Fanny Pak gets their Freak On

Fanny Pak Gets Their Freak On
By Peter Gonzaga


Fanny Pak strike a pose after their performance of "Get Ur Freak On."

Burbank, CA - Looking back at the last episode (Thursday, July 31, 2008) of "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew," Fanny Pak definitely wowed Missy Elliott with their challenge of recreating her "Get Ur Freak On" video. All the judges were blown away by Fanny Pak as they stepped up their game and showed that they are a definitely a dance crew to contend with. After their performance, I was able to join in their celebration of their triumphant success of their challenge and sneak in a few questions.

PG: Hey guys, how's it going?
Fanny: Great! (Megan Lawson sticks out her tongue)

Great tongue action Megan.

PG: Missy Elliott is creative as anyone can get. How were you guys able to take the creativity of her video and make it a Fanny Pak video?
Matt Cady: Especially that it was Missy Elliott, we had to push ourselves creatively as we've never pushed ourselves before. We listened to the song, got the feel for the song and we got the video that we wanted. It's very dark. We never went that route before. We haven't gone that strictly modern almost hip-hop number and that's where we pulled our inspiration from this video.

PG: Shane mentioned about the crawling backwards move on the hands and feet. Who came up with that?
Cara Horibe: That was from "The Exorcist."


Cara Horibe and Phill Collins mesmerize you with their freaky eyes!

PG: Did it just come into your mind?
Cara Horibe: We were all trying to brainstorm and come up the weirdest f**kin blank. The first thing that came into my mind was Exorcist so I was like, "It would've been amazing if we came down some staircase." I think that would have been a little scary and a little short for time.

PG: With all the moves of this performance, what was the hardest to execute?
Matt Cady: Glenda's flips.
Glenda Morales: Nah, not that.
Fanny Pak: The tape!
Phill Collins: You can't tell if the tape falls off. If you're sweaty, the tape falls off before you start pulling it off.
Beau Fournier: Girl, then we got a free wax job. I think some of my hairs were on it. My lips were burning.


Beau Fournier and Matt Cady before their performance.

PG: So the whole time with the tape, you had trouble with that?
Beau Fournier: Well, I learned to tuck my lips to do it. It still hurt.
Matt Cady: He has a nice mustache and it tugged a little.

PG: Did you notice Missy Elliott get into your routine? It was like you did your own video and she was awed by it. How did you guys feel about it when she gave you all those props?
Matt Cady: That's the best feeling in the world!
Glenda Morales: It's Missy Elliott!
Megan Lawson: It's an honor because we were definitely excited about that video.


PG: Imagine if she did a remix of the video and had you guys star in it!
Fanny Pak: Aargh. Yeah!
Megan Lawson: I would probably die.
Phill Collins: Missy Elliott is one of my favorite artists.
Cara Horibe : If that happened that would be the best thing we got out of this even if we won!

All photos by Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press.

Bye Bye Boogie Bots.

In last week's episode, we saw the two strongest crews at the very bottom with "Supreme Soul" going home. For the judges, they were dumbfounded to the point of saying that America got it all wrong.

Lil Mama showed her displeasure that the Boogie Bots were not the group that was not in the bottom. She said that the crew did not excite her and with tonight's show, they did not prove her wrong.


Boogie Bots rusted out their welcome on the ABDC dance floor.

As for the situation with Lil Mama's response to what she said, she doesn't take any of it back. Before the taping of this episode, I was able to get a little comment from her:



PG: Last week was definitely a heavy week for elimination and you had some strong words about the Boogie Bots. Have you been able to relax and find your zen to concentrate on what the performances have in store for this week?
LM: I'm definitely going to concentrate on this week and we're definitely going to keep real and official with the crews. I'm not a strong believer in gossip or taking things out to be bigger than they are. When you're dealing with facts and emotions, no matter how it comes out it's always real. I mean I'm a loving person. I don't try to point out the negative aspects of anybody or anything anyone does. Tonight, I'll clear it up and keep it…

PG: Real.
LM: Definitely.

For a crew that was called out by a judge, one would of thought they would come back harder. Mama definitely didn't have to clear it up as the Bots did not prove her wrong.

This week's challenge was for each crew to take inspiration from the Missy Elliott song they were assigned.

Here's a quick recap of what the judges had to say including special guest Missy Elliott:


Boogie Bots let down Missy Elliott.

For The Boogie Bots performance:
JC Chasez: Floor foot work was nice. Choreography was a little off.

Shane Sparks: That was the worst. There wasn't anything that made me think you should be on this show. No Missy inspiration at all.

Lil Mama: I didn't get excited. Being cute can only go so far.

Missy Elliott: Nothing was tight. That was not good. If you were my dancers, I wouldn't be nice. You're not focused at all.


Fanny Pak and their Exorcist look.

Fanny Pak
Shane Sparks: Totally enveloped the whole concept. Created another show. Some "Exorcist" Stuff was a good job.

Lil Mama: Unforgettable . You gave us hip-hop, Egyptian, African, and Fanny Pak.

JC Chasez: This is a great number. Got missy throwing her hands around. Very diverse. you got freaky.

Missy Elliott: That was amazing. Very creative and made a new video.


So Real making it Real.

So Real
Shane Sparks: You had me from the intro. Knee knocker move was really sick. Moves were creative.

Lil Mama: Choreography on point.

JC Chasez: Top 3 next week. Not a lot of difficulty.

Missy Elliott: I enjoyed it. Got me into it. Youput yoru own twist into it.


Super Cr3w can build towers.

Super Cr3w
Lil Mama: What you got is choreography.

JC Chasez: An amazing performance. That was exciting, athletic, together and well done. Took the risk with the tower.

Shane Sparks: You got all the street dancers and break dancers at home standing up. Beautiful.

Missy Elliott: I loved the. You all are not just break dancers but choreographers. You made my video whack.


All photos by Sthanlee B. Mirador/Pacific Rim Photo Press

Most Favorite 2008 Super bowl Commercial

Trying to stay warm last night at "The Hottie and The Nottie" premiere, I decided to ask some random photographers and journalists what was their favorite commercials. Here are the top five in particular order:

"What Is Love?" Pepsi Commercial




Justin Timberlake Pepsi Commercial




Coca Cola It's Mine



Pepsi Enable Ad



Baby Rents Clown