Tonight we welcome back the All Star format on So You Think You Can Dance, and I could not be happier. We open with a Broadway style group routine that pays tribute to the late Gene Kelly in celebration of his 100th birthday. Not only is the routine choreographed by Tyce DiOrio, he is dancing in it as well. It could just be me, but I am suddenly thinking of two episodes of Glee: the Britney episode where Mr. Shue feels it necessary to sing “Toxic” with the kids, and the Rocky Horror episode where Mr. Shue feels it necessary to cast himself as, well, Rocky Horror. To my relief, Cat announces that Tyce was dancing for a slightly injured Cole, and I therefore do not have to be angry with the show.
This evening’s guest judge is Benjamin Millepied, more commonly known as Natalie Portman’s husband. However, Mr. Millepied is a very talented, very accomplished ballet dancer, so hopefully his critiques are helpful. Additionally, I have my fingers crossed that Swan Lake music will play at some point tonight (that’s my plug for Black Swan – freaking awesome movie). And here we go!
Contestant: Tiffany and Brandon
Style: Disco, choreographed by Doriana Sanchez
I’m always immediately annoyed when Cat says “a disco routine choreographed by Doriana Sanchez.” Typically these routines are just crazy lifts, tosses and spins with no additional dance steps that somehow get standing ovations and bulk tickets to the hot tamale train. This performance fares a little better in terms of content, and Tiffany is working her outfit as well as her limbs. There are a few awkward pauses, but this is a high energy start to the show.
Judges Say: Nigel thanks Adam Shankman for letting Tiffany borrow some of his old clothes. Smirk. He then tells Tiffany she was fantastic. Mary starts screaming at all of us and then indicates there were 11 lifts in the performance. She then says Tiffany “held up” her part of the bargain. Ha! These judges are already on fire tonight! Benjamin is impressed by the level of energy that was kept all the way through the dance, and he also compliments the expressions Tiffany makes while dancing.
---------------------------------------------
Contestant: Witney and Nick (yay!)
Style: Jazz, choreographed by Travis Wall (double yay!)
First, let me just say how thrilling it is to see Season 1 winner Nick Lazzarini back on this stage (favorite Nick performance here). Second, I cannot possibly express how much I am freaking out in anticipation of Nick dancing a Travis routine. The theme for this dance is ghosts in an abandoned lounge. Tonight Witney has brought the sexy with her (she may have brought sexy back?), and she absolutely holds her own with Nick. This is a great performance.
Judges Say: Benjamin thinks the routine was excellent and they looked the part. Nigel thinks Witney was totally committed to the routine and she could go all the way. Mary comes up with a gem saying “Lord have Murphy, you were smooooooldering out there.”
----------------------------------------------------
Contestant: Cole and Anya
Style: Cha Cha, choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin
Welcome back Anya! During the rehearsal package she admits that the dance is kicking her butt, so we’ll see how Cole handles himself here. In addition to the fact that Cole should not button a shirt ever again, he does a pretty good job with the cha cha. This is a very fast, very complicated routine, and I am sold on him as a ballroom dancer, especially since Cat mentioned he had suffered an injury this week.
Judges Say: Mary thinks the performance was amazing and gives some “woos!”...however, she does not put him on the hot tamale train. Benjamin looks relieved that Mary has stopped talking, and he suggests more weight distribution and contrast in his performance. This is why I like him. Nigel says Cole needs to take it in his hips (do what you want with that) and have more of a connection with Anya.
--------------------------------------------------
Contestant: Lindsay and Jakob (love him)
Style: Broadway, choreographed by Spencer Liff
Spencer gives us a theme where shadows come to life, which is a really awesome concept. They make wonderful use of a screen and the lighting, and well, the shadow. The two are in sync exactly when they need to be. It’s an overall happy, entertaining performance, and I'm a fan.
-------------------------------------------------
Contestant: Will and Kathryn
Style: Bollywood, choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan
Will is playing a flute to charm a snakelike Kathryn from a basket. Oh Will, your boyish good looks and adorable smile almost distract me from your awkward movements. Almost. Kathryn, however, is just fantastic.
Judges Say: Have we talked about Step Up Revolution lately? Because, you know, Kathryn was in that movie….and Randy worked with Mariah. Moving on. Mary calls Will an energizer bunny and says he is one of the most likable guys in the competition. Um, there are only five guys left. Now Cole is REALLY pissed. Benjamin says Will has a charming, unique style and that he is engaging…but how did he do with the dance? Nigel says Will brings personality to everything he does, and that is a blessing. So, how did he do with the dance?!?!?!?
-----------------------------------------------------
Contestant: Joshua Twitch Russell Cyrus and Jamie
Style: Contemporary, choreographed by Travis Wall
Okay Cyrus, moment of truth. Can you outshine the other hip hip/bboy/pop and lockers here by being the most unchoreographed/choreographed dancer, or is everyone just going to tell you how cute you are like they did with Will? Now, Cyrus is strong, and he carries Jamie around and holds Jamie up a lot. Travis has done a great job here not giving Cyrus too much to do, so we'll see how the judging goes.
Judges Say: Benjamin says Cyrus has raw energy that is so compelling. Okay, I can go along with that. Nigel tells Cyrus he is one of those people that “has to dance.” He says Cyrus has a lot to learn, but Travis’ choreography and Jamie’s partnering brought out the best in him. So, how did he do? Mary compliments all of the transitions from one lift to the next. She them compliments his passion. Maybe he and Will can go have a drink after this and compare non-critiques.
------------------------------------------------------------
Contestant: Chehon and Lauren
Style: Hip Hop, choreographed by Dave Scott
Chehon and Lauren are best friends in this number, supporting one another throughout the dance. This is more lyrical hip hop than the traditional style, and Lauren is outshining Chehon for sure. It’s not her fault – poor Chehon is a ballet dancer who just doesn’t look comfortable here.
Judges Say: Nigel says Dave took the stick out of Chehon. Meaning? Mary mentions the nerves Chehon displayed tonight, and she was hoping for more funk. She then says “it was going in and out for me tonight.” Anyone? Benjamin brings me back from the gutter and says the performance was spontaneous and that Chehon was charismatic and connecting with Lauren.
------------------------------------------------------------
Contestant: George and Allison
Style: Jazz, choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Tyce promises us a raunchy "one night in Paris" performance here, and for God’s sake I hope not. Thank goodness I don’t have to worry about it – the dance itself is very good, and Allison is trying to work George as if he is a prop, but there isn’t enough chemistry here for Allison and George to do anything in Paris besides share a croissant.
Judges Say: Mary thinks this dance was a lot of fun to watch. Benjamin says George attacked every step with vengeance. Nigel compliments George’s technique but did not buy George’s character. He thinks George was dancing but never connected with the theme of the dance. THANK YOU. I was worried that Nigel and Mary had given up on critiquing the contestants for the remainder of the night.
-----------------------------------------
Contestant: Eliana and Alex freaking Wong
Style: Contemporary, choreographed by Stacey Tookie
Eliana and Alex represent an on again off again relationship, and holy hell. This is not only hot – it’s just mesmerizing. Both dancers were so into character, and both of them were completely in sync with one another throughout the performance. This is subtle...but gorgeous.
Judges Say: A delayed standing ovation. Nigel says Eliana is his favorite girl this year because she has perfection in her technique and performance. Mary screams that the hair went up on her arms and that this was by far her favorite routine of the night. Agreed on both counts. Benjamin says her performance was driven by so much passion, and everyone felt it tonight.
--------------------------------------------
Contestant: Audrey and Twitch
Style: Hip Hop, choreographed by Dave Scott
The ghosts are plentiful tonight as Audrey and Twitch are a 400 year old couple. Now, I am usually a huge fan of Tabitha and Napoleon’s hip hop routines and typically don’t enjoy the other hip hop choreographers as much. However, I love what Dave Scott does here. Audrey is not technically perfect at all. In fact, Twitch unintentionally mops the floor with her at times…but the characters and concept of this performance are just awesome, and this is one of those instances that mirror Will and Cyrus – if they got a pass on their dances, Audrey should get a pass on this one. She had the character, but not the technique. Oh, and by the way - she’s adorable.
Judges Say: Benjamin says Audrey did well, but he wanted more from her to hold her own against Twitch. Mary thinks is was comical and entertaining. She loves the “sit down and the get down” Audrey brought to the dance. Nigel would have liked to seen more crazy from Audrey in this performance. Uh oh.
-----------------------------------------------
Results! We will only say goodbye to 1 guy and 1 girl tonight, and Cat will only be revealing the bottom 2 instead of the bottom 3. The bottom 2 girls tonight are: Witney and Audrey. Oh hell. Well, it was nice knowing you, Audrey. The bottom 2 guys tonight are Chehon and George. Okay, can we go ahead and send George home? My boyfriend Matthew left last week in order to save George, and he is in the bottom yet again. In the interest of filling up the rest of the hour, the judges ask for solos from everyone even though the judges have no doubt already made up their minds.
Decision time. As expected, the judges save Witney and send Audrey home. She’s still on the tour though, and she is supposed to be content with that I suppose. My sadness for her is lifted a little when the judges choose to save Chehon instead of George (who in my mind should not be going on tour in place of Matthew).
Next week the remaining 8 contestants partner up with another All Star to compete again. One more guy and one more girl will go home, and I am still not 100% certain who I want to win it all – this is a very talented group of dancers. We’ll see how they do next week. Til then!
No comments:
Post a Comment