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Must-See! SYTYCD SA

Written by Tashi from the blog Tashi's TV on 11 Aug 2008
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sytycd_titlecard

So You Think You Can Dance SA premiered on SABC1 on Saturday evening and was a rip from the first moment -.. until moments-from-the-end.

Just as things were reaching the end for us to see who'd made it through to the next round the tape went whack and the show disappeared with no replay to give us the finish. SO disappointing - I couldn't believe it when the news appeared and it didn't come back.

That said, all the rest was the bomb - tightly filmed, directed, edited and observed, true to the format in every way, filled with character, creativity and the feeling of punch that's so iconic of the orginal version.

I wasn't sure what to expect before it started with the US show being so perfect in every way. There's never been a moment in any season where I've felt something doesn't work dramatically and I was concerned it wouldn't live up to my high expectations but it does - except it's even more of a trip 'cos of featuring South Africans dancing their hearts out.

The first episode took us through the Jozi auditions - Day 1 and Day 2. There was an excellent assortment of characters through both days ranging from the good, the fab, the terrible and the "Shut up!" ie so ludicous, it can't be true.

My best was how everyone had a story that was so well-told - within moments you felt you were right there with them, understanding them through their dancing, either laughing with them or at them or somewhere in between.

Overall a strong sense of joy came through everyone - from the contestants themselves through to the judges through to host Sade Giliberti, who's perfect for it with her funky warmth.

The judges also have a good rapour - which I'm hoping they'll extend once they know each other better into more chattiness between themselves and open catfights etc.

judges_1

judges_2

There were a few too many shots of their faces watching auditionees without saying something to each other - I found myself wondering what the dancer was doing and hoping we weren't missing out, but other than that it felt as if we were in on everything else important.

All in all I'd say it's the best interpretation of an international reality format we've see yet. The Apprentice SA used to be my benchmark - up until the slapworthy point of two winners natch - but in everything else, when it came to the style, intention and all other elements it really was true to the genre.

If SYTYCD continues as it did in the premiere I reckon it's gonna dance The Apprentice out of top position.

If for any reason you didn't catch it - like it being on a Saturday at 18h30 and you were out pre-partying - I'd highly recommend making sure you don't miss it.

PS: It's made me want to dance. Itching to put together a routine to dance up my road.

PPS: I'll say this only once and never again - it won't be necessary when it all changes next week I'm sure but - *struggling 'cos you're gonna die when you hear*  - is it just me or is there something quite sexy about Harold The Horrible?

I didn't say that, I'm outa here, bye.



37 Comments

Renegade
11 Aug 2008 00:47

If for any reason you didn't catch it - like it being on a Saturday at 18h30 and you were out pre-partying - I'd highly recommend making sure you don't miss it.
For some reason, I'm never in at this time, i guess the pre-partying really is the reason, but I"ll make more of an effort, promise!

Nonny
11 Aug 2008 00:58

For some reason, I'm never in at this time, i guess the pre-partying really is the reason, but I"ll make more of an effort, promise!
Same here Rene, I doubt I'll ever watch it!!!!

felfel
11 Aug 2008 01:24

I watched it and enjoyed but i think they forgot to mention that Ballet dancers stand a better chance at it, if you could stretch your legs and jump like those ballerinas in tutus then you got a "call back" (pls call me) ....LOL, they even tried to change pantsula dancers shame............

carino
11 Aug 2008 01:28

BS: If for any reason you didn't catch it - like it being on a Saturday at 18h30 and you were out pre-partying - I'd highly recommend making sure you don't miss it.
Rene: For some reason, I'm never in at this time, i guess the pre-partying really is the reason, but I"ll make more of an effort, promise!
Nonny: Same here Rene, I doubt I'll ever watch it!!!!


hehehehehe... so you mean, you guys never watched Amazing Date, heeei........

 

Nonny
11 Aug 2008 01:32

"hehehehehe... so you mean, you guys never watched Amazing Date, heeei......"
Trevors cute factor made us fit Amazing Date *sometimes, not all the times*, BTW, how did Amazing Date end????

Brown Shuga
11 Aug 2008 01:36


Thanks for the recap Tashi, when is the repeat though? 
I thoroughly enjoyed this even though I was disappointed with the way it ended. Someone needs to at least get a Warning for that. It was disappointing. 
When that whole happened, I all of sudden thought that it would actually have been nice if there was a continuity presenter to apologise and let us know what happened. But they just put the news and pretended like nothing happened!

<<<There were a few too many shots of their faces watching auditionees without saying something to each other - I found myself wondering what the dancer was doing and hoping we weren't missing out>>>
I agree with you 100%. 
The female judge with short hair, what's her name? I liked how she was just saying "No" over and over lol. 

<<<is it just me or is there something quite sexy about Harold The Horrible?>>
Gal, you are not alone! I had wondered about his sexuality before the show but how, damn, I want me some Harold. (I didn't say that either) 
 
All in all a very nice show, I found myself wanting to dance with them. 

There's this other guy who was dancing pantsula style with his hat...gosh when he speaks he sounds like someone I wouldn't wanna meet in a dark alley!  

Brown Shuga
11 Aug 2008 01:37

Carino, Tashi wrote the article not mean.

tha - bang
11 Aug 2008 01:47

I had the very same sentiments Tashi. The programme was well excuted aside for the dodgy Final control/QCC mess up at the end. 
They guys did an excellent job,in shooting the story well, getting the right  characters profiles.Its cool to see the guys at SABC trying tomatch the american standard.

tha - bang
11 Aug 2008 01:51

ooh i liked how the judges were not meanies for no apparent reason.im defineatly watching it next weekend

Brown Shuga
11 Aug 2008 01:51

P.S. The black judge (sorry but I don't know his name) is too much of a groupie/fan....

belz
11 Aug 2008 02:03

I missed it, this is such a strange time for me to be home.

Hlehle
11 Aug 2008 02:15

I missed it too Belz and lately i missing out a lot.

Hlehle
11 Aug 2008 02:17

Meant i'm not i missing

monchooza
11 Aug 2008 02:19

Eish its not easy watching Tv on weekends...Missed it and by the looks of my weekends i'll still miss more episodes to come....Damn

Golden Star
11 Aug 2008 02:23

I enjoyed the show but I agree with felfel the already trained professional contemporary dancers have an unfair advantage because they seem to be what the judges are looking for. I wonder if they made this clear before the auditions. I guess no reigning Jika Majika champions... shame :(

Renegade
11 Aug 2008 02:30

I guess no reigning Jika Majika champions... shame :( - 
Nah, sorry for them, Thembi's not judging

tha - bang
11 Aug 2008 02:37

I guess no reigning Jika Majika champions... shame :( -
Nah, sorry for them, Thembi's not judging
lol,

myname
11 Aug 2008 02:40

Ok i watch it with a glass of wine on my hand LOL. I think its brilliant show. Tashi say that again about Harold, he was just so kind......(i thought my wine was running in my head but no man). He/she dissapointed me i thought he was going to be so mean but she/he was the opposite........(By the way is Harold a gay or what). ....Felfel im with u luv nge ballet.....Guys did u c that guy who dances with roaler blades or whatever u call it.....(Those shoes with wheels hahahaha.........That part was exclusive man & so creative. I loved it. It was so unique & unusual indeed.....I will definately watch it again next week

felfel
11 Aug 2008 02:42

I guess no reigning Jika Majika champions... shame :( -
Nah, sorry for them, Thembi's not judging

One of the judging "choreographers" from Jika was there, he's that guy who was dancing pantsula with a hat and talking like iskoli. Shame, they called him back solely on his entertainment skills, not dance......... : (

So ke pantsulas take note and don't waste your time.........Jika is short of judges...

pariri
11 Aug 2008 02:50

the pantsula guy dancing with a broom finished me heheheheheh  LOL !!!

Brown Shuga
11 Aug 2008 02:57

<<<the pantsula guy dancing with a broom finished me heheheheheh>> Especially when he was doing ballet with the rest of the group tl tl tl tl tl

faraimagic
11 Aug 2008 03:07

the judges >>>>watch them close!!!! they all agree on one thing and that is so boring!

mabhebheza
11 Aug 2008 03:31

the broom guy .....highlight of the show great show indeed!

mabhebheza
11 Aug 2008 03:39

Oh BS ...it was torture 4the broom guy shame 
I second u Luvbug the judges r ---->next

carino
11 Aug 2008 03:47

Did anyone watch the Shield Teens SYTYCD on e lastnight?

apex
11 Aug 2008 04:24

I agree 100%! they stuck to the format brilliantly, I liked how they played lots of current music in the background, made the show feel lively. The production was of a very high standard, was awesome to watch!

Shadow
11 Aug 2008 04:30

At least im not the only one that missed the Show...Maybe i'll have to 'ground' myself next week (god forbid).

tha - bang
11 Aug 2008 04:32

I agree 100%! they stuck to the format brilliantly, I liked how they played lots of current music in the background, made the show feel lively. The production was of a very high standard, was awesome to watch!doesn't that feel good to say something like this about an sabc 1 production nogal?its cool to see tey are really trying to improve on their productions

felfel
11 Aug 2008 04:44

I did Carino it was whack , what was that Dineo gal doing or am I tooo grown to understand these things???????

Da Rebel 1
11 Aug 2008 05:08

they should call it SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE BALLET??? Nx the show sucks, i didn't see any kwasakwasa or zenyoka what a waste of my precious time!!!

Sobza
11 Aug 2008 05:31

Did anyone watch the Shield Teens SYTYCD on e lastnight?

I did watch it and what a bore

Shirmell
12 Aug 2008 05:39

I think some of you are missing the point of the show, its to find dancers who can learn to do any type of dancing from hip hop, krumping, ballroom, latin american, swinging,etc. hence the people who are genuine dancers will stand a much better chance than your average street dancers, the judges are looking at the dancers who have the potential to be good in various styles of dancing, your average joe doing pantsula might not cut it when things get more serious as you'll see later on.

In the American version, its very seldom to find the street dancers such as the breakdancers getting very far in the show because of their lack of training.

I was impressed at the quality of the show, I'm loving the presenter as well as the judges including Harold, to my surprise.

Bonita
12 Aug 2008 06:47

All Ican say about the show , they should call it SO YOU THINK YOU CAN BALLET

Segololo
12 Aug 2008 08:58

Reb<<they should call it SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE BALLET??? Nx the show sucks, i didn't see any kwasakwasa or zenyoka what a waste of my precious time!!!>> II really think your cup of tea is the Thembi Seete Show JIKA MAJIKA.. 

THIS show is for REAL dancers, my luff! OR Were you one of the peeps that bloopered their way at the audition? and we laughed AT them...

Simmone
12 Aug 2008 09:06

what was that Dineo gal doing or am I tooo grown to understand these things???????

The target market for the show is 12-18 and aimed at the hip-hop, streets and club scene teen dance movements.

Beyonce Knowles Bee
12 Aug 2008 09:34

........(By the way is Harold a gay or what). .... To My Name oh bandla are we ever going get over the Sexuality za bantu!!! Harold is a good Judge that's all that matter not his sexuality please this is 2008!!!

But the Show was awesome i must add!!! But theres this very skinny Dude who was doing a Shakira/Beyonce dance haai he got me laughing!!!!

zeeva
16 Aug 2008 11:19

eyo first time tvsa blooger in the house. anyway i was impressed and disappointed at the same time, i recored the repaet and i expected so much more from the auditions. I wanted to LMAO and i didnt get that. well im home 2nyt and im hoping todays episode is better


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