Reality rules my summer

[jlh]

Top Chef: Colicchio's blog is up—the end is a direct response to the conspiracy theories, which I adore because I can't stand them. Anyway, he does offer one important clarification: it was Andrea's table, not Lisa's, that had no line at it. Grub Street has a great interview with Andrea, who says that the opening of her restaurant was absolutely a distraction—it's like Casey all over again.

I'm annoyed that Lisa is still around, too, mostly because I really don't need to see her attitude on my TV screen. But I'm honestly not worried about Richard or Stephanie because they've been cooking circles around her—and not letting her negativity get to them—since week one. Her remark at the end of the show was akin to Tiffani saying to Harold that "my back just ran into your knife" and his response was similar to Richard's: um, whatever?

I'm on team Stephanie, but I'd be fine with Richard winning, too—and mostly I'm sad that only one of them can win! I thought Stephanie showed real leadership in not trying to screw anyone over in picking their sous chefs (though wasn't it telling that there was almost no one that hasn't had problems with Lisa?). And she showed it again with how she handled Dale's mistake, by being calm, which let Dale calm down enough to suggest the new dish that the judges picked as their favorite on her table. Richard's been a great leader all season. It should be an incredible match.

As for SYTYCD, I'm really excited for the live competition to start next week. I don't have a lot of opinions on the top 20, since so many of them we haven't seen much of (and seriously, producers, what's up with that?) but I am pleased that those two hip-hop dancers from Texas made it in. But it was the "mystery dancer" on the last day of auditions that was the best of the week, and even if you aren't a fan of the show, watch this:

Travis Wall, who came in second to Benji in season two, led the choreography portion of the auditions in each city. Note to the "American Idol hates gay people" conspiracy types: If Nigel weren't down with the gay, he wouldn't have cheered so loudly for his choreographer and SYTYCD-alum dancing in drag, much less featured it so prominently on the (other) show he produces. Of course, I thought the Ryan joke was particularly funny!

I don't do a recap or a poll for SYTYCD; _sytycd_ does a much better job because there are so many dancers over there. But I will be posting my quick thoughts, especially since it's all I'll be watching until PR starts in July.

Comments

[honestys-easy.livejournal.com]

This video will never get old. :D

I'm planning on doing a graphics binge when I get home today, so I might make that "you're not ryan seacrest, are you?" icon you asked for. Text only, or with an image of a perplexed yet amused Nigel in the background?

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

Agree with you on everything--I'm so happy those two hip hop dancers are there, and also Gev. I love him already. And I've always liked Twitch. Joshua and Comfort! Just remembered their names.

One "conspiracy" thing that I thought was kind of interesting was Debbie Allen calling out Joshua (I think it was him) on his cabriole and showing it in slo-mo. Part of the conspiracy stuff on SYTYCD is always people claiming that the show gives preference to street dancers with no training. I don't think that's true, but it's possible people auditioning might play down their training if they thought it made them stand out. Even though it's silly because really the show always rewards hard work and that's what they see training as.

Top Chef, I like both Richard and Stephanie, and I was so psyched for the way she handled the mistake. She brought out the best in Dale too. We've seen him get defensive and bratty and competitive, but her reaction to his mistake made him look good too, the way he genuinely worried he'd ruined it for her, and then they worked together to make something better, so his suggestion was the best dish. And we didn't even see her bring that up when she was being judged. (One thing both these shows proved this week was just shut up and don't talk.)

Sadly, Step it Up also ended and it was literally like: Okay, Cody wins. Who cares?

[jlh.livejournal.com]

In a dream world, the image would be Tracy, when she leaned into the microphone with her head cocked, just as Nigel was asking her that. I think you need her or the joke gets lost.

That video will NEVER GET OLD.

Graphics binging ftw! I watched Alison do amazing things with photoshop yesterday. I love watching people do something well.

[jlh.livejournal.com]

One thing they were talking about on the comm was the lack of male ballroom dancers this season—and that one swing kid is Lacey's former partner! I don't think the show gives them preference at all, as since the first season (which the judges didn't control) no hip hop dancer has made it to the final four. Also, they would have kept Musa in season two—he would have been a huge draw on the tour. I think it's more that the people who come online to talk about dance tend to be trained dancers.

What I'd love to see is one of these dance competitions that everyone talks about so I can see what they mean by a "competition style".

My roommate said that Dale redeemed himself to her in that episode with his feeling of responsibility to Stephanie. He behaved very well, as he always had with Richard. He just needs a little maturity, a little more leadership ability to go with his skills, a better sense of what he can and can't do, and a more positive attitude about things going wrong.

I saw the TWoP recap on Step It Up. I really hope that no one watched that show because ugh. I'd much rather another season of Top Design.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I've happily never been to a dance competition in person but I definitely know what they mean. I remember when I was taking ballroom and my teacher would occasionally try to get me to get into competitions (which are so expensive I just laughed), he would talk about always incorporating that into the dance. Like when you turn out you smile at the judges etc. But for a lot of kids who take dance that's what they do, the class goes to competitions and they buy outfits and dance like that. I love watching the judges just get rid of that quality--because sometimes the person has talent and skill under that tacky veneer!

(Btw, I kind of loved pageant girl with her "At a pageant, you don't fail. And if you do fail you don't cry. And if you do cry you do it in your room!" The pageant world is tough!)

I made the mistake of peeking at the TWOP comm and the conspiracy and competition has already started! People are angrily not watching because they're favorite didn't make it into the top twenty like they deserved, and the girls are all bimbos like last year, and there are too many contempo male dancers--but not the contempo males that they liked because the judges want a hip hop dancer to win this year.

[sisterpandora.livejournal.com]

That video is awesome for so many reasons but that fellow has skinny calves, which, worries.

I have to say now, that, while I see why so many love contemporary style, I'm over it and it bores me. It always looks unfinished, unkempt, and in a final sense, sloppy. Which is not to say it isn't extremely demanding physically, or that can't be beautiful. It just... almost always strikes me as the emo movement of the dance world. And I'm sure there are plenty of dancers out there who would light me on fire for saying such things about their scared cow, but, sigh, next.

And I have to add one more thing, I couldn't agree more with what sistermagpie said, "I love watching the judges just get rid of that quality--because sometimes the person has talent and skill under that tacky veneer!" because, oh my goodness gracious, yes! You get that horrible, tacky veneer in every dance type out there! Even if there's just a show, a festival, etc, that's non-competitive in nature, the veneer of glossy show is there and it's horrible and should be stomped on by godzilla. Hate it!