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RSS'So You Think You Can Dance': Russell and Noelle introduce us to Afro-Jazz
The invading forces of baseball are gone and democracy reigns supreme once again on "So You Think You Can Dance." And I'll be sure to enjoy it as much as I can tonight, 'cause god knows tomorrow night I'll probably be moaning about the foolishness of the voting public and waxing nostalgic about the good ol' days when judges decided who to kick off.
Okay, I promised myself to give Ashleigh a fair shot this week, but seriously...did she decide to celebrate today's 40th anniversary of "Sesame Street" by skinning one of those colorful international versions of Big Bird and making pants out of him? On a less gruesome note, it's lovely to see the smiling faces of our season 5 dancers sitting in the front row! They're in town for the tour, and to do a fundraising concert for the Dizzy Feet Foundation.
1. Karen & Kevin
The Hustle/Maria Torres/"Come To Me" by France Joli: In Karen's pre-dance interview we learn that shortly after they auditioned together in Vegas, she and her husband decided to get a divorce. Aw, that's rough. And you can't help but wonder whether her making the show and his getting cut had anything to do with it. Dance-wise, well, two things: first, I find Kevin's red pants-shiny pink shirt-navy vest combo incredibly (disgustingly) distracting. Second, I'm ashamed to admit that I wasn't aware that you could do the hustle to anything but, well, "Do the Hustle." Shows what I know about the '70s. I'm gonna assume last week's performance will carry them through this week, but I wasn't blown away, despite the judge's enthusiasm.
2. Ashleigh & Jakob
Jazz/Mandy Moore/"Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Apparently, Jakob is good friends with S5's Jeanine outside of the show. Cool. Mandy's routine incorporates a cane, and the music makes it impossible for me to think of anything but "Zoolander." It almost seems like Jakob is doing Blue Steel at times...seriously. Raves all around from the judges for both of them (yeah, yeah) - Jakob even invites a Joel Grey comparison!
3. Pauline & Peter
Quickstep/JT & Tomas/"Hey Baby! (Shake Those Hula Hips)" by Big Kahuna & The Copa Cat Pack: Hmm...any conspiracy theorists want to opine on an already vulnerable couple drawing the kiss of death dance? The routine features Pauline as a hula dancer and Peter as an entranced Navy man. It actually looks pretty strong to me, considering - it's fun, they're light on their feet, and it's probably the most I've liked Peter since he made it into the Top 20. Maybe it's the uniform. The judges congratulate their performance, while giving the expected technical criticism. In fact, Nigel predicts that they'll be sticking around!
4. Kathryn & Legacy
Broadway/Andy Blankenbuehler/"I Wanna Be Like You" by Swingin' Fireballs: Huzzah for a non-Tyce Broadway routine! (Though I'd love some Broadway music, I can certainly live with this "Jungle Book" number.) It features Legacy as a couch potato, with Kathryn dragging him away from the TV and into a playful confrontation. I thought it was totally adorable, though the judges wanted a bit more out of Kathryn's acting skills. Legacy...wow. This guy is growing by leaps and bounds (Get it? 'Cause it's a dance show???), and I can't say I agree with the judges' disappointment in Kathryn.
5. Channing & Viktor
Contemporary/Stacey Tookey/"Be Be Your Love (Live at KCRW)" by Rachel Yamagata: The routine is about a toxic relationship, and while it was strong, it didn't completely suck me in. I'm happy to see Channing dance in her style, as are the judges. And I'm willing to cut them some slack chemistry-wise because they're new partners. Mary and Adam are kind, but Nigel and I are really on the same page - this was their style, and while they may have gotten one or two runners home, they didn't hit a grand slam.
6. Ellenore & Ryan
Hip Hop/Lil' C/"Lost Boiz Anthem" by Tha J-Squad: I've really been looking forward to seeing Ellenore do hip hop, and though this routine by Lil' C wasn't especially exciting, it gave her a chance to show off her attitude (specifically her stank face) and ability to hit hard. Ryan kept up, for the most part. In fact, he wins Adam's "Most Transformed Dancer of the Night" award. Mary and Adam agree that the routine is good, but not great - I agree that it ran out of steam a little midway through - and Nigel is even harsher, declaring them unsuited to the style. 
7. Mollee & Nathan
Salsa/Gustavo Vargas/"Quimbara" by Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco: Firstly, love the song. Viva La Reina de la Salsa! Secondly, I'm not convinced by Mollee's sexification efforts. It feels a little like watching those kids on "Toddlers and Tiaras" try to act like sexy adults. Not that I've ever gotten sucked into a marathon of that show or anything. Adam calls the routine bad luck of the draw, and says it exposed all of their weaknesses. Mary also has a number of technical complaints. Basically, these guys will be banking on their fan base this week.
8. Noelle & Russell
Afro-Jazz/Sean Cheesman/"Frog Dance" by Mickey Hart & Planet Drum: In the story, Russell is a frog and Noelle is an African princess being taken on a "spiritual walkabout." A speedy one. Russell is so fantastic that I can't say I caught quite as much of Noelle's performance, but altogether I give them - and this new dance style - two big thumbs up. Great energy, great character work, and "crazy good," according to Mary. In fact, it buys them a ticket on the Hot Tamale Train!
Favorite Numbers: Russell and Noelle's Afro-Jazz dance, hands down. I don't think I can put any of the others in the same category.
Stand-out Individuals: Legacy continues to impress, and Pauline and Peter really stepped up with their quickstep.
Disappointments: I expected more out of Ellenore and Ryan's hip hop routine, and Nathan wasn't nearly as good this week as he has been in the past.
Any new favorites? Disappointing former favorites? What do you think of the new choreographers' work?
Follow Zap2it on Twitter for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.Related:
'So You Think You Can Dance' Season Six - Top 20 Finalists
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'So You Think You Can Dance': Noelle Marsh soldiers on, will stay in the competition
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
Ok, why is it that after the dancers finish dancing and are standing next to Kat, listening to the judges' critiques, that the producers don't give them a towel to wipe dry the sweat on their faces? These poor guys are drenched in sweat and are just standing there dripping wet waiting for the critiques. Somebody give them a towel!
I also didn't get the judges criticism of Kathryn. I don't know much about technique, but she looked pretty spot on acting-wise. I think they were going for cute and sassy and not sexy vixen. She was wearing pigtails and sneakers for goodness sake!
Also loved Russel and Noelle. They've always done African Jazz on the Canadian show (Sean Cheesman yay!) and it's always good. I'm surprised it hasn't been on the American show before. Hopefully we'll see it again.
Check out the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnHGOZnAAu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZr4lJkHi88
my first reaction ... how DARE nygel tell russell he continues to live up to blah blah and his lines blah blah when they put him in the bottom six the 1st week to prove some friggin' point or superiority. the hypocrite. how hypocritical, and it is the reason i tivo the show and skip over most of the judges' comments. but some i just have to hear and this was one i wanted to hear. shame on you nygel. shame.
karen, kevin. agree with you, wasn't blown away and find myself wishing she were paired with russell because kevin dances hard and stiff too much.
ashleigh,jakob. blown away, and i have not liked ashleigh, so this is major.
pauline, peter. agree they were given a kod dance, others are the waltz, russian anything, and texas two step. it felt uncomfortable.
kathryn, legacy. wow. who is this guy!! she was too cootsy, though, but i liked it.
channing, victor. i just don't like her. she's so muscular she overpowers her partners to the point victor, who was really good, just looked okay.
ellenore, ryan. now i did listen to the judges and obviously they LUV this couple cuz they were out of sync and did not hit it at all. uncomfortable to watch ryan.
mollee, nathan. enjoyed nathan. mollee still is not a good dancer to me. she doesn't finish her moves and she hampers nathan.
noelle, russell. 2nd fave dance of night, tho didn't think noelle kept up with russell who brung it!
top 3 girls - ashleigh, karen, noelle
top 3 guys - russell, jakob, legacy
bottom 3 girls - channing, pauline, mollee
bottom 3 guys - nathan, kevin, peter
who should go home: mollee and peter
who will go home: pauline and peter
good
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I'm still stuggling with the set. I feel like the dancers are lost on the stage. I want the show back in the old studio.
I'm also not impressed with the choreogrphy this year. The judges keep talking about how these are the best dancers they have ever had, but with such mediocre choregraphy the dancers are struggling to shine.
@Drew Totally agree about the choreo this season. With a few exceptions, like the Frog Dance and Legacy and Kathryn's Fear Dance, I don't feel compelled to re-watch the performances the way I have in past seasons.
Can we just retire "prop" dances, too? I just want to see the dancers dance, not have to focus on not dropping the darn cane, or chains, or whatever.
Have done a 180 with my opinion of Legacy (love how Adam calls him "Legs"). Couldn't believe he made Top 20. Now, he is wowing me every week.
Not the most exciting episode. I wish last season's dancers had been onstage for the opening. Favorites: Legacy, Russell, Jakob. Both Ellenore, Kathryn and Nathan were disappointing this week. I hope they survive tonight's judging. Even Cat seemed "off" last night.
It's great to see Sean Cheesman on the US show. He's been choreographing and guest judging on the Canadian SYTYCD, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites (unlike Stacey Tookey, fr example). And Russell completely killed that routine, to the point that like others, I didn't really notice Noelle.
Agree with Drew and Tobey. Even at this point in the season there are usually several dances that have really grabbed me and I've watched over and over. Not so this season. And it's really a shame because I do think it's an exceptionally strong group of dancers. Hope they get more chances to shine soon.
Piling on here with Drew, Tobey, and Beth--so far everything seems pretty weak this season. And none of these dancers has really wowed me.