A travesty on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 7:00 AM by Paige Newman
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TV
Last Thursday morning, I turned to TV editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and said, “Next week, I’m going to write about how Will is going to win ‘So You Think You Dance.’” Little did I realize the travesty that was in store that evening when the sweet (and, thankfully, often shirtless) Will got sent packing, along with female contestant Comfort.
OK, full disclosure here. I am one of those reality show watchers who never votes, yet always complains if the results don’t go my way. Annoying yes, but somehow, I think that if I don’t vote during the show, I somehow hang on to my fragile dignity (which tends to erode with some reality TV viewing, um, “Two Coreys,” anyone?).
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Will dances with Katee on "So You Think You Can Dance."
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But Will? He was technically one of the best dancers – and, let’s face it, he has sex appeal. I did have a moment watching last Thursday night’s show where I wondered whether I had been blinded by Will’s great body into thinking that he was a better dancer than he actually is. But is the not-even-in-the-bottom-two-last-week Mark really a stronger dancer? No way. Likeable? Yes. More talented? No.
The thing about “So You Think You Can Dance” is that, unlike “American Idol,” all the contestants are likeable. Every year, I always end up despising almost all the “Idol” wannabes. Hearing those cloying kids appear in Ford ads and sing songs from Broadway or Neil Diamond does nothing to endear them to me. Meanwhile, on “SYTYCD,” you get to see the sweat and work that the dancers put into each number and it’s hard not to admire them. Even Comfort, a dancer who I thought deserved to go home, really impressed with her drive, her athletic ability and her willingness to go so far outside her (no pun intended) comfort zone.
The show itself is more enjoyable than most reality shows. Instead of being assaulted with karaoke versions of the songs, they just use the originals. Yes, sometimes the artists are sort of dull, such as Celine Dion or John Mayer, but you also get music as varied as Santagold, Brother Yusef and Simian Mobile Disco. (
Here’s a good full list of the songs from this season.) And, those Latin dances – yeah, the show actually uses appropriate music (unlike the more popular “Dancing With the Stars” which assaults us with dances set to the Monday Night Football theme).
As for those “jidges” (as Cat Deeley would say)? They’re not too bad either. Yes, Mary Murphy yelling about “the hot tamale train” can get old, but the fact that she seems to know her stuff puts her well above Paula Abdul. Nigel is a tad creepy (he does seem to like those skimpy outfits a bit too much), but he also is a slightly less acidic version of Simon. The guest judges vary in quality with last week’s Tony “it’s so street” Basil being one of the season’s worst. But, wow, if you want really poor judging, just turn on “America’s Got Talent” or “Shear Genius.” Ugh.
And now that dear, sweet Will is gone who will win? Well, I’m putting my money on either Katee or Joshua. And even if one of those two goes home this week, guess what? I’ll still be watching. Because though it may be a bit embarrassing to admit to people, I actually like this show.
