SYTYCD

[alonewiththemoon]

I think one could easily write a sociology dissertation on Billy Bell's leaving SYTYCD last night.  Androgyny my ass, Nigel, what you meant is that America's not ready to accept an obviously gay male dancer who doesn't try to hide it.  Good for Billy for going out on his own terms, in his floppy pink cravat and intellectual, non-commercial music (Venetian Snares).  I might be reading a lot into Billy's expression and posture that wasn't there, but I felt his anger and bitterness were pretty palpable while Nigel was speaking.  I can only hope that what Nigel said about choreographers and producers around the country hungering to work with Billy now is true (and why wouldn't it be), and that Billy can take a great deal of consolation from that.  He's an artist, not a mainstream commodity, and while the rejection might sting now, he should take it as an affirmation of the path that he's on.  (and yes, as someone constantly trying to balance the demands of belly dance as art vs the expectations of belly dance as entertainment, I am most definitely projecting a lot of my own feelings onto the situation) (and I voted for him, so I do get to complain about the results!)

I am glad for Lauren that she's staying.  It would have been sad for her if she were dropped this week only to have Billy immediately dropped next week, because even though he's the better dancer, America surely would have voted him out, whereas she might stand a chance in the voting.  I suppose Kent is going to win, though he doesn't deserve it and doesn't have the humility to know it.

Robert is such a sweet guy.  I don't doubt for an instant that he would have changed places with either Lauren or Billy in the bottom three if it were allowed.

Opening number was lovely, and the costuming was excellent.  That was the first time I'd heard any of Sting's Symphonicity stuff.  Sounds rather like if Aaron Copeland wrote elevator music.  The two musical numbers were too annoying to watch, so I didn't.  And the Step It Up 3D dancers were a lot of flash but rather too much.  I wonder how the 2D or 1D dancers would have been.
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Comments

[parasitegirl.livejournal.com]

I agree...ouch.

I do hope Billy has an amazing career after this.

I somewhat wanted Adechike to go home despite how much I love him and think he's better primed for the finale than Robert. I think Adechike is best at what Adechike was doing before SYTYCD, which is being a contemporary dancer in an Alvin Ally mold. His solos prove it time ofter time that he best at that and it's what he should be doing and even if he didn't make the finale he will have a fine life doing that. His "journey of growth" on the show just doesn't compare to how awesome he is in his solos.

[parasitegirl.livejournal.com]

Re; Billy.

And... didn't Shanks look like his heart was breaking for Billy? And Kat, holding on to him as much as she could?

Although, on a lighter note, Shanks in a RUNDMC shirt...bwahahahahahahaaaa

[alonewiththemoon]

Not to mention the gold chains ;-)

[bintblue.livejournal.com]

I just powered through my tivo-ed three hours of sytycd and was excited to come finally read your posts. I would have sent Jose home for sure, and maybe Robert home. I am sad about Billy, and agree with your analysis.

I think Robert is gay, but he drops comments about women being hot. I don't think he is trying to be all hetero, I think he is honest--they are hot--but I wonder if America takes it as face value, not camp. Or is my gaydar off?!

Kent..his eyes are too shifty, he is too into the applause and the love. I don't dislike him, but he does not deserve the win.

Lauren has really grown on me. I have to decide if I have a favorite now though...maybe Adichike, but I agree with Ozma that it is based on his solos more than not. Maybe Lauren, I never thought I would say that. Maybe I'll move into the Robert camp. Guess I'll be open, and wait until next week!

Hmph.

[alonewiththemoon]

I think you're right about Robert. I think he also doesn't have anything against portraying a hetero role while dancing, so there's no discomfort with it the way you could see it rolling off Billy.

Kent's gotten totally shifty!