August 4, 2009
allemand left and do-si-do
8/4/09
Okay, so I'm flying up to Utah for a funeral today - and I'd like to take my mind off the intense sadness for a bit. Of course, that means one thing (well, five things, if you count ham radio, calligraphy, P.J. Hairston, and breasts): the upcoming selection on "So You Think You Can Dance". Yes, I've already wasted plenty of your time on this, non-SYTYCD watchers - but it's the finale tonight and tomorrow, and the four finalists offer an interesting look into America's psyche.
The last few contestants were voted off by phone, and the winners will be determined the same way. I'm not sure what the "SYTYCD" voting demographic is, but it's probably not the same nation of 13-year-old girls who sway "American Idol". I'd guess three voting blocs: teen girls, gay men 21-48 years old, and farty dilettantes like me and the wife.*
Here's what I've concluded so far:
1. Yes, my Mormon theory seemed to be proved wrong, but you never know. Randi might have been eliminated weeks ago if it weren't for my garment-clad tribesmen in the hills of American Fork, UT.
2. "SYTYCD" voters systematically cleansed the show of all the "totally queenie gays" except Brandon. When you've got a dance show, and 2 of the 3 male finalists appear to be straight? I smell a hetero-bias. Ade personified African manhood, and Evan is the Norbert Leo Butz of the next generation.
Kayla, Brandon, Jeanine and Evan
3. In five seasons of the show, there's only been one female winner, so it seems like it's time for another one. But let's break it down, shall we?
EVAN - You gotta hand it to him... at hobbit height, it's hard for the guy to pull off anything in the Latin genre, and his physique reminds me of guys at the dorm. But he can surprise you with a high-flying Russian leap, and he's got style. Plus, every girl in America wants to marry him. Hard to tell.
BRANDON - I've always liked him, even during Mary Murphy's tearful pleading. But his solo to "Carmina Burana" last week was fuckin' legendary. I don't know how he managed to save that masterpiece until this late, but it was just brilliant, and it might put him on top.
KAYLA - Blonde "with fantastic lines" (most overused phrase on the show) does absolutely nothing for me in solo mode, but really shines when paired with a male dancer for a narrative piece. She's the glittering white hope for the show's producers, and pretty much always delivers.
JEANINE - My (and Tessa's) favorite. An afterthought in the top twenty, she flings herself into each performance, and works unbelievably hard. Her face is made for the back row in a Broadway venue, and obviously has a way more demons and/or intellect than Kayla. I could watch her dance all week (and will, because we got tickets to the tour).
Now, obviously Janette should have been here, but Mia Michaels fucked up AGAIN and called Janette her favorite dancer, which led every fan of the show to vote for someone else to save them from elimination. Seriously, Mia and Tyce... positively heartbreaking choreographers, and unrelentingly shitty judges.
My thoughts? The most interesting battle is between Jeanine and Kayla. Both represent the two basic dream states of Americans: aspirational and inspirational. Kayla is the dream house, the unbelievable blonde, the body born to dance - you can aspire to be her, but you can't be her.
Jeanine is the rags to riches, the hard-working brunette, the girl with curvy parts who made it work by the intensity of her drive - she inspires, because in some small way, she allows you to believe that you could do it too.
Kayla is a little bit Jordan, Jeanine is a little bit Hansbrough. Is America feeling aspirational or inspirational? Time will tell, my fellow reality television spazmoids!
*Tessa is not farty
Posted by Ian Williams at August 4, 2009 11:49 PMI don't watch dance shows, but I'm a dilettante of Carolina basketball.
Here's what the 'judges' think of that Hairston kid:
http://northcarolina.scout.com/2/884343.htmlClearly we'll love him if he steps into Ellington's position and starts draining threes, but I suspect that the ladies won't let him replace Ellington in their hearts--as far as good looks go.
Good luck in Utah. Still breaks my heart. We'll keep you and yours in our thoughts.
Team Jeanine!
Excellent comparison of the two girls. And you're right about Kayla - doesn't do a thing for me when she's solo, but paired with a partner, she's amazing. Loved Brandon's solo - fierce!
Anybody but Evan. Just not a fan. Wish it had been Ade.
Excited about the finale tonight, but sad because it's almost over. I'm amazed at how much I've enjoyed this show and can't wait for the next season to begin.
Continued prayers for you and yours in Utah.
Surprisingly, I don't watch this show. But I vote for Jeanine, for the mere fact that she bears a striking resemblance to Jerry Seinfeld's former teenage girlfriend, Shoshanna Lonstein. Remember her?
Totally on Team Jeanine here!
my daughter got me hooked on this show last season and it really is a great reality show. and this season i just love love love jeanine. and have from the start. i was worried that she was not going to last on this show because in the early stages she was paired with a guy with limited skills.
cannot stand evan. limited talent and he pulls down any of the female contestants he dances with because of his size. and he is corny and cheesy - AND his brother is going to be on the next season so enough of that. ade was so much more talented and well rounded. i was sorry to see him go because the final four would have all been awesome. but america went for the boy next door.
but the BEST thing about this show is cat deeley. i could go on for hours about her but then i would just be embarrassing myself. i usually fast forward host chatter on shows but i listen to every word she says. and i love that she lets the sweaty contestants hug her and cry into her balcienga dress without dropping a beat. and..... ok i'm going to stop now.
go heels
jeanine-all the way! yes, it is time for the women to shine. i love brandon and kayla (not her bizarro overly gyrating solos) but jeanine has got some grit that i love more. i just wonder who is voting for evan? he nails his solos though he basically does the same thing every week. the judges have been super hard on him. strange.
I think there is some inherent subconscious racism keeping Evan afloat in the voting. But then again, I tend not to think the best of people...
I don't know why I've never gotten into these talent shows, or reality shows either. I did watch Dancing with the Stars when Apolo Ohno was on it, because I'm a fan. *blush* American Idol and its ilk all seem so contrived, with the canned reactions both backstage and among the judges. Sorry!
The only "reality-based" show I love is The Cake Boss. It's like The Sopranos only set in a real-life New Joisey bakery run by a big, loud famiglia.
I look at Evan the same way I've always looked at casting. If there's one person in the room that's totally unlike the others, he's either gonna get booted or get cast. When I'm the only fat guy in the room, I know I'm going home in five minutes, or I'm getting the part.
Jeanine's boobs are marvelous.
Anne, I admit my guilty pleasure is bad reality shows (the worst right now are Big Brother and Miami Social - truly awful stuff), and I admit I enjoy American Idol, but SYTYCD is really something else.
I was thrown off in the past by the cheezy title (had seen a little of DWS and was bored silly), but these dancers are simply amazing. Their passion and hard work just floor me week after week. And surprisingly, the judges (at least to a non-dancer like me) have better feedback than what you see on Idol. Sometimes it's a little silly (MM's hot tamale train and Lil C's bizarre, longwinded weirdness), but mostly it's good stuff. The guest judges aren't just there to look pretty - they speak their mind, which is refreshing.
It's not for everybody, but it's definitely not your typical talent/reality show. And I swear, I should know! LOL!
ian, i am so sorry to hear of your family's loss.what a beautiful little boy.
jje: OK, you've convinced me to take a look at SYTYCD. :-)
JHFC, people - Yankees vs. Red Sox tonight. Dancing, shmancing!