SYTYCD Episode 8: Is it just me, or are these dance styles starting to look all alike?

In a Black Swan inspired gown Cat introduces the remaining 18 dancers for this evening and the guest host for the night, Benoodles Mia. And, following the theme of the night, I’m going to say what I like best and worst of each one of the judges. Mia, the best of you are your choreographies and the worst are your critiques when they are blond. Such as today’s negative review of Kherington’s smile. But at least you rectified! Mary, the best of you is your scream, which is the worst of you also. And Nigel, the best of you is your production of this show. The worst is everything else… Just kidding!

Starting with Chelsea T. and Thayne, Thayne knocked the wood of his own noodles. Chelsea in a French maid costume with a green feather duster insane for Thayne? It wasn’t believable. But I do not think it was as bad as the judges found it to be. Yes, they lacked chemistry. And, yes, I hated the costuming. And I think that Thayne didn’t look that masculine…, but I think he is a very good dancer and Chelsea is a great performer. Rating: 7.5.

Chelsie H. and Mark’s tango was amazing. Especially Mark, he was wonderful! He had the perfect posture for this role. His bird moves retreated and hid, only to peek through his eagle nosed face! And Chelsie was great also. Her leg action was excellent. This tango was much better than last week’s. The costuming was better also. A modern tango very well done! It was so good, that Mia, as always, created a new word: Fantastical! And an interesting thing happened with Chelsie’s shoes that shows why dance shoes should be worn tight and snug. Her shoes were too big and her pinky toe poked out. Ouch! Ouch also to Nigel’s comment about Argentinean Tango dancers drinking Jack Daniels! Really, Nigel? No, not Jack Daniels! More like Mate (that weird high caffeine drink sipped from an odd looking cup with a straw). Rating: 9.5.


Jessica and Will’s hip hop was kind of old fashioned. I honestly didn’t see really original moves. Hats off, hats on, hats off, and on… So? To me, it was so, so. And Mia and Mary taking off the hat to Will, and putting it on again for Jessica. So? So, so. Nigel recognizes that Jessica was a lot better than last week. Jessica’s strength is not the tango, and maybe not hip hop, but she did a lot better this week. And Will, yes, he’s good, but I didn’t see “genius” in this hip hop. Rating: 7.5.

Kourtni and Matt do the Foxtrot… Ok—KOD (Kiss of Death) in the house! Matt and Kourtni did their best, him jumping and clicking his heels, she, showing off her extensions. But this dance is no vote grabber. If the dances weren’t “randomly” taken out of a hat—they are, aren’t they? —I would think that this dance was purposefully selected for this couple. But, the dances are selected randomly, right? It’s what we’re told. Ok. I think that Kourtni and Matt are in the bottom three again, and this time… well, what do you think? Will they be safe?
By the way, was Nigel going to say lifting her? (referring to Kourtni’s size)? And what about Nigel’s comment regarding Matt’s moves. Did he say Tweed or Twig? I couldn’t make sense of what he said, but it doesn’t really matter. He obviously meant not masculine enough. Rating: 8 for dancing (-3 for singing).

Courtney and Gev – Modern contemporary in a fabulous choreography by Mandy Moore. Mia’s comments were actually positive, as saying in essence that she knows that Courtney will do great! Gev’s lifts were amazing: almost 30% of the time it seemed that Courtney was off her feet, held by Gev, standing on Gev, jumping over Gev... Nigel says that Courtney’s boyfriend should beware! Rating: 9.

Katee and Joshua’s Broadway number: They think it will involve lots of hands and in the end it does! (Including the clapping from the audience). Their number is characteristically (as expected from their outstanding performance last week) well synchronized, and Nigel uncharacteristically jumps up and down! Joshua’s diamond eye bedazzles the judges, and the reviews bring down the house! Mia says it sucked! But that is just the way she talks. In case anyone doesn’t understand she translates: it was amazing! Ok, I say that this is this week’s 9.5 (give me some leeway for a 10, ok?)

Susie and Marquis. Alex de Silva again, this time with a Salsa, after that killer Tango! I cannot say that I liked it, though. The movements were not sultry enough. For a street salsa dancer, Susie’s moves were restrained, almost timid. And I did not see the Puerto Rican in Marquis at all. Rating: 7.5.



Kherington and Twitch’s Viennese Waltz: This was not a Waltz. But it was a very beautiful contemporary piece with waltz moves. A beautiful performance by Kherington, with amazing strong lifts by Twitch. Mia has a hard time trying to justify her critique, but finally shuts her mouth. We wonder, did her new blonder hair affect her judgment? Mary cries, Kherington cries, and Twitch sniffles too (or was that sweat?).
By the way, it kind of upsets me that most numbers were labeled for a style of dance, but were strongly patterned after “contemporary/lyrical.” That Viennese Waltz was as Austrian as Domino’s is Italian or Taco Bell is Mexican, or Jack Daniel’s Argentinean for that matter. Regardless, as an unlabeled dance, I give Kherington and Twitch a 9.

Comfort and Chris do Krump. The difference between Krump and Hip Hop is not really that obvious here to me. But what do I know? I didn’t see the toughness and roughness of Krump here. But what do I know? Comfort was in her zone here, obviously. Chris not quite so. I just didn’t see what the deal was here… Rating: 7.5.


This week I have as much difficulty deciding on the worst of the best as in determining the difference between a twig and a tweed (or was it a twit?). When it comes down to it, you can tell I have a huge grey area in which several couples step into. Those are Chelsea T. and Thayne, Jessica and Will, Comfort and Chris, and Susie and Marquis. Based on popularity, I am going to guess that Susie and Marquis are going to be in the bottom three. Next, even though I do not think that they actually deserve it, I think that Chelsea T. and Thayne are going to be in the bottom three, especially because they were the first couple to dance and because the judges were very tough with them. And my third couple, even though I did not give them the lowest scores, is Kourtni and Matt. If I am right: Chelsea T. and Susie will dance for their lives and Susie will go home. Of the guys, Matt and Marquis will dance for their lives, and Marquis will go home.