So You Think You Can Dance - Anyone Watching??

[heyang]

Sabra was fortunate that Pasha was her partner for QuickStep. He was definitely holding her up in a few sections.

As much as I enjoy watching the various numbers, I really don't have a personal favorite. For me, none of them have Benji's charisma. Technically, many of them are better technical dancers overall than last year's final 4, but I'm not overly rooting for any of them.

I also don't feel there were many break through numbers this year. Last year, Ivan had a breakthrough performance in his contemporary routine with Allyson. It was like a sudden growth spurt. Heidi had a breakthrough with the Park Bench routine with Travis. I don't know if this year's dancers were so much better that growth is less observable to the less trained eye or if it's just me.

As for the likability factor I don't think any of the original teams had such a great bond. It seems like one member of each team was stronger than the other during each routine. Lacey regularly surpassed Kam. Lauren and Neil switched off, etc. Benji/Donyelle and Ivan/Allyson made you watch them as a couple last year.

Oh, well. I'm still loving the show overall. My call for Final 4 are Lacey and Sabra, and Danny and Pasha.

I really want Pasha and Lacey to team up at least once, especially if they luck out and draw a Latin Ballroom. It wouldn't be 'fair', but I think it would be spectacular. I guess it could be evened out with a Sabra/Danny contemporary routine though.

 

[julietvalcouer]

Actually, anything Pasha and Lacey do would be a total letdown compared to what he could do with Anya, who frankly leaves Lacey in the dust. (Of course, Pasha and Anya are one of the top Latin couples in the country and have a high WORLD ranking in what's easily the most competitive of the four ballroom divisions right now.) But it would still be nice to see.

Neil needs to leave. Even his landings of his tumbling passes aren't that great. And he needs to improve his posture, stat.

HATE Lauren, hate her stupid "Misha Chan" schtick, hate her total lack of musicality, hate her pasted-on smile.

Danny: love him, but wish he'd ditch this contemporary nonsense and go back to real ballet.

Pasha: Adore him. Would love to dance with him. Best ballroom dancer who's ever been on this show.

Sabra: Girl better win it all, because she's the package the show is looking for--versatile, personable, talented, has presence.

Lacey: Meh. Her bad hair and blah solos put me off. She doesn't seem to live up to the hype to me.

 

[Dee4707]

Actually, anything Pasha and Lacey do would be a total letdown compared to what he could do with Anya, who frankly leaves Lacey in the dust.

Danny: love him, but wish he'd ditch this contemporary nonsense and go back to real ballet.

Sabra: Girl better win it all, because she's the package the show is looking for--versatile, personable, talented, has presence.

Lacey: Meh. Her bad hair and blah solos put me off. She doesn't seem to live up to the hype to me.

Thanks julietvalcouer for the great assessment of the dancers. I never understood what all the hype was about Lacey either, especially after I saw Sabra dance.

Pasha: Adore him. Would love to dance with him. Best ballroom dancer who's ever been on this show.

There was another Russian male dancer about 2-3 years ago, can't remember his name but he, I thought, was better than Pasha. Matter of fact, Mary Murphy brought him to demonstrate one of the dances. I will do a little research and try to find his name.

Dee

Dee

 

[Ptichka]

There was another Russian male dancer about 2-3 years ago, can't remember his name but he, I thought, was better than Pasha.

That would be Artem from season 1. I think Artem was better in individual dances, but Pasha is amazing when it comes to partnering skills.

 

[Dee4707]

That would be Artem from season 1. I think Artem was better in individual dances, but Pasha is amazing when it comes to partnering skills.

Yes, Ptichka, that was the person!!! I loved to watch him. :agree: He didn't go far but I thought he was terrific. Thank you for remembering his name.

Dee

 

[heyang]

I think that part of the Lacey hype is that she's Benji's little sister. She is more diverse than he is with regards to dance styles. They can both perform. I've just found that her personality does not come across the same way his does. Also, as Nigel pointed out, she doesn't partner as well in that she doesn't really look at her partner. Benji was always looking at his partners, which helped form the chemistry that he had.

 

[julietvalcouer]

I'm going on ranking in the ballroom world--on points, Pasha and Anya are the highest-ranked ballroom dancers ever on the show, quite possibly ever to audition for the show. That they're that successful in the Latin division (hyper-competitive right now--I love my ex-pro dearly but he and his partner are gonna get killed when they debut unless they're smart and go in Rising Star) says a lot. They even did quite well at Blackpool for Americans.

 

[Tonichelle]

Re: Lacey vs Benji - I thought he was better all the way around. He's more loose. if that makes sense?

That being said, isn't it the guy's job to present the lady just like in pairs and ice dance? I guess with Lacey I don't see it as such a big deal because I'm used to it being all about the girl anyway lol

but like I keep saying, I know nothing of the sport/art of dance.

 

[julietvalcouer]

That being said, isn't it the guy's job to present the lady just like in pairs and ice dance? I guess with Lacey I don't see it as such a big deal because I'm used to it being all about the girl anyway lol
.

Uh, yes and no. To a degree, the gentleman/leader is providing the frame. However, he's also leading--he's completely in charge. The lady/follower does nothing she's not being "told" to do via the frame/connection. Even if you know what the step is supposed to be, you don't go unless he says to. Some of that is a matter of "driving"--he's driving. The follower has to obey and hold when he says hold because it's entirely possible he's saying 'wait' because there's someone in the way where he wants to go. The follower is not supposed to be watching--yeah, a couple of times I've done a shoulder-squeeze to my Smooth pro to warn him there was someone behind him, don't step back, but mostly navigating is his job.

Also, there are some dances (all the Latin/Rhythm to a degree, where the partners dance separately, and in particular Paso Doble, which is all about the male) where the man is just as much the focus.

And there has to be partner connection--ballroom is two people dancing, with each other. Yes, in Standard, you almost never look AT each other (the position doesn't allow for it) but you're connected from about the shoulder to mid-thigh the entire time. Latin, Rhythm, and a lot of more open Smooth, you need to be making eye contact. Yes, make eye contact with the audience, too, but the main point is the partnership.

 

[Tonichelle]

ok that makes sense...

but SYTYCD is about one dancer being the winner... so maybe her strategy is to play to the audience and ignore her partner who has the potential to become her main rival for the title.

 

[Ladskater]

Better Than I Expected

This was the first time I watched a full program of this show this season. I was really impressed with the dancers. I think the choreography is better this time than the first show. Benji's sister Lacy is a wonderful dancer. I really liked the two numbers she did with her partner.

 

[Tonichelle]

first show I've enjoyed, too bad I missed the first numbers for Lacy & Pasha and Lauren & Danny

LOVE Pasha... the more I watch the more I love him. Still love Neil... and Lacy's still my girl.

 

[Dee4707]

I think Pasha should win just based on wearing a suit coat with no shirt on!!!

Pasha is excellent.......I was watching him.......forgot Lacey was paired with him.

Ohhhhhhhhh my Danny Boy!!

Sabra, WOW!!!!

Dee

 

[merrywidow]

I'm thinking that Lauren & Pasha will be cut. Personally, I'd be happy with any of the top 3 men winning or Sabra or Lacey. It's a very tough call this year.

 

[Dee4707]

I'm thinking that Lauren & Pasha will be cut. Personally, I'd be happy with any of the top 3 men winning or Sabra or Lacey. It's a very tough call this year.

I hope that Pasha is one of the finalists. If it were up to me I would get rid of Neil, Lauren or Lacey and let the others dance it out. I'm just afraid that Danny or Pasha will get cut and Neil isn't up to par with either those two at all. I really hope Sabra wins, she really deserves it.

Dee

 

[Ladskater]

I'm thinking that Lauren & Pasha will be cut. Personally, I'd be happy with any of the top 3 men winning or Sabra or Lacey. It's a very tough call this year.

Why so? They are both very good dancers. Either could win.

 

[Dee4707]

I am very sad!!!

Dee

 

[Ladskater]

Does anyone else here besides me find the hostess a little annoying? I don't know why but she kind of gets on my nerves.

 

[heyang]

I've read other boards where people have found Cat to be annoying. It's ranged from her wardrobe, to the accent, to her unrelenting cheeriness. I think she's improved this year - at least she's asking the contestants something meaningful at times, instead of just standing there cheering them on. I've read that the contestants really enjoy her support.

I find her a lot less annoying than the 2 hosts of Dancing With The Stars, especially Samanatha Harris.

 

[Ptichka]

I am very sad!!!

I am too, but it really is his fault - his solo wasn't nearly as good as Neil's or Danny's.