SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Screaming for Robert, Alex, Kent and Jose
June 17, 2010 by Korbi Ghosh
Since Mary Murphy is M.I.A. this season, allow me to fill in and SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAM in her place.
I’m screaming for Robert who is a revelation. Who is this beautiful boy, who dances like a man, yet still comes across as an excited kid when he’s not performing? The way he attacked that Sean Cheesman African Dance number with his lines and his lifts and his leaps and… I don’t really know what was going on, I just know it was awesome… And mad props to the choreographer. We need more of this…
I’m screaming for Jose, who is arguably the most exciting and dynamic hip hop dancer this show has ever seen. This wasn’t the best hip hop number in its history, but notice the fluidity and special nuances he brings to it…
I’m screaming for Alex because, well, he’s perfection… I will say that the judges’ praise for the performance was a little over-the-top. SYTYCD has had many genius moments over the course of seven seasons, but Alex is certainly a welcome addition to that already long list of awesome…
I’m screaming for Kent because that farm boy can dance, damn it! He looked like a ballroom baby last night, did he not? The kid said he’s never tackled the style before and yet he kept up with Anya who — as Nigel pointed out — is one of the best ballroom dancers in the world. I mean, how can you not root for this kid…
Riiiiiiiiiiiight??
Couple things, however, before I go. There were several other performances that deserve honorable mentions — such as Billy and (all-star) Lauren’s super fun ‘Footloose’ routine, Lauren and Ade’s dynamic Mmmm ‘Oh Yeah’ number and Cristina and Mark’s ‘Starstruck’ Jazz. In fact, there was not a single bad partnership in the entire episode. Technically — with the exception of maybe Melinda — everyone performed at the very highest of levels. Having just the Top 10 (er, well, 11) best dancers on the show from the very start, and pairing them with already-seasoned “all-stars” has raised the bar tremendously as far as skill level is concerned. That seems to be coming across quite obviously. But I agree with the judges’ criticism regarding “filling the space.” Ashley’s contemporary routine with Neil is a perfect example. She danced impeccably last night. Just beautifully. And yet, there was something missing. I didn’t scream for her. And I so wanted to.
So, hopefully, these crazy crazy talented kids will get the message they were given and be able to dig just a little bit deeper next week, because it feels to me like we could be right on the precipice of serious greatness this season.
Do you agree?
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First of all, welcome to GMMR, Korbi!
I agree, these are definitely the guys who will be contending for the top 2 male spots.
I don’t know which of the girls looks the best, but I think Alexie, Ashley, and Cristina have the best chances.
One thing I have to contend with you on though… Jose is probably the most like-able/relateable hip-hop dancer, but I think Twitch, Josh, and Comfort all had way more dynamic personalities come through in their dancing. Jose’s good, and as he continues to advance and perform outside his style, he’ll get even better. But for me, he’s just not quite there yet…
I think I might like this new format if only because we will get a change to get to know everyone before they get the boot. If they can bring it, that is. I thought Kent was the shining star as far as personality last night. It was really hard to watch the actual contestants when one of my favorite all stars was dancing! I had to make a point NOT to watch. But well, Pasha and Neil are pretty hard to not watch.
I think it will be interesting to see who the bottom 3 are tonight. I thought, before I watched the show last night, that people might vote for their favorite all star but now I am not so sure. I think if the contestant doesn’t really bring it then people will forget them. I am either remembering the dances I liked (Kent and Jose) or the all stars (Pasha, Neil and Kathryn) and not the dances. Well, I remember Kent’s because I was smiling the entire time.
I think the guys are the ones to watch. How funny would it be if three girls were the bottom tonight?
Also, I think I might love Mia and Adam on the panel. They were fun and honest.
OMG, last night’s show was fun! I’m glad you’re screaming for Kent as in other unnamed snarky places they are hating on him. I thought he was awesome. He made me grin from ear to ear. Alex, there are no words, but I want to offer credit to my favorite girl SYTYCDer of all time, Allison, wow! The unison which is not often achieved was perfect.
I agree with Patty, again this is all about the boys.
I can’t remember the girls names, or their routines speficically at this point.
My top 3 right now are Alex, Kent, and either Billy or Robert – jury is still out on where they fall in my list.
Korbi – Thanks for taking over SYTYCD duty last night. It killed me not to have the time to podcast or properly write up a review. You and I are on the same page about most of the boys. I’m not quite there with Robert. Dude, he needs to RELAX. His dancing is divine but his personality is so over the top that I almost want him to go home just so I don’t have to watch him gasp in disbelief/appreciation/sadness….or any other emotion he’s feeling.
On the other hand, Kent’s exuberance is welcomed because it’s authentic. I was like the judges…a complete muppet watching him perform last night. From his intro video all the way through his critique, I just wanted to smoosh his face he was so damn cute. But he’s more than that. He’s an amazing dancer. With this talented crew, just being cute won’t cut it.
LOVED LOVED LOVED the Alex/Allison/Sonya piece, but I too think it was a bit overpraised by the judges. I didn’t fault with a single second of it, and watched it more than once, but it didn’t rock me to the core like many other SYTYCD routines have done in the past.
Robert’s obvious talent is getting completely overshadowed by his inability to make his personality less….of everything. If mugging for the camera were a degree…he’d have his Ph.D
I don’t know how else to describe it but Robert makes me feel like I am in junior high again and he’s the gorgeous freshman or something. He just makes me feel warm and smile and stare wide eyed in a way I don’t quite understand, haha. Korbi, you already called him as your boyfriend, so I guess I’ll just be horribly jealous of your love. 🙂
I think Ashley is my favorie girl. She is at least the most interesting to me. How genuine was se about being in love? And her answer, ‘as a matter of fact, I think I am’… I loved that.
I thought I was going to hate the all star dea, but I concede that since last year was reall the first ear I watched, I don’t really have sentimental feelings toward any of the all stars. BUT the way the all stars were SO genuinely happy for their contestant partners…that made me like this idea more. Of course, Nigel kept going on about it. Hopefully he stops trying to convince it all that it is awesome.
anyways…thanks for the post so we could comment!
oh, and haha I loved Shankman & Blue Steel!
oh dear, my comment looks so deranged. That will show me not to type and do anything else at the same time. Yikes! Haha.
Haha, Kath, you’re so very welcome and, you and I are so on the same EVERY page… Robert’s disbelieving gasps have GOT to go… but the kid dances SO divinely and he’s SO nice to look at… I just wish he knew how his over-the-topness was coming off. He’s young, he doesn’t realize it looks insincere-(ish) and silly.
…and, also, yes, Robert could take a lesson from Kent. Although, it’s not really about lessons cuz Kent is just genuinely that person who is coming across. Very natural. STILL THOUGH, as seels said — so glad someone’s feeling me on this — if Robert would just tone it down, we’d all be acting like freshman in high school crushing on him… Jonathan, thank you!! Very glad to be here. I won’t argue with you re: Jose vs. the rest, I do know what you mean. It’s just that there’s something about the fluidity of his hip hop movements on the floor that is SICK to me. I don’t know if I’m quite describing it properly but if you watch his performance very closely, I think it comes across…
I just found your website and I love it! I love how you have clips from the performance show. That was such a great show and I think the All-stars takes the show to a whole different level.
oh, and I too agree with the critic of Ashley and Niels performance. There is no question that she has talent and technically she is clean and executes the steps beautifully, but something was missing. She didn’t have that “wow” when she performed. Like they said she needs to “fill the space” or something. I really like her but she needs to up her game.
Oh, and I think boys might dominate this season.
OK. What drugs are these judges on? they praise Christine who is probably the most mediocre dancer ever on the show and the dancers and choreographers that are truly amazing are being judged harshley and wrong……it seems like whatever Nigel says the other judges follow him….no mind of their own. very dissapointed this season and I am probably going to not be watching it anymore…..not because of the dancers but because the new platform and the judges ridiculous comments. too bad because I love to watch amazing dancing since I spent my whole life dancing myself. Hopefully Paula Abduhl’s show comes out soon so I can get excited again….really these judges have it all wrong – very frustrating and everyone I talk to feels the same way.
Don’t give up on the show, Dancerbee!! I think the judges just had an off week. You weren’t alone is your frustration. Check out our latest SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE podcast to hear Dan and I rant about our issues with the judges. Don’t give up on the dancing!!!