<p>I don’t want to generalize where I have no business doing so, but it seems to me that the coaches from Eastern bloc countries (e.g. originally from the USSR or Romania) emphasize ballet a lot more than others, and you can see it in their beam and floor.</p>
<p>By no means was my d at the level of any of these olympiads or dancers, but she did competitive gymnastics and ballet was a big no no. The coach told us that ballet is all about the turnout in the hips, exactly the opposite of what you want in gymnastics. But other kinds of dance is okay. </p>
<p>I remember that Aly comment and was also surprised. I grew up dancing so I can always find the “1” in any song, I thought everyone could. One time my sister was substitute teaching and had to fill in for the music teacher and she had to call me to ask me to help her find the triple beat and she couldn’t count to the music either.</p>
<p>That makes sense about turnout.</p>
<p>I always thought that it would help in beam to not have a strong sense of rhythm, because you’re always hearing someone’s floor music. (I have seen little girls on beam get into the rhythm of the floor music - pretty cute!)</p>
<p>And nerves of steel doesn’t hurt either! After my d stopped gymnastics I just had to ask how she could have judges practically right on top of her on the beam and not have it freak her out. She says she never paid attention to the judges, she was more worried about the coach (shades of abby lee miller)</p>
<p>I finally watched the rest of the finale, I think Amy should be the sole winner. They final 2 are by now stretch my top 2. Does anyone else think Aaron dances heavy and a bit flat footed?</p>
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<p>I agree! I think Shannon Miller struck me as the gymnast that had the most ballet “look” to her routines on the American side. On the Eastern side I particularly remember Tatiana Gutsu, and Lilia Podkayava (sp) but by in large they all seemed to have more of a Ballerina style on the apparatuses you mentioned from those bloc countries.</p>
<p>There was also the “Belarussian swan”, Svetlana Boganskaya (sp?).</p>
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<p>Gosh yes! I remember her too. I don’t want to get off the subject here, but man I’m still shaking my head about the shady results of the womens all around competition at the 92 Olympics. Shannon Miller was robbed big time. Not only was Gutsu not even supposed to be in the allaround, but if Shannons final vault was not a 10, I don’t know what was…</p>
<p>Why do you all think Nigel brought up the fact that Jasmine was not originally in their top 20 at zero hour. They had never mentioned it before. I read that Adam Shankman had tweeted about it once, but it wasn’t discussed on the show. Now we have two dancers in the top 4 that were not chosen originally. I wish the voters could be brought in further back in the process. I also don’t understand the constant saving of Jenna. While she was a great dancer, the voters kept putting her in the bottom week after week. What was the deal with that?</p>
<p>I think I must be the only one who never warmed up to Jasmine or Aaron. I can’t believe her final package talked so much about her relationship with Cyrus. I’d be po’d if I were her. </p>
<p>It looks to me like your pairing is absolutely critical in the beginning of the show. If you get stuck with a clunker, you’re probably doomed too. Not that I think anyone isn’t fantastic, but sometimes it doesn’t translate on screen. The key is how much coverage you get in the audition phase.</p>
<p>You’re not the only one who never warmed up to Jasmine. But I admit to having a soft spot for Aaron, mostly because my D is a tapper and it’s exciting to see tap finally getting some love on this show. </p>
<p>You’re right about the initial pairing being critical. More than one brilliant girl dancer has been brought down by a b-boy partner whom the judges were determined to save week after week.</p>
<p>And I’m the other one with no love for Jasmine, who I think has been vastly overpraised, but a real soft spot for Aaron. I think it must be his unusual physical profile. If you saw him on the street, you’d never in a million years think he could dance, and yet he’s done some great stuff on that stage even apart from the tapping. He breaks the mold. I also think he has a lot of charisma. I imagine he has good career prospects coming of the show, regardless of whether he wins.</p>
<p>Am I right that ballroom got short shrift this season? A couple of Latin numbers that strayed far from the classic versions to pander to the dancers’ strengths and hide their weaknesses, and maybe just one Viennese waltz? And an unusual amount of hip hop? I guess it was attempt to appeal to younger viewers and keep the show on the air (ratings have been way down), but the change makes this loyalist (watched every season) sad.</p>
<p>I enjoy Aaron a lot – I like the physicality he brings. FIk-shun seems like a great guy, but not an all-around dancer. </p>
<p>I miss Paul. </p>
<p>I liked Jenna, but none of the women this season really hit it for me.</p>
<p>And ballroom got shorted big-time – and lots of the routines were ballroom -lite, not held to any kind of standard.</p>
<p>I think they left the best female ballroom dancer out of the top-20 something, when Kate Kapshandy didn’t make the cut. Similar to Jasmine and Aaron, I think she would have surprised a lot of fans and judges alike.</p>
<p>On the night before the finale, I am surprised and disappointed about my lack of excitement. Over the years there have been many exquisite dancers and many amazing performances but for some reason I am increasingly not connecting with many of the top 20 dancers. The few favorites that I had this season have all been eliminated although I do have a soft spot for Aaron. Amy is a beautiful performer but not my favorite and for the life of me, I cannot understand the gushing over Jasmine and Fik-shun. Nigel’s snarkiness and antics frustrate and irritate me. The guest judges for the most part add nothing substantial to the show. Cat on the other hand is adorable. I would love to see her finally win an Emmy!!!</p>
<p>I really like Cat, but think she needs to fire her stylist. Sometimes she’s way overly spray tanned, other times her outfits are just godawful and unflattering, and I think she’s beautiful and an obviously great figure. She’s just seems no natural and genuine and supportive of all the dancers.</p>
<p>The guest judges should absolutely have some connection or background in dance. Just hearing a vapid I just love you…boring.</p>
<p>I think the real issue is the choreography. It’s not staying as original. For the life of me I have no idea what Tyce is still doing on that show. Bring back Mia Michaels, get some new blood in there. I could see a Travis Wall piece every week.</p>
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<p>I totally agree! I miss Mia Michael’s choreography (and her comments—) a lot. I think she choreographed one group piece this season. And Travis Wall’s work is genuinely original and great.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if it’s true, but I remember reading somewhere that Cat Deeley styles herself. Perhaps she should hire a stylist.</p>
<p>Okay - not to sound like the people complaining when their soaps are pre-empted - but will the show still be on tonight?</p>
<p>First I love all the different looks Cat Deeley does. I think it’s pure fun. And I do believe she does this herself with the help of her people, of course. </p>
<p>Second, I LOVED it just now when, after Jasmine and Marco performed her favorite piece to a very edited version of “Blurred Lines” (the song Miley Cyrus did that awful bit to on the MTV awards), Cat said she “felt cleansed!” And that she could now remember the way that song was supposed to be danced to. And it was definitely one of my favorite (happy) dances this season! :)</p>