TV Obits: Goodman, Wilson, Love
A roundup of TV people from in front of the camera and behind the scenes who have passed away.
- Dody Goodman: She was a comic and character actress who appeared on several TV shows, including Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, The Tonight Show, St. Elsewhere, Diff’rent Strokes, Murder, She Wrote, The Phil Silvers Show, Punky Brewster, Alvin & The Chipmunks, and The Love Boat, and was in movies such as Grease and Splash. She died at age 92.
- Gerald Wilson: He was an editor on several TV shows over the years, including Bewitched, Serpico, Adventures in Paradise, Gunsmoke, and The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, as well as the miniseries Washington: Behind Closed Doors. He was also an editor on movies such as A Farewell To Arms and Mind Over Murder. He died at age 93.
- Kermit Love: He was the co-creator of the Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Mr. Snuffleupagus. He also played Willie the Hot Dog vendor on the show, and Jim Henson named Kermit The Frog after Love.. He was also an acclaimed choreographer and costume designer. He died at age 91.
So You Think You Can Dance: Top 16 Revealed
Mia cried. Mary kept relatively quiet (Thank God!). Nigel lectured. Cat wore a green dress. And we eliminated another two dancers last night on So You Think You Can Dance. Off we go!
Opening Performance
“Elevator” by Flo Rida featuring Timbaland (choreographer: Shane Sparks)
What a great hip-hop performance! And I’m so glad that Shane Sparks is lending his expertise to the show again. I was worried he’d be totally wrapped up in America’s Best Dance Crew this summer. The girls part on the floor was great but a few of them messed up the arm movements. The best part of the piece was Comfort with the three guys. It was near perfect. My eyes never left Comfort. I wasn’t impressed with her krumping on Wednesday but this opener proved to me why she’s there.
Also, what did you think of the girls’ costumes? I liked the guys’ costumes. The suits were a little predictable but a nice blend of colors. But the with the girls, I was undecided. I’m not sure about those corsets. I wonder if they were restricting, which can be especially limiting considering the amount of chest isolations hip-hop dance usually requires.
Who’s Dancing for Their Life?
Katee and Joshua [SAFE]
Twitch and Kherrington [SAFE]
Chelsea and Thayne [BOTTOM THREE]
Chelsea and Mark [SAFE]
Matt and Kourtni, bottom three last week [SAFE]
Will and Jess, bottom three last week [SAFE]
Susie and Marquis [BOTTOM THREE]
Chris and Comfort [BOTTOM THREE]
Courtney and Gev [SAFE]
Guest Performers
Timo Nuñez, “America’s Number One Flamenco Dancer,” performed as the night’s special guest dancer. Why was he sweaty before he started dancing? I guess it was just for effect. He’s got some body though. I didn’t mind the sweaty abs. I don’t think very many ladies did. His flamenco was great. I’m really happy that So You Think You Can Dance added this feature to the results show. I hope they have some good tappers lined up; tap dance is always sorely under-represented on this show.
Flo Rida performed a single called “In the Air” from his debut CD. I was bored watching him walk around the stage in his sneakers with no laces and lip sync. Not impressed at all. He did have on cool sunglasses though.
The Solos
Chelsea T. performed a contemporary solo to “Time is Now” by Moloko. It was fierce. She has such gorgeous legs and really makes eye contact with the audience. Her outfit was well-chosen too. I hate when female contemporary dancers cover their legs or wear some fluffy baby doll dress. It makes them look shorter. Chelsea’s costume suited her body and complimented her lines. However, Nigel said that if she wanted to stay, she’d better step up.
Thayne danced a contemporary piece to “Belief” by Gavin DeGraw. It was forgettable. Too much running around the stage with his arms outstretched. I get it. You have a flexible back. And why does he smile the whole time? I don’t think every piece needs a big ear-to-ear grin like that. Nigel commented that Thayne had a “great spirit on stage.”
Susie danced a salsa (or whatever she calls it) to “The Anthem” by Pitbull featuring Lil’ Jon. She was interesting to watch, but I think she needed to do some more turns or extensions. Also, her legwarmers cut off the line of her leg. And with Latin dance, I think you need to see long, toned legs that finish in high heels. Think Heidi from season two. Nigel added that she didn’t use the stage.
Marquis danced to “Stop and Stare” by OneRepublic. This could have been amazing. With his technique and such a moving song, he could have rocked that stage. Instead his beautiful jumps and turns were lost amidst flips and contortionist-looking extensions. Nigel maintained that the solo contained too many tricks and not enough dance.
Comfort was great in her hip-hop routine to “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaata. The judges were less enthused though. Nigel wondered if her injury was affecting her. In fact, they only kept her in the competition because of her performance in the Shane Sparks piece. (Note: I just have to point out that I wrote that bit up top about Comfort in the Shane Sparks opening before Nigel said anything at the end of the show. Just had to pat myself on the back for a second.)
Chris danced to “Again” by John Legend. His contemporary piece finally got Nigel to say that he had some personality. It was beautifully done too. He combined nice lines with some interesting undulating movements.
The Elimination
In the end, the judges eliminated Susie and Marquis from the competition. Wow, another couple eliminated. Once again, no one has to get a new partner.
Paris Hilton’s Burlesque Birthday Bash
Paris Hilton’s Burlesque Birthday Bash
While she already held a pre-party a week ago at a Los Angeles nightclub, last night was the main attraction as far as Paris Hilton’s birthday bashes are concerned.
The socialite celebrated her 27th year by joining in on a burlesque show with the Pussycat Dolls at Pure Nightclub, which is located inside of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
According to press reports, “Hilton’s choreographer got her hooked up with the Dolls, with whom she sang and danced. Hilton even designed her own skimpy outfit for the birthday performance.”
Other guests for the evening included Paris’ sister Nicky, Stephanie March, Robin Antin and Bobby Flay - along with the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls, of course!
Miley Is No Madonna
Miley and Mandy "4 Minutes" video is not a Madonna spoof.
Miley Cyrus' best friend and backup dancer, Mandy Jiroux, gives News the exclusive dish about the ladies’ hit video that has gotten nearly 900,000 hits since debuting on Sunday.Contrary to some reports, the video is not a spoof but just a dance battle against Step Up 2 director Jon Chu, who, along with the film's star, Adam Sevani, challenged Miley and Mandy to a dance-off on YouTube.
"They made a video first calling us out, and we made this video responding to theirs. M and M Cru definitely won!" Mandy says, referring to the name they gave themselves for the vid, "M and M Cru with a U."Mandy explains that the rumor of a spoof started "probably just because we do, like, two moves Madonna has done in the past."
Or maybe because it’s set to Madonna’s "4 Minutes." Or because it has the same street-festival-during-the-apocalypse feel as Madonna’s video. Or because Miley wears her hair like Madonna’s. Or because…should we go on?Mandy tells the video's dance sequences were choreographed by pro choreographer Teresa Espinosa, who worked on Miley's Best of Both Worlds tour, and actress-dancer Alison Faulk. One of their friends filmed and edited it. It was shot over two days last week at L.A.'s Foresight Studios.And in case you are wondering who the old woman is in the video throwing down some mad moves, Mandy reveals, "That's Miley's grandmother!"
See, and here we thought that was Madonna…