So You Think You Can Dance Top 10 Couples – Recap

By On 06/11/2008 · 60 Comments · In Uncategorized

Tomorrow: Poppin’ Pete, The Pussycat Dolls and a group routine choreographed by Wade Robeson

Here are the routines the Top 20 will be performing. Video Later!

  • Rayven Armijo and Jamie Bayard – Hip Hop – Choregraphers: Napoleon and Tabitha – Song: “American Boy” by Estelle w/ Kayne West – Video
  • Susie Garcia and Marquis Cunningham – Smooth Waltz – Choreographer: Hunter Johnson – Song: “Dark Waltz” by Haley Westenra – Video
  • Kourtni Lind and Matt Dorame – Jazz – Choreographer: Mandy Moore – Song: “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell – Video
  • Chelsea Traille and Thayne Jasperson – Cha Cha – Choreographers: Tony Meredith and Melanie – Song: “Oye Como Va” by Celia Cruz – Video
  • Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura – Contemporary – Choreographer: Mia Michaels – Song: “Beautiful” by Me’Shell Ndegeocello – Video Video
  • Kherington Payne and Twitch – Broadway – Choreographer: Tyce Diorio – Song: “Too Darn Hot” from Kiss Me Kate – Video
  • Comfort Fedoke and Chris Jarosz – Jive – Choreographers: Tony Meredith and Melanie – Song: “Boom Boom” by Big Head Todd and the Monsters – Video
  • Katee Shean and Joshua Allen – Hip Hop – Choreographers: Napoleon and Tabitha – Song: “No Air” by Jordin Sparks /w Chris Brown – Video
  • Jessica King and William Wingfield – Tango – Choreographer: Hunter Johnson – Song: “Tango” from Cirque du Soleil – Video
  • Courtney Galiano and Gev Manoukian – Disco – Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez – Song: “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind and Fire – Video

Each of the Top 20 contestants dance their way on to the stage as Cat Deeley introduces them. Joining Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy on the judging panel is Hip Hop and Pop choreographer, Dan Karaty.The dancers are paired into couples. Each week they’ll pick their dance routines randomly from a hat. Tomorrow, the 3 couples with the lowest votes will have to dance solos before the judges choose which girl and guy go home. After a montage of clips featuring the contestants, the competition begins.

I have to say I think Cat Deeley is a terrific host and that Mary Murphy is not bugging me like I thought she would. Nigel Lythgoe can be sort of an asshat, but overall he knows what he’s talking about and offers plenty of constructive criticism. I like that the third spot revolves different choreographers in and out during the season. The different perspectives will keep things interesting.

More Recap After the JUMP…

Rayven Armijo and Jamie Bayard - She’s 28 and she’s not old! says contemporary ballet dancer Rayven. Sigh. She studied with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe. Her partner Jamie is a Western swing dancer. He auditioned with his girlfriend who didn’t make the final cut. Mary LOVES Rayven. She likens the routine they dance to cotton candy, and says that she likes cotton candy. Dan says the routine “wasn’t quite there” and that it was missing the funk. I thought the routine was really fun. Rayven has a great personality–she and Jamie make a cute dance couple. They will probably end up in the Bottom 3 tomorrow, but I hope they manage to make the cut.

Susie Garcia and Marquis Cunningham – There were way better dancers in Las Vegas than high school teacher and Latin dancer Susie Garcia. I was surprised she even made the cut in her audition, but here she is in the Top 20. Go figure. Marquis, one of the unseen has a backstory that includes a mean mom who didn’t want him dancing. They dance a smooth waltz. While they kind of screw up a difficult lift in the middle of the performance, the judges give them a pass. The style is clearly outside of the dancers comfort zone. Nigel compliments the dancers on their lines, and hopes the viewers at home can appreciate it. Mary said, “You guys pulled it off.” Dan says, “I felt like I was watching an almost perfect ending to a love story…well done guys.”

Kourtni Lind and Matt Dorame – Kourtni and Matt are giants! Their choreographer, Mandy Moore creates a goth-inspired jazz routine for them that has some pretty nifty moves, but seems a little labored. Kourtni’s audition revealed a unique dancer who has much to bring to this competition. Matt isn’t quite as exciting, but I’m not sure he deserves the drubbing he gets from Nigel. “Fun routine,” says Nigel, “I think I need more personality from you, Matt…you’re a very upright dancer, it’s like somebody has taken a broomstick and stuck it up where the sun don’t shine…I’d like to see in future weeks, if you’re still here, for you to relax a little bit more…” Nigel likes Kourtni, “You have a unique face and you use it well…you are already very well known by the audience, I think you’ll do very well in the competition.” Mary thinks they did a great job. Dan tells the duo that they didn’t “attack it” at all, “You gotta do better than that.” I’m betting Matt and Kourtni will be dancing for their lives Thursday night.

Chelsea Traille and Thayne Jasperson – Thayne and Chelsea, both contemporary dancers, are asked to do the Cha Cha. Will they be up to the task? Oh hell yeah! That was hot! Very sexy and energetic. The best routine so far. Nigel thinks they were both terrific. Mary gives them two tickets to the “Hot Tamale Train”. That’s a good thing, apparently. Dan says, “Damn girl!” He really loves Chelsea. “Unbelievable guys,” he says, “Well done.”

Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura – Chelsie is a ballroom dancer. Mark is contemporary dancer with a unique style. Mia Michaels creates a routine for them, and she’s just…a total bitch. She’s very hard on Mark. She says “I thought he was going to be a lot better than he is,” with quite a bit of contempt in her voice. She creates a routine for them she describes as “What would Tim Burton’s wedding be like?” A little on the precious side, but both Chelsie and Mark bring a ton of personality to the routine. Very nice. Mark did a great job, and in the end Mia, from the audience, appears to be happy with the results. Nigel says, “This is going to be a really good season this year…I thought you both danced it brilliantly.” Mary says, “Mark you are one wild and crazy unique dude…we need uniqueness. Chelsie…you are like a little innocent angel up on that stage. You guys made the lifts look effortless.” Dan says, “You tweaked and you freaked and did everything that was asked of you, I think it was amazing…great job.”

Kherington Payne and Twitch – Twitch made it to the Top 20 this year after nearly making it last year. Kherington is a young high school student–she missed her graduation. They perform a Broadway routine. They are calling themselves “Twitchington” which is kinda cute. Kherington’s blond perkiness is perfect for the routine. Twitch, for a hip-hop dancer, is no slouch. Nigel says, “Very very hot. Kherington, you look just absolutely stunning. The whole spirit that you have comes out in that beautiful face. You both did it brilliantly. Twitch, you are a hip-hop dancer…you look like a Broadway dancer…You have to believe in it…you both did it brilliantly” Mary says, “Kherington…you are just hitting it up there. Twitch, I am so happy you are on that big stage tonight.” Dan says, “Kherington, you are hitting on all cylinders up there. Twitch, you are not exactly a traditional Broadway dancer, but who cares…I would love to watch you any day up there.”

Comfort Fedoke and Chris Jarosz – Comfort is not accustomed to partner dancing. Her partner Chris, a contemporary dancer, has personality problems, according to Nigel. The jive they perform is very energetic. Comfort, an untrained dancer, is very good, despite dislocating her shoulder the day before. Pretty hot stuff, right here. Nigel says, “Chris, well done…I thought you did a really good job…no more tree (meaning he found his personality). Comfort…you have to be careful to use your knees…everything is a bit too upright…technique wasn’t really where Mary would like it…but personality wise, 100%.” Mary says, “This girl has what it takes…both of you, great personality…I thought you did a respectable job for sure.” Dan says, “Chris I think you did a wonderful job out there…what you guys need to do is find a chemistry with each other.”

Katee Shean and Joshua Allen – Hip Hop dancer Joshua admits to having “a little” ballet training, after the judging panel in Vegas called him out on his resume. His partner Katee auditioned with her best friend who didn’t make the cut. They perform a choreography to Jordin Sparks “No Air”. This routine has a story, about a soldier going off to war, and they pack their performance with a lot of emotion. Nigel says, “That was really really good. I think that’s my favorite routine tonight…it became a wonderful combination of the both of you.” Mary says, “…you made it look effortless…you hit every little nuance.” Dan says, “the unison dancing…you guys killed that…Katee, you held your own up there…bro…you get on stage…you own it.”

Jessica King and William Wingfield – Jessica is one of the unseen, except when she ran out and misspelled Vegas while doing her celebratory “happy dance” after her successful audition. William is a protege of the choreographer Debbie Allen. Jessica thinks William is very sexy, so that bodes well for the chemistry between them. They dance a very strong and sexy Tango. Nigel says, “They are a hell of a couple…Will, you are majestic up there, Jessica…a few wobbles here and there…but I thought you were absolutely wonderful.” Mary says, “There’s just one way I like my Tango to be danced….and that was it! You guys are the couple to beat.” Dan says, “You both played your part very well…you were hot like fire up there.”

Courtney Galiano and Gev Manoukian – Courtney danced for the Knicks. Gev is an immigrant from Kazakhstan. The Disco they dance finds Gev in unfamiliar territory and little unsteady on his feet Nigel didn’t like it at all, “It looked more like Disco Duck.” He liked Courtney a little better, but says, “there’s no feel for it.” The duo look stunned as he says this. Mary likes Courtney, “You were on a little more than Gev in the personality department.” But she thinks he “brought it on” despite being out of his element as a hip hop dancer. Dan says, “I enjoyed that. Do I think it was the best disco I’ve ever seen? No. But I think you guys came out, you performed, had a good time…I think you could have been cleaner, it could have been tighter, but it was pretty good.”

 
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  • Duke

    haha Couple #3. their song reminds me of Danny.

    wow- Nigel better watch it with the broomstick in the a$$ comments. this is a family show.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    I LOVE Twitch. He is even making me like Kherington, whereas I couldn’t stand her before.

    Chelsie and Mark were great, and wow, what were the judges smoking with Matt and Kourtni? I thought they were great!

  • dante

    I am taping this as I am DOG sitting my daughter’s puppy so will have to comment later but I love Twitch too!

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    WOW. I loved that routine with Joshua and Katee. They really killed it, and that choreography was FANTASTIC.

    (PS – Dan Karaty is HOT!)

  • gingerly

    Katee and Joshua had me crying. That was amazing!

  • MN Sue

    Sarah, what didn’t the judges like with Matt and Kourtni? We had severe weather report break ins up in my neck a da woods. I missed all of their routine and comments. Damn tornado!!

  • KrazeeK120

    I like so many of the couples!!! Chelsea/Mark, Kherington/Twitch, Joshua/Katee were all awesome!!!!

    And Sarah don’t even go there….Dan Karaty is MY tv boyfriend!

  • http://www.myspace.com/chachithegreat chachi

    1. Joshua/Katee
    2. Chelsea/Mark
    3. Kherington/Twitch

    Then, everyone else.

    “No Air” was fucking AMAZING. This is the first real episode I’ve watched, and I am HOOKED based on that routine alone.

  • stardust462

    To me, Susie and Katee were surprisingly good. Their routines were my favorites. I think Joshua will go very very far.

    I can’t see any front runners yet. I actually like all the contestants and will be sad every week when two people go home.

  • SpenserJ

    I like so many of the couples!!! Chelsea/Mark, Kherington/Twitch, Joshua/Katee were all awesome!!!!

    Ditto! I take back everything I said earlier about Kherington. Um, ladies – lets not forget who is president of the Twitch fan club. But, I wonder, can I also hold an officer position in the Joshua fan club??

    Sarah – did you come over here and try to steal kk’s tv boyfriend??? Shame on you! :lol_tb:

  • idolbeat

    I want to see No Air again – my family was talking when they were dancing and it distracted me. The move they showed on the clip at the end was fabulous

  • spritely

    Wow, they’re wonderful. How in the world can there be just one winner out of this amazing crew??

    If I *had* to pick an early fav–if somebody threatened to never let me listen to David Cook again unless I picked somebody?–it would be Joshua. What presence, what body control, what a sweetheart. Can’t take my eyes off him when he’s on stage.

  • http://www.xanga.com/werwanderflugen Preston

    Tonight is the first time I’ve watched this show as well…

    My favorites were Kherington & Twitch, Katee & Joshua, Chelsea H & Mark, and Chelsea T & Chris. Especially the first two couples I listed– they were fantastic!

    If I had to choose one guy and one girl, I’d choose Kherington and Mark. But wow, there’s a ton of talent on that stage all around!

  • lilbrusc102

    I agree with everyone who said Joshua/Katee, Twitch/Kherington (Twitchington, haha!) and Chelsea/Mark really stood out! Everyone else did really well as well though, so it will be sad to lose anyone…

    Oh, and count me in as a member of the Twitch fan club….I’ve been a fan of his since last season (though Hok was my love!)and this season I am seriously loving everything about him!

  • daisy

    Joshua, awesome love him, the routine was smoking hot romantic. Chelsea Traille, girl you were on fire tonight.
    So much talent tonight, this season is already so promising, I am even tolerating Nigel right now. It is going to be sad to see someone go

  • spritely

    I love, love, love Twitch and hope he gets a huge career out of this. And Chelsea Hightower! And Mia’s choreography! There were just so many great moments.

  • Allison

    Katee and Joshua were phenomenal. I missed the first 7 couples, because I was at a school event.

  • MN Sue

    Leave it to mj to come to my rescue. Videos already! In all, I missed 3 numbers due to severe weather. Off to see what I missed. I already know I do not care for Jamie and Rayven.

  • NOLA

    My favs are Twitch and Kourtni.
    Tough competition this season!

  • http://kmantoniva.blogspot.com/ KristiVA

    They are amazing this year. Joshua and Katee were is best. I got all misty too, gingerly!

    It’s going to be an awesome year!

    Wade group routine tomorrow!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!

  • SpenserJ

    Wade group routine tomorrow!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!

    Very! And, they announced it shortly after Sarah made a little wish in chat for more Wade this year, so I believe he’s choreographing that routine just for her :)

    I already know I do not care for Jamie and Rayven.

    MN, I got 2 words for you here: Cannon & Fodder LOL

  • catdog

    I can’t believe how crude and rude Nigel was to Matt. That was so uncalled for.

    There are some amazing dancers this year – hard to pick the best but I like Chelsea and Chris and Kherington and Twitch. I think they are going to be fun to follow thru the competition.

  • spritely

    Wade group routine tomorrow!!! How awesome is that?!?!?!

    Some rhetorical questions just beg to be answered, lol, and my answer is. . . the awesomest awesome that ever awesomed! Okay, depends on execution, but still, any Wade or Mia routine has me eager to watch.

  • MN Sue

    Wow, am I ever missing Dimitri and Pasha from past seasons. Where’s Mr. Ballroom this year? If Jamie is supposed to be it, he ain’t. Not by a long shot.

  • gingerly

    To me Joshua isn’t Mr. Ballroom but he’s Mr. It!!! ummmm so far at least.

    so I edited that from Jamie. Still have the “J” guys mixed up. I think Joshua is quite amazing and I’ll never make that mistake again.

  • http://absinthedreamers.blogspot.com/ Starrlight

    Chelsea and Mark were just amazing. But there are several really great people.

  • SpenserJ

    To me Joshua isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Mr. Ballroom but heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Mr. It!!! ummmm so far at least.

    So, on a shallow note…. at the end of their routine when Katee pulled off Joshua’s shirt, I yelled “YUMMY”. Then, I remembered that Joshua was born when I was in high school, and I felt dirty. But whatever, I love me some running back-covert ballet-hip hop boy!

    On the rewatch (yeah, I just watched it again – shut up I’m doing laundry!), I’m disappointed with some of the pairings, because I think some really good dancers will wind up in the bottom three because they’re partners kind of suck. Just guessing here:

    Rayven & Jamie – they went first. She’s got spunk, but he’s boring with a capital “B”.

    Chelsea T. & Thayne – that was the slowest cha cha I’ve ever seen. I think Marie Osmond had more spring in her step on DWTS. Plus, his name is Thayne, which assures me that he was beat up a lot as a kid.

    Susie & Marquis – they got hosed with the waltz. She’s kind of meh, but he’s got extensions you rarely see on a man. And, they’re pre-performance interviews didn’t make them jump out as likable people.

    I think Comfort is great. But she got screwed with Chris. That boy is nothing but cheeze-whiz. His facial expressions make me want to slap him. Go back to being a tree dude.

    Jessica & Will – He’s good, but she’s probably one of the weakest of the girls. And, the choreography wasn’t overwhelmingly strong. They may be helped by going close to the end.

    Courtney G. & Gev – they may be saved by going last. I think she’s fantastic, but he’s a horrible partner. Every part of the dance where she would have shined with a strong partner, he failed her. Gev is not long for this competition IMO. I would hate to be the 3rd hip hop specialist sharing a stage with Twitch and Joshua. You just can’t win that fight.

    So, the moral to the story is…. Spenser has no idea who’s going home and she’s changed her picks 4 times. And, when Spenser beings speaking in the third person, it’s time for bed!

  • sumidol

    Katie and Joshua WOW – my favorites so far. They were like hmmmmm -butter? -so smooth. I wasnt pushing them thru from the couch like I was for Chris and a couple of the others. They just hit it all perfectly to me

  • JudyOhio

    Katie and Joshua…….The dancing interpretation of “No Air” was exquisite. I actually got chills. Watched it again, and my eyes watered up with tears.

    The only reality show I’ve watched has been AI. However, MJ’s blog got me interested in taking a look at this dancing show….and now, I’m hooked! lol (darn you MJ!!), lol

  • smartcookie

    Wow, I thought they were all really good for the first show. No obvious trainwrecks like last year’s first show. I’m going to feel bad whoever leaves, although my preference would probably be Kortni (she’s the 5-9 blonde, right?) or Susie and Thayne, Jamie or Chris. I think Susie and Marquis are not long for this show, although I wish we’d get to see him dance with somebody else. I think he is this season’s… What was his name? Wonderful dancer, did the Wizard of Oz piece with Shauna… Well, he was cannon fodder, so I suppose it’s not that surprising I can’t remember his name. But that’s who Marquis reminds me of.

    I lovedlovedloved Joshua and Katee, Chelsea and Mark, Twitchington, William, Chelsea T, Comfort, and liked everybody else except the ones mentioned above.

    I wish they’d change the rules this year and rearrange the couples after every round. But I know they’re not gonna. I just wish they would.

  • bigepaz

    For me, my tops are a tie between:

    -Katee & Joshua and Twitch and Kherington

    I hate broadway, so I thought I was gonna hate that routine. But it was amazing! Twitch is really good. Much better than Hok (IMO)

    The “No Air Routine” was simply breaktaking.

    Other than that, I enjoyed William and the tango, but I don’t like his partner. And I liked the couple that did the waltz.

  • Jenn815

    Seeing Pasha assisting in Mia’s choreography was a very very nice topping to an already delicious treat that show was tonight. Favorites are Twitch (he’s got the whole package) & Comfort (personality and spunk). I was sad for Courtney G. she got screwed by getting Disco, but I hope she gets to show off her dancing on a better routine next week.

  • weelassie

    I kept waiting for either Twitch or his partner to slip on the red feathers she was molting.

  • weelassie

    I’ve never watched this show before but keep meaning to but thought it was on Thursday. ;(
    I have a few questions if anyone can answer them-it seems they try out as singles dancers so why do they then have them dance as pairs?
    who picks the pairs?
    do they stay as pairs or go single again?
    does one person win or a pair?
    are they drawing which genre of dance they will do randomly?
    will this continue week to week or will it somehow change?
    does the choreographer (s) pick the music or does the pair?
    and who the heck is the Mary (judge) who speaks at full volume and doesn’t hold back at all? that gal is on high all the way.
    Does Nigel have a dance background?
    Is the show on 2 nights like Idol?

    Hope someone can help with my questions.

  • DivaE

    “I think he is this seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢sà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ What was his name? Wonderful dancer, did the Wizard of Oz piece with Shaunaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦”

    his name was Jimmy- and she got to do that same number on tour with another dancer- it made me smile :)

  • lilbrusc102

    Jenn815-

    OMg I didn’t realize that was Pasha until you pointed that out….can’t believe I missed that! I love me some Pasha….

  • Layla

    Am really really loving this! Thanks so very much for the videos MJ!!! A lot of really really excellent dancers!

    Fave routine was Katee and Joshua…made me cry!

    Holy shit! Who’s gonna be sent home…that’s a hard one.

    A Wade routine…can’t wait.

  • DivaE

    “it seems they try out as singles dancers so why do they then have them dance as pairs?”
    ^to stretch them into different genres (like on idol having to sing theme-nights)

    who picks the pairs?
    ^I believe the producers, and I notice at this stage it seems to be about mathing their heights

    do they stay as pairs or go single again?
    ^they will always dance in pairs, except for “Dance for your life”. Each week, the three bottom couples will be forced to dance their solos for the judges, and then the judges will send one boy and one girl home- if they are from a different pair, then the boy and girl without a partner will pair up for next week. The top pairs will dance together for several weeks (last year it was the first 5 weeks)

    does one person win or a pair?
    ^one person wins

    are they drawing which genre of dance they will do randomly?
    ^out of a hat

    will this continue week to week or will it somehow change?
    ^last season, week 6, they shuffled partners and all danced the same Wade Robson solo, then week 7, they danced 2 dances with the new partner each week

    does the choreographer (s) pick the music or does the pair?
    ^I’m sure it’s the choreographer

    and who the heck is the Mary (judge) who speaks at full volume and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t hold back at all? that gal is on high all the way.
    ^Mary Murphy is a ballroom dance champ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Murphy_(choreographer)), and yes- she is loud and she gets louder when she starts screaming at the top of her lungs and gets on “the hot tamale train”

    Does Nigel have a dance background?
    ^He often talks about “when he danced” and I see that “he was choreographer for the BBC’s Young Generation dance troupe. ” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Lythgoe)

    Is the show on 2 nights like Idol?
    ^yes- dance on wednesday, results on thursday

    I really got into this show last year, but AI is still my true love. So far, I really think the whole cast is strong- but early fave is Joshua (don’t know what I’ll think about him doing quickstep tho… ;)

  • Dlynne

    This is going to be a great season. There are only a couple that I won’t miss when they are voted off. But after that, I will be so sad to see any of them go.

    My faves were Chelsie and Mark, Joshua and Katee and then Kherrington and Twitch. I put Chelsie and Mark first because dancing for Mia is by far the most demanding and I thought they really did get into her head. Not everyone can do that, even if they are great dancers technically.

    Weelassie, I have no idea who pairs the dancers – the producers, I’m guessing. Yes, they do audition solo and then compete as pairs. The bottom three pairs will have a dance-off tomorrow night as solo dancers. The judges will decide which male and female will go home after the solo dancing, which the show calls “dancing for your life”. The pairs stay together throughout the season until one loses his/her partner. At that point the dancer is paired with someone else.

  • http://idolstages.com Connie D.

    I’m hooked on Joshua / Katee. That routine alone already made me want to see them on tour.

  • NOLA

    The voters vote for single performances; not pairs.

  • http://kmantoniva.blogspot.com/ KristiVA

    Seeing Pasha assisting in Miaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s choreography was a very very nice

    I MISSED PASHA!!!!!!!

    Thank Goodness I Have TiVo!!!

  • erennick

    I love me some running back-covert ballet-hip hop boy!

    Ditto. That routine was (as everyone else has been saying) amazing! Katee was great and they were in complete unison. I didn’t think I was going to like her, but she earned my admiration and I think she got a raw deal with the editing last week.

    I was also unsure about Kherington- BUT, she lights up the stage and she and Twitch (who I love almost as much as I flove Hok) are so dynamic together. Wow!

    I think Comfort is great. But she got screwed with Chris. That boy is nothing but cheeze-whiz. His facial expressions make me want to slap him. Go back to being a tree dude.

    Lol, you are right on with Chris. Poor thing, he’s my pick to go tonight.

    I don’t like Comfort though. She rubs me the wrong way. I’m sure she’ll be around for a while, so maybe I’ll warm up to her.

  • schmed

    I can’t believe I didn’t notice Pasha there! I’m really surprised Mia would have him helping her out, as I always thought she condescended to him last year, probably because he’s a very smart, cerebral and technical dancer, and Mia wants her dancers to surrender to her Mia-ness.

  • clickchick

    I too am a first time watcher and I am SO hooked! I ditto most everything said here, actually. Some of those dances were just amazing. I do love Courtney and Khortni and think both routines were just a bit underrated by the judges.

    NewB question – do they stay in these pairs for the rest of the show or do they switch weekly? How does that work?

  • AInoob

    This is my first season watching and I really enjoyed the show last night and liked all the performances. No one stood out in a bad way for me. I agree with the posters who said their favorites were Joshua/Katee and Twitchington. Joshua and Katee were fantastic. And that last move, where they did that thingie (clearly I’m not a dancer, lol) where she ended up wearing his shirt, was very cool.

    I did think the tango couple, Jessica and Will, was a bit overpraised. I enjoyed their performance but I thought she was a touch too shaky to be getting all the praise she did. That last couple, Courtney and Gev, I thought Nigel was overly harsh with. I didn’t think they had a particularly memorable performance but he made it sound like they were atrocious. Who knows, maybe to someone with some professional skill, they were, I just watch with my untrained eyes :unsure_tb:

  • clickchick

    Oops! Just saw my answer above. Never mind! :-)

  • sumidol

    The voters dont vote for single performers at this stage – they vote for each pair, right? They only gave one # for each pair I thought, I didnt vote this time so maybe I am wrong????

    “Does Nigel have a dance background?
    ^He often talks about à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“when he dancedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and I see that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“he was choreographer for the BBCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Young Generation dance troupe. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Lythgoe”

    On another thread someone put up a link that showed Nigel dancing also when he was younger

  • geekygirl

    Wow, how can you choose?? My untrained eye loved them all. And Wade Robson tomorrow? Squeeeeeeeeee!!!! We are not worthy. That man is so hot he could melt asphalt.

    Thank you again MJ for posting these vids. I love this show and rarely get to see it. They only ran one season here, I have no idea who anyone last year was.

    I’ve read thru the posts, what are we choosing in the pools? The individuals who are going? The pair? I don’t know who the elimination works, how many are going tonight, one or two?

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    Two will go tonight, geekygirl, but not necessarily a paired pair. One girl, one boy.

  • kerfuffle

    sumidol
    Jun 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
    The voters dont vote for single performers at this stage – they vote for each pair, right? They only gave one # for each pair I thought, I didnt vote this time so maybe I am wrong????

    The phone votes are for the couples. The bottom three couples perform individually (solo) tonight. The judges pick one guy and one girl to go home. These are not necessarily from the same pairs that performed on Wednesday. If the guy and girl leaving came from two separate couples, the “left over” (now-partnerless) guy and girl then pair up for next week.

  • SpenserJ

    An interesting factoid regarding Wade doing the group choreography tonight: Twitch was a semi-finalist on “The Wade Robson Project” on MTV (2003 I think?). I don’t remember where he finished – all I can recall is that he wasn’t in the top two. So, they already know each other.

    Of course, the dance world is pretty small, so any of the other dancers based in LA have probably met or worked with Wade a time or two as well.

    Needless to say, Twitch has been pounding the pavement for a very long time. Hopefully, this will finally be the catalyst that brings him some steady work!

  • s0x_prisoner

    Oooh there were some great performances!

    LOVED Katee/Joshua and Chelsie/Mark especially!

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    And, they announced it shortly after Sarah made a little wish in chat for more Wade this year, so I believe heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s choreographing that routine just for her :)

    Hee! Hopefully they will hear my plea for Shane Sparks too. And Dave Scott. I realize that we have Napoleon & Tabitha (and the “No Air” choreography was fabulous, even if the other routine wasn’t that great), but I like Shane and Dave too. So, pretty please, Nigel?? Oh and while I’m making requests: Dan Karaty = permanent judge. Okthxbye.

    Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m hooked on Joshua / Katee. That routine alone already made me want to see them on tour.

    Me too. The first thought that popped into my mind while watching the routine was that I bet we’ll be seeing that one on tour. A little premature perhaps, but probably not. LOVED it. I’ve rewatched multiple times and it only gets better on more viewings.

    Twitch was a semi-finalist on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Wade Robson Projectà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  on MTV (2003 I think?). I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember where he finished – all I can recall is that he wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t in the top two. So, they already know each other.

    Hmmm. Maybe that is why Wade doesn’t seem to be guest judging or choreographing for the actual competition this season. I guess I could sacrifice Wade for Twitch. ;) But only if Wade choreographs the group dance every week. LOL.

  • http://myspace.com/saltwatercures pj

    Thanks for the vids MJ. Not only did I miss the show last night due to a previous engagement, but I erroneously recorded the Dick Van Dyke show. Thanks for all you do!

  • SpenserJ

    Hmmm. Maybe that is why Wade doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem to be guest judging or choreographing for the actual competition this season. I guess I could sacrifice Wade for Twitch. ;) But only if Wade choreographs the group dance every week. LOL.

    LOL Sarah, but I don’t think they got that close. It was a short show, and the viewers voted, so you never knew who Wade really liked and who he didn’t. It certainly wasn’t like the relationship that William and Debbie Allen had. I believe she recused herself because he’s danced in her studio for YEARS. And, they’re pretty tight on a personal level.

    You may still get some Wade!

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Yeah, Spense, but it could still possibly be viewed as a conflict of interest. That was my train of thought going into it lol. :)

  • sumidol

    Oh, I just went back and watched these again and I still love Josua the best! A big man that can move like a butterfly (ali) I cannot wait to see what he can do, can you imagine how well he will be able to partner someone on all the lifts and still be so fluid like that?

  • http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=84731174 purplesmile

    I finally got to watch a couple of videos and like most everyone else did, I loved the Katee-Joshua routine, especially that ending! I also really liked Twitch (I’m reserving judgment on Kherington). He is smooth!

  • erennick

    FYI- Jessie Peralta (from last season’s SYTYCD) was also on The Wade Robson Project. Lauren used to be Tyce Diorio’s assistant and Travis Wall had already danced for Mia Michaels before he was on the show, so I don’t think they are big on the conflict of interest issue!