A couple of thoughts about tonight’s episode:
- Eh. I miss the taped and edited ahead of time performance shows. Tonight’s first-ever live performance show was kind of a mess. I was worried they’d go overtime, especially the way the judges were going on and on at some points (the OTT praise for Alex Wong that seemed to never end, for instance.) Some of the judges comments could have used some editing. There were moments when the judges were ignoring the contestants to joke amongst themselves. And Nigel accuses Idol of being all about the judges.
- This is a really really talented group of dancers. I’m actually going to be really sorry to see any of them go. SYTYCD 7 could make up for Idol S9 sucking donkey balls.
- Who will be the first to go? Why, likely the tap dancer, of course! I’m not sure why they put a tap dancer in the group, when the tappers failed so miserably season 6. If she lasts, Melinda will be the only dancer that never gets to perform in her own style. It’s too bad she had ballroom this week. It was so far out of her element. Alex will be “drawing” ballet out of “a hat” very soon. Just watch.
- How much you wanna bet Jose has had some dance lessons? The whole “untrained street dancer” story line ALWAYS ends up being bull. I doubt that this year will be an exception.
- I’ve been snarking on Alex, but he really is an incredible dancer. Although not one of my favorites, tonight’s Sonya Tayeh routine was fantastic. But, it was not the greatestOMGdanceOMGinthehistoryoftheworldOMGOMGOMG. Judges, calm the eff down. The OTT pimping has a tendency to backfire.
- Robert and Ashley sorta came out of nowhere tonight to turn in good performances. Was totally psyched to see my girl Courtney dance again. LOVED the African routine. The judges are being nice to Kent now, but when he overstays his welcome (and he will, his cute personality is going to earn him a loyal fan base) the judges are gonna turn on him with a vengeance.
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The live shows begin! Yay! And if you haven’t heard yet, Nigel Lythgoe tweeted the guest stars for tomorrow’s Top 11 Results show: “#SYTYCD we’ve got Usher ‘live’ & the World premiere of Justin Bieber and Usher’s video Plus Twyla Tharp’s amazing Pas de Deux, “That’s Life'” Whoa…Bieber premier!
Videos and Live Blog after the JUMP…
The all-stars debut tonight. It’ll be interesting to see how Nigel’s idea to invigorate the show–bringing back favorite dancers to partner up with contestants–works out…
Three dancers will be in danger of going home tomorrow…
Cat Deeley introduces the judges, Adam Shankman, Mia Michaels, and Nigel Lythgoe.
The video package asks the question–What doesn’t America Know about you?
Billy & Lauren – Tyce Diorio – Broadway – “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins – Billy is really into Do It Yourself projects! Wow. Billy is fantastic! He’s totally keeping up with his all-star, Lauren, and makes Tyce’s crappy choreography look good… Nigel says, “Tyce was using much longer movements, and it really suited you. You had a good buddy relationship with Lauren. It worked for you.” Mia says, “I’m so proud of you. very different for you, and you tackled it. You danced like a boy, but for the rest of the competition you are going to dance like a man…yes?” Billy says it was a challenge speed-wise. Adam says, “Dancing is too bloody easy for you…you need to inhabit the character and stay there the whole time. Fill out what’s in between the steps.” 1-888-623-7801 – VIDEO
Cristina & Mark – Sonya Tayeh – Jazz – “Starstruck” by Santogold – Cristina auditioned for a singing competition show in Mexico. Cristina is pretty good for a Salsa dancer, but Mark is really the star of the show. Nigel says, “That routine was all about the coming together of Sonya and Mark again. You were absolutely tremendous in it…my eyes didn’t always go to Mark. I can only compliment you. Terrific.” Mia says, “You were partnered with a genius…you did an awesome job. You really captured the essence…your technique for a salsa girl…I was impressed.” Adam says, “I’m stunned. I said “disaster” and I was so wrong. I saw no trace of a salsa dancer in you. You fully inhabited the character. Tremendous.” 1-888-623-7802 – VIDEO
Jose & Comfort – Napoleon and Tabitha – Hip Hop – “Beautiful Monster” by Ne-Yo – Jose studies Yoga. It clears his head – The story is about two predators ready to attack. Jose the B-boy dances hip-hop and it’s pretty awesome. Loved the interlude he did as a solo with those fantastic head spins. He’s got charisma. I hardly noticed Comfort, sorry to say. Nigel says, “You’ve never done choreography before…you’re doing things you haven’t done before…you’ve got to become a character…I love the routine. This was absolutely outstanding. Congratulations.” Nigel says he looked scary–like Adam Shankman after a drink… Mia says his hair looked like a weave and distracted her at first. Hm. “When you are on the floor, your character is solid, but the choreography, you have to be committed. You are really special.” Adam says, “You have very successfully improved since last week.” Adam called him sweet, and it would get him votes, and that he needs more “power moves.” 1-888-623-7803. – VIDEO
Adechike & Kathryn – Travis Wall – Contemporary – “Addicted to Love” by Florence + The Machine – He went to the “Fame” school. Ha! Tyce almost flunked Fame school! Adechike is destined to be cannon fodder, I’m afraid. He can’t compare to some of the other contemp dancers, like Billy and Alex. Kathryn was like, sex on a stick in this routine. Hard to take my eyes off her. Nigel says, “Ade cheeky! I thought the choreo was wonderful. Kathryn was giving you everything. I didn’t quite believe this was your fantasy. You must watch…it’s not just about steps, it’s about dancing and performing.” Mia says, “He gave you a venue for sexual chemistry, but there was nothing between you. You brought nothing but stiffness and strength–empty technique.” Adam says, “Technically you were a great partner, but it wasn’t about going that extra step. You have to get there right from the get go.” Was Adam coming on to Nigel? Heh. 1-888-623-7804 – VIDEO
Melinda & Pasha – Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – Jive – “L.O.V.E” by V.V Brown – Melinda was on As The World Turns, she also plays music. She wants to be a complete entertainer. She’s got a lot of charisma and is a great performer. Nigel says, “You are vivacious, my eyes go straight to you..maybe a little over the top, your legs were a little turned out. I don’t think this style suited you, you’re unsafe. You better break out your tap shoes, I think you’re going to be dancing tomorrow.” Mia says, “I’m going to agree with Nigel. When you dance, you come across pigeon toed. There’s a lack of something going on, be careful not to go over the top.” Adam says, “When you watch it back you’re going to learn a lot, you’re a good performer, you used that to mask your weaknesses.” He tells her to watch her hands. Melinda thanks them for their comments. It’s true, I didn’t notice her legs at all. Ha. – 1-888-623-7805 – VIDEO
Alex & Allison – Sonya Tayeh – Jazz – “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley – Alex loves to sing and play piano. Alex is a powerful, beautiful dancer. But dancing to “Hallelujah”? Engineered for a big moment. And he got one. Big hug between Alex and Allison after they perform. Alex is so moved, he’s crying Nigel says, “I believe you have just set a new standard for So You Think You Can Dance. Sometimes we concentrate on the architecture, and we forget the poetry. Tonight, you have shown that you can have that structure and artistry melded together. Absolutely fantastic piece. Mega light-years ahead of everyone else. Sonya was so inspired. I’m so happy and relieved this format is working.” Mia says, “The pain that exuded…that is the best piece of work danced on the So You Think You Can Dance stage danced anywhere in the world to date. Alex, you are shear perfection.” Adam says, “I think the reverse just happened, I think those dancers made you a different choreography. Now I know why Edward Villela did not want you to leave the Miami Ballet.” Seriously OTT praise here. The best ever anywhere around the world? Really? It was good, but C’mon. I guess we already know who they want to win. – 1-888-623-7806 – VIDEO
Alexie & Twitch – Napoleon and Tabitha – Hip Hop – “Butterfly” by Jason Mraz – Alexie was on Star Search when she was little. Adam was the judge back then. Hmmmm…. This was supposed to be super-sexy? But, really, there was not chemistry between the two of them. Nigel says, “You’re such a cute little dancer. You’ve got to be careful…too cutsey.” Mia says, “It was a little…you danced like a young adorable girl..you have to step it up, there was no swag.” Adam says, “Was I nice too you on that last show?” Ugh wasting time joking about his star search clip. “That was won over by pure charisma, ” Adam continued, “You gotta dig into the floor, you got to challenge your guy.” 1-888-623-7807 – VIDEO
Lauren & Ade – Mandy Moore – Pop Jazz – “Oh Yeah” by Yello – Lauren works with Kindergartners. The choreo is fun, sexy, full of humor, but the judges don’t like it so much. Nigel says, “I found it sterile, no chemistry between you and Ade. I think your position on this show is safe…you need to improve your performance. Mia says, “You are flawless, but there’s a lot of space in there that wasn’t being used. It felt like the first draft.” Adam says, “I’m a little concerned that you aren’t really listening.” Lauren’s looking for approval. Uh oh. Adam says she was looking out at the audience for approval. He wants her to look deeper into who she is. 1-888-623-7808 – VIDEO
Kent & Anya – Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – Ballroom – “Lady Marmalade” by Diva Invasion – This rube that just sprung from the turnip patch routine is going to get old fast. He’s like a very eager and enthusiastic boy. He’s hard not to like. Nigel says, “You enjoyed it Ken. You’re down on the farm, we’re very proud of you. How many Cougars do you have down on the farm, you have one now. You remind me of a young Paul Newman. I loved every second of your performance.” Mia says, “You committed to everything, you liked kind of like a ballroom boy, I’m so proud of you.” There was one spazzy step that both Nigel and Mia says Kent should never ever do again. Adam says, “You are so far out of your style, but you have so much determination, you blasted through your weaknesses. You did good.” Kent’s being graded on a curve… 1-888-623-7809. – VIDEO
Ashley & Neil – Tyce Diorio – Contemporary – “For All We Know” by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack – She does some crazy voices! This piece is about love. Nigel says, “This is got to be about transcending the steps…” Nigel asks her if she’s ever been in love before. She cries and says yes. Nigel tells her she needs to use that. “What America didn’t know about you–what a beautiful dancer you are.” Mia says, “I felt you a lot, I don’t know where you placed that emotion, it was there, it wasn’t coming across as loudly as I hoped, your a very special little bunny. You bring something innocent and special. I want to give you a hug right now. There is intrigue.” Adam says, “You’re creating incredible pictures, but I wasn’t connecting with you.” – 1-888-623-7810 – VIDEO
Robert and Courtney – Sean Cheeseman – African – “Norweg” Cirque Du Soleil’s Saltimbanco Soundtrack – Robert wanted to become a professional baseball player. Courtney and Robert are well paired. I initially thought Robert was cannon fodder, but now I’m not so sure. He’s a really strong dancer. Nigel says, “I thought the routine was fabulous. Robert I loved the way you danced it. You are a dark horse in this competition. You are going to be so good. Are boys are so strong this year.” “You’re just out of the gate and there’s so many things I love about you, quirk, beauty, athlete. I can’t wait for you to dig in.” Adam says, “Seeing you and Courtney together was unbelievable. You were completely there for each other. I think you are one of the best contemporary dancers we’ve every had on this show. I think you’re going very far.” Robert is totally shocked by all the compliments. 1-888-623-7811 – VIDEO
