So You Think You Can Dance Recap: Season 5 Premiere
Hey, y’all! I need to begin with a confession. I’m not a fan of the audition rounds. I usually skip them and start watching with the Top 20 show. I prefer seeing the real candidates over lots of time spent on the “inspirational stories” and “joint-tortionists” that never make the actual competition. Does that make me a bad person? (Don’t answer that. This is just one fan’s opinion.) However, I’m committed to getting emotionally invested early in this year, starting with tonight’s season premiere. I am making it fun for myself by predicting who will be in the top 20 based off their first audition alone. This recap will be a bit stream-of-consciousness; hope you don’t mind.
Amanda: Hi! Dawn and I are still working out how we are going to do our recaps. For this post I am going to share my thoughts after hers. Hooray! Season 5 has begun! After feeling disconnected with American Idol this year, I am ready to be emotionally invested. So, let’s get on with the recap.
We started in Brooklyn, NY. Thoughts:
Dawn: Gabi Rojas - set the bar high with the “best audition they’ve had in five years”. Mary wasted no time with her scream and Nigel said she’d likely make it to the top 20. He said the same thing about Kherington last year at her audition, so there you have it. When Nigel likes someone, good things happen for them. I saw shades of Sabra in this dancer’s demeanor. She has rheumatoid arthritis.
Amanda: I liked how the other dancers in the auditorium stood up and applauded at the end. Unless something crazy happens in Vegas, she will be in the top 20. I hope she can do a good Waltz!
D: Mutation - a genre of joint-tortionism and green face makeup. I couldn’t understand their music choice - an upbeat song that was incongruous with the mood they were trying to set. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me frustrated with audition eps: it’s so obvious that they won’t fit in with the direction of the show, yet they audition anyway. After the choreography round, they were gone.
A: I thought it was hilarious how they professed to be the pioneers of this dance and maybe they are, who knows? Does anyone really care? They reminded me of Ringmasters on America’s Best Dance Crew.
D: Philly Peter, the tap dancer - went straight through to Vegas, despite his weird outfit.
A: Dawn, I said the same thing - that outfit was whack! Tap dancers never do well on SYTYCD, so I don’t expect to see him in the top 20. They had the best tap dancer ever last season and she fizzled out.
D: Nabuya - a locker from Japan. He was super cute. I thought the build-up about him was leading to a joke of an audition, but he gained favor from all the judges and got his ticket to Vegas. I think his personality went a long way - but I will be honest and say it seemed like he didn’t do all that much in his initial audition. Was that just me?
A: “I’m big in Japan!” Dawn, I didn’t get it either! I just rewatched it and thought is was okay. I can’t believe he made it through. Interesting bit - in his interview package they used the song “Tokyo Drift” by Teriyaki Boyz the same night “Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” the movie was playing on TNT.
D: Kellen, the umbrella-dance guy - he was very good and the judges thought so too, with their heavy praise (”brilliant performance”, “gorgeous to watch”, etc.). He was a humble guy who dedicated the audition to his late aunt. But can he go the distance?
A: Really? I don’t care about your relatives. I only heard static at this point of the show.
D: Igor & Nina, the spinny-yellow-skirt girl - he made it to Vegas, she didn’t. Danced together for 3 years and it showed in their good work. I learned what a “pot-stir” was: spinning really fast for more than 10 seconds and losing the ability to speak afterwards.
A: I was so sad she didn’t make it! That spin was crazy. He was really good though.
D: Chim-e-ZAY - hip hopper who impressed in his own style. Didn’t see much of him doing the choreography round, but methinks his appealing personality guaranteed his plane ticket right off the bat. I’ll even go so far as to say he’s a lock for top 20.
A: He reminded me a little of Twitch. Did you see him flip off the wall?
D: Lauren from season 3! Yay!!
A: Gasp! I am not a Lauren fan.
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It was at this point that Cat had her best moment of the night, when a dancer was jumping with joy and told her not to join in on a hug because he was sweaty.
Dancer: “Your Gucci! Your Prada! Don’t!”
Cat (pausing momentarily to think about it): “It’s okay! Dry cleaning! Dry cleaning! DRY CLEANING!!” (much hugging and jumping followed, as Cat threw caution to the wind and probably ruined her taupe-colored fur vest by Gucci or Prada [not sure which].)
It’s no wonder this woman is beloved in the SYTYCD landscape. Besides rocking no fewer than six scarves throughout this episode (I counted), she gets the most emotionally invested in the dancers.
A: There was not enough Cat in this episode at all!!
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On to Denver:
D: Sonya Tayeh had her audition-judging debut, and was it just me, or did she talk just like Mia Michaels? “Slick & slippery” is how she described the first girl’s movements. Mia’s kid sister, this choreographer. I love her!
A: I loved it when Nigel got on to her and she said, “It’s dancing! It’s important!” One of the best lines of the night.
D: Kayla, the first Denver audition - 18, blonde, cute as a button - kinda like another blonde cutie from last season, with one difference: this girl is a better dancer than Kherington. She danced to “Blackbird”, a way-classy & mature choice, imo. I’ll call it now: She’s top 20. Her crying grandpa sealed the deal. :) He was so cute!
A: Oh, heck ya, she is way better than Kherington!
D: Will Ferrell & Jon Heder Mischa & Mitch - I just want to go on record saying I had written “They’re like Blades of Glory but not as funny” before Nigel came in with my line. I’m guessing I’m not as clever as I think, since all of you must have been saying the same thing! :) With these dudes, I wonder: Are they sabotaging themselves with this same-sex act? They seemed like pretty decent dancers. Not good enough to move on to Vegas, though. There’s hope for them yet, though. They can audition in Boston and then Mitch can utter my favorite line from their movie: “That victory was as sweet as the cream pie for which the city was named.”
A: Like the judges, I too was confused.
D: Star Wars Cat Girl - seriously?? The only thing worse than her act was Mary’s crazy cowgirl fringe vest. I understand “Fringe” is doing well, Mary, so Fox doesn’t need your sartorial support! P.S. Nigel, it’s “USE the force!” (Isn’t it??)
A: Oh that was bad - both the dance and that vest.
D: Elias & Enoch - cute pop-locking brothers whom the judges loved. Count on seeing them next year! Elias is exactly what the judges want - cute cute cute for the swooning tweens who have already started making their “Marry Me Elias” signs for next season. Mark my words.
A: Meh. I think he should have been more brave and just danced on his own. You can’t dance for your life with your brother backing you up.
D: Natalie, the girl who lost out to Katee - easily in the top 20 - my goodness, she was incredible - the best of the night! I can’t wait to see what else she can do. She was spunky and articulate and seemed to have a great sense of maturity about her. She’s currently my favorite dancer, but I’m not sure if she’s Ameriker’s yet!
A: I love Natalie!!! She was definitely better this year. I loved Katee’s reaction over the phone. I am making my Team Natalie shirt now.
D: Brandon, the guy who lost out to Gev - made Mary cry like a baby. It was the episode capper audition, enough to whet my appetite for more and get me impatient for next week’s auditions in Miami and Memphis! Consider another top 20 position filled. He’s this year’s Will.
A: Yeah, he’s in the Top 20. He is great technically, but I am just not feeling the connection yet.
A: Okay, maybe I am a sucker or I am still a little postpartum after having my baby, but I totally cried watching Tiffany with the spine disorder. She reminded of the dancer with Down syndrome last year. The judges always handle these auditions with class.
Alright, fans: What did you think? Did the premiere get you all giddy? What was your favorite Cat moment? Who stood out to you as a guaranteed top 20 dancer? What was worse, Mary’s vest or Nigel’s feathered ‘do?
Photo courtesy tay-lo
I am a fan of dancers that don’t look like they are dancers. No spandex. No props. No gay/straight partner. Just baggy clothing and the occasional Transformers t-shirt.
That being said I also root for lockers, so I’m in on Nabuya and Chimezay.
And ditto on the lack-of-Cat. We need more Cat like we need more cowbell!!!
Hi all! I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of the audition episodes either so I DVR them and fast forward through the boring or inane Cat Girl routines.
I think we were all of the same wave length with whole Blades of Glory thing. It was WWWAAYYY to much for me to wrap my brain around. And, I’m sorry, I think Mitch needs to take another look in the mirror and rethink a comment he made. Not sure what’s politcally correct to talk about in this venue but he totally made me laugh with his denial…just saying.
I’m looking forward to more from SonyaTayeh this season. I loved what she did last year and she seems more invested this season! Bet it’s gonna be good!
Is it bad to covet Nina’s physique?? Holy cow, her abs!!!!
My favorite was Brandon, his choice of music was perfect for who he is as a dancer. I’m waiting to see some personality from him though.
Looking forward to what’s yet to come!!!
Far more disturbing than any of the distastful or just plain aweful auditions last night, was Mary’s terrible fashion nightmare with the cow-poke getup. I also really do find it terribly rude how she laughs so verbosely at the admittedly commical at times, bad auditions that pass through. I mean, excercise some restraint and just send them on their way. Humiliation is neither helpful nor necessary. Now that my Mary rant is out of the way, I will say I am soooo excited to see a new season of SYTYCD and also that this show provides a fun show that I can watch and enjoy with my daughter. Although I don’t love the audition stage, I will watch it out of sheer elation and expectation over what is to come with the top 20!
was so happy to see natalie back! too bad she’s not likely to make it as far as katee (since katee practically won…what was it? ‘best girl’ or something lame?)
i liked brandon; thought he poured his heart out on the stage; will didn’t ever do that, and that’s what got him booted last year. curious how he’ll do with other styles. there could be a little joshua in that cat…..
it’s hard to guess what might happen based on these audition snippet shows, but i have to say i mostly agree with y’all.
i especially agree that sonya seemed very mia-y — but she picks way more interesting music and choreographs funkier, rawer routines. i LOVED courtney and mark dancing her stuff last season.
and speaking of choreographers — should i feel silly for realizing how much i’ve missed tabitha and napoleon on teevee?!
Kayla was my favorite from the first show and like you said a guaranteed top 20. She’s a better dancer than Kherington, but with a little less personality (can someone have more personality than Kherington?).
You guys sound like you have a lot of the same opinions as me. Although, you’re About page us much better than mine since you’re both good looking ladies. People would just stop reading my SYTYCD blog if I put up my ugly mug.
I can’t believe we get 2 seasons of SYTYCD in a row. Life is good!!
Loved reading everyone’s thoughts. We have two eps this week, packed with auditions. Next week is Vegas, parts 1 & 2, and next Thursday night we’ll know who’s in the Top 20. Pretty exciting!!
John, your site is awesome! I will definitely be poking around there after the episodes, too.