'So You Think You Can Dance': Twice is nice
On tonight's So You Think You Can Dance, our delightful host Cat Deeley is wearing a dress that is simultaneously ugly and cute and Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo join the judges panel with Mary and Nigel. Also, we get treated to two numbers from each couple. Yay!
Spoilers!
1. Jessica & Will
Style/Choreographer/Song: Jive/Tony Meridith & Melanie LaPatin/"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" by the Original Broadway Cast of Five Guys Named Moe
As much grief as Jessica gets, I thought she did well. I liked the attitude she brought to the character. There were some missed hand connections but I thought it was pretty solid all around. Napoleon pointed out that, once they got the through-the-legs lift, they gained some extra confidence. I think the reason the judges love Will so much is that he's a masculine, versatile Contemporary dancer which is rarity, much like a truly versatile Hip Hop dancer is rare. Sure, he may not be perfect in the various technique, but he's always at least in the 80th percentile and really takes on the character of the dance. Jessica got the brunt of the negative comments, as usual.
2. Comfort & Thayne
Style/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Andy Blankenbuehler/"Cool" by Bernstein and Sondheim (from West Side Story)
If you didn't watch The Tony Awards this year, then you probably haven't seen Andy's work yet. He won Best Choreography for In The Heights - search for it on one of those video sites, it's good stuff. Anyhoo, I totally dug this number. They really worked well as partners and Comfort was all kinds of hot. Mary thinks some of her moments could've been a little bigger. I'll have to watch it again later and see if I agree. It fell flat for Nigel (who was a little over the top with the negative commentary) but Napoleon & Tabitha liked it.
3. Kourtni L. & Matt
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Cecily & Olisa/"How Do I Breathe" by Mario
Matt totally impressed me. He had this natural smoothness to his movements that I appreciated. Was he fantastic? No, but he was way better than I thought he was going to be. Kourtni was less impressive. I felt like she wasn't going big enough and she seemed to be rushing the beats. Overall, much better than I expected but still not great. When Napoleon (speaking for himself and Tabitha) said that they couldn't bring that to a Hip Hop competition, they got booed by the audience. Now, I know they're just sticking up for the dancers but that comment was 100 percent valid.
4. Chelsie H & Mark
Style/Choreographer/Song: Jazz/Mandy Moore/"Kiss Kiss" by Holly Vance
Mark continues to endear himself to me. Chelsie is rapidly becoming a favorite as well. I really like how, when they look at each other, you can see whatever emotional state they're portraying. I thought it was great. Nothing but love from the judges.
5. Kherington & Twitch
Style/Choreographer/Song: Paso Doble/Tony Meridith & Melanie LaPatin/"Malaguena" by Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special
First, great song choice. It was nice to see Kherington do something with her face other than smile. Twitch was solid, though occasionally his posture was bad. Maybe it was just the vest doing weird things? Technically it wasn't perfect but they both really had the attitude going. It was no Heidi/Travis, but entertaining nonetheless.
6. Katee & Joshua
Style/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Mia Michaels/"Hometown Glory" by Adele
There was this awesome assisted run/wire-running type move they did. They managed to really put gravity to the simple movements that were there, which is not easy. There was a Hip Hop flavor to Joshua's movements but it worked in contrast to Katee, escpecially since the theme of the dance was two people totally focused on their own paths. Speaking of Katee, she took a hold of this number and shook it into submission. Good times.
7. Courtney G. & Gev
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Cecily & Olisa/"Lights, Cemera, Action" by Mr. Cheeks
The camera angles messed some of this up for me - too many single shots, especially at the beginning. Gev was a little too laid back but I thought Courtney ripped it. Napoleon said it looked like Gev was thinking too much at times, which I totally agree with. Nigel wasn't into it at all but the other judges agreed with me.
8. Jessica & Will
Style/Choreographer/Song: Lyrical Jazz/Mandy Moore/"Alone" by Heart
It's nice seeing them do a style that they're both strong at. There was some trick choreography utilizing a button down shirt. Jessica finally shined some. Maybe this will inspire consistancy from her in the future. Poor Jessica can't catch a break. Even though they both did well, she still got knocked by Napoleon.
9. Comfort & Thayne
Style/Choreographer/Song: Smooth Waltz/Edward Simon/"Hov Arek Sarer Jan" by New Age Armenia
It was a pretty number. And, while Waltzes can often be boring, I thought they emoted well and held my attention. The lift they did had an ethereal quality to it. You have to give it up to Comfort for being able to pull such great lines. Mary loved it, which means they did well technique wise. Happy thoughts for both all around, though Tabitha didn't exactly did Thayne last look (she felt it was an inauthentic moment).
10. Kourtni L. & Matt
Style/Choreographer/Song: Mambo/Alex Da Silva/"Ban-Con-Tim" by Super All-Star
Matt was dancing with a little more gravity than usual, which is good, but still had an airy quailty to it. I liked Kourtni's vibe. It was a fun number but it was missing a bit of oomph. Perhaps they were thinking too much? The beginning lifts were a smidge clumsy in transition but still impressive. It was equally mixed reactions from the judges. Also, this is another one of those numbers ruined by poor directing choices.
11. Chelsie H. & Mark
Style/Choreographer/Song: Foxtrot/Edward Simon/"It's My Life" by Paul Anka
They had a great Old Hollywood vibe. Chelsie's dress was a little distracting at times - there's a whole lot of feather bits going on in there. And hanging off of her mouth for the last part of the number. Technically it was solid and they hit great lines. Mark still reminds me of David Tennant.
12. Kherington & Twitch
Style/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Mia Michaels/"Dreaming With A Broken Heart" by John Mayer
Twitch absolutely nailed it. Kherington didn't have a whole lot to do, and I was totally okay with that. Or maybe it just seemed like it since I couldn't look away from Twitch. But she did really well. Happy thoughts from the judges.
13. Katee & Joshua
Style/Choreographer/Song: West Coast Swing/Benji Schwimmer (with assistance from sister Lacey)/"Shake It" by Brother Yusef
Super cute and fun, I'd expect nothing less from Benji. It had a lot of personality and some innovative lifts, they really went for it. Napoleon thought Joshua's shirt made him look like "a giant peppermint."
14. Courtney & Gev
Style/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Andy Blankenbeuhler/"New York, New York" by Bernstein, Comden and Green (from On the Town)
Another cute, personality-filled number. Can we keep Andy around? I like his style. Interestingly, Gev's movements were very Gene Kelly flavored. He did really well. And Courtney had a nice sparkle to her. They looked like they were having fun running around. Good times. Nigel had a small criticizm about Courtney's fan kick but, if it's the one I'm thinking of, she couldn't get it as high as it should be because she would've kicked Gev.
Favorite Numbers: Comfort & Thayne's Broadway and Chelsie & Mark's and Kherington & Twitch's Contemporary pieces.
Stand-out Individuals: Twitch and Katee for their Contemporary work, Comfort for being able to rock two completely different styles so well, and Courtney and Matt for being far more competant at Hip Hop than I expected.
Disappointments: Matt & Kourtni's Mambo, though I'm starting to wonder if these numbers are falling flat because Alex Di Silva isn't taking into consideration the capabilities of his dancers. He's been spoiled the last few years what with all the super awesome Latin dancers that have been on the show. We don't have any of those this season. Also, Gev didn't quite grab on to his Hip Hop number to the degree that I was expecting.
So what are your thoughts about tonight's show? Do you think we should have more Andy and less Tyce Di Orio? And can someone get Nigel to stop being jerky with his commentary? It's really starting to tick me off.
Nigel is being really jerky and he has definite favourites. That's really ticking me off too.
I'm starting to re-think my thought of Gev not being in the top 10 now. I thought the judges wouldn't want 3 male hip-hop dancers in the top 10 (top 5 males), but considering the other options - i.e. Thayne or Matt - I see him making it now.
I'd like to deduct about 10 billion points from Courtney and Gev for repping #10. Being a member of the BBWC since '81, I feel I can do so.
Bottom 3 is going to be difficult to pick b/c IMO the pairings of Kourtni and Matt as well as Comfort and Thayne are easy picks to be there, but the 3rd couple isn't so easy to pick. I think it will be Will and Jessica, but I could easily see it being Gev and Courtney or Mark and Chelsie. I think Twitch and Joshua are immune for the bottom 3 for this week and next.
Katee was incredible in the first rountine especially in her facials. The way she emoted what the piece was about was the best any female has ever done on this show (all 4 seasons).
I'd be shocked right now if Katee and Chelsie weren't the final 2 girls to go with Twitch and Joshua. I can see Chelsie being replaced by Kherington or even Courtney, but I think Chelsie will continue to impress regardless of who her partner is, while those 2 may struggle to find a comfort zone once they get new partners in the top 10.
Mandy Moore really pushed Mia for the choreographer of the night IMO. I know that the judges made it seem like Mia had the 2 best routines of the night, but I actually didn't like the Twitchington routine (bed) that much b/c there really wasn't a lot there.
I disagree with your thoughts (Tamara) on Alex DeSilva as I like the fact that he actually challenges the dancers. I wish more of the choreographers would do so instead of creating 75%ers (as I call them), such as we saw in the hip-hop routines tonight. Neither was very difficult and didn't push the dancers to perform to their best.
I don't think we should have less Tyce, but I do like having a wider collection of choreographers to choose from as it will give them more time to create routines as sometimes I feel like seeing them work 2 or 3 straight works hurts some of their routines as they don't have the time they'd like in order to perfect the dances.
Hopefully we'll see Wade next week as we've only seen him do one group routine so far. Ditto Shane Sparks - although I wouldn't be surprised to not see him the rest of the year.
I actually thought that Will & Jessica were great, with the "Alone" routine. A) He looked amazing and B) I actually got to see them in character. Thought that particular number finally allowed them to emote and show some personality.
The first performance of Katee and Joshua was absolutely amazing. Breathtaking!
Mark is fast becoming one of my favorite dancers. He just slips into each new dance so easily. I like him so much I don't really pay that much attention to Chelsie.
I didn't like Comfort and Thayne's broadway routine. It didn't seem to have enough energy. Plus all I could think of when watching it was they should have saved that song for the final 4 when the guys dance together.
Jessica as usual did not impress me. Maybe it's because Will is just such a force on the dance floor she just pales in comparison.
Matt and Kourtni's hip hop was better than I thought it would be. Their mambo was sooooo slow though.
I actually liked Gev's hip hop. I thought he was laid back about it while I felt Courtney was a bit cheerleader dance routine.
Katee killed it in both routines and Josh is keeping up with her. Nice to see Kherington looking intense for the Paso but the Contemporary was all Twitch. They'll all be safe.
Bottom 3 I think Matt and Kourtni, Comfort and Thayne and probably Will and Jessica. But it's getting hard to choose now.
Well, I guess it really does take all kinds, because I thought the first Mia routine (Katee/Joshua) was boring as spit - the way the judges fawn over her is annoying. Her 2nd routine (with the bed) was actually really good though.
I'm sure we'll see Matt/Kourtni in the bottom again, and probably Thayne & Comfort (they did well, but aomeone's got to be bottom 3, and I suspect them). Not sure who else; I agree it'll probably be Jessica/Will or Courtney/Gev.
I was really disappointed in Courtney and Gev's hip hop routine given both their strong backgrounds in it. Remember she is a freak'n Knicks Cheerleader!! and he's a bboy!
I was really disappointed in Courtney and Gev's hip hop routine given both their strong backgrounds in it. Remember she is a freak'n Knicks Cheerleader!! and he's a bboy!
I agree with Nigel being jerky. At least Simon Cowell was right with most of his commentary. Nigel is just plain mean. And weird. And a little creepy. Is it me? He totally creeps me out when he's looking/judging the girls. Yikes.
I agree with Nigel being jerky. At least Simon Cowell was right with most of his commentary. Nigel is just plain mean. And weird. And a little creepy. Is it me? He totally creeps me out when he's looking/judging the girls. Yikes.