Reality Ravings

As part of Jack Chambers prize for winning Season 1 of So You Think You Can Dance Australia was to have US choreographer Mia Michaels choreograph a routine for him to perform at a dance showcase.

Here is an exerpt of it. To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed by the choreography, and thought it did not show of his abilities enough. But you can tell it is a Mia Michaels piece. Pity as I am a big fan of hers.

The talented and kooky Mia Michaels gives a back stage view here on Your Tube of the fabulous group routine the top 16 did on So You Think You Can Dance this week on Australian TV. Mia lets us in on her method behind her madness - something to do with maths, I did not really understand.

Mia is ambiguous in her choreography, but she is not so ambiguous in her love life. A lot of bloggers and fans were in a tiss when in an article she revealed she was NOT gay but is not closed to it (clearly she knows she has a huge gay following). Read about that here in fact a person commenting on the article thought she was dating a billionaire.

TV week online edition has an excellent article which strongly hinted that Mad Mary Murphy may come to Sydney to be a guest judge on Australia's version of So You Think You Can Dance.

I so hope so, I think it would be a great boost to our Australian debut season of So You Think You Can Dance.

Come on down Mary and bring that hot tamale train with you!

It is great to see the producers of this show are taking the antipodean series seriously. We have Bonnie Lythgoe as judge.

Nigel just about confirming he will also be a guest judge. Nigel and Bonnie's son lives on the Gold Coast, and apparently they have visited often to see their grandchildren.

It would be great if Mia Micheals, and Wade Robson come out as well both for the viewing audience and the top 20 dancers.

With the American version ending tomorrow night, at least we won't have to wait long for the Australian version to commence in February 2008.

It is down to the last episode where people in America were able to vote so we got a 2 hour special a boy it was a cracker.

Cat came flouncing down the stair dressed as a christmas decoration, or was it a young Krystal Carrington from Dynasty.

The judges were Nigel, who was looking a tad tired, probably all the work he has to do on the other shows he works on. Bonnie Lythgoe his estranged wife said he was a workaholic.

Mad Mary Murphy who has been a judge on every single episode this season (clearly they like her) looked great tonight in a light green dress, with a huge
?faux emerald ring.

The final guest judge was Dan Karaty the hip hop choreographer. Now apparently he was the one who complained about Wade Robson's peace routine (the one where each one did a solo with it), and also I suspect he may have complained about the Mia Michaels marine jacket. Apparently his brother is in the marine corp. So getting to be a judge on the critical episode is the producers peace offering. Article here for the full story

It was interesting to hear that 3 of the 4, Sabra, Danny and Neil all auditioned in New York City.

They did a recap and it was great to see them at the audition process again. There must be some poor junior who has to go through hours of footage to get the scenes where they are standing in the queues waiting to audition.

Tonight they would all dance one routine with the other plus a solo.

First was a group dance a Tyce DiOreo broadway number to Mein Herr from the musical Caberet. It was a cross between a German bordello, and a Moulin Rouge can can. Last year he was one of my favourite choreographers, however he this year I don't think he has maintained the standard.

Cat interviewed Lacey, it was interesting to hear that Lacey had given up dancing and taken up hairdressing, and it was when her brother Benji Schwimmer(last seasons winner)was on SYTYCD she was inspired to take up dancing again.

She said her high light was dancing the samba, yes I agree it was hot, hot, hot. Her low light, was her solo she forgot the routine, so that explained why it was so lame.

She then did her solo which was average and ended with a very awkward flop where she was caught by members of the audience.

Lacey really annoyed me on tonight's show, far to much mugging to the camera, and always trying to get herself into the shot. Benji won last year by cultivating the personality on camera so maybe she is copying that strategy. I think it will back fire, she just kept on coming across as a show off.

Sabra and Neil did a Shane Sparks hip-hop routine. Which I thought was very average. The only fun bit was in the rehearsal with Shane's assistant physically manhandling Neil so he would get the pelvic thrusts right.

Nigel thought Neil "was a little stiff" but he was not saying that in a positive way. Neils fans loved him anyway.

Next was Lacey and Danny with a Viennese Waltz, this was beautiful. Danny I thought was superb it was so smooth.

Cat then interviewed hunky Neil. Apparently he was a gymnast so that explains when he does his flips his clearance is amazing. He said the best was his jazz routine, and worst was the salsa and tango. He said his teeny bopper fans pumped him up before he goes on stage.

Neil's solos was great flips, and spins.

Next was Sabra and Lacey dancing to a Wade Robson routine. Wade was channelling his inner buddhist during rehearsals. Sometimes I wonder is this guy genuine or is he affected? Anyway I don't care, because I loved this routine of the mother and baby fox. I was transfixed. However the judges did not like it, Dan was just saying that for payback. But Wade did not look happy for the rest of the episode.

Cat then interviewed Danny. She talked about his adoption and his mother who taught, him and also his brother Travis last seasons runner up to dance. Also Jamie a girl from this season has been taught by her. All are just sublime dancers. As Dan Karaty said at the end of the show "What is in the water at Denise Wall's studios." It was great to see her get some recognition. As both her sons are the best dancers I have seen.

Danny thought his best moment was the Samba. He then did his solo which like Neil's full of pirouettes and flips.

Danny & Neil danced to a Mia Michaels contemporary piece. It was about duelling princes. It was brilliant. How good is this women, I think she must have an overactive imagination. It was like a cross between goth and Shakespeare. Also Neil is the only guy I have ever seen who looked good wearing eyeliner.

Cat and Sabra then had their chat. She was born in The Netherlands into a military family. So it was ironic her favorite piece was the controversial peace routine they all danced choreographed by Wade.

The also showed the footage of Dominic dropping her on her head. Ouch that must have hurt. I thought it was interesting that Dan Karaty had thought Domenic had been the one to carry her. I always thought it was the other way around.

Lacey and Neil then did the Lindy hop. This apparently is very difficulty. The judges gushed over it. I thought it was awkward the whole way through.

Last was Sabra and Danny doing the Cha Cha, this was choreographed by Melanie Le Tartin the lady who had the pleasure of dancing the Cha Cha with the baby licious Pasha in an earlier episode, when his partner was taken to hospital.

This routine was a lot of fun, and a great way to end the show. It was a fusion of latin and disco even including strobe lighting. This will be very advantageous in the voting for the $250,000 first prize money.

Next week is the last episode and Cat let the "Cat" out of the bag by saying her and Nigel will be dancing together on it. Cannot wait.

In an episode of this fabulous show where it is getting to the business end of proceedings I thought it all a bit disappointing. Probably the dullest dancing of the series thus far. Not sure whether it was the choreographers or the dancers. Maybe the highs from last weeks Samba just weren't there.


Firstly a couple of things:
1. Hot - Dancing With the Stars boys take note, you can be a ballroom dancer and have chest hair. Pasha you looked hot.
2. Fun - Adam Shankman is so "beeping" gay, and he does not shut up, but I like him.
3. Weird - Adults in the VIP/choreographers area sucking on lollipops, people over 18 (make it 21 over there) should only be allowed to have these confections if they are at a rave. It just looked strange.


Cat again proved she can wear just about anything by wearing a blue number that looked like it had been covered in tinsel. We still saw a bit of last weeks Darling Buds of May outfit when the dancers were pulling what dances they were doing out of the hat. That was tres horrible.


I was wondering why Nigel looked good this week, and realised he was out of his usual dreadful beige and in a nice navy suit. Mary was again his sidekick, and I spent most of the show trying to work out if her boobs were real. They did not move however they could have had about 10 metres on Hollywood tape under that dress.


Adam Shankman director/choreographer was invited back to be guest judge after his lively performance last time. I really like him, however Nigel may not invite him back after he kept on gibbering on and taking Niges air time.

New partners tonight and they were to do two routines together.


First up were Danny and Sara with the Argentine tango. Sara looked great in a pole dancer type way in thigh high boots, the choreography was great, Danny was wonderful, but Sara did not do it for me. She was to stilted. The big moved termed the "human pretzel" felt like she was going to get stuck half way.


The judges however loved the move, and Adam went on to say Danny was the best dancer they have ever had on the show. That is debatable his brother Travis was pretty sensational as well.


Lauren and Domenic were up next Krumping. Now I know this is a new form of dance related to hip hop. As Nigel said it is meant to be 3 steps above it, I just found it a bit dull. Also a few mistakes Lauren fell but covered up, I did not notice that, however towards the end of the routine I thought Domenic had half dropped her in a lift. Maybe it was just a weird krumping move. I don't think the Aust competitors in our show are gonna like this genre.


Lacey and Neil did a Latin Jazz number. Never heard of it they keep on mixing up the styles soon we will have the rumba tap or contemporary krumping. Neil is a real cutie however the shirt off look did nothing for me. I love both of these dancers, but again it all left me cold. Maybe the judges are right and Lacey looks out at the audience to much. Or maybe it is just the mixing of two types of dances. Certainly no sizzle in it.


Sabra and Pasha did a broadway number. Sabre was great and I barely looked at Pasha, not helped by Sarbre wearing a bright gold number compared to Pasha's black. This when Pasha started flashing chest hair. So hot. Judges went gaga over routine. I thought good but not great.


Danny and Sara's second number was hip-hop. It was a Shane Sparks number, and when I heard the opening riffs of Salt and Pepa's Push It, I was like how good is this going to be. However, it was like a high school talent night complete with bad outfits, all they needed was a dose of acne to complete the picture. The judges also were underwhelmed.


Next Domenic and Lauren did the Rumba. Again forgettable. It seemed to me that Dom went in for the extra pash at the end sans tongue thank God, that would have been really gross. I suppose they had to think of their younger viewers. I think this time it could have been choreography, even though Nigel said they were dumbing down their routines for the contestants.


Also Nigel commented on how hot Lauren looked. I find this ickey when over 45 men perve a 20 year olds. It is the same as Mark Holden when he makes lewd remarks to the 16 year olds in Idol. I always feel like taking a bath to wash the slime off me.

Next Lacey and Neil dancing a Mia Michaels number which was a routine which reflect her dead father and herself meeting up again.


Judges were never going to be able to criticise it, as this is not The Chaser. I did think it was very good, as it did evoke a father with his daughter, however I did not think it was a stratospheric as the judges gushed. Mary clearly had something going on (as Nigel stated) as she cried and cried, with gunk running down and cheeks and nose. Clearly those big boobs of her are not packed with tissues as she had to wait until the ad break to get one.

Last partners dance was Sabre and Pasha with the quickstep. This was nice and bouncy, but it reminded me of their first routine of the night Broadway. This time I did look at Pasha and I thought he was good, as was Sabre as usual, her and Lacey are the strongest of the two girls left.

Next up the elimination show and Cat looked like she was going to a high school prom. How does she walk in those heels?

First up all of them had to do solos in the own dance style. I thought the only girl who stepped up to the plate was Sabre hers was sensational, whereas the others seemed lacklustre.

Whereas all the boys came out firing. Leaps and flips from Neil and Danny, and a bullfighting type no top just a cape routine from Pasha. Domenic had taken his cues from Fred Astaire who once danced with a lampshade, and Gene Kelly who had danced with cartoons, and came out with a plastic chair. I liked it but reminded me a bit of a busking routine at Circular Quay, and the showstopper before I pass the hat around is..... Also I think if you are dancing with a chair it should be a nice eames number not a kmart special.

It was no surprise that Lauren and Sara were in the bottom two with Sara being eliminated. I predict Lauren will go next week. I was surprised Neil was in the bottom two with Domenic. I love Pasha but he is not as good as Neil. Domenic bit the dust and he should be congratulated in getting this far.

I thought it was over the top the way Domenic was clutching on to Cat, and I could not tell whether she wanted to say stop manhandling me. I still think he has the touch of the stalker in him. How many of the female dancers will have to take out AVO's on him after the show finishes?

Wade Robson - choreographer, artist, protester, life coach and pacifist. His mission was to create a set solo dance routine which the dancers were to dance separately throughout the show. The theme was anti-war.

The dancers were told to spray paint a word from a list he gave them onto the costume, a white t-shirt with a peace symbol on it. Words like hope, communication, unity and peace were chosen. I would have liked to have seen Clinton, Obama or Vote Democrats painted on at least one of them.

I had to agree with Nigel after the fifth one, it was incredibly boring and at times affected. I did laugh when Mia Michaels one of the guest judges managed to offend the Marines by wearing a military jacket with a marine emblem upside down. The great New York liberal, humbly apologised on TV.

Also Nigel Lythgoe seemed shocked at the amount of complaints they had about the anti-war message. He did apologise but articulately pointed out that anti-war did not mean they were not supportive of the soldiers in Iraq, but thought that no one was actually pro-war. Well not unless your country is the worlds largest arms exporter. Yes Nigel that would be the USA. Looking forward to next week routine where dancers act out dying kiddies in Africa because they can not get access to affordable medications because of dubious pharmaceutical companies practices...

Other then that it was another great show with some stand out performances, and for once the right people were booted off the show.

Cat looked like she was channelling Posh Spice's fashion with the high high heels combine with a short purple mini dress. However I doubt Posh would have been seen in the disaster which was the elimination show outfit. What was going on with the flowery head piece. It reminded me of a spinster English flapper.

This week all the partnerships changed, and as I wrote last week it was going to be interesting to see how some of the weaker ones went once taken away from a popular partner.

Lauren and Pasha did a Shane Sparks hip-hop number which was fantastic, even though Pasha is not the best dancer in this style. The robotic beginning and ending was great, and lucky Lauren got to mount her dance partner. I think Cat said what all women were thinking "This is the only way to travel on Pasha." Hubba, Hubba, Hubba.

Sabra and Kameron danced a Tyce D'Orio contemporary number, and I found it a little dull. A lot of leaping and writhing but not much story. Once Kameron stopped dancing with Lacey he was always going to struggle, and it was going to be interesting if Sabre could pull him through. It did get me thinking about the Australian version, and I hope they get Graham Murphy, and Janet Vernon former Sydney Dance Company to be guests on the show as they are probably one our foremost choreographers in Australia. Well ones that still live here.

Lacey and Danny did the Samba choreographed by Dimitri. I thought Dimitri did not look as hot as I remembered, maybe it was because he kept his shirt on this year. This samba sizzled. It reminded me of a number that would be in a James Bond film if it was a musical. I thought it was the number of the night. However surprisingly the judges had some criticisms albeit small ones.

Does Mia Micheals need to get laid she was salivating over Lacey, then Lauren, then Sabra? All very disconcerting, also she seems to have gone a bit LA with the fake tan, bleach hair, and plastic surgery on her eyes.

Jaimie and Dominic did a Viennese waltz crossed with flamenco. Which was always going to be the kiss of death. It was boring, the fake passion was cringe worthy it was like they were acting in a bad porn flick. Nasty, and resulted in both of them deservedly being in the bottom four.

Sara and Neil were last dancing disco to a great Doriana Sanchez routine. It was funky in a fabulous way. The flip that Neil did was breathtaking. He seemed to shine once he had been freed from the charismaless Lauren. He is starting to look like a contender. Also if they do a remake of Saturday Night Fever he should definately star in it.

The results are now all viewer based which means it has turned into a popularity contest. However it seems the American public got it right as my least favourite four dancers were in the bottom Jaimie, Lauren, Dominic (cracker solo), and Kameron.

Jaimie and Kameron were eliminated. No tears from this avid viewer.

Just a footnote I did notice the promotion of Natalie Bassingwaite whose new album with the Rogue Traders was being advertised during the show. As she is Australia's So You Think You Can Dance host they are obviously trying to raise her profile with their target audience.

Tonight's episode provided extra tension because each year the top 10 dancers get to do the end of series tour. There were more tears, high anxiety, and a greater sense of relief once the dancers were through.

However firstly a couple of things:
1. Did Arnie bring in a law when he was voted in the Governor of California that all citizens must have bleached straighten teeth otherwise you are kicked off TV land. Damien Leith would not have made past the first audition over there.

2. Could someone tell Nigel's stylist that he should not be put in suits that are the same colour as his skin and hair colour, it is to much beige

The night kicked off with a swing type number to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. It was a lot of fun, and Lacey especially looked like she was enjoying herself.

Then Cat came out in high heels, and a top in the colour de jour of the season coral, but hang on where were the pants? What that is a dress - hopefully she won't bend to hug the diminutive Sabra otherwise there is going to be issues, especially if she is wearing a g-string (thong in their vernacular).

Judges of the night were Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy (who looked like she had been eating to many tamales), and Wade Robson who I have just raved about in the previous post.

First up was Sabra with the jive.
This routine was dynamite lots of energy, all eyes were on pocket rocket Sabra, but Dominic is doing ok for someone untrained. Maybe he can attend the over promoted, and I suspect over hyped Debbie Allen Dance Academy with Cedric.

In the pre-routine gambit it was revealed that Dominic drops Sabra a lot in rehearsal. In fact he has also dropped her once in the pre -recorded opening number of the show and could not continue. Lucky for him she is a former gymnast and she has probably had worse falls from the beam whilst doing a triple somersault dismount.

I think she is his good luck charm as she is pretty versatile. It will be interesting to see what is going to happen once they swap partners, I think he will struggle to stay in the competition then.

Next up were Hok and Jaimie with a Broadway number to Mr Bojangles. Normally I like a Tyce Dorio number but tonight it lacked his usual pizazz. Hok did plies all around the stage while, Jaimie ran around leaping and with lots of high kicks. It was tonight revealed Jaimie is also trained by Travis, and Danny's mother who is clearly the greatest dance teacher in the world. Move over Debbie Allan.

Speaking of Travis,(season 2's runner up) he was assisting Tyce with this number. He also looked like he had had an accident with the bleach bottle. Nigel, who clearly is addicted to the stuff, probably even does his pubes, must write into their contracts that at least one body area must be whitened.

Pasha and Sarah danced Jazz. It was weird funky number, which was definitely channelling the '80's with the fluro clothes and dance moves. I kept thinking Fame and Flash Dance, then low and behold next ad break there is Jennifer Beales coming up in a Law and Order episode. Speaking of ad breaks, and I apologise for being off topic, but what has happened to Sandra Sully? Has she been on one of those cheap plastic surgery trips to Thailand? The medico who did her eyes should be deregistered.

Neil and Lauren danced a Mia Michaels choreographed contemporary number. Again I love her work she does these weird pieces that are very evocative.

Nigel and Mary didn't understand the story of the dance. I thought that was the whole point of contemporary. The dancers when asked did not really know and said it could be anything you wanted it to be. Well I thought it was about two people escaping from the Clockwork Orange set. Now that was one weird film and I must look up Wikepedia and find out what it was actually about.

One of the things that mystifies me is how Mia Michaels gets her complex choreography across, as she is not the lithe dancer she once was. However what ever she does it works, as I gather she is a bit of a icon in dance circles.

Danny and Anya danced a Foxtrot. This was a Fred and Ginger type dance - ethereal and floaty, with lots of feathers on Anya dress. They did a great job with it. However these ballroom numbers can be the kiss of death of a couple. The voting public like the big moves, the lifts, the kicks, the fast beats in routines.Just like Idol punters will dial in when the big notes are sung. They were not able to keep out of the bottom three.

Lacey and Cameron completed the show they were dancing a hip hop number. She is clearly very popular and pulling Cameron through with her, as he is just invisible. I suspect he will struggle as well once the partners are swapped.

The routine was ok, sexy school girl type number. However I kept on thinking of a dog on heat waiting to be sniffed every time she stuck her arse out.

The bottom three couples were Anya and Danny, Hok and Jaimie, and Neil and Lauren.

Anya was eliminated even though she fired up her solo routine this week, however Lauren was told she was on her last life line. Then sadly Hok was eliminated, but it is getting to the stage in the comp where the untrained dancers start to stumble. Lacey started wailing (they are dating) probably now thinking she will now have to share a hotel room with rather dull Lauren.

I just love this US version of this show - it is slickly produced, they rotate the judges, which I think that is something Aust Idol should consider, and Cat Deely is just devine.

I am looking forward to the Australian version of the show which Channel 10 will be producing next year. We should have enough dancing and choreagraphing talent to do at least one good season. Cannot wait to find out who will be hosting it. I reckon Yumi from the V Channel would be a good choice.

This years series has already raised a number of questions:
1. Did Russia actually win the cold war? Or have they just taken over New York City? The number of russians on the show is high - well one less now Faina has bitten the bullet?
2 Did Nigel peroxide everything this year? Hair, eyebrows, and teeth?
3. What the hell does copasetic mean?

Last Thursday's show was the second of the final series - last week I was so stunned that Ricky got the boot that I could not blog. He was an amazing dancer to quote Mia Michael.

This week the judges were Nasty Nigel matching his fake tan with his jacket - bland beige. I like Nigel but he needs to stop taking beauty advise from his current squeeze Priscilla Presley. She of the refusing to age gracefully club (The president is Joan Rivers, closely followed by Nicole Kidman). There is barely a wrinkle on her however she looks like an extra from Bladerunner.

Mad Mary appears to be getting a lot of judging time this year - she used to irritate me, but now I just love her - she kinda grew on me. However she too has succumbed to the plastic surgery temptation in the off season, not for the better either she cannot move her forehead.

Mia Michaels the third judge also appears to have had a make over - peroxided hair, eyes touchedup? Do they have some sort of plastic surgery allowance in their contracts as just about all the women, and some of the men have all had at least botox injections! I don't get it - the only celeb who has had great work done has been demi Moore, that was flawless, the rest all just have surprise eyes.

Enough of the plastic surgery rant this is not Extreme Makeover we are disecting.

Mia is an ammmmaaazzzzzzzzzzzinggg choreagrapher, which is just as well, as she is such a NY cliche*. She seems to think she so much the individual, but I find her pretentious- a person who thinks just because she is creative she is somehow further up the food chain then the lesser mortals who have to sully their hands with other more mundane work. Over the years I have copped that 'tude from authors, musicians(non-talented ones at that), and Nida students (who I predict are now flipping burgers), and must say I am over it.

The dancing on the show was of much better quality then the previous weeks, and there was only one dud routine - Faina and Cedrics.

This week they pulled the foxtrot - which pleased ballroom dancer Faina, but not hip hop Cedric. He was basically a trainwreck. And as Mia said it was not copasetic. What the fuck does that mean? Reality TV shows are not meant to use words with more then three syllables in them. Clearly this one is trying to be educational - or is Mia just demonstrating that she is indeed higher up the food chain then most of us. For the less linguistically challenged reading this blog copasetic is a US colloquial term which means fine or splendid.

So basically a polite way of saying the routine was shit.

I thought Cedric should have been turfed the previous week, and definately should have gone this week, but he appears to be the cat with nine lives. Unfortunately for Faina she is the collateral damage, as I suspect Shauna will be next week.

I thought Jesse and Pasha(another of the russian mafia in the show) were extremely unlucky to be bottom three - i thought their Tyce cheographed jazz routine was one of the highlights of a very good show. I have a feeling Jesse is not connecting with the teenybopper voters. Her solo at the end was terrible it showed she had lost her confidence. My mum was shocked as she was her tip to win the comp.

Lauren (Benji's who won last years show sister) looks like she will go a long way this year as she is a good alrounder, and has alot of personality. Again Hok looks good, however I don't know how far a traditional hip-hopper will be able to get. But he is certainly playing up to the cameras.

Travis's (runner up from last years series) adopted brother Danny certainly looks the goods as well. How good a teacher must their mother be, as they are both such beautiful dancers. They are a fabulous advertisement for her dance studio, she must now have people coming far and wide to train with her.

Danny and Anya's viennese waltz was beautiful, even though Nigel, and Mary nit picked and said it was not technically perfect. Normally pulling the Viennese Waltz is almost a bottom three guarantee, but they managed to avoid that curse.

My tip for casualties next week will be Shauna, and Cedric.

Obviously I realise this show has actually finished in the USA - so I would appreciate any person who knows who won NOT to post it in the comments.

*Please note this blogger does not dislike New York, or New Yorkers, in fact I love them both and hope to live there one day.