I guess I'm just inclined to think ill of the show where this is concerened because they have done it in the past, most egregiously with faboo dancer and S4 champion Joshua. I suppose they feel like it makes for a better storyline, but I just can't abide it. Lots of people train in different styles but are pretty mediocre at things outside of their specialty. It's still pretty fucking incredible to be that good at so many different styles of dance. Most especially given the time frame that these kids have to pick up unfamiliar styles. It's just so unnecessary to pretend like these kids have less training than they actually have. Down with the krumpwashing!

And even if Russell has been co-opted into walking it back (and I think he has done so), I'd be very surprised if he weren't doing it in response to producer manipulation.

Top Chef: I like that it seemed to be both Mike's food and his attitude that got him sent home over Robin.

Yes - excellent elimination on TC.

I don't get why there was so little in the way of starch. Pasta or rice or couscous all would have made sense to me.

There is an entire PhD's worth of material in SYTYCD's treatment of issues of race, class, masculinity, and sexuality in the male dancers. Looking at the "street" dancers from this season alone, Legacy is clearly by FAR the least trained - I would honestly be surprised if he's had any formal classes at all. It's obvious by his struggles in Vegas. Russell was shown in Vegas wearing capri-length skin-tight leggings (not very street!) - I'm *sure* he's had ballet. (I do think he hasn't had any ballroom classes, but that's not unusual for many of the dancers - I doubt most contemporary dancers have had any ballroom to speak of.)

I honestly think this is one reason the male dancers are more interesting in many ways - dance is societally problematic for straight males, especially straight males of color.

Agreeing with above comments on SYTYCD. They have this weird dichotomy they need to work out for themselves: they praise dancers who are well-trained (Travis, Danny, etc.), and they like to feign amazement when hip-hop/street dancers are well-trained (although aren't we supposed to be about celebrating good training?).

Add to this the inconsistent judging and it really is a mess. I hope Russell does well and makes it far because I really like him. They have some really strong, male dancers this year.

I've been trying to read into Jen's TC interview segments -- is she giddy because she's relieved to have been kicked off, or has she gotten her mojo back and is happy because she's in the finals after all?

Hard to say, Jesse. Interesting idea, though.

It's been hard to watch her the last two episodes -- she really does look like she's given up.

I hope she's gotten her mojo back!

It's been hard to watch her the last two episodes -- she really does look like she's given up.

Or seriously, seriously exhausted.

However, I'm hoping this explains a cryptic (at the time) comment Tom C. made in an interview about this season.

Did anyone see that crazy promo for that crazy Top Chef Reunion dinner? Cutting to Carla v. Casey? AWK-ward.