SYTYCD: Double Trouble for the Lucky Seven!

You have to hand it to Cat that she does not cease to surprise us. What was she wearing!?!?! I’ll give it to her that although the 30’s hairdo was not my cup of tea (no British witticism intended) it kind of became her, but the dress, OMG, what was that? Was she trying to go for the WALL-E’s bride look? Whatever it was, I think I’ve never seen anything like it…

This week it is two for the price of one, and three out of seven couples will be in danger, so it is real easy to be bottom threed. The six remaining couples after tomorrow will be the ones likely to go on tour, with the top ten dancers and the two understudies, so this is a critical night for all. All rightee then…

Will and Jessica do a Broadway Jive in their first number. Some interesting kicks but this choo-choo is not of the hot Tamale kind, not even of the warm kind. Begins slow, ends better but the unevenness makes it a chancy proposition. Posture was off—the train makes it only to 7.5 MPH… Mandy Moore’s choreography for their second number is really interesting but Will: posture posture… The number was a very passionate “Lyrical Jazz” Pas de Deux that does not look effortless: A shirtless Will throws her around, one, two, three times; Will pulls her leg, grabs and turns her over on his legs; Will rips her shirt off and puts it on himself at the end (Tabitha then asks him to take it off and show off the six-pack again). The passion a 10, the technique a 7, makes it an 8.5 for me on this one! Are they back on the hot choo-choo? Total tonight: 16. Mary’s aphorism for them was: “Talent is flame and genius is fire, and that was fire” so, there was no talent? What does that mean? Maybe self-consciously she was right on target?

Tonight, Broadway seems to be the thing, and Comfort and Thayne do another one again! West Side Story with a contemporary twist!!
A Comfort stretch, she did not do well, even considering that this is way out of her C Zone. She brings down the score for the couple and Thayne—though he showed us how well trained a dancer he is—was weighed down by her. By the way, her tattoo showing was sooo out of place! There is tattoo make-up (and dress rehearsals) for that! For not being up to the level--- 6.5 points over 10. With the second number, the Waltz, Thayne shows off his technique and Comfort once again shows her limitations. However, thanks to Thayne, she did much better. If I were hiring for a dance company, Thayne’s got the job. This was an effortless Pas, not like Will and Jessica’s. 9 at least! Total tonight: 15.5. Will they be bottom threed? I think so, although their second number may get them votes.

Kourtni and Matt’s Hip Hop: Pleaase see again Joshua and Katee’s extraordinary Hip Hop number and compare. This was so, sooo bad! What is going on tonight!! No synchronization, butts sticking out when they shouldn’t --- bad and boring! 6.5 points at best! Their mambo number was painful to watch… I am sorry, but I’ve seen hotter, and better. Between both, however, Kourtni was the better of the two tonight. The partnering and dancing looked hard, not spontaneous and effortless. With a score of 7.5 it gives them a 14 tonight. They were really off tonight.

With Mark and Chelsie’s first number we have at last a number to watch without gagging! (and I don’t mean that because of the Pizza I am eating as I watch and write) I like the costuming: they don’t wear shoes but they wear gloves! It is not the best they’ve done, but it certainly is the best tonight so far. This couple works very well together even in this combination Hip-hop-contemporary-and-even-a-bit-of-ballroom-moves-in-there number. A 9 for this performance. The Fox Trot number makes the jidges disagree and Nigel gets boo-booed and screamed into his ear with Mary-Decibels—twice! Blue feathers fly in a multi-complexed-lift routine that makes me give them another 9 for tonight, total 18! This is the top couple and the couple to beat!

Kherington and Twitch do a Paso Doble called Dimitry’s cape, the Return! With drama but, honestly, not much technique by Miss K., it is an entertaining performance. She had the look, but not really the steps. Maybe it was because this was the first time in the show that she danced with shoes on (remember the shoeless waltz?). Her troubled steps make me give them an 8 for this one. Their second dance, Once upon a Mattress, the Routine started, again, with a shirtless dancer! And Miss K. is back to her shoeless ways.
Dream choreography of a dream makes Twitch and Kherington look very good. But, was he really dancing, or just striking poses? They were in character, but I am not sure that if it had not been for the amazing choreography and compelling story-telling you could say that this was excellent dancing. I am doubtful, trying to separate the dancers from the dance… but I will give them an 8.5 for a 16.5 tonight.

Joshua and Katee do Contemporary, again a good partnership. Out of breath at the end of a great number, it was as if they had slowly been moving underwater and at the end came up for air. The walks, the lifts and the chemistry were there. In the execution perhaps the synchronization was a little off because they had to prepare two performances for tonight but they are safe (I hope) after this number: 9 points! The West Coast Swing number was boring for me, I am sorree… Bumping and grinding, ending with Benji’s signature cartwheel spinning, not well executed by Joshua, and then a bump off to the floor by Katee’s power hips. This number is not my cup of tea, once again. Obviously they worked harder on their contemporary, which was so good. Their WCS number deserves a bump, down to a 7.5, total tonight: 16.5. By the way: Joshua might make it to top five guys, but I am not sure who I would bump off from my list… I’ll make my final prediction tomorrow. Right now I have to say that this couple has at least three solid numbers: Their Hip Hop, last week’s Samba and today’s Contemporary, which makes a good case for Joshua and his grills on tour.

Courtney and Gev are hip-hoppers now! Another couple that works well together but the routine did not seem to be a great stretch of technique or dancing. No major tricks, just a safe routine for both. They may have had a 10 on their shirts, but in my book, this is an 8. In their second number, with an energetic Broadway Routine, they try to salvage their night, trying to show off a choreography that was complicated, with miming and jumping, and smiles galore. This routine, however, may not give them enough votes to keep them out of the bottom three.
On top of that, the costumes were awful and they did look kind of silly. But I will give them an 8.5for the pure Broadway feel of it: a total of 16.5 points tonight. By the way Nigel, that Frenchman in a sailor suit was Jules Munchin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v7QfCxuvLo
The bottom three will be Kourtni and Matt, Comfort and Thayne, and Courtney and Gev.
After so many times down there, this time it will be Kourtni and Matt.

So You Think You Can Dance: Quick results show

The show starts as usual with a number that will be the last for two of the dancers… and they all look like a million bucks. Or at least $250,000. The eye is still not on the prize, all the dancers just trying to dance their best, and they do! Mia Michaels’ hand in the opening number is unmistakable, and the dancers pull it off. The mean faces and scary looks suggest that soon we can expect some cutting is going to happen, and I mean throats! And backstabbing… not! These are a bunch of really nice people that know that just being in the top twenty is a privilege, a chance in a million. They do not have to do a “Survivor” or “Apprentice” thing… they have already won. As dancers, what greater exposure and credentials than “SYTCD Top 20”? It is an awesome mark on their back! When Cat comes out she is definitely in combination with the costuming of the number. Only problem is that as soon as all the gothic clowns and babies exit stage, she is the only one left in the weird costume. By the way, shadow of things to come: Comfort is showcased doing some contemporary quite outside her range… hmm.

I got it right once again with two out of the bottom three: Chromfort and Kouratt.
America’s voters can tell what is right and what is not when it comes down to it, and they step up in the right direction. Thelsea’s Quickstep apparently missed a beat with their fans however, and they are bottom-threed also.

Quickly enough as the steps she did yesterday I am shocked—Chelsea T is out! Well, maybe not that shocked… I expected they would keep partners one more week, but as soon as she is out it is obvious to me that Chris will be out. Thanks Chelsea T and Chris: It was fun seeing you perform.

So You Think You Can Dance: The Secret

Adam Shankman has no secrets as he gushingly pours out on Cat’s beautiful quasi-bridal mini, saying that he would love to wear it. Love it on her, don’t think so on him. Maybe on Tracy (AKA Danielle, AKA Travis).

Kherington and Twitch AKA Twitchinton: Hip Hop. When the SYTYCD work crew came around in their orange jail jumpsuits it seemed to me that costuming was starting a little off tonight. The jidges have many positives on this number and on the negatives “can’t think of anything” says Nigel. Mary screams, turns to Adam and he blushes brightly as he kisses Mary on the lips. I cannot think of anything! Points 8.

Gev and Courtney AKA Gevney: Rumba. Lets get ready to Rumbla! The long half of Courtney’s dress keeps on getting in the way and the missing half does not get in the way of her dance moves. Gev gets the connection, and makes for wonderful partnering! The rumba sensuality was top notch. The performance was greater than competition level, or in a different category. Not the kind of thing you expect from SYTYCD. Loved it, and I give them an 8.5.

Chris and Comfort AKA Chromfort: Jazz (Africanized) – Different, yes. Good? No! A little too much Thriller going on here. No synchronization between the partners. The number really is not hot, the music overcomes the dancers, and the dancers did not seem to have the technique needed to make this number look good (imagine Danny and Sabra doing this…). Comfort hits the tree in his plexus, perhaps she has another secret to share? That move is not something she learned in her beauty pageant days, obviously… Points: 6.

Jessica and Will AKA Willica: Disco. KOD (Kiss of Death) again. Cheesy, as Nigel simply said. RIP for them. Sorry, but this was bad. And to be fair with Jessica, it was Will who wasn’t there for her this time. He kept on stopping and not giving her the momentum needed for those lifts and turns. Points: 6.5.

Kourtni and Matt AKA Kouratt: Contemporary. One question: What was she wearing? Another question: Where they dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Potato head? Another question: Was it too much for the costume department to think about airbrushed unitards for this number? Another question: Sonya the choreographer, is she one of the rejects from Shear Genius? And talking about Shear Genius, there was already a “Ninja” contestant in that Bravo TV’s show last season. So, Matt’s secret Ninja thing was not even original! Going back to SYTYCD: I did not like this number. Points: 6 (minus 3 for the Ninja mask).

Chelsea T and Thayne AKA Thelsea: Quickstep. A well executed classical quickstep, including some nice trick moves, like that jete in the round that was quite something. Perhaps a little too well executed according to the jidges, meaning they were trying too hard and counting too much. Nigel’s comments would make me think he wants people to vote for them, so that they don’t have to be in the bottom three. Ballroom is always dicey, and after last week Ch and Th are in a hard spot. Still I do not think they will be bottom threed… Points: 8.

Chelsie and Mark AKA Marksie: Hip Hop (was it?). Okay... time for a 10! Insert Mary Scream Here!!!! I’m already looking forward to seeing this number in the live tour! Loved the choreography, loved the dancing, loved the performance, and loved the costuming! Nothing else to say (except that he really has weird crooked little fingers) (and also: “lyrical hip hop”? –what the h…? what is the difference between that and contemporary?). Anyway… I really loved this number!

Katee and Joshua AKA Katua: Samba (was it?). We know that the economy is bad right now, but still… is it down to a half dress policy for dancers in SYTYCD? I like this policy on Courtney and Katee, maybe Cat, but at some point it will get old. This routine was hot; no doubt about it (was it Samba, though?). Joshua’s dad may be going home but for sure Joshua is not. Points tonight: 9.

My prediction for the bottom three: Chris and Comfort (again!), Jessica and Will (again!), and Kourtni and Matt (again!). Who will be pardoned and who will be kicked out? My guess: Kouratt. However, none of these dancers is really safe, except for Will (the jidges obviously love him). So if it is not this week it will be soon that Chris, Jessica and Comfort are out, once the jidges start breaking up the couples.

A final note: Why is Joshua’s dad wearing a shirt with a shirtless picture of his son? It’s weird! Please, somebody give him a better picture/shirt!

SYTYCD: Nigel the Hulk!

A new, hidden personality of Nigel seems to be coming out this season. I have been saying it all along and now we now the truth: he has been affected by gamma dance rays!
As his green dance persona has been taking over the old scroogy producer/casting director we have seen in the past:
• Nice Nigel comments—“we have to be nice to the dancers this season” sums it up.
• Jumping up and down by Nigel—Hip hop and Broadway in particular seem to make him move off his seat.
• Not scared of real dancers—the Gumby brothers and the hot flamenco guy are professional dancers in the results show.
• Dancing puppies and snuggle bears (really!).
It certainly makes it an even more entertaining show, as dancing does seem a little more in the mind of the producer than the casting of the final ten. I have not made my final conclusion yet, but the show does seem to be a little less rigged this time than in previous seasons. Except… is Cat psychic? She said: our first couple in the bottom three is: Chelsea and Thayne (wait, wasn’t there one envelope still not open?). Oh, well…
Oh, the results... I failed to predict one couple again: Comfort and Chris go to the bottom three, where we thought Kourtni and Matt would be. I guess the Krump was even krummier than I thought. Of course, Chelsea and Thayne sail through the solos war. Marquis and Susie dance for their life in routines that I thought would make it hard for the judges to justify kicking them out. Comfort returned to her c zone and pops a number, and her partner Chris did not outshine Marquis.

Susie and Marquis are out, as predicted. In the context of the casting of the top ten, this is what I expected and is what I predicted yesterday. However in the one on one in the solo wars, in comparison to Comfort, Susie was better and, in comparison to Chris, Marquis was better.

The excuse given to us by Nigel was that Marquis was more of a trickster than a dancer and that Chris has shown some limberness in his development, with potential for growth (all these tree references…). From my perspective, it seemed to me that it was the other way around actually, with more tricks than dancing by Chris the Tree, than by Marquis. Well, I guess we’re back to casting instead of dancing. The gamma dance rays have worn off for the night.

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.