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RSSStrong performances by all on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
Tonight was one of those everybody-does-well nights on "So You Think You Can Dance." Some did better than others but with no one really slipping up, tomorrow's elimination is wide open.
The only intros I particularly enjoyed tonight was Phillip's, the others were pretty standard. Maybe it's the cold medicine talking. Host Cat Deeley is sporting a cute hot pink dress that screams "Grown Up Prom." She introduces tonight's judges - the ever-present Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Mia Michaels in the rotating spot. The first thing Cat asks is if Mia's opinion on "anyone" has change. She coyly, without naming name, says yes and for the better. Nigel basically puts out that it's Brandon and in her non-confirmation, she confirms it.
1. Janette & Brandon
Style/Choreographer/Song: Cha Cha/Jean-Marc & France Genereux/"Hush Hush; Hush Hush" by The Pussycat Dolls
When they entered the rehearsal space all cute, they were upstaged by Jean-Marc whipping France around in a series of spins. Impressive indeed. This is the first time Janette gotten something related to her genre so I'm expecting a lot from her. The song, and they, start out a bit slow but almost immediately it picks up speed. I dig this number. Janette is working it for sure and didn't disappoint me at all. Brandon was very good as well and matched her sass. Nigel says it's "possibly the best damn Cha Cha he's ever seen on the show" adding that it was World Championship level. Mary raved over Janette's technique (as Salsa is totally different)and gave them first class tickets on the Hot Tamale Train. Mia acknowledges that she probably scared Brandon but says she's toughest on people she recognizes talent in and wants him to be his best. This elicited some tears from him and she added that he's amazing. As for Janette, Mia says she was on fire and has been from day 1.
2. Kaya & Kupono
Style/Choreographer/Song: Contemporary/Sonya Tayeh/"Eyes On Fire" by Blue Foundation
During the rehearsal package, in Kayla's words the number is about her pulling away from death while Kupono is trying to pull her towards it. Kupono says it has a vampiric feel. I didn't exactly get vampiric from it but it was certainly interesting. This may be one of those numbers that either works for you or doesn't. I didn't immediately love it like I do other Sonya numbers but it was danced extremely well. The technique was very good and they really connected to the piece. Nigel thought it was fabulous, that Kupono was a new man up there this week, and that they're both reaching their potential. Mary thinks Sonya didn't hold back with them and choreographed a great piece to highlight their strengths. Mia said they're aesthetically great together, called it Sonya's best piece so far on the show, complimented Kayla's ability to make "beautiful pictures," and says Kupono is growing and has a calm power.
3. Randi & Evan
Style/Choreographer/Song: Broadway/Joey Dowling/"Rich Man's Frug" by the 2005 Broadway Revival Cast of "Sweet Charity"
Oh ho! What's this? A non-Tyce Broadway number? Be still my beating heart. Based on the rehearsal bits, I'm digging Joey. She's an Amazonian firecracker for sure. Evan's working it out but Randi's a little inconsistent for me. The character is fine, she's just dancing a little too...contained at times. I really loved the number - lots of tiny fists, wrist flicks, and cool moves. I move that Joey be our permanent Broadway choreographer. Nigel loved the Bob Fosse feel and put them in his Top 10 dancers, though Evan didn't bring quite enough for him. Mary felt they were immersed in the characters most of the time and was entertained. Mia felt they didn't quite reach the high level of the choreography, adding that Randi was dancing a bit heavy (that's what it was!) and that she expected more from Evan, and ending with a "good job."
When they cut to the audience, they were focused on where Scott Bakula ("Quantum Leap," "Enterprise," "Chuck") was sitting. I heart him so much. Just wanted to put it out there.
4. Caitlin & Jason
Style/Choreographer/Song: Pop Jazz/Brian Friedman/"Creator" by Santogold
Brian's concept is that Caitlin is an alien who blew up Earth and has come to find Jason, the last man, to procreate with. Okay so I like the weird concept and I love the song to start out with. They're both really embodying their characters, probably the best since the Kupono/Ashley Dummy routine. I have to say I loved this routine. It was fantastically odd and oddly fantastic. Nigel loved that they committed 100% to the number but found it weird, Mary didn't think it played to their strengths and just wasn't picking up what they were putting down, and Mia found it refreshing to see a fun and out-there number thought they danced it very well.
5. Jeanine & Phillip
Style/Choreographer/Song: Hip Hop/Napoleon & Tabitha/"Love Lockdown" by Kayne West
Tabitha & Napoleon used the dancers' pulling their partners' names as inspiration for the number - they're linked together by a chain which is both comforting but also a hindrance. Jeanine is doing very well with the popping elements, she's even making faces like Phillip which is cute. I super dug this one. Great choreography and danced really, really well. Phillip pulling out a key at the end but Jeanine being hesitant to grab it was a nice touch. Possibly the best of the night. Nigel said if they keep dancing like that, they should be chained together for life. Mary thought it was incredibly creative, commended them for working so well with the prop, and said Jeanine took her breath away. Mia liked the concept but got a little distracted by the chain which was sloppy in comparison to Jeanine & Phillip who were hitting everything hard.
6. Melissa & Ade
Style/Choreographer/Song: Pas de Deux/Thordal Christensen/"Romeo & Juliet: Prokofiev's Suite No.1 Op. 64b, 6th Movement" by Orchestra De la Suisse Romande & Armin Jordan
Thordal chose the initial meeting of "Romeo & Juliet" for the subject of the Pas de Deux. Melissa in en pointe which I believe marks a first for the show for partnered numbers. Wow. Seeing Melissa in her element is extremely impressive. Ade did a great job as well. It really felt like this was a piece from a professional company. Fantastic. Nigel felt it was beautifully danced - Melissa was superb but a small note that Ade could work on his feet a bit more. Mary loved it and called the chemistry "flawless." Mia was so excited to have classical ballet danced so well on the show and called Melissa "brilliant" and "a true ballerina."
To fill out the two hours, we get a brief piece to promote The Dizzy Feet Foundation (started by Adam Shankman, Nigel, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Katie Holmes) which supports underprivileged dancers. Famous folks including Mia, Nigel, Lil' C, Adam, Carrie Ann, Twitch, and Katie Holmes talk about how much dance has meant to them and a bit about the potential positive impact of Dizzy Feet. They'll initially award 10 scholarships to kids from six studios and also want to create an accreditation program for teachers and do community outreach. Lil' C is on the steering committee which also includes Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez, Debbie Allen, and Miley Cyrus. You can find out more by going to DizzyFeetFoundation.org. Back live in the studio, Nigel confirms that Tyce D'Orio (also on the steering committee) had choreographed/directed a tribute to Judy Garland piece featuring Katie Holmes which will be shown on the 100th episode, July 23rd. She donated her performance fee to the Foundation.
7. Karla & Vitolio
Style/Choreographer/Song: Quickstep/Jean Marc & France Genereux/"Puttin' On The Ritz" by Rufus Wainwright
Wow. These kids have had a rough road and when one of the choreographers verifies that this genre is the "Kiss Of Death," that's not a good sign. Karla is in a museum and Vitolio is a statue that comes to life. Karla had this cool quick change dress which, like Cat, I kind of envy. They both acted out their characters very well and the choreography is really good. They both seemed at ease dancing and the technique was solid. Probably one of the best Quicksteps on the show. Nigel loved the choreography and the technique was good, but wanted a little more bounce in the Charleston section. Mary thought they brought the dance to life and that it done very well, calling Karla beautiful and complementing Vitolio on his close hold. Mia commended Jean Marc on putting together a great number and thought both of them danced wonderfully.
Favorite Numbers: This is hard because everyone was at least very good tonight but I'm stacking my chips with Caitlin & Jason's Pop Jazz and Jeanine & Phillip's Hip Hop. Honorable mention to Melissa & Ade and Janette & Brandon.
Stand-out Individuals: Melissa for getting to shine in her discipline, Jeanine for owning those chest pops, Kupono for delivering fantastic lines, Jason for looking genuinely scared during the number, and Caitlin for working the hardest character of the night.
Disappointments: Randi is the only person I feel a twinge of disappointment with. Mia helped define my source of unhappiness - her gravity was just to high this week. I still liked the number but, since everyone did so well tonight, this may mean Randi & Evan's first trip to the Bottom Three.
Okay Mia haters, admit it - she did well tonight, yes? Which were your favorite/least fave numbers? Think you know who'll be in the bottom? Because I have suspicions but it could go quite a few ways. Any other thoughts?
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"I super dug this one." Ranks up there with "your're crazy bad." Fifth grade next year, enjoy it.
I rather enjoy tamara's recaps
Whoever goes tonight, it's going to be a tough one. It was such a fantastic night. I don't know if the general public will get the alien pop jazz. For the first time, I have no idea who is going home.
Funny, Tamara. Your favourites were my least favourites, but I think it might have had more to do with props and costumes than the actual dancing. For Jeanine and Phillip, I agreed completely with Mia. I found the chain quite distracting and thought it took away from their dancing. For Caitlin and Jason, I didn't like the concept (or the "dancing condom" costume Caitlin had on), so while I think they danced it well, I didn't enjoy it that much.
My favourites were Janette and Brandon with an honourable mention to Melissa and Ade. Janette and Brandon were really fabulous, as usual. They haven't missed a beat yet! (And I love Jean Marc and France's routines.) Getting to watch Melissa do proper ballet was lovely. I don't even care what Ade was doing. She was just wonderful!
This is a hard week to choose bottom three, but I predict Caitlin/Jason, Karla/Vitolio, and (I hate to say it) Randi/Evan. Kayla/Kupono could get traded in for Karla/Vitolio or Randi/Evan, just because people may not have loved Sonya's choreography. I did enjoy Karla and Vitolio's quickstep, though. That dress change really took me by surprise in a good way. I also really enjoyed Randi and Evan's broadway number, and I thought the choreography was really cool, but the judges not-so-stellar comments might do them in.
It'll be interesting to see what happens tonight.
By the way, loved that Brandon cried a little bit when Mia complimented him. It's great seeing a man unafraid to cry on national T.V. (Speaking of men crying, does anyone else think that Jason looks as if he's about to cry whenever the judges are speaking to him?)
http://mel31602.blogspot.com/2009/07/so-you-think-you-can-dance-recap-top-14.html
Check out my recap here. I agree with you completely on the dances, though Brandon and Janette were my faves Phillip and Janette and Jason and Caitlin were right behind them. I also agree Randi took away something from the Broadway number but I thought Evan was great. I have no idea who is going home but I agree with Bridget it will likely be Caitlin/Jason Karla/Vitolio, and either Randi/Evan or Kupono/Kayla. I didn't love Sonja's routine either but they danced their routine better than Randi and Evan did theirs so we may see Randi and Evan in the bottom three.
Re Mia: I first thought she did a good job being honest and saying, "she'd changed her mind" about Brandon."
Instead of saying that to his face, she BS'd when she said, "When I'm hard on someone, it's because I see their potential and so I push them, blah, blah, blah."
She did not see his worth in the auditions. If you remember, she said he "annoyed" her, he was "arrogant," she "didn't see what everyone else did" and she was not "impressed."
She should have been honest to his face and said, "I screwed up and spoke too soon. I was wrong."
Instead, she tried to act like it was because he was so great.
I didn't like that.
I voted for Evan and Randi last night because I thought Evan did great. I agree about Randi. She seemed to not stay in character the whole routine. But- I am not ready to see them go yet.
I really, really didn't like the alien dance. At one point I notice Caitlin was not in character and was smiling and stuff. I don't know- I just don't like her or Jason.
Honestly- ballet bores me but I did enjoy seeing Melissa in her own style. I thought that is great because the ballerinas in past seasons were the only ones to not get their own style. Of course- if I am remembering correctly ballerinas haven't really made it far on this show. I hope Melissa lasts awhile longer. I thought Ade looked great, too.
I liked parts of Phillip's and Jeanine's dance but I felt the chain was limiting their movements so much that it looked too... static. They couldn't use up much of the stage because they had to stay so close together. I loved Phillip's chest pop's, though.
If they hadn't said the routine was about vampire's I would've figured it out by the song which is on the Twilight soundtrack. Loved the song, didn't love the dance that much. It was good but not great, IMO. It was danced well I just preferred Sonya's The Garden from last year more. So far none of her dances this year has topped that one yet, for me. I LOVED that dance so much that the song has been my ringtone ever since!
I hate quickstep so much that I FF'd it. I may go back and check out the costume change, though.
I really enjoyed last night. Espcially, since a lot of the dancers did really well. The night struck me as, as this seasons Top 14 are all equally strong.
Janette & Brandon - Brandon impressed me with his strong ballroom technique. Janette finally returned channel her ****y side. She stole the performance for me. I find it really hard to cheer for Brandon, he doesn't seem to embody enough character in the partner dances (though he does great in the group performances). Tonights dance get 10/10 though.
Kayla & Kupono - Feeling less and less interested in Kayla and Kupono, although they danced well last night. They need to bring more memorable performances to this competition. 9.5/10 for Sonya contemporary.
Randi & Evan - I sort of got disinterested halfway through this routine. Evan had great character in the beginning though. 8/10.
Jason & Caitlin - I wished Caitlin's movement were more isolated and strange looking. I think Caitlin is holding Jason back. I loved Jason's facial expression though this piece. Story was fun, but Caitlin wasn't able to hit it out of the park. 8.5/10.
Jeannine & Phillip - I, too, found the chain distracting at times, but that shouldn't take away votes from the pair. I found Jeannine to be stronger in the hip-hop style compared to Week 1. 9/10.
Melissa & Ade - Loved how this Pas de Deux was a lot more ballet compared to the one from Katie and Will last year. Sometimes found the routine very "old" and Ade missing the ballet training odd. Scared that viewers may not vote for a dance like this. 8/10 for this performance.
Vitolio & Karla - Unsurprisingly, this pair is the weakest coming into tonight. They really stepped it up though. Not sure if they have the fan base to carry them though. 8/10.
Overall, strong performances from every couple. Standouts were Janette & Brandon.
Enjoyed Jason and Caitlin, but not sure a big Caitlin fan.
Missing the "Wow" factor in many of the performances which may put some couples in the bottom 3.
Bottom 3:
Randi & Evan
Karla & Vitolio
Melissa & Ade (wild guess)
Others in contention for Bottom 3:
Kayla & Kupono
Jason & Caitlin
Going Home:
Vitolio & Randi
Great show. Only the judges were annoying. I really like Mia, but that was not a true explanation of her Brandon comments. She changed her mind, which is okay so just say it. Still like her. (I've decided the producers put her and lilC up to the comments for dramatic effect.
Phil and J were great, but I cry foul on him getting hiphop (with Tab, etc) again!. That feels.. unrandom. And Jeanine was just okay, nothing great.
I really liked the space alien number. Again Jason was a standout, Caitlin was pretty good considering. I do wish they wouldn't spend much time judging the costumes (and praising the choreographers.) The judges need to make more of an effort to send some love to dancers who are not Kayla or Brandon (or Phillip) because these deserved it. Anyway, hope they're safe, but this is america.
Randi was clunky and plodding (aka heavy) and clearly the worst girl. I was getting tired of Evan but really liked him in this number. She dragged it to the bottom 3 though.
Ballet bored me utterly, so it was just like a professional ballet, so hard to judge. Oddly its the first time I saw Ade do anything well except partner so good for him. (Btw, normally the judges rag on guys who only partner well, but for some reason praised Ade to high heaven last week, even over Melissa.)
Jeanette is amazing. This was brandon's least best (didn't want to say worst), I was not impressed, but J dragged it up to the next level. She's amazing.
K and V. Cute, huge improvement, but not enough for me. Kup and Kayla were apparently forgettable, vaguely recall she did well and he did better than usual.
Bottom 3 could be just about anyone (except J&B) because of huge variations in accessibility, popularity, entertainment and quality in this group of dances and dancers.
Personally I think Randi and Phillip should go. Since the latter is not happening I'd oust Kupono. However, I suspect Karla and Vitollio will be gone, which won't break my heart either.
I too didn't appreciate the fact that they gave Philip hiphop again and Evan broadway/jazz again. I like them both alot and they're great in the genres, but this is a competition. Evan should be challenged with hiphop and Phil, maybe a quirky contemporary, to give them the chance to succeed or fail on their own merits. Obviously the producers want them on tour.
Giving Melissa ballet is forgivable (I wouldn't want to see anyone else do it). Also, they finally gave Jeanette something in her genre (which she rocked) and softballed Kupayla with contemporary, but that just highlights how they, apparently intentionally, tried to screw their nonfavorites J&C and K&V with odd (but not Mia)or unpopular/hard.
I was okay the first week when they clearly tried to softball almost everyone while creating variety, but at this point, I think it needs to be a progression of things they haven't done, for good or ill.