So You Think You Can Dance US Series 7

Trav's updated - and we have some videos too! This is the link for the main show and this is the recap. Enjoy!

Nigel's Dizzy Feet Foundation's next move was announced on the show - National Dance Day, July 31st. Seemingly aimed at America, I guess there's no harm in we Brits uploading our own contribution!

Snippets: SCD, DWTS, SYTYCD, Glee

Lots today, the media are gearing up for the usual frenzy of who might be on Strictly Come Dancing this year - Gary Lineker and wife Danielle Bux, maybe Posh Spice Victoria Beckham - ought to go for David, since he's not playing footie now - and Amy Winehouse. They're also after Bill Clinton's daughter and/or mistress, Monica Lewinsky, Kimberley Walsh, Patsy Kensit and Lembit Opik! (This is The Sun I'm quoting, btw) Then, further down the article, they impart the news that it's only a twelve week run! So less couples overall then - back down to fourteen? If they do the double dance weekends like last year, which proved so popular, with all couples doing a ballroom and a Latin before elimination, fourteen fits the equation for a three couple final (assuming they PUT THE CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE: ARE YOU LISTENING, POWERS THAT BE???) And also that at least three shows will come from Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, with more floorspace allowing more fans in to the show. And then it goes on to say how crap the line up was last year - they still don't get it, do they, that actually, we don't care, we'd watch it anyway- the so-called "big names" won't get through because they're a big name - they have to engage us and a brekkie show host did that better than anyone last year.

James Jordan agrees with me about the furore over Arlene's departure, while Ian Waite says it is time for revamp; Kristina talks fashion.

Rumours abound that Pineapple Dance's Louis Spence will take over from Cisco Gomez on the So You Think You Can Dance panel.

An interview with Harry Shum Jr, Glee's amazing streetdancer, Mike Chang.

And finally - Trav's Thought's are in on the Dancing With The Stars Semi Final, show here, results here. I have to agree with Len on Erin and Mak's Paso, a bit funky for me! Very entertaining though. Stunning choreography in Derek and Nicole's Argentine Tango, I particularly loved the final lift. I don't know why they bother with a chair for Bruno, lol! Len sums up Evan and Anna's Paso; their foxtrot is a joy, I dare you not to smile all through it.

Snippets: SYTYCD, Streetdance 3D, DWTS

Diversity are setting their sights on Hollywood as Streetdance 3D premieres - general release May 21st.

MJ brings us a few snippets from Nigel Lythgoe as the US prepare for their new series of So You Think You Can Dance.

And Trav has changed his website! But he's still covering Dancing With the Stars in full, with videos of this week's star performers Derek and Nicole - incredibly musical numbers, Nicole's timing is so spot on with Derek's. A real pleasure to watch, I preferred the foxtrot which was pure joy from start to finish.

Snippets: SYTYCD, London's Best Dance Crew

The full line up of So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars has been announced, with a mixture of contemporary, latin & ballroom and streetdance specialists. The contestants will draw a photo of their new partner each week, which will dictate what genre they're dancing. The All-Stars won't be responsible for choreography though, and the public can't vote for them, only the actual contestant.

The finals of London's Best Dance Crew take place on April 30th, at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon, with a big line up of special guests, including Peridot, Mutya Buena and Akai Osei, the Got To Dance winner. The winning crew will receive their prize from Victoria Cross recipient Johnson Beharry, making a special night for them just that bit more memorable.

Showtime: Take A Bow, SYTYCD

Snippets: Nigel and Len

The Examiner has turned their spotlight onto Len Goodman!

Nigel Lythgoe has tweeted Rule Change Number 2 for So You Think You Can Dance. Maybe he read yesterday's post, I dunno - but the partnerships will change every week! Which seemed logical, since there'll be an odd number every other week. I'm excited again already and this is for the American show; we have to wait another ten months!

Showtime: Danny Tidwell, So You Think You Can Dance

Ok, I'll admit it, I was a bit lost tonight, kept thinking I've forgotten to do something. Did you also realise this is the first Saturday night since early September that there's been no reality tv dance show? I'll need to check but that's how it seems!

Blaze gets a cracking review, another show I never got to see. One day ...

Snippets: SYTYCD, DOI, Move It, Diversity, Pineapple

A backstage behind the scenes look at how the fourteen So You Think You Can Dance finalists were accomodated for the duration of the show.

Pineapple Dance Studios have seen a surge in interest in the wake of the tv dance shows and their own programme on Sky, aired alongside Got To Dance.

There are five pairs of tickets up for grab for Move It, courtesy of Fabulous online mag.

Your chance to bust some moves with Diversity! Go on, have a go - they talk you through some basic steps, all you need to do is stand up!

Hayley and Dan are on the West End's wish list!

Maria Fillipov and Melanie Lambert talk about the benefits skating brings!

Apparently, there are thousands of free dance classes on offer! So what are you still doing reading this? Go get 'em!

News in Brief: SCD, SYTYCD, BGT,

Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood will be taking over the role of Edna Turnblad in hit West end Musical, Hairspray ... So You Think You Can Dance finalists, Tommy and Lizzie are signed to appear in the Hip Hop show Blaze, premiering on March 11th ... Watch out Ashley, there's a four year old hot on your heels, who wowed at the Britain's Got Talent auditions! Are we happy about this, is it too much pressure - or will he (like I think) be too young to understand and be just happy to dance? Steppin' up to the dance, excellent article by Caroline Briggs on the BBC Newspage on how dancing is taking over the country!

Strictly Tour Latest and snippets!

Mark and Kristina, Ali and Brian and Austin and Lilia are still leading the way! We’ve moved onto Birmingham, where show #8 was won by Mark and Kristina, scored 29 for AT and 30 for salsa (no Len) with Ali and Brian runners up on 29 for VW and 27 for samba; show #9 with all four judges saw another win for Mark and Kristina, with an almost perfect 80 points – 40 for the AT and 39 for salsa, with Austin and Lilia as runners up on 40 for their tango and 35 for their jive. Show #10 saw a first win for Ali and Brian, again just three judges, scoring them 29 for VW and 27 for samba, with Austin and Lilia runners up on 30 for tango and 25 for jive. A few mishaps at this one – a wardrobe malfunction for Ola and Mark fumbled some steps in his AT! Onto show #11 – no Arlene in this one – and it’s a win for Austin and Lilia, 30 for tango and 25 for jive, with Ali and Brian runners up with 30 for the VW and 26 for samba. Show #12 saw the same result, but with Austin and Lilia on 40 for tango and 33 for jive; Ali and Brian 39 for VW and 35 for samba. Ditto show #13, Austin and Lilia 40 and 35; Ali and Brian 39 and 35.

Overall it’s 7 wins, 2 runners up spots for Austin and Lilia, 5 wins and 1 runner up spot for Mark and Kristina, Ali and Brian with 1 win and 7 runner up spots, and 1 runner up spot for Zoe and James. All the stats can be found here if you're that way inclined!

Other news in brief – Alesha is apparently going to be replaced by Liza Minelli, whilst Mia Michaels is returning to SYTYCD in the US. There’s a general outpouring of support for this, there’s major respect for Mia’s choreography, so hopefully we’ll see her over here sometime. Jeremy Sheffield has a part in the Street Dance movie starring Diversity – and no ice involved, he says, relieved! Diversity are also fronting a new government health campaign, Let’s Dance with Change4Life. Check it out here there's a link at the bottom that will take you through to enter the competition to win a dance workshop with the group themselves, as well as dance lessons! See Sisco Gomez, of So You Think You Can Dance, and his group Dance 2XS here , their final performance together. And the Hip Hop community did their bit for Haiti too.

Strictly Come Dancing has reached "burnout" - Nigel Lythgoe

So You Think You Can Dance supremo, Nigel Lythgoe has told The Guardian that Strictly has suffered "burnout".

"I think that in the UK once something's successful, it's wrung out like a sponge and gets overdone," said the 60-year-old (Sixty? Good grief, I'd no idea!) "There were too many episodes (agreed)... there's burnout. I imagine Strictly will go off air, and come back in 10 or 12 years." (Oh, jeez, I bloomin' well hope not!)

In respect of losing the battle for ratings, he continued: "I don't believe the poor ratings were because of the judges, I think it's that the stars weren't strong enough. It's always difficult, isn't it? You start to run out of celebrities that people are interested in. Or you pay them a fortune to go into the Big Brother house." (see 'A'List? 'Z'List? on Jaye's Jottings for my thoughts on that subject!)

I do agree with Nigel that the show is too long - the 14 week run and the two hour shows - a return to the original original format, including losing the dance-off at the quarter final stage would give it a boost, I think. And the show itself needs to keep moving, less of the VT's. It is hard work when it goes on and on, even more so when you're blogging it! On a plus note, it was a good move to let all the celebs have a stab at both Latin and Ballroom before leaving - the two night show the first two weeks worked very well. But go off air? The ratings would have to drop a lot more than they did! And it's looking like we may not have X-Factor up against it next year!

News in Brief: SYTYCD, DOI, GTD

Ten things you never knew about So You Think You Can Dance's presenter Cat Deeley. Or maybe you did!

Dancing on Ice Friday, the new spin off show, will be hosted by Loose Women's former contestant Coleen Nolan.

Davina McCall is looking forward to watching Got To Dance with her family - she's never fronted anything suitable for them to see before! Although she's been asked, she's turned down Strictly Come Dancing because of the time she'd have to be away from her children. And judging by this article it doesn't look as though she'll be making time either, even when her own are grown! I've never been a fan of Davina particularly, but I have to say her attitude to dancing is warming me to her!

News in Brief: DOI, SCD, SYTYCD, GTD,

Following the finale of So You Think You Can Dance US, an interview with Nigel Lythgoe ... and one with Cat Deeley. And, what d'you know, one with Arlene Phillips, on the panel with Nigel for the UK version. And yet another Nigel interview, he's (body)popping up all over the place!

Craig Revel-Horwood interview - in the FT???

Dancing on Ice glides off with a preview show on Friday, 15th January at 8pm.

The experts agree: TV is great for dance!

Sky's Got To Dance launches on Sunday.

Bruce and Alesha will be performing together on tonight's Strictly final.

News in Brief: SYTYCD, SCD

Katie Holmes would love to see husband Tom Cruise as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance! Take a minute and click the link through to Katie chatting to Cat about the Dizzy Feet Foundation and how she became involved with that and therefore SYTYCD. Ignore the misery guts who wrote the piece, Katie has a lovely voice and the performance is a very happy way to waste a couple of minutes! More about the Dizzy Feet Foundation.

An interview with Debbie Allen - and an interview with choreographer Mia Michaels.

First Canadian SYTYCD winner, Nico Achembault has landed the role of Nureyev.

A lovely interview with Alesha - her side of the stories for a change!

Karen Hardy at the Dance Against Hunger Ball.

Joe Calzaghe rescues military hero and George Cross holder Chris Finney from an insurance call centre. I thought the initial headline meant from a burning building or something, but frankly, working in a call centre is worse, much worse. Trust me.

Darcey Bussell is Godmother to P&O Cruise Ship Azura - for a moment there, I thought she was going into a cruise ship panto!

Anton and his significant others!

Tommy Blaize and Dave Arch are appearing at the 606 Club on 7th Decemeber.

The full line up, including partners for the tour have been released - see here.

Introducing the SCD Professional Dancers, with some nice photos of waistcoats.

We all know Strictly Come Dancing is good for you - now it's official! Interesting to note in there that Jade did dance again afterwards but the BBC physio refused to let her perform! Better not let a certain forumite see that little titbit any time soon ... bye, bye for now, bye!

News in Brief: SCD, SYTYCD,

Louise Redknapp (the thinking man's WAG) has apparently been signed as a judge on the UK So You Think You Can Dance. The former Eternal band member will certainly balance out what could have been a frightening panel -Arlene Phillips and Nigel Lythgoe, neither of whom hold back - although I don't expect her to be sickly sweet, I can imagine she'll deliver constructive criticism without destroying a contestant's confidence. Good signing! And you never know, she might bring Jamie along sometime! What???

Gordon Campbell from the SCD Band is appearing in Portsmouth with the Royal Marines Big Band tonight! Bit short notice I know - some track record though, so if you can get along, then do!

Craig has a bit of a chat about his upcoming Panto role - he's had plenty of practice being booed anyhow!

More info on what's in store in Brendan's upcoming tour - a few famililar guest names there, as in, four ex-Strictly professionals!

News in Brief - DWTS, SCD, SYTYCD,

Interview with Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker.

Strictly News: Brendan Cole's Live and Unjudged Tour dates; The Duchess of Cornwall impresses Craig; Free Strictly Come Dancing events in Blackpool! And some welcome support for Alesha from Britain's Got Talent winners, Diversity - there's a video too! And check your knowledge of Week 5 with the Strictly quiz!

Trav's thoughts are up - the Top 20 for So You Think You Can Dance, plus the full rundown of Dancing With the Stars. Bruno seems to be enjoying himself a lot more there than he is here - make sure you check out the video's! *chuckles* We need Donny *Swoon* as a guest judge, they're a brilliant double act! No, it's not just because I'm completely biased ...

The UK So You Think You Can Dance will apparently have a guest judge in the personage of Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham.

This week's big question - traditional or contemporary music? I like a mixture of both, how about you?

Showtime: Hip Hip Chin Chin - SYTYCD

News in Brief: DOI, DWTS, SYTYCD, JD

Dancing on Ice rehearsals are reportedly under way, with the contestants a closely guarded secret - we could try bombarding @Schofe I suppose! And rumours of Emma Bunton join rumours of Suzanne Shaw joining the judging panel!

Interview with Dancing With the Stars Carrie Ann Inaba

Interview with So You Think You Can Dance's Mia Michaels

Just Dance have signed up Coyote Ugly actor Adam Garcia, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and our very lovely own lovely Ashley Banjo from Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity, to judge. Maybe I will get Sky after all.

News in Brief: SYTYCD, Tango, VelocityDC

A run down of SYTYCD Canada's Top 10 latest partnerships.

The UN declares the tango "more than just a dance" ! But hear, hear, I say!

Dancing round the world - VelocityDC.

Showtime: Sweet Dreams - SYTYCD