DeGeneres: License to Judge

Paula Abdul is done complimenting the good American singers and Simon Cowell will be done criticizing the worst of American singers, for 2010 will be his final year. How is the well-known show going to fill in the spaces on the panel that is watched by over 30 million viewers? Bring in the unique and hilarious Ellen DeGeneres, of course.

DeGeneres announced in September that she would be joining the panel of judges for American Idol. She joined Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the panel after the audition phases in seven different major cities in the country. After some brilliant auditions as well as some brutal ones, DeGeneres came bearing jokes. On February 9, DeGeneres took her spot in between Simon and Kara, where many feel like she belongs. The first thing she said to Cowell on the show was, “So, this is how it is going to be. As soon as I come on, you leave.” She lightened up the room and atmosphere for the whole first day of Hollywood week.

Many wondered what the outgoing comedian could bring to the show besides laughs, but the executive producer of the show, Simon Fuller, sees her as a major benefit. “Her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel,” Fuller says in an interview with Fox. That’s what the producer thinks, but what does Presentation think?

Ellen truly does know the taste of the American public. Her daily show, Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, entertains in over three million viewers per episode. “She is so funny and watching her show makes my day. The best part about her is her stage presence, and that is what she teaches the contestants,” junior Jessica Hewitt says. Just two weeks ago, Ellen DeGeneres related the shy but passionate contestant Alex Lambert to an “unripe banana”. As the crowd cheered and agreed, the comedy carried onto next week, when Lambert came out looking fantastic and on key. After he hit the last note, Ellen quickly commented, “It’s like someone took the unripe banana and put it in a paper bag…so that it ripens faster. I don’t know how you did that so quickly!” She even had Randy laughing. She finished that commentary saying, “Keep rocking the mullet.”

Known for her bright smile and ability to make anyone laugh, we consider DeGeneres the perfect judge to fill the space of Abdul, a major sweetheart. “The best part is that she is able to critique and get a joke off at the same time. I really like her funny attitude,” junior Aryanna Harandi said. This is true for when a contestant is off key, DeGeneres spots it and calls it out. Being a viewer of the show from her living room couch as well as viewing the show live, the new judge told a well-liked contestant two weeks ago during the top 24 round that he was “majorly pitchy.” After that show, DeGeneres told her audience from her show Ellen the following: “It’s interesting to hear the contestants sing live versus watching them at home. I didn’t realize until I went home and watched it on TV that they sound totally different. The mix is different in the studio than what the viewers hear.”

So… You Think You Can Dance?!

Which popular television show includes one Simon Cowell-like judge, a judge that has her own “hot tamale train” and a host who pronounces judges “joodjes?” You guessed it; it’s So You Think You Can Dance!

The most notable part of any season of SYTYCD are the top ten dancers. The top ten dancers of seasons six are remarkable and will undoubtedly make it an unforgettable season.

The top five girls include Ashleigh Di Lello, 26; Ellenore Scott, 18; Kathryn McCormick, 19; Mollee Gray, 18 and Noelle Marsh, 18.

Latin ballroom dancer, Ashleigh Di Lello, came and went through the series of auditions in Las Vegas and entered the top 20 extremely underestimated. She left America with their jaws on the floor when she first showed her potential after performing a Broadway routine by Tyce Diorio with her partner, Jakob Karr.

Ballerina Ellenore Scott considers herself a “lockerina,” defining her style of dance as ballet infused with contemporary locking. She was a stand out during the Las Vegas week with not only her amazing strength but her hilarious and characteristic solos.

Lyrical and contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick is most known for her inability to stop crying throughout the process of the competition. She is not a stand out dancer or a popular favorite of the show, but she continues to consistently try her hardest week after week.

Jazz dancer Mollee Gray swept America off of their feet and became America’s sweetheart the minute she walked out onto the stage. Whenever she has to “dance for her life,” which the bottom four dancer of every week must do, she always puts 110 percent into her solos.

Like Kathryn McCormick, contemporary dancer Noelle Marsh is also not a stand out dancer, but is consistent every week with her dances and with her partner, Russell Ferguson.

The top five gentlemen include Jakob Karr, 19; Legacy Perez, 28; Nathan Trasoras, 18; Russell Ferguson, 20 and Ryan Di Lello, 28.

Contemporary dancer Jakob Karr is one of the most brilliant dancers that SYTUCD has ever had on the history of the show. He has the most gorgeous extensions when he does a kick or leap. He does what dancers call “going the extra inch.”

B-boy Legacy Perez came into the top 20 as not only a popular, but also underestimated dancer. Using his balance and strength, he has the ability to master almost any dance which is thrown at him.

Nathan Trasoras became recognized in Season Five as a brilliant dancer with an amazing center for his turns. However, he was only 17 years old at the time and you need to be 18 years old in order to enter the show. It comes to no surprise that contemporary dancer Trasoras is a crowd favorite. Yes, he is very cute, but let’s be realistic, he is immature and should have waited at least one more year before accepting the challenge of being on SYTYCD.

Krumper Russell Ferguson is the first krump dancer that has made the top 20 in the show’s history. He has never had any formal dance training in his life as he does some styles of dance better that the trained dancers of season six!

Latin ballroom dancer Ryan Di Lello is best known for his incredible abs. Because of his strength, he is a great male partner for the girls. Let’s not forget ladies, that he is married (to a contestant on the show)!

When week one was aired on television, America knew that is was going to be a great season. The producers of SYTYCD had the top 20 dancers split up into groups according to their style so they could show America what they could do. Each group performed remarkably well, which was a great start to a great season.

The most memorable performance of week one was Nathan Trasoras and Mollee Gray’s disco routine choreographed by the daredevil Gloriana Sanchez. “Turn the Beat Around” was an upbeat routine with lots of lifts. It also introduced Nathan and Mollee to America as being the dream couple- young—cute and great dancers.

Week three had a high point and a very low point. The show was epitomized by Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Karr’s jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore. This routine was danced to the famous song “Relax” and included a fight with a cane between the two dancers which was ultimately won by the dominant sex, the female. On the other end of the spectrum, Nathan Trasoras and Mollee Gray attempted to take on a fast salsa routine choreographed by Gustavo Vargas. The incredible choreography was destroyed by many falls, not being together on the beat, getting tangled up with some of the moves and their immaturity.

During week six, one of the most impressive routines ever danced on the show was performed. It included contemporary dancers Ellenore Scott and Jakob Karr. The “Tore My Heart” contemporary piece, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, is a very intense piece which required the two dancers to play dark and powerful characters. The attitudes were beautiful, the leaps were perfect and the arabesque penchée’s were gorgeous. It is a routine which the audience and judges will refer back to for years to come.

Season six of So You Think You Can Dance is filled with firsts. So, viewers, stay tuned as the top ten dancers and choreographers continue to surprise you week after week.