JAZZ HANDS

Allow me to re-introduce myself....
How funny was it that I was convinced newly anointed NY Governor David Paterson used this Jay-Z line in his inaugural speech or whatever earlier this week? I'd like to think he was referencing "Public Service Announcement" (one of my favoritest songs ever) or Dave Chappelle, when he used the line in a skit.

I haven't been here for three months. Actually... two months and three weeks? So I just caught up, and I did comment on every post I'd missed during that time. I really did!

I have not really been myself for the past three months. Maybe even for the last six months. I don't know if it's the surgery, the cancer, my crappy job, the writer's strike, The Wire ending, or certain other things coming to an end, or what exactly. I don't really enjoy the same things I used to and I'm not sure I entirely enjoy new things I've taken up.

BUT there are some things that inject the heart with a mega-syringe full of undeniable joy. My latest something, discovered a couple of weekends ago, is America's Best Dance Crew. This one is ending pretty soon too - maybe tonight, actually. That's why you should watch it.

Now I've never watched a dance (or singing) reality show the whole way through. Well... ok, but the Pussycat Dolls' shows don't count because they're "singing" and "dancing". But Dance Crew, created by Randy Jackson whom I've tended to like in the few minutes of Idol that I've watched, is really entertainingly put together, and set to music that I might actually listen to, voluntarily.

All the episodes are available here. I would recommend Episodes 3, 5, and 6. The top two groups (in my opinion) are Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern - both repping hard for the SoCal Asian Americans (big ups to CTOWNGAL!) All the groups I've seen are pretty creative but these two are fricking awesome.


Kaba Modern: The flyest fashion, and the coolest unexpected isolation moves and hand motions.






Jabbawockeez: Yep, they always wear those masks, and they work it. it's a little spooky, but they have the best sense of humor that translates well into the dancing.

Honorable mentions: Fysh'n'Chicks, BRKSK8 for being on skates or however you spell it.









Why else?

JC Chasez, getting his Simon Cowell on, tries very hard not to break a smile, and ends up looking like a constipated bitchy queen. He saves his warmth for Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious, apparently.







Li'l Mama, of "My Lip Gloss is Poppin'" "fame", delivers the most serious, heartfelt and entertaining-in-itself, but not like Simon or Paula criticism. She may look 40 to me, but she is only 19 or something. She sounds like a hip-hop Debbie Allen. Damn. I would kill to sound like a hip-hop Debbie Allen.





I have also decided that I may partake in this whole bandana trend. I think I also need a sweatband and matching wristbands for the gym. I am sure we can start a whole discussion on dance fashion once Bravo's oddly named and oddly hosted (Elizabeth Berkley?) show Step It Up and DANCE premieres.