SYTYCD Season 6 Top 6 Finale Performances

It was 7:45pm. I was sitting on the couch in my comfy sweats when the phone rang. It was my mother, who now resides on the east coast. She had plenty to say about tonight's finale dances.

"You HAVE to record tonight's show! We're on the east coast now, you know. We've already seen all of the dances! There are some real WOW moments that you will want to see again and again.", she said. Like I had somehow forgotten that they just packed up and left my sister and I in California while they frolic away in Florida.

Then, I heard my dad chime in in the background. My dad rarely gives a rip about dancing, so I knew that tonight had to be good.

"Make sure you have room on your DVR! You'll want to watch some of these dances day after day.", he added.

Ok, I thought. I'm ready. Despite my disappointment in the show only being an hour long, and no all girl or all guy dance, I was pretty excited. Bring it on, I thought. Hit me with your best shot...

First up, was a smoking hot samba danced by Kathyrn and Ryan. An amazing way to start off the show. Loved the music and the one-leg balance work Kathryn did at the beginning. I think she should always wear fringe. Like always. Ryan was shirtless and I guess that's cool (if not a little cheesy), but Kathryn was the star of this number, for sure. GREAT choreography by Jason Gilkison.

Next, was a Broadway routine from Tyce that I didn't hate (!!), but I think he threw in extra leaps and falderal so that everyone would be looking at Jakob. Even so, Ellenore was HOT in this! Unless Jakob was leaping, I was looking at Ellenore. Loved her funky style and her adorably sexy attitude. Loved that her garter snapped at the end. Good stuff. Another strong number.

Third, and by far the awesomest thing I have seen in a while, Russell and Ashleigh took on a Sonya Tayeh MASTERPIECE (or lyrical jazz, as Cat called it). My goodness, Russell Russell RUSSELL! I was totally blown away by the perfectly imperfect style he brought to Sonya's genius choreography. Ashleigh, complete with a bedazzled crotch, was light and airy, but this number belonged to Russell. When he dances like this, I almost forget he's a krumper. He could walk into Alvin Ailey, like, tomorrow and fit in without missing a beat. And did I mention how awesome Sonya is?! 'Cuz she is, you know.

Ellenore and Ryan danced a freaking amazing Gary Stewart utilitarian "jazz" piece. Honestly, I didn't like it at first, but then as I figured out what was going on, I really got into it. Staccato movement on beats 1 and 3 are really difficult for dancers to understand because everything is usually done on the 2 and 4. Its even harder to watch and really "get". Gary Stewart comes through again with something so totally different and new to the American version of SYTYCD. And new is always good. New isn't predictable. New isn't stale. Nigel couldn't connect with it. I thought it was pretty damn cool.

Ashleigh and Jakob were up next with a Jean-Marc and France foxtrot. This is the one clunker so far. I think that this whole night should be renamed "One million different ways to make Jakob leap into the air and show off his flexibility". I honestly wasn't feeling this one...maybe it had to do with Ashleigh's side ponytail. Or maybe the fact that she pointed at the audience during the number. Pure. Unadulterated. Cheese.

Russell and Ellenore tackled a Jason Gilkison paso doble next. DAMN, this was good! Ellenore was fierce and Russell looked incredible. The silhoutte of Ellenore at the beginning was a creative way to showcase her without giving her too much solo time. Jason Gilkison's choreography is so head and shoulders above all the other ballroom choreographers on this show, its not even funny. This was strong, dramatic, and quite entertaining. There's no denying that Russell and Ellenore are definitely killing it tonight!

OOOOOOOOOOH, Desmond Richardson. My god, I love that man. His contemporary piece for Kathryn and Jakob was nothing short of breathtaking. His choreography is always so intricate and difficult and lovely and this piece was no exception. Kathryn...my lord. And despite the fact that it was yet another egregious display of Jakob's flexibility, control and sheer amplitude in the air, I really got quite emotional while watching this. Like Adam, I think I'm just going to stop talking. It was that good.

Contemporary Travis Wall mushy mush. Husband and wife dancing together in the finals to a super emotional song. I should seriously hate this. I don't. At all. I found Ashleigh and Ryan's performances to be honest, genuine and touching. So weird. What the hell is happening to me!? I'm the freaking Enforcer, damn it! Two numbers in a row have gotten me all teary. WTF?!

Oh, who am I kidding? I cry every time I go to the ballet. Dance makes me well up with emotion. Always has. Sue me.

Next up, a Tabolean hip-hop for Kathryn and Russell, my new power couple. You know, I really like Tabolean SO MUCH MORE when there is no lame story behind the number. I thought this was pretty cool. I liked the song, I liked Russell's attitude, Kathryn's stank face was actually kinda hard, and without the bullshit mush-fest story, the choreography was pretty damn good, too. Wow. A Tabolean routine I didn't hate. Go figure.

So, who's our next champion? I've honestly got no idea! If I had to bet, and I hate betting, I'd put my money on either Russell or Kathryn, although Jakob and Ellenore also had very solid nights. And Ashleigh might get the same emotional votes that kept her in the competition over Mollee. My point is that its really anyone's game. Everyone had a strong night and it will be a very difficult choice for America to make.

Who did I vote for? Need you ask? ;) RUSSELL. Like, on every phone line we have in this house. Twice. He is just too bucc for words. Hope he takes it home, although I'd be happy with Kathryn or Ellenore as well. We'll see tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Previews for tonight's dose of Tabatha

Its no secret that I love me some White Witch. Tabatha cracks the whip and takes no prisoners. Tabatha's Salon Takeover is one of my fave shows and the kind folks at Bravo sent us over a few previews of tonight's new episode:

It seems Tabatha is coming to her breaking point when she flips out on the employees of her latest salon takeover! When the employees prove to make classic, lazy, and amateur mistakes, Tabatha gets fed up. Will she give up or will she pull it together to whip them into shape?

Trying to amp it up:

Done with excuses:

Addressing the wrong formula:

Aaaah, looks like good times. Having watched the last season of this show, it takes A LOT to rattle Tabatha and this time she appears to be at her wit's end. Can't wait to see what shakes out this week!

Real Housewives of Orange County-Cougar Cosmo

(Photo Courtesy: bravotv.com)

Alexis took her little girls to get their first mani-pedis. They were in very nice dresses and had their hair done, she clearly has nannies, trying to dress a toddler is like trying to catch a greased hog. But ahhhh, did I feel good when one of them had a meltdown in the salon (which I assume is the Newport Coast Happy Nails), and she had to deal with it all by herself. Welcome to my world. I did find it quite tacky when she said she was not suited to play on the floor with kids for nine hours a day. Who is *really* suited for that? You just do what you have to do to keep your kids happy and learning, or you let your nannies do it while you focus on yourself and your "maintenance" as Alexis likes to put it!

Lynne heads to Dr. Ambe's office for her face lift, which she says is just like whitening your teeth nowadays. Only in Orange County (and a few other cities in the U.S.). Lynne's daughter, Raquel, heads in for her nose job the same day.Sweet Santa Claus, two women at home recovering from surgery, not a fun time for Lynne's husband, ahem, nurse man. I do have to say, when they took Lynne's bandages off after two days, she looked so much better than I thought!

Vicki is planning a girl's trip to Florida, calls Tamra and Tamra does not think she will be able to go because she does not travel without Simon. WTF? Control issues much? Tamra is entering real estate again, and Simon does not want her away from the kids, but it does not seem like he is pulling in the dough either.

Alexis and Gretchen had lunch at Charlie Palmer and the waiter offered them a Cougar Cosmo! Ouch!! At lunch, Alexis makes it clear she has the best marriage but will not travel without her husband. Gretchen has no problem going without Slade. FYI- It ceases to be a girl's trip when the men come.

Tamra and Gretchen have a drink to make some peace. Gretchen continues to deny that she had a relationship with Jay, Tamra asks her to remove her blog post rant about Tamra. Gretchen will not respond to an ultimatum, but this is a roadblock for Tamra. Jesus you two, enough already, this is so being dragged out for airtime.

SYTYCD Season 6: Top 8 Performances

Recently, I've allowed myself to get caught up in all kinds of SYTYCD frippery. Conspiracies, theories, explanations and opinions as to why things have been happening. I've even questioned my ability to effectively communicate my thoughts. All of this only served to distract me from what SYTYCD is really about...dancing! So from here on out, I vow to focus on that which I feel qualified to speak about (dancing and injuries) and leave the other stuff to the better writers. Fair?

But before I get to the dancing, allow me to take a little side trip down Certified Athletic Trainer Lane. For about seven years, I earned my paychecks as an athletic trainer, working at both the high school and college levels. I've worked with every kind of athlete imaginable and I've seen LOTS of shoulder dislocations. They're pretty dang traumatic. If this is Ashleigh's first dislocation, she won't be dancing for a while. Chronic dislocations are a different story, but even so, the sheer nature of the choreography on this show requires some pretty stable shoulders. If Ashleigh makes it through tonight's elimination (without actually dancing), I'll bet she'll bow out of the competition because of her shoulder. I can't really imagine a doctor clearing her to dance at this level if this is her first dislocation. Ok, that's all I've got to say about that. On to the dancing...

Last night, the top 8 7 dancers took the floor for to compete for our votes. And I have to say, I liked almost everything I saw...to a certain extent of course. Snoriana's disco was actually cute and fun, Joey Dowling's Broadway was really well done (but maybe its because I love Annie so much), and Shane Sparks' number reminded me what I loved about early 90s hip hop. Super honorable mention for Mollee and Jakob's perfectly choreographed waltz. Good times, all around! But several pieces really stood out for me last night.

1. Ryan and Kathyrn's cha cha. My good-NESS, this was smoking, sultry and delicious. Kathryn really benefited from having Ryan has her partner this week. His ballroom expertise brought her up to a whole 'nuther level of sexy and confident. To be honest, I'm not even sure if Ryan was in this number because all I could see was Kathryn and her purple fringed hips of sensuality. Even after physically *trying* to focus Ryan, my eyes kept going back to her. That ending pose?! Reeeee-diculously good! By far, the best number of the night.

2. Russell's...well, everything he did last night! He had to dance both numbers essentially solo (as Ashleigh was supposed to be his partner) with Shane Sparks' and Nakul's assistants. They could have easily outshined him in their own styles, but he managed to kill both dances, as well as his solo. Krumping Klaus...the gift that keeps on giving. He BETTER make the finals! He is so far beyond cool its not even funny.

3. Legacy and Ellenore's contemporary, blatant rip-off of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Its the song that really made this one for me. I LOVES me some Portishead and the loud, noisy notes of "Machine Gun" sounded amazing. It fit the number perfectly. But, as I stated over at the SYTYCD Social, I really would have preferred the dance to be to "All Mine". Its a smoother song so the choreography would have had to be a little different, but "All Mine" has the same dark, sinister edge without the noise. Travis really did a great job of using Legacy's strengths, but I would have loved to see him use Ellenore more effectively. She is SO talented, and I feel that this piece was done for Legacy to show his stuff (and boy, did he ever!). Nevertheless, I thought it was one of the best dances of the night. Legacy's back extension roll on the table while Ellenore slid in between his arms? SO cool and interesting! Not an Emmy-nomination dance as Nigel stated, but still really freaking good.

Cat's gold lamé romper, though? NOT GOOD. NOT AT ALL. Honey, no! Just no!

As far as who's going home tonight, I think it might be Ashleigh and Ryan, but it also could be Legacy or Mollee (although she had a hell of a night!). All I can say is that I hope Russell, Kathryn and Ellenore make it through. They are truly entertaining and I think any one of them could take it all. I will be at a Sharks game tonight, so I will miss the eliminations. Fingers crossed that my faves make it through!!

Top Chef- Las Vegas Finale Sneak Peak

After an incredible season, tomorrow night is the season finale of Top Chef: Las Vegas! It has all come down to three chefs in the dramatic season finale! The final three chefs – Kevin Gillespie, Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio compete –along with some twists and surprises– to determine who will be crowned the winner of Top Chef: Vegas. Will it be one of the Brothers Voltaggio? Or will Kevin show the judges some winning Southern cooking? There can only be one "Top Chef." Who will take home the title?

Only One Will Be Top Chef:


Final Breakfast Table:

Million Dollar Listing- Finale Clips

It's a crazy day in the real estate market as we say goodbye to everyone's favorite brokers tonight on the SEASON FINALE of Million Dollar Listing.

Here’s what’s happening tonight, Josh tries to move a half-demolished home in Beverly Hills only to have a buyer's agent tear into him during negotiations, will his deal fall through? Meanwhile, Madison picks up a dream client in a nightmare market, a buyer with plenty of cash to spend. And Chad tries to win back Victoria by mixing business and pleasure, will he successfully woo Victoria back or is this the end of their relationship?


Taking The Cake:


Keeping Secrets:


Hoping He's Funny:

LXD on SYTYCD

Ok, this has to be the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.

If you're not feelin' it (and I'd gladly call you crazy if that's the case), at least skip to 1:40 and enjoy how synchronized the amazing Capoiera-esque choreography is. I'd be impressed if ONE person did all that...but three? In perfect unison? Jaw-dropping. I seriously can't get enough. In fact, I'm totally in love with how difficult this piece is and how incredibly all the dancers performed it.

Can't wait to see more from the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Word is that big things are around the corner for them! And Legacy's involved with the project as well! Have I mentioned lately how much I love him? ;)