New DWTS Contestants – 08/25/08

Goodaye Everyone:

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been able to do a little blog so, when I saw the cast of DWTS, I thought I’d write to you and give you the names and who they are dancing with (something a lot of the TV stations don’t tell you).  A few surprises too!!!

First up is:      Singer Toni Braxton, 40 (Unbreak My Heart?) who will be dancing with DWTS Champ Alec Mazo (he won the 1st             year with Kelly Monaco (Sam,GH).

Next is:          Lance Bass, 29 (Joey Fatone’s buddy from NSYNC who will be partnered with LACEY SCHWIMMER (from So

You Think You Can Dance – I believe last year she came in 4th – her bro, Benjie won the year before!)

Then we have:   Ted McGinley, actor 50 (from varied TV series) who will be dancing with Inna Brayer (another new face!)

Next is:              Cloris Leachman, actress, 62 who will be dancing with Mark Ballas’s dad, Corky Ballas (this is new…a dad and son dancing together!)

Then there is:  Warren Sapp, 35, former NFL star who will be dancing with Kym Johnson

Next is:            Rocco DiSpirito, Chef, 41 who we’ve seen on TV (he had his own reality show for a season) – who will be dancing with

Karina Smirnoff.

Then we have:  Kim Kardashian, TV ‘personality’ (puhleez!), 27 who will dance with the REIGNING DWTS’ Champion, Mark Ballas!!!

Next is:            Maurice Green, Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field, 34 (great personality) who will be partnered with Cheryl Burke

Then we have:  Misty May-Treanor, Olympic Gold Medalist in Beach Volleyball, 31 who is partnered with Maksim (Hottie!!!) Chmerkovskly

Then there is:    Susan Lucci, Emmy Award Winning Actress (finally after like 18 years! on AMC), 61 who will be dancing with the ALWAYS sweet Tony Dovolani (this couple could be the ‘Dark Horses’)

After that is:      Jeffrey Ross, 42, comedian (he was a Judge a couple of seasons ago on a show about who was the best impression of someone famous…remember?  I think the Frank Sinatra one – won),anyway he’ll be dancing with Edyta Slwinska

Next is:              Cody Linley, 18 actor (I may be wrong but I think this kid is on the Disney channel…???) who will be dancing with 2 time DWTS Champ, Julianne Hough (I’m surprised she’s back this year because of her CD that she’s promoting!)

and last….we have:

Brooke Burke, 36, “TV Personality” (name is familiar but I’m not too sure of what she’s been in other than hostess of a game show!) who will be dancing with Derek Hough.

So there you have the lineup.  The show will start on Mon., Sept. 22 and go for 3 nights…..(ABC)

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Now I thought it might be fun to check out the Emmy Nominations

which will be given out on Sunday night, September 21st.

BEST DRAMA SERIES:

Boston Legal

Damages

Dexter

House

Lost

Mad Men

Now, you notice that they have SIX nominations…it’s been a very good year!  Let’s see…most of these shows (with the exception of Damages) is excellent…just my opinion.  However, if I had my druthers…I’d choose:   MAD MEN  – excellent new series that more people have to ‘find’ on AMC!!!

BEST COMEDY SERIES

30 Rock

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Entourage

The Office

Two and a Half Men

OK, let’s see now – 30 Rock has won before (rightfully so), Curb hasn’t been on in so long, I don’t know if it’s lost it’s following, not a big fan of The Office even though I hear it’s very funny, I’ve ‘discovered’ 2 and 1/2 Men recently on reruns and I like it, and Entourage which, to me, each season gets better and better.  My Choice:  30 Rock – can’t beat it

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA

James Spader, Boston Legal

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Hugh Laurie, House

Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment

Jon Hamm, Mad Med

OK, Spader has won before, watched probably 2 episodes of Breaking Bad and thought it was awful, Michael C. Hall continues to be excellent in Dexter (coming back next month!), same can be said of Hugh Laurie.  Which leaves us with Jon Hamm and Gabriel Byrne.

Both of these dramas are terrific.  HBO’s In Treatment is so different and Byrne plays a psychiatrist so well that it’s really hard to choose between him and Hamm of Mad Men but, in the end, I’m going with Hamm.  In Treatment is coming back for another season and, if you have HBO, you should really try and catch it.  It will draw you in and you’ll be anxious, each week, to see the new episodes (there are 4 each running 30 minutes and then on Friday, Byrne goes to visit his own psychiatrist played brilliantly by Diana Weist.  -  By the way, just a thought for next year….Benjamin Bratt in The Cleaner on A&E.  Another terrific new series.

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Tony Shaloub, Monk

Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies

Steve Carell, The Office

Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

This one is fairly easy for me.  LOVE Monk and 30 Rock but, in the end, of the two, I have to go with Alec.  The guy is astonishing.  Watch him on SNL, if he’s on again.  He never misses a line or gesture!  His impression of DeNiro is spot on.

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters

Glenn Close, Damages

Mariska Hargitay, L&O, SVU

Holly Hunter, Saving Grace

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Well, this one isn’t too difficult for me either.  I think Holly Hunter is brilliant at Grace.  It’s an ‘edgy’ Touched By An Angel, set in Oklahoma City where she plays a detective who’s very close be being an alcoholic and her morals aren’t the best.  She has an angel, Earl, who is trying to help her get ‘back on track’.  It’s on TNT on Monday nights at 10PM.

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?

Julia Louis-Dreyfus – The New Adventures…

America Ferrera, Ugly Betty

Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Most of the gals in this category have won before.  But, if I had to choose, it would be Mary-Louise for Weeds.  This show, on Showtime on Monday nights, is so good.  It’s only 30 minutes a week but they pack so much into it.  AND, I love Kevin Nealon.  He should get an Emmy nod himself!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA

William Shatner, Boston Legal

Ted Danson, Damages

Zeljko Ivanek, Damages

Michael Emerson, Lost

John Slattery, Mad Men

This category is kinda tough.  Shatner is impeccable as Denny Crane in Boston Legal.  Don’t watch Damages although I like Danson.  Emerson was mighty ’scary’ as Ben in Lost and Slattery has always appealed to me.  Soooo, for this one, I’m goin for the ‘appeal’, John Slattery!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY

Jeremy Piven, Entourage

Kevin Dillon, Entourage

Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met…

Rainn Wilson, The Office

Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

When I see Cryer, I just can’t stop thinking of the John Hughe’s movies of the 80s.  Don’t watch The Office although Wilson is starting to make a name for himself in movies (The Rocker).  I’ve always LOVED Harris and think he does an admirable job in How I Met…  Which leaves us with Dillon and Piven of Entourage (one of the best comedies on HBO).  So, I wanted Dillon to win last year and it went to Piven and I’m gonna go with Dillon again this year and hope he takes home the Emmy!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA

Candice Bergen, Boston Legal

Rachel Griffiths, Brothers and Sisters

Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy

Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy

Dianne Wiest, In Treatment

OK, Bergen has always cracked me up…from her own TV Series (which won her oodles of Emmys) to her movie with Burt Reynolds and Jill Clayburgh…Starting Over.  If you’ve never rented this one…do it.  The scene where she is ’singing’ to Burt is absolutely priceless!).

Chandra and Sandra are both terrific in Grey’s but, I think, they’ll cancel each other out.  Which leaves Rachel in Bros and Sis and Dianne Wiest in In Treatment….Needless to say, I’m going with Wiest!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY

Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies

Jean Smart, Samantha Who?

Amy Poehler, SNL

Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men

Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

I can honestly say, I’m not ‘moved’ by any of these gals but, if I had to choose one, it would be Amy from SNL…just to be different!

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM

American Idol

Dancing With The Stars

Project Runway

The Amazing Race

Top Chef

First of all, let me say that I think So You Think You Can Dance should have been included.  Of these shows, AI obviously pulls in the biggest numbers.  The Amazing Race is just that, amazing.  Don’t watch Top Chef or Project Runway.  And..I’m always drawn into DWTS.  This year, however, I think the Emmy should go to AI.  The contestants were very talented and Simon more or less behaved himself.  The show is going to start to slip in the ratings.  and…The Amazing Race has won all the times it has been nominated.

OUTSTANDING HOST FOR A REALITY OR REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM:

Ryan Seacrest, AI

Tom Bergeron, DWTS

Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal

and…honestly, I don’t know who else.  I think Bergeron should win this one.  Maybe next year, Cat Deeley of SYTYCD will be nominated.

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Well I guess that’s it for now.  I had fun doing this and I hope you have fun reading it.

Talk to you soon (DWTS in Sept.!),  Joanie

SYTYCD – Winner Revealed! – 08/07/08

Morning Everyone:

Hard to believe another Season of SYTYCD has ended.  Hard to believe we’ll have to wait for next year to see Cat Deeley in her hot outfits again!!!!  Tonight she is wearing a short, ’shimmy’ style, white with sparkled embroidery everywhere…with these high booty heels.  Hair is all curled; a much better choice than last night.  She’s very excited about tonight’s show.  Lot’s happening….culminating in naming the winner of Season 4!

Let’s start with having the Top 20 being introduced one more time.

$250K will be given to the winner (as well as a role in Adam Shamkan’s new movie, STEP UP 3 – in 3D!).

We are going to see some of the best routines once more from the Season.  And, because there are sooo many people in the audience, we have decided to bring ALL the Jidges to the Panel.  They are:

Nigel, Mary, Mia, Debbie, Adam, Lil C.

OK, here we go….’flashback’ time!  A lot of pictures of the kids and their dances shown to us as we listen to David Cook singing, “This Is The TIme Of My Life”.

The Top 20 perform a Shane Sparks’ Hip Hop routine. “BOOM”

They are all so talented.  Great moves, etc. And…in the end…it was the Final Four who stood alone…Wicked Cool!

Cat said that she is going to ask all the Jidges to tell us their Favorite Routine from the Season.

We’ll start off with Nigel who said that he loved the BOLLYWOOD dance that Katee and Josh did…..Let’s see it once again.   And boy did it take our breaths away.  So much fun.

Mary:  Which number did you like best?  Courtney/Gev danced the Rhumba and it was so sexy, hot and the moves perfect.  Let’s watch it again and, sure enough, it was sizzling.

Commercial:  AMSTEL LIGHT  – Don’t you love the music?  It’s catchy.

OK, here are the best ‘poppers’ of this last Season.  Philip (who got pneumonia during auditions and couldn’t go on to Vegas) and Robert (who, even though he would have been chosen in the Top 20, decided not to compete).  OMG….they are sooo Out Of This World.  I’ve never seen such moves before.  I DO like Robert a little bit more though.

Cat asks the Jidges to decide which is the better ‘popper’.

Mia:  Best of them were out of this world but I’ll pick PHILIP.

Adam: ROBERT, YOU WERE INSANE!!!!!

Debbie:  For musicality and feeling the music with the moves ROBERT

Nigel:  Has to be ROBERT..better than anyone I’ve ever seen before.

Mary:  It’s gotta be ROBERT….and, of course, the Screaming starts!

Lil C:  I choose ROBERT because you were so musical and then he went on to give words of wisdom that were so out of my league I couldn’t even begin to write them down.  Suffice to say:   BUCK!!!

Cat said that the Top 11 dancers, including both Chelsea and Comfort, will be touring soon.  Get your tickets now.  Boston has already had to add another show.

Back to choosing your Favorite Routine.

Adam:  Liked the David Scott, Hip Hop futuristic routine that Twitch and Comfort did…it just blew me away!

Lil C:  Which number did you choose?  He chose one of my favorite routines of the season…Mark and Chelsey dancing to BLEEDING LOVE…ya know, where he is going off to work and she doesn’t want him to leave?  Very touching.

Mary:  Uh, oh….where’s Mary?  Nigel says, “She’s not in her chair screaming…I don’t know where she is.”  Cue cameras to go to the stage.  There is this ‘hot # in a sizzling red dress” with her back to us and she is about to dance a Latin routine.  Boy can she move…she turns around and, who is it, but MARY!!!!  She is dancing with Dimitri from Season 2 (isn’t he the guy who goes with Carrie Ann Anabra?)

Anyway, they are fantastic together.  Boy can she move and does she look good!!!!    FUN!

Back to Fave Routines….

Mia:  She chose the Desmond and Dwight choreogaphed Paux de Deux(?) that Katee and Will did.  It just takes my breath away again it is so beautiful…..they are just great dancers.  It’s even better the second time around.

Adam:  Which one did you choose?  (just let me say that I LOVE Adam).  He loved the Sonja routine, The Bar, with Courtney and Mark.  Ya know, she’s got the ripped stocking and they are gyrating all over the stage.  Mark is sooo good in this gendra.(?)

OK, it’s time we call the Top Final Four to center stage.  Cat says that, after nearly 60M votes were counted, the person going home in 4th place tonight is…..COURTNEY.  Frankly it could have been anyone.  It’s sooo hard to choose.  She is such a sweet girl.  They flashback to when she first auditioned up to now and she said that she is shocked that she has made it this far.  Her dad is in the audience, standing, cheering for her.  She said she was like a SPONGE and sucked up as much as she could during the competition and will miss everyone.  (of course she will be going on tour with them…)

Next we have 5 MOES dancing routine – lots of FUN.  Let’s see, I think it was Will, Josh, Twitch, Gev and Mark.  All great talents.

We then have a ’special guest’, the Cirque de Soleil dancing a number from the Criss Angel tour…something about dead rabbits…choreographed by Wade Robson.  (Frankly, I switched to the Patriots’ Exhibition game..which was pretty ugly!)

OK, let’s bring back the Top Three…Katee, Josh and Twitch.

Cat opens the envelope and announces that….drum roll please….didn’t see this one coming…..KATEE have come in 3rd.  Now, Cat explains that the producers have decided, starting this Season, to give the top guy and top girl finisher – $50K!!!!  How cool is that?  Katee is thrilled to have had the opportunity to dance for everyone each week and is taking a lot of memories away with her.  (once again…Tour coming up!)

So…..people….we now have TWO HIP HOP dancers in the Final Two.  Who would have guessed this is how it would end when we started the season????

Debbie:  She has the Debbie Allen Dance Academy students with her tonight and they want to dance for everyone.  She hopes you enjoy their number.

WOW!  They look like they range from say, 8 to maybe 16 or so…wait a minute….is that who I think it is????? IT’S NIGEL tap dancing away and BOY is he good.  This is terrific.  I love it.

After the number ends.  The Jidges say that, next year, all the Jidges should take to the stage…at some point…and dance a routine.  (I think it would be GREAT!).  Adam says, “I’ll take on Nigel any day of the week!!!!”

Mary:  Pick a Favorite Routine:  It’s rough, raw, nasty, sexy…it’s the DOOR routine that ‘crazed’ Mia Michaels choreographed for Twitch and Katee.  (I LOVE the music….Mercy by Duffy…very catchy tune)

They are wonderful again….

Cat says it is now time to introduce the final musical guest of the season and, this year, it is The Jonas Brothers.  (oh joy, I think I’ll go back to the Patriots’ game…still doing lousy!).

Debbie:  What was your Favorite Routine of the Season?  She said that, even though, she was relegated to stay home because of Will competing…she never missed a show and was mesmerized by all the wonderful dancers.  But…if she had to choose one…it would be

Twitch and Kerrington dancing a Waltz to Celine Dion’s, A New Day Has Come.  It was romantic, smooth, eyecatching.  And that it was!

Twitchington returns!!!!

Nigel:  We’ll let you choose the Final Favorite Routine of the night and your choice for #1 number:  Of course, it HAS to be Joshua and Katee dancing to No Air sung by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown about the boyfriend who is going overseas and their last night together.  I close my eyes and I can see Joshua going to the floor and picking himself up effortlessly in BOOTS no less!  Truly amazing number.

Before we announce the winner, Cat says let’s have ALL the Best dancers of the 4 Seasons come to the stage and do a number.  It’s so good to see some of them again…Benji, his sis Lacey, Neil, Dimitri, Dominic, Hok….and I could go on.

OK this is what we’ve been waiting for all night…Cat….who is the winner of Season 4?????

Will it be Twitch or Joshua????  Hearts pounding.  Audience screaming each of their names…..envelope about to open…and, Cat announces….”The Winner of Season Four for Best Dancer is……

JOSHUA!!!!”

Great choice.  We all loved Twitch but Joshua has that extra special talent that needs to be nurtured and awarded.  GREAT NEWS!!!

OK people, another Season of SYTYCD is now over.  Go to your PCs and find out if they are performing at a place near you!!!!

See you next Season…or….maybe in September when Dancing With The Stars will begin.  I heard a rumor that not only is Kim Kardasian going to dance but her mother, something Jenner is going to also compete.  They tried to get Sharon and Kelly Osbourne but they said, “No Thanks”!!!!

Talk to you later.   Joanie

SYTYCD – Finals – Part One – 08/06/08

Morning Everyone:

Boy it sure has been dreary and rainy here in NE the past few days.  Good time to take in a movie…DARK KNIGHT anyone????

OK, this is Part One of the Two Part Finals.  Two hours tonight and mostly ‘filler’ tomorrow night before we are told who will wear the “Crown” as Best Dancer this season.

Cat comes out looking gorgeous in a short, sleeveless gold, pleated dress.  The shoes look like very high heel, short boots to the ankle.  Her hair is straight.  Actually not as becoming as in the past few weeks.

Cat says that tonight everyone will dance with each other. Plus each dancer will do a Solo.

She introduces the “Jidges”.  This week Mandy Moore is the guest judge.  She has done some great routines for the dancers this season.

Alright…let’s get started.

First up will be Courtney and Twitch who will dance a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Tab/Nap.  It’s the story of a ‘deranged’ girl who goes looking for her boyfriend after he has walked out on her.  – They are terrific.  LOVED the way Courtney walked over (literally) Twitch. So cool.  They were in perfect sync with one another.  Courtney can certainly keep up with Twitch with the hip hop routine.  It brought out her personality.

Mandy:  Awesome.  Nap/Tab…great routine.  Good story.  Twitch, you are in character and take it full out.

Mary:  I felt it.  Courtney, you were a knockout!  Raw around the edges. – Then she SCREAMED. – Fabulous

Nigel:  Twitch – I’m so grateful you’re still here.  Courtney – (turns to Mary and SCREAMS)!  Twitch – all the crazy girls you’ve danced with (routines) this season.  Courtney – it was a perfect role for you.

The characters/roles/music/routine – All Great!

SOLO:  Courtney – She is from Long Island, NY and boy could you hear the accent when we saw her family.  Her dad is funny.  She has a BFF, named Brett.  Her Favorite Routine….Sonja’s Jazz Routine

She’s a very sweet girl…young too.  She wanted to compete last season but she was too young. – Her solo was awesome – good moves.

Mandy:  I’m tearyeyed.  You’ve come so far.  Train some more.  I loved it.

Mary:  You’ve grown this season Courtney.  You’ve surprised us all.  I loved it.  You’re a strong, young woman. (now Courtney’s crying and Cat’s not far behind).  You light up the stage.

Nigel:  I’m so delighted that you are in the Top 4.  America got it right with you and has taken you into their hearts.  Ya know Courtney, you could be a teacher you’re so good.  Beautiful girl.

Next up is Katee and Joshua who will dance a WADE ROBSON routine.   Story is ‘love is hard work but it’s worth it in the end.  You are 2 BFFs who fight and then makeup.’  They dance to a John Mayer song and the routine is very powerful and moving.  It’s their last time together dancing as a couple.

Mandy:  Moving – Katee: you put yourself into it.  I could relate to that story.  The technicality – legs/lifts it was lyrical perfection.

Mary:  Absolutely beautiful.  Great couple.  There was love, passion, fire.  AND you made it back to each other after the fight.  It was nice to see a routine where the couple are together!

Nigel:  Remarkable things were shown thru this routine.  Wade is one of the best choreographer’s out there today.  Katee:  You, young lady, are brilliant.  Joshua: You are uncontrolled, controlled.  You are a beautiful dancer – brilliant – Two of the best dancers we’ve EVER had.

Next is Courtney and Katee who dance a Tyce Broadway routine to The Trolley Song (from Meet Me in St. Louis with Judy Garland!):  It was wonderful.  The way they used the umbrellas..very difficult to do.

Mandy:  Cute, love the costumes.  Reminded me of old Hollywood.

Mary:  Great chemisty you two.  Effortless – leaping across the stage.

Nigel:  Umbrellas are tough to work with…just watch Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain..It was a happy routine.  Courtney – watch Katee because she ‘finishes’ every move she makes.  You are both very good but Katee…you give it that ‘extra’ little move.

Next is Twitch’s SOLO but, first, let’s find out a little bit about him.

He got his name because he could never sit still as a kid.  He was always ‘twitching’ and dancing.  He grew up with his grandparents.

If he wasn’t chosen this season (he also auditioned last year but didn’t make the top 20), he was going to join the Navy…their loss! (Cat says)

His Favorite Routine was the Jean Marc Viennese Waltz which was inspired by Jean Marc’s daughter. (Everyone loved that routine and we all cried at the end.)  Twitch’s Solo is soooo GOOD!  Can he pop!

Mandy: On the first show of the season, I thought you were good. You got pushed to your limits each week but you hung in there and I’m so glad you made it to the Top Four.

Mary:  Twitch:  You do all the dances brilliantly.  Your freestyle leaves me SPEECHLESS! (Nigel looks at her..)

Nigel:  You have left your mark on this competition this year Twitch. Your solos are great.  You are a wonderful entertainer.

Next we have Twitch and Joshua dance a Russian routine choreographed by Jason(?) – It’s the story of two Russian soldiers who have a big battle with each other to see who is the better performer.  It is danced to the Nutcracker Suite -  These guys are sooo much fun!

The leaps – jumps – stretches – Twitch moving across the floor! WOW..

This had to be one tough routine to do.  They were both aching after it.

Mandy:  Spectacular – Insane – the physicality, technicality, stamina.  It just blew me away.

Mary:  I am SOOO excited to see 2 Hip Hop dancers in the Final 4.  You are smokin’ – One of the best numbers I’ve seen.  SCREAMING

Nigel:  Russian dancing is very much like the American Hip Hop moves. It must have been tough on the thighs. Josh:  Your elevations are superb.  Twitch:  The crawl across the floor must have killed ya!

Katee is up next for a SOLO – Cat says that she was honest when she said, at the auditions when she stood next to her best friend, that she didn’t know if she would compete next year if she wasn’t chosen this year. Everyone is sooo glad they chose her for the Top 20.  Her Favorite Routine was No Air with Josh (it’s mine too!)  She has had such memorable dances this year.  Now she does her solo:  It’s flawless, as usual.

Mandy:  My advice to you is….KEEP DANCING!  Stay with the ballet classes.

Mary:  I’m gonna cherish all your numbers that you’ve done.

Nigel:  Same feelings.  You complete each task given to you Katee.

We now have Twitch and Katee dance a Foxtrot choreographed by Tony and Melanie – The song is FEELING GOOD by Michael Bubble.

Great extensions.  They are Foxtroting away!  Love the outfits too.

Mandy:  Twitch – you look handsome in that tux..and Sexy too!

It was a very romantic dance.  The deadlift was spectacular.  (They then asked Twitch to say, ‘Bond, James Bond’ in an English accent!)

Mary:  Twitch: You are one cool dude and dancing that Foxtrot was hard.  It was jazzed up too.  You’ve grown….

Katee: BRAVO

Nigel:  Katee: Splendid.  You do it all!  Twitch: When you released her you were great…terrific move.  All you guys have spoiled the choreographers this season!

Commercial:  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again FRINGE – lookin good!

Joshua is up next to do his SOLO:  Growing up, his family didn’t have a lot but they survived.  In school, he could have gone on to track or football but he really enjoyed dancing.  Cat said:  “One thing Josh, you were the BIGGEST crier in the group this year!”  He said, No Way and then they showed him crying…crying…crying!  It was funny.  He Favorite Routine was the Samba with Katee (very sexy dance).  Cat asked him what he will take away from this experience and he said, “Even when I’ve been hurting, I knew it was a blessing being here!”

His SOLO – well, what can I tell ya!

Mandy:  Smooth, charisma, confidence to come to the Jidge’s table during that Solo blew me away!

Mary:  WOW! You were on that Hot Tamale Train from the first week and NEVER GOT OFF!!!!

Nigel:  Josh – You set the standard for non-trainers.  EXCELLENT!

Now we have Josh and Courtney dancing a Jive choreographed by Jason(?) – What an INTENSE routine.  So many moves, fast, fast, fast.  And they managed to pull it off.  Very enjoyable.

Mandy:  Wholey, Moley..between the legs kicking away and the fast moves…you guys were excellent.

Mary:  The Jive is fast, hard, on the the Latin Division in Competitive Ballroom Dancing (excellent and well worth the watch if you’ve never seen them..they usually have them on PBS!)  It’s fast kicking footwork plus tricks.  The one at the end was so difficult.  You brought it on.

Nigel:  The last move called, “Round the World” was flawless.  You have to learn how to breathe though.  All of the dancers on the show, are not professionals so that’s one thing they will have to learn.  Because if you’re performing and it’s the end of the night, people who have paid good money to see you, don’t want to know that you’re tired…they want your best work…therefore….learn to breathe.  That said, it was one tough routine and I know you’re both exhausted.  You did a great job.

Remember..you have to be BETTER every time.

Now the last performance of the night – The Top 4 Perform

Oh boy, it’s a Mia Michaels’ routine…she is something else (but I like her anyway!).  She wants the 4 to ‘celebrate’ the season and show how happy they are that they’ve made it this far.  OK, so what’s with the Scottish skirts…outfits???  She’s incredible!

Mandy:  I’m at a loss for words (me too).  This was magical, celebrating – you must all be so tired.  You are really amazing.  The four of you look like a COMPANY!

Mary:  One thing is for sure, Mia did not hold back!  Twitch:  You were the one my eyes kept going back to during that routine.  Courtney:  You dropped a little in performance for me.  Katee: Flawless again. Joshua:  You are so good.   – I’m proud of ALL of you!

Nigel:  Guys, you are all wonderful. (Then he went on to say how America got it right afterall in letting Will and Mark go…who are both so talented.)  I think this is the first year that we have 2 hip hop dancers in the Top 4!  Girls:  Courtney: WOW!   Katee:  WOW!

Well, there you have it.  Tomorrow night (meaning tonight) will be a LOT of filler.  Jonas Brothers will perform (for the teenyboppers!) and Poppin Rob will be back from Boston to challenge another popper.

Etc, Etc, Etc…until 9:57 when we find out who the winner of this season’s Best Dancer will be.

I’m not even going to go there.  Anyone of them deserves to win.

Talk to you tomorrow.  Joanie

SYTYCD Results Show – 07/31/08

Morning Everyone:

Hope it’s nice where you are.  It’s beautiful here in NE!!!  Well Manny Ramirez has ‘left the building’ and the dugout/clubhouse is all the better for it.  Tony Francona can breathe a sigh of relief to have the tension gone and get on with winning some ballgames. (by the way the Angels crushed the Yankees last night 12-6!  They are such a good team!)

I’m sure Manny will be a much better ‘fit’ in LA with the Dodgers.  He’ll have Nomar, Derek Lowe, etc. to hang out with.  Joe Torres is one tough manager though so there MAY be fireworks if he doesn’t perform.  Then again, I heard LA is so laid back that if he doesn’t feel like playing a day or so, they’ll probably just say, “Okie, Dokie”!!!

OK, on with the show.  Cat looks gorgeous tonight.  She is wearing a short (boy she’s got great legs!) bright blue, sparkly # with fringes hanging all around..strapless # and with long hair again tonight.  She walked on the stage and they had a WIND MACHINE going.  It was funny.  She said, “Keep it going!”

The Top 6 performed to Bette Midler’s THE ROSE.  It was choreographed by Mandy Moore and was really very nice.  It looked like the six, all dressed in white, had lounging outfits on.  Good way to start the night.

After the performance, Cat turned to Adam and asked if he had an announcement to make.  Adam said, “You know that the winner gets money and that’s really important but I wanted to do a little something too so I am giving the winner of this season a role in the movie that I am producing.”  HOW COOL IS THAT???!!!!  Good for you Adam.

The Top 6 are now all standing on the stage and Cat asks each Jidge to kind of wrap up their feelings for this Season and the 6 standing on the stage now.

Nigel:  You all love the applause and praise that you are getting now from your work this Season but you also have to remember that you will receive rejections down the road (tryouts, auditions, etc.).  You have to be TOUGH and hang in there.  I have to tell you that all SIX of you received over 1M votes each last night.  Keep going, live your passion.  You all will be extremely successful.

Mary:  The opening # showed me how you’ve matured during the season.  I love you guys to pieces….

Adam:  Me too.  You guys are all sweet, kind, generous people.  Stay that way and know we all love you.  (Adam was saying that he’s on the same floor as the dancers and can hear them encouraging each other and being so nice to one another….)

OK, Cat says, Let’s have all the dancers come on stage and dance for us…two, for the last time.

All Solos tonight:

First up is Courtney:  I love Courtney and last night I had her in my Top 4 and then, after Chelsie’s dances, I dunno.  I’m kinda leaning towards Chelsie…but I still love Courtney…it’s tough. (By the way, is it just me or does Courtney sometimes remind you of a young Valerie Bertinelli?)

Mark – I’ve loved Mark ever since he graced the stage at auditions.  He’s certainly come a long way on the show and has been in the bottom a lot.  He’s very different and I’m sure he’ll have no trouble finding his niche in the dance world.  That said…think he’ll go home.

Katee – What more can you say about this beautiful girl.  She just floats across the stage.  What a talent!

Cat tells us over 11M votes came in last night!!!

Joshua – This kid has surprised everyone the most I think.  He came to us raw, with NO technical/classical training and has blown us away with every performance….you go Josh!

Chelsie – Great job Chels.  I’m so torn between you and Courtney that it’s just too tough a call to make.  Love you both.

Twitch – WOW!  Here’s another kid who has had little or no training and look how far he’s come.  He’s a really nice kid too with a lot of talent.

Now we have ‘filler’ with Lil Demon doing a hip hop/poppin’ thing.  He’s 6 years old and is adorable.  BUTTTT, it’s filler people.

OK, here we go….let’s bring up the 3 girls.

Chelsie, Courtney and Katee.

Cat says, “I want to send one of you off the stage right now.  You will definitely be in the Top 4.      KATEE – Congratulations!  You are the first to make it to the Finale next week.”     Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.

Now she asks Courtney and Chelsie to step off the stage and the 3 boys come back.

Joshua, Twitch and Mark.  OK, she says the same thing and then asks JOSHUA to step off the stage, “Congratulations my sweet one.  AND did you notice everyone that Josh had his braces taken off today!!?”

We now have Twitch and Mark go off stage and we get more FILLER..

Lady GaGa comes on stage with her dance troupe, singers, etc. and does a really weird #.  The audience seems to love it.  I must be getting old cause it did nothing for me.

So here we are…two boys and two girls.  One each will be going home tonight.

GIRLS – Courtney or Chelsie     It’s Chelsie who will be leaving us tonight.  Kiss, kiss…hug, hug. etc.  Let’s reflect back on Chelsie’s time with us……

BOYS:  Twitch or Mark          It’s Mark who is going home tonight.  Hug, hug, etc.  Let’s see some of Mark’s highlights on his time with us.

So there you have it.  Next week the Top 4 will dance in the Finals.

We will also see “Poppin Bob” from Boston perform.

Courtney – Twitch – Joshua – Katee

Who will the winner be????  Stay tuned.  Talk to you next week.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Joanie