The new stage and audio level tonight on So You Think You Can Dance was a bit disconcerting — larger stage, cavernous acoustics, spread out audience. It’ll probably take a couple of weeks to get used to. My first reaction was that it lacks the intimacy of the previous studio setting. Maybe because it was the first episode of the competition proper in the new venue, the acoustics sounded a bit off. Either they were corrected within the first few commercial breaks or I just adjusted and didn’t notice the difference, either way, the new SYTYCD new venue felt. . . different.
So one of the stronger dancers, Billy Bell, had to leave the competition because of doctor’s orders. Sadness! He was strong and had the potential to make it all the way. I remember how Adam Shankman was moved to tears by his final solo in Vegas! I hope he goes straight into the Esteemed 20 next season.
In his place, Brandon Dumlao, the hiphop dancer who got cut when the contestants went from 38 to 20, and an Asian-looking dude who I assumed/assume was/is Filipino, was paired with Filipina Pauline Mata.
The couple that stood out the most for me tonight was Ryan DiLello and Ellenore Scott in a Sonya Tayeh routine. I’m not always a fan of her choreography but tonight’s was spellbinding. Ryan and Ellenore were tight.
And the music? I just loved Wasted Time by Me’Shell NdegeOcello.
Who was I imagining dancing Glee’s Push It to Doriana Sanchez’s routine? Brandon and Janette Manrara! Mollee and Nathan didn’t do disco justice tonight.
I was almost right when I tweet that I had a bad feeling about “the two Filipinos”. I was half correct — Brandon (who I’m guessing is Filipino) was sent home (Along with Ariana). As for Pauline, I think she’s good but not quite as strong as the other girls. . . yet.
And let’s remember, the judges are looking for who has the potential to be a star that people will actually call and vote for.
Here’s a great resource for SYTYCD fans: http://www.puresytycd.com/. Visit often.
