Carlos Garland and Brittany Cherry are eliminated by the judges.
Starting off the show with the eliminations is a terrible idea. Not only does it begin the episode on a sour note, but forcing the eliminated contestants to dance after they KNOW they are going home seems especially cruel. Plus, why not keep the suspense going until the very end? I don’t understand Nigel’s train of thought here.
Christina Applegate is a great guest judge. She’s got a wonderful eye for details and isn’t afraid to criticize. She knows her stuff.
Both dancers who left tonight were talented. I have mixed feelings about their departures. As far as who is leaving next week? What do you guys think? I can’t decide.
Sir Mac is away, and I’ll be liveblogging So You Think You Can Dance tonight! Two dancers will head home this week and the Top 20 performs for your votes.
“The Heroic Weather-Conditions of the Universe – Part 1: A Veiled Mist” – from Moonrise Kingdom – The show opens with the Top 20 performing a quirky, humorous opening number choreographed by Tyce DiOrio.
The bottom 3 guys and 3 girls will be in danger tonight! The judges will cut one girl and one guy…soon! Christina Applegate is the guest panelist.
Results!
Makenzie Dustman, Alan Bersten, Mariah Spears, Jade Zuberi, Brittany Cherry, Carlos Garland are in the Bottom and IN DANGER.
Nigel reminds the audience that for the first time, results are being announced at the top of the show. Then, he looks at the 6 contestants in trouble, and asks if they’ll be able to perform, even after elimination. They all answer “OF COURSE.” Ugh Nigel. What else could they say? Oh man. Sure, performing again is the eliminated dancers’ last hurrah, but on the other hand. UGH.
The judges save Makenzie Dustman and Alan Bersten.
SOLOS
Mariah – is first with a hip hop dance – “Hard in da Paint” by Waka Flocka Flame. Next, it’s Carlos with a strong contemporary dance. He’s shirtless! – “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons
Back from break, there are two more must dance for their lives. Brittany is next, with a hip shaking latin flavored number – “Hacksaw” by OOAH . Jade is last, with some very sensitive animation! “De Novo Adagio” by Alicia Keys.
Nigel wasn’t super impressed with the solos, so tonight’s results decisions will be based on dress rehearsal performances and feedback from the choreographers.
Carlos and Brittany are eliminated by the judges.
With the results out of the way, it’s time for the routines.
Hayley Erbert and Curtis Holland – Ray Leeper – Jazz – “Mama Knows Best” by Jesse J – Bad boy done wrong! Girl gives him a little bit of his own medicine. Payback is a bitch. Curtis isn’t much of a badboy but Brittany HOLY CRAP. She in her black leather, was HOT HOT HOT. Wow. Nigel calls it a very sexy routine. He couldn’t take his eyes off of Hayley. Mary LOVED it. Everyone on stage is doing the happy dance. She calls Curtis a “giggle bucket.” Nevertheless, she thought he was convincing. Explosive is how she describes Hayley. Christina calls Hayley insanely sexy, but she felt they needed to pay attention and fit their movements to the words of the song.
Curtis: 855-464-4601 Text Curtis 83676
Hayley: 855-464-3701 Text Hayley 83676
Jasmine Harper and Aaron Turner – Napoleon and Tabitha – Hip Hop – “Tears Always Win” by Alicia Keys – These two! Such easy chemistry. I’d call this dance routine soulful, with a languid sexiness. These two not only have a connection, but are able to inhabit the characters they play to perfection. I’m impressed. Mary loved the chemistry. She calls Jasmine a star, and actress. She really felt her. Christina has nothing negative to say and feels they are the couple to beat. Nigel felt it was an honest performance.
Aaron: 855-464-4602 Text Aaron 83676
Jasmine: 855-464-3702 Text Jasmine H to 83676
After break, it’s time to pimp National Dance Day on Saturday July 27.
Malece Miller and Jade Zuberi – Bollywood – Nakul – “Radha” from Student of the Year – The routine is about a girl who is hard to get. I love the Bollywood routines, which are always sparkly and fun. The movements aren’t quite as precise as they could be–especially from Jade–but they both dance with energy and confidence. Christina thinks they did a good job, despite being out of their wheelhouse. She tells Jade to work harder to stay out of the bottom 3. Nigel loves Malece’s pixie look. Eyes are drawn to her. Nigel is impressed that Jade picked up the choreography. What will his animator friends say? “They’ll call me the Prince of Detroit,” he says. Mary gives Jade props for hitting it hard.
Jade: 855-464-4603 Text Jade 83676
Malece: 855-464-3703 Text Malece to 83676
Alexis Juliano and Nico Greetham – Stacey Tookey – Contemporary – “Old Skin” by Olafur Arnalds & Arnor Dan – This piece is s a sequel to the Kathryn & Robert routine from Season 7. In the new piece, she comes home. Kathryn and Robert are on hand to help with the choreo. Alexis feels she has some big shoes to fill. Another beautiful routine from Stacey. So much better than last week’s clunky Hip Hop number. The duo danced with elegance and passion. Nigel believes Nico improves every week. He felt , the tapper did a good job. Mary felt they let the music take them to an uninhabited place.
Nico: 855-464-4604 Text Nico 83676
Alexis: 855-464-3704 Text Alexis to 83676
Brittany Cherry and BluPrint – Spencer Liff – Broadway – “It’s Oh So Quiet” by Bjork – Two students go wild while they’re studying in the library. Bummer! Brittany has been eliminated, but she’s dancing fabulously here, with great personality. BluPrint is giving it the old college try, but he seems uncomfortable and out of his element. Mary tells him that he’s doing well, considering he’s “a robot” but he has to dig deeper. Christina advises him to concentrate on telling a story if he gets Broadway again. Nigel agrees, saying he needs to sell himself. Nigel is sorry that Brittany never got to dance in her style.
BluPrint: 855-464-4605 Text BluPrint 83676
Jasmine Mason and Alan Bersten = Miriam and Leonardo – Argentine Tango – “Escape from Slavery” by PP Music (UK) – The duo worried about the complicated lifts, but except for a tiny wobble near the end, they executed the moves beautifully. A very strong routine. Christina felt, just like last week, they had another moment. Nigel felt so too, and can’t understand why Alan ended up in the bottom 6 this week. Mary could feel the passion. They danced a difficult routine with ease, she felt.
Alan: 855-464-4606 Text Alan 83676
Jasmine: 855-464-3706 Text Jasmine M to 83676
Makenzie Dustman and Paul KarmiryanSean Cheesman – Jazz – “Mannequin” by Trish – The boy is a mad scientist who creates the girl, a deadly fembot! Makenzie is robotic, and angular, while managing to remain soft and sexy AND fierce. She brings all of the elements together beautifully. Paul is impressively strong. Nigel loved it–so many naughty routines tonight, he says. Speaking of which–the naughty ballerina is in the audience (remember her?), and she’s very pregnant! He was impressed with Paul’s flips. He hated that Makenzie was in the bottom 6. She’s a star, he says. Mary thought it was terrific. Makenzie is a dance diva. Paul’s “snake” move was terrific, she says. Christina has NOTHING bad to say.
Paul: 855-464-4607 Text Paul 83676
Makenzie: 855-464-3707 Text Makenzie to 83676
Mariah Spears and Carlos Garland- Stacey Tookey – Contemporary – ‘Dead in the Water” by Ellie Goulding – The boy has amnesia as the result of a serious accident, the girl has to deal with the loss. Poor Carlos. That was such a beautiful routine, but he’s going home. Mariah is spectacular, her emotion is oozing out of every pour. A very moving performance–from both of them. Mariah is in tears. Mary calls Carlos “spectacular” and “America’s loss.” She’s impressed with the little hip hop dancer, Mariah. Stunning, she says. Christina is also sad. “America got it wrong.” There was no disconnect, the best chemistry of the night, she says. Christina is near tears! Nigel calls Mariah’s ability to emote “brilliant.” He’s impressed with her growth.
Mariah: 855-464-3708 Text Mariah to 83676
Amy Yakima and Fik-Shun – Napoleon and Tabitha – Hip Hop – “After Party” by Dorrough Music – The two play bell hops who would rather have fun, than work, in this light-hearted routine. With a luggage rack as a prop, the two are pretty adorable as they bust their way into our hearts. Personality plus. Christina loved it so much! She feels Fik-Shun is special, but Amy brings him up. Nigel calls the duo “uplifting” and adds that they light up the studio. “If you keep dancing like that, you’ll find yourselves in the finale.” Mary called it adorable and a party on stage.
Fik-Shun: 855-464-4609 Text Fik-Shun to 83676
Amy: 855-464-3709 Text Amy to 83676
Jenna Johnson and Tucker Knox – Dmitry Chaplin – Cha cha – “I Like it Like That” – Dance about a guy who knows everyone in the night club, the girl puts him in his place. Jenna says she loves to play the sexy girl. And she’s good at it. To be honest, I barely noticed Tucker. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Mary calls Jenna a STAR. She’s in her element here, but she’ll always be in her element, she says. Tucker needed more rhythmically action, but was there for his partner. Christina was thoroughly entertained, she thought they both were amazing. Nigel expected more from Jenna, in her genre. He wanted more Cha cha. It needed to look more “Dancing with the Stars.” He’s basically criticizing the choreography here.
Tucker: 855-464-4609 Text Tucker to 83676
Jenna: 855-464-3709 Text Jenna to 83676
