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Has the star factor dimmed for Nathan on SYTYCD?

Solarina Ho — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:28:50 +0000

It wasn't a surprise that Victor Smalley and Karen Hauer were picked to leave the competition Wednesday on So You Think You Can Dance, but the big surprise was who judge Nigel Lythgoe wanted to see packing up his bags.

While Nigel praised Victor's strong solo and growth, he did not mince words with Nathan Trasoras. For a moment even, it almost seemed like Nigel was leading up to sending Nathan home. He concluded his critique by pointedly telling Nathan if it were up to him, this would be the end of the road for the young dancer. He then turned to Victor and announced he was going home.

The decision came as part of what judges called "the most important results show of the season." The 10 remaining dancers are guaranteed a spot on the North American tour next year and, more importantly, the judges no longer have a say in their fates. Whether this will be a good or bad thing for Nathan remains to be seen.

From the start, judges marked Nathan as a "brilliant" dancer who would have a strong fan base. This seemed to prove true at first, despite at least one particularly messy routine. But in the last two weeks, the audience love has cooled, with judges speculating about a possible backlash over glimpses of his relative immaturity.

On a dancing level, the judges seem pleased at the prospect of splitting up Nathan and his partner Mollee Gray.

"You're going to have the opportunity to have new partners to make you grow," said Adam Shankman. "I think you keep each other on the immature side [with your dancing]."

Did the judges make the right decision? Are you a fan of Nathan Trasoras or is he overrated?

Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Host Cat Deeley says farewell to eliminated contestants Victor Smalley (L) and Karen Hauer (R) on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

Hip-hop and contemporary miss out on So You Think You Can Dance

Solarina Ho — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:49:03 +0000

Wednesday's So You Think You Can Dance results show opened with a trademark Wade and Amanda Robson group number that drew an enthusiastic response from the judges and audience alike, but it wasn't long before everyone got down to unpleasant business. There were some small surprises and the judges were unanimous in their decisions.

Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte's Broadway routine disappointed judges on Tuesday and was the only dark spot of the evening, so it was no surprise the pair found themselves dancing for their lives.

Victor Smalley and Channing Cooke executed a strong Tyce Diorio jazz number, but viewers may have agreed with judge Adam Shankman who found the Bobby McFerrin song choice detracted him from connecting with the performance.

Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras were back in the game after last week's disastrous salsa, so it came as a surprise their pop-jazz dance put them among the bottom three couples. Judge Nigel Lythgoe, who called on Nathan to live up to his potential as "one of the best dancers" they've ever had on the show, speculated that their poor showing may have been backlash from last week.

In the end, the judges whittled it down to personality and growth.

Channing always performed under the radar and this week, her technical strength could not outshine the personality and charisma the judges saw in Karen.

Kevin, who often found himself standing in Karen's shadows as well, could not hide his awkwardness with other dance genres from the judges. In the end, his lack of growth relative to Victor's cut his competition short.

What did you think of the viewers' and judges' decision?

Will the Di Lello husband and wife team make Top 10 on SYTYCD?

Solarina Ho — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:37:51 +0000

After some harsh words last week for dancers and audiences alike, it was a veritable love fest on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance Tuesday night as judges gave high praise to nearly all the dancers.

Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Carr opened the evening's competition with a strong Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine. Judges were quite confidant Jakob will secure a spot in the top 10. Ashleigh, however, almost didn't make it into the top 20 and had elicited speculation whether she'd be riding Jakob's coattails into the top 10. This week she proved she could hold her own and contribute equally to the partnership: "I could name a number of people who didn't give you a chance, who are now eating their words," said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe -- judge Adam Shankman admitted he was one of the former doubters.

After placing in the bottom three couples last week, Ashleigh's husband Ryan and his partner Ellenore Scott were given a second chance and had the other standout routine of the evening, a beautiful contemporary number choreographed by season 2 contestant, Travis Wall. For a few moments, the judges almost forgot this was a dance show as they raved about Travis' choreography work on SYTYCD. They were equally enthusiastic about the dancers, calling Ryan "the best ballroom dancer that has ever done contemporary."

"I am pretty sure right now, you are going to end up with your wife in the top 10", Adam said.

Do you agree? Who's time is up and who will survive one step closer to the top 10?

Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.

Nigel not impressed; quickstep proves fatal on SYTYCD

Solarina Ho — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:14:21 +0000

Turns out that America is willing to forgive sloppy technique in favor of pinup good looks.

Even after what was undoubtedly the messiest routine of the show, So You Think You C an Dance fan favorites Nathan Tasoras and Mollee Gray were not in the bottom six.

"I think America's protected Nathan and Mollee this week. Nathan's going to have a huge following. But if it's just based on dance, it frightens me that he will not be learning lessons," said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who chastised him for his immaturity. He emphasized that Nathan wasn't saved for his dancing, but because "a lot of young ladies like him", calling it "sad" particularly for the dancers judges felt were undeservedly on the chopping block.

Nigel seemed impatient with the audience as well, at one point tell them to "listen up and shut up for a minute!"

But Nigel saved his harshest words for the bottom six dancers -- Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte, Ryan Di Lello and Ellenore Scott, and Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino -- stating: "We the judges did not think that anybody gave us a decent enough performance to stay in the competition."

Nigel went on to say they failed to live up to the caliber of the season 5 finalists. "Anyone who thinks they were (as good as season 5) is incorrect in the judges eyes," he directed to the viewers.

Still, two had to be chosen and the judges were unanimous in sending Pauline and her partner Peter, the last surviving tapper in the top 20 group, home.

Did Nigel over react? Did the viewers and the judges get it right?

UPDATE: Nigel apologized on Twitter for telling the audience to "shut up", saying "unfortunately their mindless catawauling got the better of me."

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Nathan Trasoras (L) and Mollee Gray (R) perform a Salsa choreographed by Gustavo Vargas on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Host Cat Deeley (C) says farewell to eliminated contestants Peter Sabasino (L) and Pauline Mata (R) on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

Will the lawnmower racer and the “dream team” survive to top 14 on SYTYCD?

Solarina Ho — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:14:58 +0000

The World Series is over, which means voting for So You Think You C an Dance is back in the viewers hands for this week's Top 16 dancers.

The Season 5 dancers were in the house, taking a break from their North American tour. Was it really only this past summer that Jeanine Mason was crowned?

Before the show hustled down to business, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and the other judges plugged the Dizzy Feet Foundation Show, telling viewers that dancers from the "dance reality TV trifecta" (SYTYCD, Dancing With The Stars and America's Best Dance Crew) would all be performing.

Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte kicked off the dancing, but not before Karen told the world that she and her husband -- who auditioned with her -- were getting a divorce. Awkward pause. The judges praised their Maria Torres hustle number, with Nigel telling Karen she was "going to go a long way in this competition."

Ashleigh "nerd" Di Lello and Jakob Carr pulled a jazz routine with Mandy Moore, which judge Adam Shankman called an "incredibly elegant and mature and studied, but fiery performance." Judge Mary Murphy said Ashleigh was improving week to week, while Jakob was called "brilliant" and a "stunning dancer".

Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino took on the "dreaded quick step" (choreographed by JT and Tomas) and managed to avoid a trainwreck. The performance was technically poor, but as Nigel put it, "did I care? Absolutely not."

Kathryn McCormick and Legacy Perez charmed with a broadway routine by Andy Blankenbuehler, but it was hip-hop dancer Legacy who really impressed the judges. Mary thought he was growing by "leaps and bounds" and said so twice, adding that it could take him into the top 10.

Who knew goth rockers and lawnmower racers could also be contemporary dancers? New partners Victor Smalley and Channing Cooke proved to be exactly that in their Stacey Tookie routine. It was deemed technically good, but Nigel was expecting so much more, given it was their own genre. "Was I emotionally carried away? No, I wasn't."

Ryan Di Lello and Ellenore Scott, aka the "Bobbsey Twins", pulled a Lil' C krump/hip-hop number that the judges felt did not suit their personalities -- they were too "adorable", "sweet" and "nice" to pull it off successfully. Mary thought it was a little sluggish for her and Nigel flat-out said that it wasn't good.

Next up were audience and judges favorite, Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras. But the "dream team" wasn't so dreamy this week. They struggled through a messy salsa routine choreographed by Gustavo Vargas that the judges said exposed all of their weaknesses. "Was it sexified? No, it was french fried," Mary panned.

Almost guaranteed safety this week are Russell Ferguson and Noelle Marsh, whose Afro Jazz dance by Sean Cheeseman made Russell the first king on Mary's hot tamale train. "That was crazy good."

Overall, Nigel called it a sobering night for many of the dancers and thought it was a good lesson to learn that "you're not great at everything."

Do you agree with Nigel's assessment? Are you glad to finally have your say on who goes and who stays?

So You Think You Can Dance kicks off with illness and injury

Solarina Ho — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:26:28 +0000

Summer staple So You Think You Can Dance has transitioned into fall, with a new title treatment, a new permanent judge and 20 new dancers.

Before facing the ax on Tuesday, dancers showcased their talent in a pre-competition performance episode on Monday. The episode included one of the show’s best ever opening group numbers, a stylish production choreographed by Wade Robson.

Tuesday, however, was off to a rough start with Julliard dancer Billy Bell, one of this season’s most promising contemporary dancers, pulling out of the competition due to illness. SYTYCD choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon wrote on Twitter that he has mono, while his family issued a statement to SYTYCDism saying that “doctors told the show that if he continued to dance on the show before he recovered, he could possibly die.”

He was replaced by hip-hop dancer Brandon Dumlao, who only had a day and a half to prepare a smooth waltz with Pauline Mata.

“I just watched myself get cut last night and now I’m back,” he said in a taped segment.

Meanwhile, Noelle Marsh suffered an injury and had to stay off her feet this week. If she still can’t compete next week, she will be cut.

Her partner, krumper Russell Ferguson, paired up with co-choreographer Melanie LaPatin instead for the foxtrot.

Jakob Karr, who danced a sultry Tyce Diorio broadway routine with partner Ashleigh Di Lello, stood out as one of the dancers to watch.

Ellenore Scott and Ryan Di Lello also received high praise for their Sonya Tayeh jazz number.

Mollee Gray (you may have seen her in all three High School Musical films) and her partner Nathan Trasoras pulled off a challenging Doriana Sanchez disco. New judge Adam Shankman said they’ve already established a very early fan base and praised their youthful energy, saying: “You guys did some very, very sexy lifts and none of it seemed that dirty at all somehow.”

In a change from previous years, judges picked the bottom four dancers to perform a solo and decided at the end of the episode who to send home.

Executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe wrote on Twitter, “I'm happy the judges decide, besides we know best at this moment. A couple of weeks more will help the public become better informed.”

The public gets to vote on the top 16 on November 10.

The smooth waltz seldom brings good news to dancers and tonight was no exception for Dumlao, who found himself on the chopping block along with partner Mata.

The crowd booed with surprise when when krumper Ferguson, who has thus far only received glowing praise for his raw talent and musicality, was called out as the second man at risk of going home. But it was an easy and unanimous choice for the judges to make Dumlao's top 20 stay a very brief one.

Also going home early was contemporary dancer Ariana DeBose, whose lackluster hip hop number with Peter Sabasino was critiqued by judges and stood out among the weaker performances.

Do you like all the new changes to the show? Which dancer would you have sent home? What did you think of the pre-performance episode?

So You Think You Can Dance picks their top 20

Solarina Ho — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:55:09 +0000

Even before Jeanine Mason was crowned America's Favorite Dancer on season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance, auditions were already rolling across the country for Season 6 of Fox's hit show.

And while Mason and the rest of the top 10 are still in the middle of their North American tour, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and his panel of judges have already whittled down the thousands of hopefuls to pick their top 20 dancers in Wednesday's Green Mile episode.

Eight of the finalists are contemporary dancers, including Nathan Trasoras, who auditioned for season 5, but wasn't old enough at that point, so was given a ticket to the season 6 Vegas week. Julliard student Billy Bell -- who brought this season's new permanent judge Adam Shankman to tears -- also made it through. As did Jakob Karr, a close friend of reigning champ Mason.

Rounding out the contemporary crew are Kathryn McCormick, Channing Cooke, Ariana DeBose, Victor Smalley and Noelle Marsh.

Three jazz dancers made the cut: The bubbly Mollee Gray, who was told she danced more "like a 14 or 15-year-old" in terms of maturity, but whom the judges loved anyway; Pauline Mata, who grotesquely injured her ankle near the end of Vegas week and missed the final rounds; and Ellenore Scott (who also dances contemporary).

Karen Hauer, and husband and wife team Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello were the three ballroom competitors waltzing into the top 20.

Ashleigh was the last girl to be chosen -- but she almost didn't make the cut. The spot was originally offered to Paula Van Oppen, a stunning contemporary dancer and judges' favorite, who tearfully turned down the opportunity because she had decided to accept a movie offer instead.

This was the first season any tap dancer -- let alone three -- survived Vegas week: Bianca Revels (who memorably had a tap-off with Ryan Kasperzak during auditions), Phillip Attmore and Peter Sabasino all made the cut.

Jonathan "Legacy" Perez, considered by the judges to be one of the best b-boys ever to audition, is joined by hip-hop dancer Kevin Hunte. Last, but definitely not least, Russell Ferguson breezed through Vegas auditions with ease to become the first ever krumper to make it into the top 20.

On a sad note, last night may have been the last chance for viewers to see Emmy-award winning choreographer Mia Michaels. She sort-of announced on Twitter last week that she is moving on, and her departure was later confirmed by Lythgoe.

There will also be a shift in the format of the popular show this season: there will be no viewer voting next week. On Monday, the dancers will perform without the competitive pressure. The competition will kick off on Tuesday with the judges axing two dancers at the end of the 2-hour performance show. SYTYCD will return to a viewer vote format on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

What do you think of Mia Michael's departure and the show format changes? Who do you think will dance their way to the finish?

Caption: (Top) The host and guest judge of "So You Think You Can Dance" Cat Deeley (L) and guest judge Adam Shankman discuss the show at the Fox Summer Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California August 6, 2009. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

(Bottom) The host, judges and executiver producer of "So You Think You Can Dance" (L-R) host Cat Deeley, guest judges Adam Shankman, Mia Michaels, judge Mary Murphy and executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe discuss the show at the Fox Summer Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California August 6, 2009. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Where in the world is Fuld?

Solarina Ho — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:01:14 +0000

Since the Lehman collapse, former CEO Richard Fuld has been largely out of the public eye, although he has been spotted at "power lunch" restaurants in New York and was interviewed by a Reuters reporter in remote Ketchum, Idaho.

Dick Fuld: Scapegoat or villain?

Solarina Ho — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:00:47 +0000

Nearly a year after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, a failure that triggered the global economic crisis, the much-lambasted chief executive Richard Fuld seemed burdened -- but not crushed -- by the pressure of the upcoming annivesary.

"You know what, the anniversary's coming up," he told Reuters. "I've been pummeled, I've been dumped on, and it's all going to happen again. I can handle it. You know what, let them line up."

Fuld, a nearly 40-year veteran of the company, took Lehman's reins in 1994 at one of its darkest hours and rebuilt it into the fourth-largest U.S. investment bank, a Wall Street powerhouse whose massively profitable mortgage banking machine inspired rivals' envy.

But after filing the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history, Fuld was vilified and humiliated before a Congressional panel last October and named in nearly 40 different legal actions.

Opinions are still divided over his role in the disaster, but he doesn't see the point of speaking out: "Nobody wants to hear it. The facts are out there. Nobody wants to hear it, especially not from me."

Is he the scapegoat of a massive systemic failure on Wall Street, or does he deserve to be a central villain in the collapse?

Venting your airline frustrations…

Solarina Ho — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:34:21 +0000

Airlines are discovering that fuming passengers who have been stranded, delayed or just plain piqued are increasingly letting their undiluted rage fly around the Internet, often from the confines of their cramped airplane seat.

Twitter, which lets people broadcast 140-character instant text messages to countless readers, allows the venting to be loud, fast and public, and the technology has put carriers -- used to bad publicity as part of daily operations -- even more on the defensive as they race to tame Twitter furies every day.

Have you ever been stranded at an airport, stuck on the tarmac for hours, or lost your luggage? Share your airline horror stories here -- we promise not to limit your frustrations to 140-characters.