SYTYCD - Meet the Top 20

I am so happy to have So You Think You Can Dance back on my television screen. The second I hear the opening theme music I get all giddy and start doing my personal happy dance. I forget how much I adore this show until it comes back every summer and I wonder where it's been all my life.

Last night's "Meet the Top 20" show helped me to realize the things I love about this show....and the things that make me crazy.

First, the things I love:

1. Cat Deeley. Plain and simple, I adore Cat Deeley. I want to talk like her, I want clothes (and shoes) like her, I want hair like her. I want to be 7 feet tall and call a bunch of dancing gay boys who wear eyeliner my "babies." She is fabulous.

2. Pasha. I want to sit and stare at Pasha while he reads me Russian literature.

3. Quality contestants. Each and every member of the top 20 is incredibly talented and could easily dance in any professional setting. I can't stand reality shows where the contestants embarrass themselves (cough) dancing with the stars (cough).

4. The producers actually listen to the fans. They've added online voting, they've figured out a way to have a top 20 AND all-stars. And most importantly, they changed the stage. The new stage is sooooo much better.

5. The music. I love going into the season knowing that a minimum of 10 songs will be in heavy rotation on my iPod in a few short weeks. If it weren't for SYTYCD I wouldn't have downloaded Ramalama, The Garden, etc...

Now - the things that drive me crazy.

1. Robin Antin? Huh? As a judge? Really? Really? The show has talented and respected judges who lend credibility to the critique and this year they bring in the woman who founded a group of glorified strippers? The only good thing I can say about her is that her brother does killer hair. (google Jonathan Antin....)

2. I miss Wade. Only Wade should be allowed to choreograph for the top 20.

Overall, last night's show was a huge success in my eyes. What a wonderful idea to combine the Green Mile show (which tends to be incredibly boring) with the "Meet the Top 20" show. The best routine by far was Choreographed by Christoper Scott of the LXD.