How frigging adorable was Jesse Tyler Ferguson as guest judge? I love that he’s such a fan boy! He tried to give some constructive criticism, which is always a bonus with these guest judges.
It looks like the depimping of Ryan has begun. If she ends up in the bottom 3 this week–and she probably will–I’m betting the panel will eliminate her. I think they want to keep her partner, Ricky, for the Top 10. Although she’s annoying, I felt bad for her, while the judges praised Ricky (Mary put only HIM on the hot tamale train!) and ripped her.
Alexander stepped it up tonight, and will likely make the top 10 with Sasha. I wouldn’t feel terrible if Caitlyn and/or Mitchell went home tomorrow. I thought their “Rockstar” routine was a little overrated.
Melinda and Marko were beautiful as always, but tonight I LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED Clarice and Jess. So much charisma and charm up there on that stage…
Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family is tonight’s Guest judge. Choreographer Sonya Tayeh also joins Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy on the panel.
The So You Think You Can Dance All Stars will be announced tomorrow night! Plus, Nicole Scherzinger performs.
The couples dance two routines each tonight.
Videos via IdolXFactor
Sasha & Alexander – Paso Doble – Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – Sasha is a FIERCE and beautiful dancer. OF course she wins the battle! Whaddaya think? Heh. Nigel loved the routine. It kept Sasha in the strong mode. Felt a pretty much kept up with her–stronger than he’s seen him in awhile. Sasha? Brilliant. Mary’s looking for an Ole! Hot. On Fire. A girl can be the bull! Mary RAVES about Sasha. She feels Alexander was a little sloppy, but had a breakthrough. Jesse found it highly dramatic and mentioned a bra mishap Shasha had in rehearsal. Shasha was a piller of strength, yet Alex kept up, says Jesse. “You rock my socks” Sonya raves about Sasha. Tony and Melanie dedicate the dance to a friend who is battling cancer. 1-888-836-7601 Jordan and Tadd hit the heights with Travis Wall’s wonderful “vulture” dance, and then totally collapsed with Spencer Liff’s Broadway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pegvVDK5ZY
Jordan & Tadd – Contemporary – Travis Wall – These two, especially Jordan rose to the challenge of Travis’s dark, dark material. Jordan plays an evil “vulture” whom Tadd eventually kills That was intense. Mary says it was beautiful, dark, magnificent. She was really impressed with Tadd. Jordan “demolished” it from beginning to end. Jesse had high praise for Tadd “You are in it to win it!” Not to borrow from another reality show, he says. HEE. I love Jesse. Sonya wants to cry. Both of you are unstoppable she says. Nigel calls the dark story remarkable. Mentions Tadd’s B Boy status, and how remarkable his performance was. Oh Nigel. When will you stop being shocked at B Boys (who’ve probably had training) performing in other styles? 1-888-836-7602
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F5xtcp_qGM
Ryan & Ricky – Broadway – Spenser Liff – “All I Need is the Girl” Frank Sinatra – Whoa. Go Ricky with your charming Broadway self! The judges actively hated the performances and the choreography. Even Jesse, who has performed on the Great White Way himself. I didn’t hate it as much as they did, but what do I know. Jesse is a big fan of both, but felt it was underwater–it didn’t sparkle. He knows they are capable of more than the routine allowed them to do. Sonya felt they were questioning the routine. Wasn’t their best. Nigel didn’t feel they “got” the style. He basically thinks they are in trouble this week. Mary felt they started with the style…but then lost it. Is Nigel finally ready to let this pair go? 1-888-836-7603
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I58nf-Vj19A
Caitlynn & Mitchell – Hip Hop – Christopher Scott – “Break the Chain”, Lupe Fiasco – The routine is about African children forced to go to war. I’ve been impressed with Christopher Scott in the past, but everything about this is boring. Caitlynn & Mitchell are not holding my attention. Sonya loves Chris Scott and loves the duo, but she could not connect to the message. She didn’t feel the details, the unison. Nigel agrees. It didn’t feel like they were dancing together. Mary felt constantly drawn to what they were doing. It fell a little bit short…but just a little. Jesse says they dance with so much power–like a mack truck. He didn’t see the message–but they are amazing dancers. 1-888-836-7604
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZcMlG8QSI
Melanie & Marko – Tango – Louis Van Amstel – “Triptico” – Nice choreo from Louis! Some of those tricks were AMAZING, especially the last lift. WOW. He’s a DWTS pro, if you didn’t know. Nigel felt they were finally challenged this week. Nigel notes that it was much much better than the dress run. Mary explains a little about the different kinds of Tango. The American style is what they danced tonight…a little bit of everything. A few awkward moments, but amazing considering they were out of their style. Jesse says they’ve got a spark, and will have it for the rest of their lives. They make Sonya lose her breath with their conviction. Every step they take comes from the deepest place. Timeless dancers, she calls them. 1-888-836-7605
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0WI4H2J8dA
Clarice & Jess – Lyrical Hip Hop – Christopher Scott – “Just the Way You Are” Boyce Avenue – The story revolves around a man convincing his girl that she’s beautiful just as she is. So sweet. These two are just so fricking charming! Especially Jess, who dances with such joy. The two are compulsively watchable and have great chemistry. This choreography, unlike Christopher’s first effort, is a hit with the panel. Mary says, “you guys are amazing just the way you are.” They got the swag, she says. Jesse thought it was fantastic. Clarice makes him happy. He wants to marry her, although he’s already got a boyfriend. Hee. Sonya calls them adorable. Slayed it, she says. Nigel loved the story, felt they found their funk and swag. He tells Chris to keep the story simple like he did here. 1-888-836-7606
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxQr2Oes-4U
Sasha & Alexander – Tyce Diorio – “That’s Life” by Aretha Franklin – Despite some funky problems with the props, (a shaky lampost) this routine was outstanding. Sasha was as strong as ever, but I agree with the judges, Alexander is stepping it up. Usually I’m drawn to Sasha, but tonight I found myself watching both. That’s a first! Jesse thought this routine was beyond anything Sasha has done so far. Sonya wants to swear again. She praises Tyce’s versatility. She feels Alexander finally dove in and was amazing. He broke the shell, she says. Nigel admits that Sasha has carried Alexander week to week…until NOW. Tonight he’s been strong. This routine, the best he’s danced. The only shaky thing on stage tonight was that lamppost. Mary also thinks Alexander had a breakthrough…he let go tonight. The chemistry has come together, says Nigel, the week they are splitting apart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pegvVDK5ZY
Jordan & Tadd – Broadway – Spencer Liff – “Out Tonight” from Rent – These two were so good in the “hungry vulture” dance earlier, but this just falls flat. I’m thinking they were intimidated by some of the tricky lifts they were expected to do. Jordan said lifts weren’t her “besties”. Sonya felt underwhelmed–a jumble of things. She didn’t see their abilities or their craft. Nigel thought it could be a little quirkier, like Toni Basil. It lacked character. The lifts were distracting. Mary didn’t think it was strong enough. Too much like cotton candy. Jesse felt it was a bit of grab bag. It wasn’t a favorite of his.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se63Gcg5YLk
Ryan & Ricky – Cha cha – Louis Van Amstel – “Tonight I’m Loving You” Enrique Iglesias – This was really fast and hard to follow! Nigel thought Ricky did a really good job, tight, good feet, hips terrific, style and class. Felt Ryan was overdoing it. Legs were too far apart–sloppy. Mary says it was the fastest darn cha cha. Says Ryan was hot when she first came out, but then got sloppy, but she thinks Ricky was living the cha cha hot and spicy. Ricky goes on the hot tamale train. But not Ryan! Jesse accuses Ryan of flirting with him. He also loved Ricky. Brilliant. His fav Ricky routine of the season. Sonya thought he was basking in it. Sonya felt Ryan’s conviction made her uptight. Embrace your conviction, she tells her. Wow. MAJOR DEPIMPING OF RYAN TONIGHT. Go figure. I think the panel finally realize that viewers HATE HER and are judging accordingly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nku1BV1hc8
Caitlynn & Mitchell – Contemporary – Travis Wall – “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin – More great choreography from Travis Wall! Caitlyn and Mitchell were up to the task, if not fantastic. Takes place in the 70’s. Rockstar, finds out he’s been cheating. Mary calls it slightly naught, gutsy…she loved it! They handled the tough parts of the routine really well, she says. Dazzling, she calls Caitlyn. Jesse tells them not to dance in a forest like that, or they’ll start a fire. Fantastic. Really really hot says Sonya. Sonya doesn’t always know where he is. She wants him to sink into it more. It looks like work sometimes. Nigel thinks Sonya’s advice to Mitchell is good. Caitlyn makes Nigel feel like a dirty old man. He didn’t like that they turned to the judges–they should have kept the focus on each other.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54c9vGm-5VU
Melanie & Marko – Contemporary – Dee Caspary – “Skin and Bones” David J Roche Melanie is literally trying to point them towards the light. (they dance with a lightbulb). A fitting swan song for this beautiful couple. The story was performed with sensitivity and passion. Jesse is so impressed, he’s having trouble putting a sentence together. He calls it “the moth dance”. It’s his new favorite. Sonya is so grateful “this is the future of dance.” Thank you and please stay humble and true, she tells them. Nigel is excited for next week…except for breaking up Melanie and Marko. It felt like they were moving to their own magical movement, he says. Mary will be devastated when they are separated. She loved the choreo. Flawless. Two shining stars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVT-TRXxUXc
Clarice & Jess – Jive – Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” Robert Randolph and the Family Band – I don’t know, I thought this was a lot of fun. I could not take my eyes off of Jesse. I don’t think they’ll have problems bringing in the votes. Sonya says I love it I love it I love it. Amazing. Nigel thought it was very good, very nice legs. He felt it was uncomfortable in the lifts. A bit more energy in parts. Nigel is worried it won’t bring in votes. Mary loved the leg kicks, but felt it lost steam and joy. Clarice had it, Jess did not. Jesse agrees. Thinks Clarice was fabulous. Fun performance. He thinks Cat Deeley deserves an Emmy nomination. HERE HERE! I love that Jesse is such a FANBOY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKtYO2cefjY
