Spectacular right?! And for those who haven't been watching this season (what is wrong with you?!??!), Alex is a trained ballet dancer. He should never have been able to keep up with Twitch. And yet the pair of them rocked it!
Showing posts with label SYTYCD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SYTYCD. Show all posts
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Have You Seen It?
Have you yet been witness to what I consider the greatest hip hop routine in SYTYCD history? If not, find 1 minute 45 seconds to spare and treat yourself:
Spectacular right?! And for those who haven't been watching this season (what is wrong with you?!??!), Alex is a trained ballet dancer. He should never have been able to keep up with Twitch. And yet the pair of them rocked it!
Spectacular right?! And for those who haven't been watching this season (what is wrong with you?!??!), Alex is a trained ballet dancer. He should never have been able to keep up with Twitch. And yet the pair of them rocked it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
SYTYCD: The Finale
A lot of dancing packed into just an hour tonight. Here's how it all went down:
Kathryn & Ryan - Samba: Ryan is so chiseled he almost looks fake, and it just makes me laugh. That aside, he did this fantastically, as expected since it's his style. And Kathryn was awesome. Like the judges said, you'd never have guessed that she was out of her element here. In fact, this looked like a legit routine that would be high-ranking in any ballroom competition. I don't know that it's going to be especially memorable for America though. The song is one that we've heard over and over and the camera shots were mainly from afar, making it hard to really engage with the couple.
Ellenore & Jakob - Broadway: Man that girl can kick! This number had me worn out by the end of it and I was just lounging on my bed. Ellenore really kept up with Jakob, which is seriously hard to do. And the routine itself was energetic, riveting and sexy. Tyce did a great job putting together a routine that would showcase the dancers and catch America's eye. I think the catching the eye of America part is something that the Samba was missing. Jakob is definitely the strongest guy of the lot technically speaking, and while I think Ellenore falls behind Kathryn in that department, there's something about Ellenore that just draws me in. I don't know that she has enough fans to win, but she's my favorite.
Ashleigh & Russell - Lyrical Jazz: I can't decide if I think these two should be happy to have been paired together first or not. They're definitely the weakest guy and weakest girl so their pairing was bound to be mediocre. I think it's a bad way to start, but probably a worse way to end. I just wasn't impressed with this at all. The choreography was a bit lacking for me, though it may be that Sonya had to dumb it down for these dancers. I know the judges love Russell, and his moves looked ok in real time, but played back I think they looked a mess and I wonder if the judges will feel the same way once they see it. And Ashleigh did very, very little in the way of dancing in this routine. She mostly stood there making faces.
Ellenore & Ryan - Jazz: I think this number looked deceivingly simple and won't gain any votes for either dancer, which makes me sad for Ellenore. The routine was just really weird and America is going to be as uncomfortable with it as Nigel was. Strangeness aside, it was clear that Ellenore was the better dancer in this one. Ryan just seemed too stiff and his flaws were showcased, particularly in the spot that was played back where he put his leg on Ellenore's shoulder. His foot was the epitome of the "dead fish" criticism that all dance teachers make. Just ick. If the dancing continues in this route, this could be one of my least favorite finales in the SYTYCD vault.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Foxtrot: Jakob has such fantastic style. He can pull of this gentlemanly foxtrot just minutes after his steamy broadway routine, and be convincing through it all. I worry that he makes things look too easy and the average viewer won't realize how talented he is because it doesn't appear to be taking much effort. Ashleigh danced it nicely, but I don't think she did any better than any other girl would have done with the same choreography. Perhaps Ellenore wouldn't have been quite so graceful (has she even drawn ballroom?), but Kathryn definitely could have pulled it off. I think the voters are just going to yawn and move right past this one.
Ellenore & Russell - Paso Doble: I guess that answered my question about whether or not Ellenore had ever had to do ballroom. I was all for Russell on this one, until the very end jump that he did, which was just plain ugly while in mid-air. But Ellenore was phenomenal. I mean really, really lovely. I think she's been done a disservice in the ordering of the dances though. We're only to dance number six of nine for tonight and she's already done. The other dancers all have at least one to go (Kathryn has two) and she's finished. If I were her I'd be a little miffed that all my routines were buried in the first two-thirds of the show and wouldn't be fresh in America's mind come voting time.
Kathryn & Jakob - Contemporary: Most definitely the standout routine of the night. It certainly derserved the standing ovation! Kathryn's performance here is really making me rethink whether or not Ellenore is my favorite girl. I love Ellenore's quirkiness, but Kathryn's ability to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into her performances really has me on her side. I think all the other dancers in this competition, and all that hope to be in future seasons, need to live up to this dance. It was perfection.
Ashleigh & Ryan - Contemporary: I love Travis. His routines are always so achingly beautiful. I think there was a lot of expectation for this number and in general they lived up to it well. I'm sure it was wonderful for them, but I think America should separate the dancing from the emotion of seeing a married couple being able to perform together. Because the dancing just wasn't that great. They performed in sync, which is to be commended, but the steps they did were easy ones, simply made to look lovely by Travis' choreography. I really think that these two are, albeit unintentionally, pulling the wool over America's eyes by virtue of their relationship.
Kathryn & Russell - Hip Hop: Has Kathryn had to do hip hop before? I'll need to look back. Ok, so honestly... not my favorite routine ever. Kathryn clearly was not in her element here, but I think she did really well all things considered. Russell is a lot to live up to and live up to him she did. She's been as believable as any other girl here in terms of her hip hop ability and has really made a case for walking away with the trophy. Russell did well too, but I don't think he stands a chance with some of the other dancers who make up this top 6.
My Predictions: I've learned not to even try to understand how America votes after Joshua walked away the winner a couple seasons back, so I'll just lay out there what I think the results should be. My least favorite was Ryan, followed by Russell and Ashleigh. The top three is where it gets a little cloudy for me because I think the remaining dancers could all have won had they not been in the same season. After much deliberation, I'd put Ellenore in third place, Jakob in second and crown Kathryn "America's favorite dancer".
So, what say you? How would you rank the final six?
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THE RESULTS: I have to admit that I'm more than a little disappointed that Russell was named the winner. He obviously is America's favorite dancer, as evidenced by the votes, but he's far from mine. I can't shake the feeling that America was dupped into thinking that he's untrained and was therefore more impressed by his performances when, in actuality, he's had years of training. Not as many years as some of the other contestants, but enough that I'd expect him to be more polished than he is. Eh, it's a good thing that all these weeks of stellar performances by the cast as a whole has made up for the mediocre ending to the show.
Kathryn & Ryan - Samba: Ryan is so chiseled he almost looks fake, and it just makes me laugh. That aside, he did this fantastically, as expected since it's his style. And Kathryn was awesome. Like the judges said, you'd never have guessed that she was out of her element here. In fact, this looked like a legit routine that would be high-ranking in any ballroom competition. I don't know that it's going to be especially memorable for America though. The song is one that we've heard over and over and the camera shots were mainly from afar, making it hard to really engage with the couple.
Ellenore & Jakob - Broadway: Man that girl can kick! This number had me worn out by the end of it and I was just lounging on my bed. Ellenore really kept up with Jakob, which is seriously hard to do. And the routine itself was energetic, riveting and sexy. Tyce did a great job putting together a routine that would showcase the dancers and catch America's eye. I think the catching the eye of America part is something that the Samba was missing. Jakob is definitely the strongest guy of the lot technically speaking, and while I think Ellenore falls behind Kathryn in that department, there's something about Ellenore that just draws me in. I don't know that she has enough fans to win, but she's my favorite.
Ashleigh & Russell - Lyrical Jazz: I can't decide if I think these two should be happy to have been paired together first or not. They're definitely the weakest guy and weakest girl so their pairing was bound to be mediocre. I think it's a bad way to start, but probably a worse way to end. I just wasn't impressed with this at all. The choreography was a bit lacking for me, though it may be that Sonya had to dumb it down for these dancers. I know the judges love Russell, and his moves looked ok in real time, but played back I think they looked a mess and I wonder if the judges will feel the same way once they see it. And Ashleigh did very, very little in the way of dancing in this routine. She mostly stood there making faces.
Ellenore & Ryan - Jazz: I think this number looked deceivingly simple and won't gain any votes for either dancer, which makes me sad for Ellenore. The routine was just really weird and America is going to be as uncomfortable with it as Nigel was. Strangeness aside, it was clear that Ellenore was the better dancer in this one. Ryan just seemed too stiff and his flaws were showcased, particularly in the spot that was played back where he put his leg on Ellenore's shoulder. His foot was the epitome of the "dead fish" criticism that all dance teachers make. Just ick. If the dancing continues in this route, this could be one of my least favorite finales in the SYTYCD vault.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Foxtrot: Jakob has such fantastic style. He can pull of this gentlemanly foxtrot just minutes after his steamy broadway routine, and be convincing through it all. I worry that he makes things look too easy and the average viewer won't realize how talented he is because it doesn't appear to be taking much effort. Ashleigh danced it nicely, but I don't think she did any better than any other girl would have done with the same choreography. Perhaps Ellenore wouldn't have been quite so graceful (has she even drawn ballroom?), but Kathryn definitely could have pulled it off. I think the voters are just going to yawn and move right past this one.
Ellenore & Russell - Paso Doble: I guess that answered my question about whether or not Ellenore had ever had to do ballroom. I was all for Russell on this one, until the very end jump that he did, which was just plain ugly while in mid-air. But Ellenore was phenomenal. I mean really, really lovely. I think she's been done a disservice in the ordering of the dances though. We're only to dance number six of nine for tonight and she's already done. The other dancers all have at least one to go (Kathryn has two) and she's finished. If I were her I'd be a little miffed that all my routines were buried in the first two-thirds of the show and wouldn't be fresh in America's mind come voting time.
Kathryn & Jakob - Contemporary: Most definitely the standout routine of the night. It certainly derserved the standing ovation! Kathryn's performance here is really making me rethink whether or not Ellenore is my favorite girl. I love Ellenore's quirkiness, but Kathryn's ability to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, into her performances really has me on her side. I think all the other dancers in this competition, and all that hope to be in future seasons, need to live up to this dance. It was perfection.
Ashleigh & Ryan - Contemporary: I love Travis. His routines are always so achingly beautiful. I think there was a lot of expectation for this number and in general they lived up to it well. I'm sure it was wonderful for them, but I think America should separate the dancing from the emotion of seeing a married couple being able to perform together. Because the dancing just wasn't that great. They performed in sync, which is to be commended, but the steps they did were easy ones, simply made to look lovely by Travis' choreography. I really think that these two are, albeit unintentionally, pulling the wool over America's eyes by virtue of their relationship.
Kathryn & Russell - Hip Hop: Has Kathryn had to do hip hop before? I'll need to look back. Ok, so honestly... not my favorite routine ever. Kathryn clearly was not in her element here, but I think she did really well all things considered. Russell is a lot to live up to and live up to him she did. She's been as believable as any other girl here in terms of her hip hop ability and has really made a case for walking away with the trophy. Russell did well too, but I don't think he stands a chance with some of the other dancers who make up this top 6.
My Predictions: I've learned not to even try to understand how America votes after Joshua walked away the winner a couple seasons back, so I'll just lay out there what I think the results should be. My least favorite was Ryan, followed by Russell and Ashleigh. The top three is where it gets a little cloudy for me because I think the remaining dancers could all have won had they not been in the same season. After much deliberation, I'd put Ellenore in third place, Jakob in second and crown Kathryn "America's favorite dancer".
So, what say you? How would you rank the final six?
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THE RESULTS: I have to admit that I'm more than a little disappointed that Russell was named the winner. He obviously is America's favorite dancer, as evidenced by the votes, but he's far from mine. I can't shake the feeling that America was dupped into thinking that he's untrained and was therefore more impressed by his performances when, in actuality, he's had years of training. Not as many years as some of the other contestants, but enough that I'd expect him to be more polished than he is. Eh, it's a good thing that all these weeks of stellar performances by the cast as a whole has made up for the mediocre ending to the show.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
SYTYCD: Top 8
Ashleigh's injury is bound to effect the results, but let's see how the show played out for the Top 8.
Kathryn & Ryan - Disco: Hated Kathryn's costume (looked like she was going to fall out of it at any moment), but the dance was fantastic. She rocked it and truly got the disco style. Her arabesque in the second to last lift was really lovely. I agree with Nigel that Ryan was a bit stiff, but overall felt that he was lucky to have drawn a style that is more suited to him than most other styles are.
Mollee & Jakob - Viennese Waltz: There's something about Mollee that I just don't like. I can quite figure out what it is, but even though she danced beautifully, I still can't get behind her. I feel like this would have been better danced by Kathryn or Noelle. But Mollee does deserve props for dancing it well and Jakob was solid as usual, continuing to show that he can do anything the judges ask for.
Ellenore & Legacy - Contemporary: Whew. That was crazy good! Legacy is fighting hard for a spot in finale and is proving he deserves to be there. The tricks were well-placed and powerful. And it goes without saying that Ellenore was perfection the whole the way through. She's really gorgeous in her looks and in her dancing. And way to go Travis - that was awesome!!
Jakob - Solo: It's clear that Jakob is a fantastic dancer. He's definitely the most technically sound of the bunch and is my favorite guy this season. I wasn't feeling his solo though. It felt like extension after extension with not a whole lot of choreography in between. The shorts were killing me and weren't doing him any favors at all and the ending pose was a little too creepy bendy Cirque du Soleil if you ask me.
Ashleigh Rachel & Russell - Hip Hop: Poor Russell. I know I should be focusing in on him for this, but it was so hard to stay away from the mess that was Rachel. Kudos to her for jumping in, but her nerves got the better of her and she looked totally uncomfortable. What I did see of Russell was done really well. But that was to be expected since this is similar to his style. I think past weeks have shown that he deserves a spot in the finale.
Mollee - Solo: It was better than last week, but still not as good as solos she's done before. Like I said before, I just don't like the girl for some reason. She is a great dancer, but something about her style just turns me off. She's got a strong following though, so I'm sure she'll be safe.
Kathryn & Ryan - Cha Cha: Ryan must have felt like he hit the jackpot drawing this tonight and Cat was right - they did rock it! Ryan is making a case for a spot in the finale. I'm not sure if he'll make it or not - we'll have to see. Kathryn stepped it up and matched Ryan in what was a very difficult routine. She needs to work on her left kick as it's considerably lower than her right, but seriously, the girl is great. And the ending pose - phenomenal!!
Legacy - Solo: Hmmm... wasn't loving that solo at all. Choreography definitely isn't Legacy's thing, and the tricks weren't even that great this week. But above all... the cell phone thing. Super cheesy. This was bad with a capital B. Enough to put him in danger I think.
Ellenore - Solo: Not her best solo for sure, but I think she's a phenomenal dancer. I think she's just one who is probably better at dancing that choreographing. She should sail through to the finale.
Russell - Solo: Even having lost a shoe, I'm thinking this will likely be the best solo of the night. It was memorable, showed off his style and didn't have the gaps that so many of the other solos do.
Mollee & Jakob - Broadway: One of the best routines Mollee has done this season. I'm still not a fan, but the number was lovely. I think her performance was better than his here since she captured the style a little better. His dancing was still gorgeous of course, but I just didn't see much personality from him in this number.
Kathryn - Solo: One of her better solos. She threw a lot in that number. There wasn't as much emotion in it as she's had in previous solos, but the routine itself was well done. America put her in the bottom two last week, and based on that I'm betting she'll be there again this week.
Ellenore & Legacy - Hip Hop: I wish I'd have liked the number more, because I love Nap & Tab, but it was my least favorite number of the night. It was just so-so. They didn't dance together at all, and it wasn't just a result of their characters having different styles. They just plain weren't in sync. I think Ellenore will still be moving straight through to the finale, but Legacy should be worried.
Ryan - Solo: Ryan must be taking my critiques to heart (riiiiight) because he really stepped it up with this solo. It was upbeat, well-choreographed and interesting. And he's stolen America's heart by calling out Ashleigh's number for votes. I still think he's in danger though.
Ashleigh Alisha & Russell - Bollywood: I really disagree with the judges on this one because I think this may be the first time Russell has really seemed to struggle. His moves looked correct, and his face may have been full of joy, but it was frozen joy. He seemed to be concentrating so hard that his face never changed. But, I think Russell has tons of fans who will make sure he gets to the finale.
The Bottom: This week is especially hard because of Ashleigh's injury, which I think may actually get her some extra votes. If my vote was all that counted Ashleigh, Mollee, Ryan and Legacy would be in the bottom and Ashleigh and Ryan would be headed home. But I have a feeling that America will put Kathryn, Mollee, Ryan and Legacy in the bottom and will send Kathryn and Legacy packing. We'll have to see how things go.
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THE RESULTS: As I predicted, Ashleigh's injury actually gained her some votes. I find it hard to believe that she'd have been in the top two had she actually performed. But anyway... I was pretty close to picking America's bottom four, having gotten three correct. It totally shocked me that Ellenore was in the bottom though! That pitiful hip hop routine really did her in last night. Next week's finale should be interesting, particularly Ashleigh and Ryan's routine, which I don't think will be nearly as impressive as it should be. I'll be rooting for Ellenore and Jakob!!
Kathryn & Ryan - Disco: Hated Kathryn's costume (looked like she was going to fall out of it at any moment), but the dance was fantastic. She rocked it and truly got the disco style. Her arabesque in the second to last lift was really lovely. I agree with Nigel that Ryan was a bit stiff, but overall felt that he was lucky to have drawn a style that is more suited to him than most other styles are.
Mollee & Jakob - Viennese Waltz: There's something about Mollee that I just don't like. I can quite figure out what it is, but even though she danced beautifully, I still can't get behind her. I feel like this would have been better danced by Kathryn or Noelle. But Mollee does deserve props for dancing it well and Jakob was solid as usual, continuing to show that he can do anything the judges ask for.
Ellenore & Legacy - Contemporary: Whew. That was crazy good! Legacy is fighting hard for a spot in finale and is proving he deserves to be there. The tricks were well-placed and powerful. And it goes without saying that Ellenore was perfection the whole the way through. She's really gorgeous in her looks and in her dancing. And way to go Travis - that was awesome!!
Jakob - Solo: It's clear that Jakob is a fantastic dancer. He's definitely the most technically sound of the bunch and is my favorite guy this season. I wasn't feeling his solo though. It felt like extension after extension with not a whole lot of choreography in between. The shorts were killing me and weren't doing him any favors at all and the ending pose was a little too creepy bendy Cirque du Soleil if you ask me.
Mollee - Solo: It was better than last week, but still not as good as solos she's done before. Like I said before, I just don't like the girl for some reason. She is a great dancer, but something about her style just turns me off. She's got a strong following though, so I'm sure she'll be safe.
Kathryn & Ryan - Cha Cha: Ryan must have felt like he hit the jackpot drawing this tonight and Cat was right - they did rock it! Ryan is making a case for a spot in the finale. I'm not sure if he'll make it or not - we'll have to see. Kathryn stepped it up and matched Ryan in what was a very difficult routine. She needs to work on her left kick as it's considerably lower than her right, but seriously, the girl is great. And the ending pose - phenomenal!!
Legacy - Solo: Hmmm... wasn't loving that solo at all. Choreography definitely isn't Legacy's thing, and the tricks weren't even that great this week. But above all... the cell phone thing. Super cheesy. This was bad with a capital B. Enough to put him in danger I think.
Ellenore - Solo: Not her best solo for sure, but I think she's a phenomenal dancer. I think she's just one who is probably better at dancing that choreographing. She should sail through to the finale.
Russell - Solo: Even having lost a shoe, I'm thinking this will likely be the best solo of the night. It was memorable, showed off his style and didn't have the gaps that so many of the other solos do.
Mollee & Jakob - Broadway: One of the best routines Mollee has done this season. I'm still not a fan, but the number was lovely. I think her performance was better than his here since she captured the style a little better. His dancing was still gorgeous of course, but I just didn't see much personality from him in this number.
Kathryn - Solo: One of her better solos. She threw a lot in that number. There wasn't as much emotion in it as she's had in previous solos, but the routine itself was well done. America put her in the bottom two last week, and based on that I'm betting she'll be there again this week.
Ellenore & Legacy - Hip Hop: I wish I'd have liked the number more, because I love Nap & Tab, but it was my least favorite number of the night. It was just so-so. They didn't dance together at all, and it wasn't just a result of their characters having different styles. They just plain weren't in sync. I think Ellenore will still be moving straight through to the finale, but Legacy should be worried.
Ryan - Solo: Ryan must be taking my critiques to heart (riiiiight) because he really stepped it up with this solo. It was upbeat, well-choreographed and interesting. And he's stolen America's heart by calling out Ashleigh's number for votes. I still think he's in danger though.
The Bottom: This week is especially hard because of Ashleigh's injury, which I think may actually get her some extra votes. If my vote was all that counted Ashleigh, Mollee, Ryan and Legacy would be in the bottom and Ashleigh and Ryan would be headed home. But I have a feeling that America will put Kathryn, Mollee, Ryan and Legacy in the bottom and will send Kathryn and Legacy packing. We'll have to see how things go.
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THE RESULTS: As I predicted, Ashleigh's injury actually gained her some votes. I find it hard to believe that she'd have been in the top two had she actually performed. But anyway... I was pretty close to picking America's bottom four, having gotten three correct. It totally shocked me that Ellenore was in the bottom though! That pitiful hip hop routine really did her in last night. Next week's finale should be interesting, particularly Ashleigh and Ryan's routine, which I don't think will be nearly as impressive as it should be. I'll be rooting for Ellenore and Jakob!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
SYTYCD: Top 10
A delayed start to the show this week, but here's my review:
Noelle & Ryan - Hip Hop: Noelle really pulled it off and commanded your attention in this one. I agree with the judges that their chemistry was there, but Ryan's dancing was not. His face is just a bit too animated and his carriage a bit too stiff for anything other than his own style. If he can dial it back it a bit he'd stand a better chance.
Ashleigh & Legacy - Contemporary: When the judges talk about "competition dancing" I think this number is what they're referring to. The number requires some work and training, but, save for Legacy's headstand at the end, any devoted dancer, with any bit of dedication would be able to do it. I know I could have as a 17 year old (definitely couldn't now). And, it was passionless. I got nothing from either dancer. I don't think this one is going to be as loved by America as it was by the judges.
Mollee - Solo: The girl can leap and jump for sure, but this solo didn't measure up to her previous showings. She set some high precedent for herself and will have to bring it every week in order to beat out some of the more emotion-filled girls.
Russell - Solo: Whew!! That was smokin! With all the other styles he's done you almost forget that they are miles and miles away from his original style. Very neat to see him in his element, and the reminder of how great a krumper he is should get him lots of votes.
Kathryn & Nathan - Broadway: This style suited each of them individually very well, and them as a pair even better. I just plain love Kathryn. She did beautifully, although she did seem to start to run out of steam with certain sequences. Nathan did leaps and bounds better than he has in previous weeks and did a lot to redeem himself in my eyes.
Noelle - Solo: That's a way to dance for your life - throw everything and then some in there. The only thing I don't like is how much she sets herself up for her turns. I'd like them to just flow freely from the previous move. Probably not something that most people noticed though.
Ellenore & Jakob - Quickstep: Kudos to this partnership for pulling off a legitimate quickstep instead of the watered-down version that we usually see. Both were technically sound and looked to be having a great time. I just worry that America won't be pulled in by a quickstep. I hope they pull something a bit more popular for their second number.
Ryan - Solo: I want to like Ryan. I really do. He seems like a very nice guy. But I just can't get on board. His solo was pretty blah, and that's after having considered that ballroom is difficult to pull off without a partner. I think he'll be in trouble now that he's on his own.
Kathryn - Solo: A very strong solo, technically speaking. And also more passionate than I think some of the others were. She's delivered consistently each week, but could she be flying under America's radar? We'll see.
Mollee & Russell - Lyrical Jazz: I'm torn on this one. I thought the choreography was a little disjointed. To me it came off as a series of independent steps just strung together, without a whole lot of flow. I thought with what they were given they danced it well, but felt it still lacked a little bit of maturity on Mollee's part. I just can't seem to get behind her for some reason.
Nathan - Solo: I'm so glad that Nathan's been split from Mollee. He's much better off on his own and dances with way more maturity and emotion. He needs to watch some of the dead feet that he has going on in his jumps, but should still fair well this week.
Noelle & Ryan - Smooth Waltz: Borrrrring! I mean really. Watching that was like watching paint dry. Waltzes are notoriously less exciting than other styles, but the issue here was with the dancers and their lack of chemistry. No matter how beautifully they danced it, they didn't engage the audience one iota, and that should cause them some concern. The judges may have liked it, but the judges aren't voting.
Ellenore - Solo: I just love Ellenore and her quirky, don't even know what category to put it in style. I think she'll benefit from her uniqueness. She's definitely one of my favorite girls!
Ashleigh & Legacy - Hip Hop: Now that Ashleigh is paired with someone with less technical ability than her, I think her flaws are really standing out. When she was partnered with Jakob, his skill masked her imperfections. Now the pair of them just look like an untrained mess. I think the number had some potential, for a different pair of dancers. And the costuming stunk and didn't help them one bit.
Kathryn & Nathan - Rumba: Nathan probably needed at least a week more maturing in order to pull of that number. It wasn't very believable from him. Kathryn was hot though. As usual, her technique was sound and her attitude was pretty spot on. With another guy, this could have been a spectacular piece. It's impossible to have just one person succeed in this sort of number though. It's all or nothing. And because of Nathan, it has to go down as nothing.
Legacy - Solo: I really liked Legacy early on in the show, but his growth has started to fall off in the past few weeks. I appeciated his attempt at filling the gaps in his choreography here, but his solo fell a bit short and he should be worried for the results show.
Ellenore & Jakob - Contemporary: I could be perfectly happy watching these two dance Sonya's routines for an entire show. Really fantastic!! I'd always recognized Jakob's skill, but never really cared about him as a contestant until tonight. He and Ellenore are most definitely my favorite guy and girl this season and I'd be beyond shocked if they didn't make the final show.
Ashleigh - Solo: Ryan should take some lessons from his wife on how to pull off a ballroom solo. That was killer! I'm sure the dress added to it (gotta love some sparkle), but she showed off her personality and skill in this one.
Mollee & Russell - Jive: Loved the choreography and they danced it well. But Russell's energy level was much higher than Mollee's in this one. She did above average for sure, but didn't shine like I think some other girls would have. The judges seem to be impressed with her growth, but I don't think she's nearly as polished as the other girls. The routine was great though - love Pasha and Anya!
Jakob - Solo: I think if SYTYCD was looking for America's best dancer, Jakob would be the winner hands down. There's no disputing that he is the best techinical dancer of the bunch. But I don't think America has ever crowned the best dancer the winner on this show. We'll have to wait to see if this year is any different.
The Bottom: In my opinion, Ellenore, Kathryn, Jakob and Russell should be safe, putting Legacy, Nathan, Ryan, Mollee, Noelle and Ashleigh in the bottom. From there I think it's a crap shoot as to who America picks. I struggle with who I'd send home, but think it'd probably be Legacy and Noelle.
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THE RESULTS: Interesting results. I'd never have put Kathryn in the bottom, but am not totally surprised that America choose her, Noelle, Ryan and Nathan to fill their bottom spots. I wonder if Kathryn and Noelle were sharing votes. They do tend to fill the same category of brunette, female contemporary dancer. We'll have to see if Kathryn gets more votes next week.
Noelle & Ryan - Hip Hop: Noelle really pulled it off and commanded your attention in this one. I agree with the judges that their chemistry was there, but Ryan's dancing was not. His face is just a bit too animated and his carriage a bit too stiff for anything other than his own style. If he can dial it back it a bit he'd stand a better chance.
Ashleigh & Legacy - Contemporary: When the judges talk about "competition dancing" I think this number is what they're referring to. The number requires some work and training, but, save for Legacy's headstand at the end, any devoted dancer, with any bit of dedication would be able to do it. I know I could have as a 17 year old (definitely couldn't now). And, it was passionless. I got nothing from either dancer. I don't think this one is going to be as loved by America as it was by the judges.
Mollee - Solo: The girl can leap and jump for sure, but this solo didn't measure up to her previous showings. She set some high precedent for herself and will have to bring it every week in order to beat out some of the more emotion-filled girls.
Russell - Solo: Whew!! That was smokin! With all the other styles he's done you almost forget that they are miles and miles away from his original style. Very neat to see him in his element, and the reminder of how great a krumper he is should get him lots of votes.
Kathryn & Nathan - Broadway: This style suited each of them individually very well, and them as a pair even better. I just plain love Kathryn. She did beautifully, although she did seem to start to run out of steam with certain sequences. Nathan did leaps and bounds better than he has in previous weeks and did a lot to redeem himself in my eyes.
Noelle - Solo: That's a way to dance for your life - throw everything and then some in there. The only thing I don't like is how much she sets herself up for her turns. I'd like them to just flow freely from the previous move. Probably not something that most people noticed though.
Ellenore & Jakob - Quickstep: Kudos to this partnership for pulling off a legitimate quickstep instead of the watered-down version that we usually see. Both were technically sound and looked to be having a great time. I just worry that America won't be pulled in by a quickstep. I hope they pull something a bit more popular for their second number.
Ryan - Solo: I want to like Ryan. I really do. He seems like a very nice guy. But I just can't get on board. His solo was pretty blah, and that's after having considered that ballroom is difficult to pull off without a partner. I think he'll be in trouble now that he's on his own.
Kathryn - Solo: A very strong solo, technically speaking. And also more passionate than I think some of the others were. She's delivered consistently each week, but could she be flying under America's radar? We'll see.
Mollee & Russell - Lyrical Jazz: I'm torn on this one. I thought the choreography was a little disjointed. To me it came off as a series of independent steps just strung together, without a whole lot of flow. I thought with what they were given they danced it well, but felt it still lacked a little bit of maturity on Mollee's part. I just can't seem to get behind her for some reason.
Nathan - Solo: I'm so glad that Nathan's been split from Mollee. He's much better off on his own and dances with way more maturity and emotion. He needs to watch some of the dead feet that he has going on in his jumps, but should still fair well this week.
Noelle & Ryan - Smooth Waltz: Borrrrring! I mean really. Watching that was like watching paint dry. Waltzes are notoriously less exciting than other styles, but the issue here was with the dancers and their lack of chemistry. No matter how beautifully they danced it, they didn't engage the audience one iota, and that should cause them some concern. The judges may have liked it, but the judges aren't voting.
Ellenore - Solo: I just love Ellenore and her quirky, don't even know what category to put it in style. I think she'll benefit from her uniqueness. She's definitely one of my favorite girls!
Ashleigh & Legacy - Hip Hop: Now that Ashleigh is paired with someone with less technical ability than her, I think her flaws are really standing out. When she was partnered with Jakob, his skill masked her imperfections. Now the pair of them just look like an untrained mess. I think the number had some potential, for a different pair of dancers. And the costuming stunk and didn't help them one bit.
Kathryn & Nathan - Rumba: Nathan probably needed at least a week more maturing in order to pull of that number. It wasn't very believable from him. Kathryn was hot though. As usual, her technique was sound and her attitude was pretty spot on. With another guy, this could have been a spectacular piece. It's impossible to have just one person succeed in this sort of number though. It's all or nothing. And because of Nathan, it has to go down as nothing.
Legacy - Solo: I really liked Legacy early on in the show, but his growth has started to fall off in the past few weeks. I appeciated his attempt at filling the gaps in his choreography here, but his solo fell a bit short and he should be worried for the results show.
Ellenore & Jakob - Contemporary: I could be perfectly happy watching these two dance Sonya's routines for an entire show. Really fantastic!! I'd always recognized Jakob's skill, but never really cared about him as a contestant until tonight. He and Ellenore are most definitely my favorite guy and girl this season and I'd be beyond shocked if they didn't make the final show.
Ashleigh - Solo: Ryan should take some lessons from his wife on how to pull off a ballroom solo. That was killer! I'm sure the dress added to it (gotta love some sparkle), but she showed off her personality and skill in this one.
Mollee & Russell - Jive: Loved the choreography and they danced it well. But Russell's energy level was much higher than Mollee's in this one. She did above average for sure, but didn't shine like I think some other girls would have. The judges seem to be impressed with her growth, but I don't think she's nearly as polished as the other girls. The routine was great though - love Pasha and Anya!
Jakob - Solo: I think if SYTYCD was looking for America's best dancer, Jakob would be the winner hands down. There's no disputing that he is the best techinical dancer of the bunch. But I don't think America has ever crowned the best dancer the winner on this show. We'll have to wait to see if this year is any different.
The Bottom: In my opinion, Ellenore, Kathryn, Jakob and Russell should be safe, putting Legacy, Nathan, Ryan, Mollee, Noelle and Ashleigh in the bottom. From there I think it's a crap shoot as to who America picks. I struggle with who I'd send home, but think it'd probably be Legacy and Noelle.
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THE RESULTS: Interesting results. I'd never have put Kathryn in the bottom, but am not totally surprised that America choose her, Noelle, Ryan and Nathan to fill their bottom spots. I wonder if Kathryn and Noelle were sharing votes. They do tend to fill the same category of brunette, female contemporary dancer. We'll have to see if Kathryn gets more votes next week.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
SYTYCD: Top 12
Woohoo for 12 dances instead of just 6! Here's my review of the top 12 dancers:
Ellenore & Ryan - Lindy Hop: Loved it!! These two are becoming quick favorites of mine! Ellenore is just so, so, so fun and seems perpetually happy. The two of them did a great job at keeping their energy up (it even grew throughout) in what looked like a very tiring number. And while Nigel thought Ryan was perfectly suited for this and Ellenore was lucky to have him, I actually think she was pretty well-suited for this number as well.
Kathryn & Legacy - Contemporary: Not my favorite of Sonya's numbers and I didn't love the costume choice for Kathryn (the nude-colored top was a problem), but this number did show off both dancers really well. They both seemed strong and Kathryn's lines were gorgeous. I've liked her from the start, and not just because she shares my name and my tendency toward ugly crying. And Charlotte loved it too. She danced the whole way through!
Karen & Victor - Tango: I'm not a Karen fan at all, but this dance was really phenomenal! They did some seriously difficult stuff in it and had some beautiful lines, for the most part. Nigel did mention Victor sticking his bum out, and I have to say that I noticed Karen doing this several times as well (perhaps Nigel finds it smoldering and sexy on a woman, I don't know). Aside from that the number was really stellar.
Mollee & Nathan - Hip Hop: This will probably bring some of these teenyboppers' fans rushing back, but I'm still not feeling it. These two danced so differently in this one. Mollee was very, very tight and perhaps that is because of the hurt ankle, but perhaps it's just her. Nathan did a better job than Mollee, but it still came off as a bit cheesey (and cheesier than in was meant to be I think). It's nice to see that Nigel agrees with my statement last weekend that Mollee and Nathan need to be partnered up with more mature partners, so good luck to them next week - if they make it.
Noelle & Russell - Samba: Ugh. That was pretty painful. Poor Noelle, she's no Shakira. He hips just really aren't capable of what was needed in this routine and towards the end of the number she just looked totally winded, as if she was about to fall over at any moment. Russell did okay, but it was hard to watch him with Noelle's hips in the way. I think these two will have to pull out something really special for their second number in order to not be in the bottom three.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Lyrical Jazz: This is one of those numbers that looks really good at first glance (and obviously the judges loved it), mostly because Sonya choreographed it well for the dancers she had. But, Ashleigh really did nothing in this number. She had a couple lifts to do and a few jumps (which were junky and very low to the ground) while Jakob leapt, spun and stretched every which way. I think they'll fly to the top ten without a problem, but once partners are shifted around I think Ashleigh will be in trouble.
Ellenore & Ryan - Broadway: Loved, loved, LOVED the choreography on this one (helps that I love Chicago too)! When it first began I couldn't keep my eyes off Ryan because he showed the character so well, but Adam was spot on when he said that Ellenore really stole the show. She just has so much charisma and spark and does everything exactly as she's asked, and even better I think! These two should sail through to the top ten.
Kathryn & Legacy - Viennese Waltz: Awww, I love these two! They somehow managed to make a Viennese Waltz something exciting to watch, something I don't think SYTYCD has ever seen before. Kathryn's lines were beautiful as always and though Legacy's technique wasn't perfect, you have to admire someone who dances with so much heart. I'm going to be so sad to see these two split up next week.
Karen & Victor - Hip Hop: Eeeek, that was what I will assume will be the worst number of the night. They didn't dance with the music or with each other. Adam was right when he said there was a lot of intensity on the part of the dancers, but I thought that's about all there was. Karen was all over the place in her movement while Victor was a lot more controlled. I'm not sure what the choreographer was hoping for, but Karen and Victor didn't deliver.
Mollee & Nathan - Can Can: Having done a Can Can before, I can honestly say that these two performed it really well. Mollee is obviously hurting, but covered it in this number. And Nathan's turns were phenomenal, especially when he held it out at the end. I'm not sure that America is going to the love the Can Can though. It's not as impressive to the non-dancer as most other numbers are, so I doubt it'll garner many votes.
Noelle & Russell - Comtemporary: I loved the idea of this number. Really very moving. Noelle's movement was quite lovely and I felt like she was totally in the number emotionally. Russell seemed to really be feeling it as well, but had some major bobbles throughout. I thought about saying I'd like to see the number with Noelle and another guy, but I think the contrast in skin tones was important, so I don't know that it'd be any better with someone else. All told, pretty well done, but we'll have to see if this will make up for their samba.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Cha Cha: Probably the best danced number of the night, technically speaking. Ashleigh was as fantastic as we all expected her to be. And Jakob really stepped up and met her as I assumed he would. Not much to say, other than really well done! These two have nothing to worry about.
The Bottom: This week is hard since we're down to just six couples. There are obvious standouts for best and worst, but the rest is pretty close. My bottom three couples would be Karen & Victor, Mollee & Nathan and Noelle & Russell. Looking at their work throughout the season, I'd send Karen and Victor packing.
So, who'd be your bottom two and who do you think needs to make to the top ten (and therefore the tour)?
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THE RESULTS: I'm more than a bit surprised that Ellenore and Ryan were in the bottom three couples, but am not totally surprised about who went home. I was spot on there in picking Karen and Victor to be out. It'll be interesting to see how the coming weeks go now that America is in complete control.
Ellenore & Ryan - Lindy Hop: Loved it!! These two are becoming quick favorites of mine! Ellenore is just so, so, so fun and seems perpetually happy. The two of them did a great job at keeping their energy up (it even grew throughout) in what looked like a very tiring number. And while Nigel thought Ryan was perfectly suited for this and Ellenore was lucky to have him, I actually think she was pretty well-suited for this number as well.
Kathryn & Legacy - Contemporary: Not my favorite of Sonya's numbers and I didn't love the costume choice for Kathryn (the nude-colored top was a problem), but this number did show off both dancers really well. They both seemed strong and Kathryn's lines were gorgeous. I've liked her from the start, and not just because she shares my name and my tendency toward ugly crying. And Charlotte loved it too. She danced the whole way through!
Karen & Victor - Tango: I'm not a Karen fan at all, but this dance was really phenomenal! They did some seriously difficult stuff in it and had some beautiful lines, for the most part. Nigel did mention Victor sticking his bum out, and I have to say that I noticed Karen doing this several times as well (perhaps Nigel finds it smoldering and sexy on a woman, I don't know). Aside from that the number was really stellar.
Mollee & Nathan - Hip Hop: This will probably bring some of these teenyboppers' fans rushing back, but I'm still not feeling it. These two danced so differently in this one. Mollee was very, very tight and perhaps that is because of the hurt ankle, but perhaps it's just her. Nathan did a better job than Mollee, but it still came off as a bit cheesey (and cheesier than in was meant to be I think). It's nice to see that Nigel agrees with my statement last weekend that Mollee and Nathan need to be partnered up with more mature partners, so good luck to them next week - if they make it.
Noelle & Russell - Samba: Ugh. That was pretty painful. Poor Noelle, she's no Shakira. He hips just really aren't capable of what was needed in this routine and towards the end of the number she just looked totally winded, as if she was about to fall over at any moment. Russell did okay, but it was hard to watch him with Noelle's hips in the way. I think these two will have to pull out something really special for their second number in order to not be in the bottom three.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Lyrical Jazz: This is one of those numbers that looks really good at first glance (and obviously the judges loved it), mostly because Sonya choreographed it well for the dancers she had. But, Ashleigh really did nothing in this number. She had a couple lifts to do and a few jumps (which were junky and very low to the ground) while Jakob leapt, spun and stretched every which way. I think they'll fly to the top ten without a problem, but once partners are shifted around I think Ashleigh will be in trouble.
Ellenore & Ryan - Broadway: Loved, loved, LOVED the choreography on this one (helps that I love Chicago too)! When it first began I couldn't keep my eyes off Ryan because he showed the character so well, but Adam was spot on when he said that Ellenore really stole the show. She just has so much charisma and spark and does everything exactly as she's asked, and even better I think! These two should sail through to the top ten.
Kathryn & Legacy - Viennese Waltz: Awww, I love these two! They somehow managed to make a Viennese Waltz something exciting to watch, something I don't think SYTYCD has ever seen before. Kathryn's lines were beautiful as always and though Legacy's technique wasn't perfect, you have to admire someone who dances with so much heart. I'm going to be so sad to see these two split up next week.
Karen & Victor - Hip Hop: Eeeek, that was what I will assume will be the worst number of the night. They didn't dance with the music or with each other. Adam was right when he said there was a lot of intensity on the part of the dancers, but I thought that's about all there was. Karen was all over the place in her movement while Victor was a lot more controlled. I'm not sure what the choreographer was hoping for, but Karen and Victor didn't deliver.
Mollee & Nathan - Can Can: Having done a Can Can before, I can honestly say that these two performed it really well. Mollee is obviously hurting, but covered it in this number. And Nathan's turns were phenomenal, especially when he held it out at the end. I'm not sure that America is going to the love the Can Can though. It's not as impressive to the non-dancer as most other numbers are, so I doubt it'll garner many votes.
Noelle & Russell - Comtemporary: I loved the idea of this number. Really very moving. Noelle's movement was quite lovely and I felt like she was totally in the number emotionally. Russell seemed to really be feeling it as well, but had some major bobbles throughout. I thought about saying I'd like to see the number with Noelle and another guy, but I think the contrast in skin tones was important, so I don't know that it'd be any better with someone else. All told, pretty well done, but we'll have to see if this will make up for their samba.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Cha Cha: Probably the best danced number of the night, technically speaking. Ashleigh was as fantastic as we all expected her to be. And Jakob really stepped up and met her as I assumed he would. Not much to say, other than really well done! These two have nothing to worry about.
The Bottom: This week is hard since we're down to just six couples. There are obvious standouts for best and worst, but the rest is pretty close. My bottom three couples would be Karen & Victor, Mollee & Nathan and Noelle & Russell. Looking at their work throughout the season, I'd send Karen and Victor packing.
So, who'd be your bottom two and who do you think needs to make to the top ten (and therefore the tour)?
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THE RESULTS: I'm more than a bit surprised that Ellenore and Ryan were in the bottom three couples, but am not totally surprised about who went home. I was spot on there in picking Karen and Victor to be out. It'll be interesting to see how the coming weeks go now that America is in complete control.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
SYTYCD: Top 14
Another jam-packed night, so let's get down to it:
Ashleigh & Jakob - Hip Hop: I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Ashleigh did far better than I expected, and even perhaps outshined Jakob. Their styles were pretty different here (he was a little more hard-hitting than her), but they managed to stay together and look in unison anyway. The routine was well-choreographed, typical for Napoleon and Tabitha, and memorable. The pair of them held to their characters well and they'll definitely be safe.
Karen & Kevin - Broadway: Sheesh. Talk about boring! Both Karen and Kevin seemed really tentative and so this ended up looking pretty elementary. And the sad thing is, with different dancers it could have looked really spectacular. Kevin doesn't have fantastic technique and seemed to be concentrating more than just dancing and so looked very sloppy. Karen seemed to be really holding back as far as personality goes, though her technique was fine. This number isn't going to do them any favors.
Noelle & Russell - Foxtrot: So interesting that these two drew foxtrot again. Russell did really well the first time, so I was expecting a lot now that Noelle would be his partner. I wasn't disappointed! I like that these two seem generally happy just be dancing and they made this number look a lot more fun and energetic than I think most other dancers would have. Both had really lovely lines and did a great job engaging with each other. Quite unexpected that this partnership would be such a good one!
Channing & Victor - Jazz: Tyce is so crazy. I mean seriously. The man cracks me up. Who else would come up with this whole bird cage thing? I liked the number. I thought it was well-choreographed and interesting. But it didn't really engage me. I'm not sure exactly what it was that didn't grab me (maybe Adam was right when he said it was the song), but I have to believe it was the dancers because I think the dance itself was very attention-grabbing. The pair just seemed kind of eh to me. I have a feeling this one isn't going to go over as well with the voters as it did with the judges.
Kathryn & Legacy - Paso Doble: I love all things Cirque du Soleil, so this was destined to be a winner for me (the music was from Cirque's Ka in case you missed that). This may be the best Paso Doble I've seen on SYTYCD. These two danced just wonderfully together. Legacy was the macho, hard-hitting, tough guy he needed to be to pull this off. And Kathryn was just plain mesmerizing and played her character perfectly. And did anyone else get a strong Strictly Ballroom vibe from this?
Ellenore & Ryan - Contemporary: I wasn't expecting a lot from Ryan on this one, because, quite honestly, he often comes off as ballroom cheesy to me. But I think he did great. His technique was tiny bit lacking in some areas, but his personality in this piece made up for it. And Ellenore's been a favorite of mine from the get-go so I'm excited that the judges feel that she's shining in a way that America might feel that way now too. And kudos to Travis on the choreography. With Mia Michaels gone I think he may take over the top spot for them. At least for me.
Mollee & Nathan - Pop Jazz: Hmmm... I'm so torn on this. I think they danced it well. I think they were far more serious about their performance this week than last. But something just didn't do it for me here. I'm not sure if it's just because they come off as apathetic or disinterested or what. I almost wish these two were paired with others because I think if partnered with someone older, each would be pulled up out of the teenage style that they seem to have. I'm not a fan, but I'm sure America will keep them safe.
The Bottom: We'll see what America chooses, but my bottom three couples are Karen & Kevin, Channing & Victor and Mollee & Nathan. Based on growth (or lack thereof) alone, I think it's time for Karen and Kevin to head home.
So spill it... who are your favorites and who do you think should get the boot?
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THE RESULTS: I made great strides in redeeming myself this week, picking all three bottom couples correctly and predicting one of the two ousted dancers. Here's hoping for perfection next week! In retrospect, I'm not shocked that that judges opted to send home Channing over Karen since they seem to love her so much. I don't think she'll stick around very long though.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Hip Hop: I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Ashleigh did far better than I expected, and even perhaps outshined Jakob. Their styles were pretty different here (he was a little more hard-hitting than her), but they managed to stay together and look in unison anyway. The routine was well-choreographed, typical for Napoleon and Tabitha, and memorable. The pair of them held to their characters well and they'll definitely be safe.
Karen & Kevin - Broadway: Sheesh. Talk about boring! Both Karen and Kevin seemed really tentative and so this ended up looking pretty elementary. And the sad thing is, with different dancers it could have looked really spectacular. Kevin doesn't have fantastic technique and seemed to be concentrating more than just dancing and so looked very sloppy. Karen seemed to be really holding back as far as personality goes, though her technique was fine. This number isn't going to do them any favors.
Noelle & Russell - Foxtrot: So interesting that these two drew foxtrot again. Russell did really well the first time, so I was expecting a lot now that Noelle would be his partner. I wasn't disappointed! I like that these two seem generally happy just be dancing and they made this number look a lot more fun and energetic than I think most other dancers would have. Both had really lovely lines and did a great job engaging with each other. Quite unexpected that this partnership would be such a good one!
Channing & Victor - Jazz: Tyce is so crazy. I mean seriously. The man cracks me up. Who else would come up with this whole bird cage thing? I liked the number. I thought it was well-choreographed and interesting. But it didn't really engage me. I'm not sure exactly what it was that didn't grab me (maybe Adam was right when he said it was the song), but I have to believe it was the dancers because I think the dance itself was very attention-grabbing. The pair just seemed kind of eh to me. I have a feeling this one isn't going to go over as well with the voters as it did with the judges.
Kathryn & Legacy - Paso Doble: I love all things Cirque du Soleil, so this was destined to be a winner for me (the music was from Cirque's Ka in case you missed that). This may be the best Paso Doble I've seen on SYTYCD. These two danced just wonderfully together. Legacy was the macho, hard-hitting, tough guy he needed to be to pull this off. And Kathryn was just plain mesmerizing and played her character perfectly. And did anyone else get a strong Strictly Ballroom vibe from this?
Ellenore & Ryan - Contemporary: I wasn't expecting a lot from Ryan on this one, because, quite honestly, he often comes off as ballroom cheesy to me. But I think he did great. His technique was tiny bit lacking in some areas, but his personality in this piece made up for it. And Ellenore's been a favorite of mine from the get-go so I'm excited that the judges feel that she's shining in a way that America might feel that way now too. And kudos to Travis on the choreography. With Mia Michaels gone I think he may take over the top spot for them. At least for me.
Mollee & Nathan - Pop Jazz: Hmmm... I'm so torn on this. I think they danced it well. I think they were far more serious about their performance this week than last. But something just didn't do it for me here. I'm not sure if it's just because they come off as apathetic or disinterested or what. I almost wish these two were paired with others because I think if partnered with someone older, each would be pulled up out of the teenage style that they seem to have. I'm not a fan, but I'm sure America will keep them safe.
The Bottom: We'll see what America chooses, but my bottom three couples are Karen & Kevin, Channing & Victor and Mollee & Nathan. Based on growth (or lack thereof) alone, I think it's time for Karen and Kevin to head home.
So spill it... who are your favorites and who do you think should get the boot?
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THE RESULTS: I made great strides in redeeming myself this week, picking all three bottom couples correctly and predicting one of the two ousted dancers. Here's hoping for perfection next week! In retrospect, I'm not shocked that that judges opted to send home Channing over Karen since they seem to love her so much. I don't think she'll stick around very long though.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
SYTYCD: Top 16
Here we go - the first round of America voting for their favorite on SYTYCD. Tonight's show was jam-packed, so let's get to reviewing:
Kevin & Karen - The Hustle: Karen is usually pretty smoldering, but I really wasn't feeling it tonight. The whole dance seemed a little blah and, dare I say it, cheesey. The judges commended Kevin on some of his moves, and while they are good considering his lack of technical training, they're not good compared to a lot of the other dancers. This definitely won't be one of my favorites for the night.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Jazz: When I first saw the costumes before the break my immediate thought was that Jakob looked like Douche Wussypants, but I gotta say that they were perfect for the dance. I really enjoyed Jakob in this one. The tricks that were choreographed in for him were well thought out and actually fit with the number. Adam loved Ashleigh, but I think she only appeared so good here because she was choreographed well. She didn't have any major tricks (or really any major dancing) to do. Her personality was better in this than it has been in previous weeks though and I'd like to see how she grows next week.
Pauline & Peter - Quickstep: Ugh, a bit of a mess. I was hoping for these two to succeed. I really like the both of them, and loved the story of the dance. As the judges said, their personalities and charisma will pull them through, but the dancing itself was not so hot. I think they both have enough fans to not be worried about going home though. And awwww... how sweet is Peter's volunteer work?
Kathryn & Legacy - Broadway: So darling! This number had me smiling the whole way through. In my opinion, Kathryn's dancing was phenomenal and kudos to anyone who can pull off those high-waisted shorts! The judges thought her dancing was childish, but I think that's mainly a result of the choreography since she hasn't danced that way in the past. I initially was not a Legacy fan, but he's really growing on me. He's taken every dance style thrown at him and really worked it. I look forward to seeing these two next week.
Channing & Victor - Contemporary: Lucky kids to have gotten their own style, especially for their first dance together! Both of them have such amazing lines and Victor's jumps are phenomenal. Victor is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. His emotion always shows so clearly on his face, but never seems fake. And Adam hit it spot on when he pointed out that Channing seemed much softer and more feminine tonight. I can sort of understand Nigel's point about needing to be fantastic at their own style, but I think they did well enough to not be in danger of going home.
Ellenore & Ryan - Hip Hop: This had potential to be absolutely awful. And it pretty much was. As expected, Ryan danced like the whitest of white boys. His moves were a little too finished and over-the-top for my liking. And the two of them together just weren't a good partnership this week. They got off each other (and the music) several times and just danced it in totally different ways. I do love Ellenore though - she's just so adorable. But she was absolutely lost in the awfulness of Ryan on this one.
Mollee & Nathan - Salsa: This is quite possibly the worst showing I have ever seen on SYTYCD. These two were totally ice cold instead of red hot like they needed to be. Their lifts were really awkward and basically just a jumbled up mess. Nathan, who I was a fan of near the start of the season, looked like a 12 year old boy. I think it was a combination of the dancing and the styling that did him in. And Molleee just seemed as young and goofy as ever. I'm not a fan of either at this point.
Noelle & Russell - Afro Jazz: I didn't get the whole frog and princess vibe throughout the dance, but I did enjoy this number. I think both Noelle and Russell kept their energy up throughout and that alone is impressive. They danced together as a partnership better than I expected they would and did a good job at bringing some life back to a show full of less than stellar numbers.
The Bottom: Well, it'll truly be a crap shoot now that America is in charge. It's hard to know who's ahead in the popularity contest thus far, but based on dancing alone I think the bottom three couples should be Karen & Kevin, Ellenore & Ryan and Mollee & Nathan. And of that grouping I'd be sending Ryan and Mollee home.
Sidenote: I'm not loving Kat's look tonight. Between the grey reptile ombre fabric and the horrible faux-hawk, she looks like she's auditioning for the role of an alien on Star Trek.
So... what did you think of this episode? Who are your faves and who do you think should be sent packing?
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THE RESULTS: Hmm, well aren't I looking like quite the amateur, not even placing the two outted dancers in my bottom six. I will say though, and this is being completely honest, I almost had Pauline & Peter in my bottom three couples, but at the last minute swapped them out for Karen & Kevin. I didn't expect either Pauline or Peter to get that far, so I'm not totally disappointed, although I am a little shocked that Mollee & Nathan went breezing through. Nigel is right that they got by this week on popularity alone, because their dancing really stunk. Here's hoping America places more emphasis on talent next week.
Kevin & Karen - The Hustle: Karen is usually pretty smoldering, but I really wasn't feeling it tonight. The whole dance seemed a little blah and, dare I say it, cheesey. The judges commended Kevin on some of his moves, and while they are good considering his lack of technical training, they're not good compared to a lot of the other dancers. This definitely won't be one of my favorites for the night.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Jazz: When I first saw the costumes before the break my immediate thought was that Jakob looked like Douche Wussypants, but I gotta say that they were perfect for the dance. I really enjoyed Jakob in this one. The tricks that were choreographed in for him were well thought out and actually fit with the number. Adam loved Ashleigh, but I think she only appeared so good here because she was choreographed well. She didn't have any major tricks (or really any major dancing) to do. Her personality was better in this than it has been in previous weeks though and I'd like to see how she grows next week.
Pauline & Peter - Quickstep: Ugh, a bit of a mess. I was hoping for these two to succeed. I really like the both of them, and loved the story of the dance. As the judges said, their personalities and charisma will pull them through, but the dancing itself was not so hot. I think they both have enough fans to not be worried about going home though. And awwww... how sweet is Peter's volunteer work?
Kathryn & Legacy - Broadway: So darling! This number had me smiling the whole way through. In my opinion, Kathryn's dancing was phenomenal and kudos to anyone who can pull off those high-waisted shorts! The judges thought her dancing was childish, but I think that's mainly a result of the choreography since she hasn't danced that way in the past. I initially was not a Legacy fan, but he's really growing on me. He's taken every dance style thrown at him and really worked it. I look forward to seeing these two next week.
Channing & Victor - Contemporary: Lucky kids to have gotten their own style, especially for their first dance together! Both of them have such amazing lines and Victor's jumps are phenomenal. Victor is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. His emotion always shows so clearly on his face, but never seems fake. And Adam hit it spot on when he pointed out that Channing seemed much softer and more feminine tonight. I can sort of understand Nigel's point about needing to be fantastic at their own style, but I think they did well enough to not be in danger of going home.
Ellenore & Ryan - Hip Hop: This had potential to be absolutely awful. And it pretty much was. As expected, Ryan danced like the whitest of white boys. His moves were a little too finished and over-the-top for my liking. And the two of them together just weren't a good partnership this week. They got off each other (and the music) several times and just danced it in totally different ways. I do love Ellenore though - she's just so adorable. But she was absolutely lost in the awfulness of Ryan on this one.
Mollee & Nathan - Salsa: This is quite possibly the worst showing I have ever seen on SYTYCD. These two were totally ice cold instead of red hot like they needed to be. Their lifts were really awkward and basically just a jumbled up mess. Nathan, who I was a fan of near the start of the season, looked like a 12 year old boy. I think it was a combination of the dancing and the styling that did him in. And Molleee just seemed as young and goofy as ever. I'm not a fan of either at this point.
Noelle & Russell - Afro Jazz: I didn't get the whole frog and princess vibe throughout the dance, but I did enjoy this number. I think both Noelle and Russell kept their energy up throughout and that alone is impressive. They danced together as a partnership better than I expected they would and did a good job at bringing some life back to a show full of less than stellar numbers.
The Bottom: Well, it'll truly be a crap shoot now that America is in charge. It's hard to know who's ahead in the popularity contest thus far, but based on dancing alone I think the bottom three couples should be Karen & Kevin, Ellenore & Ryan and Mollee & Nathan. And of that grouping I'd be sending Ryan and Mollee home.
Sidenote: I'm not loving Kat's look tonight. Between the grey reptile ombre fabric and the horrible faux-hawk, she looks like she's auditioning for the role of an alien on Star Trek.
So... what did you think of this episode? Who are your faves and who do you think should be sent packing?
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THE RESULTS: Hmm, well aren't I looking like quite the amateur, not even placing the two outted dancers in my bottom six. I will say though, and this is being completely honest, I almost had Pauline & Peter in my bottom three couples, but at the last minute swapped them out for Karen & Kevin. I didn't expect either Pauline or Peter to get that far, so I'm not totally disappointed, although I am a little shocked that Mollee & Nathan went breezing through. Nigel is right that they got by this week on popularity alone, because their dancing really stunk. Here's hoping America places more emphasis on talent next week.
Friday, November 6, 2009
SYTYCD
So You Think You Can Dance is one of my absolute favorite shows - not surprising coming from someone with 15 years of dance training. I love Kat's dresses, Mary's screaming and Adam's crying, but most of all I love that America is being shown something that, in my opinion, takes much more dedication and hard work to succeed at than silly shows like American Idol and America's Got Talent.
I'd planned to do weekly postings about the highs and lows of each episode along with my opinion on who'd be getting the ax. But alas, the World Series (stupid baseball) got in the way of the show's regular two-night schedule, making the idea of blogging a little ridiculous given that the predictions would be coming after the results had already been announced.
You all will be glad to know that Fox is going back to the regular schedule next week (as far as I know anyway) and I'll be putting my plan to action. So be on the lookout for a weekly synopsis of the good, the bad and the ugly. And, for what it's worth, both pairs of outted dancers are the same ones that I'd have picked to go. So, to put that same baseball that so royally put a chink in my plan to good use, I'm batting a thousand.
And to whet your appetite, here's one of my favorite SYTYCD numbers, featuring one of my favorite SYTYCD dancers (Travis):
I'd planned to do weekly postings about the highs and lows of each episode along with my opinion on who'd be getting the ax. But alas, the World Series (stupid baseball) got in the way of the show's regular two-night schedule, making the idea of blogging a little ridiculous given that the predictions would be coming after the results had already been announced.
You all will be glad to know that Fox is going back to the regular schedule next week (as far as I know anyway) and I'll be putting my plan to action. So be on the lookout for a weekly synopsis of the good, the bad and the ugly. And, for what it's worth, both pairs of outted dancers are the same ones that I'd have picked to go. So, to put that same baseball that so royally put a chink in my plan to good use, I'm batting a thousand.
And to whet your appetite, here's one of my favorite SYTYCD numbers, featuring one of my favorite SYTYCD dancers (Travis):
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