SYTYCD: Our Blog for Episode 6 is all PC (Politically Correct)

As Cat Says: “Welcome to: So You Think You Can Dance!” (cue music… low voice “dance, dance…”) I am excited as the top 20 great cast of dancers comes out on stage, each doing their thing, twirling, jumping, stretching, spinning, for their first full fledged presentation, competing for the title “America’s Favorite Dancer”, and some cash to boot.

Let me start by saying: Nigel got a hair cut!! Hurray!! That makes him flirt a little and make Cat blush, as she moves her legs around on the high spikes she’s on. The guest Judge tonight is Dan Karaty, always a sober and good observer. After an overview of the rules, we see once again each of the dancers in their audition run-ups, and a fine group of dancers it is. So now for the dances!

It seems that this year the judges seem a bit obsessed about making sure that people do not criticize the show as being rigged or unfair. They seem to stress a little too much that everybody is an unknown, that everybody has a chance, or whatever. We know that’s not true, by the way, but we’ll see… after all, this is a show for entertainment purposes only, and WE NEED CONTROVERSY! For now, following the lead, we’re going to be PC/Nice too…

Rayven and Jaime. Hip Hop. Our first look at Rayven, and a bit more from Jamie. A little over acted, but certainly well coordinated, the way “a ballerina and a ballroom dancer” (quoting her) can, and adequately performed but not that salty for hip-hop. A little cotton candy anyone? About this number, I will only say that I liked the Boar Jacket that Matt wore during rehearsals... not so sure about his briefs (not boxers? What kind of hip-hopper does not wear boxers?). He looked like Captain Underpants! Okay so maybe I will say something else: a little too much crotch grabbing. Rating: 7.5. By the way: Did Mary really call her old?

Susie and Marquis. The smooth waltz was definitely smooth! Very elegant. They both showed that they have the technique, beautiful lines, pointed feet, great turnout. A couple of missed steps, the first lift definitely better than the overambitious second one (I guess he almost dropped her after she nearly punctured his thigh with those heels!). It was a Waltz-Contemporary number. The choreographers seem to have started off the show with modernized variations on the dance styles, which makes it interesting to watch, as I really am not sure what to expect now when they say “hip-hop” or “waltz”—at least for now. In general very good. We applaud this performance! Good job, Susie! (Are the red hair streaks a South Florida Trademark? Remember Kameron?) Rating: 8 for smooth lines minus a couple of missed steps.

Kourtni L. and Matt. A tall order for sure, 12 feet of dancing, Cat was not above them this time. She reminded everybody of Uma Turman, Lady Di, Cameron D. but… does she have her own look? About him, Nigel not nice, the broomstick comment hurt. This Jazz routine was… okay… and following my premise of not saying (almost) anything negative, I will not say anything else… Rating: 7 for dark overtones overshadowing the real technique under the black leather.

Chelsea T and Thayne. This girl is going to go far in this show. Gorgeous dancer. A great dance, good choreography: a young looking Cha-Cha. The dancers: Technique, personality. Awesome. Both of them. Nobody could see Thayne with all eyes on Chelsea the wonderful, but Thayne was a great, great partner. These two guys are safe! Hot tamale, enchilada and quesadilla train tickets for them! Rating: 9.5 just because I can’t give a 10 at such an early stage.

Chelsie H. and Mark doing Mia Michael’s Contemporary. Some interesting movements performed by Mark. Such beautiful movements and weird (good) too. Really a cool choreography (what wedding was that!) that I believe they performed really well. Seems to me that they did what the choreographer had in mind, even with her mother’s wedding dress. These two guys are safe too. To Mia I say: It was Stupid! So stupid, that it was Stinky! Insane! Disgusting! Ridiculous! Rating: 9.

Kherington and Twitch do Broadway! It started a little weak, but then feathers flew all over the place, ending with great energy and connecting well with the audience. Perhaps it was that start, a little too traditional jazz-Broadway (think Chicago) that I thought was weak, but the combination at the end with contemporary and Hip-hop moves made it sizzle. Kherington looked so good. Twitch looked uncomfortable, but he has so many fans already. And the judges were so positive that they are going to be safe. Rating: 8 for personality minus the off-putting beginning.

Comfort and Chris. A Jive with a pair of blossoming trees, but with a difficult chemistry. I liked the way they started, from their hip-hop and contemporary spotlights to a merged Jive. Comfort, good performance, good booty action, miss her grills, still don’t understand a word she says. Chris does come across as stiff, and the personality issue is going to be hard with these two, but they are working on it. In the end, as Dan said, a respectable job. They’ll probably make it to a Comfort level tonight. Rating: 7.5 for still a little stiffness in the dancing, not the personality

Katee and Joshua. Joshua fesses up about his ballet training, from his football playing days (can’t let it interfere with that macho image now, can’t we eh?). Their Hip Hop: really, really good! Napoleon and Tabitha did that HH/Contemporary combo that I talked about with Rayven and Jaime before. That one wasn’t as exciting as this one, however. This number demonstrates how good hip hop is not just improvised movements: not an easy number, they nailed it. Lots of coordination, right on! Rating: 8.5, and I’m glad that Katee shut up and danced.

Jessica and Will Tango about. About this one, I’ll spell it as Jessica does: J-e-s-i-s-c-a and W-l-i-l will not be in the B-o-o-t-m T-r-h-e-e, but you will (maybe) have to thank Will for that. Her Tango moves were sometimes a little more Flamenco than Tango. Will was very good, better than I thought. Ballroom is always hard in the voting, so despite her long legs, it is possible that they will be bottom-threed, but I think that others did worse. Rating: 8 for confusing Spain with Argentina.

Courtney and Gev. Disco. Obviously not the best disco we have seen in SYTYCD. Remember Jessica and Jaymz from season 2? Courtney and Gev, well, Courtney is very beautiful, and one of my personal favorites. Gev, I don’t know if I like him yet, and he needs to straighten up and tuck his ‘derriere’ in! Please!! Hey Mary: JT does not have it sticking out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1p2IxZA0U not even in slow disco: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUnFdT-Vl4. Rating: 7.5, for Gev (sorry, but I know you can do better). Courtney, even if you are in the bottom three, you’ll be safe!

Bottom three, we predict: Kourtni and Matt, (poor Jazz routine) Rayven and Jaime, (so-so hip-hop and the first in show, last to remember), Gev and Courtney (low scoring disco always a KOD- Kiss of Death among the voters). Possible (unwelcome) surprise to be at the bottom could be Susie and Marquis (again: low voter appeal dance, the Waltz), but I think their performance was elegant and smooth, and Susie showed versatility and technique, so they should be safe.

If I am right with the bottom three couples: Rayven and Kourtni will dance for their lives and, in a tough call, Rayven will go home; Gev and Matt will dance for their lives and Matt will go home. I’m not saying that these are weak dancers (look at their auditions and clips again, they’re all great!), but these seem to me to be the ones in the weakest position after tonight’s performances.