#sytycd 12

Even though I’ve been watching this show regularly since season 7 (and backtracked the other six seasons), it’s the first time I’m reviewing anything about it, much less the whole thing. I don’t know why because always have something to say.

Let me start this off by saying that this season is definitely one of the most memorable seasons of all time. Not to mention, the amount of talent this season is incredible. I don’t have better words to explain just how amazed I am by the capacity and capability of these dancers. It’s just beautiful and exciting to watch.

One of the reasons why I love this season so much probably has something to do with how I still memorize the top 20 after finishing the show. AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. I always always forget someone somehow because they’re just not memorable. I don’t know if they’ve changed anything with how they introduce us to dancers but even those who only appeared for a moment during the auditions were very memorable. I love it.

Format

The new format this year was very interesting. Love the whole team captains thing because the contestants now have a mentor-like presence and sometimes father-like presence that cheers them on and helps them out and talks to them. I don’t like the Street vs. Stage rivalry that they force on though. I mean, dividing them into teams according to style is fine and all, but in the end, their competitors are the people from their own team. They eliminate the person at the bottom of each team. Which means, you have to outdo your own teammates and the other team has absolutely nothing to do with you until you’re in the finale. The forced rivalry is just stupid, in my opinion. Nice new format, just keep the presentation of it all real and not some obvious front for the camera.

Contestants

My personal ranking of the contestants is of course different from how it went (though very close and I can’t really complain so much because they’re truly all lovable and deserving). But here’s how I wanted it to go anyway (they’re actual ranking in the show is in parentheses):

1. Jaja (Runner-up / Street Winner) [Krump] 2. Gaby (Winner) [Tap] 3. Virgil (Top 4 / Street Runner-up) [Hip Hop] 4. JJ (Top 10) [Waacking] 5. Hailee (Top 4 / Stage Runner-up) [Jazz] 6. Alexia (Top 14) [Lyrical Jazz] 7. Megz (Top 6) [Hip Hop] 8. Jim (Top 6) [Ballet] 9. Edson (Top 10) [Contemporary] 10. Neptune (Top 8) [Freestyle] 11. Yorelis (Top 14) [Freestyle] 12. Marissa (Top 16) [Jazz] 13. Kate (Top 14) [Contemporary] 14. Moises (Top 18) [Contemporary] 15. Lily (Top 20) [Waacking] 16. Darion (Top 20) [Ballet] 17. Burim (Top 18) [Breakdance] 18. Ariana (Top 14) [Hip Hop] 19. Derek (Top 8) [Contemporary] 20. Asaf (Top 16) [Breakdance]

I was really really saddened by JJ and Alexia’s early exits (especially JJ’s). I just felt they had more to offer than those who were left who eventually got eliminated as well anyway. JJ’s is especially heartbreaking because she got eliminated right after a very very wonderful performance.

Overall, I’m fine with Gaby winning over Jaja. Just that I thought Jaja had more personality. As for Asaf, I think the initial decision not to include Asaf in the Top 10 street dancers this year was correct. He probably would have done a better job with one more year of training before moving on to the show. He just wasn’t ready. Yes, he improved a lot but it just didn’t work for me. I’m interested then, as to how the show would have turned out had Hurrikane not been injured and continued as part of Team Street.

All-Stars

Really happy with the all-stars that came out this season. I was particularly elated that Anya (season 3), Alex (7), Melanie (8), Cyrus (9), Fik-shun (10), and Zack (11) came out this season as all-stars. Love them so much.

I’m just waiting for the day that Valerie (11), Amy (10), Witney (9), Lindsay (9), Jordan (8), Tadd (8), Lauren (7), Jeanine (5), D-Trix (3), Pasha (3), Anya (3), and Allison (2) come out as all-stars [again, if applicable].

Judges

I’m really sad that there are no guest judges this time. I miss Mary Murphy and Lil C so much. Paula was an okay judge. She just says a lot and it gets boring sometimes (though what she’s saying may be true). She also tends to be easily impressed. I’m surprised with Jason as a judge. I was honestly scared about him judging because I really couldn’t see him any more than just one of those generic pop singers. But I was pleased to find that he’s actually very good. He’s giving his honest opinions, which I found to be accurate and really constructive.

Can they please bring Lil C back? Don’t know where he’s at now. But he was so good I loved him as a judge so much.

Choreographers

This year was the year for Pharside and Phoenix. They choreographed a lot of truly beautiful and exquisite routines this season and it was just a joy to watch. Christopher Scott, Stacey Tookey, Mandy Moore, and, of course, Travis Wall are also some of those who created wonderful pieces this season. It was nice to see Phillip Chbeeb around and I wish to see more of him and his work. Tessandra Chavez is also a name I will remember if only because of that beautiful routine for Jaja and Alex. And as always, I enjoy Jean-Marc Genereux’s presence. 

I wish I could have seen more from NappyTabs and Sonya Tayeh. And it was nice to see Tyce Diorio again. Somehow, I also miss Toni Redpath.

Routines

Exceptional. This season did have its fair share of mediocre routines but all in all it was just exceptional. There would always be more than one standout every episode and it was simply amazing.

Searching through all the routines would end up with me listing too many. So, off the top of my head, here are some of my favorites:

Team Stage’s ghost routine by Travis Wall

Alex and Jaja’s amnesia routine by Tessandra Chavez

Virgil and Hailee’s robot routine by Pharside and Phoenix

JJ’s Argentine tango by Leonardo and Miriam

Jaja and Hailee’s jazz routine by Ray Leeper

Jaja and Ricky’s broadway routine by Al Blackstone

Virgil and Melanie’s PTSD routine by Justin Giles

Gaby and Robert’s contemporary routine by Mandy Moore

Gaby and Neptune’s contemporary routine by Stacey Tookey

Gaby and Zack’s tap routine by Anthony Morigerato

Enjoyed this season so much. 

Well, that’s it for this year.

Just lovely.