Oh noes. Alex Wong is injured! It happened at rehearsal today. He will not be able to perform tonight! He’s got a ruptured Achilles tendon. He had an MRI today. If he can’t perform next week, he’s OUT of the competition!
I don’t know much about athletic injuries. But the stuff I was reading in my twitter feed tonight? The consensus seems to be that a ruptured Achilles tendon is not something one gets over in a week. The threat that Alex will have to leave the show is very real. And that’s too bad, because he’s bringing buzz to a show that seems to badly need it. The ratings are better than last fall, but not as good as last summer.
There’s plenty of talent in the current crop, but Alex is this year’s star, and had an excellent chance of taking it all.
Tonight, my favorite moment had to be Cat calling out Nigel on giving Jose a pass a few weeks ago on his sub-par Bollywood, while harping on technique during Adechike’s critique. Contradict yourself much, Nigel?
The contestants chose the dances last week. Adechike and Alex were supposed to dance Bollywood together, and a Foxtrot with Anya. Alex will automatically be put into the bottom 3 tomorrow with two other dancers.
Tonight, the Top 8 performed one dance with an All-star, and another with each other.
Tomorrow, see performances by pop singer Natasha Bedingfield and the cast of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning smash hit “In The Heights.”
Lauren Froderman & Pasha Kovalev – Jean Marc and France – Cha Cha – “Telephone” by Beyonce and Lady Gaga – Holy cow, what happened to the pageant bot we saw the first week? Lauren is really stepping it up. Nigel says, “No question you matured. This was not a little girl up there dancing. You did a really good job. Different girl from last week. Congrats.” Mia says, “Pure murduration. You were so hot, it was perfect. You danced like a woman.” Adam says, “You were sharp, specific, strong. You are a totally different girl. Keep it up. You are on an amazing path.” – 1-888-623-7801 – VIDEO
Jose Ruiz & Lauren Gottlieb – Mandy Moore – Contemporary – “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS – The dance is about “soul mates.” It’s like a 6th grade slow dance! Finally, we can say that Jose is both charismatic and technically proficient. Jose’s best routine yet. Nigel says, “You looked amazing. You are now pointing your toes, you were there for Lauren, you amazed me because you are pushing yourself beyond barriers even you knew were there. It’s about somebody who wants to learn. It’s beautiful to see.” Jose is crying. Mia says, “There so lack of ego, just an open heart and purity. When your spirit dances, your body will follow. Everything you did came out of an host place. It was a really special moment.” Adam says, “Mandy Moore played to your strengths, passion, commitment, this is why we praise you week after week. You are growing technically.” – 1-888-623-7802 – VIDEO
Kent Boyd & Comfort Fedoke – Hip Hop – Dave Scott – “You’re Not My Girl’ By Ryan Leslie – Well, Kent sort of soft-shoed his way through that hip-hop, but he handled it better than I expected. Nigel says, “It was like a soft hop, super cool Justin Timberlake feel. You didn’t overact it. You sat in the groove. Fun, everything was musical. Comfort, you’ve grown as well.” Mia says, “I wasn’t mad at you, at all. There was a cool factor. You’re not as cool as Mr. Scott. You were lacking a little bit of that groove and funk factor.” Adam says, “You were really really good, I saw growth in you this week. You embraced small. It made me want to watch you more. – 1-888-623-7803 – VIDEO
Adechike Torbert & Courtney Galiano – Jazz – Mandy Moore – “Is You Or Is You Ain’t My Baby” (Rae & Christian Remix) Dinah Washington – It’s all about seduction! “This is gonna be hot, ” says Mandy. Well, not really. Courtney is one hot mama right here, and Adechike is like a cold fish. His proficient technique bores me. Nigel says, “Good routine, last week you gave us a really good character, I think you’ve came up to the task. It’s the best I’ve seen you outside of your style.” Adechike lost a contact! Mia says, “I feel that you got so much praise for your personality last week, you relied on that, the ability the style just wasn’t there. It was very mediocre for me.” Boy Mia hated that! Adam says, “I think you need to get lost in the music now. Find a deeper connection with your partner. Find a new character each week.” – 1-888-623-7804 – VIDEO
Billy Bell & Allison Katee Shean– Spencer Liff – Broadway – “Mystery the Cat” from Cats (Original Broadway Cast) – Allison bruised a rib so she’s out…Katee Shean is in! This is a really good style for Billy. I’ll bet he finally gets some good comments. Nigel says, “Outside of what you’ve done in your solos, this is the best I’ve seen you dance. Spencer’s choreography has given you a style that sits on you beautifully.” Mia says, “You were absolutely fabulicoius. That was the best I’ve seen you, Sharp, style, snappiness. I think Jerome Robbins would have loved you.” Adam says, “You have never connected with a partner this well, or connected to a performance so well. You drew me in. It’s the small things.” 1-888-623-7805. – VIDEO
Ashley Galvan & Dominic Sandoval – Hip Hop – Napoleon and Tabitha – “How Low” by Ludicris – Ashley and Dominic splays a Ninja assassins! This is the first week Ashley has danced outside of her style, and she is acquitting herself quite well. She’s hitting it pretty hard there. Nigel says, “We do love you Ashley, you can do something other than contemporary. You hit really heard, you could take a firmer base, but I loved it.” Mia says, “Oh Grasshopper! I thought you danced that so hard core. There was no kill in your eyes. But I thought you danced it fabulously.” Adam says, “I think you’re a quiet contender. You just took a step forward. I didn’t expect you to hit it so hard.” 1-888-623-7806 – VIDEO
Robert Roldan & Kathryn McCormick – Sean Cheeseman – Contemporary – “Sinking Feeling” by Roisin Murphy – They play dolls who come to life. I loved the idea of this routine? But it just did not come together for me.Nigel says, “I loved the concept. Absolutely fun. I don’t understand why you’ve been in the bottom 3.” Nigel has been on line to research why peeps aren’t voting for him. LOL. Fans think Robert is arrogant. Nigel is appalled. Nigel loves him! Loved the routine. Mia says, “He’s one of the hardest workers, ever. I loved it. The movement inside the box was everything. I thought it was great, could have been tightened up more, but we can’t have you in the b3 anymore.” Adam says, “Rob, your so great, you give 100% to everything you do.” Robert is not connecting to the audience. Nothing the judges say is going to change that. I expect him to be in the B3 again this week. – 1-888-623-7807. – VIDEO
Next the contestants perform with each other.
Adechike Torbert and Alex Wong – Nakul – Bollywood – “Mourya Re” by Don the Chase Begins Again (soundtrack) – Now, the contestants dance with each other. We see the video package for their Bollywood routine Adechike and Alex were rehearsing. Nakul’s sister will dance with Adechike instead. Adechike isn’t doing it for me this week. Nigel says, “You’ve got to be much deeper in your plies, much sharper in what you do. You made it ‘funkier’ in places. Stick to specific style. I loved the split jumps in the end.” Nigel is bummed he didn’t get to see them dance together. Oh, Cat is calling out Nigel for giving Jose a pass a few weeks ago! Mia says, “Jose has this heart thing that grabs everyone. You’re never focused. It seemed a little African. It feels a little flaily to me. I miss Alex right now, hard.” Adam says, “You had an enormous amount of power. You lacked finish to your lines, you lacked snap.” Nigel says, “We are attempting to improve you.” Adechike looks really upset. Man, Cat calling out Nigel. She was so right. Jose really effed up Bollywood a few weeks ago, and they didn’t care. – VIDEO
Lauren Froderman & Kent Boyd – Travis Wall – Contemporary – “Collide” by Howie Day – The dance is tailor-made for the young dancers–two people say goodbye after their prom. They play themselves. It’s very sweet and beautifully danced. Nigel says, “What a really good contemporary dancer Lauren and Kent is, and what a good contemporary choreographer Travis is. Lauren you are a strong dancer, I felt your heart tonight. Ken you’re such a hard worker. All your hard work will pay off. Congrats.” Mia says, “I thought that was absolutely stunning, you’re connection was there. You are the perfect female dancer–athlete, technique, soul. You had a great night tonight. Kent, beautiful work.” Mia thinks Kent made Lauren feel comfortable enough to let her guard down. Adam says, “I felt a little bit embarrassed because it became so honest, it was too intimate. You became sensual and honest. I felt weird watching it!” – VIDEO
Robert Roldan & Ashley Galvan – Jean Marc & France – Quickstep – “Man With the Hex” by the Atomic Fireballs – The dance of death! They look like they can’t wait for it to be over. They manage to get through it with no disasters. Nigel says, “You had more close hold than anybody who has been on the show, you (robert) were jumping around a little bit…your shape wasn’t quiet right–your character was, your dance was. Ashley, I thought you were absolutely lovely.” Mia says, “They got through it, and it wasn’t a train wreck. The music was fighting the quickstep. It was so harsh. Robert, your legs were too far apart. It wasn’t the kiss of death, it was a bad kiss.” Adam says, “You did get through it, you were totally committed, you served each other beautifully. Ashley loves working with Robert! – VIDEO
Jose Ruiz & Billy Bell – Sean Cheesman – African – “The Hunt” by Mickey Hart – This is some really awesome choreography, but it probably needs to be danced by more powerful dancers. Although, some of Billy’s moves were really fascinating to watch. Nigel says, “I loved the concept. Billy, you played a cat twice tonight! It felt a little bit like a broadway cat to me. I was a little disappointed. Jose, this really is a very powerful creature, it wasn’t powerful enough for me from either of you. You could have brought more to the party.” Mia says, “Billy I loved that animal in my world. You’re like a snake, or like a cat. I thought you were amazing, moments you lost the physicality. Jose you went for it, but it wasn’t enough. You didn’t hit the lines.” Adam says, “There’s a moment when you have to let go of your lines. Jose, you got to hit it harder.” – VIDEO
