I don’t know what it is about babies and animals talking or doing uncharacteristic things that makes them so successful in television commercials, but apparently it doesn’t get old.
This is the number one viral video on the interwebs right now. Watch it, and then tell me why. Pleeeeeeeease.
PS- Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile.
[Posted by Kathleen]
Here is a Youtube gem! Brought to my attention by our Seoul correspondent, it is sure to impress. The clips come from a 1992 documentary about Wildwood, NJ. Just watch. You won’t be disappointed.
[Posted by Kathleen]
Alright. I know. This post is late… but it’s both of our faults. I’m having some trouble getting Chris to send me his posts on time and he’s having some trouble getting me to post them when he sends them. Oops.
This week Toni Basil joined the panel of judges. Back in the day she was pretty legit. And by legit, I mean that unlike the pop stars of the day (*cough* Britney), Toni Basil could both dance and sing at the same time.
Exhibit A:
All that being said, she bothers me for two reasons:
1. Her judging comments just bother me.
2. She hasn’t aged. This leaves me to believe that she has a really good plastic surgeon – OR – she is a sorceress. Seriously, SWTCTW readers, she was born in 1943. Something is not right here, and I would like to see someone get to the bottom of it. In the mean time, if she offers you an apple, don’t eat it.
I feel better now that I have gotten that off my chest…
My Mia returned this week. With a butt dance. For me, it was lacking the certain something that is normally a part of her choreography. It was interesting, and about a butt. Despite a couple clumsy stumbles by Evan. He dropped the shoe, and he had to balance himself with his hand at one point in order not to fall over. It was distracting for me. Having worked quite a few dance shows as a lighting tech, I understand that dancers are notoriously clumsy, but it’s usually backstage.
In keeping with the butt theme, Philip and Jeanine did a Broadway number, during which, Philip split the seat of his pants. [Dear Producers: The close-up shot of the split was not necessary.] Let’s go easy on Philip, though, he did just jump over a couch, length-wise. Mary Murphy was a fan of the jump too. “I’m allergic to feathers, but I wasn’t allergic to that number (screams)!!!!” Oh Mary, such the wordsmith.
Voted off this week: Jonathan and Asuka
[Posted by Kathleen]
Filed under blogging, celebrities, dance, definitely not politics, education, music, news, pop culture, random, the arts, thoughts, TV, YouTube
I’m going to be honest, SWTCTW readers. This week was disappointing.
I don’t know why host Cat Deeley thought it was a good idea to come to work dressed in a red table cloth. But she did. I’m no fashion expert, but I can spot a table cloth when I see one. But I’m not guest blogging about Project Runway, so I’ll move on. But seriously – it was a table cloth.
Now, for Mary Murphy. At the start of Wednesday’s show some comments were made about her behavior during last week’s episodes. It’s generally not a good idea to directly call out someone suffering from PAS, because when you do, they say something stupid in response like, “What happens on the performance show stays on the performance show.” Hey Mary: no it doesn’t. #1, you’re on TV. #2, we all now have DVR. Last week’s demonstration of your special brand of crazy has been saved forever. Also, Mary – the “not” jokes… so 2007.
Little C. I don’t understand. Here’s my favorite quote from Wednesday’s show: “I believe the primary focus of all obstacles is to induce labor so progression can be born. So follow me check it out. And I believe that right now I just saw the birth of progression in two amazing dancers.” I have no idea what this means, but I’m going to assume it was intended as a compliment. See for yourselves (4 minutes in):
Voted off this week: Max and Ashley
[Posted by Chris, via Kathleen]
Filed under blogging, celebrities, dance, definitely not politics, music, pop culture, random, the arts, thoughts, TV, YouTube
Apparently it’s Taylor Swift week here at SWTCTW. My sister — who certainly takes the cake for being the most diehard T. Swift fan in the family — just passed along this video, with this added commentary: “SHE CAN DO EVERYTHING. I love her love her, and ‘On a Boat’ is my new favorite song, could it get any better?”
No, dear sister, it probably couldn’t:
I’ve gotta say, my respect for the venerable T. Swift went up quite a bit after I saw this, much like my respect for Justin Timberlake (and T-Pain, now that you mention it) skyrocked after their SNL appearances. Who doesn’t love famous people who are willing to mock themselves?
[Posted by Mallory]
Filed under celebrities, humor, music, pop culture, YouTube
Say what you will about Taylor Swift (and I’ll say this: I unabashedly love her), but this arrangement is absolutely gorgeous. You have to watch until the end, where the composer talks about his daughter and how he arranged the piece for her. Even Kathleen teared up:
[Posted by Mallory]
Filed under family, music, pop culture, the arts, YouTube
Yes I’ve posted videos like this before. Yes, I’m obsessed with random dance routines in awkward public places, what of it? It’s hilarious! And that old man is really breaking it down. Does anybody want to start the DC Hammer Pants Dance brigade?
[Posted by Kathleen]
I’m pretty late to joining the Kings of Leon bandwagon, but I’m totally in the front seat now. They are AMAZING. I recently read the Rolling Stone cover article about them (excerpts here), and I think they have a such an intriguing story. All related, came from a weird intensely religious background, got into music pretty late in the game, get drunk and get rowdy on a regular basis and aren’t afraid to admit it, etc. etc. Plus there’s a lot of beardage going on, and Caleb’s voice is freaking phenomenal.
One of the girls I stayed with this weekend, Ashley, has been a major Kings of Leon fan since the beginning, so we spent a solid chunk of time this weekend dancing around, drinking Coronas, and blasting their music. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to spend most of my summer continuing that trend.
[Posted by Mallory]
Filed under adventures, crushes, music, pop culture, YouTube
This time, Chris is late! HA! But anyway, I love his diagnosis…it’s hilarious!
I’m not a doctor, but I’m going to stand by my diagnosis. Anyone that saw Wednesday night’s episode knows what I’m talking about here – and I, for one, am concerned. Reality TV judges are at risk. Specifically, the female judge sitting in the middle seat of any given seems to be vulnerable to Paula Abdul Syndrome or, as we in the medical blogging community call it, PAS.
The symptoms of PAS are clear: slurred speech; wild hand gestures; crying; etc… symptoms often prompt weird looks or agitated comments from judges sitting nearby on the panel.
[Please entertain a small digression. This is a plea to all judges sitting near a PAS victim. They can’t help it. And it should help you to know that even though we aren’t there with you, it is just as painful for all of us to watch at home. Try to show some compassion, and know that you’re not alone. /digression]
The cause of PAS is still unknown, but medical experts (I) have begun to narrow down the suspected causes. To do this, they (I) had to rely on photographic and video evidence, as an in-person study of someone infected with PAS may be unsafe – and the experts (I) don’t want to be responsible for causing a pandemic.
So far, PAS seems to have attacked only women, although its too early to say for sure. The location of the infected judge’s seat seems to play a role as well. There just seems to be something about that middle seat. (An odd cause, you say? Maybe, but have you ever sat in the middle seat for a long flight? That’s what I thought – and I hope you will think twice before questioning the medical experts (me) again…) This brings us to the cups. Enough said there, I think. The wild hand gestures are an unresolved question for the experts studying PAS. So far its unclear whether or not they contribute to the cause of PAS, or if they are a symptom. These certainly are scary times.
Mary’s struggle with PAS was borderline distracting; but here are some of the best numbers from the night…
Philip and Jeanine:
Jason and Caitlin:
Voted off this week: Tony and Parris
[Posted by Chris, via Kathleen]
Okay, okay. So this was supposed to be posted last week. EPIC FAIL on my part. Chris met his deadline, I didn’t do my end of the deal (I was in a wedding…excuses, excuses.). So let’s just consider it a refresher for last week in preparation for tonight!
I have decided that I have one year to get my dance moves up to par. I will be starring in Season 6. [Edit: Season 6 auditions have already started.] This week the Top 20 were named. I’m not saying that I anticipate making it that far when I make my SYTYCD debut. But I figure with a year of hard work I could score a ticket to Vegas. That’s good enough for me.
Wednesday night we were treated to two full hours of dancing mayhem – a sort of preview for the rest of the season. I’m crazy about Mia Michaels – and we got to see one of her routines. And in Thursday night’s episode saw the fangs come out. She had clearly been drinking out of Tyce’s “bitchy queen” water bottle. Her choreography, though, was – of course – great. I guess being a bitchy queen is one of the perks of being really super awesome at your job.
I really like this character Tony. His audition was pretty clever. Mia’s routine gave him such a difficult time that they made him try it again later in the day. This clip serves both the purpose of introducing you to Tony and showing off Mia’s stuff – cause I love her (even though I’m scared of her). A super efficient choice of YouTube clip, I know. You’re welcome.
My buddy Natalie was sent home – I think unfairly. And yes, I will be writing a letter (and you should too). We met her last season when it the top 20 came down to a head to head between her and her less cool roommate. Her roommate made it and she was sent home. Here’s here audition video from this season:
So we have our Top 20 for the summer. Now the fun begins with the good dancing and all that jazz. Congratulations SWTCTW, I hereby declare that summer has arrived!
[Posted by Chris, via Kathleen]
six words to change the world. 