Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The Winner
It actually turned out right. The public voted for the best dancer on So You Think You Can Dance. Benji Scwhimmer did indeed project a feeling of the Kelly/Astaire era, as judge Nigel said — even Benji's face is out of another time. Benji is a great dancer, with fantastic extension and an explosive energy. The praise from the judges made you smile, because it felt genuine, and it was accurate — finally, the judges weren't playing to the audience.
Martha Nichols could have won on pure sex appeal — she was eliminated early on, but just about glowed. Heidi Groskreutz was an amazing performer, as was Allison Holker — for pure athleticism she could have taken it all. Much of the choreography had a gymnastic, Michael Jackson robo feel to it — these are urbanhard, mechanical times, and the pop culture reflects it.
It was a great show, wonderfully produced and photographed.