Twitch shows why he's Boss

Stephen "Twitch" Boss, the freestylin' wonder from Alabama -- oh, and runner-up from this year's "So You Think You Can Dance" competition talks with Channel Surfing blogger Sara Boyd on everything from the extreme volumes of one Miss Mary Murphy to exactly what Lambeau Field is.

Check out the full interview from Oct. 5:

Sara Boyd: Hey Twitch, thanks for taking the time to talk with us. So you're in Fresno right now, is that right?
Twitch: Hey, no problem. Yeah, we're in Fresno now and then we’re headed to Scottsdale.

SB: So let's start from the beginning, per se. Last season, it was down to you and Hok – and the judges went with the Englishman – then this year, had you not made the Top 20 you were headed for the Navy. How crucial was making the show this year for you?
Twitch: Crucial. These things happen every once in a while, the crossroads or a fork in the road, shall I say, because it came down to all the hustle and bustle. I’ve been dancing, for not all of my life, but I’ve been trying to dance professionally and trying to make a career out of it for a while and it’s so unstable. I reached the 25 (years old) mark and I was like, “OK, it’s time for me to start really getting my life in order.”

Either it has to be one of two things. Either this is my last go around to really try and make things work in the entertainment industry or I just need some stability so I can figure out what I really need to do with my life. So it was either the show, or if not the show, I was definitely going into the Navy. No matter what happened it had to be a drastic change in my life.

SB: Do you ever think of where you might be had you not made the show?
Twitch: Everyday. You know, especially traveling the road, I could definitely be on a boat right now. I’m not quite sure how the Navy works but I think about that everyday. Just thinking about the people I know now, we’ve gotten so close to everybody in the cast – not just the people who are touring but the Top 20. I can only imagine.

SB: When you finally got that seal of approval and the judges announced you were in, what were your hopes for the season?
Twitch: For me it was definitely one step at a time. I definitely like to try to plan things out, but with shows like this you can never solidify – there’s always a chance, it’s on votes. I just had to go week-by-week.


SB: Did you ever think you were going to make it to the Top 4 and be on the show until the very end?
Twitch: You know what, I never really thought it but I didn’t doubt it either. I kind of approached it, not with no expectations, because I tried to put my best in every week, but you know, I just approached it as what’s going to happen is what’s going to happen. I’m going to go out there and give it my everything and you know that’s all I can do. What happens from there, I’ll work with that.

SB: So I gotta ask, what was up with the lensless glasses and how did that whole thing come about?
Twitch: I call it my Clark Kent look. I’m obsessed with Superman so it gives my little Clark Kent identity, I guess. When I’m without them, I feel like I’m a different person.

SB: So when did this Superman alter ego start for you?
Twitch: Ever since I was small. Superman’s just been one of my favorite heroes of all time. He’s just ultimate. He’s very true but he’s very humble – I know he’s not real (laughs) but he’s a very humble hero.

SB: Switching topics, I have to know. How loud is Mary Murphy when you’re only a few feet away from her? And especially when she dubs you worthy of the ‘Hot Tamale Train?’
Twitch: Oh my gosh. So loud. Ear piercing. (Laughs) It’s one of those things when it’s very loud – you really want it but when you get it, it’s just like, ‘Oh my gosh, wow.’ You enjoy it from the TV, but not from the studio.

SB: So now on to the tour, which began Sept. 20. How’s it been going?
Twitch: It’s been going awesome. It’s fun, a lot of fun. Just performing for a totally different group of people every night that’s equally excited to see you. Every night, it’s somebody’s first time seeing the show. It’s always new and exciting and we’re trying to find new and exciting ways to push the envelope of the show and just make it better and better. So I feel like it’s always a work in progress.

SB: What’s been the highlight for you so far?
Twitch: You know every show has a different highlight, whether it’s the fans screaming through the speeches or people running down the aisleway with a big poster that says “Chelsea.” It’s just really getting loud because we’re right there. It’s awesome.

SB: What can fans expect from the tour?
Twitch: We’re doing all the favorites from the show and then everybody does a solo. Also, what people can expect from the tour is to get to know us a little bit better because we talk through the entire show, it’s us that’s hosting. It’s us introducing each other. I think people really get a chance to see our personality come through a little more. The show is jam-packed. I’m sure there will be no disappointments at all.

SB: You’re heading to our neck of the woods soon, stopping at the Resch Center on Oct. 18. Have you ever been to Green Bay, or Wisconsin for that matter?
Twitch: No, I’ve never been. I’m actually really looking forward to it and getting out there and walking around a little bit even if we only have half a day. What is there to do, actually? I’m talking to you, what is a must do if I have two hours in Green Bay?

SB: Well you'll be at the Resch Center so I guess you gotta go see Lambeau. If you’ve never been, that’s probably a must.
Twitch: Lambeau?

SB: Yeah, it's, um, where the Green Bay Packers play? Lambeau Field.
Twitch: Hmm, Lambeau. OK. Yeah, that’s going to be awesome. I’m looking forward to coming out and checking it out.

SB: So once the tour is over, what are your plans? I heard you might move from dancing to acting?
Twitch: Well not really moving from, but I’ll be trying my hand at that as well. I definitely will not stop dancing but I want to try my hand at acting. I'm actually getting pulled over to another interview right now, but I guess, I'll see ya soon in Green Bay. What was the name of that place I need to go again?

SB: (Laughs) Lambeau Field. Check it out.
Twitch: (Laughs) OK, Lambeau Field. Got it. I'll be there.

Check out the "So You Think You Can Dance" Tour stopping at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Saturday. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

-- Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com