Dance Off
Oh Laurie Ann what ever possessed you to cross the Diddster?
It's not secret that I like a lot of trashy, reality TV. I'm rarely ashamed to admit to liking anything. But Diddy annoys me so bad, watching Making The Band is about the closest I'll ever come to a dirty little viewing secret.
This season has been more interesting than his first three attempts at this band-making game. I think because...well, he's not onscreen as much. And because he's brought in my boy, Biv, to handle artist development. Michael Bivens (from New Edition if you don't know) adds a touch of humanity to the selection process and is one of the most grounded artists/music exec-types around.
Diddy is a mess. He creates artists and then leaves them hanging so he can produce his own album.
And Jay-Z is pissing me off because he's guested on nearly every Def Jam release since taking over as Prez.
Either be an artist or an executive. And if you're going to do both, don't screw the other artists who are trying to make a living the same way you did.
Whew...end of rant.
As I was saying, Michael Bivens seems to have genuine affection and sympathy for what the MTB4 participants are going through. So the show has been more than watchable, this season.
But the most delicious part of the season has been the tension between Diddy and Laurie Ann Gibson, the choreographer. Laurie Ann is the only cast member left over from the Danity Kane season of MTB. And she's the only female. She and Diddy have been banging heads since the early auditions of season 4.
Personally, I think Diddy doesn't hold women with opinions in much regard. But I refuse to throw myself on that sword for Laurie Ann because she did have some ways that bugged the crap out of me.
Their seething conflict imploded during Monday's episode and resulted in Laurie Ann getting the boot. So, in honor of the dance diva:
* She was the only female cast member who repped strong women
Season 1 had two (I think) women who managed the PR of the forming group. But they were merely Diddy minions. From day one, Laurie Ann has been vocal and commanding, Debbie Allen style. "You want fame? Well right here is where you start paying...in sweat."
* She brought levity to the audition process
Okay, this is also kind of why I won't miss her. Laurie Ann's cackling, woo'ing, and bright smiles at mediocre to poor singing was annoying and ultimately her downfall. Diddy warned her to stop cheering on barely talented individuals. Well, it wasn't exactly a warning. I think his exact words were, "Man, shut the F### up!" But I guess the nurturer in her felt like she had to give the poor souls on the hot seat some encouragement.
* She showed no mercy when teaching, practically going all Master Class on their asses her last night
Choreographers have to be a little cocky and part drill sergeant anyway. She may not have been in charge anywhere else, but once they stepped into that dance studio their behinds were hers.
* Boom-Cat-Boom-Cat Cat
Laurie Ann, take solace in the fact that you've put a new random, senseless phrase into the pop culture lexicon. Expect it to show up as an answer on the next edition of World Series of Pop.
* She was the only one who had balls enough to step to Diddy
Isn't it ironic that the only person with enough cojones to tell Diddy off was the person without them? I get so sick of everyone tip toeing and kowtowing to Diddy as if he were the living savior. I know Diddy has a rightful place in music and pop history. But geez, can anyone grow a set around the man? It's ridiculous!
* Her hilarious attempts at being sexy
Lord, please forgive her for the blue leotard, fish net stockings and stilettos. It was like 1980 had blown up, right there in the studio. Do you know how hard it is to get bad 80's stench off the walls?
* She's made two seasons of Making The Band hopefuls respect the art of dance
Apparently, being in a band means it's okay that everyone can sing just "aight" as long as the total package can be pulled off. In four seasons, I haven't seen one MTB contestant that blew my socks off with their vocals. Not one! The last two seasons contestants are required to be a double threat (singing and dancing). With her quick fire routines and "boom cats" in place of 8-counts, she's made macho men quake in their boots at the thought of having to showcase real choreography. Hip Hop ship schop. I'm still loving the image of the guys doing Alvin Aileyesque moves.
It's not secret that I like a lot of trashy, reality TV. I'm rarely ashamed to admit to liking anything. But Diddy annoys me so bad, watching Making The Band is about the closest I'll ever come to a dirty little viewing secret.
This season has been more interesting than his first three attempts at this band-making game. I think because...well, he's not onscreen as much. And because he's brought in my boy, Biv, to handle artist development. Michael Bivens (from New Edition if you don't know) adds a touch of humanity to the selection process and is one of the most grounded artists/music exec-types around.
Diddy is a mess. He creates artists and then leaves them hanging so he can produce his own album.
And Jay-Z is pissing me off because he's guested on nearly every Def Jam release since taking over as Prez.
Either be an artist or an executive. And if you're going to do both, don't screw the other artists who are trying to make a living the same way you did.
Whew...end of rant.
As I was saying, Michael Bivens seems to have genuine affection and sympathy for what the MTB4 participants are going through. So the show has been more than watchable, this season.
But the most delicious part of the season has been the tension between Diddy and Laurie Ann Gibson, the choreographer. Laurie Ann is the only cast member left over from the Danity Kane season of MTB. And she's the only female. She and Diddy have been banging heads since the early auditions of season 4.
Personally, I think Diddy doesn't hold women with opinions in much regard. But I refuse to throw myself on that sword for Laurie Ann because she did have some ways that bugged the crap out of me.
Their seething conflict imploded during Monday's episode and resulted in Laurie Ann getting the boot. So, in honor of the dance diva:
Seven Reasons I'll (sort of) Miss Laurie Ann Gibson
* She was the only female cast member who repped strong women
Season 1 had two (I think) women who managed the PR of the forming group. But they were merely Diddy minions. From day one, Laurie Ann has been vocal and commanding, Debbie Allen style. "You want fame? Well right here is where you start paying...in sweat."
* She brought levity to the audition process
Okay, this is also kind of why I won't miss her. Laurie Ann's cackling, woo'ing, and bright smiles at mediocre to poor singing was annoying and ultimately her downfall. Diddy warned her to stop cheering on barely talented individuals. Well, it wasn't exactly a warning. I think his exact words were, "Man, shut the F### up!" But I guess the nurturer in her felt like she had to give the poor souls on the hot seat some encouragement.
* She showed no mercy when teaching, practically going all Master Class on their asses her last night
Choreographers have to be a little cocky and part drill sergeant anyway. She may not have been in charge anywhere else, but once they stepped into that dance studio their behinds were hers.
* Boom-Cat-Boom-Cat Cat
Laurie Ann, take solace in the fact that you've put a new random, senseless phrase into the pop culture lexicon. Expect it to show up as an answer on the next edition of World Series of Pop.
* She was the only one who had balls enough to step to Diddy
Isn't it ironic that the only person with enough cojones to tell Diddy off was the person without them? I get so sick of everyone tip toeing and kowtowing to Diddy as if he were the living savior. I know Diddy has a rightful place in music and pop history. But geez, can anyone grow a set around the man? It's ridiculous!
* Her hilarious attempts at being sexy
Lord, please forgive her for the blue leotard, fish net stockings and stilettos. It was like 1980 had blown up, right there in the studio. Do you know how hard it is to get bad 80's stench off the walls?
* She's made two seasons of Making The Band hopefuls respect the art of dance
Apparently, being in a band means it's okay that everyone can sing just "aight" as long as the total package can be pulled off. In four seasons, I haven't seen one MTB contestant that blew my socks off with their vocals. Not one! The last two seasons contestants are required to be a double threat (singing and dancing). With her quick fire routines and "boom cats" in place of 8-counts, she's made macho men quake in their boots at the thought of having to showcase real choreography. Hip Hop ship schop. I'm still loving the image of the guys doing Alvin Aileyesque moves.
posted by Paula at 8:23 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home