When any reality show starts looking like its here to say, its easy for it to start falling into comfortable patterns.  We know that we can count on Trump’s voiceovers in the boardroom or overdramatic looks at tribal council.  We know that it’s never a full on foot race to the pit stop and we know there’s nothing more than water in Paula’s glass.  Still, we talk about it and we’ve come to expect it.  We even like it … even though we complain about it.  So You Think You Can Dance is now fully into its fourth season and, here at BuddyTV, we’ve started to notice a few cliches that seem to pop up week after week.  Read on to find out what they are and vote for the one you wouldn’t mind parting ways with!


Routines That Outshine Solos

Some contestants should be lucky that they get to work with the choreographers that they do. You can’t go wrong with Mia Michaels or Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo. The problem is that when you let contestants choreograph their own solos, they often fail to impress as much as paired routine. They don’t have the experience or the knowledge that Tyce DiOrio or Jean-Mac Generaux do and it often shows. A big exception? Will’s James Brown-inspired solo last night.

Showmance Rumors

It’s bound to happen. When you pair up two dancers who are attractive and bring a lot of chemistry to the dance floor, people are going to talk. Last year, Lacey and Kameron were the talk of season 3 when, in fact, there was nothing going on at all. Lacey was actually linked to Hok, a dancer she never took the stage with. This year, the talk was all about Gev and Courtney but it turns out talk is all it was.

Mary’s Misleading Comments

Mary Murphy is a sneaky little thing, isn’t she? She likes to let dancers think that she didn’t like their routine, takes a dramatic pause, then screams out how much she loved it, as her fellow judges bleed from the ears. Example from last night’s episode: “You two didn’t meet my expectations. ….. YOU EXCEEDED IT! WOOOOO!!!!” Sometimes, I’d like to buy her a one way ticket on the hot tamale train far, far away from here.

Mia Michaels Steals The Show

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that Mia Michaels can put up a seriously amazing routine each season, one that will leave you talking for years to come. Two years ago, Travis and Heidi performed the sunflower piece, earning Mia an Emmy nomination. Last year, she paid tribute to her father with an emotional routine performed by Neil and Lacey. Who knows which of her pieces will go down in the show’s history this year? Her routine last night for Twitch and Katee, about a psycho ex-girlfriend, is certainly one that, at the very least, I want to see on tour.

Hip Hop Dancers: Always The Bridesmaid, Never The Bride

You can love those hip hop dancers all you want but they’re never going to win a show like this. It requires too much technique and training and often times, hip hop dancers come with the least experience. Believe me, I’d like to see Twitch win as much a many other people but it’s for sentimental reasons, not because I think he’s the best dancer. He stands a very good shot at making final four but he’ll play second fiddle to Will, if all goes according to plan.

– Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)

Gina Scarpa

Staff Writer, BuddyTV