Photos
Video
RSSMia Michaels & Dave Scott choreograph on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
I dare you to name any show besides "So You Think You Can Dance" that's content ranges from tasteful Waltzes to genre-blending Hip Hop to tasteful behind grabbing.
I'm digging on Cat Deeley's Grecian dress. It's delightful and I want one in red and another in Purple. The Best Intros this week came from Phillip and Brandon with honorable mention going to Evan. Also, I realized while Jonathan was so good last week - because we couldn't see his face most of the time. He makes cheesy/distracting facial expressions.
Gasp! Toni Basil is judging! Love her. She joins the ever-present Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy.
1. Karla & Jonathan
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Dave Scott/"By My Side" by Jadakiss feat. Ne-Yo
Dave's routine is his take on Bonnie & Clyde. I've been looking forward to seeing Karla do some Hip Hop. The intro is messy and they're having a lot of synchronizing problems throughout. The energy is curiously low. Wolfpack isn't owning his moves. It seem likes he's doing a Jazz routine which makes it harder for me to figure out how well Karla was doing. I think he sabotaged her. Nigel calls Jonathan out for for being uncomfortable and bets the booing audience they'll be in the Bottom Three tomorrow. That's what they call a "Sucker Bet." Mary agrees it was flat. Toni says that they lacked authentic funk.
2. Asuka & Vitolio
Style/Choreographer/Song: Jazz/Mandy Moore/"Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar
Asuka wasn't getting the steps as fast as she wanted to and had a minor breakdown moment during rehearsal. Vitolio is very supportive which gets some aws from the audience. Yet another reason for me to like him. The number was very 80's dance movie, which I appreciate in a weird way. They has some syncing problems as well. The energy wasn't consistent but it was never low. The lifts were great. I liked it overall but it wasn't fantastic. Nigel disagrees and thinks it was fab. Mary liked it but didn't think it was as great as last week, however she loves that their partnership is strengthening. Toni thinks they have the potential to be a power couple if they let their emotions take them to the next level.
3. Melissa & Ade
Style/Choreographer/Song: Rumba/Tony Meredith/"Emotion" by Destiny's Child
Rumba's are always the most questionable Ballroom styles for me because so much can go wrong. Melissa looks ridiculous in her outfit (as Cat puts it, "Please put your hands together for this girl in this frock."). Wow...the split turn was crazy. The technique is really good overall but I could use a little more hip action from both of them. They did however have tons of chemistry which is so, so important. Great chemistry makes up for less than perfect technique. The judges heaped lots of praise on both of them with Toni giving a shout out to Tony for passing on the hotness he and his partner had when they competed professionally.
4. Janette & Brandon
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Dave Scott/"What A World" by Common
Hopefully this routine will come off better than the first number. Considering who's doing it, I doubt that'll be a problem. Dave's concept is Janette is a Rocker to Brandon's B-boy who's flavors eventually mix like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. They played their characters perfectly and owned the number. Absolutely owned. Brandon really rocked the Breaking and Locking elements and Janette transitioned from style to style seamlessly. Best number so far. Nigel was impressed by how well they "worked it." Mary said they've been "hitting it every single week." I do not think that means what she thinks that means. Toni thought it was very smart choreography from Dave and that they danced it well.
5. Kayla & Kupono
Style/Choreographer/Song: Viennese Waltz/Jean-Marc Genereux (& France)/"Sweet Dreams for You" by Jewel
Kupono loves fashion design and a lot of what he wears during the intro are pieces he's made. That's been the most interesting Second Career Fact of the night for me. This is their first dance as a couple and I think Kupono and Kayla had chemistry, certainly more than Karla & Wolfpack had tonight. They both had an airy quality to their movements and the technique was good. It was very pretty - I can't say that I was wowed by it because it's a Viennese Waltz and I'm rarely if ever wowed by them. Nigel thought it was very beautiful and elegant but it won't make anyone stand up and cheer, though he hopes people will call for them. Mary found it elegant, flowing, endearing and, oddly, puts them on the hot Tamale Train. Toni loved it and complemented how Kayla lives in the moment and how Kupono partnered her so strongly.
6. Randi & Evan
Style/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Mia Michaels/"Koop Island Blues" by Koop feat. Ane Brun
Second actually interesting Second Career Fact: Evan says he'd want to own a custom car shop. For some odd reason, Mia's routine is based on a guy being so attracted to this sexy, sassy girl that it's almost like he loses bodily control. It was inspired by the Gluteous Maximus. Yeah. Evan's suit looks ginormous on him. They play their characters very well and Evan grabbed Randi's nether-cheeks a few times. The choreography is far more accessible than a lot of Mia's other work, though that may just be a testament to how well they danced. Nigel said it was simple for Mia's stuff but it was wonderfully performed and memorable. This was the first time Mary saw Evan as a leading man. Toni said they lived up to Mia's choreography, which can often outshine the dancers.
7. Caitlin & Jason
Style/Choreographer/Song: Paso Doble/Jean-Marc & France Genereux/"O'Fortuna (from "Carmina Burana")" by Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg & Kurt Prestel
Is it just me or does Caitlin look a little like Slave Girl!Princess Leia tonight? And Jason kind reminds me of the video game/soon to be movie "Prince of Persia." Weird. I found the music a bit distracting for some reason. I think they performed admirably but could've used an extra day of practice. The technique was solid overall but there certain points were I could tell they were struggling. Character-wise, I thought they did well but it may have suffered from not being 100% comfortable with the number. Nigel felt they didn't connect to each other enough but thought they did a good job overall. Mary thought the opening lift sequence was fierce and that the did well. Toni thought it was powerful and that they didn't let any mistakes hinder their performance.
8. Jeanine & Phillip
Style/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Tyce D'Orio/"Moses" from "Singing In The Rain"
Oh lordy...a Tyce Broadway number. There's a couch involved. I think the only reason this number is working is because it's meant for only two people. It's cute and they're owning their characters, though Jeanine is more consistent. Phillip's penchant for making big faces is actually an asset here. And props to him for jumping that six-foot couch. I actually enjoyed it. I'm shocked. Nigel puts Phillip on notice that he needs to grow at a faster rate but Jeanine was spot on. Mary thinks Jeanine could be on any Broadway stage right now. Toni thought it was adorable and that they were better as a couple this week than last.
Favorite Numbers: Melissa & Ade's Rumba, Evan & Randi's Contemporary and Janette & Brandon's Hop Hop
Stand-out Individuals: Evan for just being awesome as always, Brandon for being so versatile, Jeanine for being deliciously retro, and Melissa for working it hard.
Disappointments: Obviously Wolfpack but sort of Karla for letting him bring her down.
What did you think about tonight? Which were your favorites/least favorites? How did Toni do as a judge? Who do you think will be in the bottom?
Post a comment
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
http://mel31602.blogspot.com/2009/06/so-you-think-you-can-dance-recap-top-16.html
Check out my recap here. My faves are different from yours. I liked Brandon and Janette but I didn't get Mia's routine and am not a big fan of rumbas, though both those routines were danced well. My other two faves were Kupono/Kayla and Jason/Caitlin though I think one of those two will be in the bottom (the former for being not as exciting, the latter for the poor technique) along with the first two numbers, which were forgettable.
If you watch Dave Scott's first routine again and only look at Karla, she is rockin' it something fierce. Because the number was pretty much ALL synchro work, Jonathan's messy movement totally screwed the whole routine. Is it her fault he couldn't/didn't get it? I dunno.
LOVE Melissa & Ade. They are a really amazing couple that doesn't always get the most attention, but are fabulous dancers who only make each other better. They're also both great at capturing the characters of each dance.
Brandon & Janette: fab!
What can I say, I always love Mia's twisted choreography and Randi & Evan owned it!
Andrea, you're totally right, the music for Jason & Caitlin's routine was horribly distracting. And I've figured it out: it's Caitlin's bangs that are what age her so. Hair up, she looks sooo much better.
Okay, how cute was they Tyce number? And hey, I don't blame Phillip for being a big baby. I would have chickened out every time I had to take on the, couch too!
And can we just give Cat an Emmy already?? Can we write her in? Stuff the ballot boxes? Seriously! I'm sure it's tough being ****y to starving, bickering Americans in the jungles of Borneo or wherever, but Jeff Probst is NO Cat Deely!! =)
"They've been hitting it every week. I do not think that means what she thinks it means" - hilarious!
I was a bit wary when I saw Toni Basil on the panel. Last season the word "street" came out of mouth every other word. She said it a lot tonight too, but I found her comments very interesting and occasionally very insightful.
Not much this week blew me away, but I thought the Brandon & Janette hip hop came the closest. Brandon really impressed me; I had no idea he might have enough flava to pull off a Dave Scott hip hop number like that!
The Rhumba was really nice from Ade & Melissa (Tamara, did you mean ridiculous ridiculous or ridiculous good? - that dress, if it really qualifies as a dress, was out there - like most of the ballroom gowns. But her body looked pretty fantastic in it.)
Kupono & Kayla's waltz was good too. It was really pretty and I thought, well danced.
In the clip before the performance, there was a full, over the head lift they were attempting. I'm glad that was removed from the final routine because Kupono's little arms wouldn't have been able to do it.
I kind of loved the Mia number on Evan & Randi. It was super accessible for Mia, but I really got into the feel of it and they nicely embodied their characters. Evan's gigantic jacket was really distracting though.
Of the others, Jonathan & Kayla just weren't doing anything for that number, but honestly, I think it was much weaker than the other piece Dave Scott choreographed this week (I really feel each choreographer should only do ONE number per show - when they do two, one always suffers).
Nigel, while starting the show of kind of ***y, was right in saying they will be in the bottom 3.
Ade & Asuka still don't do a lot for me and it's still mainly Asuka that I'm not into. I didn't like that number and Mandy Moore really has to stop with the 80's songs; it's starting to feel like a limitation of hers and not a cute quirk.
Jason & Caitlin just got a style I don't care for at all. Ok, I get that they didn't relate enough to each other, but it's a very theatrical dance - one easy to fall into caricature with. Can I just say Jason looked hot! Caitlin looked great too (oh, to be a young highly attractive dancer with a great body), but that Carmina Burana music was a bad choice and for once, I thought she kind of outdanced him...
Poor Phillip & Jeanine. Last week they get Tango, this week a Tyce Broadway number...
Can SYTYCD please find someone else to choreograph Broadway? I *hate* Tyce's Broadway stuff. His contemporary is rather nice, but all his Broadway is cheesy, artificial and highly derivative. This was no exception.
This always happens and I hate when it does - a really good, but untrained dancer starts to eat it because they don't have the foundations to build on. I hope Phillip can break through soon. I think he's doing an admirable job, but it's still a little lacking in these other styles
Better week than last week but I'm still a little underwhelmed.
Favorite dances were Melissa & Ade, Randi & Evan and Janette & Brandon with Kayla & Kupono and Jeanine & Phillip close behind. I really didn't like the other 3 dances at all.
Random comments:
-Love Phillip in his own style but he needs to step it up or his popularity really will seem to be too much greater than his dance quality.
-Kayla & Kupono proved so far to be a better match than I expected.
-After 3 weeks favorite couples are currently Randi & Evan and Melissa & Ade. Janette and Brandon are creeping up there too.
Bottom 3 in my opinion should be Karla & Jonathan, Asuka & Vitolio, and Caitlin & Jason. I think Asuka & Jonathan should be the ones leaving.
Quisquilian says, "And hey, I don't blame Phillip for being a big baby. I would have chickened out every time I had to take on the, couch too!" I thought exactly the same thing as I watched.
Favourites for me last night were Evan/Randi and Brandon/Janette. I loved Mia's choreography. It had just the right amount of kookiness, the song was great, and Evan and Randi danced it well. Brandon and Janette were great! I think that was the first hip hop number this season that I watched and thought, "Wow!" I did not expect Brandon to be that good at hip hop, and Janette looked to be right there with him (not that I know anything about dancing). I like Dave Scott's hip hop routines much better than Shane Sparks's, so I was pleased to see Dave doing the numbers last night.
Least favourites of the night for me were Jonathan/Karla and Jason/Caitlin. For Jason and Caitlin, it probably didn't help that they were dancing the pasodoble, and I don't like the pasodoble. (Evan, who I absolutely adore, could do the paso, and I'd dislike it.) I thought Karla danced the hip hop really well, but Jonathan didn't. I still don't think he was bad - I mean, if I saw him dance like that in a club I'd probably be blown away, but in terms of the show, it wasn't good.
I think the bottom three will be Jonathan/Karla, Jason/Caitlin, and Vitolio/Asuka, although Kupono/Kayla could get traded in because Mary heaped them with praise and people generally don't vote for waltzes. (I hope people voted for them - I thought it was completely lovely. They're both so graceful!) Jonathan/Karla may not be there because people might have voted in overdrive because of Nigel's bottom three comment. Asuka/Vitolio might not be there because people found Vitolio comforting Asuka so heartwarming (I know I did). Jason/Caitlin may not be there because perhaps the paso just masks my ability to see anything enjoyable in it.
By the way, why does Tamara call Jonathan "Wolfpack"?
I also wonder why she calls him Wolfpack. It's probably insulting, which is really kinda sad for her.
i just love the naughty ballerina! grrr!
but even as perverted as i am, mia's routine was over the top in kr*** and slutiness. what a sicko she is. a lot of the moves were not family oriented, right down to spreading of the butt cheeks and the camera zooms.
I agree with Bridget. Weak sisters of the Night were Jonathan & Karla and Jason & Kaitlin. "O Fortuna" for a paso doble? PLEASE!
I don't understand the hate on Asuka and I really like Vitolio. I still don't understand the love for Kayla.
Evan & Randi and Brandon & Janette were the high points of my evening with Melissa and Ade right behind them.
This is a fabulous season of SYTYCD!
Steven, I found the answer to my own question in a previous recap. Tamara thinks he looks like he could be cast as one of the werewolves in the "Twilight" series of movies.
I ***ume the Wolfpack comment is a Twilight: New Moon reference, though I don't really see it - Wolfpack-lite, maybe.
Bridget actually touched on what I've been thinking of Jonathan for some time, and especially during his intro bit last night - he's not so much a dancer as he is a club kid. He'd be great at a club but is rather out of his element here. He's by far the weakest dancer in the group, possibly even more so than Tony.
Did not like Mia's routine much, but I'll give props to Evan and Randi for committing to it and dancing really well.
Not a fan of either Asuka or Vitolio. I liked both in the very beginning, but less so as the weeks go by.
Also not a fan of the paso doble, although I like it (when danced well) a lot better than rumba. I hate the rumba; it should just be banished from the show. I do like Ade and Melissa though, and they did well with what they were given. Jason & Caitlin did well, too, though Jason felt a bit awkward to me in this dance. Caitlin made me think of Jeannie (as in I Dream Of...) - mostly, I suppose, because of the hair. I agree with an previous commenter that she looked much better with her hair pulled back like that.
The first hip hop routine was bad, the 2nd was really good. Count me in as one who was surprised at how good Brandon was at hip hop.
Loved the waltz, though I generally prefer the other guy's waltz choreography (Hunter something-or-other; haven't seen him on the show yet this season).
Bottom 3: Jonathan/Karla, Vitolio/Asuka, and Jason/Caitlin or Jeanine/Philip.
Top 3: Ade/Melissa, Brandon/Janette, Kayla/Kupono.
I'd send Jonathan and Asuka packing.