MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE ON SYTYCD -- FITTING MEMORIAL FOR THE 'KING OF POP'

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop who died this past Thursday, will likely be honored by the So You Think You Can Dance television show in a special tribute expected to be choreographed by Paula Abdul.

Through an exchange of messages on Twitter, the show's executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe extended the request to Abdul -- and Abdul responded, "Let's do it!"

"Michael's music works in every dance genre for the show," Lythgoe revealed, indicating that other show choreographers would join in the effort.

Following the announcement of the entertainer's death days ago, Lythgoe, on the Thursday night segment, spoke emotionally and passionately of Jackson's monumental contribution to music not only in this country, but around the world.

"There is a problem clearing Michael's music at the moment," revealed the judge. "We are trying to make contact with Sony to get clearance. If we can make this 'special' happen, it is thanks to many of you 'Tweeters' out there who all had the same idea."

Abdul, of course, is a highly acclaimed dancer, choreographer and judge on American Idol. That show on Monday night presented its own tribute when it rebroadcast a segment in which contestants each performed a Michael Jackson song.

MARY MURPHY METER NAILS IT THIS WEEK

Mary Murphy, the SYTYCD judge known for screaming her admiration for the best dancers and placing them on her fictitious 'Hot Tamale Train', completely nailed the bottom three couples this week.

Not only was Murphy's 'Hot Tamale Train' couple deemed safe, but the three couples she chose as her bottom three (receiving no screams) were indeed chosen by voting fans as the bottom three.

After a 'dance for your life' solo round, the show's three judges chose two boys and two girls to come back next week and sent home Asuka Kondoh, 25, of Irvine, CA and Jonathan Platero, 21, of New York, NY.

On Wednesday night, Asuka and her partner, Vitolio Jeune had performed a Mandy Moore jazz routine that Murphy said, "was really good, but not at the level of last week. I expected a little bit more. You need to be growing as a partnership, but you were just a little under that tonight."

With respect to Jonathan Platero and Karla Garcia's hip-hop number, Murphy thought, "The chemistry didn't feel powerful. It wasn't kind of in the right groove."

Most impressing Murphy and topping her scream-machine leaderboard this week were Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau -- who were indeed voted safe by the show's judges. Murphy had called their performance, "elegant, flowing and totally believable."

And three couples who failed to elicit her famed screams were: Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero, Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune. and Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover.

ASUKA AND JONATHAN, THE LATEST CASUALTIES ON SYTYCD

And now there are 14!!

Asuka Kondoh and Jonathan Platero were the boy and girl sent home this week during “So You Think You Can Dance” third round of eliminations.

As the show opened on Thursday night, judge Nigel Lythgoe presented an emotional tribute to three show business icons, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, all of whom passed away this week. He cited the contributions that each made to the entertainment world. Of Jackson, he said, “We will not see his likes again. He changed the face of music and dance in the world.” And a portion of Jackson’s mega-hit “Thriller” video filled the screen as the show moved into a commercial break.

Then the show moved on to its business of announcing the three couples placed into the bottom three by voting fans: Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune, Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero and Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover. Following solo routines by each of the six low-scoring dancers, Lythgoe announced that Asuka and Jonathan would view clips showing highlights of their time on the show and then saying their final good-byes.




Lythgoe complimented Asuka as an “exciting performer, beautiful.” But he said that the judges felt that as a performer, she was “not growing in the competition” – which was why they unanimously were sending her home. Asuka had performed a Mandy Moore choreographed jazz dance this week with partner Vitolio.

The decision of which boy to send home, Lythgoe explained, was not unanimous – and he actually offered criticism to each boy in the bottom three. But, in the end, he said that Jonathan was voted out because his performance the previous night was “not good. I don’t believe you have brought the dancing that is required to be America’s best dancer.” This week Jonathan had performed a hip-hop routine with partner Karla Garcia.



The partners of the two eliminated dancers will perform as a couple next week -- Vitolio and Karla.

KAYLA AND KUPONO TOP MURPHY METER LEADERBOARD

ONE COUPLE WELCOMED ON THE ‘HOT TAMALE TRAIN’

Mary Murphy’s famed ‘Hot Tamale Train’ chugged into the So You Think You Can Dance studio on Wednesday night and boarded passengers Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau.


ON THE TRAIN

Kayla, 18, and Kupono, 23, had just completed a lovely Jean-Marc Genereux choreographed Viennese waltz to Jewel’s “Sweet Dreams For You.” Judge Nigel Lythgoe, the first to rate the couple, said, “It was very beautiful. It was elegant.” But he also added that he questioned that it would “make anyone stand up and cheer.”

Not willing to let Lythgoe's remark go unchallenged, fans in the audience immediately jumped to their feet and applauded and cheered.

And Murphy responded with her own very strong opinion, “That was no nightmare. It was elegant, flowing and totally believable. It had a beautiful flow to it. … And you (Kayla), young lady, are just gorgeous to watch.”

Murphy burst into a scream – and enthused that Kayla and Kupono were on her ‘Hot Tamale Train.’ Adding icing to the cake, she explained that she never screams for a waltz, but that this pair deserved it. And, impressive to everyone including host Cat Deeley, was the fact that this was the first time that the couple had danced together -- since their partners has been eliminated from the competition after a solo round last week.


OTHER COUPLES RANKING ON THE MARY MURPHY SCREAM METER

Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi elicited two screams from Murphy after performing an enticing rumba to Destiny’s Child’s “Emotion,” choreographed by Tony Meredith. First Lythgoe complimented the pair on an “absolutely incredible” performance. Then Murphy chimed in, “I am buying it; it was so believable and so in tune. Ade, your technique, you were just grooving. You were with it and with her every step of the way.”

Next on the dance floor, Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant got totally funky with a Dave Scott choreographed hip-hop routine. “This is good stuff, especially when dancers are out of their element and really working it,” said Lythgoe. Murphy showed her enthusiasm for the performance with two screams for the Scream Meter – saying, “You guys really hit that. … You guys are hitting it every single week.”

And after Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak seemingly impressed the entire audience with a sexy “butt-focusing” Mia Michaels routine, Nigel applauded the choreography for its simplicity and said that it was “beautifully danced.” Randi blushed as compliments poured in on both her “butt” and her dancing. Lythgoe profusely complimented the pair on their performance to “Koop Island Blues” by Koop , but included with each compliment the word “but” – or “butt.” Murphy lauded the dance as “one of the best,” adding that the choreography and the couple “make us sit here and feel something. Congratulations. It was phenomenal.”

And the final pair drawing Mary Murphy Meter screams was also the last to dance, Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb. They expertly handled a Tyce Diorio choreographed Broadway routine -- “Moses” from the Singin’ in the Rain soundtrack. Lythgoe said that the number called for “personality” and said that while Jeanine did show personality, Phillip showed that he still needs “to grow.” Murphy agreed that Phillip needs to work hard to stay on the show, but said, “I was not allergic to that routine.” And she absolutely screamed for Jeanine, calling her “fabulous” and explaining that every week she has been “spot on.”


FAILING TO GARNER MARY MURPHY SCREAMS

Three couples failed to garner Mary Murphy screams. Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero danced a hip-hop number that Murphy said “wasn’t kind of in the right groove.” Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune performed a Mandy Moore choreographed jazz dance that Murphy termed, “really good, but not at the level (of their performance) last week.” And Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover actually impressed Murphy with paso doble that Murphy thought was, “a really strong performance” – but the dance simply did not draw a scream.

Lil' C Reacts to Clip Showcasing His Vocabulary and Comments

SYTYCD judge Lil' C was recently asked about his reaction to a segment of the show that showcased this sometimes lengthy and intricate comments.

"It's TV, and I didn't take any disrespect from it," Lil' C explained to Dave Walker of The Times-Picayune -- whose interview was presented on nola.com. "I was surprised, and I thought it was funny to see people's reactions. Those are genuine reactions. People do have trouble understanding when you're not like, 'Y'all was killin' it!' or "Ya'll was good!' I just feel more than that."

Lil' C explained that he is a "different" judge. "I'm an orator," he said. "I'm extremely passionate about my art and other's art. All I want to do is communicate. I'm an expressionist, whether it's physical, whether it's verbal. ... I just have a pool of words I just dig in and throw 'em out."

Lil' C reacts to 'So You Think You Can Dance' clip highlighting his virtuosic verbosity

ASHLEY AND MAX SPEAK OUT AFTER THEIR ELIMINATIONS

Dancers Ashley Valerio, 22, and Max Kapitannikov, 26, have expressed that style of dance and choreography are important factors in determining which pairs are voted safe and which are eliminated. And while they regret that their time on the show is now over, both say that their experiences on the show were positive ones that will undoubtedly help to further their careers.

“The pieces that you are given can mean so much,” Ashley told a reporter for The Northwestern. In the first week of competition she and her partner, Kupono Aweau, had performed a mock crash-test dummy routine. Following the performance, they heard high praise from the show’s three judges – and the audience voted them safe.

But in the second week Ashley and Kupono were assigned a hip-hop number that landed them in the bottom three couples. Each individual in the bottom three pairs is required to perform a solo routine, following which the judges eliminate one boy and one girl.

“I re-watched it (our routine) to see where we went wrong, what we could have done better,” Ashley explained. “I felt like (we) performed (our) dance the best that we possibly could. There’s always room for improvement, but I think we looked great. … I got a lot of good feedback from other professional dancers who thought the dance was really good.”

Also eliminated from the show was Max – who performed in the couples competition with Kayla Radomski. After being safe in their first week routine, Max said that in the second week, "It was a pop-jazz and definitely out of my comfort zone. … I kind of predicted that I was going to leave. … I don’t have any regrets. Kupono is a good dancer and Jason (Glover). They deserve to be there.”

Max also echoed judge Nigel Lythgoe who said that it is particularly difficult for ballroom dancers to shine in solo routines.

Ashley and Max also addressed the future.

Ashley, who at the age of three began studying dance in her mother’s dance studio, is hoping for a dancing career. “(The show) was the experience of a lifetime," she enthused. "I couldn’t ask for anything more. I just want to go out and audition a lot.
"I think (my life’s) going to change in a huge way. … I got to work with two of my favorite choreographers in the world, Wade Robson and Mia Michaels. They both pushed me past my limit. I feel like a stronger person, a stronger dancer.”

Max, who also studied dance under his mother, said, “I’m taking classes and may be auditioning for other things, but I haven’t really thought about it.”

At the time of the eliminations, judge Lythgoe revealed that the judges were not unanimous in their decision to eliminate either Ashley or Max. He added that all of the bottom three couples were of such a high level of talent that they (the judges) disliked having to vote anyone off the show – but that the show’s rules required that one boy and one girl be eliminated.

Choreography and style are key to success in ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

What’s up next for SYTYCD’s Ashley and Max

The Veronicas Will Appear on SYTYCD

The Veronicas, Lisa and Jess, will make a guest appearance on So You Think You Can Dance this week, according to The Insider.com.

The pair will perform their single "Take Me On The Floor" during the results show to be aired June 25th.

The Insider article

Katie Holmes to appear on "So You Think You Can Dance"

Katie Holmes will perform on the August 6th finale of So You Think You Can Dance, according to several news sources.

Holmes' will perform "Get Happy" in a tribute to Judy Garland, the number choreographed by Tyce Diorio and directed by Nygel Lythgoe.

"It was taped last week," said an on-set source, according to eonline.com. "It's going to be on the finale. It's a Broadway does Hollywood number. It opens on a Broadway stage and then she walks into a Hollywood studio."

Read several articles on Holmes appearance:

Report: Katie Holmes to appear on 'So You Think You Can Dance

Katie Holmes' SYTYCD Gig: "She Was Amazing"

Katie Holmes thinks she can dance, and will do so on television

Dunzo! Katie Holmes on 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Final Dance Performance of Ashley (with Kupono)

Max and Kayla in Their Final Performance Together -- Max Eliminated

Mary Murphy Screams Failed to Save Max from Elimination

Mary Murphy’s screaming welcome aboard the Hot Tamale Train this week failed to save Max Kapitannikov from elimination. After Max and Kayla Radomski competed on Wednesday, Murphy rewarded the pair with her famous scream – and told them that they had not only nailed their routine, but belonged on her famed and fictitious “Hot Tamale Train.”

But on Thursday night it was revealed that viewers had voted Max and Kayla into the bottom three – and, after a solo performance, the show’s three judges eliminated Max from the show.

Kayla survived her dance-off, and will be paired next week with Kupono Aweau – whose partner, Ashley Valerio, was the girl eliminated by the judges this week.

In speaking with Max during his elimination, Judge Nigel Lythgoe explained, “No one has impressed us more with their hard work than Max, and you were probably limited in the dance-off by your ballroom style. ”

Lythgoe revealed that the judges’ decisions on which dancers were elimination was not unanimous. And he also pointed out that none of the couples named in the bottom three this week were actually among the bottom three couples last week.

In addition to Max and Kayla, the remaining bottom three couples this week were Ashley and Kupono, and Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover. The latter two couples had not scored highly on the Mary Murphy Meter this week.

Kayla and Max Top Our Unofficial Mary Murphy Leaderboard

“You nailed it,” judge Mary Murphy playfully screamed to dancers Kayla and Max after their Week Two performance. “You are still on the hot tamale train. Yes, you are.”

As the only couple of the evening garnering the high praise of being placed on Murphy’s imaginary “Hot Tamale Train,” Kayla and Max are for the second time crowned as king and queen atop of our unofficial Mary Murphy (Scream) Meterboard.

Judge Nigel Lythgoe echoed Murphy’s compliments -- telling Kayla that she is a front runner and complimenting that Max was actually able to keep up with Kayla. And third judge Lil C said that the pair’s (Brian Friedman choreographed) quirky pop/vibe to “Hot Like Wow” – “did very good for me.”

While Murphy placed no other couple aboard the “Hot Tamale Train,” she came very close when she gave disco dancing Janette and Brandon her trademark scream and a standing ovation. “Holy Toledo,” Murphy enthused, “This was just crazy. I have never seen disco that fast. Unbelievable.”

And the only other couples drawing Murphy screams were Melissa and Ade for a jazz dance, and Karla and Jonathan for a contemporary routine.

However, slower melodies and slower dancing styles can bring compliments, but seldom Murphy’s high-power screams. And a perfect example of a couple capturing Murphy’s adoration for a slower number were Asuka and Vitolio who performed an elegant waltz choreographed by Louis van Amstel. Murphy was nearly in tears when she said, “This was the most honest that I have seen you dance – so many unbelievable things that just blew me away.”

And Karla and Jonathan’s pensive contemporary dance had Murphy saying “something that I have never said in five seasons. Jonathan, you did that style better than your own (Latin ballroom). Amazing. I am dizzy right now.”

Couples seemingly lower on the Murphy Meter included Randi and Evan whose routine the judges liked, but did not love (Mary alluded to Evan’s sloppy feet), and Caitlin and Jason who were described as “not in sync … The chemistry did not work.”

Also in that group were Jeanine and Phillip, who garnered from Murphy, “I am going to give you an A for attitude, but your technique was more like C-.” And, finally, Ashley and Kupoto performed a hip-hop routine that Murphy termed “not memorable to me.”

Mary Murphy Meter

This week we will begin a Mary Murphy Meter -- noting contestants who capture her famous screams and climb aboard the hot tamale train!

So You Think You Can Dance | Top 20

Paris and Tony's Final Performance - an energetic hip-hop routine

Watch Mary Murphy's Hot Tamale Train

Mary Murphy's Hot Tamale Train scream is the goal of every contestant. It is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the show -- both for contestants and fans.

Paris and Tony Share Their Thoughts After Being Eliminated From The Finals

Paris Torres and Tony Bellissimo, the first couple eliminated from the finals of So You Think You Can Dance, have detailed their show experiences and described what may have contributed to their early exit.

The couple's final pairs performance was an energetic hip-hop routine to the Black Eyes Peas' "Let the Beat Rock."

But judge Mary Murphy said that the performance was not extraordinary -- and, actually, Paris and Tony agreed.

"What's funny is that Tony and I, when we first learned our routine, we were killing it," said Paris. "(Choreographers) Tabitha and Napoleon were so pleased. ... I think ... we over-rehearsed ourselves, to where it was watered-down. It was just becoming steps to us."

Tony opined, "It was a great piece that was not executed the right way."

Paris, 19, is a contemporary dancer from Issaquah, Washington. And Tony, 20, is a hip-hop dancer from Buffalo, New York who actually tried out for the show last season and made it through to Las Vegas before getting cut.

Both performers were thrilled to make it to the Top 20 level and thoroughly enjoyed their brief stay. Paris said, "The roar ... was like nothing I've ever experienced before!" But she added that she does regret that she didn't stay in the finals long enough to perform Latin ballroom.

As for her future, Torres said that with the publicity that she garnered for being on the show, she hopes to be able to do more choreographing in the Seattle area -- and eventually earn enough money to more to Los Angles for dance auditions there.

In the first week of Top 20 competition, viewers had telephoned votes to determine which of the dancing pairs would be safe and which would be in the bottom three. The lowest scoring dancers performed solo routines for the show's three judges -- and ultimately the judges decided who to send home.

Full articles:
Leaving Dance: Tony and Paris Dish on Exit and "Watered-Down" Routine by Anna Dimond, TV Guide
Local dancer Paris Torres gets booted from 'SYTYCD' by Marian Liu, Seattle Times
Hamburg hip-hop specialist dances his dream on Fox Reality Show by Anne Neville, The Buffalo News

Launch of New SYTYCD Blog

"So You Think You Can Dance Fever" is a new blog that has just been launched to follow the popular hit dancing show, the contestants and the judges.

New content will be continually added -- so please do bookmark this site and keep returning for updates!!

Paris Torres & Tony Bellissimo Are First Casualties of Season Finals

It is the nature of So You Think You Can Dance that each week a boy and girl must head home. During this first week, the show's three jugdes chose to eliminate contemporary funk dancer Paris Torres and hip-hop dancer Tony Bellissimo.

Paris Torres is a 19-year-old performer from Issaquah, WA and Tony Bellissimo is a 20-year-old from Buffalo, New York. Both had survived multiple cuts to make it into the season's Top 20.

The lowest ranking three couples included the eliminated pair, Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune and Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero.

But rest assured, all twenty finalists performed like top professionals -- so there is no disgrace for anyone in being chosen to leave. And, undoubtedly, these two talented dancers have a bright future ahead.

"Paris failed to measure up in the deep talent pool of contemporary dancers while Tony took a risk by attempting to lock his way through his solo "but not very well," judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said.
Reuters article by Ashleigh Patterson

"I agreed with Nigel when he said that Asuka's a little star, and that Paris didn't bring anything to the stage, and hence she was eliminated. The judges were very disappointed with the boys' dances, considering none of them very good to keep them in the competition for long. ... Nigel didn't like that Tony chose to pop and lock and moreover didn't think it was very good, so Tony was sent home."
LATimes Blog by Claire Zulkey

Will Katie Holmes Appear on So You Think You Can Dance

The rumor has surfaced that beautiful Katie Holmes may make an appearance on So You Think You Can Dance.

"She's met with Nigel Lythgoe and everyone hopes she appears on this season
or next season of the show," a show insider told Life & Style as posted on
the Just Jared.com website.

Complete article here