It was like a finale on crack…
….and not in a good way. So, what was the thinking behind making the season finale, featuring six dancers, rather than the usual four, a crammed full, overly rushed one hour program….while tonight’s results show, which frankly could be handled in five minutes, a full out two hour spectacle? Backwards, much?
I liked the dances last night, but felt they were rushed on, rushed off, rushed through judging, with no rehearsal backstory, nada zip zero. So it was hard to really dive in and feel connected to any of the performances when we were rushed right into the next one.
That said, I did enjoy seeing the various pairings. All of them had strengths. I think Nigel was a total ass tonight in his Kathryn pimping (weeks she’s been your favorite, Uncle Nigel? Wasn’t that you just two weeks ago stating how she deserved her bottom two placement?) And wow, lets just shove Ashleigh under that bus. So that left me really cold tonight.
Yes, I thought the Jakob/Kathryn lyrical jazz was beautiful, but I challenge anyone out there to have watched Ryan and Ashleigh dance together and not be equally as moved. I loved watching them get the chance to dance together. I was moved, and more important, they were clearly moved. Then Nigel just wise cracks his assy way through his rebuttal and on top of that tells Ashleigh she had more chemistry with Jakob. Wow, Nigel. Couldn’t you have given them their moment? Was that too much to ask? Truly wrong. I was glad Adam rescued it a little bit by asking them how it felt and Mary telling them they had their moment on a national stage, giving them a chance to enjoy it at least for a few seconds. (Apparently in the live show Nigel said more things about the marriage - we actually got the edited version. Wow. Ass.)
So, while I enjoyed the performances, in general, a whole lot of the night left me with a sour taste in my mouth. And unkind thoughts in my head. Nigel.
I think Russell owns the title this go around, agree or not. I was tired of the Nigel tongue bathing he was getting the past few weeks, but he is a joy to watch. Where Jakob is a marvel because of his amazing skills, he’s not riveting to me the way Russell is, nor did he really seem to have to stretch much or grow in the season, meaning he seemed the same to me beginning to end. Because he was already brilliant to begin with. So I enjoyed Russell more. I thought Ryan also stretched and was a good partner throughout the season, but I don’t think it’s his competition to win. Or lose. Ashleigh’s either. Which was why I was happy to see them get the chance to dance together as they did, and thank you Travis Wall for making it a joyous dance. That leaves Kathryn and Ellenore and both are supremely talented young women. I just don’t think either one of them has the charisma factor needed to win this thing. So…Russell, it’s all you baby.
I’ll be interested to watch tonight, but wish we’d gotten the comfort of the longer format last night. (Where were the same-gender dances? The solos? This was the FINALE for goodness sake!)
What about you? Did you love it? Hate it? Which was your favorite pairing? Who wins? And is anyone watching Sing Off? Go Nota, is all I have to say about that. Those guys are ridiculous.
Don’t forget to enter this week’s Christmas Stocking Stuffer Free Stuff Friday. See Monday’s post for details. And right after you do that…come right back over here and DISH!
I absolutely 100% agree with you.
I had really, really looked forward to this show, only to be disappointed. I certainly did not think a finale show should be rocket science - I mean only an hour - for real…
I have never watched So You Think You Can Dance. (Head hanging here) I have however been watching Sing Off and love Nota and the Bubs. I liked Noteworthy but they got the boot last night. I have no interest in Max Factor. They can sing, but the barber shop quartet does nothing for me.
It was horrible… How can they not let them solo one last time before the final vote. Also the girl-girl and guy-guy dances were some of the best and we didn’t get those this year
Last night needed to be two hours and tonight, just give me the name of the winner and I’m good… This is why they invented DVR, no way am I going to watch two hours of nothing…
I so agree on missing the solos and all girl/guy dances. Plus I thought they could have done better on some of the choreographer’s invited to play. I’d have killed for a Shane, Dave Scott, or Wade Robson routine. Even the Return of Mia would have at least been interesting. I hope they keep Gilkison around next season, love his stuff, and Travis is impressing me, too. But NappyTabs missses more than they hit and I’m only loving Tyce when he steers clear of Broadway (his supposed forte.) Sonia the Warrior Queen could stand to take a breather, too.
As for Sing Off - It’s totally Nota’s to lose. They’re the only ones I could listen to without watching. I think the Bub’s are adorable, but half of that is the viewing of their antics. SoCal is pretty talented as well. I could take or leave the others, though I’m enjoying seeing how they all tackle the challenges. For that aspect alone, the babershop babes have been impressing me.
Yeah, Nigel crossed a line by saying that Ashleigh was better with the adorable Jakob than her HUSBAND. I couldn’t believe that he said that. Oh and if Ashleigh isn’t careful, half of America would like to steal her husband. Could he be any sweeter or more supportive? I loved seeing them together! Otherwise, the finale was WAY TOO RUSHED. Period. It should have been 2 hours instead of one. I fully support having 6 dancers instead of 4, mostly b/c I couldn’t select my favorite 4, but the show needed to be longer as a result. I missed the gender dancers too. Still, it was a fun season. I’m sad that it’s over.