Hi friends!
courtesy of Idolforums.com and our friends at SYTYCDism, here are the preliminary top 16 spoilers, I will update them as I find out more!

**spoilers after the jump**

Nathan & Mollee – Salsa – Gustavo Vargas?
Ryan & Ellenore -hip-hop-?*krump-Lil’ C
Victor & Channing – Contemporary – Stacey Tookey
Peter & Pauline – Quickstep – ?
Russell & Noelle – Afro Jazz – Sean Cheesman
Kevin & Karen – Hustle – Maria Torres
Jakob & Ashleigh – ? – ?Jazz-Mandy Moore
Legacy & Kathryn – Broadway – Not Tyce Diorio

most of these come courtesy of leaked pictures from the AP.
what do you guys think? I think this has the potential to be a fantastic top 16. gustavo, sean and stacey all come from SYTYCD Canada, and all three have choreographed some awesome pieces. Check my post on potential new choreographers if you want to see some videos of their work.

I think Russell and Noelle hit the jackpot, Sean is really good at taking the strengths of both dancers and blending them together, and hip hop dancers seem to do well with the afro jazz style (see Vincent and Miles from SYTYCD Canada season 1). Peter and Pauline may have some issues, neither of them is a ballroom dancer and the quickstep is tough. Ryan and Ellenore doing krump could go either way, but it definitely will be entertaining. The hustle hasn’t been done since season 3 with Lacey and Kameron, and they were a couple a lot like Kevin and Karen, they had done 2 pieces that really stood out, I think this could be good for them.

and just a quick note, when I write Afro Jazz, in no way am I trying to be racist or not write African Jazz. Afro Jazz is what’s written on the cards that the dancers pick from the hat, so I’m just writing what I see.

**updated spoilers following**

thanks to the great people at SYTYCDism
Russell and Noelle-Frog & Princess themed Afro Jazz-judges loved it!
Jakob and Ashleigh-Jazz-creative use of a cane prop-similar to Mandy’s table routine from S3
I eat my words! Apparently Peter and Pauline did well with the quickstep! Their routine is about a WWII soldier mesmorized by a hula girl (I’m guessing somewhat South Pacific-esque)

Legacy and Kathryn did okay with broadway, but Legacy got the better reviews
Victor and Channing did okay with contemporary, the technique was great, but there was no chemistry (I’m sensing a pattern with Channing and chemistry?)
Kevin and Karen did okay with the hustle, but apparently he almost dropped her at the end!

Nathan and Mollee’s salsa didn’t fare so well. Apparently they started off out of sync and never recovered.
Ryan and Ellenore with krump. It’s a dance about getting down and dirty and neither of them could really do that.

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I need just a minute to rant about the judges this last week. Let me lead off by saying that Adam Shankman has been phenomenal. His comments have been interesting, entertaining, and spot on.

I really don’t think I have to say much about Mary. I think everyone knows that I don’t like her as a judge on this show. She just screams too much and doesn’t offer enough value. I don’t want to rehash all my dislike for Mary, but needless to say she was really disappointing.

The thing that has surprised me is that Nigel is starting to get on my nerves this season too. I think it’s a bit his arrogance about dancing and who they’re sending home. I think he really does care about the dancers and about dance, but it feels like the judge and executive producer power is going to his head a little bit.

On top of that for the first time in a while I was disagreeing with the judges left and right. They were lauding praise left and right on dancers that I thought were really disappointing. Usually when a performance isn’t very good at least one of the judges calls them out as not very good. Did anyone else feel this way about the judges comments?

I should also mention that I loved that Adam was willing to call out the choreographers for bad choreography. None of the other judges we’re willing to do that. Let’s hope we see more honesty like that.

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This came from the same site as my previous post. Bianca was too upset to do an interview.

Again my heart goes out to him and his family.

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I stumbled across this SYTYCD profile on Facebook and wanted to share it here. These interviews are from Korbi Tv and are after the elimination of the two tappers. Find more from her.
Nigel

Adam

Mary

Just thought I would share this there seems to be a lot more on this site so check it out if you get the chance.

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I don’t know about y’all, but I’m going through SYTYCD withdrawal a little bit. I don’t like not having a second episode this week!

This past weekend, I rented this flick called “Love N’ Dancing” and was surprised to see bitty cameos by Season 2’s Benji and Heidi and that tided me over a bit till last night’s Season 6 episode. I remember that Seasons 3’s Neil had a cute and memorable role in “American Mall” that amused me when I saw it. Maybe you can still catch Kherington in “Fame” theaters somewhere in the country.

Still, we’ll have to wait till next year to see Season 4’s Joshua, Katee and Twitch in Adam Shankman’s “Step Up 3-D” (and Season 2’s Ivan, too). 2010 will also bring the movie that Paula van Oppen turned down a place in Season 6’s Top 20 for – “Burlesque.” It sounds a bit like “Coyote Ugly,” but with a burlesque club instead of bar. Season 4’s Chelsea Traille will play a character named Coco.

Our friends at SYTYCDism mention that Katee, Kherington and Season 4’s Comfort will be on upcoming episode(s) of “Glee,” as well.

Do you know of any SYTYCD alumni movie roles I might’ve missed? Planning on seeing any of these movies? Already seen them? Lemme know what you think.

You know what I’d love best at moments like this, when I’m craving some SYTYCD? DVDs of past seasons!

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I just found this interview on TVguide.com about Mia Michael’s upcoming plans for three t.v. shows, a book and a clothing line.

Some of the highlights:

-Mia’s watching Season 6. She was sad when Ariana got cut and says she would’ve fought to keep Ariana in (actually, she says she would’ve fought Nigel specifically on that decision).

-She talks about hurting her back and how not being able to move is like “being in jail.”

-Regarding one of her t.v. shows, she says she’s going to be the next Tyra and Heidi Klum (which one commenter didn’t like so much…)

Take a look and let us know what you think!

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We still don’t get to vote this week – next week, we’ll get a full meal of SYTYCD – Tuesday performance show and Wednesday result show. I’m still a little glad that the judges are making the tough early decisions. We’ll see if they make the right one (unlike last week…)

Here are some of my thoughts from tonight’s show [SOME SPOILERS]:

-Noelle’s back! (Darn, Ariana’s not coming back, but Noelle’s dancing!)

-Belly Bell gets to go to Vegas next season (and likely, from there, into the Top 20). Meanwhile Brandon’s gets to audition again (he has to audition again, but at least he gets a full chance at the Top 20 again).

-I’m so glad we get to see Noelle dancing again. Even though her Jamal Sims hip hop with Russell is a bit awkward, I still really enjoyed it.

-Damn – Ashleigh danced well again! I think I’m just going to have to get over not liking her cause I’m not hating her dancing at all. The first dance for a married couple if both are professional dancers. Lol.

-Making Adam a permanent job might’ve been the best decision anybody made this season. His comments are humorous and generally spot-on.

-I really like the chemistry between Bianca and Victor. Unfortunately, more than I liked them in that routine. They were entertaining, but I could understand the judges’ criticism.

-Nakul Dev Mahajan is one of my favorite choreographers recently. I hope he does more than just one Bollywood routine this season. Maybe they’ll let him do more bhangra/hip hop fusion dances. I loved Mollee and Nathan doing this routine. They rock.

-I love the personalities of Phillip and Channing together, but that was a complete mess. I agree with the judges utterly on that one.

-My mom thought Karen needed to be sharper in her hip hop with Kevin, but I think she sold it regardless. It was great. Loved Adam falling off his chair.

-Guess I’m gonna have to get over not liking Legacy, too, because that Stacey Tookey routine with Kathryn was amazing. One of my favorites. I’m very impressed to see them dancing so well together.

-I love Wade Robson. He’s so demented, perverse, inventive and creative. His routines always threaten to overshadow the dancers and their ability. But not only are the routines amazing and entertaining, I think they leave the dancers lucky enough to work with him completely changed. I’m excited that Wade got his hands on Pauline and Peter early. I loved the routine, I thought they danced it well – but more than anything, I think the routine helped polish them both for the rest of the competition.

-LOOOVED Elleanore and Ryan’s Argentine tango. Amazing! They’re a great partnership as well, bringing out great things in each other. I loved that Ryan said he thought Elleanore might be an alien. ;”) So cute.

-SPOILERS – Victor & Bianca, Noelle and Phillip in the bottom four! Just as Margaret predicted.

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I can’t wait to see what phenomenal routines and music the Top 18 show brings. If you missed anything from earlier episodes, check out the previous SYTYCD season 6 music.

SYTYCD Season 6 Top 18 Couples Music

Jamal Sims tennis hip hop (Noelle & Russell): “Move, Shake, Drop” -DJ Laz, Flo Rida, Cassley

Tony & Melanie’s wedding dance/Viennese waltz (Ashleigh & Jakob): “At Last” -Etta James

Tyce Diorio’s filled with God Broadway (Bianca & Victor): “Maybe God Is Tryin to Tell You Somethin’” – from The Color Purple (not on iTunes, but try this version  from The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Transcendence Gospel Choir)

Nakul Dev Mahajan’s cinematic Bollywood routine (Mollee & Nathan): “Azeem O Shaan Shahensha” -Jodhaa Akbar

Tony & Melanie’s samba (Channing & Phillip): “Maracatu Funk” -The Samba Squad

Nappytabs’ entirely unsubtle (and awesome!) hip hop (Karen & Kevin): “Ice Cream Paint Job” -Dorrough

Stacey Tookey’s contemporary “fear” routine (Kathryn & Legacy): “2 Steps Away” -Patti LaBelle

Wade Robson’s Van Gogh’s torment jazz routine (Pauline & Peter): “Little Green Bag” -George Baker Selection

Miriam & Leonardo Argentine tango (Elleanore & Ryan): “Violentango” -Astor Piazolla

SYTYCD Season 6 Top 18 Solo Music

Noelle’s solo: “For a Reason” -Zhane

Victor’s solo: “Navras” - Juno Reactor vs. Don Davis from “Matrix Revolutions”

Bianca’s solo: “Tootsee Roll” -69 Boyz

Phillip’s solo: “Almost Like Being in Love” -Nat “King” Cole

SYTYCD Season 6 Farewell Montage Music
Bianca is sent home: “Never Say Never” -The Fray
Phillip is sent home: “Where It Ends” -16 Frames

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I think most readers of this blog are fans of the music on SYTYCD. Many of whom LOVE the music of Dave Tweedie. In case you missed our previous post about Dave Tweedie composing music for SYTYCD, you should check it out.

Fans of Dave Tweedie’s music (and there are a lot of you), will be excited to know that Dave Tweedie and Stephen Bradley (He sang on Weight of the World – free download from Pure SYTYCD) have put an album of their music on iTunes under the name Chocolate O’Brian. Here are the tracks:
The Candle
International
Sol y Luna
Old
Beautiful Tomorrow
Hero’s Welcome
Dr. jeckyll
Spider and the Fly
Hitting the Wall
Oxidize
Apple

Thanks Dave Tweedie for keeping us updated.

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Sometimes the can be so many misconceptions on what some of the dancers can or cannot do. I know that they are classified into one category which for some of these dancers it’s completely unfair. Contemporary dancers are some of the most well rounded dancers. They typically have studied every style of dance (with the exception of ballroom and maybe a few other styles). If they grew up in a dance studio chances are they took jazz, tap, ballet and lyrical/contemporary classes. That being said they have most likely chosen their favorite style to classify themselves. Fun fact in the tour program Evan said that he always has his TAP shoes with him. Kathryn can tap as well…I took at the same studio she did…that’s how I know.

I also think tap dancers are also misunderstood. I don’t think anyone who hasn’t danced know what it takes to be a tap dancer. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about tap dance and its technique:

“Tap dancers make frequent use of syncopation. Choreography typically starts on the eighth or first beatcount. Another aspect of tap dancing is improvisation. This can either be done with music and follow the beats provided or without musical accompaniment, otherwise known as a cappella dancing. Hoofers are tap dancers who dance primarily with their legs, making a louder, more grounded sound. This kind of tap dancing, also called “rhythm tap”, came primarily from cities or poor areas. Today this is not the case, especially with such a wide variety of styles spreading throughout the world. Steve Condos rose out of his humble beginnings in Pittsburgh, PA to become a master in rhythmic tap. His innovative style influenced the work of Gregory Hines, Savion Glover and Marshall Davis, Jr. The majority of hoofers, such as Sammy Davis Jr., Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, and LaVaughn Robinson are African American men, although today the art form transcends racial and gender stereotypes. Savion Glover is the best-known living hoofer, who helped bring tap dance into mainstream media by choreographing and dancing for the major motion picture Happy Feet, a film about a tap dancing penguin. Another well-known tap film is 1989’s Tap, starring the late Gregory Hines and many of the old-time hoofers. Early dancers like Fred Astaire provided a more ballroom look to tap dancing, while Gene Kelly used his extensive ballet training to make tap dancing incorporate all the parts of the ballet. This style of tap led to what is today known as “Broadway style,” which is more mainstream in American culture. It often involves high heeled tap shoes and show music, and is usually the type of tap first taught to beginners. The best examples of this style are found in Broadway musicals such as 42nd Street. Common tap steps include the shuffle, shuffle ball change, flap, flap heel, cramproll, buffalo, Maxi Ford, single and double pullbacks, wings, Cincinnati, the shim sham shimmy (also called the Lindy), Irish, Waltz Clog, the paddle and roll, stomp, brushes, scuffs, and single and double toe punches, hot steps, heel clicks, single, double and triple time steps, riffs, over-the-tops, military time step, new yorkers, and chugs. In advanced tap dancing, basic steps are often combined together to create new steps.”

Tap is the first dance class I ever took and I have loved it ever since. That is why I’m excited about the tap dancers to be on the show. On the meet the top 20 we saw more of a Broadway style of tap dance. They have little time to learn a routine so sometimes they have to go with the more simplistic choreography. They not only have to dance the same but they also have to sound the same…which isn’t always easy. Plus for the show their taps have microphones attached to them so we can hear them at home. Each of the tap dancers represents a different from of tap. Phillip for me reminds me of a mix of Gene Kelly and Gregory Hines. He is more Broadway to me, very light on his feet, though he is able to transition into the rhythm tap. Bianca and Peter are the Rhythm tappers. They stay low to the ground. I have to admit I was kind of hoping that they wouldn’t be choreographed just to let them improvise and work together to create something. Nigel is right they look cool calm and collected from the waist up and their feet moving really fast. I could go on and on but I won’t I thought Wikipedia explains tap better than I could but if you guys have anymore questions, I will try to answer them the best I can.

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