It's All About the Music

What do "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Vampire Diaries" have in common? "Gravity" Sara Bareilles.
SYTYCD stand out addiction dance this summer was set to this song and The Vampire Diaries second episode also used it. Linking these two shows puts the whole ending of the V.D. episode into a different perspective. My guess is that episode was shot before SYTYCD, but it is an interesting comparison. Is there an addiction to the love of Katherine, long since gone, that has Stephen stalking Elena attempting to win her affections? Is Elena also trying to fill a lost void with a love/attention addiction? Can either of them win if they are both addicted?

I Haven't Called, But I Can Still Complain

In the previous seasons of So You Think You Can Dance there has been a point where I finally am compelled to pick up the phone. I am getting very close to that point this season, but I have a problem. I DVR everything. I don't get to watch the show until the phone lines are open and often they are closing or closed as I complete the show and finally know who needs or deserves my vote. This is one of the few issues I have with the DVR age.

After going on and on about Mia Michaels last night I decided I needed to also put in writing my enjoyment of Mandy Moore's choreography as well. Ever since the "Sweet Dreams" routine across the table last year I have been hooked on her dances. This week's "Alone" shirt dance was sensational and it is a shame that it may get lost being packed between the slices of Mia Michael 15-grain bread.

I am going to go on record saying my favorite couple is Katie and Joshua. I don't know that they will win, I actually see Will as the overall winner, but I think they are a great pair and thoroughly enjoy watching them week after week.

If You Can't Move Be Moved

So You Think You Can Dance is narrowing down which means two dances per couple each week. At the beginning of the show there were three dances in a row that made me wonder why I enjoy this show so much, two more performances made me take notice and then a Mia Michaels' routine that had me in tears it was so good. While I enjoyed the second half much more, I didn't think the show could get any better and then along came another Mia Michaels' routine.

Last week's group routine left me wondering if she had been channeling Tyse DiOrio since she seemed to have choreographed many of his signature African jazz styled moves. Her fingerprints (or made footprints is more appropriate) were all over tonight's show. Looking back at the 4 seasons of SYTYCD her routines are consistently the memorable and breathtaking.

So here is my shout out to Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe - THANK YOU for bringing Mia's choreography to all us couch potatoes who wish they could shake it. The art she creates stretches far beyond the Emmy she won. To Mia thank you for not compromising your art despite the fact that some of the dancers can't dance your choreography and as Nigel says many who watch don't get it, because there are those of us who get it, appreciate it, and watch just to see what you will create for us next time.

SYTYCD is BACK here are my ramblings

The So You Think You Can Dance top 20 premiered last night and my summer is made. Last week I was driving along flippin' through the stations and heard Estelle's "American Boy" for the first time and thought that is going to be on this season... low and behold, first song up "American Boy". While it might not have been "funk"enough for Dan, it showed personality and humor.
My daughter claims Suzi is her fav, I really don't see her going to the end, but time will tell. I like the new format introducing partners much more than watching them pick from the hat. You know they put on fake excitement when they pick since the cameras are on but really think, "Smile. Crap, am I really stuck again with this popper doing ballroom? Smile, maybe jump into his arms. I'm going home. Smile, jump up and down, smile."

In need of something new

I apologize that I have taken a month long sabbatical, but I havne't felt compelled to write ab out anything I have seen on tv this season. So far this summer's shows have been quite a disappointment. I am thrilled to have So You Think You Can Dance and Top Chef return to the tube, but otherwise there isn't a whole lot to tune in for. For those of you who have read my previous posts you know I am a television addict. For me not to have something to watch, tv programming is obviously hitting a new low.

As for the new shows this summer season- Hidden Palms only redeeming feature is its soundtrack and even that isn't wasting an hour, or more now that they are putting on double episodes. The Starter Wife I can't quite figure out. Is it supposed to be avante garde, funny, dramatic... I have watched several times to figure out this quandary and am still at a loss. I don't need more talent competitions in my watching diet either, thank you.

So, I need your help. What should I be watching that I have missed? Give me something new to watch, I'll check it out and let you know what I think.

A Surprisingly Good TV Night After All

I sat down with some work to do in front of the tv expecting reruns... most shows have already put out their finale and now we are in reruns, gag. I have a DVR so I don't have to watch reruns. Since my favorite Thursday shows are over I was not looking forward to turning on the tv. I am so glad I did.

I mistakenly thought that I had another week until So You Think You Can Dance came back. I was thrilled to see my favorite contest back on the small screen. Why do I like So You Think You Can Dance while I despise American Idol? Talent and training. While there are a few American Idol contestants that truly have some God given talent that isn't enough. There needs to be training for the person to have any chance at success. Otherwise the singer is going to get caught up in lip-synching because they don't have the ability to keep their vocals going for an entire show. Kelly Clarkson may put out a good album, but have you heard her sing live. She doesn't have the breath support or control. I am not going to pay to listen to that, and I am not going to waste my tv time watching it. I would pay to see someone with serious dancing chops move their hips though. I have been awed by some of the dancing in the past two seasons. The dance choreographed on the bench last year was one I rewound to watch over and over again. Thanks Mia! It couldn't have been done as well or with as much emotion with untrained dancers. This is truly a competition of talent not just marketability.

I also watched the second episode of On the Lot. While it is just another competition based on formula, we are again seeing some truly talented people come out of this show. It is great to see people in a competition be amazed at what others they are up against are able to do. It shows that the uneducated audience is actually seeing some talent in the group of individuals that have been selected. The gasps during the special effects movie "Time Out" (I believe) showed just how special the crafts he has are.

I was also thrilled to have Studio 60 return. I know this is all just a tease since it will be gone for good soon, but it is always enjoyable to watch that cast work together with Sorkin's words. The tie-ins to Allison Janney and West Wing were particularly enjoyable for a West Wing fan. There was a very purposeful CJ/Danny moment at the end that gave me that warm tingly feeling of seeing two old friends again. I guess if they are on the way out, why not give us those tie-ins. There is no longer a reason to try to define Studio 60 differently from West Wing (not like Sorkin tried that hard).

One last spoiler added to my television fulfillment this evening. It isn't really a spoiler, so I will share here. From SpoilerFix "Amy [Sherman-Palladino] explained why she couldn't divulge her long-ago-planned Gilmore ending. In the next year or two, she hopes to make -- wait for it -- a two-hour Gilmore Girls TV-movie that ties up all those loose threads! (BTW, lest you think Amy was pulling my leg, her partner in life and in showbiz, Dan Palladino, confirmed that a GG reunion pic is something they're interested in pursuing.) Source: Ask Ausiello @ TV Guide". Definitely good news for GG fans. Hopefully it will pan out. While the new writers did a decent job keeping up with the patter created by Amy and Dan... it wasn't the same as having the ending always planned.

Now if only Friday turned out to be a good tv night too... ha ha ha ha ha ha.