And as usual, we’ve taken each performance – couples and solos – and rated the ones we loved the most. Read on for what we thought were the evening’s best performances…

Couples Dances

1. Katie Love and Matt Flint – We all know that Katie specialises in contemporary dance, so it’s Matt Flint that becomes the focus of this routine for me. As a tap dancer, he’s adapted brilliantly to this style of dancing. The two work wonderfully together, Katie leaping great distances into Matt’s arms. There’s much drama and passion and it all comes across beautifully when these two dance together. Nigel actually goes on to make the same point I’ve just made – praising Matt Flint for being able to adapt to contemporary. Arlene tells Katie that she got the passion right tonight.
2. Lee Bridgman and Bethany Rose Harrison – I love the fact that they’re dancing the cha-cha to Lady GaGa! The routine starts off promisingly enough, but seems to lose energy toward the middle and end. Nigel worries that based on voting paterns, Lee and Bethany Rose are favourites to leave tonight. However, he raves about their dance and Arlene says they were “fizzing like champaigne in a cocktail shaker”. Louise Redknapp praises Lee’s masculinity, surprisingly, and Sisco is also full of compliments. Maybe I missed something…
3. Kirsty Swain and Luke Jackson – Two of my favourite dancers, saddled with a Charleston style. They give it an epic effort, and on one level it’s got the potential to be entertaining, but both have been better. Arlene causes controversy when she accuses Kirsty of letting Luke down because the two weren’t working well together. Nigel Lythgoe is just as lukewarm, but he seems to recognize that the choreography didn’t suit and Kirsty had limitations. He saves some praise for Luke though.

Solos

1. Luke Jackson – Luke can do this kind of poised, flowing routine with his eyes closed – flowing white shirt, bare torso and tight jeans. It does feel like he’s pulling moves from the same playbook week after week, but it’s a bloody good playbook!
2. Matt Flint – You can see Matt coming alive when he starts a tap routine. And is it just my imagination or has he incorporated elements from the other disciplines he’s picked up during the show. Great work. He’s got the skills to win this.
3. Bethany Rose Harrison – Bethany plays it differently this week with the virginal white dress. Gone are the pseudo-stripper moves in favour of a more elegant routine. Someone’s given her good advice about winning over the public!
4. Kirsty Swain – We’ve only really started to notice Kirsty in the later stages of the competition. Tonight, she wows in a classy routine that’s not full of tricks but flows well from start to finish.
5. Katie Love – A bit nonplussed by this one – Katie’s solo felt like a lot of random twirling rather than a well thought-out routine. Loved the Led Zeppelin-based backing track, but she didn’t live up to the energy of it.
6. Lee Bridgman – I’m sure we can’t fault Lee B for his technical execution, but as a matter of personal taste I just can’t warm to his dancing. Sorry. It (and maybe Lee himself) doesn’t excite me. Sorry. Again.

I was disappointed for Luke Jackson in his couples dance with Kirsty. I think the whole routine was a mis-step and didn’t work for either of them. And it wasn’t necessarily their failure either. You all know I’m a huge fan of Luke – I hope that he can survive this week and make it to the finals.

Don’t forget to leave us a comment and tell us who you thought the best dancers were on So You Think You Can Dance tonight!

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Nigel Lythgoe has thrown his hat in the ring and seems to be backing American Idol finalist Scotty McCreery to take the crown on this week’s season finale.

The executive producer of the hit Fox reality TV series was speaking to reporters in advance of tonight’s penultimate episode and when asked whether he thinks Scotty or Lauren Alaina will win tomorrow, the So You Think You Can Dance boss replied:

“If Scotty wins, I believe he could be the biggest ‘American Idol’ selling artist of all time.”

“Whoever it is, the fact is, it’s America’s vote.”

It’s been a diverse season, with rock, country and pop contestants all doing well.

When asked who he thinks fans will vote for, now their favourite has left the competition, Nigel added:

“I don’t know who James’ [Durbin's] votes will go to, I don’t know who a rocker votes for in who’s left. I truly don’t know. You’ve got two country [singers] there.”

And on top three singer Haley Reinhart, who was eliminated last Thursday, Nigel said that he loves her style and can hear an Adele quality in her voice.

“I don’t know what Haley’s genre was,” he added to Zap 2 It. “She doesn’t have a genre. She’s slightly old-fashioned, slightly jazzy, but if you take her individual tracks off of iTunes, she sounds very much like Adele.”

View the original post American Idol 2011: Nigel Lythgoe thinks Scotty McCreery could be the ‘biggest American Idol selling artist of all time’ on Unreality TV

Tonight on So You Think You Can Dance, the final 7 couples battle it out to keep their places in the competition. And to add to the danger, it’s a double elimination this evening. Four dancers will go – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll all be couples.

We thought rather than give you a live run-down of tonight’s performances, we’d mix it up by telling you our favourites from tonight’s show. Controversially, we’re placing Matt and Charlotte in first position. But Israel and Bethany Rose pulled off a vibrant, engaging commercial routine that really grabbed our attention. Read on to find out how we rated the couples on tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance:

1. Charlotte Scally and Matt Flint – Opening the show tonight, Charlotte and Matt deliver a fantastic take on the Lindy Hop that Nigel Lythgoe described as energetic and said “you’ve shown your passion, your love of dance through this”. The routine played well to Matt’s strengths – he’s particularly strong with comedic performance, and Charlotte works extremely well with him.  Excellently entertaining opening number.
2. Israel Donowa and Bethany Rose Harrison – These two drew a commercial routine which started off a tad clunky for my liking. However, they recovered very well and delivered a slick routine that was steeped in intensity in places. So hot was the number that they gained a standing ovation from the judging panel. Arlene raves about Israel’s performance, while Louise Redknapp tells them they chose the right week to raise their game. Sisco calls the performance perfection.
3. Kirsty Swain and Lee Bridgman – Despite the almost weekly slights on Lee’s masculinity (or lack thereof), the couple smouldered on this Argentine tango tonight. Kirtsy’s leg work was brilliant and I think she slightly edged the better performance of the two. The judges compliment the way the pair worked together.
4. Danielle Cato and Luke Jackson – What I thought was supposed to be a hip-hop routine comes across as a melodramatic contemporary performance. Still, Luke and Danielle have an undeniable chemistry on stage and Luke is a dead cert to get the lady viewer’s vote. Sisco commented that although they’re not hip-hop technicians, they did a very good job. I think it’s the first time dancers have been told off for having too good posture!
5. Katrina Lyndon and Tom Shilcock – Two dancers unaccustomed to the hip-hop routine they’ve been given, Tom and Katrina do a solid job. I can’t help thinking that the height difference between them makes them look bad. Also, despite a good performance, it feels like it’s lacking energy. Sisco again feels that Katrina outperformed Tom.
6. Rithy Periera and Shane Collard – Dancing a contemporary routine to the Titanic theme, Shane and Rithy give a graceful, dramatic performance, but it maybe failed to deliver the passion and emotion that I’d hoped for. Nigel concurs, saying there was a lot of running around. Arlene complains that they didn’t speak the language of dance while Sisco argues that the couple have shown diversity each week and that the mood was too downtempo from the previous couple.
7. Katie Love and Lee Crowley – Oh dear. This routine shares a lot in common with Matt and Charlotte’s at the top of the show, except it’s a lot more frenzied and muddled. Arlene feels that their relationship as dance partners isn’t working well. Nigel criticises the theme behind the performance, but also claims Lee is holding Katie back. Ouch.

So…over to you, dance fans! Who were your favourite performances tonight? Who will you be picking up the phone and voting for?

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Our favourite Final 7 performances! on Unreality TV

Nigel Lythoe will lose his temper on tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance.

The TV boss is disgusted with the efforts of a group of choreography camp hopefuls, and rants to Louise Redknapp that their routine is ‘so unexciting’.

He then tells the wannabes that their efforts are the worst he has ever seen, in his eight years of doing the show. He wasn’t just unimpressed with their choreography but added that the boring moves weren’t even danced well.

Arlene Phillips, Louise and Sisco didn’t love it either and reeling from the onslaught, the dancers realise they will have to raise their game if they want stay in the competition.

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Nigel Lythgoe reads the Riot Act at choreography camp on Unreality TV

Sisco Gomez and Nigel Lythgoe rowed over Mary Swift last week and on tonight’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance, viewers will see them having a difference of opinion once more.

During auditions for the BBC dance show, the pair found themselves divided over the dancing skills of Mac Clarke and his own brand of Northern Soul.

Nigel Lythgoe is unconvinced with his moves, though it didn’t help that he had no idea what Northern Soul even was, but luckily Mac finds an ally in Sisco Gomez who ‘thoroughly enjoyed it.’

Arlene Phillips just wants to know where the Wigan Casino has gone.

Who do you agree with? Watch the video and leave your comments below.

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Nigel Lythgoe and Sisco Gomez disagee over Mac Clarke on Unreality TV

Mary Swift brings the issue of ageism to the fore on tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance episode.

The 54 year old wannabe causes a row between judges Nigel Lythgoe and Sisco Gomez, after they clash over who they reveal to be the oldest dancer to ever apply for the show.

Nigel is unsure of her stamina and asks her if she believes she can handle the pace of the BBC dance show. Sisco takes exception to age being made an issue, but Nigel insists he’s being realistic. Sisco snipes:

I thought you said that age wasn’t nothing but a number…

To which Lythgoe retorts:

I know…maybe you don’t, but I know how tough this programme is. So let’s get serious. I’m not here to play around. I’m here to find the best dancers we can for this programme.

And suddenly the whole argument is a moot point as Mary turns out to be…shocker!…a terrible dancer. She listlessly bops around the stage to Billie Jean by Michael Jackson. She’s not the Susan Boyle of dance, let’s put it that way. Lythgoe storms off the judging desk.

Louise Redknapp tries to diffuse the situation by commenting:

“Mary, I think you can most probably see from the reaction of Nigel going that it wasn’t working. But it’s great you like to dance and it’s an enjoyment you get. I think to bring it on stage today was a waste of time if I’m honest.”

However, Sisco makes things worse by going on to apologise to Mary on Nigel’s behalf. BIG MISTAKE! Nigel explodes over his comments , then goes on to elaborate how showcasing novelty damages their talent show. He yells:

I cannot sit here and watch the lady be silly. It makes a mockery of the whole programme. We lose the integrity of the people who work so hard to get through this process.

You’ve got to hand it to Nigel Lythgoe – he differentiates his show from the Simon Cowell circuses by insisting that they focus on serious talent, but manages to squeeze in some funny auditions while making that point. Clever Nigel!

And in case you are worried about Mary, she recently auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent so she could be back on your TV screens any day now!

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Nigel Lythgoe and Sisco fall out over Mary Swift on Unreality TV

Cat Deeley is in search of the nation’s hottest dance talent for a second series of the award-winning So You Think You Can Dance. At stake is a cash prize plus, the once in a lifetime chance of dancing in Hollywood on the US version of the show – and, more importantly, waltzing off with the title of the UK’s Favourite Dancer.

Tonight, it’s the last round of auditions with dancers from all over the UK pulling out their best moves hoping to impress the judges and book a place through to the next stage – Choreography Camp. Alongside head judge Nigel Lythgoe are renowned choreographer Arlene Phillips, dancer/choreographer Sisco Gomez and pop sensation Louise Redknapp. Together they are on the look out for that special something. But, that’s no easy task with judges Louise and Sisco falling out over one dancer’s distinctive look, plus another audition causing Nigel to storm off…

Saturday 2 April 2011

7.00-8.00pm BBC ONE

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Nigel Lythgoe storms out of auditions on Unreality TV

On this week’s So You Think You Can Dance episode, it’s the last round of auditions with dancers from all over the UK pulling out their best moves, hoping to impress the judges and book a place through to the next stage – Choreography Camp.

Alongside head judge Nigel Lythgoe are renowned choreographer Arlene Phillips, dancer/choreographer Sisco Gomez and presenter and former singer Louise Redknapp and as well as some seriously talented movers, they also have to sit through tryouts from the weird and the wonderful …..check out Scott Rayson’s performance!

Together, the panel are on the lookout for that special something. But that’s no easy task with judges Louise and Sisco falling out over one dancer’s distinctive look, plus another audition that causes Nigel to storm off…

So You Think You Can Dance – episode two
Saturday 2 April
6.30-7.30pm BBC ONE

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011: Nigel Lythgoe storms off after Louise and Sisco row! on Unreality TV

Let’s get started:

Matt Flint

First up is 29 year old tapdancer Matt Flint. Matt’s from Scarborough and he delivers a quirky, fun and acrobatic tap routine for his audition. Nigel describes what Matt does as his favourite style of tap, while Arlene raves about the “feast” of Matt that he delivered.

The judges continue to rave about Matt’s fantastic footwork, and award him a golden ticket to their choreography boot camp. At this point, the show feels like American Idol for dance.

Stephanie Powell

Stephanie is a 27 year old dancer from London. Although she’s auditioning as a solo dancer, she brings along a partner and the pair deliver a raunchy Latin-infused dance that certainly impressed me. Lythgoe gives few words – he says he’d be surprised if she’s not in the top ten.

Arlene Phillips tells Stephanie that she really admires her for coming in to audition. Seems like Stephanie is a working dancer. Louise Redknapp and Sisco Gomez also praise her. Sisco says there’s no point in auditioning her again because she’s so good. And she really is. I hope it’s not the exposed midriff that’s influencing that comment, but wow she was hot!

Shanelle and her mother Cordell

You heard right…it’s a mother and daughter act. The 21 year old and her 45 year old mother audition together and it looks like it’s going to be a train wreck. No, mum Cordell is not of the quality SYTYCD should be looking for. Not remotely. Cordell tells Nigel that she regularly goes clubbing with her daughters.

Nigel compliments Cordell on her beautiful daughter, but wisely chooses not to comment on the dancing. Arlene gushes about the carnival atmosphere the two brought to the show. Sisco rejects Cordell, as do the rest of the judges. However, the judges are unanimous about calling Shanelle back again. They don’t seem completely convinced about her, as their comments suggest they’re taking a chance on her rather than excited about her skills.

Katie Love

Next up is blonde dancer Katie Love, who professes her love for Arlene Phillips, then unwisely rambles on about Arlene’s “old school” approach. Nigel subtly warns her not to call Arlene old! She performs a contemporary routine for the judges. It’s a lithe, graceful routine and Katie flows beautifully on the stage, though it has an improvised feel to it.

Arlene returns the love in her comments for the strength and power of Katie’s performance, calling it “almost flawless”. Sisco Gomez admits that he’s very excited about Katie (as a dancer, you dirty bunch). He tells her that she was light, pleasant and captured them from beginning to end. Nigel weighs in by telling her that she was beautifully understated. Arlene presents Katie with a Golden Ticket to Choreography Camp.

Tomasz Wisniewski wants to replace Cat Deeley

Polish auditionee Tomasz tells Cat Deeley that he applied to be a presenter on So You Think You Can Dance, which raises an eyebrow. The flamboyant dancer then tells the judges that he’s not professionally trained. The routine, to David Guetta and Kelly Rowland’s When Love Takes Over is energetic and crazy, but not particularly finessed!

Arlene Phillips praises his attitude “You are fun, you are entertaining, you are ridiculous in an extraordinary sort of way and I can see you heading up the raves.” However, the judges tell him that his dancing isn’t strong enough to continue in the competition. Wise move, but a really funny bloke – can you guys see him as a presenter in the UK?

Kirsty Swain

Dance teacher Kirsty Swain bursts onto the screen with bags of energy and fun. And that’s before she’s even really danced. She struts her way down a backstage corridor and laughs at her own Louis Spence impression! And we discover that she’s partially deaf in both ears, but is that a disadvantage in dancing? Dancing readers, I rely on you for your opinions!

While Kirsty dances, the judges all bop along, which is always a good sign. Lythgoe is heard shouting to Sisco “She’s got great musicality, hasn’t she?” Startlingly, Nigel gives her some criticism: “It felt a little old fashioned to me. I was expecting MC Hammer to walk on behind you. It’s a bit Oooh Ahhh with the face.” Arlene backs this up by telling her that she didn’t offer much and says she looked completely out of shape, which draws boos from the audience. Sisco comes to her rescue by saying that he sees potential in her and loves her personality. Nigel and Arlene say no, while Sisco and Louise say yes. Totally split panel, but Kirsty gets a callback.

Paige Smith

Dance student Paige Smith is next to audition, with what looks like a contemporary routine. The Wolverhampton girl wows the panel with amazing flexibility and some beautiful moves. She’s gorgeous to watch, and Louise Redknapp tells her that. However, Sisco snipes about her choreography, calling it childlike. He’s got a point, as always, because while I liked her moves, it looked like a rough diamond performance. He sniffs potential though…

Arlene disagrees and gives her a rave review, which causes a bit of bitching between the two judges. Nigel Lythgoe recognises that Paige is “painfully shy” on stage, but he’s very nurturing toward her. Paige walks away with a callback.

Callbacks!

For dancers who didn’t get a Golden Ticket, they go to an intermediary stage of callbacks. That includes auditionees like Kirsty Swain and Paige Smith. They have to learn a routine with a top choreographer and if they impress the judges they ‘graduate’ to Choreography Camp.

Paige does a new routine to Taio Cruz’s Dynamite and manages to pick up the routine rather well. She becomes the first person to get through the callbacks phase.

Sadly, Shanelle fails miserably in the callbacks phase – she’s completely unable to keep up with her dance partner and looks clumsy and awkward during the routine. It’s not really a surprise when she gets rejected. Though Nigel, to his credit, lets her down really gently.

Paolo Debernardi

Oh lord. Not another Michael Jackson influenced dancer. Seriously? Am I watching Britain’s Got Talent? Italian poet-slash-dancer Paolo Debernardi comes on to read Arlene Phillips a poem, but can he dance?

Er, no. His routine is fairly obviously made up on the spot. There’s not much choreography to see here, but it’s fun to watch. Nigel entertains the poetry, but he’s not letting him anywhere near the live shows! Paolo gets sent home. Mercifully for us.

Charlotte Scally

This 19 year old from Watford manages to wrong-foot Nigel Lythgoe by inadvertently calling him old. She initially looks like a bit of a goofball, but her routine is amazingly good. Nigel agrees: “Charlotte Scally, you are quite surprising. I wasn’t expecting half the things you threw in there. And I thought you were going to be a pointer…where those turns came from, I have no idea.”

Louise warns her to lose the naffness. Sisco again worries about the cheesy parts of her routine, but says he was knocked out by her performance. He really didn’t like her look, but loves her potential.

Rithy Pereira

Branded a tomboy by Cat Deeley, this 19 year old Brazilian is hoping to impress Sisco Gomez with her hip-hop moves. However, Sisco seems to glower at her throughout most of the routine. It’s impossible to tell what’s going through his mind.

Nigel kicks off the comments with much praise – “You are the closest I’ve seen to an American hip-hop dancer. I think you’re loose with it, you’ve got the right attitude, you’ve got the swag. You hit really hard.” Sisco bubbles with enthusiasm, also choosing the word ‘swag’, which to me still sounds like stuff a burglar puts in a bag.

Your swag is ridiculous, child, I’m telling you. I’m glad you’re here and you’re gonna make the Ritz pull up (?)

He gives her a Golden  Ticket.

Andres and Hannah

Colombian couple Andres and Hannah come to So You Think You Can Dance via Bishop’s Stortford. They’re dancing together, but hoping to progress as soloists. Their routine is a bit cheesy, but entertaining. It’s interesting and reassuring when Sisco notes a patriotic connection with the Colombians, but still has the integrity to be honest about their performance. He feels they’re not ready for the competition.

Louise says she was entertained too, but criticises the clumsy lifts, while Arlene suggests that Andres is the better dancer and needs a stronger partner. Sadly, the two dancers get split up, with Andres progressing to callbacks. A distraught Hannah is too upset to talk to the cameras afterwards. Andres raises an Awww just for going to comfort her instead of talking to the crew!

Callbacks, Part Deux

Charlotte Scally is up for callbacks, and it’s Dynamite again. Louise Redknapp tells Charlotte that she’s redeemed herself in the callback and through to Choreography Camp.

Later on, Andres gives a somewhat stiff performance. Arlene tells him that he lost it in the choreography and he joins his partner Hannah in going home.

And that’s it. The judges throw out a handful of extra Golden Tickets to nameless dancers and we get a teaser of next week’s show with Nigel Lythgoe pointing his finger (we think at Sisco) and telling him “never apologise on my behalf”. JUICY! Can’t wait to find out what that was all about!

View the original post So You Think You Can Dance 2011 Launch Night Liveblog! on Unreality TV

Nigel Lythgoe has praised Ryan Seacrest’s presenting style on American Idol.

The So You Think You Can Dance boss returned to the Fox singing show as executive producer this season and after last night’s results show, he took to Twitter to tell his followers:

“What a crazy night at American Idol. I love how [Ryan Seacrest] thinks on his feet. It’s so easy to work with someone who is open to suggestions and performs with consummate ease.

“There were so many unplanned and unrehearsed events occurring tonight. So much that may have thrown another host but not [Seacrest]. Great.”

Lythgoe also thanked the show’s fans for their positive comments about the show.

“Thanks to all you Tweetsters for your kind words tonight,” he wrote.

“I will pass your sentiments on to my awesome production team who are so brilliant.”

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