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'So You Think You Can Dance': What goes up must come down
After the high of last week, my excitement for So You Think You Can Dance has settled down to a normal level. And it looks like the dancers have settled down too. Some maybe a bit too much so...
Spoilers below
The judges tonight are Nigel, Mary and Mia Michaels, who feels this season will be "banoodles" (meaning crazy, I assume a hybrid of "bananas" and "noodles"). Love Mia. Did I mention that lately? I think I have but I don't care because I just want to squeeze her.
1. Chelsea T. & Thayne
Style/Choreographer/Song: Jazz/Mandy Moore/"Untouched" by The Veronicas
Mandy's dance is based on a king and his forbidden love. I liked it, though it wasn't...quite 100% effective. There are parts where Thayne is still dancing regally while Chelsea goes a bit wild. It seemed, instead of them already being together, that she was a neglected wife as opposed to a forbidden love, if that makes sense. Perhaps I was a victim of false expectations? Mia said it was a great concept but wasn't executed well enough (though she loved them). And unfortunately the sentiments were shared all across the board. And Nigel hates their costumes.
2. Chelsie H. & Mark
Style/Choreographer/Song: Tango/Alex Da Silva/"Mi Confesion" by Gotan Project
Though Chelsie has Tango experience, it's different from Argentine Tango. I love her outfit, though strangely the intensity Mark is bringing is much higher than Chelsie's. I didn't feel the same emotional gravity from her, but her technique was great. I might feel differently upon a second viewing. And Cat was a doll and helped Chelsie fix her shoe. It's nothing but love from the judges, though Nigel is the only one who agrees with me about the differing intensity levels.
3. Jessica & Will
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Cecily & Olisa/"Whatever U Like" by Nicole Scherzinger
Oh! It's the two chicks who work with Missy! Love. Them. The choreography was good, as was the execution, but their movements weren't matching all the time. Like, they were good separately but together it was stylistically mismatched. Almost. Maybe Jessica was wearing too many layers? I'll have to watch it again to figure it out but something was off. Mia said that it wasn't the Jessica was bad, it's just that she needs to amp it up to match Will, which Mary and Nigel more or less agreed with.
4. Kourtni L. & Matt
Style/Choreographer/Song: Foxtrot/Jean-Marc Genereux/"A Foggy Day (In London Town)" by Michael Buble
The stage presence was much better this time around. Matt had a great 40's musical quality to him and Kourtni was very graceful. Great job from Jean-Marc. Mia called it "great old Hollywood elegance" but gives Kourtni the advice to own her height and length. Mary was more critical because they missed some footwork while Nigel notes the Matt's arms aren't always strong. He also advises that they need to make sure they get used to the dance styles so there aren't any moments of "fake performing" mixed in.
5. Courtney G. & Gev
Style/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Mandy Moore/"Lost" by Anouk
Mandy's excited about working with Gev because she feels that he's an underdog this week. The theme is a simple love story. Major props to Gev for being such a strong partner. All the lifts and whatnot went really well. It was a very pretty, engrossing number. Mia felt Courtney was a little bit too "Jazz" in style and wanted more organic movement but she was really proud of Gev. They got a scream from Mary but Nigel didn't believe it, though he thought they danced it well. But the best part is that Cat called them "the cutest little pocket couple."
6. Katee & Joshua
Style/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Tyce DiOrio/"All For the Best" by The 2001 Broadway Revival Cast of Godspell
I don't think I'd have liked this number if anyone else had done it. They are so incredibly likable that the number didn't come off as cheesy (the bad kind). The judges gave them a standing ovation. Nigel gushed, calling it "entertainment at its best," Mary screamed, and Mia praised their connection and stage presence.
7. Susie & Marquis
Style/Choreographer/Song: Salsa/Alex Da Silva/"Aguanile" by Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe
It wasn't crazier than Benji & Heidi's Salsa, but there was this crazy lift/throw where Susie was on Marquis' shoulders and she spun down to his waist. Crazy. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. All the judges expected a lot more from Susie than she gave and Marquis wasn't quite there in terms of his carriage. A steep drop from the love-fest of Joshua & Katie.
8. Kherington & Twitch
Style/Choreographer/Song: Viennese Waltz/Jean-Marc Genereux/"A New Day Has Come" by Celine Dion
Jean-Marc is choreographing this piece in honor of his daughter who lost all her motor skills at 20 months old. Twitch hit a lot of great lines, so very impressive. They both had a lot of grace. The judges all appreciated the number and were moved, though Mia tagged Kherington for smiling the whole time (it was a little too "glossy" for her) which began a bit of a dust up with Nigel who disagreed.
9. Comfort & Chris
Style/Choreographer/Song: Krump/Lil'C/"Come and Get Me" by Timbaland feat. 50 Cent and Tony Yayo
I'm impressed by Chris being as good as he was, though he needs a bit more sharpness to his movements to match Comfort. Oddly, Mary thought she could've hit it harder. I believe Comfort tapped it down so she didn't overpower Chris. Nigel straight up called him "weak" and said he expected more from her. Mia's the only one who liked it. It mostly worked for me - it wasn't stellar but I wasn't disappointed either.
Favorite Numbers: I wasn't really blown away by anyone like I was last week but I was impressed once again impressed by Katee & Joshua. I also like Courtney & Gev's number. Honorary mention to Kherington & Twitch. While I won't watch it over and over, I appreciate what they did.
Stand-out Individuals: Mark, Twitch and Courtney.
Disappointments: No one really disappointed me so much but Susie & Marquis's Salsa had a lot more potential than they brought to it. They'll most likely be in the bottom this week.
Also, as we reported two weeks ago, Shane Sparks makes his triumphant return to choreograph tomorrow's group number. Another insider tip: if he's doing the number he was working on when I talked to him, his inspiration for it came from the movie Scarface.
Who stood out to you tonight and have any front-runners developed? Which were your favorite/least favorite numbers? Did you feel tonight was a letdown from last week? Any other thoughts/observations/questions?
What is wrong with the camera work / editing during the routines this year??? Changing cameras every 5 seconds, zooming in and out, too shots from the waist up, constant camera movement... It is so distracting I can't even enjoy the performances.
Jeremiah | Jun 18, 2008 8:06:34 PM | #COmfort is my favorite girl but that choreography didnt do anything for her and chris and it was too watered down. plus the music was just too slow
Toya | Jun 18, 2008 8:13:54 PM | #Echoing Jeremiah's comments, whomever is in charge of the camera work please get rid of them. Almost impossible to watch some routines. Mia's complaints about Kherrington smiling - I couldn't see it because the d*mn cameras were jumping all over so much I could barely even see her face.
PhilW | Jun 18, 2008 8:52:19 PM | #interesting tonight that people who were in their comfort zones
like COMFORT wasn't good enough
or the gal in the salsa number -one of the weakest
first couple didn't bring it either but some great stuff from Katee and Joshua.
love this show
you never know where it is going to go
I think overhearing Alex Da Silva say she's a "street Salsa" dancer messed with Susie's head enough to affect her long term. He didn't mean it in a bad way, he just meant she's not trained in it.
Tamara B. | Jun 19, 2008 12:39:02 AM | #Also, on a second watch, Comfort danced the heck out of what she was given. Plus we couldn't see her half the time so who knows what was going on off screen.
Tamara B. | Jun 19, 2008 12:53:53 AM | #I couldn't even understand Comfort and Chris's song, because they had to bleep it out every other word. Why do they pick songs like this to dance to?
Bryan | Jun 19, 2008 1:43:25 AM | #This number is written for this aquarium full of kittens that are running out of oxygen. Everytime they get a step right and someone calls to vote for them, we let one kitten out.
This number is crunk and involves a lot of air-punching and crotch-grabbing.
Apples and oranges anyone? Doesn't it seem a little weighted in favor of certain couples?
That being said, I enjoyed Courtknee and Gev, Twitchington, and Katee and Joshua. Could there be anyone more likeable than Joshua?
Disliked: Stripper/Teacher (though feel bad for her partner) and Comfort and Chris.
Nonnie Muss | Jun 19, 2008 5:29:18 AM | #I agree with the Camera stuff. It's hard to see exactly what's going on because the camera is constantly moving. In one of the performances from last week I *almost* became dizzy from all the moving.
Sally | Jun 19, 2008 6:32:02 AM | #Chelsea T. & Thayne-I think alot of this was bad moves by Mandy Moore. I mean, the concept was okay, but poorly executed and it seemed they were never in sync. Terrible.
Chelsie H. & Mark-I am with Mia. I love, love, love everything this couple does. I knew Chelsie was good, but Mark blows me away with his intensity. He would be amazing in a Wade Robson routine.
Jessica & Will-She is bringing him down. I didn't see it the first week, but Will is as good as the judges always gush about and Jessica, while okay, is sooo not up to his standerds.
Kourtni L. & Matt-What is wrong with these two? I love Kourtni in her auditions, but they are not finding their stride. I hope they draw contemporary soon!
Courtney G. & Gev-Excellent. Excellent choreography. Excellent execution. These two really improved from last week.
Katee & Joshua-These two came out of no where!!! I thought they would be the first to go... Then I thought last week was a fluke... But these two seemed to be able to handle anything that comes their way!
Susie & Marquis-That was just bad. I never thought Susie should have made the show and I was right. I mean, if you can't even get your own style right?
Kherington & Twitch-I love these two. Well, I love Twitch and Kherington is growing on me.
Comfort & Chris-A little disappointing.
I predict bottom 3 to be Susie & Marquis, Kourtni L. & Matt and Jessica & Will. Hopefully it is the end for Susie and Marquis.
Oh and I agree with the camera stuff! Just hold freakin still and let us watch!
Mandy | Jun 19, 2008 7:12:42 AM | #Mia ,Mia , i always liked her sense of originality but i have to say her remark yesterday was just out of context.I mean u can't just ask people to be all sad when they are trying to bring joy to someone sick!!twitchington did great . beside that for me there was no really outstanding performance. and i could sense comfort was toning down her moves to keep the same level as chris. susie
kourtni,chelsea T bottom for me gev, thayne , marquis for the guys.
I think they hired the cameramen from the 60's Batman shows. Just waiting for the brightly colored ZOW!! and BIFF!! graphics.
And was it me, or was Mary fresh off a street corner last night?
As for Mia: her obvious distain of good-looking people is getting old. Yes, not everyone needs to be a Barbie doll to dance, but stop resenting and start representing. BaHypocrite
Brett | Jun 19, 2008 7:15:21 AM | #Send the camera guy and floor director back to school and maybe Mia could carry their bags to see that no good looking people smile!
oldgasser | Jun 19, 2008 7:52:01 AM | #I kind of understand Mia's comment about Kerrington; even if you're bringing joy, you have to match the music, and there were valleys in the music, so the smile did seem plastered on. Susie and Marq are in trouble, as are probably Comfort and Chris. Yes Josh and Katee were great, and Jess may be a goner if in the bottom 3. Matt outdanced Courtnee in their number, she looked gangly, not graceful, and what was with that lime green eyesore dress; shoulda been in gray or black to match Matt.
J | Jun 19, 2008 7:53:25 AM | #I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who's frustrated by the editing and camera angles. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that they are trying to "show" the dancers strengths and leave the weaknesses to the studio audience. But crud, I had a headache by the second hour.
josie | Jun 19, 2008 8:12:55 AM | #ditto on the camerawork. Some of the best moves are being lost. I want to see the whole routine, not bits and pieces. geez. we're judging, too, here.
Joshua is one of my favorites and Mark did very well last night, I thought.
and to Brett above: I thought last night "is Mia too hard on people who are good looking in a classic manner?" This is the first year that I've actually watched this show and that was my impression of Mia. intersting.
Terry | Jun 19, 2008 8:44:15 AM | #I was feeling the guys last night more than the girls. Mark was a revelation for me. He totally killed it in the tango. Someone mentioned wanting to see him do a Wade routine and I think that could be awesome. Will and Gev also were stand outs for me. With all 3 of those guys, I was definitely watching them more than their partners.
My favorite couples were Katee and Joshua and Twitch and Kherington. I was afraid that Twitchington would get called out for not doing enough of a traditional Viennese Waltz (as other couples in the past have) but I guess the story behind the dance was more important. (I certainly think so) Though Nigel did make a comment. And Joshua and Katee's Broadway routine was really fun. I'm not sure it deserved Nigel coming out of his chair like that, but if it got to him that much, more power to him.
Can't wait to see Shane and his choreography tonight! Hopefully it's a sign of his becoming more involved in the show again.
jen | Jun 19, 2008 9:19:19 AM | #Mia, please get off the lovefest with the choreographers, they're not all amaaaazing! and if they can't stand the critism, get off the show. Some of the choreography last night was poor. Also please leave personal tragedies out of this, heartbreaking though it must be for those parents, this is a dance and entertainment show, and the dancers should not have the additional pressure of having to express the choreographers emotions and I'm sorry, I know you're all buddy, buddy and stick together like glue (the choreographers)but most of us don't tune in to be sad so cut the tears, and don't criticize the girl for smiling. Nigel, ditto with the costumes, the dancers have no control over them. All in all, a dissapointing week
hawkspur | Jun 19, 2008 9:25:46 AM | #I agree with Mandy that Susie never should have been picked for the show. I thought the girl whose mom was a noted choreographer should have been there.
And I also agree the judges are being too lavish in their praise of some of the dancers. It seems they're saying to viewers: Don't let Will (and some others, but him mostly) be in the bottom three because we're not sending him home.
Twitchington are great together. Kherrington is absolutley adorable and Twitch seems so personable. After her little spat on the Top 20 selection show, I'm warming up to Katee. She and Joshua have done great two weeks in a row.
I'd like to echo the comments about the camera work - they need to quit it with the fancy stuff and make sure we can see both dancers at all times!
Elle Em | Jun 19, 2008 11:26:32 AM | #Not just the crazy camera work, why do they keep misspelling their names?
jeem | Jun 19, 2008 11:33:25 AM | #Once again, this week, Joshua & Katee turned in my favorite performance. I loved Chelsea T and Thayne last week; feel they were undermined by weak choreography and ugly costuming this week. Chelsea is an exhuberant dancer; hope we don't lose her. I really like "Twitchington," too.
Can they just stop using the "Krump?" The judges usually say the dancers haven't done it right; it's such an ugly danceform, who wants them to?
For me, the weakest female is Susie. Not sure about the guys, yet.
I was watching Hairspray this weekend and who do I see in the background dancing his little heart out? Twitch!
cookie | Jun 19, 2008 12:07:32 PM | #Am I the only one who finds this show enjoyable when it focuses on the dancing and dancers but unwatchable whenever the judges start to speak? First, could you possibly assemble three more unattractive people than Mia, Mary and Nigel? Mia is an unpleasant cow, Mary has mental issues and/or is Paula's drinking buddy and closet case Nigel with bad teeth even for a Brit is laughable with his criticism of men not being masculine or strong enough. HAAA! Get a mirror, puss.
Judge not Lest ..... | Jun 19, 2008 12:16:52 PM | #
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