New State for Season 8!

So I was really going to stop writing about this show like the dorky fan that I am, but since Season 7, I've moved to a new state (Texas!) making it more difficult to share my thoughts about the show with my equally dorky friends (sorry guys it's true). So, I'm back at it!

After a tediously long American Idol season that I did not watch, but rather counted down the days until the finale when SYTYCD starts, Season 8 has FINALLY arrived! If the season is anything like the promos they've been running, it's going to be extra goodt this summer! AND, what I learned a week or so ago - we're back to a Top 20!!! So excited, although, I'm not really surprised. Who else were they going to bring in as all-stars? Seriously. *crickets* There's no one better than the all stars from Season 7. Sorry bout it.

Also exciting - MARY IS BACK! I know lots of people don't like her high pitched screams or crazy outfits or hot tamale train, but I personally LOVE her, and I missed her a ton last season. She actually gives legitimate critiques, breathes life into the judges table, pumps up the contestants when/how they need it, and breaks up the monotony of Nigel and whatever other guest judge is trying to be straight up serious that week. Welcome back, Mary. You've been missed, at least by this girl.

And now, on to the auditions! My favorite part, especially now that they've really stopped showing the unbearably horrible auditions and just show people who might be bad, but they at least have a redeeming quality like graciousness, good personality, or humor. Atlanta always seems to bring good talent, and this round was no exception.

Bianca Hinklerian - She was super bubbly and had some of the fastest footwork ever! Her partner, Giovanni is only 17, but he will definitely be a force to be reckoned with next season. To be honest, he kind of stole the audition for me a little, which doesn't usually happen with a male ballroom dancer and a girl in hot pink, but Bianca was great too, and I can see her doing well in Vegas! (She went to choreo first just to make sure she wasn't all stiff and ballroomy I guess)

Melanie Moore - She kind of reminded me a little of Ginnifer Goodwin! Her moves were smooth and elegant, but she's clearly an athletic dancer as well. Little C said that "Zeus himself would invite you to dance on Olympus" which is a little weird, but she was clearly good enough (and trained enough) to go straight to Vegas. I could see her in the Top 20, or at least in the final cut. She's still in school, so I always wonder about what they do with those...

Deon and Damon (aka D-day) - I really thought they were going to be a joke audition because their whole package was them talking about coming out to get girls' numbers! But, they ended up doing a cute little hip-hop duet that showed a ton of personality. Personally, it was a little bit more "fluff" than I'm used to seeing on the show, but they both got straight through to Vegas. They must know them in the dance circuit? We'll see how they do.

*Insert good Atlanta audition montage here* - There was a break dancer wearing all white that looked really good, and a blonde girl with a red shirt who was good as well. They didn't show names, but I could see them being highlighted in Vegas potentially.

Marko Germar - SUCH A COOL STORY! He was robbed at gunpoint, shot, and now the bullet is still in his arm! The doctors told him that they'd have to break bone to get it out, and he didn't want to take the risk with his dancing so it's still in there. His video shots made him look like a breaker, but he auditioned with contemporary. It was strong, and he's clearly had training, but they put him through to choreo before sending him to Vegas. He could be a crowd pleaser and definite Top 20 material. We shall see...

Kimalee Piedad - I could have sworn she auditioned before, but I looked in last year's blog and found nothing...still, she seemed familiar. She did a partner routine with a partner who wasn't competing, and it was full of crazy lifts and partnering moves. She's clearly graceful, athletic, and talented, but I didn't get much personality from her yet. Straight to Vegas.

And now, someone who calls himself "White Chocolate" will kick off a bad dancer montage, which is thankfully very short!

Kyre Batiste - Ok this kid definitely doesn't look 18 yet, but he is just precious! They brought up his grandma to be a "guest judge" for his audition, and she is just as precious as him! I thought he was fantastic and fun with his popping and crazy leg moves, but the judges weren't as fond of it. Regardless, a "yes" from his grandma and Lil C get him to choreo but unfortunately not to Vegas. He seems like someone who will work at it and come back though.

That was it for the Atlanta audtions! From what Miss Cat Deeley told me, there were a record number of people sent to Vegas from these auditions, which only means Vegas is going to be extra tough this year! As if it wasn't hard enough already! Next audition stop is San Francisco/ the Bay Area (as they keep calling it). Definitely some solid talent here as well.

Amber Williams - Super crazy, quirky girl who dances really well! She danced to "Boots and Boys" which might be the first Ke$ha song I've heard that I liked the first time and not while out at a club. She's got super long legs and can jump so high! Nigel compared her to the "magic of the 60's performers" like Shirley McClaine and Ann Margaret, which totally hit the nail on the head! Another example of why I love Nigel Lythgoe! Clearly, she made it straight to Vegas...and then ran out of the room and theater with no shoes screaming about it!

Timothy Joseph - His promos have him jumping off buildings, trees, walls, etc. and his audition was no different. There were some unbelievable tricks in there, including this cool little crazy leg thing off the stage. His one-handed spins reminded me a lot of Legacy as well. The judges sent him to choreo, but I guess he tweaked his knee and didn't want to make it unfair for his partner, so he dropped out. Maybe he'll be back next year?

Next was a former stripper with no front teeth who liked to booty pop and after that a friend she met in line who was equally horrible. Then they showed a guy named Paul flailing around on stage with a close up of his rotting toenails. Awesome. Done with that.

Danielle Ihle - This was a typical SYTYCD sad story. Her dad lost his job, didn't tell the fam, then they lost their house and he abandoned the whole family. It's horrible actually, which makes me think that she'll definitely make the show. She's got a great center and can spin forever, kind of like the female version of Travis (she even wore one sock). The judges thought she didn't connect emotionally with her dance, which I totally agreed with, but she was definitely good enough to make it to choreo, and they sent her through to Vegas as I expected. I assume she's gonna be good in Vegas week.

Ashley Rich - My absolute favorite of the night! Her dancing completely drew me in - it was floaty and dreamy but showed a ton of athleticism as well. I can't even describe why, but I just LOVED her. Straight to Vegas, obviously, and I think she's a lock for the Top 20!

D'on-que Addison - This was an interesting audition to show. He cried a lot, the judges were perplexed, but he said "he did what he came here to do", so good for you, buddy!

Jeffrey McCann - Oh WOW this was an amazing bboy! I am slightly jaded because I feel like Cat always prefaces them with "Is this the best bboy ever???" and then it's not, but he very well could have been. He had some much skill and precision in his moves, but a ton more athleticism than I'm used to seeing from bboys. LOVE him. Straight to Vegas, and I think we'll be seeing him in the Top 20 as well.

Ryan Ramirez - Welcome back, girl! Loved you on Glee the other night! I just love her, always loved her, and I really hope she makes the show because she clearly has plently of work coming her way but she just really wants to be on the show! Come n Nigel, TOP 20!!!

There was a brief montage with some straight-to-Vegas-ers including Whitney Bezzant and Lilly Nguyen. Lilly looked like a contemporary dancer, but then she threw in some break dancing moves/spins - very unique, definitely want to see more of her. There was also a clip of a guy who called his signature move "the insect" because he looked like a contorted cricket jumping on the stage! Crazy!

The last guy to go was a Turfer named Levi Allen. In case you missed it, turfing = taking up room on the floor. It was a cool mixture of gliding, popping, and contorting, and it was definitely something I'd never seen before. The judges sent him to choreo, but it was too much for him to handle and he didn't make it to Vegas.

That was definitely one of the better audition episodes they've ever aired. I think we saw at least 2-3 Top 20'ers in the mix, and there was very little "filler" material, which Nigel should know I always appreciate! Can't wait for 2 episodes/week for the rest of the summer! Definitely looking forward to those 3 hours per week of solid dancing, and I have a new watching buddy in Texas which makes it even better!