Join me here at 8PM for a live blog/discussion of our Top 16 Dancers!
Top 16 Group Routine. “New World”. It’s OK, choreographed by Stacey Tookey/John Chu
Our judges this week: Nigel, Mary, and Carly Rae Jepsen (who herself competed on Canadian Idol, so she’s familiar with the format). A lot of patting on the back for being nominated for several Emmys, including Cat Deeley for host. Hopefully she’ll win. She deserves it.
Amy and Fik-SHunn and Aaron and Jasmine are the first two couples introduced. Foreshadowing for the final four?
The Dancers In Danger:
Mariah, Alan, Makenzie, Bluprint, Jenna, and Curtis.
Jenna is the only person put through to safety. All three boys will dance for their lives. Either Mariah or Makenzie is going home.
1) Makenzie’s Solo
She’s dancing to Claire De Lune, a beautiful piece. I think Makenzie is a better dancer than Mariah. I know it seems like I hate on Mariah, but there seems to be something about Makenzie that isn’t resonating with the audience either.
2) Alan’s Solo
Return Of The King by X-Ray Dog. It’s very bullfighter like. He plays with a cape a lot, and I’m actually underwhelmed by the cape portion, but I thought the beginning part was strong.
3) Curtis’s Solo
Used To Love U by John Legend. Nigel loves tappers, but he’s got Aaron, who seems to be unstoppable. He might finally have a tapper winner. Does he need Curtis? I think it’ll come down to tonight’s routines for the boys.
4) Mariah’s Solo
Set It Off. I’m hard on Mariah, but I actually think she’s the best hip hop dancer in the competition. I don’t know what style she has tonight, but I’m worried for Mariah/Bluprint. They just had hip hop last week. God forbid they have like the Quick Step or something.
5) Bluprint’s solo
This was a lot better than I was expecting it to be. Probably his best solo so far on the show. I’m betting the judges are leaning toward Curtis right now, but we do have to see the routines. That could change everything.
1) Alexis and Nico- Jive by Tony and Melanie- Mayhem by Imelda May
The turns seem slow to me, but otherwise, it seems sufficient. Alexis seems slower than Nico in her movement. In parts, the music is fast, and they seem to be just creeping through their moves. I can’t wait to hear the judges comments. Nigel thought it started well. He thinks they lost it halfway through. Not great. Mary enjoyed the routine. She enjoyed the flicks. She gets really technical with them, but thinks they did a good job. Carly loved Nico’s expressions, but really doesn’t have much to offer critique wise.
To Vote For Alexis- 1-855-GO HER 01 or text ALEXIS to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Nico- 1-855-GO HIM 01 or text NICO to 83676 or vote online
2) Jenna and Tucker- Contemporary by Travis Wall
Tucker brings hope and light to Jenna. Jenna is attached by some fabric to the ceiling. Really great choreography. Beautifully danced by Jenna and Tucker. If Jenna’s not safe next week, then I’ll be speechless. Mary gave a standing O. She says it’ll be one of the most memorable routines at the end of the season. Mary thinks that Jenna and Tucker finally had their “moment”. I agree. She quietly puts them on the hot tamale train. Carly enjoyed the choreography. Nigel loved the choreography, and he thinks Jenna raised the bar and called her brilliant. No wonder she was saved. There was no way she’d go home after this.
To Vote For Jenna- 1-855-GO HER 02 or text JENNA to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Tucker- 1-855-GO HIM 02 or text TUCKER to 83676 or vote online
3) Mariah and Bluprint- Jazz by Brian Friedman- Fall Into The Sky by Zedd and Lucky Dog feat Ellie Goulding
Well, it’s probably the best style they could have gotten this week to keep them alive. It starts out fast, keeps the energy going, slows down a bit, and then features a lift that looks like Bluprint was struggling with. Honestly, I really enjoyed it. I thought those two kicked ass. Carly was nervous about the lift too. Bluprint looked like his head was going to explode. Nigel commented on the hip-hop heavy routine. Nigel liked the energy level, thought the final lift was clunky. Nigel says it was good “ish”. Mary loved the outfits. She also loved the synchronization. She thought Bluprint surprised her. These two MIGHT have bought themselves another week. Actually, I’d be very surprised if Bluprint left this week.
To Vote For Mariah (if she stays)- 1-855-GO HER 03 or text MARIAH to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Bluprint (if he stays)- 1-855-GO HIM 03 or text BLUPRINT to 83676 or vote online
4) Malece and Alan- Hip Hop by Dave Scott
Hip Hop was stolen by aliens. Malece and Alan are dancers from the future. These two are the least gangsta contenders. Following Bluprint and Mariah, who was really in sync, these two are not quite meshing together. Alan and hip hop just do not go together. He’s so white. Malece is trying really hard, and she has moments where I think she might be able to be a hip hop dancer with some more training. But Alan? I really thought he was ridiculous. Cat calls Malece a bad ass Tinkerbell. Nigel loved Malece. He calls Alan stiff, and tells him he needs to embody the style more. Nigel and Mary didn’t like Alan’s pants. lol. Mary didn’t think Alan got the style. Mary says Malece, however, was on fire. She says Malece’s star is burning bright. The third judge who doesn’t have a clue says she loved Malece. Carly is one of the most pointless judges ever.
To Vote For Malece- 1-855-GO HER 04 or text MALECE to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Alan (if he stays)- 1-855-GO HIM 04 or text ALAN to 83676 or vote online
5) Hayley and Curtis- Contemporary by Dee- Don’t Let Go Yet by David J Roch
There’s a 15 ft ladder on stage, and Hayley is afraid of heights. This should be interesting. She doesn’t seem to go very high on the ladder though. In fact, I don’t think they ever went to the top until the end. As the second contemporary routine of the night, it is the lesser of the two. Curtis and Hayley both danced it well, and the ladder was a neat prop. Mary tells Curtis to engage his back muscles. She liked his partnering though. Mary thought Hayley was spectacular. The puppet on the right commends Hayley for being brave. Cat brings up that Curtis and Hayley went out on a date. Nigel liked the concept. Nigel was disappointed also with Curtis’s shoulders. He thought the routine was ruined by Curtis’s shoulders. He tells Curtis to dance from his core. Nigel was also disappointed with his solo, but thought he connected emotionally here. He thought Hayley was magnificent. Curtis is still definitely in danger tonight. Nigel might want to give Hayley a better partner (Paul?) so she can have a better shot in the competition. I can’t imagine Nigel would want to put Hayley with Bluprint, by eliminating Mariah and Curtis. If they eliminate Alan, Malece would either get Bluprint or Paul. This is tough. Strategically, Hayley would do better with a stronger partner. She continues to outshine Curtis. I think Curtis might be gone this week.
To Vote For Hayley- 1-855-GO HER 05 or text HAYLEY to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Curtis (if he stays)- 1-855-GO HIM 05 or text CURTIS to 83676 or vote online
6) Amy and Fik-Shun- Broadway by Tyce Diorio- Under The Bridge from Triplets of Belleville
One of our power couples now. What a great music choice. Something obscure and rather fantastic to dance to. Amy and FikShun are again incredible. FikShun’s personality shines. My second favorite dance of the night (behind the Jenna/Tucker dance). Robo-Redhead says it was adorable. It was her favorite routine so far. Nigel says they grew enormously this week, and that Tyce gave them one of the best routines he’s ever done. He calls them the couple to beat. Mary thinks they grow every week. She says Amy is spectacular. She puts them on the hot tamale train.
To Vote For Amy- 1-855-GO HER 06 or text AMY to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Fik-Shun- 1-855-GO HIM 06 or text FIK-SHUN to 83676 or vote online
7) Makenzie and Paul- Hip Hop by Dave Scott- Pretty Lil Heart by Robin Thicke feat. Lil Wayne
Paul is a photographer trying to get Makenzie to be sexy. Paul is the same style as Alan, and his Hip Hop dancing is more solid. Not nearly as stiff. Makenzie is trying, but she just doesn’t move quite like a hip hopper should. I’m worried for her now. Paul was great though. Standing ovation from all three judges. Maybe I’m wrong about Makenzie. Nigel thought it was the sexiest routine of the evening. Nigel puts them on his hot tamale train. Mariah’s a goner. Mary says Nigel is 100% right. Mary says it is an amazing partnership. Mary also loved Makenzie. Lots of praise for Makenzie. Carly thought it was incredible and sexy.
To Vote For Makenzie (if she stays)- 1-855-GO HER 07 or text MAKENZIE to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Paul- 1-855-GO HIM 07 or text PAUL to 83676 or vote online
I’m concerned that Hayley might get stuck with Bluprint. I honestly don’t know if they’ll pick Curtis or Alan. Mariah is gone though. They just licked Makenzie up and down with golden praise.
8) Jasmine and Aaron- Quick Step by Tony and Melanie- Pencil Full Of Lead
Tony and Melanie say this is the hardest Quickstep they’ve done. Aaron is such a showman. Jasmine’s legs are fantastic here again. Of the two ballroom routines tonight, this was by far the best. That final stunt was fantastic. Not my favorite routine of the night, but still in my top 3. Mary said there was a bunch of different styles in there. Mary thought it was super fantastic, with only a few small problems. Mary and Cat say it’s a dreaded quickstep no more. Carly says Jasmine made it look easy. She doesn’t even talk about Aaron. She’s so useless. Nigel comments on their personalities being super strong.
To Vote For Jasmine- 1-855-GO HER 08 or text JASMINE to 83676 or vote online
To Vote For Aaron- 1-855-GO HIM 08 or text MAKENZIE to 83676 or vote online
Nigel says he didn’t bring what he brought in his solo into his partner work tonight.
Nigel says Curtis they give him the same notes over and over.
Nigel tells Bluprint that he’s good in his style, and thinks he learned some great discipline in the competition. Nigel eliminates Bluprint. What the eff?
Nigel says Makenzie’s work was too strong to let her go tonight. Mariah is eliminated.
ELIMINATED TONIGHT:
Bluprint and Mariah
I’m not a Bluprint fan, but he deserved to stay tonight. Curtis and Alan were both weak.
My Bottom 6 Predictions:
I think we’ll definitely see Alexis and Nico. They performed early, and their dance wasn’t great.
Alan and Curtis will reappear in the bottom. They weren’t good this week.
Here’s where it gets tough. We have some strong dancers who have never been in the bottom.
Malece could be in the bottom. She performed relatively early, and her routine wasn’t one of the best of the night. It was more in the middle of the pack.
Tonight is also the real test of Jasmine and Aaron. Will people vote for the quick step?
