Fall TV Blog

Jennifer Lopez fans have another reason to catch her comeback performance live at the 2009 American Music Awards on Sunday. That’s because when the “Fresh Out the Over” singer takes the stage, she’ll be moving to choreography by So You Think You Can Dance’s Emmy-nominated husband and wife team Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo — or as they’re affectionately known in the dance community, Nappytabs.

“It is an exciting thing for us and one of the things we’ve always wanted to do,” Napoleon tells PEOPLE of their chance to work with one of their longtime dance idols.

“You can expect to be entertained and you won’t be disappointed,” assures Tabitha, who has been teaching dance professionally with Napoleon for 15 years (11 of those as husband and wife).

The pair, who has worked with stars like Beyoncé and Missy Elliott, is known for an innovative lyrical hip-hop style that has garnered them quite a following since they joined the FOX show in 2008. And that following includes Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony. (more…)

Whether his delivery was too harsh or not, it seems the majority of So You Think You Can Dance contestants got Nigel Lythgoe’s message loud and clear last week when he said he was “angry” after elimination night’s solos.

“The show was an improvement from last week [and] the solos were an improvement from last week,” Adam Shankman told PEOPLE backstage Wednesday night. “It’s kicking in now.”

Despite Mollee and Nathan’s jazz number, which PEOPLE.com blogger tWitch said demonstrated they “had chemistry and were so on point with each other,” the couple still ended up in the bottom three.

Nigel called that a possible “backlash” from last week, but said this week their routine (and his attitude) were much improved. “[Nathan] still seems a little arrogant,” Nigel explained. “They’re not voting against him, they just didn’t vote for him.”

Still, after their solos, the judges kept the couple, deciding instead to send home contemporary dancer Channing Cooke, 18, and hip-hopper Kevin Hunte, 23. (more…)

What up doc! It’s your boy tWitch, still Stomping the Yard in Hotlanta! I am back once again to share with you my thoughts on Tuesday’s performance show of So You Think You Can Dance. First thing first: Nigel, you got to let me know where to get an outfit like you had in that pic of you as a 9-year-old. Haha! Love you man! And Nigel, I have to agree with one of my readers (Tina) who said next season there should be a soft shoe routine thrown in. That would allow tappers to show off their talents in a duet piece and also throw another style at some of the best dancers in the world.

Now, here are some of the highlights from last night’s SYTYCD:

The show started with a bang as Jakob and Ashleigh HIT HARD thanks to a piece choreographed by Nappy Tabs. I am proud of Ashleigh for defying all of the haters out there and letting her growth speak volumes! It was dope to hear all of the judges give them props and I agree with all three of them — Jakob and Ashleigh should be locked-in for the top 10.

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Following a colorful night of performances, So You Think You Can Dance finally had a live results show (now that baseball season is over!) with America picking the bottom three couples rather than the judges — lucky for some; bad for others.

While Pauline Mata, 18, the jazz dancer out of West Covina, Calif., and the last of the tappers, Peter Sabasino, 21, from Philadelphia, were unanimously given their walking papers, a frustrated Nigel Lythgoe told the rest of season 6’s dancers that they better start living up to expectations.

“I’m angry!” Nigel told PEOPLE backstage after the show. “When you spend the amount of time I do talking to the press and trying to be honest, and say, ‘These are the best, the most diverse top 20 we’ve ever had,’ and then I felt totally let down by the solos tonight.” (more…)

What up world! It’s your boy tWitch taking some time off on the set of Stomp The Yard 2, to share my thoughts about last night’s performance episode of SYTYCD with the masses.

I am so happy to hear that Dizzy Feet is moving forward with such force! Sounds like a wonderful event on Nov. 29! Not only happening for a good cause, it’s a wonderful night of dance. Quest, Alvin Ailey, SYTYCD, Dancing with the Stars and America’s Best Dance Crew all under one roof? Wow!

For this being the first “voter show,” all of the performers were definitely connecting with each other and with us, the audience, whether in studio or at home.

In the first piece, there were tons of dope lift sequences. I agree with Adam Shankman when he said that he finally saw Kevin tonight. The couple worked so well together and both had great moments. Karen got to play into that hotness by being the temptress and working the lines of the lifts and character of the old school grooves. Kevin stepped up to the plate by stepping out of his comfort zone with the double pirouette, split leap and pink costume. (more…)

It must have been written in the So You Think You Can Dance stars!

PEOPLE has learned that two of last season’s favorite dancers, who are currently on tour, Janette Manrara, the sexy salsa dancer from Miami, and Jason Glover, lyrical and contemporary wonder from Fresno, Calif., are an item.

“Yes, they are definitely together,” a source close to the tour confirms.

And if there were sparks back in the studio, things actually started heating up for the couple, who were both eliminated on the 100th episode of the show back in July, during Los Angeles tour rehearsals.

“It was obvious that they were into each other,” adds the source. “During any down time between numbers, they always would be together, holding hands and acting like a couple.”

The source goes on to say that the relationship has since blossomed as the two “only got closer over the course of the tour … It’s nice to see two such amazing people so happy together.”

Fans can get a closer look at the new couple, along with the rest of season 5’s top 10 — Ade, Brandon, Evan, Jeanine, Kayla, Kupono, Melissa and Randi — on the So You Think You Can Dance Tour, which goes through Nov. 21, making stops in Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Ore., and more. –Jed Dreben

Patrick Liotta/Meet The Famous

What is up world? It’s your friendly neighborhood tWitch here, about to share my thoughts on So You Think You Can Dance’s performance episode. I am currently in Atlanta, filming Stomp The Yard 2, but I will still be making sure to check in on you.

I am very excited to see Jamal Sims on the show. I find it refreshing to see the different relationships choreographers see in a duet. The tennis match idea he used in the piece he choreographed for Russell and Noelle was amazing. Tennis is high energy and so was the piece!!! With that high energy, however, comes the challenge of pace and full extension of the moves and choreography. Trust me, I feel the difficulty being a guy that’s 6′ tall. But in that, you have to know exactly how much time you have to move and plan accordingly.

I loved the first wedding dance!!! Both Jakob and Ashleigh are amazing dancers!!! Would have liked the routine to be a bit more dreamy. When I think about the first dance with the future Mrs. Boss, I’d imagine that the connection would be more intense between us as opposed to the people that are watching. Don’t get me wrong, you are performing for the audience in the studio and at home, but as dancers you have the power to pull us into your world, rather than you dancing in ours. The passion of the moment before they kissed at the end needed to be mirrored throughout the whole routine. (more…)

Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels, 43, exudes art and creativity in dance from her freshly shaved head to her expert toes. On Oct. 14, just moments after appearing on a Vegas-week episode of So You Think You Can Dance, she shocked fans across America, announcing (via Twitter) that she was leaving the show after five years. Speculation about her departure ranged from a strife with FOX to rumors of cancer (thanks to her new haircut). On Tuesday, Michaels spoke exclusively with PEOPLE and revealed the factors that drove her decision to leave, as well as what is on the horizon for a woman whose name is synonymous with dance. –Jed Dreben

Why did you decide to move on from So You Think You Can Dance?
It’s been an amazing five-year journey and I am in a place where I have all these great opportunities that have been presented to me and I am ready to take on all these challenges. So when I was working on the show, I wasn’t able to really focus on anything else. Now I’m really focusing on these other projects that I can’t pass up. I think that’s pretty much the main reason why I left the show. (more…)

What up Doc!!

First and foremost — WOW, what a great night to be a fan of dance! A very strong opening show indeed. The lighting and space of the new stage also worked a lot better than I thought they would, allowing the dancers to really get into every performance.

I’m very proud of the hip-hoppers for committing to whatever style they were given. Russell reminds me of Joshua Allen in a way — no matter what he has been given so far, every step of the way, he has given 100 percent commitment. The passion he showed in his solo was amazing.

I love Adam Shankman as a judge; he’s very informative and personable and one of my favorite people in the industry. I also love what Adam said about Jakob Karr: “God put him here to spread the gospel of dance.” A powerful statement, and a testament to Jakob’s amazing ability.

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It was a dancer’s dream and a choreographer’s delight when So You Think You Can Dance decided to try something a little different for their first fall episode after auditions. Rather than jump right into competition, the judges, the audience and the choreographers had a chance to meet the top 20 and see them dance in their own styles without worry of elimination.

Judges Nigel, Mary and Adam Shankman (now a permanent fixture) were on hand more to encourage than to critique on the new set, now on the famed American Idol stage. (There was even a designated spot for Paula Abdul if she decides to drop by!)

The first of seven routines showcasing the top 20 in their respective styles started with a Wade and Amanda Robson creation set in a speakeasy world with rival gangs battle-dancing in a vivid costume extravaganza.

Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo then got the chance to do what nobody has done so far — choreograph just for the show’s b-boys. Jonathan “Legacy” Perez (breaker), Kevin Hunte (popper and locker) and Russell Ferguson (krumper) were like watching a scene from Beat Street as they burned up the stage. “If this is an example of how exciting this season is going to be,” Nigel said, “bring it on!” (more…)