So You Think You Can Dance routines: Reader favorites
A few days ago I put together some of my favorite routines from So You Think You Can Dance. I have to thank you readers for reminding me how many other great routines the show has had. They are even some I forgot about entirely. But I enjoyed watching them all over again.
After the jump are the reader picks and the videos. Don’t forget to check out Jason’s review of tonight’s show and tell us what you thought of the performances.
So You Think You Can Dance airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and on Thursdays at 9 p.m.
Let’s start with Mia Michaels’ contemporary routines. TornAsunder said, “You can’t mention great routines without mentioning Travis and Heidi’s beautiful bench dance by Mia Michaels.” It was a beautiful routine. Wasn’t this the one that she won the Emmy for?
Now, this next one even I loved. (And you know, it takes a lot for me to not snore during a contemporary routine.) Rob says, “Personally I loved the one with Lacey & Kameron from last year. This is the one that made me fall in love with contemporary dance.” I also added in a home-made parody of this piece. It’s pretty funny. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Here’s a few Wade Robson routines you readers might remember. TornAsunder says, “Hok and Jamie’s Hummingbird and Flower dance is definitely my favorite piece that Wade has choreographed, hands down, although Jesus and Sara’s Cabaret Hoover by Wade comes in a close second.” I totally forgot about that second one. For a minute, I thought it was from season one.
Some of you mentioned that you loved Pasha’s work last season. Much like his real-life partner Anya, he too was fantastic. Jen says, “I gotta say, I love watching the hip hop routines Pasha was in. He did such a good job for being sooo out of his element and his goofy personality was great.” I picked Pasha’s and Sara’s “Body Language” (a Mandy Moore routine) to showcase Pasha’s versatility.
And Steph likes Pasha too. She says, “As for my favorite partner dance, I definitely have to go with Pasha/Lacey, where she was a mannequin. That was AMAZING.” Here it is!
How could I forget Neil and Sara’s disco number from last season? Now, that’s the type of disco we’ve yet to see on season four. “Also, for your disco list - Neil and Sarah! The jump! The lift-wiggle! The whole dance was great,” says Jen.
Finally, there’s Nick and Melody’s Broadway routine. They definitely set the bar high. TornAsunder says, “Nick and Melody’s “All That Jazz” from Season 1 is still my favorite Broadway dance on the show, and it has yet to be matched for me. My favorite disco piece is also from that pair.”
Mich says, “I don’t know what it is about it, but I love Allison and Ivan’s Contemporary piece choreographed by Tyce Diorio to Annie Lennox’s “WHY.” Maybe its because it was such a surprise to see Ivan doing contemporary so well, or the fact that they are a beautiful/convincing couple. I find myself watching it from time to time when I can find it on you tube, which I can’t right now to link it!” I got goosebumps watching it again myself. Allison was such a strong and effortless contemporary dancer.
For group dances, Fowak brings up a good Mia Michaels piece, “Best group dance was easily the Mia Michael’s piece to “The Moment I Said It.” You put Mia, a group of dancers dressed in black and an Imogen Heap song together, you get greatness!!”
So, that’s it. Now, tell me. Are you psyched for So You Think You Can Dance tonight or what?
Still in Solitary, Nick Hogan Phones in Lawsuit
Nick Hogan does not want to be singled out by Florida’s Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department. Except when he does.
The Hulkster’s son, currently serving an eight-month sentence for felony reckless driving stemming from a crash that left his friend in critical condition, has filed a civil suit against the department for releasing recordings of his private phone conversations.
News of the suit surfaced on the same day a judge denied the younger Hogan’s request to be removed from solitary confinement because it’s causing him “unbearable anxiety.”
Hmm. Perhaps that’s why it’s called punishment.
Officials said the 17-year-old, whose real name is Nick Bollea, was originally separated from other inmates because he is, until his July 27 birthday, a minor. This, despite him being convicted in adult court.
The rejection and subsequent alone time shouldn’t smart the teen too much, however, as he seems to prize his privacy above all else.
Attorneys for Bollea have filed a civil suit against the Sheriff’s Office for what they claim is a violation of his privacy rights, after the office released a series of phone conversations between the jailbird, his wrestler father and his mother.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Marianne Pasha told News that the family had fairand frequentwarning their calls were being recorded.
“During the phone calls, there is a recording that comes on reminding callers that their call is being recorded,” she said. “All calls from the jail are collect calls and all persons involved in the calls are advised that the call is being taped.”
However, the Bolleas should feel free to go at it now.
“We cannot comment on this case because there is now litigation pending,” Pasha said. “And we will also not be able to release any more calls while this litigation is pending.”
Bollea’s attorneys, meanwhile, also claim the Sheriff’s Department allowed a news crew to film him against his wishes during a family visit. His attorneys claim that none of the releases should have been allowed, as none of the communiqués could be considered “public record.”
“It’s unfortunate that we are required to file a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Office to compel them to follow the law and respect the privacy rights of a juvenile and his family,” attorney David Houston said. “A judge’s order should not be required to stop the Sheriff’s Office from putting Nick, his family and their most intimate thoughts on public display.”
Attorney Morris “Sandy” Weinberg agreed, adding that “Nick only asks that he be treated no differently than the other inmates at the Pinellas County Jail. Instead, the Sheriff’s Office has singled him out by the unprecedented release to the media of his personal calls with his family and the intrusion into his family visitations by the media.”
In the series of recordings released to the media, Bollea complains about the size of his cell, calls friend John Graziano, currently in critical condition as a result of the accident for which Bollea is serving time, a “negative person,” and also asks his father to secure a deal for him to appear in a reality show once he’s released from jail.
In response, Kim Kohn, one of the attorneys representing Graziano, tells News, “We are not both not surprised by the filing of the motion nor the judge’s decision to deny the motion.”
Spoiler Chat: Lost Negotiates, Heroes Fly, Spies Burn
Howdy, tubers! I'm actually writing this from the wilds of San Diego today (where I'm dealing with a family thing), so I hope you'll forgive today's chat being a little shorter than usual—the telegraph wires are all tangled up and my Morse code isn't what it used to be…
From Tom in Minnesota: Will Men in Trees come back? Is it canceled?
Men in Trees is returning! I have firsthand and gluteus-maximus knowledge of this, because I just so happened to share a Pilates class the other day (gawd, how Hollywood does that sound?!) with Lauren Tom, who plays Mai (Buzz's kooky wife). She mentioned, during butt-lifting bungee kicks, that she's uprooting her whole fam and moving to Vancouver, where Men in Trees is filmed. A good sign for its longevity, no?
Michelle in Sandy, Utah: Is ABC going to finish airing season one of Men in Trees any time soon?
The remaining eps of this season won't air in the United States until next fall, when ABC runs them as part of a "superseason," lumping them together with the beginning of season two. However, if you're craving MIT dish, allow me to do a little reader-reader matchmaking: Rachel in Auckland, New Zealand, meet Michelle in Sandy, Utah. Michelle, Rachel. Now, Rachel, what say you? "A weird twist of fate has meant New Zealand will be screening the final episodes of the first season of Men in Trees before they screen in the U.S. You can read the recaps at throng." Yay for Kiwi TV!
Kelly: Any scoop on So You Think You Can Dance?
Stand by for a juicy item tomorrow! But out of curiosity, let me know: Am I the only one who's kinda in love with Pasha? I know, I know, I'm getting married in less than three weeks—deleting such thoughts from my mind.
Meg in Pensacola, Florida: What is the scoop on Traveler? Is it coming back?
This was supposed to be in the Vine show this week but it disappeared—just like Traveler probably will when it wraps up its summer run. There's little to no chance of a second season. Sorry, kids, I know a lot of you were instant fans.
Peter in Des Moines, Iowa: Will Ron Moore be involved in David Eick's version of Bionic Woman?
Ron told me that Bionic's offices are right next door to Battlestar's offices, so they'll definitely be hanging out together, but once Battlestar Galatica is over, he's going to be focused on a big-screen remake of The Thing and writing the sequel to I, Robot.
Alex from Fort Worth, Texas: Is Degrassi ending after the current season?
No, the show returns for a seventh season, set during the second semester of the school year.
Clo in Atlanta: Is Alona Tal, who plays Jo on Supernatural, returning next season? I hope so, because I love her chemistry with Jensen Ackles.
The Magic 8 Ball says…very doubtful. According to Alona's reps, anything is possible, but since the show hasn't done anything with her character for a long time, they're not expecting a call any time soon. Alona—best known to many of you as Veronica Mars' Meg Manning—does, however, appear in the Cane pilot for CBS, and she should be recurring on that show as the girlfriend of Jamie Vega, one of the sons of Jimmy Smits' character.
Cat in Norwalk, Connecticut: I’m sad Studio 60 isn’t coming back for another season. Do you know whether or not Matt and Harriet will be together when it ends?
I don’t know how Aaron Sorkin plans to tie up the Matt and Harri storyline on the show, but I do know that in real life, they’re totally back together! How do I know? Because Friday was opening night at the Hollywood Bowl and Ms. Kristin Chenoweth performed. And guess who her date was? Yes, Mr. Sorkin, himself! A backstage birdie tells me the two were all smiles and that Aaron was overheard thanking a fan for sticking with Studio 60 all season and saying, “Don’t forget to watch the finale on Thursday. It’s a good one.” (Planet Gossip's Marc Malkin has more on Sorkin and Chenoweth—and a hilarious Jack Black sighting—at the Hollywood Bowl here.)
Victoria in Chicago: The previews for Burn Notice on USA look pretty good, plus Jeffrey Donovan is never bad to look at. Have you heard anything about this show? Worth watching?
It's a fun show, and oddly believable for being about a freelance spy trapped in Miami with his neurotic mother. The main character, Michael Westen, reminds me of MacGyver and/or Michael Scofield. I talked to the creator, Matt Nix, this morning, and he told me they're working on keeping the action as realistic as possible: "I've always been interested in the nitty-gritty of espionage. A really good friend of my dad's when I was little…had been in the CIA. He would tell me things. So, I knew when I was five, like, a CIA agent never parks in the same parking space twice. Plus, our consulting producer worked in private intelligence for years, and my father-in-law was a captain in the Navy SEALs, so we download a lot of stuff from them."
Deirdre: Have you heard if NCIS is coming back? There are rumors that Mark Harmon may not be. Please say it isn't so!
NCIS and Mark are absolutely returning. Worry not. By the way, I recently chatted up an NCIS writer, and it sounds like it's smooth sailing with the new show runners.
Ray in New York: Rumor has it that the most beautiful woman in the world, Aishwarya Rai, is doing an eight-episode stint on Heroes next season. I'll believe it when I hear it from you.
Don't believe it. According to studio sources, it's just not true.
Margaret in Idaho: Congrats on your wedding! When is it, and how long will you be gone?
I suppose this is as good a time as any to break the news that I'll be gone for a little more than a month, starting July 6 (next Friday). The fantastically out-of-this-world news for you is that I happen to work with the best damn people in the world, Korbi Ghosh and Jennifer Godwin, who will be taking over the section in my absence. They love TV. I love them. They love you. And trust me, you'll love them. It's gonna be a big ol' lovefest. And when I come back (Aug. 15), we'll have much to discuss about the TV lands I've visited and, of course, the new fall season! in the meantime, we'll be searching for a new term for "Future Husband." Is it appropriate or not for a married girl to use? Will John Stamos be offended by a new moniker? Can I move to Utah? Feel free to discuss in the comment below, along with your own suggestions for the new phrase for TV crushes!
SPOILER ZONE
Abandon hope all ye who enter here.
Brandi in Taos, New Mexico: What's the latest on Lost? Will Michael come back? Please say yes!
I can tell you that producers definitely have made an offer for Harold Perrineau to return in the new season, which they also did last season (Harold declined because he was working on a pilot). Back then, Harold was offered a truckload of money. Now, sources tell me he wants that same truckload. The question is whether he will receive it—hence, the holdup. I, for one, am happy to empty out my piggy bank and couch cushions and contribute to the H.P. Fund, for I miss him so. Who's with me?!
Mari in Bloomington, Indiana: Any Weeds news? When does it start up again?
As of now, the show is set to return Aug. 13. And I’m hearing Ms. Nancy Botwin might be getting some artwork done this season…on her body.
Amy in Albion, Illinois: Weeds! Any Mary-Kate Olsen info?
Yeah, I’m hearing she’s actually quite good in the role she’s taken on, and I can’t wait to get my screener of the first few eps! But she’s not the only new young lady we're welcoming to the show this year. I’m told there’s a twentysomething biker be-yotch hangin’ around Agrestic these days, and she shakes things up a bit.
Caitlin in Beverly Hills: Okay, please, please tell us straight, who is it that won't return to Heroes? I'm going crazy worrying that it might be Adrian.
It'll be Adrian Pasdar when pigs are flying through the sky with Nathan Petrelli.
Robyn in Louisville, Kentucky: Prison Break news, please!
Season three ushers in a whole new group of boys behind bars. I doubt we’ll fall for them like we did for Sucre, C-Note and even T-Bag, but you never know…
Kyle in Benton Harbor, Michigan: This is a good season of The 4400 so far, don’t you think? Do you have any scoop on what’s coming up?
It is! And I do! Executive producer Ira Behr told me that the first four eps this year show us what life is like for some of the “extracrispies,” so we’ve got a couple more of those coming down the pike. The next three dig heavily into the mythology of the series. He describes episode 8 as a sort of “one-off” palette cleanser. Episodes 9 and 10 bring Richard Tyler back and deal with his whole storyline, and eps 11, 12 and 13 just go into “space madness,” leading the show into whole new territory for season five!
Dani in Springfield, New Jersey: I need Rescue Me news!
I’m hearing there are two deaths in this week’s episode. One of them is a serious surprise, and very sad.
Angie in Phoenix: Could you give some more scoop on shows starting soon, like My Boys?
I've seen the first three eps of My Boys, and I have four words for you: Jack McBrayer cameo, squee! In other news, Ian Gomez appears as a pompous talk-show host, and OMG Keith Dudemeister is cheating on Elliot Reid! (Scrubs' Travis Schuldt guests as a Cubs pitcher who flirts shamelessly with P.J.)
Gina in Los Angeles: Is Las Vegas coming back next season?
Yup, and I hear a stripper moves in with Danny and Delinda.
Teresa from Petaluma, California: Anything on Emma and Sean from Degrassi?
Emma and Sean are getting it on, and they get an abrupt wake-up call when Emma finds out she could be pregnant.
Tobey from Wichita, Kansas: Any scoop on the new Daily Planet editor on Smallville?
The new Daily Planet editor is MIA for the season premiere—but Jimmy Olsen returns.
—Additional reporting Korbi Ghosh, Jennifer Godwin and Michael Berner
So You Think Scoop: Dancer Collapses
Drama.
That’s what you can expect on tonight’s episode of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, the summer reality romp that so many of us are addicted to.
Apparently, there has been some big shiznit going down on set this week, and we should be seeing some footage of it during tonight’s show…
The biggest and saddest occurrence, according to spies close to the set, is that one of the dancers, Jessi, collapsed during dress rehearsal this week and was taken away by ambulance. I’m told she will be fine; however, according to sources, she suffers from a medical condition that she may or may not have informed producers about before joining the show. Poor girl, no?
As for Jessi’s partner, Pasha, I’m told he’ll continue on with his dance by selecting a temporary fill-in for Jessi: choreographer Tony Meredith’s assistant, Melanie.
In other dramatic SYTYCD news, word is that choreographer Mia Michaels is no longer feeling the love for Cedric (and that may be an understatement). Sources tell me she choreographed Shauna and Cedric this week and was so frustrated by Cedric’s performance, she told producers she didn’t want them on stage performing her piece.
On the flip side, sources tell me the couple to beat to night is Jamie and Hok, who dance an insanely good routine choreographed by Wade Robson. See, it’s not all sad news!
I’m also hearing this season has its first official couple—stand by for this Monday’s Vine show to find out who! (Any guesses? Post ‘em below.)