So You Think You Can Dance – Season 5 – Top 12 Performance – VIDEO
Janette and Brandon and Melissa and Ade are the stars of this season so far, although splitting up the couples next week could shake things up. Ade, for instance, may not shine quite as brightly dancing with a partner other than the sublime Melissa.
Once again, I’m putting my points on Caitlin and Jason to leave. They would have left last week had they hit the bottom 3. This week, without any cool alien gimmicks, I think they’ll make the bottom, easily.
A little off-topic, but am I the only one who finds it depressing that Simon Cowell’s wretched “America’s Got Talent” is kicking SYTYCD’s ass in the ratings? Oh, the humanity…
Each couple has two dances this week… OMG check out Cat’s bob! Tyce DiOrio sits on the judging panel for the very first time.
Next week, the couples split, to dance with different partners. The couples talks in the second video packages about breaking up.
The tour begins September in New Hampshire! I think I’m going to go this year…
Live blog and videos after the JUMP…
Melissa and Ade – Disco by Doriana Sanchez – “Move On Up” by Destination (iTunes) – Melissa is a little nervous to do disco for the first time. Another winner from Melissa and Ade. The lifts are sensational. The routine really shows off their strength. Oops, Melissa fell at the end, but still great. Nigel says, “Incredible, so much energy…exciting…tremedous.” Mary loves it, she calls it fun and the lifts tremendous. “Amen” screams Mary. Tyce says, “That was friggin great.” He calls Melissa’s body “brilliant”. 1-888-836-7601. – VIDEO
Kayla and Kupono – Contemporary by Mia Michaels – “Gravity” by Sarah Bareilles (iTunes) – “This piece is about addiction,” says Mia. Kupono is the “addiction”, and t That was a beutiful piece of choreography. Nigel asks Kayla to get her hair out of her face, but calls her dancing powerful, and compliments Kupono for his malevalonce. Mary gives Kapona props for staying inc character and calls Kayla flawless still in the train, she says. Tyce says the best dancers are the best actors. He says he feels like he had an experience. He calls Kayla a “beast”, but thinks Kupono could be stronger in his body. 1-888-836-7602. – VIDEO
Caitlin and Jason -Foxtrot by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – “Minnie the Moocher” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (iTunes)- Jason gets to play “the macho man”. This is pretty good, but I don’t think it’s good enough to get them off the cusp they’ve been living on the past few weeks. Unlike last week, this rountine isn’t showy enough to get people to pick up their phones. Nigel compares Caitlin to Grace Kelly and compliments Jason on his footwork. He sees a huge improvement. Mary thought it was “tremendous”, elegant and smooth. Tyce thought they both looked like stars, but suggests they could have “glided” more. 1-888-836-7603 - VIDEO
Jeanine and Phillip – Russian Folk Dance by Youri Nelzine & Lilia Babenko – “Kalinka” by Barynya – The story is a playful competition between a man and a woman. – “Kalinka” – OMG, Phillip is totally cracking me up. The faces! The costumes! Ha ha. Jeanine is REALLY good. She’s a little dark horse in this thing. Nigel compares them to “little kids.” He thought the routine felt a little “folky”, but says it’s not about the dancers. Mary liked Jeanine at the beginning of the routine, and Phillip’s leg kicks. Tyce insists on honoring the dancers…he thought they did great considering the routine they were asked to learn. 1-888-836-7604 – VIDEO
Randi and Evan – Hip Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon – “Halo” by Beyonce (iTunes)- The dancers play a couple who have found out they’re pregnant. Lots of great chemistry between these two. Both are doing a good job, despite stepping out of their comfort zone. Nigel says Randi and Evan are one of his favorite couples and calls them an asset to the program. Mary was surprised–she didn’t think they could do hip hop. Tyce compliments Nappy/Tabs for good storytelling. He thinks Evan is good, needs to find more. He loves Randi. The judges seem to be damning these two with faint praise… 1-888-836-7605 - VIDEO
Janette and Brandon – Argentine Tango by Leonardo Barrionuevo and Miriam Larici – “Libertango” from Forever Tango (original Broadway cast) – These two are incredible. Is there a dance style that Brandon can’t do? Janette is in her wheelhouse here, and she’s beyond fabulous. After, there’s a long beat of silence, before the entire judges’ panel stands to give them an ovation. Janette and Brandon thank the choreographers. Nigel calls it as close to perfection as he’s seen on the stage ever. Mary is screaming–literally catching her breath. Mary puts them on the train, of course. She’s shimmying with Tyce, who calls Janette and Brandon a “power couple.” “Unreal,” he says. 1-888-836-7606. – VIDEO
Melissa and Ade – “Waltz” by Ron Montez – “Natural Woman” by Mary J. Blige – The choreography thinks the dancers make a good combination. The strength and grace these two have exhibited in all their routines is again on display here. Very beautiful. Nigel says, beautiful lines, stength. He wanted to see more rise and fall from Ade. Mary thought Ade could have been smoother, but calls Melissa “mesmerizing” best line of the night “Pipe down English Muffin!” to Nigel. Tyce complimented them, but thinks the dance needs to be as powerful as the music. – VIDEO
Kayla and Kupono – Broadway by Joey Dowling – “The Dance at the Gym” from West Side Story (The New Broadway Cast) – The routine is about love at first sight. Well, this routine totally left me flat. The urban grit the dance needed to seem believable was missing. Nigel agrees with me! He thought the dance lacked the true emotion of the characters, lacking toughness. Joey is nodding her head as he speaks. Mary thought they did a good job despite maybe not latching on to the style. Tyce, the Broadway choreographer, agrees with Nigel–he thinks they needed to dig into the characters more, although they danced it well. – VIDEO
Caitlin and Jason – Lyrical Jazz by Mandy Moore – “Show Me Heaven” by Maria McKee (iTunes) – Caitlin and Jason are excited to finally have their own style. Yep, this might be one of their best routines of the entire season. Nigel thought the work was very good, although he thinks they lack chemistry. Mary sees chemistry, but didn’t think it was “magic” or “memorable.” Woah, these remarks are sounding like a big kiss off! Tyce compliments them on their lines and timing, but he thinks they’re playing it safe. If these two end up in the bottom 3 this week, they are gone. – VIDEO
Jeanine and Phillip – Jive by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin – “Stuff Like That There” by Bette Midler (iTunes) – The routine is about a sailor who comes back home to a teasing partner. The performance is loads of fun. Phillip is his typically charming and fun self, while still lacking in dance technique. Jeanine has charm AND technique. She’s fab. Nigel says it was the best Phillip has been outside his own style. He calls Jeanine one of the best Top 10 dancers. Mary guarantees Jeanine will be here next week and puts her on the Hot Tamale Train. She calls Phillip “a big surprise.” “Don’t count this kid out,” says Mary about Phillip. Tyce says what Phillip lacks in technique, he makes up for in performance. I’m not convinced Phillip has improved that much, but I think the judges really want this couple to advance–they were in the bottom 3 last week. – VIDEO
Randi and Evan – “Samba” by Pasha and Anya – “Ritmo De Bom Bom” by Jubaba – I enjoyed that, more than the judges did for sure. These two have lots of chemistry. Nigel has trouble looking at Evan as the “Hot Samba King”. Mary says maybe it wasn’t hot, but it was a slow simmer…not dynamic. She thought Evan needed to go the extra mile. Tyce agrees, and thinks Evan needed to do a little more detective work to find what would make the dance work. He thought Randi carried the routine. So did Mary–she puts Randi on the hot tamale train. – VIDEO
Janette and Brandon – Pop Jazz by Wade Robson – “Ruby Blue” by Roisin Murphy (iTunes) – The routine is about two thieves. Brandon loves working with Wade. Another awesome routine from these two–style, personality and technical perfection right here. These two are totally going to the finals. Nigel says they’ve proven that there isn’t anything they can throw at them they can’t do. He thinks they deserve the biggest vote of the night. “Spontaneous combustion” says Mary. She calls Brandon “My champion.” Tyce says they write their own ticket. He’s “proud and privileged” to be watching “technical excellence.” – VIDEO
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147 Responses to “So You Think You Can Dance – Season 5 – Top 12 Performance – VIDEO”
Do you think the audience relies on the judges even more than on American Idol?
You don’t have to understand the intricacies of dance to know what you like when you see it.
Now when you don’t know the intricacies you may miss the fact that someone has danced better than you perceived and let’s face it certain genres just don’t allow for the same connection factor with the audience and as noted it also comes down to the choreographer.
What is the ultimate end goal of most of these dancers on SYTYCD? Broadway, a dance troupe? videos? choreography? all of the above?
I think it is the vis on Evan size and that when they put him with the taller girls he may not be able to do the lifts. I think they are wrong but can understand the concern. The judges may feel that he is more apt to drop a different partner then Randi. But this is not really a couples contest. I like him the best.
My guess would be any or all of the above.
I think that either Evan or Jason are going home tomorrow night. But I wouldn’t mind if it was Kupono that was going home instead. Kupono is my least favorite male dancer.
I think if Caitlin is in the bottom three she will go home. I think that the if Randi was in the bottom three couples, that the judges would save her. I think that she has put forth a lot of effort in her dances, and I think that her dancing has looked better in her and Evan’s routines than Evan’s has looked.
I think that more than likely Caitlin will probably go home and that either Evan or Jason will go home.
I think it’s almost a given that Caitlin will be the girl leaving, unless Randi falls over during her solo (if she has to do one). Though as Nigel has admitted via his twitter, the judges already pretty much know who they want to send home before the solos and that is Caitlin.
The guys it is a bit more shady because while I expect it to be Jason, they also came down hard on Evan and it would be interesting to see if they took the chance to get rid of Phillip pre Top 10. At this point tour doesn’t matter because Nigel and co. can bring along anyone they want, so even if Philip were to get cut they would still bring him. Same for Evan.
As for the girls, honestly Karla is better suited to be an alternate on tour than Caitlin, but knowing the show they would bring Caitlin. Just in the sense that Karla is far more versatile and the whole point of the alternates is that they are there to sub for people when they get injured. That and she could do either her Falling Slowly or quickstep on tour, even if she has to dance with other partners. Caitlin IMO doesn’t even really have any tour worthy performances. Maybe Bollywood, but I didn’t even like that one.
Apologies, dhunken. I should have left your spelling alone.
Accepted!
What?! Nigel actually said they wanted to send Caitlin home?!
BTW, does anyone remember the name of Caitlin’s sister whom they featured with her in Vegas? I hope she tries out for Season 6 and makes it in. I thought she was very strong and was surprised she got cut over Caitlin who did seem to struggle more there.
Sorry Sunshine…I phrased that badly. He didn’t say anything about Caitlin, but last week Nigel did admit that usually the judges have an idea of who they want to send home, but they can change their minds based on a solo. That’s not really much of a surprise, but the gist of it was the judges already know what they want to do prior to the results show.
As per Caitlin, I just meant that the judges made it pretty obvious last night that she is the girl they want gone. Even with Randi, Mary put her on the hot tamale train and told her she deserved Top 10. They pretty much guaranteed Janine she wasn’t going anywhere and Kayla/Melissa are their pets. Janette won’t hit B3 and the judges love her.
“I think Kupono put people off last week with his comment and dissing of Vitalio”
I missed that, what did he say? Was that on the results show, cuz I missed it last week. Kupono has been one of my favorites, so. not happy to hear that.
I like Brandon (dancing), Evan (personality), and Jason (maybe not so much his dancing as the other “parts” heh). Jury’s still out on Ade.
I did like Caitlin and Jason’s second performance better than the judges did.
I’m not a Philip fan, but I like Jeanine. Janette is amazing. Not sure how I feel about Kayla right now.
These are all just gut responses, as I’m not a trained dancer, just going by what I like personally.
I do like Kayla, not as much as Jeanine, but Kayla has a really gorgeous presence about her that is mesmerizing. But Jeanine has the awesome flair that makes her exciting to watch. And Caitlin has this elegance and grace about her that is just amazing to behold. I’d say they each have different strengths. I don’t think any of the girls left are bad. The only one I never liked in the Top 20 was Asuka and that seemed to be the way a lot of people felt about her. I didn’t see or hear a lot of love for her ever.
I think it will be Evan to go home next. When they start mixing up couples Evan is just too short and not overwhelmingly strong enough a dancer to compensate for the lack of extra visual punch (JMO) or stature. If it were only solos he has a chance to out-survive Jason, who is pretty bland. My guess is unless he gets enough votes to avoid bottom 3 the judges will send him home. I remember the judges trashed one tall girl from some southern state in one of the previous seasons, who looked gorgeous and graceful to me btw, because she was taller than the guy, and the judges thought their dance looked weird. That was the most absurd “critique” I ever heard.
Ade & Melissa and Brandon & Jeanette are my favorite of this season. I miss Joshua and Katee. Ade hasn’t been shown off much since Melissa is usually showcased in the choreographs so far. It will be interesting how he does with other girls. Jeanette is such a little firecracker. I mean, she looks kind of ordinary off stage and her haircut is worse than terrible. But, on stage, wow, she pulls off just about anything! Brandon is pretty impressive in his versatility and strength, too. I hope these guys make it all the way to the end.
Someone should make a recap video similar to the one made for Randy Jackson in AI:
“(Scream) blah blah blah, YES, YOU DID! Blah blah blah, YES, IT WAS! Blah
blah blah, YES I DID! Blah blah blah, (more scream)…”
Lady, inject some more botox so that you can’t scream the “YES, I/IT/YOU something” verse *all-the-time*, geez. But I have to say she was pretty funny when she joked about botox in one of the previous episodes. She does have a sense of humor. Heh.
I put my points on him. I think his time is up.
I suppose it has some influence on some people. But, dance is a visual art form. The whole point of it is to move your audience, regardless of whether or not they know diddly about technique. Most people will respond to a dynamic routine. And, there are really a lot of talented dancers in this group. So, the worst thing I think that they can be right now, is dull.
The bulk of these dancers, at this point, dance at such a high level that it would be difficult for even trained dancers to rank them accurately based on their technical skills. And because dance is art, all of the other stuff matters too.
There really is no “right” answer to who is the best dancer here. And, since we’re picking our favorite – that doesn’t really matter anyway.
I adore Brandon. Baxter doesn’t like him (I’ll speak with you about that later Bax!). Both of those opinions are legitimate regardless of his skill level. His dancing speaks to me and draws my attention. Not so for some others on here. I don’t really think it matters what we know about the ins and outs of dance technique.
In a competition like this, we’re going to be drawn to different people for different reason. I’ve danced in the past, and I know a thing or two about technique. But even with that, I go with my gut and what really makes me say “wow!”. Sometimes that’s technique and sometimes it’s a whole host of other things.
(How do you delete your entire comment via Edit? Sorry)
Well, I think one thing we can ALL agree on is the awesomeness of Cat Deely. I have never heard or read a negative comment about her. Ryan Seacrest should study her technique.
Right. What other host(ess) is as gorgeous as she is, doesn’t mind squatting down in her mini dress and highheels to hug a distraught contestant (Twitch, I think, from last season) and is not afraid to put on his “grill” on a live TV show?
Ryan Seacrest = sadistic twit
This is sad but true I think. Who would TPTB pair him with. Jeanie? My guess is they want more flexibility in the pairing down the road and as people get voted off.
Megan
The problem is that the girls this year are far better than the guys. Kupono and Jason are boring as all get-out, Phillip is downright AWFUL at anything that isn’t hip-hop related, and we’re not too sure of Ade’s ability because all he’s done is thrown Melissa over his head. Only Brandon seems to have wide technical skills, but he has no personality, so that’s no good either. Oh yeah, and Evan is short so that doesn’t work.
On the flip side, Janette, Jeanine, Randi, and Kayla have all proven to be magnificent, beautiful dancers. Melissa hasn’t gone too far out of her style, so I can’t really make a judgment on her yet. Caitlin is for sure the weak link there.
Maybe they should just pair the girls with each other and stop letting the guys drag them all down.
Funny. Didn’t Nigel diss some same-sex dancers during the auditions? I didn’t watch them, so I am not sure…
The dude/dude ballroom couple he dissed was bad and they confused things by trying to switch up who was leading and following during the audition (or male/female roles if you will). Since the start of this show the final 4 have always had to dance in every combination so female/female and male/male. The Tranji duo has to be one of my favorite dances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au90mjwRZtY :clap_tb:
how sad, Nigel and all the choreographers were prepared to do an MJ tribute and submitted their list of music and Sony came back and said no, or the family, Nigel is not sure, can’t understand why – it can only help the MJ brand unless there is a legal complication…..