For the second week in a row, the judges speculate on which two dancers are in trouble this week. All three judges name checked Karen and Kevin. And I wonder if this is an attempt at reverse psychology by the judges. Karen, in particular, has been a judges darling for weeks.
Also, am I the only one who found Nigel telling Karen he only found her interesting when she was sexy a little creepy? And wow, I wonder if young Nathan is going to be able to handle the stress of the competition, particularly with the judges piling on him every week…
Recap and videos after the JUMP…
Childhood photos tonight! Including from the judges… What, no photos of Cat? Boo.
Ashleigh and Jakob ‘“ Hip Hop ‘“ Napoleon and Tabitha – “Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo – Whatever negatvie feelings I had about Ashleigh are gone. This chick is f*cking fierce. And Jakob is a beautiful dancer. Great routine from Nappytabs, so much emotion. Wow. Nigel says, “Jakob, every single week you are challenged by the choreo, and come up to scratch…you will continue to grow into the top 10. Ashleigh…you have grown at a much faster pace than I ever imagined…really supurb.” Mary says, “Ashleigh, you are a star tonight…I can’t believe…how believable your passion was in this dance.” Adam says, “Jakob, your a sure bet for the top 10, Ashleigh, I was one of the guys who didn’t believe in you…convincing, gripping, awesome to see how much you’ve changed. – 1-888-836-7601 – VIDEO
Karen and Kevin ‘“ Broadway ‘“ Spencer Liff – “If My Friends Could See Me Now” Sweet Charity New Broadway Cast – The guy has just been given some bad news–the gal cheers him up. Kevin can’t wait for the jazz hands! Kevin is very stuff. Could he look more uncomfortable? Karen is better. Nigel congratulates the new choreography. He says, “Karen, this is the first time you’ve asked to dance without being sexual…I didn’t enjoy your performance like I usually do…you needed to bring the personality…Kevin, you brought even less. The pair of you didn’t have the chemistry. It’s a disappointment.” Mary says, “It needed to be so much more…but it didn’t really get into it…Kevin, you weren’t really connecting…this is just a bump in the road.” Adam says, “Karen, I liked watching you not having to pull out the tigers everytime…yes a bump, but good for the show. – 1-888-836-7602 – VIDEO
Noelle and Russell ‘“ Fox Trot ‘“ Eddie Simon – - “Baby (You’ve Got What it Takes)” by Michael Buble with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – The pair were supposed to Fox Trot the first week, but Noell was injured. I don’t know…the judges are raving, but I’m not enjoying this much. Russell looks a little stiff to me. Noell is fairing much better. Maybe I just loved last week’s Afro dance so much, I’m disappointed. Nigel says, “You vastly improved in two weeks–your carriage is much better…Russell, you are a star..you grow every week. Noelle, you are not content in his shadow, you are successful…” Mary says, “Russell, practice makes perfect…wow…you didn’t look worried…I just love this guy…Noelle, you are absolutely gorgeous, smooth, elegant.” Adam says, “The key thing to underline was joy…an extraordinary amount of confidence…you understood your task, you met it…fantastic.” – 1-888-836-7603 – VIDEO
Channing and Victor ‘“ Jazz ‘“ Tyce Diorio – “Blackbird” by Bobby McFerrin – Channing hit Victor in the face, and he had to get stitches. Tyce says the dance is about “two curious eclectic blackbirds, come out to play.” I agree with Adam, the weirdo McFerrin shtick took me out of the routine. But, once I blocked it out, I liked. I also agree with Nigel and Mary, that these two dancers are very good, but need to have a star moment if they are going to stick around. Nigel says, “Victor, I’m not watching you grow much higher every week, I’m seeing some other boys beginning to spike…but you are a superb dancer.” Mary says, “I just loved it…I thought you guys brought it to live…Victor, you haven’t had that star moment. Channing, you been strong all the way along…you did just let it go. Very good. Adam says, “You are finding your way into the show…you are loosening up and letting go…your lines were beautiful. The song kept me out of feeling for the dancers a little, Victor…you gotta find a way to totally let yourself go. 1-888-836-7604 – VIDEO
Kathryn and Legacy ‘“ Paso ‘“ Tony Meredith – Paso Doble – “Pursuit” by Ka Cirque du Soleil – The last lift was a little shaky, but that was mostly sensational. When I heard they got the Paso, I figured Legacy would kill it. He did. Adam is drooling over shirtless Legacy! Nigel says, “Wow, the maturity…was absolutely fantastic…you brought it all. Legacy, every time I see you, you are practicing…it’s going to push you into the top 10.” Mary says, “Katharine, you played that just right, you were just that little vixen out there. Legacy, you are just crazy again this week…you are growing more than we ever anticipated.” Adam says, “Kathryn, you killed it…your carriage was just beautiful..you were fabulous. Legacy, your stamina is just spectacular, you are growing so much…you are going to get through to the top 10…you are no longer a break dancer, you are a dancer.” – 1-888-836-7605 – VIDEO
Next, an update on Nigel’s Dizzyfeet foundation.
Ellenore and Ryan ‘“ Contemporary ‘“ Travis Wall – “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars – Ah, the pair get to redeem themselves from their horrible hip hop routine last week by dancing a Travis Wall contemporary. And boy, are they. An absolutely beautiful routine. I have high hopes for Ellenore, she showed such promise in Vegas. I’ll be sad if she doesn’t make the top 10. Nigel says, “I think you’ve cemented your place again for next week…my favorite routine of the night…lifts…you just flow through the movement. Ellenore…you are one of the sharpest tools in the box…you fully take on the character…tonight they will understand you are a brilliant dancer and brilliant performer. Ryan, you are the best ballroom dancer that’s ever done contemporary.” Mary says, “Ellenore, you are the perfect blend of being absolutely gorgeous…star quality moments. Ryan…timing was perfection…it was magical…you are an inspiration for ballroom dancers.” Mary begins to cry. Adam says, “SYTYCD has just kicked IN just now…” Adam says he finally had that “moment” this season. – 1-888-836-7606 – VIDEO
Mollee and Nathan ‘“ Pop Jazz ‘“ Laurieann Gibson – “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga – After last week’s trainwreck salsa, these two have a lot to prove. With a routine that’s in their wheelhouse, they make a comeback. Nathan isn’t quite living up to his original promise. Mollee, I think, is too young for this competition. After the judges semi-lecture Nathan, he begins to cry. I wonder if he’s going to be able to handle the pressure. Nigel says, “I can only compliment you both on how you both dug so much deeper. Mollee you are one of the most committed dancers I’ve ever met…you have the talent to be a great professional. Nathan, you are possibly one of the most talented young men…I’m going to stay on your back…you have got to grow…you have got to start taking this seriously.” Mary says, “It’s so good to have the dream team back again…it was intense from both of you. Molly, you were just perfection tonight.” Adam calls out Nathan for assuming things would be easy, then Nathan begins to cry. Adam tells them both they have to work harder. – 1-888-836-7607 – VIDEO
Ending thoughts: The judges think Karen and Kevin are in trouble this week.
zuper – I noticed the Reebok boob thing too. I was waiting for some sort of comedic relief, but alas, they were serious about that ad! Needless to say, I wrote Reebok, because for me, a tolerant individual, that was beyond the beyond offensive.
So—who leaves us tonight?
MJ: Thanks for posting the video links – without them I would miss most of this season – I can only watch by timeshifting and this year the show just isn’t keeping me awake….
Perhaps running two seasons back to back wasn’t such a good idea…. In past years Mollee and Nathan would have not made the top twenty but would be sent home with lots of praise and an invitation to come back next year – imagine how much stronger they would be if given that chance. It makes no sense to cast immature dancers and then slam them for being who they are.
I miss the rotating 3rd Judge – Adam Shankman once in a while is great – but the three musketeers week after week gets dull.
I loved when the show’s judging was more supportive – it was a nice break from AI – but the show now seems to be sliding closer and closer to AI – three permanent judges and a chair for Paula Abdul? Nigel wearing Simon’s critical hat all the time?
There are still some great moments on the show – but not enough to keep me sitting through it all – and the rest of my family has given up completely.
Thanks so much for this blog – without you I’d have missed two or three amazing dances this week. Ryan, Legacy and Russell are the ones that keep me coming back.
I miss Mia…
That Bad Romance routine sucked. What a way to waste a good song.
The only reason I’m still watching this season is to see Jakob and Russell, although I have a soft spot for Legacy too. Ellenore had underwhelmed me since her audition until tonight. Loved that routine. And Ashleigh has made a fan out of me as well. I so didn’t like her early on, and now I think she’s fabulous. Brains, beauty and a boatload of talent. And I also liked the Victor and Channing (Tyce) routine, including the song, although I didn’t believe it was the Beatles tune until my kid asked what was up with the song! But the season on the whole kinda blows. I can’t make it to the end without falling asleep even when I’m FF’ing on my DVR! Mollee and Nathaniel are a huge waste of space. And not to be shallow, but WTF is up with Ryan’s eyebrows? They’re so distracting!! He did great last night, though. I would love to see both him and Ashleigh make it to Top 10.
Kevin is the easy pick for the guy who should go home.
The girls…. hmmmm…. take anyone but Ellenore.
That Broadway number was boring. yikes.
The Lady Gaga was bad. Hated the choreography on that. I still maintain my Nathan love (his dancing). He hits so much sharper than Mollee.
I love Adam. He cracks me up. (the Navy comment/Legacy) I give Legacy credit for taking on the role. His posture and the way he holds his head are distracting though. I thought Kathryn was good too.
Slim pickins this season. I have only three people that I really want to see until the end. (so far)
Jakob
Nathan
Ellenore
I haven’t connected with any others yet.
YES. He can be so smarmy. Overall, I like Nigel, but he does say some pretty inappropriate things at times. I thought it was funny that Adam then said he thought it was ok that she didn’t bring out the “tigress” for every number.
I’ve liked Victor from day one, and unless he does something completely horrifying, he’ll be my favorite until the end. Loved his imitation of his mom calling for him in the store. I wonder if she knows she sounds like Dracula?
This is only my second season, I started watching in Season 5, so I guess I can’t really judge how this season is going when only comparing it to one other season. I just like to see how things unfold (I’m really missing Idol!!).
I command Nigel for his honesty. there was nothing creepy about what he told Karen. What i hear him say is that she needs to find other shades to her performance and not rely only on her seductiveness.
The judges on so you think are soooo much better than on Idol. they actually give proper feedback and look as if they really care!
I would send Kevin and and Noelle.
I was watching past seasons, and rotating judges is so much better.
Nigel is weird. Karen was not seductive in her number this week. I think she did a good job!
I still do not see where we can vote for who is going home. Maybe it is my computer? HELP!
I see Channing and Kevin going home. Maybe Noelle and Victor?
You know, I think Ashleigh was a bit nervous and it came out all wrong and then she got comfortable and connected with more people. Dancing with Jakob helped make her better too I think.
This episode I actually liked a lot more than any of the past episodes. But I still miss Season 5 and Jeanine and Brandon and Janette…
Ashleigh and Jakob– I really liked this one, and Ashleigh is actually starting to win me over…
Karen and Kevin– The only routine I really didn’t like. I think they’ll be bottom 3.
Noelle and Russell– Russell’s still my overall favorite! Foxtrots don’t usually excite me, but I did enjoy this one.
Channing and Victor–Count me as one of the few people who actually really liked this routine. As for that version of “Blackbird,” I didn’t really like it, but opposite of what Adam thought, I actually thought it worked with the dance and added to the quirkiness of it.
Kathryn and Legacy– I was afraid it was going to be underwhelming, and it wasn’t. But it did make me miss Jeanine and Brandon and the amazing paso they had last year.
Ellenore and Ryan– This was my favorite routine of the night! I love Travis…
Mollee and Nathan– I actually really liked this routine; Mollee and Nathan kind of redeemed themselves for me, for now.
Just now watching the show and listening to Adam critique Nathan and Mollee. If he says “Do you know what I mean?” one more time I’m going to throw something through my TV screen! Why have I never noticed that before? It has driven me crazy watching this show!
Ellenore and Ryan had the best routine of the season, so far. Beautiful. They should be in the top 10.
Kathryn and Legacy, again fierce and great chemistry. I love these two together.
Ashleigh and Jakob…surprise, I also don’t dislike Ash any more. She’s stepping up to the plate and has delivered each single week. I simply adore Jakob. He belongs in the top 4 in my eyes.
Channing and Victor…zzzzzzzzzzzzz. next
Russell is pulling Noelle…she’s extremely boring and plain. Ok dancer, but nothing spectacular. She can go home. I think its a toss up btw who will get the final spot for the girls btw her and Karen.
Kevin…ah, he’s just not sharp enough in his movements to tackle other dance styles. Very stiff and awkward. He will go home this week or the next.
Top 5 guys: Jakob, Nathan, Ryan, Legacy and Russell (awesome all 5)
Top 5 gals: Kathryn, Ashleigh, Ellenore, Karen, and I guess Mollee.
Mollee- sorry, but if you watch her routine again, she was not “perfection”. she didn’t finish most of her moves and she was off beat at times. she only excelled at the flopping and running around. big deal. I can understand what MJ is saying about “being too young”. mollee moves like an 8 yr old, she is extremely juvenile in her body contortions, almost as if she’s in a beginners 101 class and the rest of the girls are varsity/advance.
one thing, i love travis wall but don’t you think that this dance was too similar to the one he choreographed for jeanine and jason?! it’s almost the same dance!
Noelle aint plain! She seems to be more about the dancing rather than the fame, that is why i like her. She seems like she could be my pretty neighbor who made it on a TV show. I guess i just like pulling for the underdog and not the ones shoved down our throat! Go Noelle!