"So You Think You Can Dance" Phoenix Auditions

Judging the judges.

We’re at the audition phase of So You Think You Can Dance, and we’re only watching because we were told there’s something we should cover tonight. After all, we haven’t forgotten the audition phase for last season and how the same-sex dancers were treated by Nigel Lythgoe and the show's other producers. 

Just yesterday it was announced the show's most front-and-center gay, Adam Shankman, was becoming a permanent judge. Hmm, given how enabling he was about the previous incident we're just a little skeptical.

But since tonight's episode includes a same-sex couple were willing to give the new season a chance, because we’d love to cover the dancers, if the show doesn’t make it ethically impossible.

We’re not off to a strong start when a couple of male poppers do a fun, but not very good routine. The guys are entertaining though, and when they asked how they met, one says that the other had dated his sister. Nigel quips “So did he leave your sister for you?”

Charming. From someone else, harmless. From Nigel, something stinks, and even though the guys laugh it off, my frown fails to turn upside down.

One of them is not pleased at Nigel's implication.

Willem de Vries and Jacob Jason are our same-sex couple this evening. They’ve known each other for many years, but actually danced next to each other in the SYTYCD Season 2 auditions. From there, they partnered up, went on to compete in the same-sex couples Latin dancing, and won the U.S. title followed by a gold medal.

Willem and Jacob don't pull any punches in the interview.

The two men come flat out and say that most same-sex couples are afraid to come out and audition for shows like SYTYCD. Gee, I wonder why? They say they want the world to know that same sex-dancing exists and isn't something bizarre. All in all, it's pretty good so far, especially since he editing was the polar opposite of the hit job done last time.

Willem and Jacob begin dancing. I'm not quite sure what to call the style – it’s partnered, but not an identifiable ballroom dance to my untrained eye. It’s really quite lovely though.

While they’re dancing, Nigel begins talking about “great lines.” It's as if he can't wait to start praising them. Meanwhile, Mia is transfixed.

Their dancing was beautiful.

Mia cries while Mary marvels. Now Jacob is crying and before the judges can speak, he says, “It’s great for young gay people to be able to express themselves, and that’s the dance that I think represents us the most.”

Nigel defers to Mary, who gushes about how proud she is of them. They had great passion, great lines, great technique, etc. Interestingly, she doesn't seem to have any of the same issues she had the last time she saw a same-sex couple. Methinks Mary's world has broadened a little.

Mia is extremely emotional.

Mia, who has been dying to speak, wipes waya a tear and says “I celebrate the courage that you guys have to just expose yourselves, your hearts, and you passion, and just who you are.”

The big man with the bigger mouth has to talk now. “Thank you for showing me that same-sex ballroom dancing can be very strong and very good. You know I got myself into trouble last time saying I’d like you to dance with girls. I’d very much like you to do the choreography and see if there is any difference in how you handle that.”

And I’d like to point out the gaping pauses between his words where Nigels tried not to put his foot in his mouth.

What are these "girls" of which you speak?

Willem interjects “I’d like to point out that we both enjoy dancing with girls as well.” Which gets a rather surprised “Yeah? Yeah!” from Nigel.

So they’re put through to choreography, and they are separated, and matched with female partners for Latin ballroom.

These "girls" are strange, magical creatures.

They're partners are obviously a great match for their talents and they are both given tickets to Las Vegas for the next round.

So the big question, I suppose, is did Nigel and the others learn anything from their last experience with a same-sex couple? There’s a cynical side to me that says if Nigel had chosen his words any more carefully, the show would have run two hours. And Mary went from “I don’t understand” to gushing. It’s a big leap in a matter of months. Mia seemed genuinely moved though.

But if I let the cynic in me win all the time, I’d never get out of bed. I mean seriously, what’s the point? I’ll eventually die, right, so why even try?

So I’ll take it at face value that they liked the dancers (who were truly good), and not that a little sensitivity training from GLAAD, plus repeated beatings by the AfterElton.com Flying Monkeys, went a long way in educating them. I’m even cautiously optimistic about what will happen when Willem and Jacob return.

Now it's your turn! What did you think?