Season 7-11

Kathy trivia fact: I was 7 lbs 11 oz. at birth, resulting in a lifelong relationship with the Slurpee.

OK, so SYTYCD. I have been slow to start recapping this season for a few reasons, but chiefly among them - I'm not all that excited. I will probably learn to love this plucky crew as I have in years past, but I am very, VERY skeptical of the format change.

First off, I had NO PROBLEM with 20 dancers. I LIKED 20 dancers. I thought it was FUN to watch people pair up and see what sort of chemistry resulted between the contestants. Katee and Joshua! Gev and Courtney! Sabra and Dominic!

While the audition rounds seemed especially painful this year, they probably weren't any worse than they were in year's past. I take no joy in watching delusional nutcase after delusional nutcase baffle the judges with their narcissistic refusal to acknowledge what little talent they possess. The pathos was laid on WAY too thick, and I was pretty irritated when the show tried to manipulate me into crying about the dancer who was overweight - Oh, the humanity! And this season seemed very light on people dancing in unusual styles who weren't going to make the show - Cloggers! New Orleans bounce! Juggling! (OK, that last one is just on my wish list.)

The hour-long "I'm sorry to tell you this trick is going to be so overplayed that it will be meaningless and wasn't that much fun the first time but you're out... of toilet paper because I was just in your bathroom playing dress-up sparkle bath product bride, but don't worry because there's more toilet paper... in LA where you're going to be on the show!" ... was really, really grating and way too long.

So now we're finally at our top 11 (kinda irritating that they couldn't pick a number and mean it, but not gonna harp on that much) - and the season is once again chock full of contemporary dancers and very little else. Not that contemporary dancers aren't talented, but come on!

I am pleased to see the all-stars because I really do like each of them very much, and I'm happy they are getting work. And I was thrilled to see Mark's goofy little pose at the beginning of the "Fame" number, but as I continued to watch I thought... what is this reminding me of? With all the dancers that I already know doing a staged number to a cheesy song with an obvious theme? Then it hit me. THIS SHOW HAS BECOME SOLID GOLD. NOT a good sign.

The show begins, and... they're going to dance with the all stars right off the bat??? This is going to be distracting, because I would like to watch the NEW people and learn to like THEM.

New format, you have distressed me mightily. I'm having a tough time focusing here.

It is beginning to look like I'll be fast-forwarding judges this season. This self-adulation is unbearable.

I...I...I feel as though I have finally realized the Emperor is naked. Was this show always so CHEESY???

Cristina is the first stand-out for me, but that could also be because she only had 2 others to work with.

Billy and Alex only have to work with ONE all star? I am all ready to complain and THEN... Shit, that was amazing. What a gift Mia gave these three - it spotlighted everyone well, and Ade was just fantastic.

Sonia, on the other hand, kinda screwed the new guys by showcasing Neil right off the bat. Yeah, Neil is incredible, but we KNEW that.

OK, show. Please have some mojo back when the competing begins.