Teldon's Rewatch Review: Season 5 Episode 9 - Illusion Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Oh goodie. As if doing it once was not enough, we get another magic challenge.  This time with a shiny new coat of a new name, The Illusion Challenge.Will crews be able to incorporate a big trick into their routines or will this end up making them all look stupid? Click here to watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review. Next up: Hip Hop Nation and Last Chance Challenge. 

More work from ABDC6's top auditioners: Oceans 11 (Eclectic Gentlemen)

Oceans 11 (a crew that made it to the callback rounds in LA for ABDC6) has a new video: "Bet I Bust". From the beast9688 Youtube Channel. UPDATE: The crew will compete on ABDC6 as Eclectic Gentlemen.

Video: Japanese ad for Smart Phones with JabbaWockee-esque dancing

I love this Japanese ad for the Dell Streak hybrid smartphone/tablet. It was shot in downtown Tokyo earlier this year.

Teldon's Rewatch Review - Season 5 Episode 8: The Usher Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Now we continue with what I remember as the start of the decline of Season five -- Usher Week.  Yet another iconic challenge for the crews this season. Will the the slower pace of these songs trip them up or will they keep their bearings and deliver a solid performance? Click here to watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review . Tomorrow: the Illusion Challenge.

Our thoughts and prayers to those in the Asia Pacific area

The Asia Pacific area -- including Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Philippines -- are coping with damage or threats from a massive earthquake and resulting tsunamis. Our thoughts are with the people in those areas, including some of our favorite dancers and BBDC community members.

LMFAO's Party Rock Music Video, featuring Quest Crew and Inside the Box

LMFAO's latest music video uses members of Quest Crew (ABDC3 winners) and Inside the Box (ABDC auditioners) as background dancers. Thanks for the tip, Shahin and Adobostreak!

Fan-made ABDC Winners Tribute video

To prepare for the new season, reader Raven created an America's Best Dance Crew tribute video featuring performances by all five champions, on her Ravcampbell Youtube Channel. Thanks Raven!

Note to readers: I.aM.mE videos are currently (let's hope just temporarily) disabled

Several readers have complained or commented about two recent developments concerning I.aM.mE:

• The take-down of Pacman's Youtube Channel for "multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement"
• An enigmatic tweet from I.aM.mE: "Unfortunately things don't work out the way you plan but IaMmE will stay strong in 2011 and bring you the new youtube videos that yall love" 

My take on these messages: 

• Don't try and interpret this as a message about I.aM.mE and America's Best Dance Crew Season 6.   
• I will not remove/disable my posts with links to Pacman's Channel, since the videos will probably be re-enabled. Given the listed sources of the complaint, there is an excellent chance that upon review of the charges, Youtube will reverse their decision. If there are music copyright issues (possible since these are dance videos), the normal course of action taken by Youtube is not to block a channel but to either: put ads on the video with revenues going to the music publishers OR to strip out the soundtrack. But, it may take some time for this to be resolved.  So, be patient and hope Youtube recognizes the claim is false and appreciates viewers' desire to see the videos ASAP!

Video: Poreotics promo for ABDC Season 6

Each season, MTV introduces the next season of America's Best Dance Crew by showing off the previous season's winners. It's Poreotic's turn, dancing in a castle that looks like Grand Central Station under a full solar eclipse. I guess that explains why the guys always wore sunglasses. Or something. Note: the original video was taken down, but this video ad for Poreotic's South Africa tour contains most of the material in the ad.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review -- Season 5 Episode 7: The Disco Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

We got funky with Lady Gaga last week.  This week, we are gonna get FUNK KAY with the music and dancing of my favorite era: The Disco Era! Will the crews be able to get down and be funky enough to tackle the magnificence of the mirror ball?  In addition, crews will be given a challenge move from the disco era to incorporate and ALL crews must include a lift into their routine. Click here to watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review. Next: the Usher Challenge.

Video: Mos Wanted Crew's ABDC6 callback routine

Mos Wanted Crew announced on Facebook that they were not chosen for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6. Here's a taste of what we'll be missing: their callback routine (using Ke$ha's "We are Who We are") for the auditions, created in only four hours. 

Mos Wanted will be performing at World of Dance Los Angeles on April 2, and are trying to clear their schedules so they can perform at WOD New York later in the year.

Watch trailer for ABDC6 -- Season of the Superstars

 A promotional trailer for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 aired on March 9, 2011. Mario Lopez' voiceover says that each week the crews' challenge will "feature the hottest music of a different superstar", showing Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, and Black Eyed Peas. Snippets of audition footage are also used. Thanks for the tip, Del!

Music Video: Jacynthe's "Don't Touch Those Faders" with Blueprint choreo, Irratik & 8 Count dancers

Jacynthe stars in this new music video of "Don't Touch Those Faders". Steve Bolton (leader of 8 Count and ABDC5's Blueprint Cru) was the artistic director and Blueprint Cru member Lorena Liebman choreographed the piece, with dancing by Irratik and 8 Count. Thanks for the tip, Shahin!

Teldon's Rewatch Review - Season 5 Episode 6: Lady Gaga Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!1!!!!!!!!!!!!111!1!!!!!!  About damn time they got to this singer!  We are now entering to the Gaga Zone.  Expect things to get bat scat crazy with the various visuals and costumes tonight.  Will crews be able to bring out the Little Monster in themselves and channel the divinity that is known as Lady Gaga? Watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review. Tomorrow: the Disco Challenge.

Time to reenter our ABDC6 Top 10 contest!

We launched our ABDC Top 10 contest last week, inviting readers to submit entries naming who they think will get picked to compete on America's Best Dance Crew Season 6. Here's the original post describing the contest, rules, and prizes. One of the rules was that we'd only take one submission a week; several readers are now eager to submit new entries based on new rumors/gut feelings. So, send them in now to ABDCContest@Gmail.com.  Good luck!

Solo work by top ABDC6 auditioners Part 2: Morris (Fallen Kings) wins French Dance Competition

Latest activities from crews who did well at the ABDC6 auditions: Morris from Fallen Kings won the Chelles Battles Pro competition in France this week. Congratulations, Morris! 

Solo work by top ABDC6 auditioners Part 1: Moon (I.aM.mE) "If I was You"

New work from crews who did well in the ABDC6 auditions: Here's a video from a workshop taught by Moon of I.aM.mE, using Far East Movement's "If I was You". From marvelousmoon Youtube.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review: Season 5 Episode 5 - Music Video Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Well after going away for two seasons the Video Star Challenge is finally back!  Will it still be as good as we remember it from ABDC Seasons One and Two?  Time to find out. Click here to watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review. Next:  Lady Gaga!

More work from ABDC6's top auditioners Part 2: ReQuest

We profiled ReQuest a few weeks ago as one of the crews that made it to the callback round of the LA auditions for America's Best Dance Crew. Since then, they posted this noteworthy video of "Plastic Freaks" on their ReQuestDanceCrew Youtube Channel.

More work from ABDC's top auditioners Part I: Stryke Force

Many crews that auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 have posted noteworthy videos since we profiled them a few weeks ago. Case in point: Stryke Force, with new work on their Strykeforceent Youtube Channel. Click here for a Stryke Force rehearsal, giving a closer look at the individual styles and skills. And the latest is "The Usher Experience".

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review: Season 5, Episode 4 - Chart Topper Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

 We've seen the fifteen crews assembled to audition for us. Now, only nine remain.  The Nationals start now and unlike most other seasons the crews are given a challenge right out the box, instead of a Crews Choice.  Tonight is the Chart Topper challenge.  Nothing really special about it really; crews just have to make a routine to a hit song is all.  However, since this is Nationals Week One, we will have the fourth sudden death of the season with one crew from each region in the bottom three. Click here to watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review. Up tomorrow: the Music Video Challenge.

Performance videos from Urban Street Jam: Congratulations Choreo Cookies, Villains, Jungle Boogie!

The winners at Urban Street Jam 2011 were some of our old favorites -- First place: Choreo Cookies; Second Place: Academy of Villains (affiliated with ABDC2 crew Supreme Soul); Third Place: Jungle Boogie (America's Best Dance Crew 5 alums). Pacific Rim filmed the winning performances. Here's Choreo Cookies. Click here for Academy of Villains and Jungle Boogie performances.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch review: Season 5, Episode 3: The West

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Finally we move to the West Coast audition to bring the total number of crews chosen to 9.  Will last week's energy be carried over to this week or will it taper out? Watch the episode here, then read the Rewatch Review. Tomorrow's review: Chart Topper Challenge.

Video: Kaba Modern perform at ElecTRONica

Kaba Modern are dancing at Disney's ElecTRONica on weekend nights through March 20, 2011.From theRonieeDiaz Youtube Channel.

Video: The Australian TV promo for America's Best Dance Crew

I don't think MTV would try this advertising strategy in the United States.