'So You Think You Can Dance' mixes it up
Your favorite couples are no more and there's a dancer switch-out on So You Think You Can Dance. It's the Top 10 and all bets are off.
Spoilers
At the top of the show, only nine dancers are introduced. Jessica is brought out after and confirms the reason she had to drop out: the pain she's been experiencing in her side was not a cramp, in fact it was one cracked and two broken ribs and she can't dance for 4-5 weeks. Yikes! That may explain why she's seemed unfocused. I'd imagine it's hard to concentrate on dancing when the side of your chest is broken. They're bringing in the last eliminated girl to take her place. Yes. It's the return of Comfort. Rejoice or boo as you see fit.
Joining Mary and Nigel tonight is Lil' C - I can't remember if he judged last year or not. As we're down to the top 10, the couples have been broken up and will be paired together at random. This week, the girls are picking the partners while the guys pick the dance cards.
1. Courtney & Joshua
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Dave Scott/"Skippin'" by Mario
The theme is Bride of Frankenstein-ish. It had a lot of personality and they both embody the characters well. Joshua rocked it, as expected, and Courtney did well. As Nigel pointed out, Courtney had a slight mess up during what I believe was an arabesque.
Solo 1: Chelsie
Song: "Pon de Reply" by Rihanna
It was a decent solo, not amazing. She wasn't wearing any shoes which might have taken a bit away from the impact of her movements. I still like her.
2. Kherington & Mark
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Country Two-Step/Ronnie DeBenedetta & Brandi Tobias/"Kick BacK" by Ty England
Brandi is super-pregnant but still able to dance pretty hard. Their energies are different. He's more relaxed (but still on beat) while she...wasn't. There was a lot of stuff in there - it's not the simple line dancing that people think it is, it's no joke. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't good. Kherington bore the brunt of the critizism from the judges for not being a reliable partner (she broke connection with him, her arms weren't where they were supposed to be, etc).
Solo 2: Gev
Song: "Hello/Goodbye (Uncool)" by Lupe Fiasco feat. UNKLE
It was enjoyable, as Gev pretty much always is. The highlight
was this part where he takes off his t-shirt (there's a tank top underneath) while he's performing a series of moves. Nice.
3. Comfort & Twitch
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Smooth Waltz/Hunter Johnson/"Open Arms" by Journey
One of the best over-the-top karaoke songs ever. Big ups to Twitch for a very graceful solo turn sequence towards the beginning. Comfort is still hitting great lines and is graceful, she had better extensions than usual. Technique-wise, it was far from perfect but I thought there was some pretty to it. Mary and Nigel were completely not impressed.
Solo 3: Courtney
Song: "I Want You to Need Me" by Celine Dion
She's a little bundle of energy, isn't she? It was good, it had a sense of...desire and urgency to it. Meaning I could tell she really wanted to be there. I'd like to see her do an uptempo song for a change. Maybe next week.
4. Katee & Will
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Tyce DiOrio/"Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" by Sam Harris (from Guys & Dolls)
Not even Will ripping his shirt open at the end made me like this number. It was performed well but...eh. I just wasn't digging it. It had nothing to do with how well they danced or their character work, both were good. Raves and happy thoughts from the judges. Mleh.
Solo 4: Mark
Song: "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
His solo made me happy. It was like watching a Muppet. He did a different section of the song during the Vegas auditions. I'd really like to see the whole number.
5. Chelsie & Gev
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Sonya Tayeh/"These Arms of Mine" by Otis Redding
I really like Sonya's stuff. Gev's leaping turns in the middle weren't as good in the performance as in the package, but he was still really good. Chelsie continued her march of greatness Lil' C made a point that they were really commited to the number, which I agree with. Good job from both of them, though I kind of wish it was to a different song.
Solo 5: Comfort
Song: "Need A Boss" by Shreefa feat. Ludacris
This was one of her better solos. She included quite a few different styles in there as opposed to just krumping or popping.
Solo 6: Twitch
Song: "I Question Mark" by Wade Robson
Loved. It.
6. Courtney & Joshua
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Rumba/Jean-Marc Genereux/"Hero" by Enrique Iglesias
The chemistry and technique was solid and there was fantastic partnering from them both. A lot of really great moments in there. Lil' C gave a great note that he could see when the lift was coming by the look on their faces.
Solo 7: Katee
Song: "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell (MTV Unplugged)
I think her's is the best
7. Kherington & Mark
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Jazz/Tyce DiOrio/"Canned Heat" by Jamiroquai
Tyce doesn't have any story in mind for this number, instead having them concetrate on the dancing. They're a mismatched couple to me. Both have really great technique but their energies/personalities didn't seem to be at the same level. Lukewarm response for the judges as a whole, with Nigel being the most critical.
Solo 8: Will
Song: "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross
Not his best solo, but it was good.
8. Comfort & Twitch
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Dave Scott/"Forever" by Chris Brown
Dave described it as "Studio 54 in 2085." Bad camera work but it was great to see two Hip Hop dancers doing a routine in their specialty. Seeing them do this number was like watching two pitbulls fighting over the same bone. They really tore into it and I appreciate it. Nigel said that it didn't look like they were performing choreography, that it was natural, and congratulated Comfort on finally living up to the "Best Female Hip Hop Dancer" title he bestowed on her.
Solo 9: Kherington
Song: "Breakin' Dishes" by Rihanna
Eh...it was okay. I thought, for the music she chose, she didn't quite do enough.
9. Katee & Will
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Pas de Deux/Dwight Roden & Desmond Richardson/"Imagine" by David Archuleta
Wow. This was a great number. Happy thoughts from all the judge - Mary with her big hair was choked up and couldn't really shriek (thank goodness). Before getting to his critique, Nigel thanked Dwight and Desmond for coming on the show since they're huge and brilliant dancers. Afterward, he pointed out a small mistake that "will live with [them] forever" which is good because the number was so strong, it's possible they could never surpass it if it were perfect. Holy crap, a gem of wisdom!
Solo 10: Joshua
Song: "Jam" by Michael Jackson
It was good...but I wanted more. Like, it seemed like it was the introduction to a longer piece.
10. Chelsie & Gev
Dance/Choreographer/Song: Jive/Jean-Marc Genereux/"The House Is Rockin'" by Brian Setzer
A great number danced really well. Chelsie was fantastic, as expected. Gev had a few issues (you could see the concentration on his face) but I thought he was solid, especially considering how hard the choreography was. Positive comments from the judges, though they all agreed Chelsie stole the number.
Favorite Numbers: Courtney & Joshua's and Comfort & Twitch's Hip Hop and Katee & Will's Par de Deux. I liked Chelsie & Gev's Contemporary but I don't know if it's quite on favorite status.
Stand-out Individuals: Gev, Katee, Mark and Twitch were my favorite solos. Courtney stepped it up on the Hip Hop number while Joshua should be commended for continuing his awesomeness sans Katee. Oh and big ups to Comfort for having a better emotional connection on her numbers and Lil' C for being a fantastic judge. What? Completely professional behavior and insightful, constructive criticism? The hell you say!
Disappointments: Kherington. Without Twitch she fell all kinds of flat for me.
A lot of stuff happening tonight. What did we think of the new couples? What were your highs and lows? Anyone surprise you? Any other thoughts/comments/questions?
I really wish that two girls could go again this week. I think Kher and Comfort could go because all the guys impressed me this week and all are so good.
Since that can't happen, I think it'll be one of the two girls mentioned above and possibly Mark. I love him to death, but it wasn't his strongest week.
tonight was Katee's night. the best solo so far this season. pure emotion, technique, and fluidity.
it's gonna be between her and Mark for the top spot.
This is going to be a very long post. I'm going to follow the same formula that Tamara used in the blog.
Lil' C didn't judge last year (or at anytime in the past), he only served as a choreographer. He was very low key all night - which can be looked as a good or bad thing - and just left all the histrionics to Mary (mainly) and Nigel.
1. Josh/Courtney -> IMO, Dave Scott didn't give Courtney as much to do as he did Josh. I loved the concept of the dance, but considering that now the votes are done individually and not for the pair, I don't think that the dances should have one dancer given more to do than the other.
I hate comments like what Lil' C gave to Courtney tonight about doing better than I thought you would. They are very patronizing IMO.
Solo 1 Chelsie -> worst female solo by far, but in a way it is to be expected in that she is a partner dancer. We've seen much better from partner dancers in the past eg. Benji (S2) or Anya (S3).
2. Mark/Kherington -> one of the 2 worst routines of the night. Neither was very good.
Solo 2 Gev -> wasn't as good as the one he did 2 weeks ago, but should be good enough to keep him safe. I think he messed up a part with the t-shirt when he was supposed to jump over the t, but it was caught by his leg.
3. Comfort/Twitch -> the other of the bottom 2 routines of the night.
Spelling alert -> I think Tamara (blogger) you meant "Graceful" not "Graveful" when describing Twitch's turns.
Solo 3 Courtney -> really good solo. My favourite among the females.
4. Katee/Will -> (mini rant) Katee completely outdanced Will, but the judges didn't say that b/c Will is their boy (rant over). I agree with Tamara in that it wasn't a very inspired routine. This is coming from a huge fan of Tyce. Even Katee's facials couldn't save the routine.
Solo 4 Mark -> I really liked how he used the song to shape his routine. Not the most difficult solo ever but was in line with Gev's on my guys line (3rd/4th best male solo).
5. Chelsie/Gev -> Chelsie is getting better and better at showing the emotions req'd by the numbers. This was Gev's best dance of the night. I hope that Sonya is back again this year. I really like the 2 routines that she has done plus I like her quirkiness.
Solo 5 Comfort -> I'm not as high on her solo as blogger Tamara is. To me this wa too similar to her past solos and I haven't liked any of them. I'd rate this as the 3rd or 4th best female solo (Kher). As a whole the female solos weren't very good today especially compared to the guys. When you look at all 10 solos, Comfort's is very forgetable as a result.
Solo 6 Twitch -> 1 of the 2 best solos of the night. I like how Twitch made it very different than his solo from last week. This is why he has no worries for this week or IMO next week (and possible top 6 week too). His solos will keep him safe for sure.
6. Courtney/Josh -> Jean-Marc created 2 really good pieces this week. I agree with Tamara that the chemistry was very good on both parts (Courtney and Josh). 1 of my favourite routines of the night.
Solo 7 Katee -> Very good, 2nd best female solo IMO. Should easily be safe especially when coupled with her past performances.
7. Kher/Mark -> I thought, like Mary, that a lack of story hurt Mark. I think that Kher adapted better to the just dance aspect of teh routine. I don't think we will get another routine - at least in comporary - w/o a story again (or at least for the rest of this season).
Solo 8 Will -> to me the weakest male solo. Could be in trouble.
8. Twitch/Comfort -> Considering that they are both hip hop dancers and both were asked to just go for it, I thought the dance didn't live up to my expectations. I liked it a lot less than the judges. IMO, Twitch was much better than Comfort in this routine.
Solo 9 Kher -> Not her best, definitely not as good as last week. Definitely in trouble and IMO will be in the bottom 2. Her and Comfort are in the 3rd/4th best female solo spot.
9. Katee/Will -> slight correction Tamara: Nigel said "live" not "leave with them forever" (typo error).
I wish they had used Lennon's version of "Imagine" rather than Archuleta's (clearly a producer decision).
I really liked the routine. The way the video package went I was expecting Katee to be bent all over the stage the way Courtney was in the Rumba tonight. I thought that Will made the mistake in that his arm was at too low of an angle to allow Katee to get her head below and once again not mentioned by the judges. IMO, Katee outdanced Will again and for how good of a dancer as Will is supposed to be it shouldn't happen once let alone in both of their routines.
Solo 10 Josh -> top 2 solo (along with Twitch) of the night. "Jam" is a great song for solos -> right up there with "Poison" by BBD.
10. Chelsie/Gev -> agree with the judges' comments about the dance. Chelsie is just incredible. Her facials are amazing and IMO she is the best female partner dancer to ever make the top 10 of the show -> incl. Heidi (S2) and Lacey (S3).
Bottom 2 Guys -> Mark and Will
Bottom 2 Girls -> Kher and Comfort
I hope Will and Comfort go home, but none of these 4 going home would surprise me. If any of the other 6 go home it would shock me.
Mark and Kherington -> based on today should go home but Will and Comfort haven't build up the amount of goodwill that those 2 have.
I liked the order also, it was very fair eg. Gev/Chelsie had the last routine of the night but the 1st 2 solos.
As a complete aside, Jessica looked just WOW tonight!
Top 4 (unchanged):
Guys: Josh and Twitch
Girls: Katee and Chelsie.
On a complete tangent,
Tamara, I just want to say how much I appreciate the way you write the blog for this show. While there are the occasional typo, that is going to happen when you are putting up these blogs as quickly after the conclusion of the show as you do. Therefore, they don't bother me that much - as long as it is clear what you are trying to say and 99+% of the time it is.
I want to also say that it is clear to me that you truly enjoy blogging for this show and it shows up in the blog. I like that the enthusiasm you show for SYTYCD. If you are feigning your interest in the show you deserve the blogger's equivalent of the Emmy. :D
I agree with Rishi on a # of points, particularly this one: that Katee outperformed (outcl***ed?) her partner. Yes, they watched up well in body type and training, but Will lacks something in partnering skills. It's going to be really interesting to see which males end up in the bottom two. It seems a foregone conclusion that Mark will be there (too bad, but this was definitely not his week), but who else? I would think either Gev or Will. To be honest, of the 5 men I'd probably be least upset to see Will go home. I'm just tired of hearing the judges gush over him all the time. Do they think this endears Will to the audience, because it doesn't. They might like to think that he twice ended up in the bottom 3 solely because of Jessica bringing him down, but I think they are mistaken in this.
Do the choreographers have it in for some of the dancers? As soon as you heard Tyce say that his jazz routine for Mark/Kherington had no characters I knew the dancers would be in trouble (esp. Mark). But if the dancers couldn't transcend this limitation neither did the choreographer. Nigel was correct that they didn't do enough with what they were given, but he should have added that what they were given was not good enough. Choreography by the numbers.
Let me add, while on the subject of Tyce's choreography: could there have been a more gratuitous (non-organic) moment in a dance than when Will is suddenly called upon, at the climax of the boat routine, to rip open his shirt? Which we could vote off choreographers as well.
I meant "WISH we could vote off choreographers as well"
I didn't enjoy last night's show as much as I have previous shows. Mark was disappointing for me. - I think he will be sent home. I liked him more when he was paired with Chelsie. I loved their routine to Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love where he was the workaholic businessman ignoring Chelsie. I thought Mark kind of looked a little......I don't know how to say this.....But like a queen. I don't think he brought enough masculinity to his dancing last night. Some of his facial expressions were uncomfortable for me.
And for me, Kherington had two mediocore weeks in a row. I wonder if this is it for her? I like Kherington more than Comfort, but I think Comfort was the stronger performer last night.
First off, thank you Tamara for your wonderful blog entries. I really look forward to reading them each and every week. As for last night, and this season as a whole, I would be very, very, very upset if either Katee, Chelsie, Joshua or Twitch ended up in the bottom this week. All four are great and in my opinion, should be the final four this season.
I also really like Gev, Courtney and Mark and would be sad to see any of them go this week, but I would not be devastated.
Comfort and Kherington have never done it for me. I have not liked either of them from day one and wish both could be eliminated right here right now.
As for Mark, I really liked him when he was paired with Chelsie, but he did not make me jump up for joy last night. Although, I have to wonder how much of that is due to Kherington.
So...
TOP 4: Katee, Chelsie, Joshua and Twitch
BOTTOM 6: Kherington, Comfort, Courtney, Gev, Mark and Will
PLEASE SEND HOME: Kherington and Will