I Take Back What I Said Recently about So You Think You Can Dance

The kids have won me over, except one, who is insufferable in that way that some kids, who think they are so adorable and charming, can be. (Not naming names, can’t publicly diss a child, but God I hope he gets eliminated soon. Sorry.)

I guess not having kids I forget just how much depth children can actually possess. Also, I had no idea how genuinely accomplished they can become. All the other child-dancers I’ve seen fall into the category of “good for their age.” The kids they’ve selected are great for any age.

Also, this week one of the judges made the point that one of the routines was made special precisely because the choreographer (Travis Wall), and the adult dancer (Robert), had to incorporate a child (J.T.), and they did so with incredible creativity and feeling. You have to watch it. (THe video I linked to has been removed.). Robert pulls J.T. through a “mirror” and up into the air and down, something that two adults dancers could not have done to this degree. But it also highlights a relationship between an adult and a child (in this routine, the child is supposed to be the adult dancer in his earlier years) in a moving way. I’m rooting for you J. T. (And Tate and Emma.)

The show perfectly addressed my disappointment about not having the pleasure of watching adults dance by pairing up the children with former SYTYCD favorites, and including adult-only routines. The only downside at this point are the eliminations. They are still children after all, and it’s heart-breaking to see them voted off. Much, much, much more so than with the adults. (I’m also going to miss their adult partners.)

So, I was wrong. This version of the show is great.

A shot from inside the library at the New York Academy of Medicine, where I happily conducted some research this week. Except I didn’t find what I was looking for. But still. Look at this place. A very lovely room to spend time, surrounded by books, some of which were hundreds of years old.