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It’s not easy finding bona fide stars! But…by George…I think we’ve done it!
The first studio show of So You Think You Can Dance went out on Wednesday, followed by the live results show on Thursday. What an exciting week! Our Top 20 for season 5 are truly amazing. The dance talent is incredible in all the different genres, they’re a fun and vivacious bunch, and all of them have done pretty well in the gene pool — I think they may be our most visually pleasing Top 20 yet!
Before I began hosting the show I had preconceptions about just how competitive and cutthroat this TV program would be, but I have been shocked, surprised and delighted by the camaraderie, friendship and general team-player attitude of all the dancers. I know this seems hard to believe, as of course, there is only one title of “America’s Favorite Dancer” and there is only one check for $250,000.
But when you take 20 ordinary people and put them in the most extraordinary situation magic happens, and hopefully every single one of them will walk away with a life experience that they will tell their kids and grandkids about! Yes, they will be pushed beyond their physical capabilities, yes they will be emotionally challenged, and yes the pressure will sometimes be intense…. But we’re also going to have some fun!
Wednesday’s show proved that! The dancers were excited, on an adrenaline high. I was delighted to be back in the studio and knew just how spectacular the routines were. Even the judges were nervous…. But as soon as we hit that stage the crowd went wild!
The show began with a hip-hop routine from Phillip and Jeanine that was just incredible — I could watch Phillip forever and never get tired of seeing him move. The partnership with Jeanine worked perfectly, and she matched him move for move.
Randi and Evan created such chemistry on stage that Mary even joked that Randi’s husband John should watch out! Evan’s brother Ryan was in the studio for support — it was great to see him! They were such noble guys when it came down to the last place in the top 20, and it was between the two of them. Everyone on the team is hoping that Ryan will try out for the season 6 auditions — we’re holding them in L.A. this weekend, so hopefully we’ll see him there!
Asuka and Vitolio looked amazing, like old fashioned movie stars ….
When Paris and Tony took to the stage, the screams from the girls reached another level — one I would only compare to a Justin Timberlake entrance!
Caitlin and Jason brought Bollywood to Hollywood! Since Katie and Joshua performed their Bollywood routine last season, it seems the traditional Indian style has made its way into the mainstream. John Legend performed with Bollywood dancers at the Oscars, Britney features the style on tour, and who can forget the runaway success of Slumdog Millionaire? Caitlin and Jason put their own SYTYCD twist on the genre and wowed the audience and the judges.
Janette and Brandon were simply de-lightful, de-licious and de-lovely doing the foxtrot! By the way, this is something all dancers dread pulling from the hat. It’s notoriously difficult and has been the poisoned chalice of many past contestants. “Brandette” made it look effortless!
Kupono and Ashley made Wade Robson’s crash test dummy routine come to life. Nigel called Wade a genius, and I have to agree!
Melissa and Ade were just breathtaking. Our “naughty ballerina,” named by our very own Adam Shankman, proved that women get better with age, like a fine wine!
Then Kayla and Max closed the show with the samba. Louis van Amstel created a show-stopping routine, Max was the perfect leading gentleman, and Kayla wore hot pink fringe and wasn’t afraid to use it!
The results show is never as much fun! It’s so tough having to say goodbye to one guy and one girl every week — waterproof mascara is essential!
The judges had such a tough job, I think they’re all incredibly grateful when it all comes down to the public vote, but for the first few weeks, until the Top 10, they have to make the difficult decisions.
Thursday night we lost Paris and Tony. It’s always hard, but I think the other dancers found it extremely difficult. The reality of Thursday’s results shows finally hit them — that every single week one more guy and one more girl will leave us. It just gets harder.
More So You Think You Can Dance coverage:
Predict which dancers will be sent home this week in our SYTYCD Prediction Challenge
Read SYTYCD recaps
Comments (1-30) of 43 Add your comment
Cat can you maybe add some insight from behind the scenes or at least some opinion? I love you, but we already have a recap at EW.
Cat Deeley = the coolest British chick I can think of. Love her!
i love you Cat – you really are the best host. But I have to agree with Licia. We all love the show so we don’t need a recap. A behind the scenes blog would work well. Thanks for doing this!!
Cat Deeley, I love you! You are, without a doubt, the best reality/competition show host on TV! And you’re drop dead gorgeous too! Keep up the awesome work on SYTYCD!
Oh, Cat Deeley. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed you til you appeared on my TV screen in the season premiere and both my roommate and myself sighed. It’s great to have you back. You’re extremely beautiful…but completely down-to-earth, charming, laid-back, and funny. You don’t see that very often.
Way too many exclamation points.
Hi Cat! I’m a 55 year grandma, and I think you are adorable. I love how supportive and lovely you are with the kids. Ade and Melissa were my favorites of the night. They were truly amazing. My second faves were Jonathan and Karla. Sadly, the judges never gave a critique of Karla’s very sensual cha cha and it cost her a trip to the bottom 3. Then, I loved, Randi and Evan. That was a lovely routine and they executed it very well. Most of the dancers rose to the challenge of the night. The right two went home. I do think Vitolio and Asuka are probably next to leave if they end up in the b3. After that, it’s on! The remaining dancers are all fierce in their own rights.
I adore you Cat Deeley! But I have to agree with Licia — we’d love to know more about what goes on behind the scenes and what people are saying off camera and feeling. Love the season so far!
Cat, you truly are one of my absolute faorite people to watch on tv. you’re a mjoy, really delightful. And i’m looking forward to your weekly bits with EW. woohoo
Just to say… I’m from Brazil, and I totally love you!! Actually a lot of people in Brazil who are just starting to watch SYTYCD are already loving you! You’re just awesomee!!
Looking forward to more posts!
xx
I love that Cat is writing a blog! I agree with the other poster that it would be a lot more interesting to read about what’s happening backstage or what didn’t make it into the show’s final edit, etc.
Can’t wait to check back next week and see what’s in store. I watch the shows religiously and hopefully this blog will allow me to stretch out a little more SYTYCD magic.
I think it’s fantastic that Cat is blogging about the show but like everybody else, I wish it were more like Chris Harrison’s blog from The Bachelor(ette). We already get a recap from the TV Watch so it’d be nice to get some more insight into the show. Do the judges really deliberate during the lame celebrity performance? haha.
Did anyone else notice that Cat completely omitted Jonathan and Karla from her recap of the night’s routines? Hmm…
Yup, Cat is the best host on TV, hands down. How someone as personality-free as Tom Bergeron can get an Emmy nomination over Cat is just inexplicable. Hopefully this year! Anyway, it’s pretty funny that she made a point to comment on every couple, even a silly line about Vitolio and Asuka – yet she forgot Jonathan and Karla, heh.
Yay! Cat Deely! We love you as a host! But next week, we’d love some Cat Deely insight – most of us already saw the show, so throw in some tidbits! We already know you’ll be fair and kind, but I’m sure that you can give us some fun things we didn’t know or that were especailly good or interesting about each week’s perfomances.
stick to hosting Cat, or read Jeff Probst’s blogs. if they remain this boring, I will stop reading them. otherwise, i love you.
Cat, the show would not be the same without you! I’m glad we will get a chance to hear from you each week. Perhaps you can talk about the decisions behind your amazing wardrobe?
I’m boarding the hot tamale train, if Cat’s driving it! My work ramps up during the summer, but everyone knows that Wednesday and Thursday nights are reserved for SYTYCD. Thanks for being so genuine with your new babies. Have a fun season!
Cat Deeley for President! Okay that’s a little much, but can she at least get the much deserved (and robbed last year) Emmy! You’re the greatest host on television BUT I agree. More of you’re clever, hilarious, and just downright lovable insight is in order!
YOU FORGOT KARLA AND JONATHAN.. that is so sad..
I absolutely adore you, Cat! The show would not be the same w/o you (I do remember season 1…thank goodness you came to us in season 2). I’m looking forward to some more behind-the-scenes tidbits. And I wear size 41s, too! It’s great to see a tall woman (like me) in heels. So glad you’re back on my TV two times a week for quite a while (I’m assuming you’llbe a part of the fall season, too!).
I agree that Cat Deeley makes the show more spectacular. When the Emmy added that award for best host, it should have belonged to her. No one makes the competitors and the audience more happy to see her.
I’m glad Cat is blogging here. It’s always enjoyable to get the insight from the host. That said, I wish that EW’s editors would limit her to 2 exclamation points per week.
Cat Deeley, you are my hero – but most of us have already seen the show. We don’t need a recap. Some behind the scenes tidbits would be nice. Also, not so many exclamation points… still love you though!
Isn’t she Australian?
Isn’t she australian
Oy sorry for the double post. this comment section is tricky.
Cat – your blog reads like a contrived Mel B column from Reveal. Some wit, some humour and background info perhaps? And yes, far too many exclamation points. That first post was dull to skim through.
Yikes Cat, we read these blog post for some insight, some behind the scenes info, your take on the show. You may want to read some of the blogs that other host write, this was baaaaad. I love you, but you need to work on this.
Boring! Sorry, Cat..but I agreed with the others before I even read their comments. I kept reading thinking you’d add your own behind-the-scenes info at some point. Jeff Probst is the best blogger, and Chris Harrison has his moments. I would check those out before next week, or much of you readership may drop off.