We’re back after a week off.
We start with a beautiful contemporary piece featuring all the All-Stars and their progeny. Everyone gets showcased, and they all look cool in white. Good piece. Christopher Scott choreographed. Cat calls him “a wizard of moves”. Cat sounds like she’s recovering from laryngitis. Good on her for pulling through tonight. – WATCH the Group Routine VIDEO
Marko is taking Joshua’s place. Why? There’s no reasoning for it, just that the switch seems to be permanent and not just for tonight.
Nigel just finally joined AARP? Can’t you do that at 55? He’s definitely over 55. He’s joined by Paula and Jason. Maddie Ziegler join the judging panel.
1) Kida Duet- Team Fikshun- Chorographed by Chris Scott
Kida has an interview with Cat on the stage with directors chairs and everything. Cat asks him how the first time on the stage was. We see his journey in rehearsals. Isolating, popping, and krump are promised. Cool suits. Kida is definitely one of my favorite kids in the competition, but this dance highlights how they have the impossible task of dancing with All-Stars. Fik-Shun is KILLING THIS routine. Kida is doing good, but my eyes are drawn to Fikshun. I’m impressed he can even keep up. A really fun routine. Kida could be a contender. We’ll have to see how he does outside of his style. Jason gives props to Chris Scott. He calls it fly. Nigel says Kida has incredible rhythm. Nigel has a injured hand. Nigel wants to see Kida smile and light up more like Fik-Shun. Paula calls them the dynamic duo, and like a trip to Disneyland. Maddie says the performance quality is amazing together, and says their lines are clean. You can vote on the FOX NOW app. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
2) Emma’s Solo- Team Gaby- Impossible
Gabby asked Emma which ice cream flavor represents her personality, and she says Rocky Road. Emma asks Gaby if she cheated last season. LOL. Emma kills her tap solo. Maybe I was wrong about her. Maybe she’s a contender.
3) Tate Duet- Team Kathryn – Choreographed by Tyce Diorio
Tate says her voice was squeakier on TV. They’re playing butterflies. Tyce says she has the longest legs in America. Maddie says she has chills in rehearsals. Tate is singing to the song, which is the first thing I notice. Her mouthing the lyrics. Don’t do that. Otherwise, the choreography is beautiful, an more suited to show off Tate. She doesn’t feel like she’s dancing against Kathryn, rather they are together in this piece, and she soars because of it. Beautiful dance. They slayed that. Standing O from the judges. Nigel says it was a beautiful piece of choreography. Nigel says he’s humbled by Tate’s talent, and commends her jette. Nigel says she’s up there with the brilliant dancers. Paula says Tate is mature beyond her years, and aware of the talent in her body. Maddie calls them effortless, and says their chemistry is beautiful to watch. Jason says they delivered an emotional performance. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
4) Tahani’s solo- Team Comfort- Anyway
Tahani says parents never believe her. Tehani needs to prove she’s not just a cutesy girl hip hop dancer, and that she can hit as hard as Comfort. It was an alright solo. Didn’t wow me.
5) Jake Duet- Team Jenna- Choreographed by Jean Marc
He has to Cha Cha with Jenna, who is like a foot taller than him. Maddie says he has to dance larger than life to match Jenna. Jake is a really good dancer for his age. He’s got personality to spare. He just looks weird dancing with Jenna. She’s in heels, to make the height difference even more notable. He comes up to her waist. It feels a little slow in some places. Not my favorite dance of the night so far, but I think Jake deserves another week for sure. Standing O from the judges. Paula says Jake makes her so happy. She says Jean Marc pulled the best out of these two. Paula says he has a huge career ahead of him. Maddie says they’re incredible, and commends him for handling a tall partner well. Jason agrees. He says welcome to the next generation. Nigel says his size doesn’t equate to the enormity of his talent, and his personality stole everyone’s hearts. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
6) JT’s Solo- Team Robert- Dance With Me Tonight
JT is missing no teeth, but four are growing in. JT doesn’t have a girlfriend. JT asks Robert if he has a girlfriend. LOL. Child, we need to have a talk. It’s an OK solo. It just doesn’t do much for me. Cute kid, but perhaps just a little too young.
7) Sheaden’s Duet- Team Marko- Choreographed by Phar Side and Phoenix
Marko says he matches his energy. This dance is about the boogeyman. Why didn’t they find him a hip-hop all star? There’s a bed on stage, with Marko waking up, and Sheaden crawling out from underneath. His makeup is cool. Sheaden is outdancing Marko a bit in places. He just hits harder than Marko. Some cool tricks. Sheaden almost stumbles on a landing on the bed, but recovers like a pro. Maddie thought the choreography was great, and thought Sheaden embraced his character. Jason thinks the punctuation needs to be worked on. Nigel liked the acrobatic work, and calls it memorable. Paula says he’s come out of his shell and improved his showmanship. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
8) Ruby’s Solo- Team Paul- Unstoppable
Ruby thinks the oldest All-Star is Paul. Paul has a crush on Mackenzie. Ruby accidentally calls the show Dancing With The Stars. You wish. Ruby has the task of making a ballroom solo interesting, and she does a decent job of it. So much poise and personality.
9) Jordan’s Duet- Team Sasha- Choreographed by Brian Friedman– The Light That Never Falls
Jordan says they’re all bonding. Cat asks her about Kida, and Jordan just says he farts a lot. Loud and deadly. Maddie says she’s doing a great job with her emotions. Points to the lighting design team. Another great dance. evenly matched All-Star an dancer. beautiful. Jordan is a contender. Beautiful choreography. Jason calls it a beautiful piece, and the perfect time for such a piece. He says our country needs this right now. Nigel calls her a beautiful, confident, emotional dancer. He calls her stunning, and commends her growth in a short period of time. Paula says Jordan blew her away, and is really happy Sasha chose her. Maddie agrees and says they bring the best out of each other. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
10) Daniela’s Solo- Team Jonathan- Proud Mary
Daniela’s favorite animal is a dolphin. Jonathan’s favorite movie is Armageddon. Another ballroom solo. she makes good use of her time. I think she outdanced Ruby, but Ruby had more maturity in her solo.
11) All Stars Dance- Choreographed by Mandy Moore- Unsteady
Again, mad props to the lighting team. Beautiful work. Best dance of the evening. Hopefully Mandy choreographed a duet coming up. – WATCH the Group Routine VIDEO
12) Emma’s Duet- Team Gaby- Choreographed By Anthony- Watch Me Do
They’re working with ramps. Emma had lucky socks that she had never washed, and Gaby made her wash them lol. emma is good by her self, but like Kida, when she’s against her all-star, I can tell Gaby is out-dancing her. Gaby just has the right kind of maturity and stage presence. Emma is too cutesy right now. I’d hate to see her handle one of the heavier contemporary pieces we’ve seen tonight. It’s a good routine, and Emma isn’t doing bad, she’s just not Gaby. Nigel congratulates Gaby for doing that with a mic pack on her. Nigel says Gaby was good, and sat in the pocket. Paula says Emma has been inspiring and exceptional. Maddie loved watching it, and calls Emma a firecracker. Jason again mentions sitting in the pocket. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
National Dance Day promo. It’s Saturday, July 30th.
13) Kida’s Solo- Team Fik-Shun- Ants
Fik-Shun and Kida’s favorite color is red. Kida would rather have a girl that can animate, instead of a girl who can belly dance. Fik-Shun has a crush on Gaby. Kida is a great soloist. One of the best solos of the night.
14) Ruby’s Duet- Team Paul- Choreographed by Jean Marc- How Deep Is Your Love
Ruby, you have palm trees in Miami. Calm down. I think that Ruby is technically solid, but this dance doesn’t do anything for me. I think this is a dance style where chemistry between the dancers works, and the ability to “sell sex”, and Paul can’t do that with a 14 year old. The technique was good, but I didn’t feel anything. Ruby might be in danger this week. Paula says they’re a wonderful couple, and calls Ruby exquisite. She loved every second. Maddie says they were incredible, and calls Ruby mature. Jason says she set the floor ablaze. Nigel says she made no mistakes tonight. She’s the junior Latin American champion. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
15) Jordan’s Solo- Team Sasha- Freedom
Jordan would want a red mustang. Jordan makes up a dance move. Sasha has been dancing since she was 5. Incredible solo, with a lot of maturity and poise. My favorite solo of the night. Jordan is “IN IT TO WIN IT!”
16) Tahani’s Duet- Team Comfort- Choreographed by Luther
Comfort says they’ll get goosebumps and chills. Hitting hard.Tahani is proving he can do the ugly hip hop and get down. I don’t feel that Comfort is outdancing her, but she is out “swagging” her a bit. I think Tahani had a good night. Maddie thought the choreo showcased them both well. Jason dances a bit. Nigel asks if she knew what his favorite move was, and Tahani says “the old man step”. He says Comfort is one of the best hip hop dancers ever, but he still couldn’t stop watching her. Paula says Comfort brings out the best in Tahani. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
17) Tate’s Solo- Team Katherine- The Beginning
Tate says Zed instead of Z. Apparently Canadians call Z “Zed”. Tate really does have incredible legs. A good solo, but not better than Jordan’s.
18) Daniela’s Duet- Team Jonathan- Choreographed by Oksana- Latinos
Maddie says Daniela needs to trust Jonathan. Another dance that needs chemistry and sex. I gotta say Daniela is bringing a touch of sex to her routine. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it 100%, but I kind of appreciate her trying to bring what the dance needs. It’s not as technically perfect as Ruby’s, and feels slow in parts. The lifts were cool, but mostly on Jonathan to make them land. Daniela might be in danger this week. Jason gives props to Oksana. Nigel says she could be in the Gloria Estefan musical on Broadway. Maddie calls her a firecracker. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
We’re running out of time, so critics critiques have shortened.
19) Sheaden’s Solo- Team Marko- Look At Me Now
Sheaden asks Marko to spell Arabesque. He can’t. Marko has a crush on Katherine. I almost feel like Sheaden should be with Fikshun, as his personality matches him more. Kida could have been with Joshua. I think Kida had a better solo, but Sheaden had the better duet.
20) JT’s Duet – Team Robert- Choreographed by Mandy Moore- Stand in The Light (by The Voice Winner Jordan Smith!)
We’re past his bedtime. LOL. Cat asks JT if he could swap Robert for someone else, and JT says no because Robert is perfect the way he is. Mandy is pushing him to express himself. Mandy thinks he’s more than a cute kid with a bow tie. Robert and JT are wearing matching outfits. JT looks like his kid. I gotta say, I’m impressed. JT was given great choreography, and he’s doing a great job with it. He’s really trying to give everything he’s got. For his age, he’s as emotionally invested as he can possibly be. Remember, this was a kid who asked Robert if he had a girlfriend. Standing O. Nigel found that routine exceptionally emotional. Nigel says he’s happy to be on Next Generation, but fought it originally. Nigel admitted he wanted Sage instead of JT, but this routine changed his mind. Paula cried. She says it was exquisite to watch Robert’s connection to JT. Her favorite routine of the evening. JT starts to cry. Maddie says they were so incredible. Jason says someone out there was supposed to see that routine and be moved by it. Single fathers with kids, kids without fathers. He says it felt like life being reenacted on stage. JT’s gotta be safe this week. – WATCH Duet and Solo VIDEO
21) Jake’s Solo- Team Jenna- I Like It Like That
Jake has to pick between Travis or Twitch, and he picks Jenna. Jenna sweats a lot. Jake might have the best ballroom solo, showing personality and technique. I felt like Ruby and Daniela either had one or the other.
22) Next Gen Top 10 Group Routine- Move If You Wanna
JT looks kinda silly here, but I’d say Tate and Emma aren’t strong hip hop dancers either. They’re gonna need to get more swag if they end up out of their style. – WATCH the Group Routine VIDEO
My Bottom Three Picks:
Emma
Daniela
Ruby
Going Home: Daniela?
Join me next week, and we’ll see if I’m right.
