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So I had originally decided not to start writing about the American version of So You Think You Can Dance (to be referred to as SYTYCD moving forward) until the show reached the top 20 performances, but after last nights show I just had to rant my mind.
I have seen some American-reality-show-judges make some colossal mistakes in the past, but a decision made last night rocked my world, and left me truly angry for the rest of the night. The decision I’m referring to is the abrupt removal of Natalie Reid (Katie’s roommate from SYTYCD 2008, who nearly made it into top 20, but was unfortunately beat out by Katie in a misguided judging voting structure in Vegas).
Shortly after she was pulled forward to demonstrate Sonya’s choreography with her apparent Vegas-best-friend-Brandon, exemplifying exactly what Sonya wanted all of the other dancers to embody when showcasing her piece, Natalie was partnered with a different male dancer to perform for the judges. I felt her partner let her down, and the judges proceeded to inform her that they were tired of “pulling for her”, and simply wouldn’t do it anymore. This is where I hang my head.
Click on the picture below to SYTYCD: Season 5 gallery
In the next ten minutes of the show, and I credit the producers to this poor television display, they focus on another female dancer (who’s name I can’t remember out of residual bitter rage) performing the exact same piece. Her performance was severely lacking. I then proceeded to watch the two performances back-to-back twice (thank you PVR), and the replay clearly showed which of the two was the blatantly better dancer. Was female #2 also ousted from the show? Of course not; she was given the opportunity to dance for her life, unlike Natalie. Did the judges choose to keep her, due to her unique solo? Of course they did.
By the end of the episode I found myself yelling out loud at the TV to project my fury. I just can’t believe how the judges could possibly let such a talented dancer walk away. I just don’t know what else to say about this. The end.
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Rich
June 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I was so angry too. Riley was laughing at me. In all fairness, Natalie may not have that good compared to others… but they DIDN’T show us any of the really good ones! When they flashed through the final 16… i was like… “who the fuck are those girls”!
Donovan
June 4th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Since SYTYCD is having a fall season as well, I really think booting Natalie was producer manipulation. They wanted to generate some buzz and then have her (Natalie) come back in the fall so that people will watch. Let’s be honest, how many people would watch two back-to-back seasons. Mark my words, Natalie will be in the fall season.
PS. I was extremely annoyed as well that she didn’t have an opportunity to ‘dance for her life’. They have no rhyme or reason when they cut people.
Jared
June 4th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Tonight’s show made me really upset when Alex Wong didn’t get to compete in the top 20 because of his contractual obligations. I totally understand he’s under contract, but at the same time CMON! He’s so amazing and I think had the potential to win the show had he been allowed to compete. I also commend Mary for standing up for Brandon against Mia (who i love but disagreed with on brandon) and Lil’ C (I question how much he actually really knows outside of hip hop). Both together on the show woulda made for an interestingly competitive season.
Yvonne
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I was soooooo angry when Natalie Reid got kicked off….
Mindy
June 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I was and still am FURIOUS with SYTYCD this season for cutting Natalie!! I think they treated her poorly, judged her harshly, and cut her for no reason — especially when they kept giving other mediocre dancers another chance to perform, dance for their lives and continue to improve. I haven’t been excited about the Top 20 since they cut her, but I’m still rooting for Brandon.
Mindy
June 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Donovan — you have a great theory about Natalie coming back for the Fall season – I hope you’re right! She’s amazing.
Jared — I agree that Mia and Lil’ C were rude to Brandon and I’m glad Mary stood up to them. I normally love Mia, though.
ess
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:30 am
like, what the hell? i agree that natalie’s second performance was off compared to the first ‘example’ one… beside her partner, she looked off beat or something… but it was still much better than some of the others that the judges let through.
it’s too bad the judges weren’t there to see the first one, which was completely flawless in my opinion…
i guess it’s impossible for them to be completely objective and fair all the time, because dancing really is something relative and you either feel it or you don’t.
i believe that natalie is still among the (if not THE) best dancer(s) on the show this year.
i really hope she tries out again. she shouldn’t let this get to her and let her give up…. that would be a real loss of an amazing dancer.
Liz
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
i really wanted Natalie to be in the top 20 this year but apparently the rumor is that she got a dancing contract with sonya and its for music? videos and a movie. because of this, he won’t audition again. I’m happy for her, but I really really want her to audition again because she deserves to get on the show so bad!
Dan
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Crazy Liz! Where did you hear this?!
stewart
August 9th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Actually I’ve spoken with nathalie through youtube and she can’t partake in season 6 because of obligations to a performing company she’s part of in Salt Lake city.
I have never been more livid, furious, just plain pissed off than when they cut Nathalie – and for GAWD’s sakes she is the living personification of Sonya’s choreography, no one else can do it better, and she gets sent home on THAT?
Judges give you head a smack
Ann
November 29th, 2009 at 7:01 am
I was very very disappointed too when Natalie and Brandon didn’t get through. Please let me know where i can vote to have them back on the show. I really wanted to see them both dance. what a shame coz i enjoyed see them dance. There was many dancers with weakness and they were given a chance..why wasn’t natalie or brandon? Is it because they had no weakness and no sad story to their lives??
shame on the judges. you call yourself judges or dancers?? I don’t think so. Sonya is the only one with true eyes of a dancer if you know what i mean. I VOTE THEM BACK ASAP!!
Jimmy
February 13th, 2010 at 8:52 am
It was so unfair…i mean really they didn’t even give a proper explanation!! Besides in season 4 she was so close to be one of the top 20, so they should have known that she as a lot of potential. Also during the episode they were hyping Natalie and Brandon a lot, Sonya even told them to repeat the choreography just to show the other contestants what they were suppossed to do. And then they just cut her out, yet they give that other girl who had already been warned the chance to dance for her life. It’s just not fair…anyone who’s seen Natalie’s youtube page knows that not only can she move gracefully but she can also make beatiful choreographies. I hope…i sincerely hope that she competes on season 7. Such talent needs to be shown to the rest of the world.