Idol news: Um... I mean, I love Ellen, but really?

I think this is a terrible idea. Just awful. She nearly ruined SYTYCD.

And ... she has a show! I don't get it.

Keeping my eyes covered about Top Chef (I'm just getting started with Glee; TC is next) but I have to burble about tonight's SYTYCD audition round. It's soooo terrific to see some really strong tappers trying out.

I really hope that Bianca gets to the top 20--she was probably my favorite girl to miss out last year.

And Ryan is even more charismatic than Evan. Nice to see him perform without a hat on. The other male tapper who finished off the show was even better than Ryan!!

Man, it's too bad you can't get a live feed of the judge's table like on Big Brother. I'd totally pay money to watch that whole dinner unfold.

I have to start of by giving a big ole WTF to Ellen being a permanent judge on AI. They are obviously trying to kill the show. What is the point of her being on the show? Say what you will about Paula and all of her crazy, homegirl moved tons of records back in the day. She knows about pop stardom. No one hates Judge #4 more than me, but the bitch has written pop songs for several major artists. Simon Cowell can smell money on a farm fresh kid and his bona fides are all in order. Randy is completely useless as a judge, but he has cred as a producer of the schlocky kind of pop that is AI's stock in trade. And Ellen is bringing what? Kicky dance moves? A very pretty wife? Bad hair? Ewww. Very poor move, AI.

Now on to happier times. Lots of talent on display on tonight's SYTYCD. I loved the quick snippets we got to see of Alexie and of Paula van Oppen. Paula, especially, is amazing. Such great quality of movement and she was amazingly grounded. I would really like to see more. Also loved the couple of seconds we got of the ballet guy, David something, and then Brandon Dumlao from that same segment. The girl in the middle of those two kind of seemed like a hair flipping monster, but I could be wrong. That's what I thought about Kayla last season and she turned out to be great. I thought neither that little black girl Amber nor the HSM blonde girl, Molly, were as good as the judges made out, but both of them were pleasant dancers with solid technique. And both young, so there's room to grow and surprise. Also, pretty much free of the weird competition tics that so many young girls like that have. I'm torn about Bianca and Ryan. They were both just ridiculous. That tap battle was the best part of the night. And yet, I really don't think I want to see either of them on the show, for very different reasons. I don't want Ryan because I just think his tenure on the show would be Evan redux with half the cute factor. I'd much rather have him as a choreographer on the show. I don't want Bianca because I was so put out by the attitude on display upon her not making the top 20 last season. She has ugly ways and that will tell over a long season. Great dancer, super talented, but she will not be America's favorite dancer. I'd rather see someone new.

I knew we were going to get a good show when Cat showed up in her bedsheet/toga and Mary was dressed for a day at the Happy Hooker Retirement Village.

To be perfectly honest, if I had to choose between Ryan and Phillip, the other male tapper we saw tonight, I'd go with Phillip. Much more charismatic to my eyes. But, I'd totally love to see Ryan show up as a choreographer!

I was just really thrilled to see so many strong tappers. I really thought that tapping was out of fashion--here's hoping this means there's a revival!

I was about to say--I would love to see Phillip on the show, but I'd be happy with Ryan or Bianca in addition to him, because I enjoyed the tap off.

Would love to see Phillip make the show! I thought he was wonderful. He really had his own thing going on and the tapping was great. And if he's been in a touring company of Fosse, he can definitely do other things - at least good Jazz/contemporary. And he's very easy on the eyes.

I can't wait to see that screaming kid next week. He looks like fun.

ETA: I'm going to try to keep my blog going for this season's SYTYCD, although I fear burning out by the time AI S9 kicks off. Then again, the way the season is shaping up for AI, that might not be such a bad thing.

Forgot two things--I thought Christina (e) who did the hip hop salsa was fantastic dancer, but something about her was off-putting.

I also wonder how Phillip knows that Ryan has a smiley face on his bum.