So You Think You Can Dance – Season 5 – Top 8 Performance – VIDEO

GO Travis! the group number was awesome!!! Ellen has me rolling and Mia please move the hair out of your eyes so we can see them :) ty

Opening number very good, well danced by everyone and choreographed wonderfully by Travis. I just did not see everyone’s supposed solo’s. May have been the camera work but except for Ade, Brandon, Kayla, and Jeanine I did not see anyone Else’s mini solo.

Also getting tired of the Mia is wonderful banter every time she is on. Is she really that insecure. This is about he dancer’s it seems to becoming more about the choreographers.

Ellen is a welcomed addition. Love her humor

I could barely keep up with Ellen.
She learned everything on the street…. :lol_tb:

Jeanette and Evan-That was so great. The lifts were good and they were synchronized and captured the mood of the piece. I don’t know about the spoiler because in that they had the judges being much harsher on Evan. I think these two make a fantastic couple.

Kayla routine-pretty good, better then last week.

Brandon and Jeanine-Meh.. Jeanine was good. Brandon’s worst performance to date. He was awkward, he was too graceful in fact more graceful then Jeanine, He came off too Feminine.

Jason solo not bad but not spectacular

Im stuck watching Obama.

IDK…

I thought Janette and Evan were good. Not great for me. I would agree with Mia that there is no way for Evan to be freaky dark and twisted. But technically there wasn’t anything wrong. I just wasn’t wow’d. It was a nice match-up though.

Kayla – Again… technically she was great, but I just am not into her dancing (or lack thereof).

Jeanine and Brandon’s waltz….. ZZZZzzzzz… more than a bit underwhelmed. Parts seemed like kids learning a waltz. IDK. I’m disappointed. I’m still hoping these 2 will make Top 4.

Jason – Just ok for me. Does anyone else think he needs better extension on his leaps? Maybe it’s just the camera angles….

Melissa and Ade – Seemed like Cha-Cha by numbers. They did the steps but there was nothing sexy about it, IMO. Both looked uncomfortable to me.

Janette’s solo was ok

Mia’s got a bitchy side to her that grates on my nerves. I don’t know much about ballroom, but I really thought the waltz was beautiful…may have been due in part to Jeanine’s elegant, flowy dress, but I liked it. BTW – I love the way every time Jeanine finds out who she’s dancing with she runs and jumps in their arms with that cute monkey hug.

I liked the group dance. Not my favorite, but it was good. I noticed some of the solos but not all. And I loved the costumes. Very clever. Good job, Travis!

Evan was lacking something in that jazz. I don’t know if he was holding back or what, but I kinda agree with Mia on that one. Janette was good.

Jason’s solo was not my favorite. I love the song Kayla danced to, and her solos are getting better. So thumbs up for her.

I’m tired of Waltzes and Foxtrots on this show, so I’m not even gonna comment on that one.

I just love Ellen – “I grew up on the streets, and by the streets, I mean a gated community. And really, it was just one street.” LMAO.

ETA: OMG. That cha cha was A-W-F-U-L. I think that was worse than Jaimie and Hok’s Samba in season 3. Yikes.

ETA2: Nigel is calling out Ade but not Melissa’s complete lack of hip action? WTF? That was like a trainwreck we’d see in the first week. NOT the top 8. Unacceptable for this level of the competition. UGH. Ughughugh!

ETA3: So that was Ade’s worst performance, but since Melissa is a ballerina and cha cha is not her style, she gets a pass? Oh HELL no. She sucked major ass, and she does NOT get a pass from me. I hope she goes home this week. I’m OVER the pimping.

/rant

I did not enjoy the first three couples because I saw so many technical flaws. The only performer who put it out there was Janette so far. Meh.

I really hope the second set of dances is better than the first, because so far, with the exception of Travis’s group dance, I’m pretty bored. Brandon and Jeanine’s waltz was an absolute snooze-fest, and there was something weirdly un-sexy about Melissa and Ade’s cha-cha. I just find Melissa kind of dull. I know exactly zero about dancing, but I feel like she has no…groove, or something.

Jason’s solo seemed pretty mediocre. I actually liked Kayla’s more than usual, although that may have been the Imogen Heap.

Ade and Melissa- They should have been sooo much better since they were paired together before. I think there was no chemistry. Boring actually. I was not impressed. Mia was right on her remarks.

Jeanette solo-Very good-not her style though. I think her and Evan have the best personalities.

Melissa seemed so overly cautious in that cha cha…not at all how it should probably be danced. She did not attack at all. She seemed so prissy…I just wish the judges would call her out on this crap. She needs to be asked to do a really aggressive hip hop because this was the first week she’s even remotely been out of her comfort zone. It pisses me off that they rag on Jeanine saying they expected more, but nothing like that for Melissa who should’ve had the comment as well.

ETA3: So that was Ade’s worst performance, but since Melissa is a ballerina and cha cha is not her style, she gets a pass? Oh HELL no. She sucked major ass, and she does NOT get a pass from me. I hope she goes home this week. I’m OVER the pimping.

ITA.

ETA: I liked Tyce’s Broadway routine for Jason and Kayla. I can already hear Evan fans complaining that Evan should have gotten this routine. 3,2,1….

Ade just killed that solo! Loved it!

Finally, a balanced, well-danced routine.

Finally, a balanced, well-danced routine.

Agreed. And if someone had told me last week that Jason and Kayla would be my favorite couple after the first dance, I would have laughed.

And I have decided that Tyce reminds me of the Monchichi doll I had when I was a kid.

Evan was lacking something in that jazz. I don’t know if he was holding back or what,

I frequently get the impression that Evan’s holding back. But at the same time I’m sure he’s not. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would… and why would anybody do that at this point. I think it’s more that his projection of some kinds of characters and attitudes just doesn’t come across the cameras — I don’t know about across the footlights — to at least some people, like me. He does the Gene-Kellyish character in his solos brilliantly, and some other things, like softer romance, and the funny dirty old man in the Randi’s-bottom dance. But his projection of other kinds of characters and attitudes just isn’t making it through to me. I got shutupshutupshutupshutup from Janette’s movements, but not from most of Evan’s.

At this point, I really really want Brandon in the top 4 (although this waltz was incredibly underwhelming — the extreme slowness didn’t help, i don’t think), but the other three guys are pretty much tied to me.

I’m officially underwhelmed by this whole season, though. This top eight seems pretty competent, but nobody thrills me. Last year I looked forward every week to quite a bunch of them. This year I still enjoy the show and get some surprises, but nobody’s intriguing to me at all. I guess I agree with Nigel when he wondered in some interview whether there was any star quality.

hmm, havent seen the show yet (west coaster here) but i do think the judges might give ade/melissa a hard time w. the first number to spark some fear in their fans…and then have them close out w. the emo breast cancer piece to grab the casual voter (and yes, i love TPTB conspiracy theories)

Kayla and Jason- Please Jason was no Gene Kelly (another smack at Evan) but Best number of the first half. A Over the top praise again for Kayla I think that will hurt her.

Ade solo- He confuses me He is technically great buy his solo’s have too much going on and no cohesiveness. So he loses me. It becomes Detached.

Liked the Broadway. It was better than most of Tyce’s pieces have been. I wish Jason would get a Mia routine, because I think she could bring out the best in him. But that’s not gonna happen. Brandon will get Mia next week, since he still hasn’t had contemporary, and she’s due to choreograph.

I’m over the Kayla pimping too, but at least she killed that routine and deserved some praise (not that OTT, though).

Loved Ade’s solo. He’s kinda like a cool fusion of contemporary and popping and that rocks.

Evan and Jeanette- Song was not right for this dance. I thought they both were great. I so disagree with Nigel. I felt Evan had it and did great. Love Ellen’s remarks think she said it because of Nigel’s prejedice. Jeanette fantastic. I will say, the routine was not very inspiring. No real pizazz. but I love these two.

Melissa solo-Well she will need that breast cancer routine because at this point she is going home.

I couldn’t tell who was who in the opening number, although I think the flipping was Brandon and that looked cool. Or maybe it was Ade? Whoever was flipping was cool. I’m not a big flip fan, but it was a nice counterpoint in that number.

The waltz was okay, but the tempo made it kind of labored looking. Still, I thought both of them individually had the right lines and the right mood, and Nigel calling it soporofic is just mean and rude and NONSENSE.

Ade and Melissa’s cha cha… Yechhhh. The judges really softballed that one. I thought it was pretty darn wretched. If small children can learn the cha cha in a few days, why can’t trained dancers pick it up? Melissa looked like she was picking her way through a field of

Melissa’s solo… Even yeccchhhhier.

Jason and Ade’s solos were only so-so.

I actually really liked the rumba. It’s not easy to do a long, lean, smoky dance like the rumba when you’re that teeny. Well, Karina can do it on DWTS, but she’s in a class by herself. Anyway, the pocket rumba worked just fine for me.

The Sonya jazz was fine, as was the Broadway. I liked both of those, even if I didn’t really lurve either.

Brandon and Jeanine look HOT in the mini-uni outfits. I wish they weren’t dancing to warbly Jordin. She sounds like she’s yodeling. That Poor Warbling One style did well for Leona Lewis, though, so don’t mind me. Lots of power and commitment in the dance, and I liked it a lot. I think Nigel is overstating his comments, since he wasn’t that snotty about the other dances when they happened. But this was a really dynamite piece, and I’m expecting that on the tour. It may’ve cemented a win for Brandon.

Well, I haven’t watched any of the dances yet, because after reading some of the spoilers at TWOP, I was not in the mood to watch the bus run over Evan. But after reading MJ’s recaps (MJ you are awesome, BTW), I don’t think things were as bad for Evan as the spoilers indicated. I noticed the same thing last week, too.

I’m interested to hear what MJ and others have to say about the breast cancer dance. Again, from the spoilers, this strikes me as exploitative – of cancer survivors and families who have lost people to the disease.

That was certainly a different of Heartless… Yeah Kris!!!!!

The Rumba – I’m sorry… There’s nothing sexy about Evan. Janette OTOH oozes sex appeal. I agree with Nigel that Evan’s eyes are heavy. I mentioned last week that he reminds me of Droopy. He was certainly off balance several times too. Not sure that their routines tonight will get them votes from the casual viewers. They’ll need to rely on their respective fanbases.

Melissa – Zzzzzzz…. I’m sorry. I asked my friend who’s 7th grade daughter takes classes/dances with MN Dance Theatre to watch Melissa and she wasn’t impressed at all.

Jeanine and Brandon – Great routine – a little out of sync in one spot. Best of the night so far by far.

Evan – Usual Evan. Love his personality in his own style. Too bad he can’t make it work in other styles.

Brandon and Jeanine- Great choreography and very well dance. They had the most exciting routine so far. I am sick of Nigel’s obviously biased choice on who he wants in the finals. They were great but too much is too much.

Evan solo-even with dropping the hat to me best solo routine so far. His solo’s have the most personality and emotion. It is different and memorable.

Jeanine solo good not great.

Melissa solo-Well she will need that breast cancer routine because at this point she is going home.

Her solo was dreadful. It felt like she watched Flashdance, and then decided to wrap herself in a black Ace bandage and flail around her living room.

I don’t think things were as bad for Evan as the spoilers indicated. I noticed the same thing last week, too.

The spoilers are from the live performance so the judges may have thrown Evan under the bus a lot more. It’s just been edited out for the show. And really there is no need to beat a dead horse.

I have been waiting for the arrival of Laurie Ann Gibson of Boom Boom Kat fame to come and bless SYTYCD with her talent. She is such a dance powerhouse and when given the chance really comes up with some amazing stuff. I would venture to say that her Pop Jazz number topped anything that Brian Friedman produced this season. Brandon and Jeanine really got into the choreography and blazed the dance floor with that performance. So glad Laurie Ann has arrived and cannot wait to see more stuff from her. She is amazing and so were Brandon and Janette!!!!!

SYTYCD is really doing amazing things for the Dance world!

I’m sorry’ ¦ There’s nothing sexy about Evan

Do not agree with you. Sexy is objective. I think his humor and effervescent personality is very very Sexy.

Melissa and Ade. I think the subject matter of the dance made it more spectacular then the actually piece. They both were very very good and it the choreography was good but I get no chemistry from them. Maybe it played better live then it did through the tv. Still think Melissa is going home don’t think the routine was that amazing to save her.

Brandon’s solo-Spectacular the best he has ever done.

Jason and Kayla-very good. Not really hip hop. Very entertaining. For the last number though not so spectacular.

Love hearing Kris’s voice on a different show and environment. Yay Kris!!

WOW, I was ready to resist the emotional pull of the “breast cancer” dance, but I am kind of misty eyed right now. I have a friend, in her 20′s with a 5 year old child, who is battling it right now having just finished her chemo. That dance just brought out all kinds of emotion.

OK. I’m officially heartless. Not even the hint of a tear from me. Perhaps I’m just extremely fortunate to not know anyone with cancer? It was danced well, but I missed the emotional connection. Lucky for me. I should count my blessings.

Tyce did a good job tonight.

But, apparently butte009, they DO need to keep beating a dead horse since Evan’s fanbase continues to carry him through. I just watched his first number and thought he did very well. I mean, Janette is fantastic, but Evan was respectable and showed great control and strength. I thought they made a great couple in this dance. Good point about live v. edited comments, though.

Melissa and Ade’s cha-cha was as equally amateurish as Evan and Randi’s samba, so all of these dancers have their weaknesses.

glufluv, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she recovers quickly and completely. My sister had cancer as a child and I remember the way it consumed our family. Your friend will be in my prayers.

Well there certainly wasn’t a dry eye in the vicinity.
Nigel Mary Mia all in tears.

I was expecting much more pizazz for Melissa’s solo, but what a disappointment! It went nowhere. She was trying way too hard to be different and did not work. Lucky for her, no one would dare send her home after that heart-wrenching contemporary routine with Ade. Seems unfair that they got to dance something so sacred.

Having supported friends through the struggle of fighting cancer, that Tyce piece really got to me. Being in the audience must have been a moment that people are not going to forget for a long time.

Oh back to Jeanine and Brandon’s Pop/Jazz! THAT was all kinds of AWESOME! So glad they got the kudos they deserved after being slapped around on their first routine.

OK. I’m officially heartless. Not even the hint of a tear from me. Perhaps I’m just extremely fortunate to not know anyone with cancer? It was danced well, but I missed the emotional connection. Lucky for me. I should count my blessings.

Tyce did a good job tonight.

I don’t think you’re heartless. I am that unfortunate, but I was not overwhelmed.

OTT on the Jazz Pop. It was dynamic but out of sync.

Yay! Shane Sparks finally brings a routine worthy of his first three season routines.

OK. I’m officially heartless. Not even the hint of a tear from me. Perhaps I’m just extremely fortunate to not know anyone with cancer?

I have known people who have both survived and been victims of all types of cancer and I really dislike the emotionally manipulative backstories behind these type of dances. So you’re not alone. And that’s all I’m going to say.

And I love Shane Sparks. He’s one of my favorite choreographers on this show, and I really missed him last season and I’m SO GLAD he choreographed such a great routine. I loved it. That is all.

I really dislike the emotionally manipulative backstories behind these type of dances.

It’s odd, because I normally feel the same way. The Lacey/Neil Mia-and-her-dad-dance-in-the-flowers-in-heaven just made me roll my eyes. So color me shocked that this one totally got to me and had me tearing up.

OTT on the Jazz Pop. It was dynamic but out of sync.

I’m so glad someone else said that, because I thought maybe I was imagining it after the judges went bananas.

I don’t like emotional manipulation, either. But, wow. The moment I saw Melissa in “the scarf,” the tears starting flowing for me. The problem is I didn’t really see the dance. I was too busy focusing on the lyrics to the song and crying. I’m not sure what that means.

Well here is how I would rate them tonight:

Solos:
Brandon
Evan
Jeanette
Kayla
Jeanine
Jason
Ade
Melissa

Couples:
This is hard as Some had one great one and one not so good routines, some had two good routines.

Jason and Kayla- Both routines were really good

Jeanette and Evan-They did not have a spectacular one but also did not have a bad routine both routines were good.

Brandon and Jeanine- One great routine and one boring not well danced routine

Melissa and Ade-One really bad routine and the other though had an emotional subject matter I did not think as a dance was WOW.

Jeanine and Brandon’s solos were great.

Loved Shane’s Hip Hop for Jason and Kayla. Great routine IMO. They lucked out and had 2 good routines tonight.

I could barely keep up with Ellen.
She learned everything on the street

She truly cracked me up tonight. :lol_tb:

Brandon and Jeanine really made excellent partners. They were truly some of the real standouts of the night.

The cancer piece really got to me also. I probably would have said it wasn’t fair to pull on those heartstrings but earlier I saw in one forum’s spoilers (maybe IDF?) where Tyce had created that piece to honor his friend that has Stage 3 breast cancer, her struggle with the cancer and her husband. Knowing it was heartfelt made it even more sad, I hope his friend was touched by it.

So that was Ade’s worst performance, but since Melissa is a ballerina and cha cha is not her style, she gets a pass? Oh HELL no. She sucked major ass, and she does NOT get a pass from me. I hope she goes home this week. I’m OVER the pimping.

Melissa getting a pass for being a ballerina is like Evan getting a pass for personality (zoolander) face.

Who would have thunk it that Jason and Kayla were the best overall couple tonight?

I think Melissa and Evan should go home.

Dial Idol had Brandon and Melissa as safe and Kayla and Jason as going home. Not that it is any indication of anything as it had Randi as safe last week.

Dial Idol was 100% wrong last week. It doesn’t work for this show.

Here’s my take on the pre-performance packages… I don’t like them. I would rather they let us know the personalities of the dancers off stage than tell us what the choreography is supposed to mean. Dance is an art form and as such, we should be able to interpret a dance like we would any kind of art… maybe we’d get the choreographer’s meaning, or maybe we’d invent our own. Either way, it would be a more enriching experience than being told how to feel and what the dance is about.

I doubt that’s the choice of the dancers, but it’s a beef I have with the production. While I get the argument that it’s manipulation to have a cancer dance as opposed to a boy-meets-girl dance, I still think it’s a weakness of the show as a whole. It’s also insulting to the audience, IMO.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure I could tell what the zombie dance was about without being told.

None of the four guys have been able to step it up in Ballroom for me. Ade’s Cha-Cha and Evan’s Rumba were extremely lacking for me. Brandon’s waltz was labored but probably the best of the male ballroom tonight.

Well… I can’t believe I’m going to say it but Jason really seems to be improving now that he got rid of the Caitlin ball and chain.

Brandon is still Top 4 for me. I’m actually starting to like Jason more. Not sure he’s overtaken Ade yet. Evan is respectable but I’m just not feeling him outside his solos. And even those are getting pretty predictable. Not nearly the energy level he had last week.

I still like Jeanine and Janette the best for the girls. But Kayla’s overall performance tonight would nudge her ahead of Melissa. So I’d like to see Melissa go home.

ETA: So I guess I’m agreeing with you pj.

Oh, and I’m pretty sure I could tell what the zombie dance was about without being told.

I agree that I would have been able to tell what it was about, but I also know that my mom wouldn’t have had a clue. :smile_wp:

I hate spending time voting to be honest, but I am voting for Jeanine because I think it would be a crime to send that girl home…she’s far too incredible not be in the finale. I am glad she got some pimpage tonight on her second dance….about time we hear OTT praise from someone OTHER than Melissa, Kayla, and yes, even Janette (though she usually deserves it). I can’t imagine any of the guys winning it this year. The girls are far too superior. For me, I say it all the time, but Jeanine is the one person I cannot take my eyes off of when she performs…she has the IT factor in spades!

Favorites:

Ade & Melissa – Breast Cancer dance – I think they danced it with emotion, strength, trust and it was beautiful and very moving watching Melissa’s lines and Ade’s power. I did cry too. Was it fair they got the dance? I don’t think anyone else could have pulled it off.

Jeanine & Brandon’s Battlefield. Intense!

I am starting to like Jason more – last week and this week he is coming into his own. Loved his crazy side move in the zombie dance.

I did not like Heartless – it was the wrong song with the Rumba – way too slow. That song should have been with a contemporary dance.

Still love Evan’s solos!

Well, heck. I normally don’t watch this show. But I may have to tonight. I want to hear Kris Allen’s new version of Heartless and see it being danced to.

I also think I might like to see ‘A Woman’s Work’. I’m a sucker for that stuff.

I felt the cancer dance was manipulative. I have lost people to cancer (is there anybody who really hasn’t been touched at all by it?) and I didn’t feel that this dance represented them or their experiences. And Mia bringing her dad into it again? Sorry. I just felt that cheapened the whole thing.

I do think Melissa and Ade will be safe this week because of it. Not sure it’s enough to put Ade ahead of Evan or Brandon, so he may be B2, but it will be Jason leaving this week.

And for the girls, I betcha a nickel Jeanine and Kayla are your B2 and Kayla goes home. If it’s Jeanine, I will be really, really cranky, because I would like to see her win the whole thing. But we’ll see.

For the girls I think Melissa should go home but the emotional impact of the breast cancer piece may keep her which means I think Kayla would go home as I feel she does not have a solid fan base and the OTT praise of her could put people off. She was really good tonight but she still has problems connecting to the viewers. so with that

who should go home-Melissa
Who will go home-Kayla

For the men that is so difficult there are so many factors. I disagree with some of the poster on here about Evan I think he dances great and is actually the most consistent. Jason improved a lot tonight but whether that is to little to late or what and Ade though I think is phenomenal, dance is more then just technique and he is all technique but lacks emotional connection (for me). Brandon He is the only guy I can say is definitely safe. ( even though I think he sometimes over dances and has a flamboyance to his dance at other times that irks me) With all that said

Who should go home-Ade
Who will go home-Jason

This is just my opinion. I am not saying any of what I said is fact just my take on what I saw. I could be wrong. I do hope I am not.

Well I’m in the complete minority, I see, but my favorite dance of the night was Brandon and Jeanine’s Battlefield. I thought it was entertaining, and looked effortless. The dancing was pretty good too.

Ade and Melissa, as a couple, have NEVER been able to invoke one ounce of emotion out of me. I almost threw up in my mouth a little when everyone was crying over their “brilliant” piece. Well danced? Yes. Emotional? Not to me. It seemed like the emotion was forced rather than real. OH and the cha-cha! I’m so tired of Melissa getting a pass because “she’s a ballerina.” Oh yeah, well what about Randi last week? She didn’t get a pass on her paso because “she’s a contemporary dancer.” Keep it consistent, people!

I agree with Mia about Jason – he needs to open up his shoulders more. I noticed that in both of his numbers. And someone upthread mentioned his lack of height in his leaps. I noticed that too, as well as the unfinished turns and general lack of technique in the solo. Definitely the weakest soloist of the bunch. I did enjoy the hip-hop, but I always enjoy Shane!

I rather enjoyed Evan and Janette as a couple. I thought the jazz piece was fun and was pleasantly surprised that Evan didn’t faceplant in the rumba. Definitely not his best performance, but it was at least good. But I guess in addition to needing to grow and get some spray tan, he now needs cosmetic surgery.

I loved Ellen on the panel. Can she be permanent, please? It was nice to have some comic relief amongst all the insanity!!!!!

ETA: My mouse won’t click in the new post box at the bottom so I’m editing this. Weird. I’m sure it’s my mouse. But I really think that Jason is the weakest of the guys. He’s not great in partner dances and his solos are always…um…trying to be nice here…well they aren’t good, I’ll put it that way. I think he is worse than Kupono too, and actually than a couple of guys that went out even before that. I’ve thought he should go for a loooooong time and he just keeps sticking around despite very little technical ability and zero personality. I guess it’s because he looks good with no shirt. I think the same of Melissa, weaker than several who have already gone home.

KK, missed you tonight in chat.

I enjoyed Battlefield too. Thought it was fabulous.

I think Evan was fine tonight, but overall not good enough compared to the other guys. Same with Melissa. Sorry.

That said, I’m sure Evan will be safe and Jason or Ade will get the boot.

And yeah, I know it’s America’s favorite dancer and not the best, but both Melissa and Evan have disappointed me after their initial promise. So, neither are my favorite.

This is just my opinion. I am not saying any of what I said is fact just my take on what I saw. I could be wrong. I do hope I am not.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. :smile1_tb:

I tend to agree with the Office Pool Stats to the right and pj though (Melissa and Evan going). It doesn’t mean it will turn out to be correct either. I haven’t paid attention to how often it’s been right this season.

Glad to see Laurie anne Gibson on the show

Heartless was #95 on iTunes pop chart at 9:30 pm eastern. At 10:55, it was up to#76.

Well I’m in the complete minority, I see, but my favorite dance of the night was Brandon and Jeanine’s Battlefield. I thought it was entertaining, and looked effortless. The dancing was pretty good too.

And I am so there with you. Though the cancer piece did make me weep I must say. But Battlefield was HOT! I agree with others that it was out of sync at points and having that corrected would’ve made it even more powerful, but it didn’t take away from the dance either. Shows just how tough synchronizing dance moves can be when two top-notch dancers even didn’t quite pull it off perfectly. But either way, it was BY FAR, my favorite and the most entertaining. I believe it will keep them safe…it BETTER! I even dare to say that Jeanine didn’t just keep up with Brandon, she was fiercely hot on her own! The dance had a bit of a hip hop element to it and she really has pulled off hip hop moves quite well this season I must say. The girl has it ALL!

Is it just me, or did Jason in that last number look just like Obama?

i just wanted to say that i thought Tyce’s contemporary routine that Melissa and Ade did about breast cancer was beautiful! I am a breast cancer survivor of 7 yrs now and that piece just took me back. To me and in my experience Ade was like God, the only one i truly let all my emotions known to and the one i didnt have to be strong in front of. Someone had mentioned something about it exploiting those who been touched by this disease and I strongly disagree. I cried like a baby during it, it was so moving and it made me remember what i been thru and where i am at now and how i shouldnt “sweat the small stuff” and in this world that is so easily forgotton. Tyce, Melissa, and Ade did a marvelous job at capturing the heart of this matter!

On a side note for all the woman on this site please, please, please check yourselves, have doc exams and mamagrams!! I had just turned 30 when i was diagnosed, i found the tumor myself and was already stage 2. BREAST CANCER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AGE!And early detection is the only cure.

Take Care my friends and God Bless

I loved Evan’s solo — he has a completely different style from anyone else, and it happens to be a style I love. He is very light and soft, and he danced to “Old Devil Moon,” which is a song I love.

I do agree about Jason’s upper body (at least in his solo — it didn’t seem to be a problem in his hip hop or Broadway, both of which I liked a lot) but I like his lightness when he dances, too. It’s the opposite of Ade’s heaviness, which kinda bugs.

But then, I’m a Fred Astaire girl from the get-go, so that kind of effortlessly smooth is what I’m going to like.

Best to worst solos:
Evan
Jeanine
Janette
Brandon
Jason
Kayla
Ade
Melissa

Best to worst partner dances:
Brandon/Jeanine jazz
Jason/Kayla zombies
Evan/Janette rumba
Jason/Kayla Broadway
Evan/Janette jazz
Ade/Melissa cancer
Brandon/Jeanine waltz
Ade/Melissa cha cha cha

On my scoring, that puts Ade and Melissa last by a mile. Maybe I’ll get lucky and they really will go home. Right now, Dial Idol has Kayla and Ade last in raw numbers. Randi and Kupono were in last in raw votes last week, which gave me hope they would go, and they did.

Just watch Mellisa and Ade’s dance about breat cancer. Mia could not of said it better when describing the journey you go on when you know someone with cancer. They do try and make you feel better and it is hard seeing them suffer. I’m just so glad tyce did a dance to bring Breast Cancer into the spotlight even more.

Pinkribbonchic I cried through the whole thing too. I didn’t see any exploitation at all. I totally get what you said about Ade’s character being God. The absolute and total trust Melissa had with Ade just blew my mind. To take those leaps in the air trusting he will be there to catch her just tore at my heart.

Total. Emmy. Material.

God bless you too Pinkribbonchic.

Brandon and Jeanine’s Battle dance would be perfect as an opening to Midsummer Night’s Dream, when Theseus and Hippolyta kind of stage a battle to show us how they got together. A Theseus and Hippolyta dressed like that would be HAWT.

Just me? S’okay. I’m used to it.

Jeanette and Evan were rather meh for me, but if they want to get rid of Evan they’re going to have to somehow prevent him from doing a solo because I forget all his other dances after I see him in his own style.

Jeanine and Brandon’s Waltz was awkward. This was the first time that I really noticed how small Brandon is because Jeanine looked almost bigger than him during this dance. Their “Battlefield” dance was awesome though, and they had two of the best solos tonight.

Melissa and Ade’s first dance was really stiff. Their solos weren’t anything special either. However, “A Woman’s Work” was danced so beautifully by Melissa. My mother died of cancer, so I’m sure a lot of my reaction came just from the subject matter, but I also thought that Melissa was brilliant in every way during that dance. I’m not really connecting to Ade as much, but the dance really showcased Melissa more.

Kayla and Jason were the only couple that were awesome for both dances. I don’t usually like Tyce’s Broadway numbers, but I think that might be the best one I’ve seen from him. Their zombie dance was freaking awesome too. Kayla is really coming alive and she is such a beautiful dancer.

ETA: Did anyone think Ellen was mocking Toni Basil with her hilarious street comments?

If they want to get rid of Evan they’re going to have to somehow prevent him from doing a solo because I forget all his other dances after I see him in his own style.

THIS^

Darn it – I was hoping for a new Heartless version from Kris, but this was just the old iTunes version with a few edits.

Fun show, though! First time I’ve watched it …. thanks for the iTunes chart tip!

Evan’s solo’s are getting old. Yes, they are fun, but they are the same each week. Nice recovery of the dropped hat, though.

Maybe next week they will do a tap routine with a couple. That would be fun and I’d love it.

I think Melissa is an wonderful dancer, but I don’t think she has the versatility that the other girls do. I have to say the same with Evan. I think they might both beat others I prefer. I see Jeanine and Ade/Jason going home. Sigh.

Evan’s solo’s are getting old. Yes, they are fun, but they are the same each week. Nice recovery of the dropped hat, though.

Well this is your opinion and I respect it but do not agree. Actually you could argue this same point for all of the dancers. Especially Ade, Melissa, Jason. I thought Evan added moves in his routine tonight that he never did before and the flip with a twist landing on one leg thing was friggin awesome.

Well this is your opinion and I respect it but do not agree. Actually you could argue this same point for all of the dancers. Especially Ade, Melissa, Jason. I thought Evan added moves in his routine tonight that he never did before and the flip with a twist landing on one leg thing was friggin awesome.

I thought Jason’s Muddy Water’s solo last week was way different from what he did before. Mileage.

Vada
Jul 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Heartless was #95 on iTunes pop chart at 9:30 pm eastern. At 10:55, it was up to#76.

It’s up to #67 12:07 am eastern…30 place jump in 3 – 4 hours…I love that Kris has contemporary music out right night and not some cover from the 70′s! Yeah for Kris and his awesome song choices that put him in the position. Guess we will his his overall sales numbers jump a bit next week at this time.

Evan’s solo’s are getting old. Yes, they are fun, but they are the same each week.

He’s only done them for two weeks.

I actually didn’t think they were that similar, since the first one was goofier and this one was more romantic. So the first would be Donald O’Connor-ish and the second one more… Bobby Van in “Kiss Me Kate”? I don’t see Evan as a Gene Kelly type (or Jason, either) because he isn’t that muscular or athletic (in his dancing — not talking about his body). To me, he’s smoother and softer than that.

I never watch this show but I love Ellen. She is just sunshine.

Actually you could argue this same point for all of the dancers. Especially Ade, Melissa, Jason.

Because Jason’s Muddy Waters solo from last week was exactly the same as his solo this week? :ponder_tb:

KK, love ya, but I totally disagree that Jason has “very little” technical ability. I think he’s more than shown that he has plenty of technical ability over the course of the season. I mean, he’s no Brandon or Will or Danny, but he’s not talentless, either. I’d also argue that in the first five weeks, Caitlin was hindering him. As pretty much everyone has witnessed, he’s broken out out his shell a LOT in the past two weeks, when he’s had other (better) partners. I’d love to see him do a sexy latin dance with Janette and see if he can really nail it, but with the size of Evan’s fanbase, the swing votes Ade will get due to the cancer dance, and Brandon’s overall popularity, it’s likely he won’t get the chance. Even though, IMO, he and Kayla had the best night with their combined couple dances. Oh well.

His personality may not be outgoing like Janette or Jeanine or aw shucks like Evan, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one. I think he comes across as endearing and sweet, kinda serious, and that’s enough for me because I think he’s a beautiful dancer. Not the most technically proficient, no. But I’ve loved watching him dance even before he started taking his shirt off. His solo the first time he and Caitlin hit the bottom 3 has been one of the best of the season, IMO.

Janette can just do anything. She was better in the jazz tonight than some of the contemporary girls have been this season, in their own style. That girl just flat out rocks. Which is why I voted my little fingers off for her tonight. Girl is NOT going to fall through the cracks if I can help it.

As long as Janette and Jeanine are in the top 4, I really don’t care what guys are there, since Jason likely isn’t gonna make it. I’ll be voting for Janette anyway.

I never watch this show, I just wanted to see how they danced to Kris’ version of Heartless. I disagree with the post above — that sounded like a totally different version of the song than Kris has done before — it was very much more Latin in feel and the vocals weren’t nearly as rough or rocky. It was a little weird to hear it that way. And I don’t know if the song fit the rumba…I thought the two dancers performed ok, but not great…but I know nothing about ballroom dancing or SYTUCD.

I never watch this show, I just wanted to see how they danced to Kris’ version of Heartless. I disagree with the post above ‘” that sounded like a totally different version of the song than Kris has done before ‘” it was very much more Latin in feel and the vocals weren’t nearly as rough or rocky. It was a little weird to hear it that way. And I don’t know if the song fit the rumba’ ¦I thought the two dancers performed ok, but not great’ ¦but I know nothing about ballroom dancing or SYTUCD

girlygirl, I agree. Heartless sounds different to me. I wonder if they remixed it a bit? Also, I didn’t think if fit the rumba as well…but like girlygirl, I know know nothing about ballroom dancing.

Count me as one of those who feel like Evan and, to a lesser degree, Melissa, are less versatile as dancers. Evan has a couple of characters/moods/approaches and he does those well, but that’s it. I think it’s time for him to go, but I understand that alot of viewers really like him, so, who knows what will happen. The man absolutely belongs on Broadway.

Although Ade badly missed the cha on his cha-cha, I still find him to be at the top of my list. I absolutely loved the ‘Woman’s Work’ piece. Its sad to me that a deeply emotional piece is seen as manipulative by some. Cancer and dying are, unfortunately, a very real and painful part of many people’s lives. And I agree so much with Nigel that delving into that field with dance can be a deeply moving experience – conveying the nest of emotions going on for those who’s lives have been caught in that web – without words, and with so much truth. I was leaking like crazy all through that number. Evocative dance is good for the soul. Thank you for bringing it to us, So You Think You Can Dance!

Well I’m excited that Kris got a bump in his sales numbers!

Still dislike the studio and tour versions of it, however.

And yeah, I didn’t think the song really worked for the dance. Not enough sensuality, and a little bland. Of course that wasn’t helped by the dancing, which wasn’t great. Not horrible, just not great. The Rumba is such a difficult Latin dance to get right, and frankly my least favourite ballroom dance. It’s so slow and it’s traditionally the “woman’s dance,” so it’s really tough for the male lead to make those shapes, that are indicative of a Rumba, yet still be able to lead, be masculine and hopefully, be able to convey some sensuality. So I think Evan did an okay job, better than I’ve read of his doing with ballroom thus far this season, but not a good enough job to really make a great Rumba routine. Janette (?) of course was better, but than this is her wheelhouse.

Eh, back to ignoring the show. Well except I might have to actually tune in to see the 100th episode and “best of,” night. Sounds like some of my fave routines will be on, so I’m pretty stoked about that.

Is it just me, or did Jason in that last number look just like Obama?

hee.hee. I can see it, but I’ve also thought Obama looked like The Gentlemen from Buffy when he smiles a certain way.

Melissa is my favorite, but she needs to work on her solos. I liked the first one, but the last two haven’t had much to them. They need to cut some judge chatter and make the solos 90 seconds.

I disagree with the post above ‘” that sounded like a totally different version of the song than Kris has done before ‘” it was very much more Latin in feel and the vocals weren’t nearly as rough or rocky.

I agree girlygirl, I watched the show and thought immediately this version is much smoother than the AI studio version. I liked it! A lot! However, I thought the dance should have been different. Janette is one of my fav girls and I love Evan, though I see his limitations.

I’ve been watching for several weeks now, but not voting. Honestly, I don’t know who should go home tomorrow. I almost hate to see any of them go.

I love Ellen!! They need to bring her back again!

I still can’t believe this show is getting beaten out in the ratings by AGT. This has to be one of the classiest reality shows on TV, (not that I watch that many.) But still….

This is the first full performance ep I’ve been able to watch this season, so I’m happily putting my two cents in …

The cancer piece got me a little when I watched it. Melissa and Ade conveyed the emotion of the piece so well, and the trust between was brilliant, but mostly I cried ’cause everyone else cried. It’s touching to see other people being touched by something you can only imagine (speaking as someone fortunate enough not to have someone close to me affected by such).

Other cents:

- I thought Ellen was hillarious even if I didn’t know why she was there.
- Janette is so sexy!
- Melissa’s solo wasn’t as good as I thought she should be.
- Jeanine and Ade’s solos were amazing
- The “Battlefield” dance wasn’t always in sync, but it was intense!
- I LOVED the group number.

My problem with the cancer dance, and Mia’s dead daddy dance in season 3, and Jean-Marc’s (original) barefoot Viennese Waltz that was dedicated to his daughter (who couldn’t hear?) last season is simply that by giving such an emotional piece to one couple, it ends up giving an unfair advantage to that couple. If they’re going to be judged (or not, which is always the case with these dances) and then the public is going to vote on them, I don’t think one couple should be singled out as the couple designated to be on the receiving end of such an emotionally charged routine.

Melissa, for example, had a HORRIBLE night except for that piece and should go home, but probably won’t because she “happened” to “draw” the contemporary based on breast cancer that most likely saved her.

Whereas, Kayla (who, up to this point, I have disliked as much as Melissa due to the OTT pimping they both have gotten this season) had a better and more consistent night overall, but could very possibly go home because she “happened” to “draw” a hip hop based on zombies instead of the contemporary based on breast cancer.

See the difference? And just to be clear, I’m not saying that this show is fair, ever. But I just don’t like what I see as one of the many ways they manipulate their audience, and I’m not going to surpress those feelings just because the dance was emotionally charged.

Pinkribbonchic,thank you so much for sharing your feelings. I also thought the Breast Cancer dance was heart wrenching. To capture so much in so little time shows geniune talent. This will be the dance of the season that I will remember.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jason is the weakest male dancer; however, it is not so clearly defined with the ladies. Melissa did have the weakest solo. If she goes on, there needs to be more dimension and challenge to her danicng. Ade makes her look better because he is such a strong dancer. I don’t want him to go home.

Girls side:

1. Kayla. I’m not a Kayla fan, but she was great in her Tyce, and probably did the best female hip hop so far this season. But, can she overcome prior voter malaise?

2. Jeanette. Jeanette continued her unbroken solid streak, to which she added a surprisingly strong solo. Judges might be getting a little OTT with her, but I’d be surprised to see her go.

3. Jeanine. She’s really broken out in the past two weeks, and nailed the hard-hitting Battlefield routine. But, did viewers care about the waltz?

4. Melissa. Despite the truly moving Tyce piece, she’s just not innovating at the level of the other three woman at this point. Pairing back to Ade wasn’t a good thing – she needed a week with Brandon.

(That said, wouldn’t be surprised if Kayla bites it).

Boys Side:

1. Brandon. Despite a meh waltz, he was awesome in Battlefield, and delivered a stunning solo. I’d be shocked to see him leave.

2. Jason. Suddenly has confidence! I was shocked by him tonight – aside from a repetitive solo, he was awesome. Clearly it was just a chemistry issue with Caitlin. If he can somehow knock off Evan he could be bound for the finals.

3. Ade. Still a powerhouse, and came off impressively in the Tyce routine with lots of independent movement. However, he got dinged on his first dance, his solo was a bit muddled, and he’s spent two weeks at the bottom.

4. Evan. Totally outmatched – he hasn’t made much of a mark outside of his niche and in contemp (he handled the Sonja well). Might not have been the week to do him in.

(I think Ade may be toast.)

Perhaps I just have a dead heart, but I was not moved by that breast cancer routine. I did love the Shane Sparks’ zombie dance.

Girlygirl, etc: Yes, it’s the itunes version of Heartless, but edited/mixed up a bit with the ending first, etc. Trust me, I’ve listened to the itunes version 348,693 times and this is the same vocal – you can go to itunes and listen to 30 seconds of it :-)

Was hoping it would be a new recording, though. Still hoping MJ’s tidbit about him recording yet another version for radio is true. I’d like him to do his rockier tour version for radio ….

BTW, every time I see your name in a post, I smile. My 14-year old cat’s name is Girlie ….

This week was fun to watch. Ellen was a strange choice for a judge but she was hilarious. Would like to see her again. She is my choice over Toni “street” Basil anyday.

I find myself appreciating Evan more every week. His solos are incredible and even when not in his style, his toes and movements are precise. I would love to see a tap routine. We had a pas de deux just for melissa….why not tap for Evan? I think he has loads more personality than anyone else and is so likeable and is incredibly talented. Hats off to him.

Ade is incredible in his solos and does a nice forklift too. I think he was awesome in the group number.

Brandon is very precise and an incredible tumbler but there is something there that bothers me with him. Can’t quite put my finger on it. He should grow a fro to make his head look bigger.

Jason had a good night but his solos are really, really week. He doesn’t seem to put 100% into them. He doesn’t have the extension or precision of the other guys. I find him the weakest of the guys and wouldn’t be surprised if this is it for him. Actually, it should have been the end for him a few weeks ago.

Janette is one little firecracker and has handled every single thing that has come her way. She is definitely my fav of the girls. She is very strong and versatile.

Kayla leaves me a bit cold. Her extension is awesome and her lines are exquisite but her personality is a bit wonky. But as a dancer, she is great.

Melissa has beautiful lines and fluid movement.

Jeanine just isn’t my cup of tea for some reason. Her movements appear the most labored and heavy to me . Just my opinion. She is the least impressive of the girls to me.

I thought the opening number was very entertaining. Good show!

Over the top praise again for Kayla I think that will hurt her.

I did find Mia’s comment about Kayla heading to Broadway and that she will win Tony awards to be over the top. To make such a comment at this point in the competition is manipulative. I also bet Mia knows that Kayla CAN sing and act.

The opening number was great. Travis must be proud of the performance.

I really feel this has been the worst season of this show. Everyone on here seemed to love the battle field dance. I thought it was awful. I watched it three times because I couldn’t understand the raves. To me, the two do not look like they are dancing together. Brandon is dancing her off the show in this piece. For most of the piece, there isn’t any partnering. I don’t get it . . .

Not every dance is going to be 100% in sync.
That’s not the point of dance.
But what’s important is are the emotions there? Is the heart there? Is there power there. Are the dancers 100% committed. You will always be able to find SOMETHING wrong with any piece of work. But that is why art is subjective. Laurie Ann’s piece injected life back into the night and it ushered in the last two great performance Shane’s piece and Tyce’s piece.

And everyone saying this season isn’t as strong as others that’s unfair to the show. We are all still commenting about it. We may be expecting to much of the dancers I dunno. But I have been impressed this season. Janette, Jeanine, Melissa, Kayla, Brandon, Ade, Jason, and even Phillip have all brought unique dynamics.

Heartless is up to 55 on the pop iTunes charts now!

It’s always interesting to come read the differing opinions on shows like SYTYCD and AI, because it will always, always show you that people can have vastly different responses and perceptions of the same performance.

I loved the dance to “This Woman’s Work,” also being referred to as “the cancer dance.” It touched me on several levels. I, like many, have been touched by cancer, losing several loved ones, and, thankfully, having several who have fought and (so far) won their battles with it. I did think that Ade danced that number with passion and trust, and it was beautiful to watch. I’m also a sucker for that song, and have been since I first heard Kate Bush’s version in the movie “She’s Having a Baby.”

That being said, I do believe that of the remaining women, Melissa may be the least versatile, and I wouldn’t mind seeing her leave on the high note of that dance.

I thought the “Battlefield” dance was fantastic and could barely take my eyes of Brandon. My husband had the same reaction… to Jeanine, of course.

Jason seems to be improving at a good time, so it will be interesting to see what he does next week if he gets to stay. I think Evan is charming, and even sexy in his way, but he does seem to lack versatility. I never feel any intensity or hunger in his dancing. I do enjoy the ones where he gets to be cheeky and have fun, as those suit him quite well.

Lastly, I think Janette is a force to be reckoned with. I absolutely loved that she chose to use her solo to show some of what she’s learned instead of what we already knew she could do.

But I guess in addition to needing to grow and get some spray tan, he now needs cosmetic surgery.

KrazeeK – you kill me! Evan is still my fav guy, but I’d be happy if either Jeanine or Jeanette won too.

Not getting the Jason love. Def too little too late to win me over. And he was no where near hard hitting enough in the Shane Sparks number. Blah. So I say he goes home along with Kayla (hopefully over Melissa just cuz I like M better).

Have to admit I liked it when Ellen quit going for the joke and instead expressed her feelings. Was it just me or did she look super nervous at first?

It’s not the best dancer, right? It’s America’s favorite dancer. Which is why I sometimes hate the judges for crucifying people they don’t like or think inferior to the other dancers. If you really want it to be about technical expertise and emotional resonance or whatever, stop the call-in votes and make it like Step It Up and Dance where the judges themselves make the call on who stays or goes.

Okay, I dont even watch this show, was just checking for Adam headlines and saw Ellens name.

I know why she was selected to judge.

Apparently no one else remembers this but:

Ellen was quite the dancer herself when she was younger, on one of the last episodes of her show, Ellen, she did a ballet number in a pink tutu and on point. She was quite good, while I doubt she would have ever been cast as a lead in Swan Lake etc…, she might of made the chorus. I remember being quite shocked when she danced on her show because I didn’t know until that moment that she danced at all. But it has stuck with me all these years.

Anyhow, that is why Ellen was selected to judge, plus comedian and hugely popular, what more can you ask for!!!

Okay, I went and found the video on Youtube, I dont know how to post links but if you search for: Ellen season 2 episode 16 p.2, you will find the video.

Anyhow, it was a little different than I remembered, the video is about 10 minutes long, and centers around her character learning to dance and her recital, of course which is really bad.

But the last minute of the vid is of her in a studio by herself in tshirt and tights dancing for about 30-40 seconds partly on point. She was pretty good. It comes after the end credits start.
Anyhow, just thought I would share.

Perhaps I just have a dead heart, but I was not moved by that breast cancer routine.

I didn’t get it either. I watched it twice to see what all the fuss was about and was even less impressed the second time- and I love Ade.

I didn’t get it either. I watched it twice to see what all the fuss was about and was even less impressed the second time- and I love Ade.

I had the same response. I did like that lift/jump where Melissa flew up in the air like a rocket. But other than that, it was just okay for me, dawg. Those “dance backstories” are really annoying.

But then I don’t think that Kayla would be the toast of Broadway either. I do like a lot of her dancing, but she still projects absolutely nothing to me about three-quarters of the time. That seems pretty much the opposite of Broadway, to me.

You guys do realize that this piece wouldn’t have worked with any other pair. Melissa and her maturity and wisdom was only fueled by Ade and his strength and childlike hope due to his own age. Mia was right, this was a piece not only for those who have experienced that battle first hand, but for those who are there for them every step of the way. Having been both of those people (at a very young age as I just only turned 25), I found the piece to be an excellent telling of my own personal story. Much like I felt like Travis’ piece last week illustrated the on going struggle I have had with a close male friend, or Mia’s piece last year, Time, which was her saying goodbye to her father helped me to finally say goodbye to those I had lost….the piece last night was danced beautifully, it made a statement, and yes it most likely put those two in the top 6…where they belong

My favorite dances tonight were Laurieanne Gibson’s pop jazz routine for Jeanine and Brandon (Fierce!) and Shane Sparks freaky hip hop for Kayla and Jason. Tyce’s contemporary for Melissa and Ade? The one with the ‘important message’  that I’m being told I’ll remember forever and ever? A distant third’ ¦

I’m with you MJ.

Contrary to what Nigel said I think Jeanine and Brandon, and even Kayla and Jason, could have done a super job with the cancer piece.

But then I don’t think that Kayla would be the toast of Broadway either.

:rolleyes_wp: – Enough with the Kayla pimping. If she’s not connecting with the audience in her dancing I can’t imagine her being able to act. Don’t you need to be able to do that to make it on Broadway?

Damn it! Kayla, what’s really you’re dance style? I’m sooo confused! She’s doing every style of dance her own. Pure PURE Broadway on with the Tyce routine without any bits of contemporary on her moves (well, except for the lines. Haha!) and Damn pure Hip-Hop with Shane’s. I agree with Mia that she really is the epitome of a girly girl who can dance her butt off real WELL!

edit: READ MY GUIDELINES. Do NOT fingerwag or LECTURE posters!

Her SOLO was FANTASTIC! I don’t hate any of the dancers here. I love them all and they deserve to be on the finale.

Good luck KAYLA! VOTE!!!! ;)

For all you SYTYCD fans: this review of last nights show appears on the AOL home page. Its a great read.

http://television.aol.com/insidetv/2009/07/22/behind-the-scenes-so-you-think-you-can-dance-99th-episode/?icid=main|htmlws-main|dl3|link3|

Heartless is up to #52 this morning thanks to SYTYCD using it in a routine. It started the night at #95 on the pop charts…Yay Kris for rockin’ the charts!!

On Evan — I just feel that he doesn’t give in enough to each new style of dance. He doesn’t get taken over by it so that his body and face embody a different way of being. On a show like this, I think that’s what’s called for. And I think the result is that, while he’s wonderful at a small spectrum of things, he just doesn’t convince me at all in a whole lot of other things he’s done. In that, I’d contrast him with Brandon. Like Evan, he’s a smiley, sweet kid. But when they’ve given him a hard-hitting or gritty, down-and-dirty dance, for example, I think that most of the time he’s been swept up into it much more than Evan and has embodied many more of the dances he’s done, in both his face and his body. That makes him the superior competitor of the two, to me.

Here’s why I don’t like the “backstory” dances: Because the backstory gives some in the audience very very very strong reasons for loving (or maybe hating!) the dance that have absolutely nothing to do with the actual dancing or even the choreography. And because it’s virtually impossible for most of us to separate out those positive (or negative) feelings and judgments from our other responses to the dance. And because that gives the dancers of that dance a *huge* advantage (or, maybe sometimes, a disadvantage) compared to the other dancers on the show. And since it’s a contest, nobody should be get that huge of an advantage.

It’s the same reason I hate the pimping backstories. Only more so.

I wouldn’t have any problem with it if every single dance got a moving backstory. But only once in a blue moon is such a backstory trotted out, and that simply makes the competition unfair, in my opinion.

Here’s why I don’t like the ‘backstory’  dances: Because the backstory gives some in the audience very very very strong reasons for loving (or maybe hating!) the dance that have absolutely nothing to do with the actual dancing or even the choreography. … and that simply makes the competition unfair, in my opinion.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s good art and great TV, but at the expense of sport and a fair competition. This number sucked votes away from the other dancers last night. Expect a surprise bottom two tonight. (Brandon fans, I bet you thought your guy was safe last night? Think again!)

I still don’t have a favorite this year although I think there are some fabulous dancers. For me, this is a good thing because i can just enjoy the dances for entertainment without worrying whether or not my favorite will do well, and I’m not tempted to call. I do agree with Nigel that the routines definitely picked up in the second half. I loved and was excited by both the pop/jazz piece by Laurieanne Gibson and the hip hop piece by Shane Sparks and was moved by the Tyce DiOrio dance.

Anyway, the pocket rumba worked just fine for me.

This comment literally made me laugh out loud because the pocket rumba was danced to a song by Pocket Idol.

well, it better not be the fabulous Jeanine, or I’m gonna cut somebody

Agreed wholeheartedly! I do like Kayla too, but Jeanine just outshines her IMO. I too would’ve picked Melissa to leave this week, but that ain’t gonna happen. Janette could suffer from the Daughtry syndrome, everyone assumes she is safe, but I doubt it. So that leaves Kayla and Jeanine.

Jeanine and Brandon – Pop Jazz by Laurieanne Gibson

THIS piece was THE most powerful thing I think I’ve ever witnessed on television.

I’m practically speechless…I’ve watched it countless times….can’t decide who to watch….Brandon or Jeanine, so I watch it again and keep my eye on the other one, and then I have to watch it again and again and again

It’s breathtaking….literally, I find myself glued to the screen, unable to breathe till it’s all over

how these two DID this, I have no idea….

only started watching these recaps this year….never been interested in the program until THIS dance…I’ll be back next year because of this performance

there is no way I could choose between these two dancers if all I had to choose by was THIS dance.

simply simply ……………..POWER !!!!!!!!!!

LOL Yes! I think Jeanine should take it all! Here’s my top four:

Jeanine (whom I really hope will win; I guess I need to start voting, tho my fingers still hurt for voting for Kradam)
Janette
Brandon or Jason or Ade (yep, very decisive)

I want Kayla to go home, stat, and then Melissa. I never liked Kayla–I never connected to her, and I have always seen her as a tad arrogant (IMO)–and she just isn’t bringing it like Jeanine or Janette. Melissa is safe b/c of the Tyce BC (breast cancer) dancer. I am not making fun of cancer in anyway whatsoever–my mom survived it, THANK GOD–but I just wasn’t as touched by the dance as others (and the scarf bothered me, as in LOOK, MELISSA THE FEMALE CHARACTER HAS CANCER). I think I cried b/c everyone else cried! (And I’m a big Tyce fan, BTW.) And had I *not* known what the dance what was about, I would have gone, well, that was interesting, and that would have been it. It was better than Mia’s DDD (the one about her father dying) and Jean Marc’s dance about his son last year, which *really* didn’t work for me at all. Stop hitting us over the head with a message, please. And the only reason I cried was because Mia and Tyce cried, and I really like Mia and Tyce. Mia was especially on point last night, no pun intended.

I luuurvvvve Evan, but I think his time has come and gone. He is more limited than the other three guys, and alas I think he is out this week. I did not like pocket rumba, and I loved hearing Kris’s Heartless (tho I really prefer the acoustic version to the studio one). Next up: Mad World for a Tyce Broadway piece? ;-)

So I think Kayla or Melissa (NOT Janette or Jeanine, PLEASE!) will go home for the girls, and Evan or…um…??? Geez, I do not know, but Ade’s solos kill, Jason has real momentum, and Brandon is very popular. (I think I would send Evan or Ade home, b/c I think that Jason is safe, and Brandon is, too.)

Oh, and I agree: the pop/jazz piece and the hip hop piece were the best dances of the night. I also like Sonya’s Evan and Janette’s Broadway, tho I could REALLY see Mark (S4) in that role. Why aren’t Mark and Chelsie (Marksie) performing Bleeding Love tonight? Favorite dance last year.

ETA: I love Travis. I wish he could choreo every week. And the fact that he will perform the Bench Dance, my favorite all-time dance on SYTYCD EVER, with Heidi (I hope), just makes me sooo happy.

This year is not doing it for me. Not like S4 and not even close to S2 and S3. I didn’t watch S1, tho I’ve seen clips of it on YouTube.

YMMV.

I admit I only watched this episode to hear them dance to Kris Allen. :D Buuut

Yeah…this being like the second time ever I’ve really sat down and watched this show, I have to say I’m in love with the “Battlefield” dance…it was so great…particularly the part where Jeanine was like holding onto a wounded and staggering Brandon. Omg…LOVED it.

Can’t say I really got the breast cancer dance as much as they said I should have. I can see where it would deeply affect some people…but maybe I just don’t appreciate dance enough to flove this as much as I should?

Ellen is amazing. She knows she has no idea what she’s talking about, and she does what she does best, be humorous but supportive. When you have a panel of three very knowledgeable judges, I think there’s room for a fourth, more light-hearted judge. I mean hell, she makes more sense than half of the Idol judging panel sometimes, haha.

Also…Jason is a very attractive zombie.

Brandon and Jeanine had the best solos and the best pair routine. They are safe. Jeanine’s body is extremely powerful.
Ade and Melissa had an emotional piece danced well and the two poorest solos. Melissa and Ade may be gone.
Jason and Kayla had two nice pair dances. OK solos. I suspect they stay although I do think Jason should have been gone ages ago.
Evan and Jeanette had two nice pair dances. Evan a great solo. Jeanette a poor solo. I don’t know if Evan can stand the bashing he has been getting . He may be gone.

There are no weak links in this bunch. I’m growing tired of the choreography competition – let’s let the dancers shine! Enough already with the backstories!!!!

But anyway…. for a year in which the women are supposedly the strongest ever, I find it hard to select the weakest man. In terms of last night’s dances, I would go with Ade. I love his dancing, especially those solos (AWESOME!), but overall last night – he was IMO the weakest of the four. But I doubt he’s going anywhere after the breast cancer tribute. So it will come down to Evan and Jason in the bottom two.

I’m an Evan fan. As I’m voting for my favorite, he has my vote!

When he’s dancing in his own style, Evan’s simply fabulous – for me. His solos are my favorites, without doubt. I realize that he has his limitations but I do think Evan’s done well with alternate styles. The “pocket rumba” was very good, and while I’m not a fan of the artsy contemporary dances, he and Janette did it well!!

Speaking of Jeanette… of the ladies, she’s one of my favorites. I really think she’s the strongest of them all. She’s a salsa (not a latin ballroom) dancer, yet, she’s done every single dance style well.

Jeanine is the same. She’s danced everything, and I absolutely love her. While I loved Janette from moment 1, Jeanine has steadily grown on this show.

Not a Kayla fan but her broadway last night was cute. Melissa was the weakest overall last night, for me, but will not go home.

So here are my opinions:

Should go home: Ade and Melissa
Will go home: Jason and Kayla

The bus clearly backed up over Evan last night, but I think his fan base may be stronger than Jason’s. But Evan will certainly be in the bottom two, at a minimum.

Kayla was much better than Melissa last night, but I think the emotional breast cancer backstory – and the judges OTT reactions – will put her into the top 6.

Jeanine just isn’t my cup of tea for some reason. Her movements appear the most labored and heavy to me . Just my opinion. She is the least impressive of the girls to me.

I see it the exact opposite. To me, she is the one who seems the least desperate in her solos. I see her movements as very intentional but fluid. She’s the only contemporary dancer who hasn’t resorted maniacal arm flailing and last ditch effort turns and leaps just thrown into her solos. She seems to be the most polished of them all.

For me, Brandon and Jeanine were the “IT” couple tonight. I LOVED their pop jazz routine, and I think they had the best solos.

Ellen is amazing. She knows she has no idea what she’s talking about, and she does what she does best, be humorous but supportive. When you have a panel of three very knowledgeable judges, I think there’s room for a fourth, more light-hearted judge. I mean hell, she makes more sense than half of the Idol judging panel sometimes, haha.

I agree! Plus, she’s a big star and it benefits the show to have a big star like Ellen on. I bet a lot of people watched for the first time just to see her. I don’t think Ellen deserves any mocking or criticism from anyone for her guest spot. She’s great!

I have no idea who could be going home. I like Kayla, I thought her solo was fab, she always does fab solos, I liked her in both routines. She connects to me. I can see her on Broadway.

I had to agree with Nigel on the cha cha – I’ve seen enough cha chas to know when it is great and that was not great, good but not great at a stage where anything less than great is not good enough. At least Melissa tried something different with her solo, great music and one of her better solos.

I almost felt uncomfortable with the OTT reaction to the “breast cancer” number. [It's almost as if provide the right backstory and no one can criticize your choreography].

Loved the pop jazz and the hip hop numbers the best.

Why can’t Ade shine in his routines?

I thought he shined in the hip hop piece last wk…he was pretty good as the Funk Doctor (gotta love the pick!). however, all of his other dances have been with Melissa and he gets cast as the background dancer to her (IMO).

Based on the spoilers, my cynical heart wanted to hate on Tyce’s Breast Cancer piece…but damn, somewhere in the middle of Melissa jumping on Ade’s back (!) and Mia talking about her father, i just lost it. i had to bury my aunt /godmother last summer of ovarian cancer and it brought back a lot of emotion. damn you SYTYCD, i ended up tossing some votes to both M and A.

( i will say that Melissa and Ade DO have great chemistry)

For the 1st time this season, i have no idea who is going home……..maybe Kayla/Melissa and Brandon (shocker elimination?)…..from the screams in the audience, i would think Jason is safe and maybe headed to the top 4.

This comment literally made me laugh out loud because the pocket rumba was danced to a song by Pocket Idol.

Yeah, I did that on purpose. With the Pocket Idol song and two pocket-sized dancers, it seemed like a natural. :-)

I just rewatched some DWTS rumbas, because they always choose weird music for them. Maks and Mel (my favorite ever DWTS couple) did a sexy rumba to Alicia Key’s “A Woman’s Worth,” Maks and Karina did a pro rumba to “Bleeding Love,” Apolo and Julianne did a rumba where he spent half the dance in a chair to Gwen Stefani’s “Cool,” three pairs of pros did the rumba to Terence Trent D’Arby’s “Sign Your Name,” Lance and Lacey did a rumba to John Mayer’s “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” and Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas did the rumba to John Mayer’s “Say What You Need to Say,” which is TOTALLY weird.

I am with you on every single thing you said MJ – Jason though might squeak thru, he seems to be the “hott” guy this year, the girls always scream for him. Brandon though, just blows me f ing away week after week, I LOVE him

“”"Jeanine and Brandon – Pop Jazz by Laurieanne Gibson

THIS piece was THE most powerful thing I think I’ve ever witnessed on television.

I’m practically speechless’ ¦I’ve watched it countless times’ ¦.can’t decide who to watch’ ¦.Brandon or Jeanine, so I watch it again and keep my eye on the other one, and then I have to watch it again and again and again

It’s breathtaking’ ¦.literally, I find myself glued to the screen, unable to breathe till it’s all over”"”

This ^^^^ Kansasgirl – I just had to copy this over and because THIS is how I felt about both Brandon and Jeanine last night – you took the words right out of my mouth, I think that this was just as emotional as the breast cancer dance, if not more, it also had me in tears by the sheer brilliance of the piece!

I loved Melissa and Ade’s piece. It’s not like they do an emotional piece that like every episode. It was a unique moment and adds a seriousness and an importance to the show that I have never seen before. Think of all the people that it touched, that have gone through breast cancer, or any type of cancer. It was for those people. Dance is meant to move you in some way. I loved the message and I think that if the dancers sucked it would have been different. But, they are both very strong and they connected with the piece beautifully. Kudos to SYTYCD, Tyce and Melissa/Ade.

Lucy and TopCatDC – ITA with you both regarding the emotional backstories. I partially blame NapTab for the super emphasis on stories behind a routine, since they choreograph to lyrics first, but every choreographer has been guilty of it at one time or another.

I also agree that Brandon could be in trouble tonight. How many of his fans thought he was safe and voted to save Ade instead? And I think Kayla will be the girl to go, despite IMO having two solidly great routines and a good (improving) solo. Which is sad because even as critical as I’ve been of her, I thought she earned the praise last night for the most part (Mia was OTT), and I think she’s more versatile than Melissa.

I’m still just shocked that Tyce managed to choreograph two good routines in the same show. I thought that was one of his better broadways, and putting aside my opinion of the emotional backstory, the choreography of the cancer dance was good too. There were a couple of really cool lifts.

Laurieanne Gibson is amazing…..she was the only good thing about that stupid Diddy show on MTV. i love how raw her performances are …..very passionate.

i do believe as some of the posters have pointed out, that ade, brandon and maybe jason are splitting votes….which should make for a very interesting results show this evening.

and im tired of the panel not giving Jeanine proper credit…wtf was up with them telling her she was able to keep up w. brandon last nite????Ummm, what? i like brandon, he’s a fantastic dancer but in no way shape or form is he in a different league than Jeanine…..technically speaking they are on the same playing field.

o.k last week Ade wore his clothes, this week Evan wore his glasses……what I want to know is who will be wearing Twitch’s grill next week?

I can’t pick who will go home this week, I think it should be Ade and Melissa but it’s probably going to be Kayla and Jason which pisses me off because they are 2 of my favorites.
The show last night was a disappointment to me, first off Ellen on the judges panel was just for filler imo, she’s a great comedian and her talk show rocks but she almost seemed embarrassed to be there at times, she would be a great addition to the Idol panel she could replace Paula or Randy but last night was just a waste of time for me……….sorry Ellen fans *shrug*

The breast cancer dance was beautiful but I don’t think routines like that belong in the competition, they could have done it as a highlight in tonight’s 100th episode, it would still have had the same impact and touched just as many people but that dance was all about the choreography. Melissa and Ade already had an advantage having danced together before but that routine gave them another HUGE advantage…….not fair imho. I almost wonder if they were paired together specifically to dance that routine, the more I think about it the more I think so.

This show is one of my favorites on tv but it seems like it’s becoming more and more like So You Think You Can Choreograph (and win an Emmy) lol, I think it’s nice how Nigel gives kudo’s to to the choreographers but a lot of the time now it seems more about that than the dancers, maybe it’s just me but they are the ones working so hard to pull off the great routines and half the time they are judged on that, the music and the outfits which i’m guessing they don’t have much if any control over.

Oh well, my favorite couples last night were, Brandon and Jeanine and Kayla and Jason. My favorite solo’s were Brandon and Jeanine’s.

My fave routine was “Battlefield” Jeanine and Brandon were great. Loved the inclusion of Heartless, even though it was a slightly different version. I also liked “Heads will roll” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but the dancing not so much.

Ellen is amazing. She knows she has no idea what she’s talking about, and she does what she does best, be humorous but supportive. When you have a panel of three very knowledgeable judges, I think there’s room for a fourth, more light-hearted judge. I mean hell, she makes more sense than half of the Idol judging panel sometimes, haha

This! Ellen is just goodness and fun…love her!

For me this the choreographer can make or break a dancer in this competition. No more Hunter please, bring back the guy from Austrailia who can choreograph a crowd pleasing beautiful waltz. Tyce should stick to lyrical Jazz and ditch the cutsey hollywood stuff. Notice all dancers are in the bottom after one of those horrific cutsey routines. Thank you Nigel for exposing the masses to the unsung choreographers known to dancers but not the public e.g. Laurie Ann, Sonja. Folks I know you want to see the dancers but choreographers are the unsung of the unsung in the entertainment industries. Dancers are the unsung heroes of the biz. Remember rarely do the dancers ever get a credit in anything. BTW I think Keynan Ivory Wayans needs to get props for dancers. Look at what his fly girls have done…Laurie Ann gibson, Carrie Ann Inaba, Jennifer Lopez and their choreographer Rosie Perez!!!!

Now to the dancers. I love Brandon and Jeanine…solid throughout. Kayla and Jason were also great last night. I loved that finally they gave Kayla some hip hop. Finally something not so flowy, and she did well. When are they going to give Melissa hip hop??? Jeanette saved Evan. She sold every performance. I felt bad for Evan, It’s bad enough and all dancers know their shortcomings, but to have not national TV Mia say in the weird way, your not sexy, your not even cute but I love you anyways. I was really fealing for him. But still he is the weakest dancer of the men now. I also have a real problem with talent shows using tragedy to sway votes. Yes Tyce’s piece was beautiful, and touching but I felt it was a bit gratuitous. How could anyone criticize that.
I think Melissa is the weakest of the bunch and if she stays because of that piece and one of the others girls are gone I will be mad. The same said of Evan. Both excellent dancers but the others are a little better. When I see Evan I think of Nick of “Step it Up and Dance.” Now Nick is what Evan should aspire to. After this week I wouldn’t know who to cut, especially with the girls

I agree that it isn’t really fair to give certain dancers really emotional pieces w/backstories, but I thought the same thing last week with Jeanine and Jason’s dance. Evan and possibly Brandon aside, choreography seems to be deciding who gets sent home this year. There hasn’t been a week where I thought the choreography has been equal for each pair. Crash Test Dummies, Mia’s Addiction piece and Travis’s piece last week all gave those pairs an advantage. What do you do though? The show would be boring without them.

Okay when I rewatched the Tyce piece with Melissa and Ade after reading a comment on You Tube

As an oncology nurse, this dance so portrayed what my patients go through, the weakness, the frustration, the anger, the confusion and the need to be “carried”.

it got me too. It was more the emotion conveyed than the technical difficulty. And after all, a modern ballet or theatrical show that is going to touch you and be successful is going to be more than just technical difficulty though shows like this certainly up the knowledge of the average dance fan.

and im tired of the panel not giving Jeanine proper credit’ ¦wtf was up with them telling her she was able to keep up w. brandon last nite????Ummm, what? i like brandon, he’s a fantastic dancer but in no way shape or form is he in a different league than Jeanine’ ¦..technically speaking they are on the same playing field.

I am sorry to disagree, but I do think Jeanine just “kept up” with Brandon on that particular dance because of technique. Brandon used his dancer’s core (the abdominal muscles) and the spring in his calves to greater effect. Therefore, his movements were more compact, dynamic, and sharper. Jeanine did not have a stronger center and she relied too much on her arms to propel her movement; that’s why she was just slightly behind him in the movement and didn’t quite show the same energy and propulsion. I have to say that may be why the choreographer was rather tough on her during rehearsals , and the choreographer didn’t do the two dancers any favors by simply designing the dance to be two side by side solos with very little interaction to bounce off energy and flow between the duo. I wasn’t very impressed with the choreography as a couple dance. To me, it was a group dance reduced to a pair.

I feel so bad for Janette having to dance with Evan.
If she gets elimated because he can’t keep up, I will scream. She ‘s my favorite girl. I like Evan , he’s good at his type of dance, he just doesn’t seem to catch on to other styles too quickly. Evans solos are great though.

My prediction Evan and Janette go home tonight and it will be so unfair for Janette.

Massively overpraised: Kayla — Nigel’s got a thing for blondes evidently.

Super overpraised: Janette — judges are working hard to keep her and she seems to be getting an overabundance of ballroom dances. Please don’t let her dance hip hop again.

Woefully underpraised and being thrown under the bus: Evan (who is IMO the best dancer this season — not technically — but the one dancer who always connects with the emotion of the dance)

Mysteriously overpraised: Jeannine — that was the heaviest waltz in the history of waltzes.

I’m good with anyone BUT Jason and Evan going home.

i can’t stop watching the battlefield dance. at first when i saw it on tv i didn’t get the praise, but when i started rewatching online i was really really impressed! they really did reach a completely different level on it. they were IN IT. it really was great. it moved me much more than the BC dance.

melissa and evan should leave tonight.

The bus clearly backed up over Evan last night..

I don’t get the whole “Evan vs. Bus” thing.

Jazz Dance
Nigel: You stepped it up this week.
Mary: You were good until the end, then ran out of steam.
Mia: Much better this week, but face it, you will never be a twisted dark Sonya dancer.

Rumba Dance
Nigel: No passion; could be the drowsy eyes.
Ellen: I LOVE your unique face.
Mary: Good job and well connected to the music.
Mia: Loves the Evan “sexyface” and not every dancer has to be a sexpot, anyway.

If these people are driving a bus they are doing pretty pitiful job.

My picks to leave tonight would be Ade and Kayla or Jeanine.

Really wish they would have a season where none of the top 20 were contemporary dancers — truly bored with contemporary dancers.

This show is one of my favorites on tv but it seems like it’s becoming more and more like So You Think You Can Choreograph

I agree.

On the other hand, I would watch So You Think You Can Choreograph in a heartbeat, if they want to make that show. They could kind of do it like Project Runway. Maybe bring over Tim Gunn, lol. And all the great underemployed dancers from past seasons of SYTYCD and even DWtS could come on and embody the choreographers’ visions. I’d love that. (no Emmy bragging would be allowed, however…..Mia.)

Meanwhile, above, Jocelin wrote: Therefore, his movements were more compact, dynamic, and sharper.

And I love Brandon’s compact, dynamic movements. (the waltz was … argh… but whatever). I”m worried about him getting lost in the voting this week, though. If he were to go tonight, I’d be very depressed watching the rest of the show.

Jeanine and Brandon – Pop Jazz- Upon re-watching this piece, since so many people have referenced it as the best number, I think it was Brandon’s best dance for him individually but the piece was a couple piece and they were out of sync so many time that it took away from the power the piece could have been. I think that is what I had a problem with the first time But there was tons of emotion and Brandon for the first time for me did not over state it. He was power and grace at it’s best. Jeanine was not as powerful but danced it well. So Separately very good but as a couple piece it was distracting that they were out of sync. Now I know it is not everything but for this piece it was important.

The best synchronized piece of the night was Janette and Evan – Jazz I say this again after re-watching the dances. True Janette was technically better then Evan. Evan, even though gets trashed by people on here, to me is the best partner dancer. He is always there for his partner and always makes them look good. He does great lifts, support, and always insync with his partner. (can not say that about any of the other guys).

I don’t get the whole ‘Evan vs. Bus’  thing.

Well when a judge criticizes someone on the way they look (such as: Evan being too short, or his eyes are too droopy) then that to me is throwing a person under the bus because it is beyond their control. If he just said show more expression in you face that’s fine, why go after him for his facial feature. Unless he is trying whatever he can to get him voted off.( which also seemed to me to be even clearer when he tried to shut up Mary on her praises of Evan) Plus the over the top praise for the other dancers (MY TAKE)

My top 4 as of today and yes it has changed, is:

Evan-Yes I am a fan. Love the way he dances and he always make me interested. He has the best personality and of all the guys is the most unique. (the other 3 are all contemporary dancers. That will be prove to boring if Evan goes this week)
Brandon-Great technique. Have trouble with him sometimes for being too graceful or over dancing.
Janette-Has it all great dancer, great personality.
Kayla-She is new to my list I think her personality is showing and technically the best in the bunch. Prior I liked Jeanine but her dance with Brandon let me see her flaws. Like her but just think the other two girls are a tad better.

Mysteriously overpraised: Jeannine ‘” that was the heaviest waltz in the history of waltzes.

First of all, Jeanine was NOT at all praised for the Waltz, but for the Pop/Jazz routine as was Brandon and rightfully so. I did think it was odd that there was very little interaction between them, but it worked for that piece and apparently a lot of people agree by the praise it’s gotten from so many fans online and the in-studio audience’s enthusiasm for it.

BTW – I do think Janette is good, though for some reason, I am getting a little sick of her and would not miss her if she left. But is it just me or is she getting away with murder in her solos because literally, all she does is shake her hips with some tiny bit of variation every single time.

I’m way late here, but I thought I’d chime in.

I recorded the show last night and fast-forwarded through all of the rehearsal/backstory stuff and the judges’ comments when I watched each routine. As I watched Melissa and Ade’s piece, I totally got it and I was near tears at the end when it seemed that the woman dies. So, I backed up and listened to the backstory/rehearsal part to see if I was right. I thought it was beautiful and moving without the introduction. Maybe if I’d heard it first, my initial response would’ve been cynical, so I’m glad I watched the dance first. I do agree that the judges’ response, particularly Nigel’s shameless Emmy plug, was over the top.

Jeanine and Brandon – Pop Jazz- Upon re-watching this piece… I think it was Brandon’s best dance for him individually but the piece was a couple piece and they were out of sync so many time that it took away from the power the piece could have been… But there was tons of emotion and Brandon for the first time for me did not over state it.

I agree that the sync was very sloppy. But if you go back to the rehearsal package – that is what the choreographer was going for. She was pushing them harder and harder for throwing every bit of personal emotion they could find into those moves. When you do that, you are sacrificing synchronicity for emotional power, Robots and Rockettes are perfectly synched. Laurie wanted the opposite of that, which is what I think they delivered.

The dance by Melissa and Ade was beautiful although I would have liked the song choice to have been “Permanent” by David Cook. The song is very emotional.

The dance by Melissa and Ade was beautiful although I would have liked the song choice to have been ‘Permanent’  by David Cook. The song is very emotional.

Excellent song choice! I think Nico and Allie from last year’s Canadian version of the show did a contemporary piece to that song. It’s on youtube somewhere. It was amazing.

“”Woefully underpraised and being thrown under the bus: Evan (who is IMO the best dancer this season ‘” not technically ‘” but the one dancer who always connects with the emotion of the dance)”"

I dont get the thrown under the bus statements – I read spoilers last night and sent a text to my sister who is three hours ahead, I said beware – Nigel and them are said to be throwing him “under the stupid bus” _ hate that saying, have I mentioned that maybe 90 times before? Anyhow – after Evans dance, she wrote back – nope – Nigel was nice, ok so it must be next song, it was but only that he didnt like his eyes much but each and everyone after that praised and over praised Evan – so I didnt see any throwing of Evan under the pretend bus?

“”"When you do that, you are sacrificing synchronicity for emotional power, Robots and Rockettes are perfectly synched. Laurie wanted the opposite of that, which is what I think they delivered.”"”

Exactly^^^^ what Laurie needed these two to do was be in sync with their emotions, with their selves and throw everything they had into this performance – you watched one or the other – not caring that they behaved like performing robots completely one, like the other. They did exactly what she asked them to do and then some.

Jeanine did not have a stronger center and she relied too much on her arms to propel her movement; that’s why she was just slightly behind him in the movement and didn’t quite show the same energy and propulsion.

i’ll have to rewatch the clip (thankgod for MJ)..but i was probably distracted by her “perfromance” that i didnt pay as much attention to the technique as i should have…..also doesnt help that brandon doesnt connect w. me on an emotional level but she does…hence clouding my judgement

hmmm, having wrote all that…i wonder if she, jeanine might be the shocking boot tonite? instead of melissa or kayla?

what Laurie needed these two to do was be in sync with their emotions, with their selves and throw everything they had into this performance

I agree she wanted what you said but with synchronicity in dance too, otherwise it would have been choreographed differently. ( as I watch the tape for the 10 time in the rehearsal they are dancing in sync and the choreographer is not telling not too) Also it was a military piece which would make me believe that being in sync on all levels was required. But you are entitled to your interpretation as I am mine. I never heard the choreographer tell them to not dance in sync. Yes they had all the other elements but I feel that if it was in sync it would have been more powerful.

Two things.

Re: “the bus and Evan” Butte009 reminded me that the televised comments are edited from the live performance show. The spoilers at TWOP made it sound really, really bad for Evan. Fortunately, the televised comments appear to have been less harsh than what the spoilers revealed.

Re: The BCD – Someone, either here or on TWOP said it perfectly – this dance should be in exhibition, NOT competition. In exhibition, everyone can appreciate the backstory without cynicism and appreciate it as an expression of dance art.

mgk, I think there’s a difference in the Crash Test Dummies, Addiction, and Travis pieces though, as opposed to dances that are choreographed about an emotional, sensitive subject. Maybe those 3 particular pieces have kept the dancers safe because of the choreographer, but simply having Mia or Wade or hell, Shane or NapTab hasn’t ALWAYS guaranteed safety, even when the routines are good.

When you tie an emotional and sensitive subject to a dance, you’re basically saying that the dance defies criticism, IMO, because those who criticize it are deemed by some to be heartless. Not so with a run-of-the-mill Wade or Mia or whoever piece.

Giving dancers (who may or may not be in danger) routines from popular choreographers is definitely a form of manipulation that the show employs. But this kind of manipulation is a whole different beast IMO, because it’s hard to be objective in your praise and/or criticism of the dancers and the way they danced it, due to the subject matter. Not the dancing.

I’ve only got to watch this a couple of times this season but they all blow me away. I think they all are awesome. I’ll be watching the next episode for sure.

Melissa and Ade-I do think the cancer piece was a huge emotional manipulation. With that said it was great choreography and the dancers were great in it. But this was not their only dance of the night and one dance should not make a dancer. Melissa had the worst solo of the night. (and remember even though they dance in pairs in the end only one dancer gets crowned, so solo’s are important and honestly should be a bigger part of the show) And the cha cha number was the worst dance of the night in my opinion. Ade’s solo was manic and not cohesive and basically the same moves he always does. (but I will say Technically great) so I did not like it and he was even worst in the cha cha then Melissa. The “cancer dance” he was more of a prop for Melissa but he did great.

So that is the problem with the emotional back stories and subject matters. These two on the whole were the weakest of the night and yet the emotional strings that the back story of this dance tugged on propelled, I am sure ,many people to vote for them (especially Melissa) who otherwise would not even be given a second look.

I also disagree that only these two could have danced it. I am sure Kayla and Brandon would have done just a well if not better.

but simply having Mia or Wade……..hasn’t ALWAYS guaranteed safety, even when the routines are good.

Has anyone that has gotten praise ever been in the bottom with a Wade or Mia piece? I’ve only watched since last season, so I honestly don’t know.

When you tie an emotional and sensitive subject to a dance, you’re basically saying that the dance defies criticism, IMO, because those who criticize it are deemed by some to be heartless.

I don’t know. People who don’t feel comfortable criticizing the dance still won’t vote for it if they don’t like it. Thinking this way, Melissa and Ade might get more critical acclaim than you think they deserve, but not necessarily votes. I do think it helps get votes just because the subject touches so many people, but I’ve seen a lot of criticism on how manipulative the dance is too. So, it could also turn off a lot of people.

But this kind of manipulation is a whole different beast IMO, because it’s hard to be objective in your praise and/or criticism of the dancers and the way they danced it, due to the subject matter. Not the dancing.

I would have to see them dance it badly before I could say for sure. JMO, but I don’t think the judges would have a problem pointing out how powerful the choreography was, but that they failed to deliver. I don’t think the dance would have affected people in the same way if the dancing had been poor, which, IMO, means that it isn’t above criticism. You still have to have good dancers, and I thought they were.

n the other hand, I would watch So You Think You Can Choreograph in a heartbeat, if they want to make that show. They could kind of do it like Project Runway. Maybe bring over Tim Gunn, lol.

Here here – I am fascinated with what process choreographers use to come up with this stuff consistently. And Tim Gunn’s tag line would be perfect “Make it Work!.” bwah.

Nigel need another show idea?