More Than Just Steps

There are a lot of things on peoples' minds today. It's first day of December -- the first day of snow for some, one less day to find the perfect Christmas or Hannukah gift for others, and one day closer to finals week for myself and my fellow students. One thing everyone needs to keep on their mind today: AIDS.

Today is World AIDS Day, a time to remember those we've lost to the disease (more than 25 million since 1985, and at least 2 million just last year) and a time to think about our future. But how can just one person help? Educating yourself and sharing that knowledge with others can be one of the most powerful tools we have to combat this disease.

Check out this video that Ryan Kasprzak, whose name you make recognize from "So You Think You Can Dance", made for Dancers Responding to AIDS.



When there is a cure for AIDS, we will dance for joy. Until then, we will dance for life. In the meantime, education, prevention, treatment and research are some of our best weapons against AIDS. Let's use them to their full potential.

Funny Bunny

The number of movie spoofs available to Internet users at any given time is simply insane. There are literally thousands of sites dedicated exclusively to producing funny remakes of famous films. So what makes angryalien.com so special? One word: bunnies.

The site, created by artist Jennifer Shiman, has posted one video a month since 2005 that recaps a movie in 30(ish) seconds ... with bunnies. It's genius. Pirates of the Caribbean, Titanic and the Harry Potter films are some of my favorites.

I'm not a fan of Twilight or all the hype surrounding it, but this spoof of Twilight is too funny not to share.


Thanks to Seth for showing me this site!

Muppet Rock

I was obsessed with the Muppets as a kid (and quite frankly, still am). I own several Muppets movies (don't knock it, they're totally enjoyable, even as an adult. I still watch Muppet Christmas Carol with my family every Christmas) and judging by the following video, I can't be the only one who still loves the wacky puppets.

This clip of the Muppets performing "Bohemian Rhapsody" has blown up on Youtube over the past couple days -- it's currently the most played, most favorited and the number one vid in the music category -- and it's easy to see why. Combining a classically nostalgic Queen tune with everyone's favorite band of puppets, the video is both heartwarming and hilarious. I particularly love their adaptation of the lyrics. Just watch and you'll see what I mean.



On another related and equally funny note, check out Beeker & the Swedish Chef's rendition of "Habenara" from Carmen. Genius.

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: Aha!

Opening routine tonight was set to “Aha!” by Imogen Heap and featured the dancers as pieces of art. At the start, they were all standing on different podiums and covered in sheets. When the music picked up, half the sheets were ripped off and they started with some great sharp, rhythmic arm moves. The dancers kept shaking their hands like they were being electrocuted, which was weird at first, but oddly captivating. About halfway through, the rest of the group joined in with some Thriller-esque moves. A haunting and intriguing piece to open the show choreographed by Wade and Amanda Robson.

Cat looked a bit dowdy tonight in a pale pink, loose-fitting dress with a high school-girl collar, big, sparkly brooch and elbow-length sleeves. It’s astonishing that a woman that beautiful can actually look unattractive.

After a quick chat with the judges, it was down to business. First two couples were Ashleigh & Jakob and Kevin & Karen. Cat revealed that Ashleigh and Jakob were safe without talking to Kevin & Karen at all … it was weird and made me think maybe America kept them safe too? I hope not, they need to get cut this week … and they could be: they’re in the Bottom 3.

Next three couples: Ryan & Ellenore, Russell & Noelle and Channing & Victor. Ryan & Ellenore did a fantastic, emotional Travis Wall contemporary piece last night. Russell & Noelle did one of the best foxtrots I’ve seen on this show, but then again voters might not respond the classic ballroom style. Of the three, I suspected Channing & Victor would land in the bottom and they did. Their routine was so bizarre (well danced, but bizarre) and I think America didn’t know what to make of it. They’re also kind of forgettable, so they could definitely be in trouble.

Last two couples: Mollee & Nathan and Legacy & Kathryn. The judges loved Mollee & Nathan’s pop jazz routine last night, but I thought it was lackluster at best. I also think America’s getting sick of their over-cutesy personalities (I am too). Legacy & Kathryn blew me away with their Paso Doble last night. One of the best routines of the season so far. And America finally put Mollee & Nathan in the bottom. I doubt she’ll be cut before the Top 10, but I can’t wait to see Nathan with different partner. I think Mollee’s holding him back with her Micky Mouse club vibe.

The special guest dancers tonight were choreographer Nakul Dev Majahan and MDN Bollywood Dance company with a Bollywood routine to "Desi Girl" from the movie Destona. The routine was absolutely dynamic and employed great partner work and use of the stage. Not to mention the costumes were gorgeous. I wish I could pull off wearing a sari – they’re beautiful.

Solos: Karen was first up and did one of the weakest solos I’ve ever seen. Majority of it was her flipping her hair around and standing there. Occasionally she groped herself. Ew. Kevin did a pretty mediocre hip-hop solo He did the back-bend-with-no-hands move again and some popping, but nothing exciting or memorable. Both their routines left me asking ‘how the hell are they still in this competition’ or worse yet, ‘how did they make the Top 20 in the first place?’

Channing was next and performed a gorgeously flowy piece that accentuated her fabulous extension. Not exactly dancing for her life, but lots of solid technique and a vast improvement on the previous two routines. Victor was next and fared pretty well in his solo. His pirouettes are his strength and he played on that – he did too many turns (that was pretty much the whole routine), but he executed them beautifully. Mollee did a lot of gymnastics and leaps for her solo – I forgot she could do that kind of stuff, so it was great to see. What wasn’t so great were the moments in between those moves where she strutted around the stage like a stripper. Something about the whole thing just felt wrong. Probably because she looks (and acts) like a twelve-year-old. Nathan fused his popping ability with his contemporary and really showed off his insane level of control. He kept coming out of his pirouettes and stopping dead in his tracks facing front (on one foot!). That’s tricky stuff.

Special guest tonight was a rocker chick named Orianthi, who’s apparently played with such legends as Santana and Michael Jackson. She performed her song “According to You”. I’ve never heard of her, but her guitar chops were sick. Her voice was a bit whiney at times, but I forgot about it the second she did a guitar solo (and there were several mini ones throughout the song). Not too shabby for the musical guest slot (which was notoriously sucky last season).

Results time: Ladies first. Nigel called Mollee forward first and while I find her totally obnoxious, she excelled at her solo and was safe. Nigel said it was difficult for ballroom dancers like Karen to do solos (yeah, but that’s no excuse for not doing ANYTHING in a ‘dance for your life’ situation) and said that although Channing had spectacular technique, she didn’t let her personality shine through and that she was cut. What?! She was a bit boring, but she didn’t deserve to go this week. Then again, she’d probably get cut next week anyways. I guess as long as we’re weeding out the weaker dancers, I’m cool with it.

Time for the guys. Nigel called Nathan first and said he was safe (as expected). His technique is way too strong for them to let him go before the Top 10. Then it was down to Kevin and Victor. As suspected, Kevin got the ax. I’d normally say something about Nigel filling the hip-hop void in the show, but I don’t think Kevin did that too well, so I’m not too sad to see him go.

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: That Was Like Walkin' on Tall Cotton

'Nother week of "Dance" blogs, comin' atcha (despite the fact that I'm neck-deep in final projects and papers already). Here's my recap of Tuesday's performance show (arguably one of the strongest across the board).

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: It was French fried & Three up, three down

Did you miss my weekly musings about 'So You Think You Can Dance'? I thought so. Saying I was 'too busy' is such a lame excuse. I was on a much-needed and totally planned hiatus called 'homework, final projects, Ithacan, Newswatch, freelance work and other shit hit the fan simultaneously' break. Catchy, right? The fact that the show has been on at wacky times (thank you, baseball) didn't help either. Anyways, here's my recap of Tuesday's performance show and Wednesday's elimination show via the City newspaper entertainment blog. Enjoy!

AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Not your grandmother's tuba recital

Last weekend, I went to a somewhat unusual concert on Halloween night: Octubafest. A big tradition here on the IC campus, Octubafest is a recital in which several tuba and euphonium students perform lots of spooky and fun tunes in costume. Audience participation is a must -- singing, dancing, a cymbal crashing contest, throwing Nerf balls at the tubas. It's not your grandma's tuba recital. Check out this audio slideshow:

AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Going Green for Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year -- even as an adult. Something about getting dressed up and pretending to be something else is exciting (maybe it's the five-year-old inside of me; and trust me, she's there). Those who know me know I don't like to do the same costume twice. Even if I'm going to one party Friday and one on Saturday, I'll come up with two completely different outfits.

That usually means getting crafty -- in terms of making to costume and saving money. Making your own costume is not only fun, but also sustainable. Check out what a group of Ithaca residents is doing to save money and the environment this Halloween.




HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Originality?

Kanye may have been right about Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video being awesome (I'm not getting into any debate about whether it's better than Taylor Swift's video or not), but I'll bet he didn't know the concept for the video wasn't Beyonce's idea.

Recently, the pop singer admitted on BET that she was inspired by a performance by Gwen Verdon (Bob Fosse's wife) on The Ed Sullivan Show called "Mexican Breakfast." Beyonce's video also liberally borrows moves from "Sweet Charity", which like the Ed Sullivan performance was choreographed by the legendary Bob Fosse.

I'll admit I was a bit miffed when I first heard this news, especially because at that point Beyonce hadn't admitted to the blatant similarities (check out a mash-up of all three routines video here), but then again, she's doing what we ask of all great artists: steal from the best and make it your own. Whether or not she made it totally her own, I'm still not sure of, but I'm willing to let it slide.

On another quasi-related note, in April (how did I miss this?) about 100 London single ladies performed the dance from Beyonce's video in Picadilly Circus to win tix to the pop singer's concert this month. Awesome.

AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Israeli Folk Dancing

Last week, for our digital journalism project, my friend Norah and I went to Cornell to cover the Israeli Folk Dance class taught there every Thursday. Here's the final audio slideshow:

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: Blood on the Dance Floor & Vegas Week, Pt 1!

Guess what?! I'm keeping my promise and posting my 'SYTYCD' recaps! And the crowd goes wild! Here's the link to the one for Tuesday (Salt Lake City auditions) and for Wednesday (Vegas Week). Enjoy!

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: I Head Ya Doin' the New Orleans Bounce Last Night

Sorry again for the delay in my weekly 'So You Think You Can Dance' recap, folks. Hopefully all my loyal readers out there (are there even any?) won't abandon me just yet. I swear I'll get better at this ... hopefully ... maybe? I'll try. Pinky swear!

Anyways, here's my recap of both Tuesday and Wednesday nights' shows via the City Newspaper arts & entertainment blog. Enjoy!

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: Watching That Was Like Watching Paint Dry

Again, sorry for the delay. Check out my recap of the Boston "So You Think You Can Dance" auditions on the City entertainment blog here.

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: The Aliens Have Landed

Sorry for the delay, folks. I meant to post a link to my recap of Wednesday's episode of 'So You Think You Can Dance' a few days ago, but alas, my computer bit the dust (temporarily). I'm sure all my loyal readers out there (Mom, Dad ... yeah, that's probably about it) have been dying of anticipation for my recap, so here it is. Enjoy!

RIP: Patrick Swayze

Actor Patrick Swayze died today after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, according to the Associated Press. He was 57 years old.

Swayze, best known for his portrayal of bad-boy Johnny Castle in the '80s coming-of-age flick "Dirty Dancing", announced in March 2008 he had one of the more deadly cancers. The one-years survival rate for pancreatic cancer is 20 percent, and the five-year survival rate is only about 4 percent.

Swayze earned three Golden Globe nominations, for "Dirty Dancing" (1987), "Ghost" (1990) and 1995's "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar." Those three movies alone exemplify something few probably think of when they think of Swayze: his versatility. He wasn't afraid to play the sensitive guy in "Ghost", the dancing bad boy with a heart of gold in "Dirty Dancing" (come on, who didn't fall in love with him in that movie?) or even a drag queen in "To Wong Foo". He shocked the hell out of critics and audiences alike with that last choice in particular, but managed to pull it off in a surprisingly entertaining comedy.

Though I was born the year after "Dirty Dancing" was released, I've watched it more times than I can count and loved his performance. His dancing was just outstanding — masculine, controlled and technically brilliant. It's not surprising, considering his mother is famed choreographer Patsy Swayze.

Swayze was an avid conservationist off-screen, who was deeply moved by time spent in Africa.

Though I'm sure we all knew his death was inevitable (even Swayze himself addressed his mortality in television appearances this past year), it's still sad to lose such a talented actor, phenomenal dancer and beautiful spirit. He will truly be missed.

Empty Chairs, Full Hearts

Last week there was a story in the Ithaca Journal about a new art exhibit here in Ithaca being put on by the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County that caught my eye. The idea of the "Empty Chairs Project: Loss After Suicide" was to have artists who have lost a friend or family member to suicide create chairs to honor their memories.

I thought the impact of the story would be much more powerful in an audio slideshow than print, but I'll let you be the judge. Here's the link to the final version.

'SYTYCD' Fall 2009: The Year of the Tappers

So even though I left City newspaper a few weeks ago (tear!) to come back to school, I'll still be blogging for them throughout the year. First up was a familiar topic: "So You Think You Can Dance"! The show kicked off its sixth season last night and, for the first time, will be airing during the fall. Here's my recap of the first audition episode. Enjoy!

ROUND UP: They Hired Who?!

In about nine months, like other college grads I'll be venturing out into the real world in search of a job. It's a daunting task of course, but given some of the questionable hiring practices this week, it's getting more terrifying by the second.

• Jenna Hager, (a.k.a. former first daughter Jenna Bush), secured a reporter position with NBC's "Today Show" earlier this week despite having no journalism experience whatsoever (unless you count being target practice for the paparazzi and tabloids).
  In an interview with the Associated Press, she even admitted it's not a career path she ever considered and that she's not particularly qualified for the job.
  "It wasn't something I'd always dreamed to do," she said. "I hope to focus on what I'm passionate about because I think I'd do the best job on them — education, urban education, women and children's issues and literacy."
  Yeah, because literacy clearly runs in the family ... This is the person we'll be getting our news from. Great. It's very reassuring considering how many talented J-school grads there are that are currently jobless. So. Unfair.

• Remember disgraced former Gov. Elliot Spitzer? You know, the one who got busted with a high-priced escort hooker? Students at City College in Manhattan will be calling him 'Professor Spitzer' this semester. Yup, he's teaching a class on public policy at the New York university. Interesting move on their part, but at least it's not a class on ethics ...

The lesson? Toss your morals out the window & go for a career outside your major, kiddies. That's how we're supposed to get a job nowadays, I guess.

I Got A Feeling This Is Gonna Go Viral

In the wee hours of the morning yesterday (well, technically today) I found myself where every sleep-deprived night owl finds themself at 3 a.m. after aimlessly perusing the Internet for several hours: Youtube. And that's when I found this: an A capella cover of "I Got A Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.



David Choi, who sung and made the video, is getting a lot of flack for using Auto-Tune to adjust his voice's pitch, but I honestly don't care. It's awesome. I've listened to it more than a dozen times since I woke up this morning and I can't get enough of it. Probably doesn't hurt that this was already one of my favorite songs this summer though ...

SYTYCD: Final 4 Revealed!

The finale is almost here and this year's Top 4 have finally been revealed: Kayla, Brandon, Jeanine and Evan. For my thoughts on tonight's show, check out the City Newspaper blog here.

SYTYCD: It's a Bird, It's a Plane — No! It's an Arabesque!

Last performance show before the Finale. And yet somehow, I'm still remarkably underwhelmed. Lil C was the guest judge tonight (ugh) and the routines on the whole were mediocre. There were a couple solid routines (particularly the disco one; more on that in a second), but I'm getting less and less invested in this competition. The crop of dancers this year have the best technique of any season so far, but the least star power. Even S1 was more entertaining (and that season practically put me to sleep).

Anyways, the final 3 guys kicked off the show with a Sonya jazz piece, which she described as "Willy Wonka-esque". I was pumped for it since I'm a big fan of the original movie (the Johnny Depp remake, not so much) and it didn't disappoint. The routine, set to "True Romance" by She Wants Revenge, had lots of great quirky, sharp movements. I love it when they put the guys together in routines because they can be rougher with each other — at one point Evan and Ade launched (and I mean LAUNCHED) Brandon into the air and at another point, they did simultaneous standing back tucks. Awesome. Lil C started spewing his bullshit saying he wanted to see Ade & Brandon dance together since the beginning. He then continued to shit all over Evan, "commending" him for not getting swallowed by the "dominating excellence" of Ade and Brandon. Evan's performances the last few weeks haven't been the strongest (he probably should have gotten the boot two or three weeks ago), but he did some great stuff in that routine. Lil C's comments were nothing more than a veiled attack on him. I don't mind the judges critiquing the dancers (that's why they're there), but all I ask is that they critique all the dancers equally. Mary and Nigel gave ALL the boys good critiques and Nigel stood up for Evan, saying he stood out in the routine for him and that they all danced it brilliantly.

Jeanine & Ade got a samba by Louis Van Amstel to "LoveGame" by Lady Gaga. Hated the song, lukewarm about the routine. Jeanine was very clearly the star of the number. She threw her be-feathered butt (bad costuming) into the routine — her hip swivels were sexy as hell and her fast footwork was genius. But Ade's poor, lofty technique and ridiculously goofy grin held the routine back. The judges' remarks mostly focused on Ade's lackluster performance, and rightly so, but poor Jeanine got left in the dust. After their next routine though (more on that in a minute), Mary gave Jeanine high praise for the samba and even put her on the train (I think).

First solo performance was Kayla. A lot of her movements lacked the usual grace we see in her performances. It wasn't bad, but it still wasn't as great as most of her other work. I love her — as far as I'm concerned, she hasn't taken a wrong step in the competition — but I am worried for her. America hasn't latched on to her, which I don't get, and I think she could be in serious trouble come tomorrow night.

Melissa & Evan (Broadway by Tyce DiOrio) to "Get Me to the Church on Time" from "My Far Lady". Evan was the groom who overslept and Melissa was frantically trying to get him ready. It was silly and campy and just a lot of fun. A thoroughly enjoyable performance. Evan owned the routine, but Melissa might as well have not been there. I barely noticed her. It wasn't very technically demanding, but it had loads of personality and goofy faces — something Evan excels at. Not my favorite routine of the night, but certainly decent. Lil C slammed Evan again, saying he danced it well, but that he wasn't "shooting for excellence." Will someone call out Lil C for his obvious beef against Evan? Nigel stepped up and defended the poor kid again, saying it wasn't technically brilliant (eh, it was a typical crappy Tyce B'way number), but that it required a lot of energy and Evan did well.

Next solo was Ade. He's got good height on his jumps and did a few pirouettes, but most of his movements feel super-spastic to me. I mean there's such thing as sharp choreography and even popping, but he just looks like he's having a seizure on stage. I hate him (and his stupid pick). I hope he goes home tomorrow.

Kayla & Brandon (contemporary by Stacey Tookey) to "All I Want' by Ahn Trio. I was SO excited for this partnership — these two are probably my favorite dancers left in the competition at this point. It was about a married man (Brandon) and his mistress (Kayla). For the story line they were given, it was surprisingly classy. It was still passionate and sexy as hell, but absolutely beautiful to watch. Kayla's lines and extension have always been brilliant, but this time she had a partner (Brandon) who could match it. I got chills. On top of that, there were some magnificent lifts that Brandon made look effortless. Genius. The judges loved it and Mary said both of them were still on the Hot Tamale Train. She even said Kayla was perfection. Wow.

Next to perform a solo was Melissa. It was probably the weakest solo I've ever seen her do (and her solos, let's be honest, haven't been the strongest or the most memorable). She spent the first 10 of her 30 second solo just standing their and (unconvincingly) flirting with the camera. The rest of the routine consisted of 1 leap, a few half-hearted twirls and some more camera-mugging time. Extremely disappointing, especially from such a typically talented and beautiful dancer.

Jeanine & Ade got hip-hip with TabNap to "Move" by MIMS for their second routine. It was about two friends that were getting evicted from their apartment. I don't know where they get all their ideas, but I'm glad they do. They came out with their stank faces on and did an okay job of hitting it (at least in the beginning). The routine included some tricky, but fun choreography — at one point Jeanine had to do some double-dutch like jumping in between Ade's legs, which he was moving in and out — and the ending was adorable (they both put some of the boxes they had been maneuvering on their heads, this time with sad faces drawn on them). But I still felt it was lacking. I felt like Jeanine was, once again, really trying and throwing herself into the routine, but Ade was just along for the ride. The two of them even fell noticeably out of sync towards the end of the routine. The judges were practically salivating over the routine (sometimes I swear we've been watching different performances), and said Ade was great. NO! No, no, no, no! Blech!

Solo time again: for Brandon this time. This guy knows what it means to dance for his life. He did the same routine he initially auditioned with, which was so good it put Mary in hysterics. The music was dynamic ("O Fortuna"), he had quite a few spectacular tricks, including one that was pretty much a belly flop (with a much more graceful, controlled landing), and just great musicality. He got a standing ovation from the judges and Nigel even called it one of the best solos in the show's history. The black spanky pants aside, I would pretty much agree.

Melissa & Evan got the dreaded quickstep with Louis again to "As Long as I'm Singin'" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Evan was more alive in this routine than he's been in weeks. Again, Melissa was kind of just there. When I actually did notice her, it was because her technique seemed off for the quickstep. The routine had lots of energy at the start, kind of lost it in the middle, and kinda-sorta-not-really picked up again towards the end. Once again, Lil C picked on Evan and made a snide comment about his height ("you didn't dance as big as I wanted you to"). What a piece of shit. Mary said it started strong, but fizzled after that and I can see that. Nigel said it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't one of the stronger routines of the night. It wasn't the best of the night, but I thought it was at least fun and definitely more than adequate from the pair of them.

Jeanine's solo was good, as usual. And that's my problem with her. She certainly has the technique of a competition dancer, lovely extension and decent musicality, but I feel like it's a "Groundhog's Day" moment whenever she does her solos. It's always the same kind of stuff. So uninspiring. I want more from these dancers!

Evan's solo was filled with all his usual fun B'way stuff, but he added a buttload of flips at the beginning (I had no idea he could do that!) and some beautiful pirouettes. It wasn't the best solo we've ever seen, but it's certainly stronger than the rest of his solos and most of the other dancers' solos this season.

Kayla & Brandon did a disco by Doriana Sanchez to "Dance" by Sylvester for their second routine. All I can say is Da-hamn! They had flips, they had lifts, they had personality up the wazoo. It was just amazing to watch. The pair of them had lots of fun with it and made it look effortless, even though I'm sure it wasn't. Kayla was shaking it all over the place and showed off her flexibility when she did a split and Brandon picked her up, flipped her upside-down and lifted her over his head. At another point, Brandon threw Kayla into a death drop, then she got up and threw him into a death drop. AMAZING. There were a ton of great moments in that piece; definitely my favorite number of the night. Lil C started blathering on again, but it was worse than usual this time. Some crap about seeing music with your ears, finding the darkness in the pockets of the music. Kill me. Kill me now! Such utter crap. How the hell is this guy still on the show at this point?! He's such a joke. He's killing the show's credibility. Although, luckily, he hasn't choreographed a single routine this year, which hopefully means Nigel & the team already had a contract with him for this season and were stuck with him, but might get rid of him for S6 (*fingers crossed!*)

The last number of the evening was also choreographed by Sonya and it was all about girl power — super girl power that is. I'm all for superheroes and I wanted to love the routine, but ended up just liking it. It was alright, but not stellar. Between the costumes and the movements, the whole thing had a very 80s vibe to it. The boys' number was better tonight. Lil C offered another piece of dookie advice: "I thought you danced it amazingly, but I wanted you to dance more amazingly". To quote Hermione in the first HP movie: "What. An. Idiot." Mary said Kayla stood out (and she did, along with Jeanine. Melissa might as well have been the invisible superhero). Nigel tried to pull a Mary, starting off with a sort of somber tone, then jumping up, shrieking and frolicking like a little girl. I nearly died of laughter. Then he gave a shout out to Jeanine's boobs ("You can't tie down talent") because her costume included a laced up/semi-open bodice. I didn't even notice that about her outfit until he said it. I actually felt embarrassed for Jeanine. That comment was totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I usually love Nigel's comments (they're pretty spot-on), but that crossed the line.

My ideal final four: Brandon, Evan, Kayla and Jeanine. I'd like to see Melissa and Ade go home tonight. Let me explain.

Brandon and Kayla should be obvious: they've got arguably the strongest technique of any of the dancers left and have done some of the best performances of the season. They should be shoe-ins, although I am worried for Kayla. I love her to death and she's probably the only one I'd really like to see win the show at this point, but America doesn't seem to have latched on to her.

Now, I love Evan. I think he's a great dancer and adorable as hell. BUT he shouldn't still be in the competition. I've wanted to defend him all summer, but he has been one note the whole time: comic, fun, Broadway guy. Granted, he's very good at it, but in this competition, that's just not enough.

That being said, plus the fact that Evan is still here, I'd much rather see him in the F4 over Ade. The fact that Ade's still here is such a joke to me. He's a clumsy dancer with a weighty style, a dopey grin and a redonkulous-looking pick. Can't. Stand. Him. The only reason he made it to the Top 10 was because of Melissa. She carried his ass the whole way through. I'm completely baffled as to why he's still here.

Although the Top 10 guys on the whole were some of the weakest we've seen in this competition ever. Oh how I long for the days of S3 & S4 ... times when I was actually sad to see the dancers go, even some of the early eliminations (Hok, Jesus, Anya in S3; Rayven, Chelsea T. and Kourtni L in S4). I couldn't any be less invested in this competition right now.

At this point, I've almost given up on the entire season. Let's just toast to S6 and pray that it's better than this one.

SYTYCD: Happy Centennial!

It was a big week for the "So You Think You Can Dance" franchise, as the show aired its 99th (Wednesday) and 100th (Thursday) episodes. I didn't have a chance to write up a review of the Wednesday performances (for that, check out the City newspaper entertainment blog by Eric Rezsnyak here), but I did write up the big 100th episode extravaganza (if you can call it that) for City -- follow the link here.

Happy Centennial "SYTYCD". Here's to another 100 episodes!

The ugly truth about, well, "The Ugly Truth"

Hi, my name is Kathy and I'm a romantic comedies addict ("Hiiiii, Kathy"). They're cheesy, formulaic, and generally filled with poorly written dialogue and outrageous situations that movie buffs won't go near with a 10' pole. But I don't usually mind. They're mind-numbingly simple, but entertaining nonetheless, and generally have a decent eye-candy factor me and my girlfriends to ogle at for an hour and a half. And even though "The Ugly Truth" (out in theaters this Friday) is filled with all the usual hogwash that I love, there's nothing more to it than we've seen in the TV trailers for the past month or so.

The premise is totally predictable: Sacramento TV news producer Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl, "Knocked Up" and "Grey's Anatomy") is a neurotic workaholic who's hopeless in love, despite the fact that she's drop-dead gorgeous. Riiiight. Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler, "300") hosts a foul-mouthed, chauvinist TV show about relationships called "The Ugly Truth." And when network execs bring Mike in to spice up their morning show, he and Abby start butting heads constantly (duh). Convinced he knows more about dating than Abby, Mike offers to help her get her new, hunky neighbor, Colin (Eric Winter), but in the process (spoiler alert for anyone with half a brain, or anyone who hasn't seen the trailer) ends up falling for her.

Now, I could make any number of witty remarks here, but that would require me to employ more humor than is exhibited throughout the entire movie. With the exception of a few memorable scenes - most notably one involving a business dinner and vibrating panties - I barely chuckled during the screening. The ugly truth about this movie is that it's little more than a snarky, double-entendre-filled battle-of-the-sexes. Walking into the movie, I knew exactly what was going to happen and fully expected the usual fluff, but I was hoping for more comedy than I had already seen in the previews. And there simply wasn't. Rather than 100 minutes of non-stop hilarity, it was a painfully mediocre romantic comedy - and that's saying something.

At the end of the flick, Abby asks Mike why he loves her. "Fuck if I know," he replies. My thoughts exactly. Heigl's character is barely likeable, let alone dateable or even believable. The idea of a woman being so austere and out-of-touch with dating standards (Abby's idea of online foreplay includes a background check and peek at her date's credit score) is unimaginative. And the fact that such an overly exaggerated character was dreamt up by three female writers is even more disheartening. Newcomer Nicole Eastman teamed up with Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith ("Legally Blonde") to create a cast full of distorted stereotypes.

Between the complete lack of romance (I couldn't even conjure up a memorable, sexy scene to include in this review) and the less-than-impressive quality and amount of comedy, it's not worth the eight or nine bucks you'd have to spend to see it on the big screen.

"The Ugly Truth"
(R), directed by Robert Luketic
Begins Friday, July 24

And That's the Way He Was

Walter Cronkite, a man who pioneered the role of a television journalist with such ease and grace that he was known to many viewers as the most trusted man in America, passed away today at the age of 92, according to CBS News.

For nearly 2 decades, viewers were comforted by Cronkite's straightforward delivery of some of the biggest news stories of a generation — the Civil Rights movement, Watergate, and, perhaps most memorably, the Vietnam War. But the talented reporter was a reluctant star and desperately clung to the journalist's creed of objectivity as strongly as he could.

“I am a news presenter, a news broadcaster, an anchorman, a managing editor — not a commentator or analyst,” he said in an interview with The Christian Science Monitor in 1973. “I feel no compulsion to be a pundit.”

But it was that undying devotion to a lack of bias that made his opinion so powerful and so valued by many. I'm sure millions will never forget his exclamation of "Oh boy!" when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon in 1969, when he shed a tear while reporting President John F. Kennedy's death, or when he stepped out from behind his desk, pointed to the map of Vietnam and said the war was clearly not working.

Sadly, I was born too late to experience the wonder of his nightly news broadcasts. Nonetheless, he'll be fondly remembered by us J-Schoolers as Uncle Cronkite and as one of the best examples of an honest-to-God reporter.

SYTYCD: Ladies' Night

I know I didn't blog Wednesday night's performance show (sorry, I was just exhausted), but I did review last night's results show on the City Entertainment blog again. Check it out here.

I'll definitely be blogging next week (it's the 99th & 100th episodes), so look for those on Wednesday and Thursday.

SYTYCD: Breaking the Breaker

As promised, here's the link to my thoughts on tonight's results show on the City Newspaper entertainment blog: click here. Enjoy!

SYTYCD: Pipe Down, Ya' English Muffin

Last performance show before the Top 10 are revealed!!! Anybody else as excited as I am?

Tonight's guest judge was Tyce DiOrio, which was fine by me. That's where he belongs – on the judging panel. He’s always a hilarious super-bitch with his critiques and I love it. Plus it means we don’t have to watch any of his crappy routines. Huzzah!

Each of the couples danced two routines this week, so this is gonna be a long post (bear with me).

Melissa & Ade’s first routine was a disco routine by Doriana to ‘Move on Up’. They started off with great energy, but it quickly became dirge-ish. The routine was chuck-full of lifts, which were the best part of the routine to me. My favorite was when Melissa kicked her leg up to her chin, and Ade basically threw her over his head horizontally. The judges all loved it.

Kayla & Kupono started off the evening with a Mia Michaels contemporary routine to “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles. The dance was about addiction – Kupono was the addiction and Kayla was the addict. Genius idea, Mia. It such a powerful routine – both of them committed 100 percent to the concept. Kupono was downright creepy (which was the point) and stole the performance from Kayla for once, I think. But she was great too. Do I smell another Emmy for Mia Michaels?

Caitlin & Jason’s first routine was a fox trot to “Minnie the Moocher” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. It was a jazzy, American style fox trot and it was alright. Not bad, not great, just okay. Jason’s carriage wasn’t as strong as it needed to be, but Caitlin pulled him through the routine. Her extension (as always) were great, and she was perfectly suited for this fluid routine.

Jeanine & Phillip pulled Russian Folk Dance, which they’re apparently bringing back to the show (they did this style before?). Watching the rehearsals, I was downright scared for these two and I was right to be. Phillip really dragged Jeanine down – his leaps were weak, and he always felt out of sync to me. It was painful to watch. The routine really slowed down about 10 seconds in, and I think that could hurt them in the vote, although the judges gave them mixed reviews, so we’ll see.

Randi & Evan got a hip-hop routine by TabNap to “Halo”. The concept was that Randi was pregnant and they were going to get engaged. I was beyond nervous to see Evan do hip-hop, but he really surprised me. The routine was perfect for them – hard hitting, in-sync and lots of personality. They also pulled off some amazing lifts, which was especially great because, hey, how often do you really see strong lifts in hip-hop? Love TabNap. Love Randi & Evan.

Janette & Brandon’s first routine was an Argentine tango by Miriam Larici and Leonardo deMarco to "Libertango". Janette looked sexy as hell, and her dancing was amazing too. Her footwork was flawless and she completely committed to the routine. I barely noticed Brandon for the first half of the routine, but he stepped it up with his fast footwork and some amazing lifts (which are seemingly effortless for him). The only problem: they lacked serious chemistry. Janette gave it her all, but Brandon didn’t even try. Disappointing. The judges gave them a standing ovation (a bit much), Tyce made some ridiculous metaphor about orange juice and Mary put them on the train. Woo-woo!

Melissa & Ade’s second routine was a waltz by Ron Montez to “Natural Woman” by Mary J. Blige. It was fluid, graceful and just beautiful. Melissa makes everything look effortless, and Ade’s been growing on me. His technique still isn’t as strong as I’d like it to be, but he’s getting better. I guess Melissa is rubbing off on him.

Kayla & Kupono danced Broadway by Joey Dowling to "The Dance at the Gym" from "West Side Story” for their second number. The music really put me off – I love WSS, but the song selection was all wrong for this piece. That song is powerful and spicy and their routine simply wasn’t. Kayla really threw herself into it, but Kupono (as usual) was just kind of along for the ride. Not one of their better routines, but the judges gave them mixed reviews.

Caitlin & Jason got a lyrical jazz number with Mandy Moore to “Show Me Heaven”. The routine started off slow, but things picked up a bit after the first minute or so. The routine had some great sharp kicks, lots of chemistry and was remarkably in sync. Jason was practically ignoring Caitlin though. He always plays too much to the audience, completely disadvantaging his partner.

Jeanine & Phillip did a jive to "Stuff Like That There" for their second routine. The whole routine felt lackluster to me, and wasn’t particularly dynamic either. Jeanine threw herself into it, but, as always, Phillip was just lagging behind. I’d like to see her make the Top 10 so she can have a chance with a new partner. She could really emerge as a threat I think. The judges were pretty easy on them and Jeanine even made it onto Mary’s train.

Randi & Evan’s second routine was a samba with Pasha and Anya from S3 to "Ritmo de Bom Bom". Strong start to the number with this amazing flippy, throw thing (sorry, I really can’t explain it). They danced the routine well technically (as always) and Randi was sexy as hell, but Evan wasn’t totally there. I mean he was, but not in the strong leading man kind of way. If he wants to survive in this competition he needs to learn how to be strong like bull, not cute like puppy. They’re still some of my favorite dancers and I really hope they make it to the Top 10. Nigel said the routine wasn't as hot as he would have liked it. Mary referred to it as a "slow sizzle,” and put Randi on the train too.

Janette & Brandon finished off the night with a Wade Robson jazz routine to “Ruby Blue” by Roíson Murphy. I love Wade Robson’s routines, and this one was no exception. Janette & Brandon were supposed to be burglars – Janette as the go get ‘em type and Brandon as the more calculating type – and it came through perfectly. They started off on top of the steps and came down with some great freeze-frame moments. They were so in-sync it was almost scary. The routine had loads of personality and was easily one of my favorites of the night.

Phew! Okay, I think that's it.

Bottom 3 Predictions: This is tough, since half of the couples will be in the bottom. Phillip & Jeanine will probably be in trouble (both their routines were pretty lackluster) and Caitlin & Jason will end up there by default. They’re not the most exciting dancers and don’t really seem to have a strong voting bloc. I think the last spot is a toss-up (although all of them pretty much are). Kayla & Kupono might land in the bottom. It seems like the audiences haven’t really warmed to them, although their ‘addiction’ routine was brilliant and it just might save them. Randi & Evan might be in trouble too because of the judges’ lukewarm reactions to their samba, but I really hope they survive til next week.

I guess we’ll see. I’ll be blogging about tonight’s results show over on City Newspaper’s entertainment blog (I’ll post the link in a later post). Anybody else as excited as I am for this year’s Top 10?!

SYTYCD: Farewell Forgetables

Tonight's show started off with a group number to some song from "The Wiz" (I didn't catch what it was). It started with the dancers standing behind a giant picture frame (ooookay?). Then they sprung to life and the shit hit the fan. The routine was busy and clumsy – the dancers were all over the place. I didn't like it and no surprise, it was a Tyce DiOrio number. That guy always gives us such crap. Nigel gave him the usual tongue bath (when will the producers realize he's a sophomoric, hack choreographer at best?)

Anyways, onto the results. First two couples: Karla & Vitolio and Randi & Evan. I thought both couples would be in trouble tonight, but apparently one was safe. Karla & Vitolio didn't do a bad job last night given the circumstances (new couple, tough genre, pretty technique-heavy routine), but it certainly wasn't strong. And I really don't care about them – they're SO BORING! And I love Randi & Evan – they're strong dancers and totally adorable, but always unfairly over-critiqued by the judges. But they're safe! YAY!

Next three couples: Janette & Brandon, Kayla & Kupono and Melissa & Ade. I thought all three of them would be safe, but I guess one of the pairs is in danger. Janette & Brandon were über sexy in their cha-cha last night, and it's no surprise that they're safe. K squared had a pretty dark Sonya jazz routine, but it had to do with vampires, so I thought for sure the tween Twilight audience members would come out in droves for them. Melissa & Ade were absolutely amazing in their classical 'Romeo & Juliet' ballet routine, but young voters might not get the beauty of ballet (although Katee & William got tons of votes & praise for their pas de deux last season). Aaaand ... Melissa & Ade are safe, Kayla & Kupono are in the Bottom 3. Mia said K&K's number was the best of the night – I disagree, but it was good – but hopefully at least Kayla will survive unscathed.

That left us with Jason & Caitlin and Phillip & Jeanine as the last two couples, with seemingly predictable results. Phillip's got a huge voting bloc that has saved him and Jeanine after some pretty dreadful routines (Broadway and Tango) the past couple weeks and Caitlin & Jason's routine last night was really weird and they don't seem to have a strong fan base. But somehow Phillip & Jeanine landed in the bottom and Caitlin & Jason survived to see another week. My reaction was the same as Caitlin's ... What?! I know I complained about Phillip getting by unfairly because of his strong fan base so far, but I definitely didn't think they deserved to be in the bottom based on their hip-hop routine last night. On the plus side, this was an opportunity for Phillip to show off, which I can't say I mind.

Then it was time for another performance from "The World of Dance". Usually I love this segment, but this week's performance (a ballet routine performed by Desmond Richardson and Patricia Hachey) left me a bit disappointed. The ballet was fine (although the costumes were a bit distracting), but it looked like Patricia slipped at one point (did anyone else see that?) and I actually liked Melissa & Ade's ballet last night better.

Solo time. Karla was up first and I'm pretty sure she did the same routine she did for her audition and for her solo last week (has anyone else noticed this?). She's never impressed me with her dancing and doing the same tired routine is very uninspiring. Vitolio's solo had some great leaps and good control, but his personality is just non-existent when he performs. He's got an adorable accent during his interviews, but he's dullsville when he dances. Urgh. Kayla was next and did a more-than-adequate, but slightly lackluster routine. Her technique is great, but I think she took the judges' critiques too much to heart (a few weeks ago, Nigel told her that her routine was too busy and it seemed like she was trying too hard). She's one of the judges' favorites (and mine too), so I doubt she's going anywhere. Kupono's solo basically involved him doing a few lunges, but that was it. He pretty much just stood there. Poor life choice, Kupono, poor life choice. Jeanine was next and did a lovely solo with lots of great extensions that showed off her lines, some perfect pirouettes and leaps. She's becoming one of my favorites in this competition and I'd like to see her with a different partner. Although based off his routine with her last night and his solo tonight, Phillip isn't going anywhere. He did his thing and his solo was filled with great popping and comedy. Plus the judges love him. He should be fine too.

Then, KELLY CLARKSON! It was nice to see an American Idol on So You Think You Can Dance. I think her top was a bit unflattering, but her performance of "I Will Not Hook Up" was great. I wish this song was a bigger hit – I've had it on my iPod for about a month (since I blogged about it) and it's one of my top played songs. And take a note "pop stars": she sang every note LIVE and it sounded great. Love her.

Results time: The judges were unanimous in their decision for the girls. Nigel told Jeanine she had the strongest solo of the night (I'd agree) and that she's safe for another week. Huzzah! Then Nigel told Kayla her solo was stagnant and I can see that, but I don't think she deserves to go home – this girl's a star. Karla got rebuked for her lack of star quality and was cut. Can't same I'm surprised or disappointed at all.

Onto the guys, and again, the judges were unanimous. Phillip got called out first and was scolded for "overworking" his solo and for his less-than-great performances in previous weeks, but is safe. The judges said Vitolio had a great stage presence but no substance to his solo. Was I watching a different performance? I would say the complete opposite was true of his solo. Anyways, Nigel then told Kupono standing there wasn't going to cut it, but he got a pass to next week. I need to go gambling with this guy because he is SO LUCKY! I suspect he'll be in danger next week.

We're really whittling it down here and I think the remaining 12 dancers definitely deserve to be here. I have a feeling Caitlin & Jason will be in trouble and Kupono as well. But it's strong pack this year and anything can happen. Still, I think it'll be tough for the judges to pick the Top 10, which happens next week! Can't wait!

SYTYCD: The Dancing Condom

Ah, another Wednesday. Time again for my “So You Think You Can Dance” mid-week pick-me-up.

Mia Michaels was the guest judge this week and I was SO ready for her to be über-bitchy about the dancers. Instead there was a ten-minute exchange between her and Cat about whether or not she had warmed to any of the dancers (cough – Brandon – cough cough) and it was nothing short of obnoxious. Mia tried to claim she was only hard on Brandon before because she saw his incredible potential and wanted him to grow. Bull. Shit. Cue the tapes of her being utterly hostile toward the guy. Ugh. Let’s hope she’s better tonight.

On top of that, this week’s show was still two hours long when it easily could have been whittled down to an hour and a half. In their mini-video segments this week, the dancers recapped their last 3 weeks in the competition. Are the producers of this show that lazy? Are the contestants that boring? Come up with something. Please.

Alright, onto the dancing!

Janette and Brandon danced a cha-cha by Jean Marc and France to “Hush Hush, Hush Hush” by PCD and it was sex-ay! Janette tore up the dance floor in her skimpy, sparkly hot pink outfit. Even though the cha-cha is closer to her style (salsa), she still exceeded expectations and really blew the roof off the joint. Brandon was definitely adequate, but at times was overshadowed by Janette. There were a couple times when he was playing to the camera instead of his partner, but overall the chemistry was there and it added to this already spicy routine. They got great reviews from the judges, including two first class tickets on the Hot Tamale train from Mary, and should have no trouble making it to next week’s show.

Kayla and Kupono got a contemporary routine by Sonya to “Eyes on Fire”. It was supposed to be a vampire love story (I’m sure all the tween Twilight fans in the audience peed themselves). For once, I actually liked Sonya’s choreography and I think both of them did it justice, especially Kupono. He's actually growing on me, especially since he got paired with Kayla. Their extensions are just insane to me – their legs seem to go one for days – and their side-by-side leaps were brilliant. They also got great reviews from the judges.

Randi and Evan got a Broadway routine to "Rich Man's Frug" by Joey Dowling. Finally, we got to see Evan in his element and, in my opinion, he didn't disappoint. He started off the routine by doing a cartwheel on the table they had onstage that looked like slow-mo. It was crazy and must have taken a crazy amount of control. And that spiked hair was a great look for him (H-O-T, HOT!). Randi's costuming, unfortunately, didn't do the same for her; her dress made her look shorter and a bit thick (which is a shame because she's cute as a button). Both did a great job with the routine, but Evan really stole the spotlight this week. And somehow the judges didn't think so ... um, what? Sometimes I feel like the judges and I are watching two different routines. I'm worried they could land in the Bottom 3 this week because of the judges' lukewarm reaction to a brilliant routine.

Caitlin & Jason got a pop jazz routine by Brian Friedman to "Creator". Caitlin, who was dressed in a giant "leather condom" (as Nigel put it) with tinfoil Dino spikes, was supposed to be an alien who was coming for Jason to impregnate him. Yeah. They danced it well, but the routine was just ... bizarre. They got mixed reviews from the judges and I'm pretty sure they'll suffer a "WTF" reaction from the audience and land in the Bottom 3.

Jeanine and Phillip got hip-hop (again) with TabNap to "Love Lockdown" – and it really was a lockdown, as the two were chained together by the ankles. That just has slip-up written all over it. But they pulled it off and had some strong popping and great sharp, in-sync movements. I was a little distracted by the "chain-ography" (as Mia put it), but it was still a very cool, well-danced routine. I am kind of annoyed Phillip is still here (he's been skating by because of his strong fan-base), but they deserve to stay this week.

Melissa and Ade performed a pas de deux by Thordal Christensen to "Romeo and Juliet" and it was absolutely stunning. It was so nice to see Melissa on pointe and totally in her element. She made the routine just look effortless, which is tough to do with ballet (you really can't fake it). Ade's technique wasn't quite there, but Melissa more than made up for it. I can only hope America appreciates how absolutely beautiful it was.

Karla and Vitolio got a quickstep to "Puttin' on the Ritz". My initial thought: Train. Wreck. The odds were definitely against them: they're new partners this week, they're the most BORING people on this show, they're some of the weaker dancers and they pulled the quickstep. The routine itself was good and there were a few cool moments – at one point, Vitolio spun Karla around and her black and white frumpy frock turned into a flowy pink and orange gown – but the whole dance felt heavy. They weren't nearly as bouncy as they should have been, and that can ruin any good quickstep. They got pretty decent reviews from the judges though (oooookay?)

Bottom 3 Predictions: Karla & Vitolio probably (they're boring and not particularly memorable), but the other two spots are toss-ups. It's a tough call 'cause no one really bombed last night. I am worried for Randi & Evan because of the judges’ mediocre comments. They don't deserve to go home though, especially not based off of last night's routine. I'm pretty sure Caitlin & Jason will suffer from a "WTF" and will round out the Bottom 3. Plus, they don't seem to have the strong voting bloc some of the other dancers do. I'd like to see Karla & Vitolio go, but I wouldn't be too disappointed to see Caitlin & Jason go.

SYTYCD: Ballroom Blitz

I know I promised to keep up with "So You Think You Can Dance" on this blog, but tonight's a bit different. Check out my thoughts on tonight's results show on the City Newspaper Entertainment Blog. Enjoy!

RIP: Charlie's Angel & King of Pop

It was a sad day in the entertainment world, as both Farrah Fawcett, 62, and Michael Jackson, 50, passed away.

Fawcett, best known for her toothy grin, perfectly feathered hair and tight-fitting clothing on TV's "Charlie's Angel's" in the 1970s, succumbed to a three-year battle with anal cancer. She died in St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica and is survived by her longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal, and her son, Redmond.

Although she was a sex symbol in the 1970s — the poster (right) was plastered on nearly every teenage boy's bedroom wall in her day — Fawcett was more recently known for "Farrah's Story", a television documentary that aired last month and chronicled her struggle with cancer. She was an icon of her decade and will certainly be missed by many.

Jackson, the youngest member of the Jackson 5 and the undisputed King of Pop, passed away this afternoon after he was found not breathing in his L.A. home, according to Associated Press reports. The exact cause of his death is still unclear, but reports of cardiac arrest and a coma have surfaced. The singer was 50 years old.

Jackson was staying in a Bel-Air mansion while he was preparing for a series of 50 sold-out shows at the O2 dome in London. The concerts were scheduled to begin July 13.

Jackson's unparalleled music career in the 70s and 80s was recently overshadowed by his bizarre behavior and disturbing legal troubles, but his influence on popular music is undeniable. A uniter of black and white musical influences, his records are still among the top-selling albums — his 1982 "Thriller" album remains the best selling album of all time, with more than 26 million copies sold.

I could go on and on about his accomplishments, but it would be wasted space. Even though he freaked many people out (myself included) with his eccentricity, his impact on popular culture will certainly stick with us for years to come. The moonwalk, sporting short black pants with white socks and black shoes, the lengthy, movie-like music videos, his high-pitched singing and that single, sequined glove.

Even though much of his most popular discography was released before I could walk, I can still remember watching videos like "Thriller", "Billie Jean" and "Smooth Criminal" and desperately trying to replicate his style. But no matter how hard anyone tries, it's impossible to be like Mike. As a person, he might have been troubled, but as a dancer, singer and overall performer, he was astounding. He will truly be missed.

STYCYD: But ... And There is a Butt ...

But we'll get to that in a little bit. Tonight's guest judge was Toni Basil, who is apparently receiving an award for her Hip-Hop and locking. I guess she's got street cred. Ooookay. She babbled a bit, but it's coherent babble, so I'm good with it (it puts her way ahead of Lil C).

The show got off to a rough start with two disastrous routines, but things picked up from there. I still wasn't overwhelmed by most of the dances though.

Karla & Jonathan started off the night with a Dave Scott hip-hop routine this week, which was supposed to have a Bonnie and Clyde feel to it. I’m just gonna say it. Jonathan’s about as gangster as the Care Bears. The routine itself wasn’t particularly exciting, and their dancing was just dismal. It wasn’t hard-hitting, most of the time they were noticeably out of sync and throughout the whole routine they were smiling like it was picture day at school – manic and totally the wrong mood for the piece. The judges tore them a new one (Nigel said “instead of gangster, it felt more like a Sunday school picnic”), but they kind of deserved it. Bottom 3 for sure tomorrow.

Asuka & Vitolio pulled a Mandy Moore jazz routine that she deemed “Thrash Rocker Jazz”. Asuka served face again this week and had the right attitude for the piece, but Vitolio was barely noticeable (aside from his badly-tailored neon blue pants). Like the couple that proceeded them, they were routinely out of sync and definitely struggled in spots (they went into that lift slowly and with noticeable difficulty). Mandy Moore choreography plus Pat Benatar plus awesome costumes should have added up to fabulous. But it didn't. The judges sugarcoated it a bit, but they could still be in trouble tomorrow.

Melissa & Ade got a rumba with Tony Meredith. It wasn’t my favorite number, but it was a drastic improvement from the previous two routines. Melissa was practically naked – she was dressed in a tiny, sequined bra and loosely wrapped piece of fabric around the rest of her body. The judges kept saying how beautiful she looked, but I found it distracting. I thought it made her look anorexic skinny, which is a shame, because she’s a beautiful girl. The passion was definitely there (especially from Melissa) and the technique was pretty good too. It was a little rough around the edges – Ade was basically stomping around Melissa during the assisted spins – but it was fair overall. They got good reviews from the judges and will probably be fine til next week.

Jeanette & Brandon performed another Dave Scott hip-hop routine that was supposed to be a battle between a rock ‘n’ roll chick and a hip-hop guy. The costumes were fabulous – I want the jewel-encrusted fishnet tights Jeanette was sporting – and the routine was great fun to watch. They were sharp and in-sync with their movements, though not as hard-hitting as it could have been. Still, a great routine compared to what came before it. They’ll definitely survive until next week.

Kayla & Kupono pulled a Viennese Waltz Jean-Marc (who I think is a kook, but hilarious). My initial thought: Train. Wreck. I knew Kayla would at least fare alright, but I thought Kupono’s femininity and weak technique would drag her down. But they really proved me wrong. The routine was absolutely fluid and dreamlike. The chemistry was strong, the lines were wonderful throughout and the whole thing just oozed elegance. Kayla's performance was graceful and stunning – her extensions and lines are just insane to me. Ultimately, she overpowered Kupono, but both were more than fair. Nigel said it was good, but that people wouldn’t stand up and cheer for them. Mary proved him wrong and put them on the Hot Tamale Train (third week in a row for Kayla!) Well-deserved. Usually this style is the kiss of death for dancers on this show, but hopefully America appreciates just how amazing that routine was. Easily one of my favorites of the night.

Randi and Evan got a Mia Michaels contemporary routine that was all about Randi's butt. *Shakes head* Oh Mia Michaels. Only you could dream up something so ridiculously cheeky (no pun intended). The routine was hilarious and lots of fun to watch. As always, both had great technique (loved the half-handstand cartwheel moves they did) and totally believable chemistry. Great reviews from the judges (except Nigel kept making endless butt jokes ... ugh). They should be fine for next week (they seem to have a pretty solid fan base). Yay! On a side note, Randi was wearing a shirt that said "unitard girl". Love. It.

Caitlin and Jason got a Paso Doble this week. My first experience with this style was Neil & Sabra's routine towards the end of S3, so my expectations for this type of dance are quite lofty. The music ("O'Fortuna") and the opening lifts were dynamic, but the rest of the number fizzled for me. It needed to be powerful and a bit angry and sassy, but it really wasn't. Plus Jason kept pulling his face WAY too much (frightening). The judges lapped it up though, but I still think they'll fall in the Bottom 3.

Jeanine & Phillip closed the show with a Tyce DiOrio Broadway routine to "Moses (Supposes)" from "Singin' in the Rain". The routine centered around a love seat, which Phillip jumped over at one point (very impressive). They had some fun with it in the beginning, but the choreography (Phillips couch-jumping ability aside) fell flat after that, (it ended with a pillow fight and running around the stage.) Blah. I watched the original movie scene on Youtube to help erase the memory of Phillip & Jeanine's rendition. The judges’ reviews weren't great, but Phillip's got a strong following, so I suspect they'll survive another week.

Bottom 3 Predictions: Jonathan & Karla, probably Asuka and Vitolio and maybe Caitlin & Jason. It almost doesn't matter though. Jonathan and Karla are inevitably doomed (their routine was dismal) tomorrow.

SYTYCD: Buck Off!

Let me first apologize for not keeping up with this show on my blog. I've definitely been watching (religiously) and have been taking note of my early favorites (we'll see if they last). I promise I'll keep up with blogging for the rest of the show. Now, on to the Top 18's performances.

I walked away from tonight’s show with two conclusions: 1.) Even typically well-dressed people with expensive stylists can make fashion faux-pas (read: Cat Deeley’s overly poofy red dress) and 2.) Lil C is a useless, mumbling idiot who likes to pretend he’s a hip and legit choreographer when in reality he’s neither. He constantly talks out of his ass and uses terms like "buck" to describe routines (read: the producers need to axe him from the show IMMEDIATELY ... they're losing credibility with every unintelligible thing that man says).

Last week’s show was overall one of the strongest I’ve seen in the show’s history and it was going to be a tough act for the dancers to follow up with this week’s performances. Tonight's show was a more typical SYTYCD week – some solid performances, some mediocre and the occasional train wreck or two.

Here’s the breakdown of the evening:

Randi & Evan (Jive): These two performed with a ton of energy and spirit, and it was loads of fun to watch. I had some issues with the costuming (Evan’s pants were too baggy, Randi got stuck in a feather tutu and both were sequined to death). Evan’s performance wasn’t as sharp as it could have been, but he was still strong – he pulled off an amazing Russian over Randi’s head. But little miss Randi was the star of that routine. I initially dismissed her (probably because of the unitards), but she has far surpassed my expectations and has, at least so far, done flawlessly in the competition. The judges were pretty harsh on Evan (boo!), but hopefully their high-energy routine this week, plus their amazing routine last week, will keep them out of the Bottom 3 tomorrow.

Melissa & Ade (Jazz): What an odd routine – I’m not always a fan of Sonya’s choreography. Their technique (especially Melissa’s) was great and they did each move more than adequately, but I feel like I didn’t get anything out of it. It was just kind of there. The judges lapped it up and Lil C even called Ade “one to watch” this season (God I hope that doesn’t take him as far as the same remark took Twitch last year). The audience and judges seem to like them, especially Melissa, and while she’s got great technique (she’s living proof that ballet training can take you a long way), I’ve never been impressed with these two. It was a pretty forgettable routine that might put them at the bottom of tomorrow’s pack.

Caitlin & Jason (Hip-Hop): These two performed a Shane Sparks hip-hop routine and while their movements were pretty sharp, they were hardly ever in sync, which pretty much killed the whole routine. Caitlin really struggled in this routine, with the exception of her solo (which she killed). Jason was adept, but not spectacular. I think these two will land in the Bottom 3.

Brandon & Jeanette (Disco): Both seemed to struggle with this incredibly quick Doriana Sanchez disco routine in rehearsals, but they really stepped up their game with tonight’s performance. The number was full of lifts, which were magnificent to watch – Brandon (who claims has never worked out a day in his life … riiiiight) is insanely strong and Jeanette just soared. Her spread eagle lift was particularly incredible – holy flexibility Batman! With the exception of a slight slip at the end by Jeanette (she tried to cover, but it was still noticeable), it was a fantastic routine and one of my favorites of the night. They’ll be around for another week for sure.

Asuka & Vitolio (Waltz): Danced a lovely waltz, but it still didn’t blow me away. The pair of them performed the steps well, especially compared to their work last week, but the actual choreography just fell flat. Their technique was great and the lift/spins were absolutely beautiful (mostly thanks to Asuka), but it wasn’t my favorite routine. Asuka threw herself into it and danced with more emotion than I thought possible, but Vitolio was barely present. They got great reviews from the judges though, so they might be alright. I’d like to see Vitolio go home, but it probably won’t happen this week.

Kayla & Max (Pop-Jazz): These two got Punk’d by wardrobe – Max was wearing MC Hammer pants and a kinky, bejeweled leather tank top and Kayla looked like a psychedelic Muppet in her hot pink and banana yellow-feathered number – but they pulled off another AMAZING routine. The idea behind the routine was that Kayla was a princess and Max was a jester, who really wanted to take her throne. It was a bizarre routine, but both really threw themselves into it and pulled off some great leaps and spins, not to mention plenty of personality. They should be fine for this week.

Karla & Jonathan (Contemporary): New choreographer Stacie Tookey (great name) gave the two a slow contemporary routine. I hated these two last week, but this routine was one of my favorites of the night. They needed to pull some serious shit off to recover from last week’s disaster of a cha-cha and they did. I’m still wary of them going far in the competition. Karla, who annoys me with all her bragging (for the love of my sanity, go back to ‘Wicked’), actually danced pretty well and had great lines throughout – something I definitely wasn’t expecting from her. Jonathan was fair by comparison, but I still think he’s the weakest dancer on the program in terms of technique. Mary drooled over him and even said he did this style better than his own (ballroom), although that’s not saying much – he sucked at ballroom last week. But he’s cute (a little too cute in my opinion), but he’ll pull in the pre-pubescent vote for sure. They’ll probably survive this week.

Jeanine & Phillip (Tango): These two were some of my favorites last week, but they struggled through a pretty rudimentary lack-luster tango. Both of them were very obviously out of their element and had practically zero technique – especially Phillip. To their credit, they really tried, but it just wasn’t enough. Jeanine stayed in character and fared alright, but Phillip really dragged her down. It was, at times, painful to watch. The judges sugar coated their critiques (which were negative on the whole), but at least Mary called Lil C out for not knowing what he was talking about when it came to Phillip’s bent knees (for the record, he was supposed to keep his knees bent, which he did). I’m so glad someone’s willing to call him out on his bullshit remarks (he makes plenty of them). The judges’ overly-nice reviews, along with Phillip’s strong following might leave these two unscathed for another week.

Ashley & Kupono (Hip-Hop): The pair ended the night with another Shane Sparks number. These two have never been my favorite dancers, but they fared alright. It wasn’t as hard-hitting as I would have liked and it wasn’t particularly memorable (although the shadow concept was cool). The judges tore them a new one, which was a bit unfair, but I guess they need to make someone the bad guys, right? I think they could be in trouble tomorrow because of the judges’ comments.

I think Melissa & Ade, Caitlin & Jason and Ashley & Kupono will land in the bottom 3 tomorrow night, but Phillip & Jeanine and Randi and Evan might be in danger. I doubt anyone from the latter two couples will be sent home, but it’s tough to call. I find I’m frequently disagreeing with the praise-happy judges this season and well, let’s face it, American voters are unpredictable. I guess we’ll see what happens.

LIVEBLOG: The 63rd Tony Awards!

Welcome to my very first attempt at a Live Blog! On tonight's bill: The 63rd Annual Tony Awards!

The Tony Awards, established by the American Theatre Wing in 1943, were named for Antoinette Tony, an actress, director, producer and co-founder of the American Theatre Wing. The awards are given to recognize outstanding achievement in American theatre.

Tonight's show will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, and will feature performances by Dolly Parton and the cast of "9 to 5: The Musical", Sir Elton John and the cast of "Billy Elliot", Liza Minnelli (oh boy), Stockard Channing (of "Pal Joey") and — wait for it — rock band Poison. This motley crew of performers will join the nominees “Guys and Dolls,” “Hair,” “Next to Normal,” “Shrek the Musical” and “West Side Story." For a full list of tonight's nominees, check out the list here. Leading in the nominations tonight is "Billy Elliot", with 15 nominations.

Aaaaand ... we're off!!!

8:02pm - Starting with a sound glitch? Shame on you Tony's! A very delicate and beautiful opening of "Electricity" by Elton John and the cast of "Billy Elliot". Lovely image with the three Billys and the chairs.
8:04pm - Great collaboration between the casts of "West Side Story" and "Guys and Dolls" for "Tonight" and "Luck be a Lady Tonight". Poison feels a bit out of place (as I suspected they would) in this musical-mash-up opening though ...
8:07pm - I completely forgot how fake Dolly Parton's boobs and hair were until this moment. She performs a campy rendition of "9 to 5" with the cast of "9 to 5: The Musical".
8:09pm - Liza with a "z" sounds alright at the start of her song, but starts to sound drunk after the first few minutes.
8:11pm - Ah! Attack of the hippies! Are they filming in Ithaca?! Oh no, wait, it's the cast of "Hair". This has got to be the oddest mix of musical performances the Tony's has ever seen. Let's see what happens, I guess?
8:14pm - Did Neil Patrick Harris just use the term "fetching"? His suit is remarkably shiny. It's oddly memorizing ...
8:19pm - First award of the night goes to Roger Robinson in “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone" for Best Featured Actor in a Play. Nice pithy speech — he even thanked a tech! Huzzah!
8:24pm - Oh boy, here comes "Shrek: The Musical". Stick to movies, Disney. Please?!
8:25pm - Those Duloc singer/puppet people are the most frightening dolls since Furby. Yikes!
8:29pm - N.P.H. just used the term "BTW". Stop trying to be hip, Neil. You'll always be Doogie Howser in our minds.
8:30pm - James Gandolfini sets the record straight: him and Shrek — no relation!
8:31pm - Angela Lansbury takes home the award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for "Blithe". No surprise there; this is her fifth Tony Award.
8:33pm - Hey there drunken cameraman! Hold it still, for God sake — we're going out live here!
8:35pm - Thank you touring cast of "Mama Mia" for that campy, sequined rendition of "Dancing Queen." You were at least slightly better than the movie version! Congratulations.
8:44pm - Who invited Will Ferrell? ... And why?
8:45pm - The Tony for Best Original Score goes to Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt for "Next to Normal." Damn, I had "Billy Elliot" in the pool.
8:47pm - Not only did they play the cutoff music when Yorkey and Kitt took too long with their speeches, but they also shut off the mic. Ooooh! Burned!
8:53pm - Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the Spanish-language lyrical translation of WSS (up for Best Revival tonight), introduces the cast in the "Dance at the Gym". And as good as some of the dancing is, the routine doesn't seem to translate too well to TV. Alas!
8:57pm - Susan Sarandon is looking a bit too skinny (her arms look particularly anorexic) in her full-length black dress and struggles a with the teleprompter. It's just not her night. Best Direction of a Play goes to Matthew Warchus, who was nominated twice in this category, for "God of Carnage". Best Direction of a Musical goes to Stephen Daldry for "Billy Elliot", who gives a classy speech thanking the crew (huzzah again!) and the three Billys.
9:05pm - Oh boy, it's time for the Tonys to take a break for a rock concert. It's the "Rock of Ages" musical montage, which includes “I Want to Rock” / “Paradise” / “Don’t Stop Believing” and features Constantine Maroulis (of sixth place fame from the fourth season of "American Idol").
The audience was ready with pre-distributed glow-in-the-dark lighters (really, Tonys?), but I'm not feeling it. It's an adequate rock concert performance, but it can't really hold a candle to many of the stunning vocals and captivating dances of traditional B'way musicals. It's kind of insulting. At least a performance from the cast of "Guys and Dolls" is next. I just might survive.
9:13pm - They announce the nominees for Best Special Theatrical Event and "You're Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush" is on the list. Now I remember why Will Ferrell is here.
9:14pm - Liza's drunk ... classic. But she's a funny drunk. Gotta love her. She wins for the category for "Liza's at The Palace".
9:18pm - Ooooh, more audio woes for the Tonys. A tuxedo-ed tech runs onstage and hands the actor a hand-held mic. Ouch.
9:21pm - The cast of "Guys and Dolls" does a nice rendition of "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat", but I wonder why they chose that song and not one that featured either Oliver Platt or Lauren Graham. Hmmmm ...
9:27pm - 2 presenters, 2 frightening dresses. Hellooooo ugly bow!
9:31pm - Best Featured Actor in a Musical goes to Gregoray Jbara for playing Mr. Elliot in "Billy Elliot". He drags his wife up on stage with him to thank her for being a single parent for the last year so he could perform on Broadway. How sweet!
9:37pm - My live blogging is rudely interrupted by a bad internet connection. Curse you internet fairy! (But at least I'm back!)
Karen Olivo takes home the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for WSS. Kudos to her. She's practically speechless. A very genuine and touching moment.
9:40pm - The performance of "You Don’t Know" from "Next to Normal" rocked harder than "Rock of Ages". I have to see this musical — it looks great! It's also up for Best Musical tonight.
9:42pm - Why are they reusing a 1990s Riverdance Folgers commercial? Anyone else find that weird ...?
9:46pm - Geoffrey Rush (a.k.a. Captain Barbossa) nabs the Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play and makes a pretty amusing speech (nothing says hilarity like poking fun at the French).
9:50pm - The traditional moment where we pause to remember those in the theatre community who have passed on in the past year. A lovely rendition of "What I Did For Love" from a huge chorus. Bea Arthur, Ertha Kitt, and Paul Newman get the biggest rounds of applause and the lights of Broadway are dimmed in their memory. I always thought that was a classy and appropriate way to remember those in the theatre we've lost.
9:58pm - Frank Langella, who I loved in "Frost/Nixon" (if you haven't seen it yet, go see it, now!), comes out to present the Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Play, but not before shamelessly joking about how he wasn't nominated despite being on Broadway in "A Man for All Seasons" this year. Genius.
The award goes to ... Marcia Gay Harden for "God of Carnage". Gab, gab, gab, gab, gab — cut her off! And they do.
10:04pm - Hey, it's what's her face from "Coyote Ugly". Apparently she's making her debut on B'way this year. Who knew?
10:05pm - YAY! Here comes "Billy Elliot"! It looks like they're going to do the "Angry Dance" number. Slightly modified for the Tonys, and slightly less powerful than the normally staged version, I think. The lighting and sound effects during that scene are normally spectacular on stage; it kind of fizzled in tonight's televised translation. Bummer. Still a wonderful musical — go see it if you get the chance — which is probably why it's also up for Best Musical tonight.
10:15pm - Here comes the cast of "Legally Blonde: The Musical". And here I go to get an Advil.
10:17pm - Harvey Fierstein (in his signature raspy voice) announces that "The Norman Conquests" will take home the Tony for Best Revival of a Play tonight.
10:21pm - "God of Carnage" takes home the award for Best Play and playwright Yasmina Reza thanks many people, including her mother, who overcame her fear of flying to be in the audience tonight.
10:34pm - Invasion of the hippies, part 2. A performance of "Hair" by the cast of the musical, gets the audience clapping and involved (this is probably the most audience groping there's been since 'Cats'). At least they managed to keep their clothes on.
10:39pm - Kristin Chenoweth is the next presenter. I forgot how grating her voice was until now. Can someone pass her a throat lozenge or something?
The award for Best Revival of a Musical goes to ... the hippies! "Hair" wins the Tony, and holy crap is the cast HUGE!
10:50pm - The three young Billys win for Best Lead Actors in "Billy Elliot" (the first time three actors have shared this award). David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish don't really know what to do, and it's adorable and endearing. They pick things up and begin thanking a lot of people, including their families and stage managers (huzzah for a third time!)
10:59pm - And "Billy Elliot" takes home the big prize: Best Musical. Congrats to them, it's a fantastic show, which definitely deserved to beat out "Shrek" and "Rock of Ages" — I can't believe those shows were even nominated ... was there really nothing else good on B'way this year?
11:03pm - N.P.H. is singing. He's actually not bad, and the material is pretty amusing. Here's a sample of some of the lyrics (set to the tune of "Tonight"):

Elton’s Billy was all the rage
What class, what drive,
now Angela won five
and she hooked up with Poison backstage.

and

This show could not be gayer
if Liza was named mayor
and Elton John took flight.

He was a pretty unnoticeable host for the most part, but kudos to him for trying. Adorable and competent, but nothing spectacular. Much better than the Whoopi fiasco of last year though.

There weren't too many surprises this year. I could have done without the expendable performances from the touring casts, but I think there were plenty of solid performances to make up for it — my favorite of the night is definitely "Next to Normal", with "Hair" and "Billy Elliot" in a close tie for second. Overall, a fun show.

Thanks for enduring — er, embarking on this Live Blog adventure with me. I hope you had as much fun as I did!

Unlike the B'way stars and producers who are off to the fabulous Tony Awards After Parties, I've got to crash (I have work in the morning).

G'night for now!

PHOTOS: All taken from the NY Times website (I'll add captions when I have a chance later)