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'So You Think You Can Dance': Lady Gaga eloquently overshadows Top 8
When executive producer and head judge Nigel Lythgoe spoke of Lady Gaga's scheduled appearance on the panel earlier this season of "So You Think You Can Dance," he mentioned his curiosity about what kind of judge the pop star be.
Well, now we can safely say that she's a vocal one.
In typical Gaga fashion, the guest judge for the Top 8 performance night started the show hidden under a blue wig, glasses and hat. But as she became more loquacious, interrupting Nigel, flailing her arms and finding parallels in many of the dances to her own life and career, she came out of her physical shell as well.
Should the show be this focused on a guest panelist three weeks shy of the finale? Definitely not. But she did have her share of valid criticisms and smart commentary, which is more than we can say for a lot of predecessors and fellow guest Rob Marshall.
As for the Top 8 dancers, there were a few standouts -- Sasha and Pasha's quickstep and Melanie and Neil's contemporary among them -- though none were received as well as Marko's contemporary number with all-star Allison and Melanie and Sasha's pulsing, futuristic girl-on-girl ballet. Both numbers came from choreographer Sonya Tayeh and now rank at the top of her already impressive "SYTYCD" catalog. (Watch them both below.)
And if Marko didn't move you to tears (like he did Gaga), watch this exchange with his mother, who was in the audience for the first time after flying in from Guam.
Marko, Sasha and Melanie seem like safe bets for Season 8 finale, leaving a spot for one more guy.
Well, now we can safely say that she's a vocal one.
In typical Gaga fashion, the guest judge for the Top 8 performance night started the show hidden under a blue wig, glasses and hat. But as she became more loquacious, interrupting Nigel, flailing her arms and finding parallels in many of the dances to her own life and career, she came out of her physical shell as well.
Should the show be this focused on a guest panelist three weeks shy of the finale? Definitely not. But she did have her share of valid criticisms and smart commentary, which is more than we can say for a lot of predecessors and fellow guest Rob Marshall.
As for the Top 8 dancers, there were a few standouts -- Sasha and Pasha's quickstep and Melanie and Neil's contemporary among them -- though none were received as well as Marko's contemporary number with all-star Allison and Melanie and Sasha's pulsing, futuristic girl-on-girl ballet. Both numbers came from choreographer Sonya Tayeh and now rank at the top of her already impressive "SYTYCD" catalog. (Watch them both below.)
And if Marko didn't move you to tears (like he did Gaga), watch this exchange with his mother, who was in the audience for the first time after flying in from Guam.
Marko, Sasha and Melanie seem like safe bets for Season 8 finale, leaving a spot for one more guy.
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Lady Gaga looked stupid! Wow, talk about someone stuck on themselves. Final four will be Melanie, Sasha, Marko & Tadd.
I agree with your final four--Melanie, Marko, Tadd and Sasha are the ones I look forward to seeing each week. I think they belong in the finale
I kinda wanna see Jess and Marko or Tadd-- I think he's versatile in a way that Tadd just isn't in ballroom. Mel's a shoo in, so that leaves Sasha or Jordan for me. Jordan really made me notice her w her flexibility last night. I still think the winner will be Mel or Marko though. Sasha is good, but it feels like she has one mode-- intense.
I completely agree with everyone. Marko was so wonderful last night. Both of his dances stood out to me. I have no doubt he will be in the finale and I am hoping he wins because he is my favorite. Sasha does seem to have that intensity to her that often isnot needed. I dont think she is very feminine in her dance. Melanie is always amazing but Im kind of tired of hearing that alot. And Tadd is great but he doesnt stand out as much as Marko
Anyone else see the fly hanging out on Gaga's hat about halfway thru...?
Now THAT's a fashion statement! :)
I watched this show for the first time because of the very special guest judge, Lady Gaga. Who are these judges?! Total snoozes. I was shocked to see such tame personalities on FOX ... I imagined it to be more like American Idol. Gaga made the show watchable -- love that she entertained us with her shoe!
Gaga did a amazing job last night. It was obvious that she is truly a watcher of the show. She gave constructive criticism and all around great advice.
Her outfit was fun and colorful and I know for some 'haters' that is what they will cling to but for me her words and how she was engaged in what the contestants were doing was the standout part of her judging.
Loved her as a judge, and can't wait for her to perform tonight...mostly because I bet (hope!) MARK will be back on the SYTYCD stage as a backup dancer for Gaga! I can't help but wish he was an all-star but he has moved on to bigger and better..
I think Gaga was ridiculous. Her comments had no basis, and she is soooo full of herself. Everything she said she tried to tie back to herself. And her comment to Caitlin about the trophies? One of the meanest things I think any of the judges have ever said to anyone. Her performance was not that good either.....she was flat. Sorry sweetie, your blue hair still didn't make your performance anymore exciting. The other thing she showed is that she really isn't a good a good dancer, so who is she to try and apss judgement over these contestants? I think its kind of sad that so much of the attention was directed towards her when there were 8 incredible dancers up there last night
One problem I had with Gaga's comments involved the choreography: she said a few times some variation of, "That's not how I would have one it." Of course. You give any ten people a song to choreograph, and you'll have ten different routines. The judges aren't there to judge the choreography -- the dancers can't do anything about that. They're to judge how the dancers danced.