SYTYCD Best Dance of Season 7

So, you know my favorite show is So You Think You Can Dance and I like to share all of my thoughts on its greatness, but this season has been tough since I spent so much of July out of town. It became the last thing I had time for, so I'm playing catch up...

Wanted to share the best dance I have seen in a long time, by far the best of the season. Travis Wall is a GENIUS. I've rewatched it too many times to count and there may have even been some tears... I don't think it's because I'm a mom and it's about a son taking care of his mother through a medical crisis. You'd have to be a stone not to react to this amazing dance.

Check it out.

So You Think You Can (insert talent here)

Since this is *the* show that I like to blog, so I wanted to share my thoughts on the new All-Stars format. I love it. I really do. Some of my absolute faves are back, like Twitch, Catherine, Ade, Pasha, and the beyond amazing Neil. Love them. Love, love, love them. But, man, it's crazy how much better they all are since they were on the show, isn't it? They were good before, but now they're gooo-ooood.

That's what's great about this format. All of these All-Stars were once in the shoes of the contestants: They were outstanding. They did the show and then went off, matured, honed their skills and now they're extraordinary. (Just imagine what Billy and Alex are going to be like in a few years.)

And that is what has struck me the most: the opportunity to see what this show creates and what a young dancer looks like compared to a real, polished professional with the knowledge that they will have that same opportunity. And each and everyone of them are someone's child. They started out as fresh and innocent, as full of life and wonder as William is right now. (What is it about becoming a mom that makes you see the little kid in everyone?)

I sit here on my couch and think of all the things W has ahead of him. What will be his talents? Where will his passions lead him? I never had a passion like that. Sure, I had plenty of talent, skills, and interest in all sorts of things, but not enough to follow one serious, singular dream. Matt has that. He's an artist. It's the way he was born, he sees the world in a different way. I only wish there was a show called So You Think You Can Draw. He'd seriously kick some sketching ass.

How exactly do you make sure you give your kids every possible opportunity to do something great without being pushy? How do you encourage them to take their talents seriously without being the crazy parent?
 
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by XFINITY by Comcast. I was compensated.

A Little Taste of So You Think You Can Dance

Apparently, So You Think You Can Dance was in Chicago this week holding auditions for the next season, which will start in May. Matt walked by on his way to work and saw the early morning line of dancers waiting for their big break. Cool, huh?

Knowing that I would find this to be incredibly exciting, he reported that as he walked to the train at the end of the day, he walked by as a girl came flying out of the theater, shrieking, and jumping up and down with her friends... Apparently, someone was going to Vegas!

"Isn't that cool?" he said.

"Yeah, but did you see Cat Deeley???? Were there cameras? Will you be in the background of the audition episodes?" I asked. The answer to all these questions: No.

Oh, Cat, how I've missed you.

Oscars Schmoscars

There are some things you do just because you feel like you should. For instance, I'm watching the Oscars right now. I'm not sure why. I haven't seen most of the movies. Better stated: I haven't seen 99% of the movies. I just feel like I should be watching.

I love movies, I just don't have time to go to the theater. And, honestly, I prefer watching movies in the comfort of my own home... On my own couch where I can pause the movie when I have to go to the bathroom and don't have to deal with obnoxious people talking/texting/slurping their drinks/chomping on their snacks/kicking my seat. (OK, I'm a little particular and easily annoyed.) I can wait for the dvd when I get to watch the movie and then all the fun extras, too. (Who doesn't love those extras?)

Admittedly, there are a few things that I enjoy about the awards. The best reason to watch the Oscars is to help me fill up my Netflix queue (currently at 372 -not kidding). I also really love the best song nominee performances. I should say: I *used* to love the best song performances. But, unfortunately these seem to have been axed this year. REALLY?!?! The highlight of my Oscar viewing history was Robin Williams performing Blame Canada. What a loss.

So, now I'm ready to go to bed, even before the In Memoriam montage, which everyone enjoys in their own morbid way. Admit it, you like it, too. I mean, the John Hughes tribute... If that didn't tug on your heart strings and make you feel some nostalgia, then you're just cold. But I'd rather be in bed and just check the list of winners and all the other gossip online tomorrow. And, seriously, some of the presenters have kinda shocked me. Ahem, ahem... Miley Cyrus. What the??? (Matt told me I better get used to her since she doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but I refuse. I'd rather eat glass.)

I'm tired. I have a child who wakes me up at 5:00 am EVERY MORNING. Where's my award for that?!?! Oh, wait! The In Memoriam montage is starting... I'm so going to bed after this.

Update: Eating my words. Luckily I just caught the performance by The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. It was like a SYTYCD reunion with old friends. Can't wait for that show to start again. Now, I'm going to bed.

Also, this must be said: Is it just me or is George Clooney is a really bad mood tonight? Jeeeez, George.

Extraordinary Dancers

I'm busy catching up on So You Think You Can Dance and came across one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Are you kidding me?

If you never thought break dancing could make you cry, think again. Seriously, you have to look at this.

Now I have to find everything else they've done. I'm in love.

So Maybe I'm a Bit Obsessed

When I saw the ad last night for the SEASON FINALE of So You Think You Can Dance I almost started crying. We're going to be out of town. I actually told Matt that we should consider postponing our departure to the next morning. "Really, you want to push back the one vacation we've had in two years over a tv show? Don't you think that's a bit ridiculous?" I said no, but inside I was saying "YES!"

I'm sure people have postponed travel for much more ridiculous reasons, right?

Vote for Ade!

Dear SYTYCD Viewers,
What happened? How in the world did Ade end up in the bottom two males this week? I get the others, I do. And I'm OK with it, but seriously Ade is the best male. Brandon might be better technically, but Ade has strength, raw talent, and the personality that should be winning over America right now. Ade should win this season. I stand by that statement.

And now I have to start voting. I try to hold off, think I'll trust America and my co-viewers and obviously I can't. (I know, I sound like all those non-voters after Bush won for the 2nd time.) But, I mean it, I'm going to be a voting machine if that's what it takes to make sure this doesn't happen again.

You've been put on notice, America. Don't let me down. You broke my heart last year when Will lost, but I could understand that one. This, however, I just can't wrap my head around.

Let's not make the same mistake again next week. Thank you.

SYTYCD Thoughts

First off, I love when Debbie Allen is a judge on SYTYCD, so I decided to blog while I watched. She is just amazing, child.

Best Debbie Allen quotes of the night:
"You handled your big woman."
"What were you? A pimp with a comb? Stay away from my daughter, honey."
"Honey, just go sew that dress back up, child. And let him tear it again."

Best Dance of the Night: Jason and Janine's Contemporary routine choreographed by Travis.
Thank you, Travis. BEST DANCE ALL SEASON! I just about cried, everything about that dance was beyond. WOW! We had to watch it twice and I'm saving it on DVR to watch again and again.

Best Solo of the Night: Evan
I just wanna give him a hug, don't you? Most original solo and most fun. I love contemporary, but the top 10 if full of them and I like that he brings something different.

Most Ridiculous Costume: Kupono
I don't really like him that much, but I think he had a pretty good solo while wearing the most ridiculous outfit. I get that he wants to be a costume designer, but what the???

So You Think You Can Find a Better TV Show? Don't Think So.

The new season of So You Think You Can Dance is here! Somehow everything is better. People really underestimate how outstanding this show is each and every week.

I often re-watch dances atleast once. "Ooooh, can we watch that one again before we hear what the judges think?" And Matt always agrees, because he too is captivated as someone without life long exposure to dance. I usually laugh and cry during each episode. What can I say? The art of dance is under appreciated.

Don't judge until you watch. I dare you not to be inspired.