Amber Jackson and Brandon Mitchell are eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance
Amber and Brandon danced BEAUTIFULLY tonight. I’m sad they left the competition. I would have sent Lindsay home instead of Amber–whom I think is a better dancer. Brandon was a tough call. Christina Applegate did a nice job at the judges table. She’s not a professional dancer, per se, but she has performed on Broadway, so she’s got a valid perspective. I liked that she wasn’t afraid to constructively criticize.
I’m still have mixed feelings about smooshing the performance and results shows together. It makes for a snappy two hours of TV, but maybe a little TOO snappy. I don’t like that the entire panel knows who is going home before the dancers perform again. How do they keep that knowledge from coloring their critiques?
The Top 16 are dressed as Charlie Chaplins in this routine, shot in black and white save for a single red umbrella, by Tyce Diorio. “The Here and After”
The dancers are introduced as couples.
There will be a two week break after tonight’s show. The Alvin Aily Dance theater is here tonight.
Tonight’s guest judge is Christina Applegate
Tonight’s video packages will feature
Tiffany and George – Hip Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon – “Out of My Mind” B.o.B and Nicki Minaj – So NappyTabs are pregnant, and they whipped up a dance with a babysitting theme. It was cute by half. Maybe too much. But, the dancing rose above the choreography. Nigel liked the routine. Very entertaining. He’d like to see grungier routines. He was surprised that George lost wind. Tiffany got down, he says. Mary thought it was cute and fantastic. George has not disappointed her. Also thought Tiffany hit hard. Christina called Tiffany “Tough and scary.”
Tiffany – 1-855-464-3701 – Text Tiffany to 83676
George – 1-855-464-4601 – Text George to 83676
Brandon and Amber – Jazz by Ray Leeper – Dr. Feelgood (Love is Serious Business) by Aretha Franklin – WOW. That was SUPER hot. Amber in particular was so sultry. Fantastic. These two lost their partners last week, but together they have some real chemistry. We’ve got a brand new couple here! Christina lets loose with a slew of bleeped words. “None of us should have been here watching you.” Thought Amber danced the best she ever has. Amber has “gut” she says. She completely forgot Brandon is a stepper. Mary says “there was definitely some soul in that bowl” Sultry and soulful, she calls it. Nigel called it “baby making choreography”. Nigel thinks Brandon is strong, yet thinking through the lifts.
Amber – 1-855-464-3702 – Text Amber to 83676
Brandon – 1-855-464-4602 – Text Brandon to 83676
Before Janelle and Dareian take the stage, Cat pimps this Saturday’s National Dance Day. The DizzyFeet Foundation Gala is SOLD OUT. The Inspiration Award is going to Shirley MacLaine.
Janelle and Dareian – Cha cha by Pasha – “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen – Well. It had to happen. A routine choreographed to the summer’s biggest hit. But I didn’t expect a cha cha. Both dancers are performing out of their style. Janelle, as a belly dancer will NEVER dance in her style. Keeping that in mind, I thought the performance was OK. I thought they had more chemistry than the judges did. The music might have squashed the sexy. Mary thought a couple of the tricks were phenomenal. But she didn’t feel chemistry and the transitions weren’t good. BAD feet. Christina thinks both gave a best effort. She was distracted by Dareian’s hands. Nigel was surprised not to find Janelle sexy. No chemistry.
Janelle – 1-855-464-3703 – Text Janelle to 83676
Dareian – 1-855-464-4603 – Text Dareian to 83676
Lindsay and Cole – Contemporary by Mandy Moore – “Wild Horses” – The lighting in this routine looked really dark, although by all accounts, it was beautiful in the studio. Cole has a unique style and a very distinctive personality. He’s going to become a favorite, I think. Nigel LOVED the choreography. Also, the lighting was fantastic. Felt Lindsay’s spirit was in the right place tonight. Calls Cole meticulously neat and tidy. It could be boring but he has personality and is a genius. Mary admits she was faking at the Green Mile when she said Witney had more magic. Cole is versatile, extraordinary and nailing it. Christina says Cole is an enigma. Lindsay was a nice surprise and spoke so well through her body.
Lindsay – 1-855-464-3704 – Text Lindsay to 83676
Cole – 1-855-464-4604 – Text Cole to 83676
Amelia and Will – Jazz by Mandy Moore – “You” by The Creatures – This routine is all about how opposites attract. I really loved this quirky routine. It was right in this duo’s wheelhouse. Both have great personalities and they connect to each other on a very fundamental level. Christina calls them “The Dream Team” loves their chemistry. They embrace different styles effortlessly. Nigel wasn’t feeling it this week. No connection between the couples. He loves them both, though. Mary is somewhere in the middle. Not as strong as other numbers they’ve done this season, but it isn’t bad. Will is a great partner.
Amelia – 1-855-464-3705 – Text Amelia to 83676
Will – 1-855-464-4605 – Text Will to 83676
Audrey and Matthew – Salsa by Liz Lira – “Cinco Salsa” – They both looked entirely out of their element, admitting in their video package that they were struggling. These two just didn’t register with me tonight. They are still one of Mary’s favorite couples, but didn’t feel they were on fire. Christina thinks they are amazing, but was distracted by the music, maybe they were too. Nigel felt it was too slow and not sexy. There wasn’t enough going on for him.
Audrey – 1-855-464-3706 – Text Audrey to 83676
Matthew – 1-855-464-4606 – Text Matthew to 83676
Witney and Chehon – Contemporary by Stacey Tookey – “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston – The story is about a couple who need to be together, but can’t. It’s the type of emotional routine that grabs votes and I wonder if Nigel made sure this couple, who were in the bottom last week, were taken care of. Having said that, the routine was beautifully choreographed and danced. Chabon is strong and amazing. Witney has already proven that she’s she’s got something special. THAT got a standing ovation. Christina is on the verge of tears. You weren’t just the muses, but the painters too. Mary is teary too. It brings her great sadness and joy to hear Whitney’s voice. The catch-lift was memorable. Most defining moment for the couple. Nigel is proud to have saved them last week. Flawless routine. (Nigel kept using the word “Oscar” when he meant “Emmy.” A little confused?)
Witney – 1-855-464-3707 – Text Witney to 83676
Chehon – 1-855-464-4607 – Text Chehon to 83676
Eliana and Cyrus – Hip Hop with Napoleon and Tabitha – “Toxic” by District 78 with Ceesa – Eliana plays a robot sitting atop a music box. Cyrus is pretty close to his style here, and he’s watchable as usual. Eliana is surprisingly hard hitting in this hip hop routine. Another standing ovation! Mary calls it fabulous. Feels it’s a privilege to watch Cyrus and Eliana, the ballerina was getting down. Both on the train. Christina feels Eliana is one of the best dancers she’s ever seen. Christina notes that Cyrus has NOT picked contemporary yet. Hm. Nigel is pleased Cyrus pulled this routine. He asks Eliana how a ballerina gets swag. He thought Eliana was better in spots!
Eliana – 1-855-464-3708 – Text Eliana to 83676
Cyrus – 1-855-464-4608 – Text Cyrus to 83676
All the dancers gather on stage.
Tonight’s bottom 3 dancers are: Amber, Lindsay, Eliana, George, Brandon and Dareian.
This week, Nigel wants to see Amber, Eliana, Brandon and Dareian dance again!
Solos: Amber is up first. Brandon is next “I Want it All Back”, Eliana takes the stage “Near Light”, and finally Dareian “Ordinary People”
The Alvin Ailey Dance theater is next “The Hunt” Choreographed by Robert Battle
The Girls: The judges will be saving Lindsay because she has more room to grow. Elimination was between Eliana and Amber, which is why Nigel asked them both to dance again, In the end, it’s Amber who is heading heading home. “Free” by Haley Reinhart plays during her goodbye video!
The Boys: George is SAVED. Nigel was impressed with Dareian’s solo. He loves Brandon, but will be letting him go tonight, while saving Dareian.
