GAME ON! The two couples who were in danger last week–Asuka and Vitolio and Karla and Jonathan gave standout performances this week. The couple in trouble? Ashley and Kupono who danced a weak Shane Spark’s Hip Hop.
My favorite dance of the night was the equisitely beautiful contemporary from Karla and Jonathan. So glad they weren’t eliminated last week! But once again, another fine week of performances from this really talented crop of dancers…
- Randi and Evan – Jive by Louis Van Amstel – “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles – VIDEO
- Melissa and Ade – Jazz by Sonya Tayeh – “24 Hours (the Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix)” by Terry Poison –VIDEO – iTunes
- Caitlin and Jason – Hip Hop by Shane Sparks -“Missin you” by Trey Songz – VIDEO – iTunes
- Janette and Brandon – Disco by Doriana Sanchez – “Loving You is Really My Game” by Brainstorm – VIDEO
- Asuka and Vitolio – Waltz by Louis Van Amstel – “Dreams are More Precious” by Enya – VIDEO – iTunes
- Kayla and Max – Pop Jazz by Brian Friedman -“Hot Like Wow” by Nadia Oh – VIDEO – iTunes
- Karla and Jonathan – Contemporary by Stacey Tookey – “Falling Slowly” by The Frames – VIDEO – iTunes
- Jeanine and Phillip – Tango by Tony Meredith – “Violento (Up Mix)” by Bailango – VIDEO – iTunes
- Ashley and Kupono – Hip Hop by Shane Sparks – “Imma Be” by the Black Eyed Peas” – VIDEO – iTunes
Live Blog After the JUMP…
Randi and Evan – Jive by Louis Van Amstel – “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles – Neither of them have ever done Jive. The dance is FUN! Heck yeah they look like they’re having fun. Brother Ryan in the house! Lil C says, “Outside the box with a bang…Evan I will say…it looks a little too smooth…feel a little more explosive…Randi? Firecracker! Good job. Solid beginning to the show” Lots of repeating of the word fun in order to use the counter from the video package. Ha. Mary says, “If there were two contestants I thought were built for the jive, it would be these two. You both are little powerhouses, but it fell short a little bit…but I thought you guys were really good.” Nigel says, “You are built for the jive…Evan I thought you would be better than you really were…Randi you were a little bit better.” 1-888-836-7601. – VIDEO
Melissa and Ade – Jazz by Sonya Tayeh – “24 Hours (the Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix)” by Terry Poison – The piece is about a high maintenance girl that’s hard to get. Another strong, impressive showing from Melissa and Ade. I love love love Sonya’s choreography. She’s so punk rawk. Lil C says “That was Buck!” He tells Ade he’s everybody’s competition. He tells Melissa that she looked timid in rehearsal, but submerged herself in the performance. Sonya in hot pink! Mary gives them some tough love, “It was tough to find anything I didn’t love about that!” Psych! “Phenomenal” says Mary. Nigel says, “It allows you to show off your technique….congrats to the pair of you.” 1-888-836-7602. – VIDEO
Caitlin and Jason – Hip Hop by Shane Sparks -“Missin you” by Trey Songz – Wow. These guys have tons of personality. Lil C says, “I did not love that….I think it kind of became a nightmare for you guys…it came off corny.” It was kinda like MJ and Britney…it didn’t seem in synch…the chemistry didn’t work…you didn’t really nail it.” Nigel says “I think we expect a certain hard hitting hip hop…I think what Shane’s done was a completely different style to make you look good and you looked really good doing that routine.” I’m with Nigel on this one. 1-888-836-7603.- VIDEO
Janette and Brandon – Disco by Doriana Sanchez – “Loving You is Really My Game” by Brainstorm – Awesome lifts! What fun. Lil C says, “Right now I just saw the birth of progression in two amazing dancers…that was extremely amazing…Brandon…phenomenol job.” He complimented Jeanette, despite her trip at the end. Mary says, “I have never seen a disco done that fast…the two of you just nailed it…you were gettin’ down out there.” And then Mary screamed! Nigel said, “I thought it was tremendous…one of the best disco routines we’ve ever had on the show.” 1-888-836-7604 – VIDEO
Asuka and Vitolio – Waltz by Louis Van Amstel – “Dreams are More Precious” by Anya – Louis says were going to see a completely different couple this week. Louis suggests Vitolio taps into the pain he feels as an orphan. The dance is very emotional and afterward, Mary is just overcome. She tears up, “It was just painfully beautiful.” She tells Vitolio he was the most honest he danced since the first time she saw him. “Asuka, the passion on your face tonight was so endearing…you went to another level.” Lil C says, “The choppy steps were made up for in your sincerity…you unfurl yourself for everyone to see…Asuka, you could have taken the lead…” “The lines were sensational…you both brought a quality to the routine rarely seen…a different couple this week than I saw last week.” They credit Louis for helping the dancers realize a beautiful routine. 1-888-836-7605. – VIDEO
Kayla and Max – Pop Jazz by Brian Friedman -“Hot Like Wow” by Nadia Oh – The dance is about a princess, and a prince who comes in with an ulterior motive–he wants to steal her throne. Very cool dance. They were both really good. Lil C says “Dancing is a language…I know how hard it is to pick up Brian Freedman’s vernacular…You did good Max….Kayla you were amazing.” Mary says, “Max, you were quite a surprise tonight….Kayla you are just a beast out there.” Mary puts her on the Hot Tamale train. Nigel is happy to have Brian Friedman back and tells Kayla she is a front runner. He tells Max his character kept up with Kayla and that the pair bring a lot to the program. 1-888-836-7606. – VIDEO
Karla and Jonathan – Contemporary by Stacey Tookey – “Falling Slowly” by The Frames – The piece is about two stranger that have an accidental meeting that have to deal with temptation. Wow. This is sensational. Beautiful. They almost got eliminated last week! The choreographer is new from SYTYCD Canada. Mary says, “I have never said this in 5 seasons…Jonathan you did that style better than your own…that is crazy! The two of you are the underdogs…tonight the light is right on the two of you…I’m dizzy.” Mary is spellbound! Nigel says, “I couldn’t believe it…there was no false moves…incredible…what a performance…last week you were both this close to being cut.” Nigel compliments Stacey on her routine. “I thought you two danced it beautifully…I thought it was Buck!” – 1-888-836-7607. – VIDEO
Jeanine and Phillip – Tango by Tony Meredith – “Violento (Up Mix)” by Bailango – Jeanine kicked Phillip in the nuts during rehearsal. Oops. That was a little rough. Phillip looks totally out of sorts here. Mary gives Phillip an A plus for attitude, but a C- for technique. “Jeanine, You’re a hot mama out there.” Lil C says, “Phillip I’m a fan…you had no confidence through that whole routine…there was some disconnect going on…your knees were bent.” Mary and Lil C get into a little tiff about Phillip’s bent knees. Tony confirms that yes his knees needed to be bent. Nigel says “Phillip, you have an incredible following…it really is a tough technique…it wasn’t good technically but good entertainment.” Nigel gives him a pass for being a popper who’s never done a Tango. 1-888-836-7608. – VIDEO
Ashley and Kupono – Hip Hop by Shane Sparks – “Imma Be” by the Black Eyed Peas” – Ashley plays shadow to Kupono in this routine. While I was watching this I was thinking, “These two are in danger tonight.” The routine wasn’t hard-hitting enough or synchronized. Mary says, “It was Ok. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it…it wasn’t memorable to me.” Lil C says, “Kupono you struggled throught that…it made it hard for Ashley to mirror you….Ashley I wasn’t mad at you at all, you had some nice moments.” Nigel says, “I felt that that stopped just at the point that I started to enjoy it…I was underwhelmed at the end of the day. I didn’t feel the four dancers brought out his best…you didn’t sit comfortably tonight. – 1-888-836-7609. – VIDEO
