Ok, normally I don't aim my blog at just one person, but this is directed to Nigel Lithgoe of So You Think You Can Dance (the rest of you can read it to though).
Nigel, first of let me say, I love your show, and I am not here to question your judgements, as you have been doing this for 6 seasons, and I've only been watching for 2. I am however a bit confused by some of the things you said last night on the result show, and then by one of your elimination choices. I hope you might take the time to respond to this blog to help me understand.
You made a comment during the show that the fans were supposed to vote for America's Favorite Dancer, not just for America's Favorite. Pointing out that the show was to be a contest for dance talent, and not just a popularity contest. I agree totally with this.
But where I have my problem is in the eliminaiton of Channing Cooke. You told Channing that she was excellent in the technique, but missing out on personality. Or, to phrase it another way, she was an excellent Dancer but might not have the personality to be a Favorite. But I thought this was a Dance contest, not a personality contest. You told Channing she you wanted her to grow into an excelent dancer, and not just become a dance teacher, and yet you cut her off from the growing, nurturing environment of SYTYCD at just the point where a weak person might go off, and settle on becoming a dance teacher. Now from what I've seen of Channing on the show, I don't think this will happen, I'm sure she will end up dancing professionally. But how much more could she have grown if you would have kept her in at least two more weeks, so she could have been in the top ten, and part of the tour, where she would have to learn to bring out her personality; where she could be drawn out of her cage, as you put it, by the excellent choreographers from your show. I understand that she does need to work on her personality, but by eliminating her over a slightly less skilled dancer with more personality, you are turning the show into the popularity contest you warned against.
Not to try and tell the judges their jobs...ok, maybe a little...I think that since after it becomes the top ten, its all up to America's votes, if you want it to be about the favorite Dancer. It should fall on the judges to send the best Dancers through, not the best personalities.
Okay, I said my part, and would be really honored if you read and respond to this. I love your show!! Thanks for your time.
-Steve
Nigel, first of let me say, I love your show, and I am not here to question your judgements, as you have been doing this for 6 seasons, and I've only been watching for 2. I am however a bit confused by some of the things you said last night on the result show, and then by one of your elimination choices. I hope you might take the time to respond to this blog to help me understand.
You made a comment during the show that the fans were supposed to vote for America's Favorite Dancer, not just for America's Favorite. Pointing out that the show was to be a contest for dance talent, and not just a popularity contest. I agree totally with this.
But where I have my problem is in the eliminaiton of Channing Cooke. You told Channing that she was excellent in the technique, but missing out on personality. Or, to phrase it another way, she was an excellent Dancer but might not have the personality to be a Favorite. But I thought this was a Dance contest, not a personality contest. You told Channing she you wanted her to grow into an excelent dancer, and not just become a dance teacher, and yet you cut her off from the growing, nurturing environment of SYTYCD at just the point where a weak person might go off, and settle on becoming a dance teacher. Now from what I've seen of Channing on the show, I don't think this will happen, I'm sure she will end up dancing professionally. But how much more could she have grown if you would have kept her in at least two more weeks, so she could have been in the top ten, and part of the tour, where she would have to learn to bring out her personality; where she could be drawn out of her cage, as you put it, by the excellent choreographers from your show. I understand that she does need to work on her personality, but by eliminating her over a slightly less skilled dancer with more personality, you are turning the show into the popularity contest you warned against.
Not to try and tell the judges their jobs...ok, maybe a little...I think that since after it becomes the top ten, its all up to America's votes, if you want it to be about the favorite Dancer. It should fall on the judges to send the best Dancers through, not the best personalities.
Okay, I said my part, and would be really honored if you read and respond to this. I love your show!! Thanks for your time.
-Steve
