SYTYCD Live Blog: Boston Auditions

9:58 Well what do I know, he went right on to Vegas. Rock on!
9:54 This guy is clearly not right for the show, but what a fun way to end Boston. He's very entertaining!
9:46 Very, very good Latin tonight, Hot tamale train!
9:36 This Anthony is phenomenal, such pretty technique and soft landings
9:35 I cannot with these nutty people who give up a chance to go to the choreography round, have sex on stage, and dance in bunny earmuffs.
9:14 E-Knock was beautiful. That was so heartfelt-exactly what dance should be about.
9:12 Geez why are all these people getting to work at dance studios and not me?
9:02 I love Shizzy-Shake! Everything is so natural for her, it doesn't look like she is working and that is the best thing you can have in a dancer.
8:58 I like this white boy, he is pretty slick. I like his attitude. His moves aren't anything we haven't seen before, but I like what he his overall performance.
8:46 Siblings are certainly the theme of this episode. Wow this girl is awesome! Those legs go on for days! I would love to see her do Balanchine's rubies!
8:38 I'm so jealous of this kid Tommy. I would give anything to open a dance studio and have my whole family involved. He has a quirky way about him. He has nice individual elements, but as a whole he kind of moves like a Disney witch.
8:33 I love this juxtaposition over contemporary look and sick body with the classic music and style. Lovely technique, I see the ballet in there but her face is so beautifully expressive. Her tat is rad...I bet that hurt like crazy.
8:32 First eating disorder of the season. Unfortunately this is still so common in the dance world. I want this girl to be a baller and dance out her feelings.
8:23 This kid is a very cool little brother, very complicated choreography to learn so quickly. PS that girl needs to cover herself a little more.
8:19 I agree with the judges, that was a pice of art. It was engaging and interesting! I loved that piece.
8:10 Natalie isn't bad, she's just pretty average with a strange gimmick. I'm with the judges, she didn't do enough to show that she should make it to the next round.
8:08 Natalie: "I'm auditioning because it's on my bucket list to do before I'm 30". That is all...
8:05 Phillip is too soft and sloppy, Ashley has the right look. She is obnoxious and he has the personality of a tube sock. Get rid of them both.
8:04 This is so freaking scripted. They talked to Cat about dating and then Nigel asks them about dating? This girl is freaking annoying, I want her gone ASAP!
8:03 I wish I were 19.....Did Ashley and Phillip stop dating because he is gay?
8:01 Great, Mary is wearing neon and Adam Shankman is here with his queer self.
8:00 I hope the Boston dancers are Wicked Awesome!

SYTYCD LIVE BLOG: LA and Austin Auditions

9:55 This little girl is so powerful, this is fantastic. I've never seen anything like that.
9:54 This whole family dancing together. This is gorgeous, so moving.
9:53 I'm excited to see the exorcist again, I kind of forget what he looked like.
9:41 This poor Nick had to stand there and wait while these judges all bitch brunch. Wow...how professional. Wait, this guy is awesome!
9:34 The girl from Venezuela did nothing for me really. She was a nice dancer, just nothing stood out for me.
9:27 Shane was inspirational...that is the purpose of dancing afterall. We dance to say the things we can't say with our voices.
9:19 What do you say about Dannon other than that he is quirky? I bet he goes to choreography. He is rough around the edges. His technique has some problems, but he is so interesting to watch.
9:11 This montage showed such great dancing, why couldn't we see them instead of a 4-year-old?
9:09 This family has a cool vibe. The dad is so hip-hop, but the son is such a cool blend of hip-hop and contemporary
9:05 I love Donovan, he's like a mix of hip hop and contemporary, I love how he's kind of rough around the edges
8:56 I loved that jump out of the coupe turn, really cool combination move. This chick has great feet!
8:55 I'm glad they sent him to Disney World, that was precious
8:52 Sorry, I'm not amused by this kid, spend the time on real dancers who work their asses off to be here
8:49 Mary, your hair, I cannot
8:44 Minnie fricking Driver? What on earth is she doing on a dance show?
8:43 Go away Sasha! Nobody even liked you on your own season
8:42 Mackenzie was the best dancer we've seen so far
8:40 I like Mackenzie...this dance is actual contemporary, not just lyrical like what most dancers call contemporary. There is something so captivating about her.
8:39 Isn't it funny how Nigel "knows" when to ask if the dancer's parents are in the business?
8:37 That girl in the gold lame number looked like the Sheila in our production of A Chorus Line
8:31 I want Nigel to come up with something other that "cue music" but Millie is pretty good. His moves aren't anything we haven't seen, but he has a special kind of personality.
8:27 Dude on Pointe and a chicken dance....where on earth do the find these crazies?
8:20 Mary will love these Latin dancers, she always does
8:09 This girl has great technique and we get that she can coupe turn, but she's not doing much for me
8:08 Oh lord we have a sob story and a daughter of a dance teacher.
8:05 What on earth was that guy doing? Why did he even go on to the choreography? That's just silly. 

SYTYCD Live Blog: Season 10 Premiere!

8:58 Oh geez, I never thought I'd have to see Sasha's crazy face again :(
8:56 Okay, these guys are actually pretty good. Not show good....but they have a cool story and decent moves to back it up.
8:54 Not sure what to expect from this last crew.
8:50 I'm over these "guest judges" that know nothing about dance. I want Andy Blankenbuehler, Rob Ashford, Twyla Tharp, Kenny Ortega, Bill T Jones...or really anybody who knows anything about dance. Rant over
8:48 Is this a Russian Rapper? Is that what's happening? Mary is all about him. She has that cougar look in her eye.
8:46 After all these years I will never "get" b-boying. I just don't understand how you learn it??
8:45 I expect big things from "one of the best b-boys in the world"
8:40 Enough already Jessie, if you can't talk about injuries without throwing up, get off of the dance show
8:39 I'm loving Taylor's strong style. Great to see a muscular girl who isn't a twig. There's no way she started in college
8:38 We've all been there girl. I'm pulling for you. I too have loose joints and that is rough rough rough!
8:32 Adding that moaning rendition of "Send In The Clowns" to the torn ACL was excruciating times two
8:31 Wait, did she just start dancing in college? Or did she dance before? I just cannot do these sad stories anymore. However will I get through this summer?
8:29 That freaky girl walking on her hands reminded me of Tori Amos as a b-girl
8:26 Tutu necklace boy...we've got our first nut of the year. He is straight up crazy, but his movements are so original. I bet he goes to the choreo round.
8:20 The Benji of Armenia? Hmmm...that's interesting
8:18 First time we've had a winner from another country. That is interesting..... I always find it awkward when only one of the partners is actually auditioning. Like, should we ignore the other one?
8:12 This blonde girl seems very natural, but with a little crazy behind her eyes. I'm intrigued!
8:09 Geez this girl just said she was partially deaf...dead pan. I like her already! She has spunk and her mom was a dancer. That's so Sheila from A Chorus Line.
8:08 We have our first "feelingsy story of the season" that's how you know we are on reality TV. You don't get on this show without an emotional story. This girl from Utah looks like Tinker Bell.
8:07 Sorry, they let Fiction have too much time, he's just not all that interesting. However, the judges seem to love it so color me baffled.
8:05 Wait, his name is Fiction? Did he really not know they do a week in Vegas? We've seen all these moves before, but he has a quirky personality!
8:03 SYTYCD Season 10 here we go! We're starting in LA!

SYTYCD Live Blog: Top 20 Selection

9:59 Meanwhile, Mia herself is looking rough as usual!
9:58 Mia's movement was fantastic tonight...very simple but powerful on the whole group
9:56 OMG the return of Mia! Very cool dance thus far
9:47 I'm loving Cole, he really stands out to me. What a unique dancer
9:46 I love Sonya's broad view of partnering
9:46 Sonya working with dudes has to be amazing!
9:38 Not a Travis fan, but I do like this unison movement
9:36 Eww Travis...real choreographers don't just "put in tricks because dancers can do them"
9:28 These guys are freaking awesome!
9:25 A baseball routine...bangin!! This is so freaking cool!
9:24 Yay hip-hoppers/b-boys finally
9:19 I love this Asian Martial Arts Fusion guy.....he is so versatile
9:13 Where are the breakers and b-boy/b-girls?
9:11 This piece isn't doing much for me
9:10 Stacey Tookey is unecessary
9:09 One girl spot left....big surprise they are looking for "star quality"
9:06 Mary, that little turn the doorknob thing was beyond tacky
9:05 Aww Blake was so cute!
8:59 Why so androgynous Melanie dear?
8:56 Thank you Sonya for showing that girls actually can lift girls
8:55 Oh poor dear Janelle. Luckily she'll be fine. These two jazz girls could be twins BTW
8:54 Nevermind...rejection central right here
8:53 Geez have they rejected anybody yet???
8:52 That little curly brunette is presh!
8:46 I love all the ballet! Desmond & Dwight.....I should've known
8:43 This space-aged ballet is beautiful beyond words!
8:40 Blue Suede shoes...that's cute
8:38 I love this mop-haired girl...what is her name again?
8:33 Zooey.....just stop
8:30 I love Jason's routines....this piece is fierce!
8:29 How cute...the blonde besties are together!
8:29 Yay Whitney #TeamWhitney
8:28 Drama alert...2 Bffs going into the decision room together!
8:27 Oh boy, we have sadgirl.com here, but he's in the Top 20 anyway
8:19 Zip it Zooey, you know nothing about dance. Obviously FOX is just trying to promote it's other shows
8:18 Alexa wins the hairography award
8:17 Nigel just LOVES kissing up to Tyce
8:15 I feel like I'm going to like Alexa, but for her hair and not her dancing
8:15 I love that bench and this is actually pretty cool movement.
8:14 TYCE....gag me please and thank you
8:14 Amber looks like an odd egg to me, but I loved her genuine reaction
8:13 Did this Amber chick think if she colored her hair like Rihanna she'd make the show?
8:13 Poor Megan...first reject from the top 20
8:12 Thank God for Debbie Reynolds...she makes this whole judging mess bearable
8:12 For College Hoops fans....George looks a little like Anthony "unibrow" Davis to me
8:11 Alexa is an odd choice for "featured TV dancer" because she doesn't have the magnetic personality that Melanie had when they put her in that role last season
8:10 Seeing Adam Shankman + Tyce Diorio in the same video clip just turned my stomach.
8:09 Alexa is all about that red lip! Why are they trying so hard to get us to like her? If we want to like her then we will on our own.
8:08 Choosing one top boy and one top girl is so smart because it's too hard to compare them
8:05 Man are they talking up this chick Alexa...they want us to love her. She is this year's Ryan Ramirez. She'll flame out under top 20 pressure.
8:03 Big format change this season....no results show and TWO winners (America's fave girl and boy dancer)
8:03 What on EARTH does Zooey Deschanel know about dance???
8:02 Ooooo look at fancy Cat!
8:01 Ready for a cheesy recap?
8:00 Here we go, who is ready for the slow, painful, prolonged top 20 process?

So You Think You Can Dance: August 4th Liveblog

• This is the top 4 episode and as per the usual, the drama is building.
• So I do cannot for th life of me understand how Adechike is still on the show
• Props to Lauren for being the last girl standing by a long shot
• Whoa Cat Deeley...rocking the short do and a rad 80s sparkle dress
• I cannot stand Tyce after seeing his egotism in Every Little Step
• I always find it funny how the rehearsal videos make it seem as if all the dancers do in rehearsal is goof off when clearly they are working their butts off
• You known I used to love Tyce's work but lately, I feel like his Broadway routines fail to tell a story; they are basically jazz numbers to Broadway music
• Tyce you are so pretentious, but I love that you singled out Kent
• The Argentine Tango is my favorite ballroom style, but why do I feel like it always has the same story regardless of the specific choreography?
• Lauren is such a precious little pipsqueak
• I'm actually enjoying the simplicity of this Argentine Tango: very less-is-more
• I enjoyed the performance more than the choreography...very theatrical
• Yeah Adam Shankman for mentioning the overturning of Proposition 8 in California!
• Lauren looked so mature in that piece, despite her tender age
• I like that they are doing these little video bios of the dancers and their families...it helps to remind you that they are just regular people!
• Hello costumes!
• I like this concept a lot
• The routine was very fun and energetic, but I don't think the movement served the "concept"
• "Lauren I love you" -Tyce Diorio
• Obviously you love Lauren Gottlieb, she was your assistant 
• Tyce, why must you wax philosophical, you just sound like an idiot
• I agree with Mia that Adechike is not completely committing to the work or "tearing it up," he needs to let go, both of his body and of this competition
• Yes Adam Shankman, you just TOLD Tyce
• I miss Billy Bell
• I LOVE Jonathan Roberts form DWTS...he is so dreamy!
• Are Robert and Anya dancing on a cloud? Well thats what it looks like!
• He seems just slightly stiff in this piece, I would love to see him lighten up just a hair
• Did I just see Allison Holker in the audience? Why on earth wouldn't she be dancing?
• Tyce.....SHUT UP
• Tyce...silence has always been your strongest suit
• I thought this was a gorgeous routine, don't get me wrong, but I do not think it was as phenomenal as the judges said
• Kent was born to disco....enough said
• Kent could stand in place for an hour and I would still love it
• Haven't we already done a piece where Lauren tries to lure Ade?
• I enjoyed this routine way more than Sean's afrojazz piece...by a longshot
• There were a few awkward moments but it was a fiery routine for sure
• I hoped Adechike would kill the Desmond/Dwight piece but I'm afraid he fell short
• This is probably the end of the road for Adechike and I think the judges are trying to soften that blow by praising his journey
• Wow, this spotlight on Adechike has soooo many feelings!
• NappyTabs truly outdid themselves this week!
• That piece was incredibly!
• It looks to me like Robert is making a surge this week! What a great time to peak!
• If Adechike doesn't go home tonight, there is seriously a problem
• America made a step toward Equality today, now lets make a move towards choosing the right dancer to win SYTYCD
• Does anybody else think that the Neil and Kent "friendship" in the piece is a code for "gay romance"? Because that is totally legal in California now
• I bet Mia is dying right now...she loves great boy dancing
• I normally am not a Travis Wall fan but all I have to say now is WOW
• Nigel are you really saying that Travis is one of the best choreographers working for the show? This was a lovely piece but Travis is still pretty amateur compared to the other choreographers
• Tyce...PLEASE SHUT UP
• Tyce...can you be like Mia and just be speechless
• Adam said it first, and I'm going to say it again, I think Kent just won the show

Has So You Think You Can Dance Gone Too Far?

Television shows like FOX's So You Think You Can Dance have done wonders for an art form that seemed lost with the days of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Dancers who were once limited to performing in the chorus of Broadway shows or dancing behind pop and hip-hop stars in music videos are now receiving national exposure based on their own merit. However, in an attempt to wow television audiences and prove their technical abilities to critical panels of judges, dancers and choreographers have begun to push the boundaries of the human body in an extreme way. From gravity defying jumps to intricate partnering and often dangerous tumbling passes, performers push their physical limits every day, but has it gone too far? Many critics, and even some diehard fans of So You Think You Can Dance will answer this question with an affirmative 'yes'.

For the past three weeks of the show's seventh season, at least one dancer has injured themselves in rehearsals. On the July 7th show it was announced that Alex Wong, whom many thought to be a front-runner to win the competition, had injured his achilles tendon performing a taxing series of Russian split jumps in a Bollywood routine. He was unable to perform in the show and was automatically placed in the bottom 3 and was ultimately voted out because surgery was required to repair his severed tendon. In the same week, All-Star Allison Holker was sent to the emergency room during rehearsals due to a rib injury.

On July 14th, it was revealed at the beginning of the show that dancer Ashley Galvan would not be performing due to a rib injury. She too was voted out during the results show when her doctors prescribed at least 5-6 weeks of rest.

When we finally thought the string of injuries had ended, the July 21st show began without Billy Bell, who had hurt his knee in rehearsal. This injury appeared to be minor however, and he was not sent home during this week's results show, in fact no one was.

The show has seen some minor injuries to dancers in previous seasons, but nothing even remotely close to the bloodbath of these past three weeks. So what is going on this season that hasn't happened before? This question can be answered in a multitude of ways, but one noticeable difference between previous seasons and the current one is the All-Star format. The idea is simple: pair contestants with finalists from previous seasons to push the younger dancers to the level of those who have already been working in the industry for a few years. This format is not to blame, but the sheer number of routines for each dancer may in fact be the cause. The season started out normally with each dancer performing one duet, but oddly enough, the week that each contestant was asked to perform two duet routines and a solo in addition to the group number, was the same week the first injury to Alex Wong occurred. The amount of time spent rehearsing for multiple routines also means that dancers have little time, if any at all, to spend warming-up and taking technique classes to keep their bodies conditioned and to prevent injury.

It seems that the network and producers are trying to cram as many numbers into the show as possible to encourage viewers to keep watching and voting. But the fatal flaw in this thought process is that these dancers, though disciplined and impeccably trained, are humans, not machines. And not only has the number of routines per show increased, but so has the difficulty and risk of each piece. It is very rare to see a work of choreography on this show that does not include dangerous tumbling, jumps that could snap an ankle if the landing is the slightest bit off, or lifts that could leave the female paralyzed if she is dropped. I have always thought the show would have more artistic merit and less potential for injury if the choreographers would cut the "tricks" and actually allowed the performers to dance. But as terrifying as all of this sounds, these dancers are at the peak of their training and should not have a problem with this choreography, that is if they weren't exhausted from the other three routines they were rehearsing that same week.

Here are the opinions of some dancers and fans of the show who feel that the recent injuries are not accidents, as well as their theories on improving the show and the safety of its dancers.

"The show has had injuries in the past, but three weeks in a row is actually quite alarming. If we were talking about Dancing with the Stars where you are dealing with untrained dancers who don't know how to stretch or warm up their bodies properly, then it is quite plausible. However, these are talented and smart dancers who know their bodies and how to prevent injury. There's a huge difference between challenging the dancers to help them grow and challenging the dancers to their breaking points. It's dangerous, and these injuries could affect them for many years to come. Entertaining America is not worth risking the dancers' future careers. One or two pieces is more than enough for one night."

Komal Thakkar, dancing for 16 years

"I think that Nigel [Lythgoe, producer of So You Think You Can Dance] subconsciously mentioned something at the heart of this matter. He said something to the effect of, 'We're bringing people in to take a look at the show and what we're doing. Maybe we need to do warm-ups.' These dancers are being pushed to learn highly technical routines with minimal time with their choreographers. Then, they're rehearsing up a storm and wearing themselves out. If you aren't holding warm-ups for your dancers, you're at a major liability, no matter how may tricks they're performing."

Rick Westerkamp, dancing for 18 years

"I think its unfortunate when the producers make jokes about the seriousness of the situation [ie calling it Survivor]. Injuries are not uncommon in dance but some of the situations they have put the dancers in encourage injury. The jumps that severed Alex's achilles were very difficult and unnatural. After he suffered an injury performing the jumps, they then asked another contestant to do the same jumps in performance.

I think another part of the problem is that the dancers are being asked to do styles they are not trained in which puts them at greater risk for injury. While this has been true across all seasons, the dancers are now being asked to change partners each week instead of having the same partner for five weeks. They now have three-four days to learn a new style and get comfortable with a new partner.

I'm also think there is some blame to lay on the choreographers. Allison [Holker] had a rib injury and was asked to do a lift that required her to leap into her partner's arms and land with her rib on his shoulder. If choreographers know about specific injuries they should alter their choreography for the safety of the dancer."

Amber Lewis, dancing for 19 years

So it seems that what lies at the hear of the matter is this: the well-being of dancers is being sacrificed for ratings and audience appeal. FOX and the producers of So You Think You Can Dance must realize that they are dealing with human beings who have careers riding on the ability of their bodies to function and move properly. This conflict between innovative, entertaining choreography and the dancers' safety seems like an impossible problem to resolve, but in actuality, we have known the answer since we were three years old in our first ballet classes. We were taught by our teachers to always warm-up and stretch before class or rehearsal, take technique class regularly, and most importantly, allow ourselves to rest and recover. So shame on you Nigel Lythgoe and the other producers, you are not giving your dancers a chance to do any of these things, and their childhood ballet teachers must be very disappointed in you.