Finalist Billy Bell has Left SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Due to Illness. Brandon Dumlao Joins Top 20.
Top 20 dancer Billy Bell has left SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE due to illness and will be replaced by Brandon Dumlao, 21, a Hip Hop dancer from Concord, CA. Dumlao will join the Top 20 this week as they compete on the first two-hour performance show Tuesday, Oct. 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.
“We are disappointed that Billy cannot continue dancing in the competition on the advice of his doctor and wish him a speedy recovery,” said executive producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe. “However, we are fortunate that Brandon Dumlao has agreed to return.”
Dumlao joins previously announced finalists – Phillip Attmore, Channing Cooke, Ariana Debose, Ashleigh Di Lello, Ryan Di Lello, Russell Ferguson, Mollee Gray, Karen Hauer, Kevin Hunte, Jakob Karr, Noelle Marsh, Pauline Mata, Kathryn McCormick, Legacy Perez, Bianca Revels, Peter Sabasino, Ellenore Scott, Victor Smalley and Nathan Trasoras – as they compete to become America’s Favorite Dancer.
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153 Responses to “Finalist Billy Bell has Left SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Due to Illness. Brandon Dumlao Joins Top 20.”
I really hope that the producers give him a direct pass to the top 20 for the next season as he was going to be a remarkable performer and had a strong chance of winning!
will billy be aloud back on the show next season???
it’s terrible to see Billy leave. However, it is good to see Brandon join the top 20! He should have been part of it instead of some of the other guys.
I thought that the opening performance with the top 20 was just STUNNING! I love this show. I watch every season. If I wasn’t 38 I would tryout myself. I have always thought I could dance!! lol
I’m so sad to see billy not going on! I hope he continues in futures years to become Americas favorite dancer! I know he is already mine! I love you Billy!!
What is the name of the song that the hip-hop group dance to on Monday night?
im so sad Billy won’t be apart of this season! i’ve been following his dancing for years; and was so excited to see him on the show… Hope he makes a well and speedy recovery; and hope to see him next season.
TOTALLY SHOULD HAVE ASKED DAVID THE BALLET GUY BACK INSTEAD OF ANOTHER HIP HOP GUY.
WHY NOT THE BALLET GUY? HE WAS AMAZING AND THE ONE I REALLY WANTED TO WATCH ON THE SHOW.
Billy…wishing you a speedy recovery. We’ll see you next season.
Darn. He was awesome!
totally agree. i am very excited to see brandon in the top 20! he deserves it and i was bummed when he didnt make it but now he is here!
my heart goes out to billy.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard this! Billy has been my favorite since his very first audition. I hope he gets better quickly.
OH NO I loved him, he was so flexible and free and expressive I hope he comes back next season
I’m actually sobbing in a corner at the moment
Sorry to hear Billy has had to leave. Get well soon and return next season!! Welcome Brandon! Go East Bay!!! I’ll be rooting for the home team!
I wish Billy the best. I no he will have his chance again. He’s really great! Good luck to them all, I hate 2 dancers has to be cut so soon. So much has already gone wrong in season 6! Hope no one else get hurt or ill.
This is a HUGE BUMMER. I love Billy!!
WOW!! I’m soooo disappointed! I wanted to see Billy dance!! Does it say anywhere what happened??
just a suggestion: watching the show tonight I was unable to enjoy the dancers as they performed. I feel that the camera was jumping from angle to angle, zooming in & out. Maybe if they zoomed back a little I feel you would have seen the entire stage better.
thanks, just a suggestion.
thanks
How can we keep Abdul off the show? She is such a train wreck.
She would just be a joke.
This is a huge bummer. I was really looking forward to watching Billy dance. His auditions and solos were amazing! On another note, why would a previous season dancer, Brandon, be able to come back. They should have grabbed a runner up from the season 6 auditions.
FRICK! First a busted nose, now this! Our own little Dancing Boy Billy is gone! I hope you can come back next season, though I don’t know how that really works.
NO ONE can hold a candle to you and you will be sorely missed!
Joe
I already picked Billy to be one of m favorites. Health first though … he’s truly an incredible dancer. He’ll be missed.
wait what was the illness that is preventing him from being on the show. it’s got to be bad if they had to replace him.
I hope they give Billy Bell a straight ticket to Vegas next year. He is so talented.
Hey there!
Not sure if this is the right forum, but as I couldn’t find Nigel’s email online, I guess it will have to do.
I want to see a “best of” so you think you can dance. Has that been done before? We can pull from just the North American series, or better yet, pull from across the world.
Maybe have 2 or 3 dancers from each country, along with the country’s best choreographers, competing for the “world’s best dancer”!
That’s what I want to see - I think it would be great to be exposed to different cultures, and different dance styles. We can even have the different countries represented in the judges panel.
If someone could please pass this along to Nigel, I would really appreciate it. Make it happen Nigel!
Thanks!
Karen
I’m really sorry to see Billy leave. He is excellent!!! and will be missed.
He could have been my favorite
My interest in this season just took a nosedive. Terrible news. Get well soon, Billy, and please do come back.
We saw the premier show filmed in Hollywood last week and Billy really stood out as an extremely talented dancer. He will be missed on the show and we hope his career as a dancer continues
The new stage is very disapointing and distracting. The multi flashing lights
take away from the forms and emotional impact of the dances. From a design point of view the curved grid elements on either side are also
distracting and for heavens sake drop the autumn scene. If the stage is too
big, reduce it with simple straight walls. I really miss the old theater.
The new stage is *awful*.
what really gets on my nerves is they keep saying the first ever tappers on the show, when in fact no, season 1 had a tapper. do they not even know the history of their own show!?!? ughh makes me so irritated.
The camera work on this show is atrocious! Hey FOX, get a clue! When you are shooting a DANCE routine you need to shoot FEET and LEGS. The dancer’s faces don’t mean squat when you can’t see how they are moving… ya know, the whole POINT behind a DANCE show! The addition of TAP to the mix… mic the freakin’ stage you idiots and back the vocals in the audio track down to nothing so that the WHOLE POINT of TAP isn’t LOST because your production staff doesn’t have a CLUE how to showcase this art form! TAP has more to do with the audio… hello… the NAME of the form is TAP… figure it out! If you are going to give the rest of the television viewing audience some idea of what Tap is all about you have GOT to present it properly or it will fall flat and do nothing but piss off every tap dancer in the world!
I know this much and I am NOT a dancer but I AM a professional in the technical end of the entertainment industry… try doing dance justice and presenting as dance instead of fluff!
THANK YOU, CHARLOTTE! I completely agree!!!! I HATE HATE HATE the new set/stage format. While seeing performances on a stage like this in a live format are what most of us are used to, on camera it’s absolutely terrible. It has completely taken away from the intimacy created by the old “round” set and now makes me feel detached from the dancers, as well as the dance. And all of the long camera shots don’t help. I am so disappointed they did this.
Nigel, you might do well to subscribe to an old U.S. philosophy. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Sandra Colton was a tapper in season one. So why are they saying Bianca is the first tapper?
I am SO sad, I’m almost shaking. I could not take my eyes off him when he danced. He must be so disappointed.
man, i’m super sad about billy bell not being a part of season 6. that solo that made adam shankman cry was so moving and amazing. i was looking forward to seeing him dance and i hope he gets well quick and returns for what will then be an amazing season 7!
It’s so sad. I hope for Billy’s soonest recovery.
I want to see him in Season 7.
Such sad news! Billy was the main attraction for me this season. I was not really interested in watching back to back sytycd seasons. His performance in Vegas changed my mind. I know I will not be an avid fan this season. And why another hip hop dancer….please! Get well soon Billy. This show will not be the same without you.
I’m SHOCK!
he’s probably the best this season - only god knows why he have to left.
oh god!
Billy wasn’t sick. He left due to personal reasons. Maybe stage fright, too demanding on his physique, realized Juillard was his passion. We’ll probably hear soon enough that it wasn’t illness and as a result of his dropping out, he won’t be back for season 7. Billy should speak up and let us know why he didn’t “man” up and continue.
I’m sorry to do this but last monday (in Brazil) I was watching tv and in your tv show ( So you think you can dance) some dancers did the Samba… As brazilian that I am… i i have to say that dance they did wasn’t the Original Brazilian Samba.. it was completly wrong…. What cam make you think that a North American can teatch the Samba better then a Brazilian teacher?
The steps was wrong..
the music wasn’t Samba.. it was anything but Samba
Please, next time ask to csomeone that really knows do the Samba.. The Brazilian Samba I mean!!!
P.S.: Sorry about my English…
What’s going on this year?! We’ve already had two people drop out of top 20 cos of injuries on the Dutch version as well! One of those was also during first week and they gave him a straight ticket to top 20 next season, so I hope they do the same for Billy, he was one of the best dancers of this season, in my opinion!
I’m so bummed he’s leaving! I had already picked him as one of my favorites this season! He really stood out!
I was hoping that I was not the only one who felt the new stage and lighting just took away from the dance. All the lines and form of the dance was lost in the arches and flashing lights. I think the last ballroom dance with a dark background illustrated that you don’t need the background distractions. Anyone who enjoys watching dance and not a light show should write in also.
“I really hope that the producers give him a direct pass to the top 20 for the next season”
Or at least to Vegas.. Billy YOU ARE AWESOME! I am so sorry this happened.. for you.. and selfishly.. for me.. who enjoyed watching you sooooo much!
please take that screaming woman off of so you think you can scream.
Love see him dancing, so powerful and refreshing from what you usually see in the show! Please let him back next season. Such an amazing dancer!
I thought Billy was going to drop his partner a couple of times. Comparing the duos in slo mo really shows some weaknesses. Where have I heard upper body strength before. It was lacking for Billy.
Billy was amazing, but also totally a boy among men in that mix last night. He was struggling to lift his partner during parts of the routine. As beautiful as his dancing is, I think it’ll be good for him to have a year off to develop more physically. I’m not worried that he’ll be back.
The cast is a weird mix of extremely young dancers and more mature dancers. I liked last night, but it felt a little bit like “Senior Recital” for a really tremendous performing arts school.
Also totally bummed about the new stage. It took them 5 seasons to almost sort of figure out how to shoot the show in the last place, and now we have to start all over? They’d be better off setting one camera that shot straight forward and not cutting all over the place. I missed all the skill in the tapping and the close zoom into sections of the dancers short-changed the choreography.
[...] last week’s TV Squad APB podcast. It turns out that the first to be affected was Billy Bell. Fox’s official website posted a message wishing Billy a speedy recovery. There were no details of his [...]
[...] Read more from the original source: So You Think You Can Dance - Finalist Billy Bell has Left SO YOU … [...]
The show did not come on in my area!! It was baseball instead! I’m so disappointed!!!
What’s Billy’s illness?? Is it the flu?
I thought Billy was probably the best male dancer of the Top 20. With him gone, I don’t see how Nathan and Russell won’t be the top 2 guys.
I hope Billy will be back in Season 7.
I agree about the new stage. It’s horrible. I want to see passionate dancing, not distracting lighting that doesn’t do a good job of enhancing the performances.
To the person who said that Brandon from Season 5 is back… this is the Brandon that was one of the two last guys’ cut in Vegas in Season 6. He’s a hiphop dancer. Brandon from Season 5 was a ballet dancer. They’re both black dancers named Brandon, but that’s the only similarity.
Finally… to the person who asked about the hiphop song, If you click on Recaps at the top right header, you can click on each episode from the season, and then click on Songs and Performances. It tells you the name and artist of each song. The song for the hiphop dancers was called Beggin’.
This season keeps getting worse, first no rotating judges, then I hear Mia is leaving, now this awful new stage and the bad camera work, I don’t get it, why change a winning formula. And if a contemporary dancer leaves why introduce a hip-hop dancer, 4 of them is too much.
This is my favorite show. I was so disappointed with the new stage. I did not like it in last season’s final and it was worse last night. On television, all you can see are the flashes and lighting and the center background scenery was so distracting from the dancers, what a shame. We were at the mercy of the cameramen, and you couldn’t hear the tappers tapping! One thing I appreciate on this show is the sensitivity and honesty. Please do not let it become something else because it has been such a success. I agree,don’t fix what aint broken. Nigel, I hope you are reading these comments and put things right.
Let Billy audition for season 7..he deserves a second chance. With that kind of talent and one more year to get well and grow… he’ll be even more fantastic.
NOOO! Billy was so good. I really hope he can do this again next season.
I, too, am not particularly impressed with the new set. Also was somewhat disappointed with the “Tap” performance Monday night. The sound was poor to say the least. Otherwise, as always, loved the show. Am absolutely addicted. So sorry to see Billy leave - for whatever reason. But, truth is every season there is AT LEAST one dancer that shines, and is dropped… remember WILL!? What is happening with him? BTY, why wasn’t the “Newspaper” number featured in the Best of show? Remains one of my favorites of all seasons.
Wow! What a disappointment, I really found Billy a definite front-runner.
Such true talent. He is such a joy to watch, can’t wait for Season 7, I suppose he will go straight to TOP 20. Good luck and get well, you will go far in dance.
I have chills just reading this, I was really looking forward to watching him dance this season.
Brandon Dumlao on Top 20?!?! Now I have a reason to watch the show again! Haha =P
OH MAN ARE U SERIOUS BILLY IS GONE HE WAS AMAZING LIKE SOOOO GOOD AND I WANTED TO SEE HIM WIT A PARTNER THIS SUCKS SOOO BAD AND OUT OF ALL PEOPLE BRANDON?REALLY? WHY ANOTHER HIP HOP DUDE WHY NT THE BALLET GUY WHY NOT JUST SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE HE WONT GO FAR IN MY OPINION,THERE Y GO WIT ANOTHER GUY WHO WILL JUST BE THEiR FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS JUST LIKE LEGACY.man they better bring billy bak STRAIGHT to season 7 riight on the top 20. Man he always getting sick he wuz fine last night at the show.
This makes me so sad, Billy Bell was already my favorite. He is amazing. I hope he gets better quickly. His amazing talent will be missed greatly. I can explain how sad I am about this.
Billy will be missed - Wow his dance was emotion - One thing SYTYCD has witnessed to the world is once you have a talent and a love for movement no matter where you are dancing….life is good! Get better Billy and season 6 dancers … just BRING IT!
Awww. We totally called him as the winner too! Get Well, Billy Bell! See you next season!
I am sick that Billy is not going to be on the show, I thought he would be the winner this season.
Hate the new stage and hope the humanitarian quality that makes this the best show dosent get caught up in the glitz and glitter that has nothing to do with the real grace and beauty of this art form.
Please bring back the old stage set up it allowed us to feel connected to the dancer as well as the audience.
Billy you will show things about dance that only you can show us, please don’t leave us hangin after this window was so beautifuly opened by your remarkable quift.
I thought this show showed more of their style…I think they are trying to be too much like Dancing with the Stars….which is NOT a good thing…BUMMER
Mary needs to STOP YELLING!! very annoying!
WOW…so sorry to learn Billy Bell had to drop out due to illness. There no doubt to everyone and anyone who knows dance Billy Bell would have won this season of “So You Think You Can Dance” He took command of the stage and all eyes were on him when dancing. Its going to be a good season but it has lost the main attraction. Get well soon Bill !!!! You are missed…
It seems that a lot of people are getting sick and I hope it is not anything serious and that he recovers quickly. Whether he comes back next season or not I am sure whatever Billy chooses he will go far in life!
HE WAS MY FAVORITE, I hope they let him in next season.
ok…i watched the opening show…and i saw billy perform and said he was the best…geeze….what sickness could be so bad to make you leave…..
One of my favorites gone already???
Still have Nathan, Mollee, Victor and Channing.
Hope they last til the end or another short season for me!
I don’t think he’s sick…I’m sorry, I just don’t. I don’t believe that Julliard “held” his scholarship for him as he stated in the final callbacks for the show and they probably gave him a take it or leave it option.
I am so disappointed! I just saw this information because after watching him last night and during the trials, I wanted to see more of him and was searching for yesterday’s performance so I could watch him again. He is an incredible dancer and just mesmerizing. So sorry to hear he is ill, especially since I think he was a shoe-in to win it all. Every time I watched him I just sat back and literally said wow!
It is kind of funny that the judges didn’t say anything worth listening to, to the contestants that did the hip hop routine. I am guessing the reason is because they know nothing about hip hop. Don’t have it on the show if you know nothing about it.
I HAVE to agree with all the comments about the new stage being a poor representation of how a dance should be seen.Also I have been complaining about the camera angles and zooms in and out for the past few seasons…we NEVER really see the entire piece!Fox is doing an injustice to these talented dancers!-I’m a dance instructor!
I have to mute the tv when the screamer I mean the lady judge talks. Her voice is so annoying. Might have to quit watching!!!!!!!!!!!!
American Idol and So you think you can dance are reflective of a movement…ignore the african american woman. I know there have to be some “brown” girls out there that can dance/sing. American Idol has turned into white America has talent and So You Think You Can Dance is close behind. You see a lot of african american boys with white girls.
I like Mary but the only girl of color but half white Arianna she just can’t see her talent. Bianca is getting a half baked chance but neither are of a darker complexion. Observe that!! This is not hate mail it is just an observation.
I cannot believe that Russell has to dance for his life tonight! He should not be in the botton four!!!!! There were worse dancers tonight.
I feel so bad for Billy Bell. I hope he gets better. It would be nice to see him on next season at least. He was the only dancer that actually made me cry during the Las Vegas week. His dancing is great and seeing him on the top 20 show off in the start of the season performance was breathless. He deserves an automatic ticket to next season like Nigel did for Nathan. I so would of loved to have seen him dance his dance with Pauline. I know he would of made me cry again. I’m sure he would of done the dance justice. PLEASE NIGEL give Billy a second chance. I love it when a dancer makes me cry on this show and i want it again.
Why is Russell in the bottom? If they cut him, Im done.
I too am very sad that he is not in the final. To be truthful, he was already so good he wouldn’t have shown much growth over the course of the show and that’s what the judges and fans go for. I would also like to say that the cameras jumping around all the time annoy me and take away from the show. It’s like I’ve missed the whole dance.
It’s such a shame to loose someone so wonderful. I hope that Nigel lets him back next year. If not, I say lets start a petition. Get better Billy! I danced most of my life and have never seen someone so amazing! You’re awesome! This season will certainly not be the same.
‘hope to see Billy back healthy next season. Best wishes to him during his recovery and always.
I agree that he should get a direct pass to the top 20 when he is able to come back
With BB out of the competition I have almost lost interest but Jacob is amazing.
OMG…I am so sad to hear Billy had to leave! I was so looking forward to seeing him this season…he showed such great talent and potential during auditions and Vegas week.
I agree with all, but Tara…it’s allowed.
Billy was the BEST!!! He was my favorite early on because his solo was just exquisite!!! UGH I’m so upset!
OMG! Billy when you dance, you move me to tears. You are poetry in motion to the Nth degree. I wish you well and hope you can make it next season. Shine on my friend, Shine On!
Are you kidding??? He was my favorite! I really hope he is back in the top 20 next season. He is one of the most amazing dancers I had ever seen!
I HAD BILLY BELL PICKED OUT TO WIN THIS ONE, HIS NOT RETURNING THIS SEASON TOOK THE WIND OUT OF MY SAIL. ALTHOUGH I HATE TO HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE SEASON TO HOPEFULLY SEE HIM RETURN I HOPE THAT HE DOSEN’T HAVE ANYTHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH HIM. ( ALTHOUGH I MUST ADMIT I AM CURIOUS). THIS SEASON WON’T BE AS EXCITING FOR ME WITHOUT HIM. SO PLEASE GET WELL SOON!!!!
Considering that brandon left tonight and Nigel gave him a pas to tryout next season, it’s only fair that Billy gets to as well. He was the BEST dancer this season and was a sure win. I’m so sad to hear he will not be competing this year
Did Billie’s school, Julliard, really give him permission to dance? I hope it wouldn’t have meant giving up his scholarship to Julliard if he remained in the competition.
I agree about the stage, its awful, the dancing feels detached from the audience and the lights take away sooooooo much. I loved the old stage feel, the audience was involved and it drew you in. This stage somehow seperates the viewer from that connection. Please don’t sell out just b/c you are now an amazing ly popular show, it doesn’t mean you have to change into a glamourized version from what made the show in the first place.
Billy! You are my favorite dancer ever!!! We all love you and your beautiful dancing! Everyone is behind you and we are all ready to vote for you next season when you are back to being healthy!! I love you and can’t wait to see you soon!
(JOE) Billy actually is sick.. just thought you should know. He is definatly not afraid of the stage, he dances ALL the time so am sure it was not to demanding on his physique, and yes he loves juilliard but that is not why he left the show.
this season is just “off” for some reason. The stage and the camera work makes me feel nauseas and I totally agree that it’s distracting to watch. Billy rocked. I really don’t think any of the dancers are likeable this season. Soo disappointed. The crumping guy is sweet and has a natural talent. Come back Billy!
I hate that Billy left. He was one of my favorites if not the favorite. I wish him a quick recovery and hope to see him next season. And I agree with the others. I hate the new stage. It looks very small and the lights and the sides are very distracting and takes away from the dance routines in my opinion.
The new set/stage is HORRIBLE. The performers are set back from the audience - there are no levels to the stage, and the backdrop……there are almost no words for how incredibly AWFUL it is. The pictures look blurry and out of focus. When in sharp focus - all you see are points of light - which don’t look like anything. The camerawork is also horrible. The cuts do not seem natural - lots of unnecessary zooming/panning. They also have trouble keeping both dancers in frame the whole time. Very, very, very poor execution that almost makes the show unwatchable. They’d do well to put the show on hiatus for a week or so and rebuild the set like it was.
A series of bad decisions
I don’t like where Nigel seems to be driving the show.
-The new stage is awful and distracting. Is this an attempt to be more holliwoodish?
-The system with the third rotating judge was fun and brought a diversity of point of views. Why change what was a winning combination?
-Even the costumes are not as good this year. The’re like the stage: too flashy, less artsy.
Finally, what is the deal with Mia Michaels? She said on SYTYCD Canada that she was leaving the US Show? What happened? Maybe she felt the show was moving in a direction she did not agree with? And I would not blame her…
Hopefully the Canadian show (excellent by the way) will not follow the path of his big US brother. Jean-Marc Généreux: please keep steering the boat in the same direction as in the first two seasons.
I think there’s more to this. If Billy got the flu for example, they would let him recover for a week (like they are letting the other girl’s knee recover for one week). So I’m thinking he’s seriously ill, or dropping out. How can we find out? His talent stood out by a long mile.
Billy,
You inspire me and make my soul feel like it is five years old and flying like superman. My heart is broken that we will not get to see you dance this season. I sure hope the judges give you a pass to the front of the line for the next season. Best wishes and take good care of your beautiful strong self!!
I’m thinking the new stage and the camera work during the Tap tribute made him so ill he couldn’t come back.
Best of luck Billy you were certainly a strong reason to watch this season.
I hope Nigel gives him a pass to Season 7. Billy was the most captivating dancer from the auditions and Vegas rounds. Please bring him back next season!!!!
I totally agree with what so many posts have already said…the new stage and lighting is HORRIBLE! The lighting and and video background is distracting, it is difficult to see the movement and lines of the dancers. Please, SYTYCD go back to the old stage.
yep, what a bummer - we were mostly looking forward to seeing billy, what a beautiful and different dancer! Just loved him! and YES—the NEW STAGE is a DISASTER!! I really hope the TV station bosses and Nigel will decide to change it back to the old format. I can’t see the dancing anymore, it’s all hype and show and crazy camera movements and bad camera angles, people above said it right. Given that the judges keep saying that these are the best dancers ever (although, please, stop saying that, they are all great!) you’d think they’d want us to really perceive and follow every brilliant movement, but no… Just keep the camera still, people, no zooming, no moving around, and take the distracting background away. Simple does it!
I love seeing Billy dance! I hope he can come back another season! He was one of my favorites this season.
Billy was already my number one dancer! I was sorely disappointed that he was not on tonight, and just about devastated that he will not be in the competition! What a loss!
I rewound my dvr twice looking for Billy in the line up.
My best wishes to Billy. BILLY IF YOU’RE READING THIS: you are so fabulous, so likable, so talented! You will truly be missed!! YOU ARE NUMBER ONE!
Wishing you a fast recovery and great health. You are so blessed with talent and charm.
Charm, darling, charm is what I meant to say. Russell is my favorite now.
I was really sad to hear that Billy had to leave. I wish him a speedy recovery. I was glad that Brandon got a chance to perform….however I really feel that SYTYCD was not fair to him, Russell or Paulina. I feel that they should have held off on the eliminations this week and had a double one next week to give everyone a chance to get their balance back. Poor Brandon, asked to come back only to leave again. Then to only have a day and a half to prepare. Give me a break! And Russell - how much chemistry is he going to have with a much older woman and his teacher at that!?! This week was just not fair to any of them.
I’m so sorry for my lose. I know he would of continued to bring joy, tears, goosebumps. and a roller coaster of emotions with each and every performance. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. Phenomenal talent. You definitely need to bring him back next year so the world can experience his gift.
Sad, very sad to say Billy almost certainly won’t be back. I suspect that Adam’s emotional response was because he knew something was up, and it wasn’t good. I don’t know anything y’all don’t know, but the way it unfolded reminds me of past similar problems.
Mia’s haircut bodes ill for her situation as well. Hopefully we won’t lose her talent.
I probably won’t be watching for awhile. This year’s crop is mind bending, and I thought last year’s 20 were impossible to beat. Yikes. Still, this is too sad to watch.
Make sure Billy come back next season, he deserves to be in there. I saw his performance in Viva La Vida, and he is amazing, spectacular. I saw his performance 10 times yesterday. Watching him is like a dream..
There is an official message from Billy’s family.
I am there for Billy. Get well, mate.
Brandon was told by Nigel that he may be able to return next season, changing the rule that once a dancer gets into the Top 20 & is eliminated, he/she cannot return. Okay…..what about Billy Bell???? Nigel should seek the same exemption for him that he’s seeking for Brandon! Billy Bell is a far better dancer than Brandon!
This season is just SOOO wrong! The stage is horrible, camera work is horrible, and the blinding lighting is horrible. I love tap, but the way they are portraying these tappers is horrible. What they did to Brandon was horrible. The 3 permanent judges idea is horrible, and I swear, if Paula Abdul comes on the show I’m going to boycott that episode. I hate that woman. The dancers this season don’t seem very likeable, and I’m failing to see much talent, even though they keep saying that this season is the best of all of them. I don’t believe that for one second. They’re making it too much like American Idol or Dancing With the Stars with all of the glitz and not as much of the art. If I don’t start seeing some better dancing and some better routines then I’m going to lose attention. This used to be one of my FAVORITE shows that I looked forward to, but it’s like I’m watching a completely different show now. I should have realized that when they held last season’s finale in that huge place. Listen to the fan’s fox!
I really do not get the Nigel ,he says that ” I’m going to talk with Fox about Brandon” but heyyyyy you are forgetting someone who is way better than him - Billy bell . I think they have to make an explanation about Billy. I mean it’s not fair he is so talented and watching him while dancing is great. This season is going to suck I think. Maybe Nathan and Mollee could be worth to watch this season.
Everyone wants to hear that Billy has a free ticket for season 7…
Get better soon Billy
Billy was my number 1 favorite on the show and he will be sorely missed! It’s so upsetting that he will not participate this season. You can’t take your eyes off of him when he performs! His dancing is inspiring, emotional and passionate. I hope that SYTYCD will allow him back in the top 20 for season 7…he deserves the opportunity and it would be in their best interest since he already has developed a fan base. People want to see him perform!.
I have been a big fan of his since he was 14 years old attending Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. I can tell you he would never drop out of a show unless he was seriously ill and following doctor’s orders…he’s a hard worker and it’s just not in his nature to drop out. The training he received at DSOA would never allow it and he has always demonstrated a great work ethic. He is passionate about dance and certainly a prestigious school like Juillard would never have given him a scholarship unless he possessed true talent.
Also, not a fan of the new stage or camera work. I liked the simplicity of just focusing on the dancers with some strategic lighting to enhance the performance…not distract from it.
What happened to Mia Michaels…she’s such an amazing choreographer! I look forward to her pieces every season.
Loved Travis’s piece but I think a recap of what the winners from past seasons are doing now (like Nick!) would be awesome. We are all curious about what they have done with their careers.
Well, my heart goes out to you Billy! I wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you next season!!!!
[...] out with illness. It has been revealed that 19 year old Billy Bell, a contemporary dancer from West So You Think You Can Dance – Finalist Billy Bell has Left SO YOU. 27 Oct 2009. LOS ANGELES – Illness has forced Billy Bell out of the competition on “So You [...]
I REALLY HOPE BILLY IS FEELING BETTER. HE SHOULD DEFINATELY COME BACK NEXT SEASON! WHAT AMAZING TALENT GOD HAS GIVEN HIM!!!
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I have loved dance all of my life & was so thrilled to discover this show during its first season. It was my very favorite TV program ever. I loved the intimacy & artistry of the dancing & choreography. I’m very dismayed, irritated & disappointed by the hugely distracting, GAUDY & distancing SET. I hope that SOMEONE with some editorial power reads these posts and hears that the biggest fans HATE THE NEW SET and the disorienting camera work that it creates. Of course, I also adored the fabulous talent of Billy Bell & feel that he should be allowed to come on next season if he is well enough. Rotating judges must be reinstated as well, it was always refreshing to hear a variety of opinions.
[...] start with Julliard dancer Billy Bell, one of this season’s most promising contemporary dancers, pulling out of the competition due to illness. SYTYCD choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon wrote on Twitter that he has mono, while his family [...]
There is no way Russell deserves to be cut. If they cut him, I’m seriously banning SYTYCD in my house.
Juilliard will be good for Billy, but Billy will be GREAT for Juilliard! He would also have been amazing on this show. He is also a 19yr old choreographer, and he’s amazing at it. Look him up on YouTube. I was blown away. He will be missed. I was so looking forward to watching him grow even more as a dancer. Yes he is small, but so talented. I don’t know if he struggled lifting his partner. The lines may have looked awkward due to his height but he did carry her and even I was surprised. Don’t kid yourself, he’s an athlete he can carry anyone on that show. He didn’t drop out because of the pressure, just look at his dancing record before the show. Yes this is many millions with high expectations, but this is a boy who was born to dance and you can see him get lost in it. It’s beautiful and what better show to showcase his genius. I wish him well at school and in life and please at least BRING HIM BACK TO CHOREOGRAPH some of the modern dance THIS YEAR. Mia has her emmy, Billy would easily win one for his routines.
I’m gonna miss you. you are the most talented dancer I have ever seen. When you made Adam cry,during your one performance. Omg
I hope you recover soon, and we want to see you get a pas right to next season. get well take care
dee
They’re letting Brandon try out again next season- will they let Billy try out again, too?
Billy Bell is the dancer that I kept watching the show to see.
GET WELL SOON BILLY!
I feel so left out! I was out of town and thought the show would be on tonight, Wednesday. Then I discovered I missed both Monday and Tuesday. Does anyone know of a way to see the missed shows (I don’t have a recorder so they are not recorded, and even if I did, I would not have known to record Monday and Tuesday night!) Thank you.
Why so many of you think that Billy couldn’t come back? He is talented.
I’m sure he can get into 20 easily. He was not cut, therefore, he must get the opportunity to be in the top 20’s.
Billy was an amazing dancer and would have gone all the way!
Four judges would be unnecessary. Three with a guest is fine. I like Paula, but she is not a good judge; sometimes it is difficult to understand her critiques.
I’m so disappointed!!! Billy Bell’s dancing is the one thing I looked forward to seeing, even in slow mood his dancing was perfect!!! I totally agree that the show just took a huge nosedive. Come back soon Billy!!!
What is a the secrecy about his “illness”. The less we are told the more suspicious we should be. I can’t google any in-depth answer to Billy’s sudden exit. There’s more to this story and apparently keeping it a secret is better for the SYTYCD image. It will eventually come out, though.
Love the show, hate when Mary gets excited and her voice gets higher and higher, then that awful screaming. I have to record then fast forward when it comes to her. Is it just me that gets irritated by her.
I think Billy Bell is the best dancer we have seen in a long time. I do hope they will let him come back next year. I hope that they will tell us what is wrong with him.
I want more Billy Bell.
Amy
Totally agree with Dianne (26th) SUTUCD moves the camera WAY TOO MUCH at odd angles. We strictly watch the show for this!!! Stop moving the cameras. Glad Adam is on!! Sad Billy is gone…why?
Please please please stop moving the cameras!!!!!
As an older fan, I thought it was just me that has
a hard time enjoying the hard work the dancers try to show us. Bright flashing lights, cameras all over the place, short clips. I have been frustrated for the past couple of years. Sitting here saying “why don’t they just let us watch the dancing”. My first time to look at the blog and a lot of fans feel the same way. We are not watching to see how creative and fancy the lighting and camera crew can be, WE WANT TO SEE THE DANCERS PERFORM.
Hate the new stage. And the camera moves around so much you can’t enjoy the whole dance. Very distracting, nauseating and disappointing.
I am so glad that the majority of people agree that this season seems to be heading down the wrong path. First the new set (I couldn’t even see the last disco dance with all the flashing lights!) and the three permanent judges, way to much glitz and glam. It seems as though they are trying to attract the more mainstream viewers, but by doing so they are going to lose the most loyal who watch it and can really appreciate the artistry it portrays. Something better change either by the end of this season or by season 7, or else this loyal viewer is done!
On another note… Billy you were amazing and I’m so sad to see you go, get well and come back next season!
i hate this he used to choreograph for dryfoos and im a freshmen there now i wanted to vote for him.
SYTYCD has been my favorite show on TV since it began. I have never felt the urge to find out what others thought about it till now, because everything about it was so awesome, without the usual reality TV de-humanizing elements. After watching the first couple of episodes of season 6, I had to find out if others felt the same … and you guys do! Great dancers again, of course, but could the set, costumes, camera work and lighting have been any more disappointing and distracting?! Gone is the lovely, curved stage which allowed the audience and the viewers to see the patterns and dimensions of the dance from all angles, to be replaced by stupid back projections and StarTrek-esque pillars; gone are the thoughtful costumes, to be replaced by feathers and those disgusting tutus etc (I teach drama to kids, and the moms who make our costumes do a much better job!); gone is the smooth, multi-dimensional camera-work. My job also teaches me that it’s quite important for the performers to be LIT when on stage. What was that crap?! I really hope someone who can influence the show reads this … can anyone tell me how to get feedback to the right people? This was an INCREDIBLY disheartening start … I’m glad my husband and I aren’t the only ones who think so! Giant bummer!
1] Illness w/o explanation? would not be surprised if this is the show’s lawyers whispered HIPPA in the producers’ ears;
2] Set design is a flop… but a sunk cost for the show. after spending as much cash on its design and construction, do you think they are willing to replace it anytime soon? Do you think anyone from the show reads these posts or even cares? think back to any of the old Dick Clark shows, a la “Bloopers”. do you see any similarities? Old set had the stairs and a wide set of steps in the back which provided elements for the choreogs to use in pieces. does the new set yield as much? could the subtle hand of the insurance field be playing out here… no steps… reduced ankle injury potential;
3] directorial elements are pitiful. seems like the “MTV quick cut” style of production pervades the media today. the crew in the booth lack clinical skills in production for a mass audience. most likely, they are producing the show for the under 25 set and do not care about anyone over that demo. as such, they will continue to put out a show along the lines we have seen so far [this is their attempt at being "hip"];
4] regular season gamble. producers failed to recognize what made the show a summer-time hit. thinking that they could be as successful doing a reg season show missed the mark… and the ratings prove this. wise move will be to return to a summer only program.
billy is not the only part of the show that is suffering.
i was so bummed to hear about billy bell. he and channing were my favorite. i wish him a quick recovery and hope to see him next season. fingers crossed for billy
1. Billy: Losing you this season is such a disappointment for all of us who were touched by your sweetness and spectacular talent. I’ve shed my tears, but it’s critical to your future that you recover completely so we’ll all just have to bear it. I must believe you will be back for S7. I would be so sad if we never got to see you on the show. (Now conspiracy theorists, just STHU!!)
2. The set: Like Viewer 10/31, I too doubt Fox and the producers will/can go back to the old set after making the big investment, but if they’re smart they’ll listen to all of us and make some changes FAST. As of now, the stage is a bust. The flashy lighting and terrible backgrounds, bad audio and swirling camera work will ruin the show. You had something different and better than DWTS- a format that truly highlights the dance and dancers according to your stated mission, not the set and glitz. You don’t have to scrap everything but bring the intimacy back or you will lose your fan base. Don’t sell out to flash: keep it real!
3. Adam Shankman’s addition is a plus but bring in a revolving 4th judge if you have to to add the fresh perspective. Limit Abdul to three shows at most; same with L’il C or Toni Basil– all terrible judges despite their undeniable contribution to their genre. I guess Mary has bought a stake in the show so we’re probably stuck with her shrill, annoying presence, which, though it’s hard to believe, some people seem to actually like. (I’ve been muting her for years while my prayers to drop her go unanswered.)
4. Finally: Losing Mia Michaels is a tragedy, but I’m not surprised she’s ready to move on and has a bigger creative itch than the show can offer her. I hope in exchange we will get more Travis Wall to salve the wound. His use of story and the character of his movement/choreography evoke Mia’s brilliance while staying uniquely his own. It’s icing on the cake that he came into the family as a competitor. I’m proud he’s a fellow Virginian!
re; “TAP has more to do with the audio… hello… the NAME of the form is TAP… figure it out! If you are going to give the rest of the television viewing audience some idea of what Tap is all about you have GOT to present it properly or it will fall flat and do nothing but piss off every tap dancer in the world!” by Joe
i completely agree that they need to present it properly and professionally! i myself, heard a MIC’d tapping and still it seemed off. whatever the solution, please find it, SYTYCD. your mission is wonderful and its true beauty is well represented in your website’s videos!
As I watched Billy dance on the first night, I marveled as he flew through the air. Taking off and landing as if a breeze had blown a leaf, or a feather. No start, no stop to his motion; just the fluidity of movement. All of the dancers this season are extraordinary. Billy is of another galaxy…………… I feel certain when I say “America wishes you a speedy recovery”. It is my hope that Fox network will not deprive us of your artistry, and will allow you to dance for America once again, next season.
I could not let your exit pass with comment.
Though I have watched So You Think You Can Dance every season, I have never found the need to comment. Your grace Billy, has touched my heart, my soul. I fully understand why Adam was brought to tears as you performed. Adam you are so right. I wouldn’t know magic if the wand was in my hand, but Billy was a magician of the soul.
Be well child and heal quickly.
I have never met Billy nor anyone that knows him……..
i give billy my best wishes and wanted to say that my whole family misses billy and hope he is well.the top 20 is amazing and evreyone there,good luck to everyone and billy!
billy get wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllll soon!
Ok…a bit nervous here. First ever comment to the show so forgive the length. I want to say a few things on point about Billy and then a few things about other points mentioned. Billy, you have a God given gift. Never be afraid to take chances with something so incredible. You made me reflect on how Travis blew me away. I only began performing in 2001 and I’m a singer. Respected many dancers I worked with and around but was rather…uncomfortable watching(and using) choreographed dance. It wasn’t until this show SYTYCD first aired and I was captured quite by surprise. I’m a grown man and those kids in the first season (and since) had me sobbing(DAMN YOU MIA!!”shaking fists”). More than that…the kids, the judges, the choreographers…watching them all made me realize that respect was one thing but appreciation was another. Singers might move me, but wow…dance…it just draws me INTO a world where I see SO much more. Nothing can deminish what the producers have achieved thus far…for me. This brings me to a quick and final few words.
Much of the performances are wonderfully done but AGREED, the new lighting/camera work especially distracts depending entirely upon the type of dance performed and the moments they are used in. The size of the stage could be a good thing with freedom of movement but…can a compromise be reached to bring back the intamacy the lighting and stage once had? I don’t want to loose the realness this show brought to me for dancers…the simple beauty I never gave it credit for.
I was most excited to watch Billy dance and he stood out even in the top 20 opening number which was one of the best openings I have ever seen in all 6 seasons. I hope Billy gets straight through to the top 20 season 7. I like his replacement Brandon but I wish they picked the ballet dancer. He was amazing.