30 for 30: The Band That Wouldn't Die

Towards the end of this episode, I felt like I was channeling Liz Lemon because I kept yelling "Nerds!" at the screen. Which is not very nice, because these people seemed very sincere and harmless. But still. "Nerds!

One of the pivot points of this story was the incredible bonding power of the Baltimore Colts fight song. Which I don't know. stSo... um... maybe they could have... played it??? Seriously, wouldn't that be a perfect "follow the bouncing ball" number? I think it would have made me feel more included, and it would have made the piece more joyful. Instead, it was focused more on the sadness of losing the first team. 24 minutes of that sadness, before actually addressing the main theme (or at least the titled theme).

Plus, I never really understood what obstacles there were for Baltimore getting another team. Without further details, I have to take the pragmatic view that it just wouldn't earn enough money. In that vein, I don't think the Maryland legislature eventually went for the cost of bringing back football because of the incredibly catchy theme song - I think it must have been a pretty worthwhile revenue stream.

Moment I cried: I didn't. But I did get a little misty picturing band members pouring in from the streets of Annapolis to perform on the steps of the Capitol. Because I'm a sucker for the "slow clap".

The Part Where I Cried

I don't know why sports documentaries always get to me. One of my favorite parts of the Olympics has always been the incredible Bud Greenspan documentaries that follow them. I believe I have cried while watching every one of them. Probably more than once.


Not to say that my chain can be jerked that easily. Sure, I have cried at one or two Disney sports films (Miracle, for instance) but will not reach for a hanky every time the slow-clap sequence starts, signalling that the protagonist has overcome overwhelming odds or finally won the hearts of the crowd. But - come to think of it - I would not mind having a slow-clap at my funeral one day. Keep it in mind, folks.


Recently, ESPN launched a documentary series called 30 for 30, and like the Greenspan films, my eyes have welled up during every one so far.

• "Kings Ransom" - Gretzky gets traded to the Kings. I remember just being baffled when this happened, and thought it must have meant Gretzky was incredibly greedy. I take it back. I didn't care for the overly dramatic jump cuts throughout this film, and still don't understand how the owner of the Oilers thought they would ever lose money if they had Gretzky, but this did a solid job examining the trade. WHERE I CRIED: Gretzky's inability to finish his sentences during his press conference at that hokey little log cabin building, because he was so torn up about leaving Edmonton.
  
  



• "Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?" - The rise and quick demise of the USFL. My favorite film of the series so far, since I remember being amused at how low-key and fun the league seemed and that it brought teams to smaller cities without other pro sports franchises. Donald Trump killed it by deciding he needed to prove he could be better than the NFL. He's an asshole. I really enjoyed the section where Jim Kelly and Steve Young reminisce about "The Greatest Game No One Ever Saw". WHERE I CRIED: Saw this one a while ago, so I can't remember more details, but there's a scene where one of the former players talked about how much fun the league was and how it was the best time of his life, then when it folded he didn't get to keep playing. The weight of his bittersweet dream that ended too soon got to me.
  
  



• "Muhammad and Larry" - The fight between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes that never should've happened, because Ali was in no shape to fight a current champion and it put a really sad bookend on his career. I'm sure it wasn't easy to argue with him, since he had so much bravado and was so loved, but it's too bad someone couldn't talk Ali out of it. WHERE I GOT MISTY: An interviewer mentions to Ali that he'd been talking to Holmes, and Ali keeps demanding to know "What'd he say about me? What'd he say about me?" The interviewer responds, "He said he liked you." Ali nods quietly and said "I like him, too." WHERE I CRIED: Ali is taking pictures with a dorky little white boy in glasses, and the kid starts shadow boxing with him. Ali chuckles, and takes the kid's glasses off. The parents are talking in the background and you can tell they don't want to impose or take too much of Ali's time, but the kid gamely keeps at it, and Ali is happy to play along with him and taps him on the head.
  
  



• "The Legend of Jimmy the Greek" - about - well, Jimmy the Greek. Namely how he brought gambling out into the mainstream, his rather tumultuous relationship with the co-stars on the CBS football show, and the ridiculous racist remarks that got him shut out of the public eye. WHERE I CRIED: Jimmy and his wife lost 3 of their children to cystic fibrosis. When speaking about their adult son in an interview, Jimmy's wife started out calm, but then started saying they knew what the outcome would be... and broke down crying. I was so sad for both of them, and for the siblings who survived - but also sad that Jimmy's response was to create even more distance between himself and his son since he apparently couldn't deal with the pain of losing him.
  
  



• "The U" - the rise of the University of Miami football team in the 80s. The first in the series to be given 2 hours. Which seems fitting for the hubris of Miami. Initially, I found the story to be inspiring - a city rejuvenated by sport, and a willingness to reach across the tracks to promote local talent - but in the end, I was left thinking they were kind of a bunch of assholes. This was encapsulated by Randal Hill saying you should blame everyone else in the world for his over-the-top celebrating, but don't blame him. I found this "my celebrating wasn't my fault" attitude a lot more offensive than any of the actual celebrating, which I admit was kind of entertaining. WHEN I CRIED: I didn't. I almost got choked up when the first coach talked about his regret at leaving the school after such a short tenure, but that was it.
  
  


• "Without Bias" - the incredible promise and terribly sudden death of Len Bias. This was a terrific entry in the series, and very moving. The poor kid made one bad decision that I could see a lot of people - not just young famous athletes - making. WHEN I CRIED: Oddly enough, I didn't cry here, either. I think because the whole story was so sad. The saddest moments were flashbacks of his parents, receiving the Celtics jersey Len didn't get to wear, and the father being interviewed after the death of another son.

DVR Cleaning

• I finally got around to watching Colma: The Musical, and fell a little bit in love with the cast somewhere around the opening number. I love the constant fog, the fact that the actors don't have great voices, the gay character who doesn't act like a stereotype (he's just a random kid who happens to be gay), the incredibly awkward conversations with potential love interests. Some of the language made me cringe, but overall - really enjoyed it.
  
  
• So have you heard of this Craig Ferguson fellow? He has apparently been doing a late night talk show for 5 years, and I just watched it about a month ago. And now it's set in my DVR. I don't watch every episode, but sometimes get hooked watching one night to the next because of the ridiculous not exactly continuous continuity. One night Craig declares he's learning Spanish, the next night his intro is in Spanish with absurd subtitles, and by night 3 it's mentioned but practically abandoned. And will no doubt show up again around Cinco de Mayo.
  
  
• Also had an episode of "Human Wrecking Balls" to watch - Pumphreys vs. Post Office. Who knew the P.O. boxes were so flimsy? And that I would continue to find 2 big guys breaking stuff entertaining? Not a fan of Nurse Abby, though - she cringes a lot. When it would be way more fun if she demanded to get in on the action once in a while, and hurl something through some plate glass. Which is totally what I would do if I were a Registered Nurse and also on "Human Wrecking Balls".

Wednesday the 16th

SYTIt'sTheFinale

• Well damn straight they open the massive group number with Legacy, bc Legacy is awesome and got robbed last week. ROBBED. The dance itself was OK, but not spectacular. I found myself racking my brain trying to recall who the first people eliminated were - Kat's reminder that these were the "top 19 dancers" helped. That Brandon kid who made it in as a replacement for Billy Bell, then did an inexplicable hip hop routine to a John Mayer song and was heaved aside but told he can reaudition. And the girl was... was... huh. Hope I blogged about that and... I did. Still don't remember her, really.
  
  
• Why so many upcoming musical numbers? And not masters of dance?!? Prediction: I will be fast forwarding. A lot.
  
  
• ...and apparently I will begin fast forwarding now, because I already watched last night's show. Last night, in fact.
  
  
• Lil C's favorite - the hip hop collaboration from the intro show. Legacy and Russell still incredible. Kevin still not sure why he was top 20. While this was fun, after seeing so many cool hip hop routines on "America's Best Dance Crew", this was just OK.
  
  
• Adam's favorite - Ellenore and Jakob's contemporary choreographed by Sonia. YES. This was an incredible choreographer-dancer pairing.
  
  
• Nigel's favorite - the group tap routine. Was it just me, or did it feel like their hearts weren't really in this? Or was it just Bianca? Who has a right to be bitter because they cut her too early?
  
  
• Mary's favorite - a new routine by the married couple. So they could do ballroom. And be married. Ashleigh finally seemed to have her face under control, but there were two moments with noticable pauses where she was lining up waiting for Ryan, once for him to kick over her head and once when he was jumping over her.
  
  
• Leona Lewis, and as I fast forwarded, I thought to myself "It was sure great when Chelsea and Mark danced to that Leona Lewis song 'Bleeding Love' - yes, I sure do enjoy it when there is dancing on 'So You Think You Can Dance'." And also, "Way to freakin' shill this show out as a movie commercial, producers."
  
  
• Y'know, I'm also thinking that while I didn't love Season 5 it did have some truly memorable numbers - Addiction, The Butt, the Travis Wall contemporary piece for Jeanine and Jason - and this season lacked those. Because I am having a tough time thinking of anything iconic from it - I really loved Ellenore and Ryan's contemporary, and Legacy and Kathryn's waltz, and nothing is else is really coming to mind right now.
  
  
• OK, guest DANCERS. I will watch you, Groovaloos. Hey, isn't that girl in the purple shirt, who I didn't realize was a girl at first, from Beat Freaks?? YAY!!! And those two guys leaping over and under each other at the same time was incredible. Cutting off the last 2 members during the bow? BOOOOO!!!! BAD SHOW, DIRECTOR!!!!
  
  
• Jakob and Kathryn, contemporary piece. Maybe I would like this better if it wasn't to a cheesy song. I have never liked this song - not since it was on "Family Ties". No argument that the dancing is superb, I just didn't connect to the piece.
  
  
• Tyce's favorite, Nathan and Mollee's Bollywood. Eh. I wish Russell and Ashleigh had been able to dance their number together, because I think that would have been the better piece. I think Mollee was a lot better this time around - some switch really did flip for her because grown-up dancing Mollee is more fun to watch than cheerleader gymnastics camp Molleee.
  
  
• OK, this just got dramatic and I am not happy about Russell being hurt at all. And while I'm glad Ryan is in 6th, who is going to hold Russell up? Kat agrees. Summary - I had higher hopes, I really did like a few of his early dances, but he wasn't the highest caliber.
  
  
• Adam Lambert, who is supposedly not going to offend anyone tonight. WRONG. I am offended because this number involves no dancing. Fast forward.
  
  
• Montage of auditions, which I fast forward, until the part where they show the top 20 bc it's fun to go back and watch their auditions - except clips are minimal. So more fast forwarding!
  
  
• And Ashleigh in 5th - I agree again, and am relieved because now I will be pretty happy with whoever wins. She grew on me, but again - not the same caliber as the other girls left.
  P.S. Her mom's hair is cuh-razy big.
  
  
• Adam's favorite - Ellenore and Legacy the Mr. and Mrs. Smith thing. Again, I just didn't connect to the theme. I liked it a little better this time, but they still can't make me love it. It's like last season when they tried to make me love cancer. If you tell me I'm supposed to like it, I probably won't.
  
  
• Debbie's favorite - Russell and Noelle's, African Jazz. "Luckily, we have a tape." Um, really Kat? That sounds pretty goofy. Like there was going to be a problem getting the rights to this, or finding it backstage. Shit, it's probably on YouTube. As for the number, it's entertaining. I would be up for seeing more African Jazz in future seasons.
  
  
• Fourth. I don't know - I'm going to guess Ellenore. Since she was third last week. And she is. Which is a bummer, because I really, really loved her dancing. I hope we get to see more of her in the futire. I would pay money.
  
  
• Lil C's favorite - an orgy of majestic contemporary artistry. Huh. I think this season made me really hate Tyce. Kudos to Ariana, because she was the best part in this, and now I remember why I was annoyed they cut her first. She put her heart in this one.
  
  
• Mary's favorite - Russell and Kathryn, hip hop. I hope they are lucky enough to have a tape - oh, good! They do! All the way from last night! I still like it! I still think she didn't hit as hard as him, and if they didn't like her less the judges would have said this!
  
  
• Mary J. Blige, and as I fast forward it appears those could be dancers in the background, but turns out they're just sort of standing there posing. At least that's what it looked like in fast forward.
  
  
• Nigel's choice, yet another number from the season opener, but it's the Wade Robson one so OK. Oh wait, it's the Wade Robson one that I thought was Taboleon. Drat. But it did point out for me that Jakob has really been awesome all season, and may have still been in the top even if Billy Bell had stayed in the competition.
  
  
• Third - gonna say Kathryn, because I think guys traditionally get more votes, unless the girl blows them out of the water. Unless it's Katee, who should've at least been second and would have actually been a great choice for winner of Season 4. And it is, and glad she managed not to get all ridiculously squeaky. I liked her a lot more than I thought I would at the beginning of the season. And am still shipping her and Legacy.
  
  
• J. Lo., and it involves dancing. But it's J. Lo., so I don't care. Fast forward. Watched some of the interview, and damnit now I have to rewatch because there are supposed to be familiar SYTYCD faces. Huh. Couldn't pick any out. Why can't they name them? Because it's sad that success is being an unrecognizable dancer backing up J. Lo.?
  
  
• Winner: I'm going with Jakob, because I think he has the most support from the whole season. Russell had a terrific night yesterday, but Jakob has been just fantastic and it would be nice to have the actual best dancer win this time. (Not to say I haven't been thrilled with other past winners, but acknowledge that the most technically proficient has never won.) Russell sure had some entertaining moments, though, starting with the Vegas round when he did such an awesome job in the ballroom.
  
  
• Whaddya know. I kinda think Russell pulled a Jeanine and won because he was exceptional in the last show, but wasn't necessarily in the lead the entire time. I am a little disappointed it wasn't Jakob, but if Ellenore goes on tour with him I will pay even more.
  
  

Tuesday the 15th

SYTIt'sAlmostOver

• Has anyone ever said anything interesting in the "I made the finals" interviews? No.
  
  


• Kathryn and Ryan, Samba. Must admit - it is pretty hard to complain about Ryan being shirtless here. And Kathryn was delightfully sinewy. It was a pretty hot number.
  
  


• Ellenore and Jakob, Broadway. There were roughly 78 splits in this routine, and it was just kind of ridiculous. Tyce Diorio is lame. Ellenore and Jakob are aweseome.
  
  


• Ashleigh and Russell, Lyrical Jazz. Russell made my jaw drop - he was really spectacular here. His extensions were great, and while I thought the signature Sonia jerkiness was forced, he committed to it and looked like he really felt the piece. And Ashleigh - was apparently also in this, but I don't think she did much beyond get lifted. It reminded me of her early work with Jakob, where she also didn't do anything.
  
  


• Ryan and Ellenore, Jazz. This piece was a lot of fun! Ellenore was amazing - her robotic skills were fantastic. Ryan wasn't nearly as good as she was.
  
  


• Jakob and Ashleigh, Fox Trot. I didn't care. I didn't care A LOT. It wasn't a particularly strong piece for Jakob, and Ashleigh still bores me.
  
  


• Russell and Ellenore, Paso Doble. Wow, Russell is nailing it tonight - what a good time to peak! And... I didn't hear the pairing and assumed it was Kathryn and didn't realize it wasn't until they came up to the judges. So - actually, that's pretty good because I was thinking Kathryn was nailing it as usual, and I haven't seen Ellenore dance before where I didn't immediately think "Yup, that's Ellenore."
  
  


• Kathryn and Jakob, Contemporary. While they both danced this passionately, and were both amazing, and I really recognized Kathryn's signature style here - I found myself thinking "Yeah, this is good, but it's not great like the piece Jeanine and Jason did last season."
  
  


• Ashleigh and Ryan, Contemporary. It was fine. She still pulls too much face. Y'know what bugs me? If they love each other so much, why are they always crying about it? Gah!
  
  


• Kathryn and Russell, Hip Hop. I think Russell may have just won this. WILD CARD!!! And I was wondering if Kathryn did any other hip hop? Because she couldn't hit it hard enough.
  
  


• I'm really not sure what the outcome is going to be tomorrow. Based on tonight, I say give it to Russell. Based on the season, Jakob or Kathryn or Ellenore. Probably Jakob. So to summarize - not Ryan or Ashleigh.
  
  


• I wish they had gone one more week, so it could have been a really deserving final four, and so they would have each had time to solo. Because since the voting is for just one person anyway, I think it was a shame not to see each person dance individually.
  

Wednesday the 9th

SytawheckIdon'tcaremucheither

• Sonia's group dance number was cool, and super long. Very distracted noticing Ashleigh still wasn't dancing.
  
  
• Suspected something up with the girls when they brought out the boys first for voting. Not surprised with the results.
  
  
• Surprised Ashleigh made it, but not all that annoyed about it. Not happy Ellenore is in the bottom, but with a final 6 - don't think she has a shot at winning anyway.
  
  
• Musical group, extremely annoying. Blech.
  
  
• K-Mart product placement - painful to watch. Thank God they don't pull this shit more often on the show.
  
  
• Legacy. I approve of the almost all spinning solo, bc hell lots of spinning is impressive and this one is to demonstrate skill rather than to win votes.
  
  
• Ellenore. WOW. That was my favorite Ellenore solo yet. Her movement was so fluid, and unexpected. I would pay money to see her.
  
  
• Ryan. Was it just me, or were those mom jeans? And boo, repeat solo.
  
  
• Mollee. The intro reminded me of Nathan's solos, in a good way. Girl certainly peaked this week.
  
  
• Second musical guest. Eh. Don't care. Don't watch American Idol, and this Kris Allen kid is all right but ... hey, is that Constantine, the really irritating American Idol contestant from a few seasons ago, on bass? Weird.
  
  
• Ellenore safe - phew! And I'm glad Mollee got to go out after showing she really can grow beyond pep squad dancing.
  
  
• Ryan? RYAN?? Fuck. Stupid tweenie voters who bought into the "oh, the married couple is so in love and so cute" storyline. I would much rather watch Legacy for one more week. DAMNIT.
  
  

Tuesday the 8th

SYTIt'sTuesday

• It took them an awful long time to explain why Ashleigh wasn't in the dance intro tonight. Didn't want to see her go out this way, but I don't think she's going to prove popular enough to get through to tomorrow without dancing. Oh, and now it will be way easier for America to not vote Ryan in either. Dad's prediction was the 2 of them, and I agreed, provided they weren't paired up tonight.
  
  
• Kathryn and Ryan in aw damnit disco. ENOUGH DISCO. Anyway, I didn't see the storyline at all. And it was well done, but still disco, so I don't care anymore. Just don't care.
  
  
• Jakob and Mollee, Viennese Waltz. Jakob is the MIDAS of dancers, because this was my very favorite Mollee routine ever. I really liked it - I thought they danced it beautifully, and it was very sweet. That last lift was SO CUTE.
  
  
• P.S. What's this nonsense about having a finale with a top 6? Poor planning, Fox. That's too many dancers. Although I must admit the back-to-back seasons were too close together, and while I still love this show, even MY enthusiasm has waned.
  
  
• Ellenore and Legacy, Contemporary. I was put off by the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" rip-off, BUT, can't argue that they did it really well. They were incredibly acrobatic, but I kinda missed more... dancing.
  
  
• Jakob. Holy shit, that kid is so good. SO. GOOD. I'm gonna call it right now - he will be the first best dancer to win this competition.
  
  
• Russell and Ashleigh, SHAAANNNNEEEE SPAARRRKKKKSSSSS!!! Yay. YAY! And Russell KILT this. Just flat out killed it. It was so much fun to watch him do his own style.
  
  
• Mollee. Good on her - this one did NOT look like a cheer routine. It was pretty good.
  
  
• Ryan and Kathryn, Cha Cha. Well he better be good at this, but - still don't think it'll save him. And he WAS good! It reminded me of back during the auditions when I thought he was going to be fun to watch. The ending pose was so fantastic. This was indeed hot.
  
  
• Legacy. The phone was silly, but I still loves me some old school b' boy moves. I would totally give him money if I saw him dancing on the pier.
  
  
• Ellenore. I think she would be the most fun to watch dance spontaneously, like at a party or something. She just looks so improv, and fun!
  
  
• Russell. Santa costume cute, and the wacky thing he did gliding with his feet was unreal. But the teddy bear was silly. What's up with the props tonight, kids?
  
  
• Jakob and Mollee, Broadway. Nicely done - sense of humor, and fun to watch. If Mollee had been paired with Jakob early on, maybe I could've liked her the whole time.
  
  
• Kathryn. Ooohhh... I loved her twisty pretzel moves!
  
  
• Ellenore and Legacy, Hip Hop. Not strange enough. Shane Sparks could've made this even weirder. Like the transformer routine.
  
  
• Ryan. You know who else did better ballroom solos? Pasha. And Dmitry. Plugging his wife was nice, but wish he could've done it without choking himself up.
  
  
• Russell and Ashleigh, Bollywood. Wow, looks like hip hop is good training for Bollywood, because Russell was once again TERRIFIC. I love that kid.
  
  
• Looked like everyone was peaking tonight, EXCEPT - sadly - Legacy and Ellenore. Still think it's likely Ashleigh and Ryan go home tomorrow, and Jakob for the win in the finals!