‘So You Think You Can Dance’ review: Meet Caleb Brauner, Trevor Bryce, more in premiere
Cue music! “So You Think You Can Dance” has made its way back on TV, and we have to say that we couldn’t be happier about it. This is the classiest reality competition out there, with genuine critiques, devoted artists, and a take on judging that does not require berating to the people who just are not very good.
We’re going to focus our reviews this season on those who managed to advanced along with their stories … and we’ll also be ignoring most of those Justin Bieber segments, since he really didn’t sound like he cared much about them, either.
Shelby Rase – This audition was literally everything that we would want in a “So You Think You Can Dance” audition: A great performer, and then a father at the end coming up and giving some embarrassing moves around a water bottle.
Tanisha Belnap – She has 11 siblings? Seriously? We suppose that this means plenty of dance instructors at home to help her out.
Trevor Bryce – One of the coolest auditions that we’ve ever seen. Not only is there classical ballet training here, but also contemporary movement and originality. He is going to go very far in this competition.
Megan Marcano – One of the best dancers on the night, and we were able to enjoy it without even thinking so much about the sad story behind her growing up. Hopefully her troubled upbringing empowered her, but it should not define her on the show.
Novian Yarber – A returnee from last season, and of course he made it through to the next round. We’re going to have a hard time remembering here that Las Vegas is not actually the next round this season.
Brooklyn Fullmer and Marcquet Hill – Why are so many people from Utah great at ballroom dancing? Maybe the state really cares about dance! Regardless, we’ve got another set of great ballroom performers from the state. You may remember Hill from auditioning with Witney Carson, but he was too young at that point.
Nick Garcia and Rudy Abreu – Two cocky buddies who are deservedly cocky. Both have good moves, even if one of them couldn’t get a dance partner for their ballroom routine.
Caleb Brauner – The guy really loves Jason Mraz music, no? This was the story of the entire episode to us. Remember him and his dad from a past season? Unfortunately, his father passed away, and watching him get eliminated in New Orleans early in the episode was all sorts of devastating. But what we love about Caleb is that he found a way to get to another audition city and do this all over again. This is dedication, and we love him for it.
Overall, a mostly great premiere, but the Bieber segments felt phoned-in and we could really do without them. Grade: B+.
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Photo: Fox