Can they even pretend at this point that prior performance doesn't count?

Have they been saying that? I haven't watched last night's (I, er, put it on, immediately paused it and left it paused for two hours while I read old Bureaucracy posts. Something is wrong with me), but but they have always talked about contestants' (that's not the word I want, is it?) previous work, except last year the judges weren't around consistently enough to be able to include previous work...

Because I don't know where else to put this... The League of Extraordinary Dancers gave a TED talk. V. little talking, mostly dancing. [link] Stick around, the last is the best.

I love seeing breakdancing turned into group choreography, and to live music no less!

I do wish Lil C had done a better job of staying in the spotlight for his solo.

that was really fucking good. I got a kick out of the dancers talking about dance and almost fully using their bodies when they gave their intro segments. You could really tell that physically is how they communicate. Period.

I thought that the Lil C issue was a problem with the camera work, not him. Their camera work left a lot to be desired. Too set up for single, solitary speakers.

No, they're from last night sumi. I was just being ... overly cautious?

PR: Yeah, that was ridic. Emilio so should have gone home over that monstrosity. And he had so much cord he totally could have made something that at least covered her freaking body. And it was pink! Godawful.

This was one of those challenges where I think about what I'd do, and although I am so not a designer, it seems like great fun. I think I would have tried landscape fabric as the base and a garden hose hat/collar/thinger. It would have been ridiculous, but ridiculous fun.

OTOH, Jay's outfit was unbelievably gorgeous. I was worried when he stated his premise, but I can't argue with the execution. I also thought Maya's was lovely, and creative, a good use of materials.

I loved Amy's outfit too!

LXD: Man, they really are extraordinary aren't they? I agree about the physical way they express themselves even talking. It's like how winners on Idol scream, those on SYTYCD jump, those on Joseph, err, cry. You know, singers are vocal, dancers are physical, actors emote. It's kinda awesome.

Lil C's movement always leaves me breathless. That man's sheer physicality, the way he fully inhabits his body. Whew. I feel a little faint.

I miss being a dancer. Not that I was ever serious, nor could I be; I lack the flexibility. But I loved that experience of really being in my body, not just piloting it around. Like the potential for explosive movement was always bubbling away there just under the surface.

I know exactly what the one dancer meant when he said it's just his body's response to the music. There's definitely a space out there where it's not choreo or even moves, although you know them, you have the vocabulary, but it's sheer expression. And that's the joy, right there.

I know exactly what the one dancer meant when he said it's just his body's response to the music. There's definitely a space out there where it's not choreo or even moves, although you know them, you have the vocabulary, but it's sheer expression. And that's the joy, right there.

Yep.

Mythbusters....I watched an episode yesterday that I hadn't seen since 2003, back when we lived in a rental townhouse. It's one of the first season ("Tree Cannon"), and Adam and Jamie go to a guy's house in West Virginia, where he lets them fire one of his cannons.

Except it's not West Virginia. It's West Springfield, Virginia. Right around the corner from my house.

The Mythbusters were once mere steps from my house!

dies of fangrrl happiness

Is anyone else really tired of Mila at this point?

Nope. In fact, I'll put money down right now for Mila for the win. Of course, the break between the main competition and finals night can make a huge difference, but on the whole, she's been the most consistent, and while there have been themes, I wouldn't say she's been one-note. Also, that dress last night was rockin'.