Gah. Results shows are bittersweet. I guess we couldn't appreciate the dancers' brilliance w/out the thorny problem of kicking two off each week. Lame. :-)
Anyway, so I was reading and missed the opening number... irriatating. But I did see the rest of the show. I was so scared when the first three couples came up because none of them were in my bottom 3 - they were all really good. Then of course Cat surprised the crap out of Jeanine and Phillip by sending them to safety TOO! Very slick.
Like I suspected, Paris and Tony were first in the bottom, followed by Asuka and Vitolio. When it came between Jeanette and Brandon vs. Karla and Jonathan, I wanted Jeanette and Brandon in the bottom, but really it could have been either. And I was wrong.
Then we watched a beautiful ballroom number by a European couple; I couldn't keep my eyes off them. I just wish Cat had introduced their style and country of origin. Finally, we saw the 6 solos:
PARIS: Eh, it seemed almost ungainly. There wasn't a lot of fluidity to her movement, like she was overthinking it.
TONY: Did he even dance? It reminded me of when rappers "dance" on stage, except he wasn't singing. That was bad.
ASUKA: I like her!! But it felt like she was almost trying to hard...
VITOLIO: Wow. He's amazing. They can't get rid of him.
KARLA: I like her...but her dancing isn't quite as strong as some of the others...
JONATHAN: He's really cute and I thought his performance and solo were good, not brilliant, but just good. His performance during the Cha-Cha lacked a little swagger and follow-through, but the entire thing was exciting.
Oh yeah, and I really didn't care for Sean Kingston's performance. Was it out of tune and scratchy and boring, or am I crazy??
When it came to the eliminations I was happy to hear the the judges were unanimous, but I was hoping they'd made good choices. For the guys, Tony was the obvious choice. But I wasn't as sure about the girls. I wanted Paris to go, but Asuka and Karla were weaker dancers too.
Thankfully, I called both choices and we lost an entire couple: Tony Bellissimo and Paris Torres. So, no switcheroo for next week. They looked pretty unhappy to be leaving, but someone's got to go.
SOME ADVICE
To stay out of the bottom next week Jonathan needs to step up his dancing and stop trying to move forward just on looks. He's very cute and a stellar gymnast, but another mediocre performance will keep him in danger. Karla is great, but is still one of the weaker ones...so I'm not sure what she can do to get stronger, if anything. Vitolio and Asuka are great dancers separately, but they need to work on chemistry and personality.
I can't wait to see more phenomenal dancing next week!! Till then...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Top 20
It’s baaack! I am so excited for this season of SYTYCD. Last year was amazing, so before last night aired I wondered how this season was going be even better… but, incredibly, it is.
Adam Shankman joined Mary and Nigel on the panel last night…
1) JEANINE MASON (contemporary) & PHILLIP CHBEEB (hip hop)
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer(s): Tabitha and Napoleon
Wow! That was awesome!! We all know that Phillip is unstoppable in this genre, but I was watching Jeanine a lot and she held her own!! I would love to see Phillip do something else though… and I am so happy he FINALLY got on the show. Adam said it was “un-freakin-real”, Mary screamed and Nigel was equally impressed. What a way to kick off the show!!! A+++
2) ASUKA KONDOH (Latin ballroom) & VITOLIO JEUNE (contemporary)
Style: Jazz/Broadway
Choreographer(s): Tyce Diorio
Okay, so I LOVE Tyce’s choreography, but this was a little strange. I’ve liked Asuka from the beginning and was happy when she got to the top 20, but something was wrong with this one. My family agreed: there was something missing. After hearing the judges’ commentary, we agreed that the performance didn’t feel real. Adam said it was artificial though they are good dancers. Mary was disappointed that they didn’t bring the performance to life, calling it safe. Nigel said their dancing was strong, but their personalities didn’t come across. B-
3) KARLA GARCIA (jazz/contemporary) & JONATHAN PLATERO (salsa)
Style: Cha-Cha
Choreographer(s): Tony ?
That was really good. They had lots of chemistry and it was hot, but I’ve seen better ballroom. Adam thought it was awesome and said that Jonathan was dancing less like a boy and more like a man. Mary screamed and said it was a whole lotta rough and a whole lotta fun. Nigel said they’d slipped under the radar, but it was fantastic, praising their chemistry. A
4) RANDI EVANS (jazz) & EVAN KASPRZAK (Broadway)
Style: Jazz
Choreographer(s): Tyce
Wow! That was really freaking awesome. Evan looks little, but he is strong and talented. We didn’t get to see much of him doing things other than his Broadway…but I’d wanted him over his tap-dancing brother, and I am very happy he got in. You could tell how careful he was when touching Randi during that performance. Adam said that even though they’re vertically challenged, they danced like they were 8 feet tall; “it blew me away.” Mary screamed and said that the stars have just come out…calling it smoldering and believable. Nigel praised their control and said it was absolutely fantastic. A+
5) PARIS TORRES (contemporary) & TONY BELLISSIMO (hip hop)
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer(s): Tabitha and Napoleon
Okay, that was good. The headphones were irritating, hanging around their neck during the whole dance. Paris held her own, but I wasn’t blow away by the performance. Tony is like this season’s Ivan – he good, but needs work. He isn’t my favorite guy. Adam said it was really good, but the costumes were distracting and they needed more rebound. Mary didn’t think it would be memorable and wasn’t believable. Nigel agreed with Mary, and said it was just steps; they haven’t got it: Paris was good, but Tony needs serious growth. B
6) CAITLIN KINNEY (contemporary) & JASON GLOVER (lyrical/contemporary)
Style: Bollywood
Choreographer(s): Nakul
I really like this new style, although it’s hard for me to critique it since I’m not as familiar with it. Jason is freaking amazing…and so cute! I didn’t think Caitlin was that good during Vegas week, but she certainly held her own. I hope they go far. (And props to the music; Slumdog Millionaire was a fantastic movie!!) Adam: “you guys rocked!!!!” He praised their hand and feet work, calling Jason a little force of nature. Mary screamed and praised their charisma. Nigel said it evoked memories of the Katie/Joshua Bollywood brilliance from the previous year and said they brought it. A
7) JEANETTE MANRARA (salsa) & BRANDON BRYANT (contemporary)
Style: Foxtrot
Choreographer(s):
Hmm, for me this one started off a little stiff and boring, but it got MUCH better by the middle and end. Jeanette is great. Brandon is a beautiful dancer, but his personality bothers me. Adam called it lovely, loving the character Brandon brought to the stage. Mary screamed, saying it was elegant. She praised Jeanette’s fire and spice and the effortless lifts; Brandon is a powerhouse! Nigel reminded us that this was the first time Brandon worked with a frame and praised his carriage, saying it was a good routine. B+
8) ASHLEY VALERIO (contemporary) & KUPONO AWEAU (lyrical/contemporary)
Style: Jazz
Choreographer(s): Wade Robson (and wife Amanda)
I adore Wade: he is freaking amazing. I was SO very, very excited to hear that he’d be back to choreograph this year. OMG. And he certainly did not disappoint. He always brings something so unique and exciting to this stage. I LOVED this routine. Ashley is amazing and I have liked Kupono for a long time now. Adam said you either love it or hate it and praised the diversity. He had to work at watching the dancing, but the technique was exquisite. Mary was so there with the routine, bought it 100%, calling it marvelous. Nigel said that Wade is a genius because people remember him. It had characters they adhered to; with the dancing he was taken to a different world and they kept him there, loved it. A+++
9) MELISSA SANDVIG (ballet) ADE OBAYOMI (contemporary)
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer(s): Mandy Moore
Talk about chemistry! That was beautiful! Adam got emotional, was very moved and called that one so special, praising Ade’s quiet, extraordinary power. He said that Mellissa proved that things only get better w/ age (at 29, she’s the oldest). Mary screamed, praising the beauty, calling it spectacular; Ade is a superstar. Nigel praised the fantastic top 20 as a whole. He loved the “pas de deux” style of this performance, saying that Mellissa is beautiful, and he’s so happy they have a ballerina on the show and we haven’t seen Ade’s brilliance yet. A+
10) KAYLA RADOMSKI (jazz/contemporary) & MAX KAPITANNIKOV (Latin ballroom)
Style: Samba
Choreographer(s):
That was good!! I liked it, but I kept thinking that they needed to put more footwork in there. Kayla was doing great in her 4-inch heels, but I didn’t think it was enough. Max is great; I love that we have at least one Russian every season. Adam had his hands over his face: “That was so good!!! Are you kidding me???” (I love Adam, he’s so much fun.) Mary screamed and stood; “Amen!!! On the hot tamale train!!” Nigel said it was truly sensational; Kayla has always been at the top, but Max could easily have been lost. He wasn’t lost, but Nigel wanted him to be sharper. A
So, that was amazing. Mary screamed a lot so, seriously, everybody was good! How do we pick?? If I had to pick two couples to be in the bottom 3, I’d say it would be Asuka/Vitolio, Paris/Tony for sure…but the 3rd couple…I’m not sure. Based on MY own impressions, I’d say Jeanette/Brandon, but who knows? Brandon is extremely talented…
We shall see!!
Adam Shankman joined Mary and Nigel on the panel last night…
1) JEANINE MASON (contemporary) & PHILLIP CHBEEB (hip hop)
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer(s): Tabitha and Napoleon
Wow! That was awesome!! We all know that Phillip is unstoppable in this genre, but I was watching Jeanine a lot and she held her own!! I would love to see Phillip do something else though… and I am so happy he FINALLY got on the show. Adam said it was “un-freakin-real”, Mary screamed and Nigel was equally impressed. What a way to kick off the show!!! A+++
2) ASUKA KONDOH (Latin ballroom) & VITOLIO JEUNE (contemporary)
Style: Jazz/Broadway
Choreographer(s): Tyce Diorio
Okay, so I LOVE Tyce’s choreography, but this was a little strange. I’ve liked Asuka from the beginning and was happy when she got to the top 20, but something was wrong with this one. My family agreed: there was something missing. After hearing the judges’ commentary, we agreed that the performance didn’t feel real. Adam said it was artificial though they are good dancers. Mary was disappointed that they didn’t bring the performance to life, calling it safe. Nigel said their dancing was strong, but their personalities didn’t come across. B-
3) KARLA GARCIA (jazz/contemporary) & JONATHAN PLATERO (salsa)
Style: Cha-Cha
Choreographer(s): Tony ?
That was really good. They had lots of chemistry and it was hot, but I’ve seen better ballroom. Adam thought it was awesome and said that Jonathan was dancing less like a boy and more like a man. Mary screamed and said it was a whole lotta rough and a whole lotta fun. Nigel said they’d slipped under the radar, but it was fantastic, praising their chemistry. A
4) RANDI EVANS (jazz) & EVAN KASPRZAK (Broadway)
Style: Jazz
Choreographer(s): Tyce
Wow! That was really freaking awesome. Evan looks little, but he is strong and talented. We didn’t get to see much of him doing things other than his Broadway…but I’d wanted him over his tap-dancing brother, and I am very happy he got in. You could tell how careful he was when touching Randi during that performance. Adam said that even though they’re vertically challenged, they danced like they were 8 feet tall; “it blew me away.” Mary screamed and said that the stars have just come out…calling it smoldering and believable. Nigel praised their control and said it was absolutely fantastic. A+
5) PARIS TORRES (contemporary) & TONY BELLISSIMO (hip hop)
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer(s): Tabitha and Napoleon
Okay, that was good. The headphones were irritating, hanging around their neck during the whole dance. Paris held her own, but I wasn’t blow away by the performance. Tony is like this season’s Ivan – he good, but needs work. He isn’t my favorite guy. Adam said it was really good, but the costumes were distracting and they needed more rebound. Mary didn’t think it would be memorable and wasn’t believable. Nigel agreed with Mary, and said it was just steps; they haven’t got it: Paris was good, but Tony needs serious growth. B
6) CAITLIN KINNEY (contemporary) & JASON GLOVER (lyrical/contemporary)
Style: Bollywood
Choreographer(s): Nakul
I really like this new style, although it’s hard for me to critique it since I’m not as familiar with it. Jason is freaking amazing…and so cute! I didn’t think Caitlin was that good during Vegas week, but she certainly held her own. I hope they go far. (And props to the music; Slumdog Millionaire was a fantastic movie!!) Adam: “you guys rocked!!!!” He praised their hand and feet work, calling Jason a little force of nature. Mary screamed and praised their charisma. Nigel said it evoked memories of the Katie/Joshua Bollywood brilliance from the previous year and said they brought it. A
7) JEANETTE MANRARA (salsa) & BRANDON BRYANT (contemporary)
Style: Foxtrot
Choreographer(s):
Hmm, for me this one started off a little stiff and boring, but it got MUCH better by the middle and end. Jeanette is great. Brandon is a beautiful dancer, but his personality bothers me. Adam called it lovely, loving the character Brandon brought to the stage. Mary screamed, saying it was elegant. She praised Jeanette’s fire and spice and the effortless lifts; Brandon is a powerhouse! Nigel reminded us that this was the first time Brandon worked with a frame and praised his carriage, saying it was a good routine. B+
8) ASHLEY VALERIO (contemporary) & KUPONO AWEAU (lyrical/contemporary)
Style: Jazz
Choreographer(s): Wade Robson (and wife Amanda)
I adore Wade: he is freaking amazing. I was SO very, very excited to hear that he’d be back to choreograph this year. OMG. And he certainly did not disappoint. He always brings something so unique and exciting to this stage. I LOVED this routine. Ashley is amazing and I have liked Kupono for a long time now. Adam said you either love it or hate it and praised the diversity. He had to work at watching the dancing, but the technique was exquisite. Mary was so there with the routine, bought it 100%, calling it marvelous. Nigel said that Wade is a genius because people remember him. It had characters they adhered to; with the dancing he was taken to a different world and they kept him there, loved it. A+++
9) MELISSA SANDVIG (ballet) ADE OBAYOMI (contemporary)
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer(s): Mandy Moore
Talk about chemistry! That was beautiful! Adam got emotional, was very moved and called that one so special, praising Ade’s quiet, extraordinary power. He said that Mellissa proved that things only get better w/ age (at 29, she’s the oldest). Mary screamed, praising the beauty, calling it spectacular; Ade is a superstar. Nigel praised the fantastic top 20 as a whole. He loved the “pas de deux” style of this performance, saying that Mellissa is beautiful, and he’s so happy they have a ballerina on the show and we haven’t seen Ade’s brilliance yet. A+
10) KAYLA RADOMSKI (jazz/contemporary) & MAX KAPITANNIKOV (Latin ballroom)
Style: Samba
Choreographer(s):
That was good!! I liked it, but I kept thinking that they needed to put more footwork in there. Kayla was doing great in her 4-inch heels, but I didn’t think it was enough. Max is great; I love that we have at least one Russian every season. Adam had his hands over his face: “That was so good!!! Are you kidding me???” (I love Adam, he’s so much fun.) Mary screamed and stood; “Amen!!! On the hot tamale train!!” Nigel said it was truly sensational; Kayla has always been at the top, but Max could easily have been lost. He wasn’t lost, but Nigel wanted him to be sharper. A
So, that was amazing. Mary screamed a lot so, seriously, everybody was good! How do we pick?? If I had to pick two couples to be in the bottom 3, I’d say it would be Asuka/Vitolio, Paris/Tony for sure…but the 3rd couple…I’m not sure. Based on MY own impressions, I’d say Jeanette/Brandon, but who knows? Brandon is extremely talented…
We shall see!!
Welcome!
This is my blog on So You Think You Can Dance? Each week I will post my thoughts and recap the judges commentary about each of the couples...
This show is the best on TV, much better than American Idol in many respects. I've met only very few people who even know about this show, let alone like it. We need to get the word OUT. DWTS is not real dancing... seriously. Watch this show; I promise you will be surprised and astounded by the talent of these incredible dancers.
More soon to come.
-Amanda
This show is the best on TV, much better than American Idol in many respects. I've met only very few people who even know about this show, let alone like it. We need to get the word OUT. DWTS is not real dancing... seriously. Watch this show; I promise you will be surprised and astounded by the talent of these incredible dancers.
More soon to come.
-Amanda
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