SYTYCD Season 11: Dave Scott

How did we get Dave Scott on the show? Chloe ran into him out and about in Hollywood. He willingly gave up his contact info and I sent him an email. Within two hours, we had our guest!

I am really proud that we were able to book three choreographers in three different styles this season: Contemporary, Broadway and Hip Hop. I am praying that SYTYCD gets picked up for another season because I finally connected with NappyTabs. I interviewed them for my upcoming article in the December issue of Dance Spirit. So let's hope we get a Season 12!

Next week, I will be alone…Chloe and Jake all have other commitments, so I get the boys all to myself.  Join me for the finale with Serge Onik, Teddy Coffey and Emilio Dosal.

If you missed this week's episode, you can watch it below:

SYTYCD Season 11: Spencer Liff

Can I tell you how much we love Spencer Liff? I can't rave enough. He was our first big guest back on SYTYCD on AfterBuzz TV during Season 9 and we are thrilled he comes back each season. His honest and constructive comments on the contestants was so helpful for us to listen to. We are down to the Top 4 and he explained why each contestant should be there.

There is a lot of Zack love brewing at just the right moment. Don't forget to vote, vote, vote for your favorite contestant. It's so important for next week and the final results on Sept. 3.

Next week, our guest is choreographer Dave Scott.

If you missed the show, watch it here:

SYTYCD Season 11: Makenzie Dustman and Jasmine Harper

We've had pretty good luck with scheduling All-Stars this season. I wish I could say that I carefully planned this out, but the timing has been impeccable. We were supposed to have Courtney Galiano on this week along with Jasmine Harper and Makenzie Dustman, but her shoot was running late. We will be working to reschedule her within the last three episodes. Can you believe the season is almost done?

We had a lot to discuss with the untimely exit of Tanisha Belnap and Rudy Abreu, the addition of Allison Holker to DWTS and everyone's thoughts on Nick Lazzarini from last week's show. I can't wait to hear what you all think of the show this week.

Next week is Spencer Liff. I can't wait to get another choreographer in the studio.

Watch Jasmine Harper and Makenzie Dustman on AfterBuzz TV.

SYTYCD Season 11: Jaimie Goodwin & Nick Lazzarini

We can never predict what a guest is going to be like the first time they come into the studio. What a great pair we got with Jaimie Goodwin and Nick Lazzarini. I have really wanted more of the earlier season contestants on our show because SYTYCD Season 1 is far different from SYTYCD Season 11.  Nick received a penthouse rental as a prize, but he took the money and ran…and invested it. Very smart!

I also asked Jaimie about working on Derek Hough's Emmy Award-winning piece "Walking on Air" and we got the answer of a lifetime. Glad she has recovered. Ouch!

This was Jake DuPree's last episode of the season with us, but he will be returning to DWTS in October. We will have a fill-in guest until he returns on DWTS.

Next week's guest is a longtime friend to our AfterBuzz TV show, Courtney Galiano. See you all next week!

SYTYCD Season 11: Mandy Moore

This might be my favorite show all season. It was such an honor to have the Emmy-nominated Mandy Moore in our studios. She gave us a candid look at the contestants and what goes on in those rehearsal rooms. For my DWTS fans, we will try and have her on in the fall since she brings so much to the table. 

A couple of fun things we learned:

--They are not asking the choreographers' opinions on the contestants this year.

--Music clearance is challenging. Sometimes contestants find out the night before that their solo music cannot be used. Stressful!

--Mandy choreographs DWTS much differently than SYTYCD because she isn't ballroom trained. She said she relies upon Sasha, Emma, Jenna and Val to help her out in the studio.

--She also gives her thoughts on Shania Twain possibly joining the show…remember, Mandy choreographed her Vegas show!

Next week's guests are Nick Lazzarini, Season 1, and Jaimie Goodwin, Season 3.

National Dance Day: An Interview with SYTYCD judge Mary Murphy

I was fortunate enough to interview SYTYCD judge Mary Murphy on National Dance Day. I asked her about a few topics regarding Season 11 since there have been a few things on viewers' minds. 

Here are some highlights:

On the #BallroomMassacre last week:

"We never know who they [the fans] are going for."

On Ricky Ubeda being so far ahead of the pack:

"He certainly was challenged in the Viennese Waltz. If he doesn't improve and he hasn't dropped down, it will go into America's hands, by the way. I think he is extremely talented. Let's see what he's going to do when he gets a Quick Step. For most of the kids, ballroom is often a challenge."

On needing ballroom lessons to compete on the show:

"A few lessons won't cut it to get them through a routine."

On the missing "Dance for Your Life" Solos:

"By the finale you will see solos by themselves…without a doubt."

Listen to the whole 3:30 interview with Mary Murphy below.

Don't forget to subscribe to my monthly newsletter on the upper right section of my page. I post one exclusive video each time for dance fans. Next newsletter goes out on Aug. 1.

SYTYCD Season 11: Malene Ostergaard

This was definitely another first for us on SYTYCD on AfterBuzz TV. I've really been trying to mix it up for you guys this season. I've always wanted to go behind the scenes with the show because it's so interesting to hear how the audition rounds really went, what rehearsals are like and what happens when you are voted off. I know I'm not the only one, so I hope you have an enjoyed some of the new guests we have brought in like Mindy Arnold and a contestant from this season like Malene Ostergaard.

Yes, Malene was as gorgeous in person as she was on TV, but don't be fooled by her looks. She was a smart and insightful guest. I was so thrilled to get her on our show and I know this isn't the last we've seen of her…DWTS, perhaps?

Next week is Mandy Moore and I cannot wait to get a choreographer's perspective on Season 11. We will also be recovering from the elimination of four dancers. It's going to be a tough week.




I didn't post the show from Vibe Studio owner Mindy Arnold with her daughter and SYTYCD Season 9/current DWTS cast member Lindsay Arnold. If you want to hear more about the politics of SYTYCD, watch this show…it was fascinating.

SYTYCD Season 11: Audrey Case

Season 9's Audrey Case was back in the house! It was so good to see her and get the inside scoop on Choreographers' Showcase for SYTYCD. Don't know what we are talking about? Make sure to watch the episode below.

We talked a lot about choreographers being accountable for their work as much as the contestants are each week. Nigel Lythgoe had no problem saying some to Benji Schwimmer and Spencer Liff this week. Do you agree?

We also chatted about Malene Ostergaard's exit and Nigel's comments to her. I think we all agreed it was a bit harsh, but I hope she realizes this is just the beginning of good things to come…just ask Brittany Cherry!

SYTYCD Season 11: Fik-Shun

Fik-Shun was a surprise, last-minute guest this week and he didn't disappoint. We confirmed him at 4 p.m. PT, that's how last minute it was. I knew he was in town this week, but he had other commitments and he adjusted his schedule to come on the air with us.

The past two seasons, we haven't had guests during the audition rounds and now I realize that we should have. The insight that Tiffany Maher and Fik-Shun provide us over the last two episodes gave us an inside look on what a challenge this show truly is.

If you missed the episode, watch it below and don't forget to come back next week when our guest is Lauren Froderman!

Top 20 Genre Pairings: SYTYCD Season 11

Okay, remember that the partners will switch, but for the first "Free" week where no one is voted out, the dancers are partnered with others in their genre. Let's take a look at the seven pairings I have so far.

SPOILER ALERT:




1.Ricky/Jessica

2. Tanisha/Nick

3. Malene/Marcquet

4. Brooklyn/Serge

5. Carly/Rudy

6. Emily/Casey

7. Emilio/Teddy

8. Zach/Valerie

9. Jourdan/Jacque

10. Bridget/Stanley

Is This a Partial List of Season 11's SYTYCD Top 20?

This week's show with Season 9's Tiffany Maher.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead! UPDATED AS OF JUNE 24!!

I was handed this list today from a source who has come through for me in the past multiple times. I have not been able to cross-verify the list yet, but I thought it might be fun to ponder if these dancers will be a part of the live shows in two weeks for Season 11 of SYTYCD.

All of the dancers listed had strong auditions, so I think we will definitely see many (if not all?) of these names make it past the Green Mile. >



Here we go:

1. Serge Onik

2. Tanisha Belnap

3. Rick Ubeda

4. Jessica Richens

5. Malene Ostergaard

6. Marcquet Hill (One source says yes, one source says no.) UPDATE: Hearing he's in.

7. Brooklyn Fullmer

8. Emily James

9. Nick Garcia

10. Rudy Abreu

11. Emilio Dosal (Remember, Aaron Turner replaced him when he was injured last season!!!!!)

12. Carly Blaney

13. Casey Askew

14. Bridget Whitman

15. Valerie Rockey

16. Teddy Coffey

17. Jourdan Epstein

18. Stanley Glover

19. Zachary Everheart

20. Jacque LeWarne (LAST NAME finally!!!!)

I am also hearing two fan favorites, Justine Lutz and Cristina Moya-Palacios did not make it to Top 20. I was told Justine made it to Green Mile before being cut and Cristina was cut in Round 2.

If you missed our episode today with the adorable Tiffany Maher from Season 9, watch it below:

SYTYCD Season 11: Kent Boyd and Rose Marziale

It was so much fun to have guests during audition rounds for SYTYCD. We normally wait until we hit the Top 20. Thanks for Rose Marziale and Kent Boyd for joining us and giving us the inside scoop on their short film, It Remains. While Kent didn't officially confirm it on-camera, he is headed off to shoot Teen Beach Movie 2. Mark my words, he's part of the cast.

Tell us what you think of the auditions in Chicago and Los Angeles. Are you enjoying them or are you ready to just get to the Top 20 like we are? 

SYTYCD Season 11 Spoilers: Audition Rounds

While many of you may now know that SYTYCD is looking for dance crews from Season 11. That's not only the big news. Thanks to an inside source here are a few things to look forward to this season during the audition rounds.

Whoa! Big news from #SYTYCD & Confirmed by @dizzyfeet. They are looking for dance crews for Season 11: https://t.co/Jve1T24Qti
— Kristyn Burtt (@KristynBurtt) December 29, 2013

Spoilers Ahead:

1. Audition Round Guest Judges:
    -Jenna Dewan-Tatum
    -Lil Buck
    -Misty Copeland (!!!!)-For those of you who are also DWTS fans, Misty is currently working on a project with Derek Hough.

2. Possible New Segment: According to my source, there may be a new segment "for the people [contestants] the judges felt they shouldn't have let go." We will see if this element comes into play in Season 11.

3. You're going to….Los Angeles!: Yep, contestants aren't getting a ticket to Vegas this year. They are headed to California. Let's see if this changes the final audition week any. It shouldn't, but you never know…

If you missed my interview with Jenna Elfman and her hopes to return to Season 11 of SYTYCD, click here.

Have any SYTYCD scoop for me? Contact me here.

What do you think of the SYTYCD changes? Let me know in the comments below.

INTERVIEW with Jenna Elfman: Will she be back on SYTYCD for Season 11?

I know the So You Think You Can Dance season premiere is still months away, but I tried to get a little bit of information for you when I sat down to interview Jenna Elfman for her new NBC series, Growing Up Fisher.

Here what she had to say about her possible involvement with Season 11 of the FOX show. Will she be there as a judge? Will she be at any of the audition rounds? If you want to skip to the whole SYTYCD section, start at the 6:20 mark.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.