Photos
Video
RSSWeek 4 eliminations on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
Everyone was strong overall last night so there was bound to be a Bottom Three surprise or two on "So You Think You Can Dance." Still, there was a whiff of inevitability in the air.
The group number is Broadway flavored and to "Brand New Day" from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of "The Wiz." This is one of my favorites from the movie. I can't quite tell how I feel about it - my initial feeling is mleh but the camera cuts were all over the freaking place so I may pinch some salt on that. I like how they were characters out a painting but I feel like there should be twenty more people on stage. Oh. Tyce D'Orio did the choreography. That explains it.
Cat Deeley brings Karla & Vitolio and Randi & Evan out for their results. One is safe, the other is in the bottom. I think this could go either way. After both recap packages we find out that Randi & Evan are safe leaving Karla & Vitolio yet again dancing for their life. Honestly, I think I'd prefer it the other way only because I don't feel like Randi is growing. Plus Evan essentially has the personality for both of them.
Janette & Brandon are the first up in the next group and are deservedly safe. Between Kayla & Kupono and Melissa & Ade, I assume one is in the bottom since there are only two couples who haven't been on stage. Melissa & Ade are safe but sadly Kayla & Kupono are in the Bottom Three. Mia is shocked because, for her, it was "perfection." When Kayla started tearing up, Cat told her not to cry as this is essentially an opportunity to shine again. And why didn't she win the Emmy last year?
This just leaves Jeanine & Phillip and Caitlin & Jason. Before the results, Cat points out some of Caitlin's family who have tin-foil spikes on their heads and have a sign that reads "Aliens for Caitlin." Very, very cute. I'm 90% sure Caitlin & Jason are in the bottom because it was a weird number and that always divides the audience. Wow. The 10% wins out as Jeanine & Phillip round out the Bottom Three. To analyze it, there might've been a slight backlash with people thinking they were giving Hip Hop to coddle them when it's just the luck of the draw.
While the soloists get ready, Cat introduces Patricia and Desmond who perform a Pas de Deux to "De Caprice in E Minor Op. 1 No. 2." They're from Complexions Contemporary Ballet company so the choreography wasn't your typical fare. For those bored by ballet in general, hopefully this proved more interesting. I thought it was beautiful.
1. Karla
Song: "Blackbird" by Dionne Farris
Ok. So this is Karla's best solo. It's got a great mix of movement quality and, more importantly, was interesting to watch. Great job.
2. Vitolio
Song: "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts
I have to think that from the song choice and thanks Nigel's comments last week, he's expecting to go home. It seemed like he was just out there having fun dancing around, not particularly dancing to save himself.
3. Kayla
Song: "Stupid" by Sarah McLachlan
Hmm. She moves fantastically but I did not like the choreography. There were so many big sweeping movements it felt a bit like she was flailing. I wouldn't be surprised if Nigel says the judges felt like she was desperate.
4. Kupono
Song: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
There wasn't a whole lot of razzle dazzle in there but I felt the sort of peace and exuberance that read on his face. He embodied the feeling of the song for sure but I don't know how the judges will feel about it.
5. Jeanine
Song: "Moonlight Sonata" by Smart Sleep with Classical
Wow. I'm so impressed. This may have been the best female solo so far this season. She was focused but emoting and in the moment, the choreography was great, and she danced fantastically.
6. Phillip
Song: "You'll Find A Way (Witch & Sinden Remix)" by Dantogold
Geez, this kid is fantastic. I kind of feel like he's up there with Twitch in terms of growing and being creative with his genre (and so much better than that other guy who was on "Superstars of Dance" I can't even stand it).
To entertain us while the judges deliberate is the original "American Idol," Kelly Clarkson with "I Don't Hook Up." I love her, I really do. This song I like but I wasn't a big fan of the first single from this album. It's probably because the first song felt like a regression to the stuff she was made to record straight off of "Idol."
Starting with the girls, Nigel states that they are unanimous with their decision. He tells Jeanine that she had the best solo of the night and was brilliant. She's safe. Kayla is told that she's one of the favorites of the judges and choreographers but they felt she was static and not particularly dancing from the heart. Karla is without question a very good dancer but hasn't quite captured the star quality they saw in her initially. And with that, Karla has been eliminated. You know, if you wanted her to be a star, maybe they should've put her with Evan instead of Wolfpack. Could you imagine them doing that Broadway number last night? Just saying.
As for the guys, the judges' decision was unanimous again. Phillip is absolutely superb at what he does but can he master the other genres? Well, Nigel says he'll have a chance to prove himself. He's safe. Vitolio has great presence but doesn't always deliver on the dancing side. Kupono is told he should be glad it's not called "So You Think You Can Choreograph" and that his solo was straight up weak. But, as I expected from the wording, he lives yet another day. It's the end of the road for Vitolio who's sad but not particularly surprised. In his parting words he says that he's received a lot of emails from people who've said he's changed their lives and that's a great thing.
Was anyone surprise by who they sent home tonight? Did you agree with the Bottom Three? Have a favorite solo? Any other thoughts?
Post a comment
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Phillip should've gone home. All he can do is hip hop. Blech. It's a shame Vittolio went home, he's one of the strongest male dancers.
I agree kinda of with Andrea, I really did not want to see Vitolio go--although someone had to--imo it should of been kopono--the only girl I did not want to go home was Kayla liked her from day 1!! Man they really have some superb dancers this year--like more than acouple!!
Whatever..this is the first season I can't get into. I fast forward past everything, and haven't picked up the phone to vote.
I wish Karla would've been with Evan too! Love Jeanine and love Janette!
Karla had the worst luck. All her partners had no charm. It's a miracle she made it this far.
I agree with the judges on Karla going. I was looking for her to really WOW me with stage presence but I kept feeling let down week after week. Her technique is good and all but her dancing is lacking the IT factor. NOW I didn't want Vitolio to leave. I liked his personality and his showmanship. When he dances, he holds my attention. I thought the judges should have let Kupono go because like Karla, Kupono has dance technique and so forth but lacking the IT factor for me.
Not surprised about who went home based on who was in the bottom 3.
I was surprised that Kaitlin/Jason were safe over Phillip/Jeanine.
Unlike Mia, I wasn't surprised that Kupono/Kayla were in the bottom as they have proven to not be popular with the voters thus far. The only chance I thought that they had to be safe from the bottom 3 was if the audience had graduated Sonya into the upper echelon of choreographers with Wade Robson and Mia Michaels (as getting those 2 virtually guarantees your safety regardless of how well you dance or how good the piece is).
I was hoping that Kayla would go home, but given Mia's comments when Kayla was put into the bottom 3, there was a 0% chance she was going home as Karla had the much stronger solo of the 2 - I liked Karla's solo even more than Jeanine's.
I suspect that in Kaitlin ends up in the bottom 3 next week (and I think Jason/Kaitlin will be) that Kayla survives into the top 10. I suspect that Kayla will then be partnered with whoever has been garnering the highest % of the votes among those top 3 couples (my guess is Brandon or Evan over Ade) in the top 10 week to try to help her continue in the competition -> similar to how Will magically ended up with Katie in the top 10 week last year.
When the top 20 was announced I said I thought that Evan was going to win. However, these past 2-3 weeks the judges have been riding him pretty hard. Usually the judges don't start to do that with voting favourites who aren't their favourites until the top 10 or even later (see Benji in S2). Therefore, I think he may not win and that Brandon or Ade has a real shot -> I really think the judges want a contempory dancer to win. Yes, Sabra was a competorary dancer, but they were more concerned with a female dancer winning that year regardless of style. Yes, Nick did win in S1, but that year the judges picked the winner (or Nick would have been eliminated at the top 8 stage by having to go head to head with Ryan, but magically they had the other male hip hop dancer - sorry blanking on his name - go against Ryan to save Nick).
I'm thinking that they are hoping that Evan doesn't win to pave the way for his brother Ryan to win in the fall (FTR, I liked his brother better in LV week). I don't think they want them both to win. Then again, if Evan wins this year, perhaps Ryan won't win in the fall as a result, but will go a long way sort of like Lacey did in S3 (who FTR, I thought would win due to Benji's popularity).
Wow that was long. Okay, post over. :)
Remember what Nigel said to Vitolio last week? That being said; he was better than Kapono or Philip.
What's Phil going to do when he no longer has Janine to hold him up?
Oh shoot, I didn't post in yesterday's blog, but I meant to comment on Mia's comment re: Brandon. I completely disagree with what she said at the beginning of her comments following Brandon's and Janette's dance. She basically said that she was harder on Brandon due to him having so much talent. Well if she wanted to say that, she should have in LV week. She essentially said in Vegas week that she didn't see what all the fuss was about. That in no way says, you are so talented but I'm going to push you to fulfill it.
Also, re: the Alien piece from last night. If eg. Wade Robson (or Mia) had choreographed that routine, exactly as it was done by Brian there wouldn't have been any negative comments about the routine by the judges. I'm not a fan of the way the judges pander to certain choreographers.
Lastly, I wish the judges (and Cat) wouldn't American Idolize the show. By that I mean, they are using their 'catch phrases' like "Hot Tamale Train" multiple times per show (and in week 1 ffs). Ditto for Cat saying how she hates Thursdays in week 1. Save that stuff for when there is some attachment and when there aren't any bottom 3 worthy performances (this week was appropriate - but not week 1).
Mini Rant over.
Anna, Phillip only needs a partner for 1 more week - then it all falls on him. Let's see how strong his fan base is when he makes top 10 (I see very little chance that he gets cut next week) and they start to vote for individuals rather than couples.