as moving (to most people – there are exceptions) without the setup and especially without the emotional outpour from the judges after. And, to answer your next question – No, I wouldn’t have gotten the Cancer context with just the scarf and costumes. Scarfs aren’t exclusively worn by Cancer patients and a lot of Cancer patients don’t wear scarfs, so I don’t automatically make the connection. But, for what it was, it was well done. And, I love the song “This Woman’s Work”, but I wish they would have used the original Kate Bush version. Being such a huge Kate Bush fan, it sounds odd (for me) to hear anyone else sing any of her songs, and I always listen to any KB covers with great intensity- SO, unfortunately, I was listening to the cover slightly more than paying attention to the dancers, lol. And, I missed most of the show… so I can’t comment about the first half, or even first half of the second half

7. Jules on 23 Jul 2009 at 2:13 pm #

   

   okay, I don’t think my opinion on this is going to be very popular. actually, I was going to write a blog on it, but I don’t think I’ll get around to it, especially if I talk about it here. here goes…

   no, I don’t think it would have had the same effect without the backstory & the scarf. it would have been emotional, for sure. and it would have been clear that they were both fighting something, & were sad, & angry, but I wouldn’t have known why. actually, I missed part of the intro, & thought that they might be dealing with a miscarriage for a bit. obviously, the dance was still powerful, still beautiful, still moving, still emotional.

   but here’s the part where I’m a little harsh (and I really hate to be, but this just irks me.):
   this felt emotionally manipulative to me. I wholeheartedly believe that it’s good to send a message with your art, to make a statement or support a cause when you can.

   but the thing is… this is a COMPETITION. &, in a competition like this, how can anyone NOT vote for that dance (& by extension, those dancers), now? how could you not feel awful if that wasn’t the performance you were voting for?

   without this, I would’ve said Melissa would be going home this week. I actually thought Melissa’s solo was one of the weakest of the night, I felt she didn’t showcase her talent (which I think is quite impressive) as well as I’d have liked.

   I know, I know, no one’s going to agree with me. I also know I’m extra-sensitive because I know the magnitude of my guilt complex, & I can easily feel manipulated when that wasn’t even remotely the intention, just because of that. I’m just saying, I don’t want to be guilted into loving something, whether or not that was the plan. especially if I would have loved it for its beauty, anyway. I DID love it.

   probably everyone here’s been affected by cancer in some way. it’s beautiful to speak to that. I just think in a competition, it can tug the heartstrings unfairly.

   *shrugs* that’s all I got. xoxo

8. Jules on 23 Jul 2009 at 2:16 pm #

   

   oh, yeah… you already know how I feel about Evan, but I’ll just say he’s not the only one who got “you did so well keeping up!” comments. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes home tonight, but I don’t want him to. JP already knows the rest.
   xoxo

9. John Cabrera on 23 Jul 2009 at 2:33 pm #

   

   GlitterB, I didn’t come right out and say it in the post, but I agree with you 100%. Most of us have been affected by cancer in some way. I lost my grandmother to it. I’ve known friends go through it. It’s a painful, emotionally charged subject. I won’t deny I teared up thinking about that as I was watching it. Which is why I’m so curious whether it would have been as impacting had we not known.

   In many ways I feel like it’s a stronger testament to their artistry if they can move us in ways that are uniquely personal to us. Some people have never been remotely touched by cancer… perhaps those same people have been affected by a miscarriage. Had they not been told what the piece was about, perhaps the universal truth behind the performance (pain, loss, fear) would have affected them in a stronger way. But by placing the cancer quilt over the piece, doesn’t it make it hard for others to relate to it on a personal and fundamental level?

   And you’re absolutely right. How can’t America not vote for them now? The piece was amazing with or without the backstory/subtext… but Melissa’s solo was one of the strangest and weekest of the entire night… their cha cha was labored as hell too. This is a competition, and is it fair that those two are given such a backstory and cause to champion?

   That being said……………………… Evan’s gotta go, yo. lol.

10. Caryl on 23 Jul 2009 at 2:54 pm #

    

    Jules (and JP): I agree with your opinion, it was definitely emotionally manipulative! That said, I think a few other dances throughout have been too, but maybe not to the extent of this one – but, close.

    And, I totally get what you’re saying JP, about how the dance could have possibly moved even more people, if not for the sole theme of Cancer, specifically Breast Cancer alone- not allowing for free interpretation (personal relating) of the emotional aspects of the dance.

    And, actually… when the judges reacted, as such, I felt even more emotionally manipulated, which just irked me.

11. Caryl on 23 Jul 2009 at 3:08 pm #

    

    Jules (and JP): To clarify a little, of my last comment… I did feel a little weepy thinking about Cancer while watching the dance. I’ve been greatly affected by Cancer, losing several loved ones to it, I have a friend who is terminal right now, and I even lived in a Children’s Cancer ward for five months and witnessed a lot of very emotional stuff- and still see Cancer patients frequently… but, it did not have a huge, unfair impact on me, because of the overkill of the obvious emotional manipulation. I’m not heartless… I promise

12. kelseroo on 23 Jul 2009 at 6:33 pm #

    

    I agree with you, Jules, 100%! It makes me a little angry. So now if I don’t vote for Melissa and Ade I am an insensitive jerk or something. Oh, well, I still picked Evan and Melissa to go home.

13. BabsiS on 23 Jul 2009 at 11:40 pm #

    

    I’m glad you all think that way. Because I agree -this dance wouldn’t have been as moving as it was if we hadn’t known about the cancer topic. And no – I don’t think we would have gotten it without being told.
    Just like Jules said (and no, you were not being harsh or anything), the dance would have been very beautiful still. But manipulating the audience by saying “Ok this is about breast cancer” and kind of “everybody who wants those dancers out now is coldhearted” is just not right. It would have been sth different if all of the dances had had a serious topic e.g. war, hunger, abuse or whatever. But this was just unfair. It’s that simple.

14. Vanalam on 24 Jul 2009 at 9:37 am #

    

    I wanted to comment on this blog yesterday before watching the results show, and really wish I had because now I’m sad and pissed off about Janette leaving, but I’m going to try not to let that affect this comment.

    I missed the intro for (yes, like Jennhoney, I’m going to call it this for lack of a better, shorter term) the cancer dance, but I still completely got that it was about breast cancer because of the scarf. Even though other women wear scarves, that to me is a big enough symbol for me to know what it was about. I think without the scarf, I definitely would have known that there was some loss or they were fighting something and still thought it was beautiful, but I wouldn’t have known it was cancer.

    Yes, I think the audience was completely manipulated by this dance, and I think that Melissa was saved from the chopping block because of it. If they had done any of the other second dances, I think Melissa, at least, would have been cut. That cha cha was horrible and probably the worst danced cha cha I’ve seen on this show, and I’ve watched all 5 seasons. I’m trying to be objective, but to be fair, I should say that Melissa & Ade have not been in my favorites. I think they are technically gifted and I know they are popular with a lot of people, but for me, Ade hasn’t shown enough personality in his partner dances and Melissa’s emotion in her dancing often comes across as fake to me (cancer dance excluded).

    Saying all that though, this competition is never going to be completely fair. Some people come into it with more personality or more training or more talent; some weeks some people get to work in their own styles while others are in a style they’ve never even tried or have a weird dance & costumes; some people paired together have more chemistry than others; and, in the end, it’s left up to a popular vote which can easily be swayed from week to week. That’s just the way it goes. It’s annoying at times, but it also makes it interesting.

15. chadrullman on 24 Jul 2009 at 2:15 pm #

    

    Everything in our art and entertainment culture is set up. Just look at the movies: Rom-Com, Horror, Romance, Family Films… any genre, we know nearly the entire story from trailers, blogs, magazines, gossip, etc. before we go, yet that doesn’t cheapen the emotional experience… when properly executed.

    There are very few art forms that you experience without knowing the subject beforehand.

    Sure, you might not have gotten, specifically ‘Breast Cancer’ from the dance, but you would have gotten the struggle, emotion, and everything else. ‘Cancer’ was where the choreographer found inspiration, what he used to direct his performers, and something, as many of you have stated, that hits a nerve in everyone.

    I’ve directed actor’s before and gotten the performance I needed from them by having deep/heavy discussions about topics like losing loved ones; you do this to help the performer to get into the right place in their head and to tap into those heavy emotions… there is usually not a camera there filming that part of the process. I think that is what is different about the reality tv.

    It wouldn’t be hard to vote against the dancers because of the subject matter, if they sucked and fucked it all up, they would have not gotten votes… fact is, they performed the best dance of the night.

    And it is a competition show. Not just for dancers. The choreographers are competing for Emmy awards, which will get them much more/better work and on-air time. If people find it ‘unfair’ for a number to be this emotional, maybe it is just a call to the other choreographers to step up their game.

16. John Cabrera on 25 Jul 2009 at 5:51 pm #

    

    Chad, I’ll agree with the second half of your argument. It’s very true, the choreographers are competing too. I’d never really thought of it like that. Now whether that’s the competition show we were sold, is an entirely different discussion. But I do think it’s true that if the choreography is lacking in a routine then it’s the fault of the choreographers not stepping it up. Is that fair to the dancers… nope. Is it fair that Caitlin and Jason danced in clown costumes for the first half of this competition? I don’t think so.

    I don’t agree though that emotion should be the barometer for the choreography… or it’s ability to win an emmy for that matter. And I don’t think it’s fair for choreographers to have to use emotional manipulation in order to gain favor. Truth is, there are styles of dance right now (CONTEMPRARY, LOL) that win emmys over other styles. And so the choreography part of this competition isn’t really balanced.

    I don’t think you can totally compare a movie, or show, or book to a the narrative in a piece of dance. Because when you watch the movie, you usually come out understanding the general storyline of the movie whether you read the article, blog, gossip, etc. But in something like abstract art or dance, where the narrative is more concealed, the set-up will dictate an experience different than what you may have had without it. And I’m arguing that the experience you may have had without it, also has value. And if it’s strong enough, shouldn’t need the set up… because of the universal struggles and emotion.

    I think this piece was beautiful and moving… would have been without the set up…….. but I do believe the set up was a crutch for it to gain even more favor by the public. That’s emotionally manipulative, in my opinion. That’s like tender music in a film scoring a scene of someone dying of cancer.

17. Jules on 28 Jul 2009 at 8:01 pm #

    

    okay, I have a lot to say… and no time.
    firstly, while I see your point about the choreographers competing as well, the American public is NOT voting for their choreography, and the results aren’t as immediate, nor do we have any effect on that. you see what I’m saying here? I hope so, because I’m not feeling very coherent.

    what else? oh! I’m surprised and more than a little reassured to find that I’m not in the minority with my opinion here.

    speaking of which, JP, have I thanked you for connecting me with some of my favorite online people ever? if I haven’t, yet… thank you!

    okay, I have two weeks to read Sometimes a Great Notion and 2 books discussing Ken Kesey, as well as two books and a dozen articles for Border Studies, so I may not be as frequently online til mid-August. xoxoxo

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