'So You Think You Can Dance' Recap - Finale

There’s a lot of dancing on tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance finale but not a lot of new material, so instead of my traditional recapping and grading, I’m just going to post a live blog of the finale. Let’s go!

8:01 – I can’t believe this season is over. It just flew by. It’s been a fantastic season and a pleasure to write about it.

8:02 - SYTYCD has done a great job of picking guest judges this year. Tara Lapinski was fantastic, although the absent Misty Copeland was my favorite. Besides Jason “Wiggle” Derulo, there’s been no Carly Rae’s in the bunch.

8:03 – The group number opens with Ricky alone in a spotlight…foreshadowing?

8:05 – I don’t know if it’s the two tappers in the top 20 or the “On The Town” role in their sights, but the show has done some especially good, old style Broadway numbers this year.

8:12 – It’s not my favorite contemporary piece of the year (it’s not even top three), but boy what a beautiful piece.

8:16 – Turn down for Valerie and Ricky who have undoubtedly been the power couple of season 11. Is hip-hop their strongest suit? Not by a long shot, but this is such an infectious routine with a killer concept.

8:23 – I just love Amy. She has such a raw authenticity about her. I could watch her check her email and I’d be wowed. (I think that’s the 21st century version of, “listen to her read the phone book”). I just love this routine, too. So simple and so emotionally effective. That move when he lifts her is so, so powerful as is the way it ends without music. One of my favorites this year by far.

8:27 – tWitch is one lucky, lucky man. So is Rudy for that matter.

8:30 – Oww, oww, oww. I once threw out my back sitting in a computer chair. This guy is incredible and in need of an incredible physical therapist.

8:41 – I have never heard of La Twins. But they are super entertaining – like if a hip-hopper came into the Jeunes De Paris café. Oh yeah, that tap routine was good too, although I liked Valerie’s rap number with Aaron last week better. Once again, she seemed to out-dance Zack too.

8:45 – The connection and sensual energy between them is just amazing. This hasn’t just been a great year for dance but a great year for actors on SYTYCD.

8:46 – I love this kid! It takes lots of chutzpah to dance with Fik-Shun and Cyrus at any age.

8:48 – OK, this has nothing to do with Dance but what is with that Herbal Essence commercial where rejected Star Wars background characters talk about veganism?

8:51 – You know how I said this was a great year for Broadway? It’s not been a great year for hip-hop. A couple routines have stood out but it might have been this season’s weak point. Nothing comes close to last season’s bellhop number. Also, this skeleton routine was choreographed to what might be the worst song ever recorded.

8:55 – I actually had to Google ‘Ciara’ ‘cause I couldn’t come up with a single one of her songs. Turns out she also likes deodorant.

8:56 – What the hell is Sonya wearing on her ears?! Also, the sound that kicks off the song to her routine is so disturbing. It’s like if a dishwasher could fake an orgasm. Terrifying.

9:06 – I genuinely can’t tell if these fine folks are singing in English or Spanish.

9:11 – While I just badmouthed this year’s hip-hop offerings, the Zack/Ricky playing cards at the baseball game number is probably the best of that genre all season.

9:13 – Fourth place goes to Zack. Not surprising.

9:20 – Jasmine is a goddess. That is all. Like Ciara, I’ve found that she also likes deodorant.

9:22 – I generally don’t love sob stories on Dance but I do ADORE when you can feel that a dancer dances from every pore of their being and means every single move. She did that.

9:23 – Commercial Musings: There’s an Ouija Board movie now? What’s next Cootie Catcher: The Motion Picture?

9:23 – Commercial Musings: My original idea for that joke was, “What’s next Battleships: The Motion Picture” until I realized that is actually a thing.

9:29 – There was a lot of great auditions this year. Although my favorite that didn’t make it might be the contemporary dancer with alopecia. So unique and cool.

9:31 – Hey, we have 10 minutes to kill? No problem!

9:31 – I wonder if they will re-air Nigel’s inane suicide comments.

9:40 – Hey! Remember that stupid dance crew thing from the auditions where Justin Bieber and his terrible mustache introduced dance teams? Here’s the winner. They are not very good. Still better than that mustache.

9:43 – I think my favorite routine of Jessica’s was the one with the empty bed frame, but this one is gorgeous too.

9:46 - Third place goes to Jessica. Not surprising either, although I’d have switched her with Valerie. But she’s an all-star in the making. Plus, I love how Ricky is crying. So sweet.

9:49 – I don’t think they’ll do my favorite number of the year – Valerie’s blind-lady number from last week.

9:50 – Commercial Musings: When Ricky auditioned, this is what I wrote: “Let’s just talk honestly: I think Ricky will make the Top 20 and I think Ricky has a very good chance of being an audience favorite this year. Put this stunning dancer and, yes, very handsome guy in front of the screaming Dance fangirls and he’ll be set. But his dancing? Well it was pretty impeccable.” Not to toot my own horn, but I was right.

9:55 – That backbend is phenomenal! I completely forgot about this number and I’m so, so glad I was reminded. Their beauty and chemistry is just terrific.

9: 57 – In a move that surprises no one: Ricky is named America’s Favorite Dancer and the winner of So You Think You Can Dance season 11. He has, by far, been the best dancer all season. Congrats to him, he deserves it.

9:59 – ‘Night, everyone!