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Entertainment behind the scenes
Mia Michaels gets claws out on “So You Think You Can Dance”
Ballet dancer Alex Wong’s surprising hip-hop routine with all-star tWitch may have brought the house down on Wednesday’s episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”, but it was judge Mia Michaels’ sharp tongue that had fans talking the day after.
Michaels, the outspoken Emmy-winning choreographer on the panel, gave tap dancer Melinda Sullivan a dressing down that included cutting remarks over her pigeon toes and lack of fluidity in her salsa routine. But the lowest blow came when Michaels told the 22-year old tapper that the panel should have sent her home last week.
“We made a mistake letting Cristina go”, Michaels told her, referring to ballroom dancer Cristina Santana, who the judges chose to send home last week while keeping Sullivan. And Adam Shankman agreed.
Fans on the “SYTYCD” official website were outraged. “SHAME ON THEM” said one writer on a busy thread on www.dance.community.fox.com. “To tell a dancer that they made a mistake last week in not getting rid of her is absolutely unconscionable….Constructive criticism is one thing, but this was just plain mean.”
“I am an adamant fan of the show and have never seen the judges be so cruel, catty, and unprofessional”, said another writer. Others called on Michaels and producer Nigel Lythgoe to make a public apology.
“It felt like Mia Michaels just couldn’t stop herself from saying it, and she should have, no matter how true it was,” commented Salon.com blogger Christine Mathias.
Sullivan got high marks for taking the verbal attack on live national television with stoicism. But will she win enough public sympathy to stay out of the bottom three, and almost certain elimination on Thursday?
“Black Wednesday” on SYTYCD sends Nathan & Noelle home
With a strong and diverse crop of male dancers — a ballroom dancer, a krumper, a b-boy and two contemporary dancers — vying for the crown, Nathan’s ouster was not a big surprise despite some good performances, particularly after a rough couple of weeks languishing in the bottom.
“You are against tough guys and in a competition that people are voting for who they love — it’s not just about dancing. You’re on a brilliant road at the moment,” said judge Nigel Lythgoe.
It wasn’t so clear cut between Kathryn McCormick and Noelle however, with both dancing fairly consistently thus far and both staying mostly under the radar. Noelle leaves just as the judges praised her for coming into her own this week with “breakthrough” and “smokin’” performances.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the evening may not have been who got the ax, but rather the performance by The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers, an amalgamated dance crew formed by Step Up 2 director John Chu. Were you as impressed as the audience members? With only four couples left, will Ryan Di Lello and Kathryn be the next to leave? Do you think voters made the right choice this week? Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.
Nathan Trasoras (L) and Kathryn McCormick (R) perform a Rumba choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX
Ryan Di Lello (R) and Noelle Marsh (R) perform a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX
Karla and Vitolio get the “kiss of death” on “So You Think You Can Dance”
Judge Mary Murphy hit it on the nail when she said, “This competition is probably the closest competition in ‘So You Think You Can Dance‘ history.”
The race on the fifth season of Fox’s summer hit has been incredibly tight from the beginning and this week’s bottom couples exemplified that.
Despite a good performance choreographed by Jean Marc Genereux, a third time in the bottom was not a charm for Karla Garcia and Vitolio Jeune, who could not escape the curse of the quick-step — a.k.a. the “kiss of death.”
The company they kept at the bottom this week may have made a tough decision easier, as the other two couples performed memorable and distinctive routines praised by the judges.
Phillip Chbeeb and Jeanine Mason, who performed a unique Tabitha & Napoleon hip hop routine that literally chained the dancers together, found themselves in the bottom for the first time. Voters may have agreed with guest judge and choreographer Mia Michaels, who found the chain distracting, despite the unique and difficult routine. It was perhaps a blessing in disguise as their solos reminded judges and viewers why they deserved to be on the show. “I know it’s entirely selfish, but I’m so glad you got to perform your solo,” host Cat Deeley told Chbeeb.
Kupono Aweau and Kayla Radomski‘s bottom three placement also came as a surprise. Michaels called their “Twilight”-inspired number by Sonya Tayeh “perfection.” “Everything about it was absolutely tremendous,” she said. “To me, you were the best performance last night.”
Why is Mia Michaels on SYTYCD CANADA? We don’t need that kind of harsh, judgmental critic in a country where we pride ourselves on being kind and open and nuturing. What’s with the childish slangs she uses? Is she still completing her high school diploma?
she is the ONLY reason why i REFUSE to watch the show anymore.
Please please pleae bring anyone in to replace this mean woman. Mary Murphy was great. She was honest, open, and constructive with her advice.