Okay, so Katie Holmes' big "So You Think You Can Dance" Judy Garland tribute was a big fat mess. Yes, she was lip-synching. And yes, her dancing was just a couple steps up from sitting. You could practically hear the Internet snickering around 8:47 p.m. last night as the routine premiered, but let's remember an important thing: It was for charity!
Katie never pretended to be a singer/dancer (although in a short interview before the performance, she did say she likes to do both) so why were we expecting the next Cyd Charisse? Mrs. Tom Cruise wanted to bring awareness to the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a non-profit Katie created with a bunch of "So You Think You Can Dance" regulars, and you know what? It worked. Ratings aren't in yet, but I won't be surprised if the "SYTYCD 100th Show Celebration" ends up one of the highest rated episodes.
If anything, I fault the producers for including Katie's routine on such a big night for the show. They brought back three Emmy-winning routines from past seasons, and this season's top 10 is arguably its most talented, so surrounded by all these stellar performances, Katie Holmes' "Soft-Shoe 101" stuck out more than Tom Cruise in Harlem. If they had premiered the performance on a regular results show, it might not have seemed as noticeably ... off.
I'm always trying to convert non-believers to the church of "SYTYCD" for its never-ending display of talent. The dancers are in top shape, the choreographers create unforgettable routines on a week to week basis (this season alone has delivered at least 10 [] jaw-dropping dances I won't forget). So to have so many people tune in for a lackluster vanity performance bums me out. I'd rather people focus on the three stellar routines from "SYTYCD" past (or the moving breast cancer dance which premiered Wednesday) and just file this Katie Holmes space oddity in the same part of the brain that remembers K-Fed's Teen Choice Awards debut, Rob Lowe's "Snow White" Oscar duet and Bindi Irwin rap song on "Today."
Besides, the real tragedy last night had nothing to do with a celebrity trying to dance. Janette and Jason got booted last night! Now that's an outrage.