SYTYCD: Honoring the Legendary Mia Michaels

In the midst of critical praise and a plethora of Emmy nominations, outside of the dance world, So You Think You Can Dance is arguably underrated in the reality TV genre. While people flock more to see celebrities try to dance, in a world of abounding reality competitions, the majority singing related, So You Think You Can Dance rests in a comfortable niche amongst its fans nearly midway through Season 9. After cuts by the Fox network this season, eliminating the show’s third hour each week and combining eliminations into the performance episode, many feared that this might spell the end of the reality TV gem.

Stepping aside from that uncertainty and setting aside (for just a moment) the UNBELIEVABLE talent the show has given us summer after summer (and even during the lockout inspired winter season), the SYTYCD dancers would not be able to shine as they do without the brilliance of the choreographers that stand behind them and work with them week after week. Among the many greats who have been nominated for industry awards, including the prestigious Emmys, stands out Mia Michaels. After a multi-season absence, the contestants on the show’s ninth season will bare all on stage to pay homage to one of dance’s greats.

In addition to her work for the Fox reality series, Mia has dedicated her career to working with some of the industry greats, including Celine Dion, Madonna, Ricky Martin, Tom Cruise, Gloria Estefan and Prince … just to name a few. In 2005, she choreographed Dion’s Vegas show, “A New Day,” for which she snagged an Emmy nomination. Just two years later, Michaels went home with an Emmy award for Outstanding Choreography for “Calling You,” which was showcased on SYTYCD’s 2nd season. In 2010, Michaels won three Emmys in the same category for “Koop Island Blues,” “Gravity,” and “One.” The following year, she earned Emmys for “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “When We Dance,” “This Bitter Earth/On the Nature of Daylight,” putting her at a “tie” that year with fellow SYTYCD choreographers Tabitha and Napolean D’Umo. She was also stationed as a permanent judge on the show’s 7th season, alongside Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe and Step Up producer Adam Shankman.

To SYTYCD fans dismay, in 2009, Mia announced via Twitter that she will be leaving the show after five wonderful years. The door was, however, always open for a potential return. Since then, Michaels has expanded her choreography resume, worked on a clothing line and picked up a book deal. It was about a year later when her return to the show was confirmed.

Mia is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer for her New York based dance company, RAW (Reality at Work), which has been around since 1997.

With that, the remaining 14 dancers on SYTYCD’s ninth season will pay tribute to a choreographer whose pieces have struck the hearts of MANY around the world. As Season 4’s Joshua noted after performing “Hometown Glory,” “It’s so much more than dancing.”

Filled with raw emotion and storytelling (and a little bit of fun), we’ve chosen some of the many inspiring and breathtaking pieces Mia Michaels has given the show. So, sit back, enjoy and look forward to tonight’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance, which airs at 8/7c on Fox. You don’t want to miss it! That’s our Yak guarantee!

Which routines are you hoping to see tonight?

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Big Brother 14 – The Yak’s Interview with Evicted Big Brother Houseguest Janelle Pierzina

Bye, Bye, Bitches Jani! – Evicted Big Brother Houseguest Janelle Pierzina sits down with Mikey for an exclusive interview.

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Still reeling from her untimely eviction, Big Brother legend, turned coach, turned third time competitor Janelle Pierzina sat down with The Yak today for an exclusive interview on her stay in the Big Brother house.

The biggest question on everyone’s mind was the bitter rivalry she shared with Season seven winner Mike “Boogie” Malin. When asked whether or not she thought he was playing it personal, Janelle said yes. “It was like he was playing with some vendetta against me for Will” the legend said. On remaining friends with the former winner turned coach outside of the game she said “probably not, he played it personal and I try not to do that”.

When time came to discuss the seasons “Coaches Twist” Janelle explained that she enjoyed it. “My favorite part was when my newbies would come to me with all this information everyday” she said in response to questions about Wil, Ashley, and Joe. Two of which – Joe and Wil, she’d surprisingly like to see walk out the door sooner rather than later. Although she has forgiven both Wil and Ashley for their betrayal, she went on to say that “Ashley and Wil are playing the game one week at a time” a move Jani isn’t too fond of.

What was Janelle’s ultimate downfall in the Big Brother house this time around? “That I’m a competitor” she said confidently. “I felt like Britney was threatened that I was a fan favorite” she added. A woman of few emotions, Jedi Jani broke her tough exterior with tears last night upon her departure from the house. “I hugged this really nice lady when I walked out, and I just couldn’t hold it in. I felt like I let her down!” Janelle said humbly.

Another hot topic was the issue of leaving her family behind to enter the house a third time. Many a Big Brother fan made their voice heard on the topic this summer, but what did Janelle have to say? Somewhat surprised, she simply said it was “rude”. A dignified and classy response to a question that could have potentially been volatile, it’s safe to say that the Big Brother beauty is confident in the decision she made.

As we get closer to the finale, everyone wants to know who has what it takes to make it to the final two? And, as any true Big Brother fan does, Janelle has her top picks. “I think Dan has what it takes win, and I’m rooting for him” she said. Of all the houseguests she lived with this Summer Janelle has the most respect for fellow coach and former winner Dan Gheesling. “Dan’s the only one who came to me and said look you’re leaving, I respected that ya know? I was always honest with people in season six and seven and I played the same way this time.” Not only does Janelle believe Dan has what it takes to get to the end, she believes the same of fellow coach Britney Haynes. “I definitely think Britney has a shot at making it to the end” she said. Of the newbies, “I would like to see Ian win because he’s a fan. Not so much for his game play, we didn’t talk much game; we talked about nature and science a lot. He was kind of awkward, socially. I will definitely be rooting for him if he makes it to the end” But, what about those who don’t have a shot at making it to the end? Janelle filled us in on her bottom picks. “Wil, Ashley, and Jenn really don’t have what it takes” she told us with much certainty.

After what proved to be a wild week, who surprised Janelle the most? “Britney, we had good times in the house, we always did stuff together. I could definitely tell that something was up with her, and Dan had dropped some hints too so I kind of knew what was going on.”

Is this the last we’ll see of the Big Brother legend? Not necessarily. She wouldn’t rule out returning to air waves if the “right thing” came along, but she did make one thing clear, her life is in Minnesota not Los Angeles. All in all, Janelle seems at peace with her departure from the house. She can’t wait to get back to Minneapolis to reunite with her baby girl and the love of her life.

CBS Presses Forward With The Glass House Lawsuit

AP – Los Angeles

CBS still wants to evict “The Glass House” from the airwaves.

The network moved ahead with its lawsuit against ABC this week by amending its filing that alleges ABC copied elements of “Big Brother” for its new reality TV competition series “The Glass House.”

CBS attorneys added several more objections to the show now that ABC has aired several episodes, arguing that “’Glass House’ employs the same plot, themes, mood, setting, pace, characters, dialogue, sequence of events and other concrete elements making up ‘Big Brother.’”

CBS originally sought to stop “Glass House” from premiering in June, but a federal judge refused. U.S. District Judge Gary Feess agreed with ABC attorneys who argued that many of the filming techniques employed on “Glass House” are not unique to “Big Brother” and are used in other reality TV shows.

Both shows employ dozens of cameras to monitor a houseful of contestants vying for a cash prize, but Feess ruled the shows are likely to play out very differently.

Among the similarities that CBS added to its lawsuit this week were that both shows feature an “obligatory older” and “openly gay” player, “showmances” as a plot element and “generally comfortable, cloistered house” environments.

CBS says “Glass House” violates copyrights and trade secrets from “Big Brother” and alleges that dozens of former “Big Brother” staffers and producers now working with ABC on “Glass House” may have violated non-disclosure agreements.

The seventh episode of “Glass House” aired Monday on ABC.

The 14th season of “Big Brother” is currently airing three nights a week on CBS.

A spokesman for ABC said the network has no comment about the updated lawsuit.

ABC lawyers previously said “Glass House” is different because many of the contestants’ decisions, and who remains in the house, are made by audience votes. Only the first season of “Big Brother” allowed viewers to choose which houseguest was evicted.

What do you think? Are you surprised CBS is pressing forward? Should they drop it?