<p>I haven’t checked everyone’s background, are any of the contestants classical trained ballerinas? In years past there have been some, but I didn’t notice any this year.</p>
<p>Debbie Reynolds, as a guest judge, contributed absolutely ZERO to the show the past two nights. As a result, it was basically down to just two judges giving input and I thought they needed a third opinion. I really like Adam Shankman as a judge. Does he have other commitments this season?</p>
<p>snowball, From the show website: Alexander, Clarice, Ricky, and Ryan have all had ballet training. It sounds like Alexander might be the most serious; he’s studied at the Bolshoi Academy. </p>
<p>Most of the rest came up through dance studios where they learned all of the main disciplines. If their studios were like D’s, they hit ballet early and often.</p>
<p>Yes, I think that a majority of the dancers are always “studio” kids - coming up in a normal studio, a kid would learn ballet, tap, jazz, contemp, modern and now even hip hop. So even though the show makes a big deal of their “genres” most have experience in the other genres. The exceptions would probably be (1) ballroom - I think some kids start with ballroom and stay there, and (2) the b-boys, some of whom have little formal training, and (3) kids who have been at the ballet academies (although my guess is that few of them try out.)</p>
<p>I think it was Joshua (season 4? winner) that, as I recall, they made a big deal about his lack of formal training. He was from around here and the dance folks could tell you which studios he’d had studied at. Sure, maybe Nigel doesn’t consider a studio in a strip center in suburban Ft. Worth “formal training” but they didn’t bill Kent as having little formal training. </p>
<p>Was amazed to see Ryan and Ricky in the bottom 3. I think everyone - including Jess and his partner and definitely Cat - thought Jess and his partner would be in the bottom. At our house we said, “just skip Dance for your Life - you know you’re saving Ryan and Ricky.”</p>
<p>I loved Nick - I hope someone sees what he can do and hires him. That is what I liked about Adam Shankman as a judge…he’s a guy who actually hires dancers.</p>
<p>Since the “pedigree” B-boys (and girls) don’t usually have the formal training, the judges seem to embrace the feel-good “rags to riches” concept of urban street dancers who and become all-around refined dancers with hard work and good coaching from the choreographers. Maybe they think this makes for better TV. I think Tadd will win over some of you who think he’s just a one-trick pony if he stays around in the competition. He’s one of my favorites.</p>
<p>Ryan and her partner danced in the first spot on Wednesday night. That may have contributed to their bottom 3 result, since so many dancers came after them. </p>
<p>I loved Ricky’s solo and am also sorry to see Nick go home. I also think Nick got unlucky with his draw this early in the competition.</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone should get Bollywood early in the competition - before they’ve built up a following. There aren’t “tricks” (at least as far as this untrained eye can tell) so the dancers don’t get the votes unless the voters already like them.</p>
<p>Ricky’s solo was terrific. It truly felt like he was dancing for his life. I thought Iveta’s solo was vulgar…but it worked repeatedly for a girl a season or so ago.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It wasn’t vulgar–it was Latin ballroom, which she is very good at apparently! :)</p>
<p>LOL, spreading her legs wide and shimming in a fringe outfit was ballroom? (I admit that I don’t follow ballroom or strippers, so they may be more similar than I know.)</p>
<p>On Dancing With The Stars, we’ve even had a former stripper as a contestant and she could really do those Latin dances! Join us for the next season of DWTS! The stars can’t hold a candle to the contestants on this show who are for the most part trained…but it is fun.</p>
<p>Maybe that will be someone’s genre some day: Pole.</p>
<p>We’ve had jail bars in this season already!</p>
<p>So not much of a leap.</p>
<p>Who was the stripper on DWTS-- Pamela Anderson? e-nope, you didn’t think I was going to leave that comment of yours alone did you???</p>
<p>Kendra Wilkinson, former
playmate and Hef girlfriend</p>
<p>^Oh yea, how could I forget her. I confused the act of stripping (Kendra) with an amateur porn movie (Pamela)…</p>
<p>I loved to watch Pamela Anderson dance! I never watched Baywatch, but she was a hoot in VIP. She could get into the character of any dance. She wasn’t always the greatest dancer, but she was entertaining.</p>
<p>I am shamelessly bumping this thread up in anticipation of tonight’s show. I am very excited to see Kristin Chenoweth as guest judge! </p>
<p>I just got home from chaperoning a youth choir trip (had a BLAST), and now I have to lead an adult choir rehearsal before settling in to watch SYTYCD. I am really looking forward to that! 
And to a great discussion after.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to the show too, but not so much Kristen Chenoweth. Nothing against her, but I can’t understand why they wouldn’t have a dance expert in that third slot.</p>
<p>dang,dang,dang. I totally forgot it was on tonight. And we even talked about it at work this morning. Will try to find it on the net.</p>
<p>I really liked Caitlyn and Mitchell’s Samba tonight. There are, sadly, no ballroom dancers remaining in the competition but I thought they represented ballroom extremely well!</p>