On Our Way To Crazy

I have mixed emotions today, people. Tonight is the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, aka The Best Show On Television. I am so, so excited to watch it, and at the same time so, so sad that it’s over.

This show makes me GIDDY. I literally sit there on the sofa grinning like an idiot while I watch it. I laugh. I clap. I discuss the routines with Miles. (Aaron, who has no soul, thinks the show is lame and spends Wednesday evening upstairs playing Madden.)

It is SO. GOOD. It brings me much joy. i’m not sure why. I’ve never been a performer of any kind… never did dance or gymnastics or cheerleading or drama. I played sports. I played percussion in the junior high band, but quit before high school because I was much too cool for band, GAH. But I love to watch performances. They make me emotional. When I was in college, my sister was on the flag corp for her high school band when they came in second in the state. I bawled like a baby during thier entire show. (I am also a little bit lame.)

So tonight, we’re down to the final four: Travis, Benji, Heidi and Donyelle. Last week they danced partner dances with each other, individual solos, and one final group routine that if I had DVR I would have watched over and over and over again. America voted, and tonight we find out who is the winner.

Let’s discuss:

Benji. I have been a Benji fan since the auditions. He was a little crazy and over-the-top, but so much fun. He was paired with Donyelle through the first half of the competition, and the two of them were far and away my favorite couple. He’s just plain fun to watch, and he brings personality and energy to every style of dance he does. I have gotten a little burned out on him, though… too much personality can be grating after a while.

Heidi. Of the final four, Heidi is probably my least favorite. She is a ballroom dancer, specifically latin dances, and she is amazing at them. Her legs flail about as if independent from her body! The judges have called her both the most improved dancer of the season and the best female partner, and I have to agree with them there. It’s been fun to watch her grow and not just do a passable job at other styles, but really nail them. Still, sometimes I get a little bored with her, particularly her solos. They all look the same to me.

Donyelle. Donyelle was an early favorite of mine. Girl is smooth, and her solos rock my face off. But in the last few episodes, it seems like she’s lost some steam. I heard she hurt her toe, which would definitely cause Killer Fatigue. I still love her, but I think of the four she has the lowest chance of winning, unlike…

Travis. I love Travis with my whole heart. He is hands-down my favorite. I loved him with Martha in the first half of the season, but when they started switching partners, it was clear who was holding that couple together. I have been consistently impressed with him in all the styles, but when he does contemporary, it’s just beautiful. I know nothing about dance, but I know that Travis MOVES me, y’all. And that’s why I voted for him last week. A lot. An embarrassing number of times.

So there you have it. My money’s on Travis. If you need me tonight between seven and nine, I’ll be on the couch with a glass of wine while my husband hides from me upstairs. After nine, don’t bother because I’ll be so depressed that my favorite show has ended I won’t be taking calls.