There were a slew of new choreographers this week. My favorite was Sean Cheesman who created a strong routine for Noell and Russell. Speaking of Russell, he was my favorite dancer tonight, and I was happy to see him finally get some props.
Laying a big fat giant egg tonight were those naifs, Mollee and Nathan. Talented? Yes. But also immature and inexperienced, as their lame salsa revealed all of their weaknesses. Nathan’s less than humble reaction to Nigel’s critiques may come back to bite them.
And watching Ryan and Ellenore struggle through a Lil C hip hop routine made me sad. Ellenore, in particular, hasn’t had the opportunity to shine like she did in Vegas. I hope she doesn’t get eliminated before she has the opportunity.
Tomorrow night, the results, after America’s vote.
Re-cap and videos after the JUMP…
It’s the Top 16, and finally, AMERICA gets to vote! Tomorrow night, after the nationwide vote, a boy and a girl will be sent home.
The Season 5 dancers are in the house! They only have 9 more performances on their nationwide tour. Nigel mentions the Dizzyfeet foundation benefit on November 29th. Mary and Dmitry are going to be doing the Samba! Dominic is in the house. More info from dizzyfeetfoundation.org
What should America know about you? Is the question posed in the pre-performance package…
Karen and Kevin – Hustle by Maria Torres – “Come to Me” by France Joli – OMG Karen split with her husband, her audition partner in Boston, right after Las Vegas. In this routine, the girl asks the boy to dance. Can the hustle be elegant? This is–both elegant AND sexy. Karen and Kevin are Top 10 for sure. Adam says, “You made it work for you…that was amazing. Kevin I think I just saw you for the first time in this competition…incredible partnership developing…fantastic.” Mary says, “Karen…you are like a hustle queen out on the floor…despite a few foot problems, Kevin is still on the train…Karen is first class.” Nigel says, “Kevin…where is all this coming from? I am absolutely delighted with what you’re doing…Karen you manage to add to whatever choreography you are given.” – 1-888-836-7601 – VIDEO
Ashleigh and Jacob – Jazz by Mandy Moore – “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Jeanine Mason and Jakob have been BFFs since they were kids. The routine is a jazz duet, with a 3rd element–a cane. Mandy has outdone herself with some f**cking fierce choreography here. Ashleigh bugged so much during the auditions and Las Vegas, but I have to set that aside–she’s fabulous here. And what can I say about Jakob? Strong, flexible, INCREDIBLE. Adam says, “Ashleigh, man do you belong on this show…you’re actually starting to breath together…Jacob it’s fun to see new ways the choreographers get you to jump…you have an enormous flexibility strength and control.” Mary says, “Perfect partnership…Ashleigh you have been stepping up to the plate every single week…you just keep getting better and better. Jacob…strong, passionate…you’re brilliant..I love you two.” Nigel says, “Mandy Moore…this routine comes up to that standard [table routine]. Jakob you remind me of Joel Gray…absolutely stunning dancer…you [both] changed to suit the characters…that’s what this show is all about.” 1-888-836-7602 – VIDEO
Pauline and Peter – Quickstep by JT and Tomas – “Hey Baby! (shake those hula hips)” by Big Kahuna & the Copa Cat Pack – The story involves a navy guy who becomes entranced with a hula girl – That routine was full of personality–so much fun–but the dancing was labored. I think they’re going to get slammed. First, Adam thanks the new choreographers for a great routine. After, hse says “You may have blown past some of the technical misteps…Pauline you were appropriately adorable, Peter you were on fire.” Mary says, “I will say that you pulled it off tonight…it wasn’t great…but the performance was amazing…some of the leg action and foot work was clunky…Pauline…you fared a little better, but your closed hold was far off.” Nigel says, “Was it technically perfect? Absolutely not. Did I care? Absolutely not. Fabulous performance…America votes for performance. You aren’t going anywhere.” Wow, the judges cut them a break! They may be sticking around another week – 1-888-836-7603 – VIDEO
Kathryn and Legacy – Broadway by Andy Blankenbuehler – “I Wanna Be Like You” by Swingin’ Fireballs – This week’s routine has fast choreography. Another fun routine, full of personality and charm, but the judges feel Kathryn missed the mark. Adam says, “Kathryn, I wasn’t sure what your character was, I needed more of a maneater…but the dancing was adorable…Legacy, this is another huge step in your growth, dude…good for you buddy.” Mary says, “It was just missing a little bit of chemistry…Kathryn, you just got lost a little…Legacy keeps growing…it’s going to take you into the Top 10.” Nigel says, “Kathryn I was a little disappointed with you this week…it felt a little childish…you should have been a vixen…Legacy, you could have been a Guys and Dolls dancer…you are an inspiration for your choreographers.” – 1-888-836-7604 – VIDEO
Channing and Victor – Contemporary by Stacey Tookey – “Be Be Your Love” (Live at KCRW) by Rachel Yamagata – The routine is about a “toxic relationship”. And it looks like Stacey is slipping into the Emo role vacated by Mia Michaels. It feels like we’ve been there and done that with this routine, but they dance it beautifully. Adam says, “This new partnership is going to reinvigorate you back into the competition…Channing you are adapting really well…it was danced beautifully.” Mary says, “I think this is a great new partnership too…I thought you guys did a tremendous job…Channing I think you’re a beautiful strong woman…Victor, you were in your element.” Nigel says, “Two contemporary dancers…you had to be good…was I emotionally carried away…no…technically…yes…I think you were given a difficult job by Stacey…If you pull a wrong one next week…you are both going to be out of your element.” Nigel was not impressed. – 1-888-836-7605 – VIDEO
Ryan and Ellenore – Hip Hop by Lil C – “Lost Boyz Anthem” by J-Squad – Timing, Swagger and Synergy are the elements in this routine, says, Lil C. They’re both totally out of their element, they aren’t hitting it–the moves aren’t synchronized. Adam babbles about how nice they are, and then says, “Ryan, you are the most transformed dancer of the night…you didn’t dance great, but it was good…a huge step.” Mary says, “I have to agree…it wasn’t great but it was good…it got a little sluggish in the middle…Ryan you were respectable, Ellenore…just good…you gotta step up to the plate.” Nigel says, “That really was not good at all tonight…the style didn’t suit either of you…I don’t think either of your personalities suit this style…the style was just not there…in any way shape or form tonight…I hope you don’t suffer for that.” – 1-888-836-7606 – VIDEO
Mollee and Nathan – Salsa by Gustavo Vargas – “Quimbara” by Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco – Mollee swears she won’t dance like a 10 year old. Eep. This isn’t very good. The lifts, the footwork, the moves. Can you say AWKWARD? Adam says, “Get ready to boo me…we adore you guys…that number exposed all of your weaknesses.” Why is Adam apologizing? It sucked. Mary says, “Was it sexified? It was french fried…it wasn’t your best moment…Nathan you didn’t look suave…Mollee you looked uncomfortable in those heels.” Nigel says, “It’s a sobering night for many of the dancers tonight…from the moment that you stepped off on the wrong feet, it didn’t go right…your chemistry was missing…this is a learning experience.” Nathan says he didn’t feel uncomfortable, he felt HOT. Wrong answer, Nathan. – 1-888-836-7607 – VIDEO
Noell and Russell – Afro Jazz by Sean Cheesman – “Frog Dance” by Mickey Hart and Planet Drum – OK. I like this new choreographer. This is sensational. And I think Russell is UNDERRATED. Adam says, “It had an enormous amount of joy, character and story…you were totally committed to the characters. I had a fantastic time watching it.” Mary says, “That was crazy good. Noell, you were right in there…just fierce…I felt the whole feel from up here…” Mary puts Russell on the hot tamale train. Nice to see Russell get his props. “Nigel says, “I’m hoping Sean comes back…I loved it. Russell I think you are a star of this season…you’ve got these fantastic lines…Noell I’m so happy you scraped by last week, you did a really good job.” – 1-888-836-7608 – VIDEO
Nigel thinks Ryan and Ellenore are in trouble. Mary and Adam think Mollee and Nathan are in trouble. That’ll put a fire under the fans. Well done, judges.
I think I’m gonna start watching this show for Russell, I only peeked at the auditions but I thought he was awesome.
B3 for me:
Mollee and Nathan
Ryan and Ellenore
Pauline and Peter
I agree suebrody..
I feel for Pauline because she was supposed to be paired with Billy Bell but that’s the luck of the draw. I think she and Peter are forgettable and of the above should be the two to go.
Sunshine girl - I have to agree with you about Karen. At first, I was somewhat dazzled with her dancing, enough to overlook the obvious self-absorption. I can’t overlook it anymore. Ugh.
Interesting though, that we learned some “real secrets” from some of the dancers (Victor as a goth boy, Peter and Noelle’s specific interest in charity work, and Karen’s divorce; all personal and interesting/revealing), and then we learn that Nathan likes to jetski (like a million other people, big deal!) and Pauline likes to … eat. Hmm.
My neighbour who is a dance teacher and choreographer was once a judge of a dance competition. One of the routines was called ‘Cheeseman’ (or something along those lines) and she remembers thinking that it was completely amazing. It was only after that, that she realized that it was choreographed by THE Sean Cheeseman. IDK I think that’s kinda cool.
Anywho I only watched one of the performances tonight so I’ll go watch the rest now.
I’m keeping my comments short. Please give Ashleigh something else to do besides walking, posing and one type of turn per dance. How can I compare her to the others who are dancing with their whole body.Also Nigel, how can you be in sync if your paired with someone off the beat and can’t do it. Elleanor did well, and had some good popping. Ryan tried but was behing the beat. BTW krumping is danced to the accents not the melody. The same with Nathan and Mollee. Mollee was off beat and just a hot mess. Nathan was on and when they were together it was a mess. Tomorrow will show us if the producers get what they want. me thinks they will. BTW loved the afro Jazz, thank you Andy Blankenberg for bringing a respectable Broadway number, and the others were just ok
i think the bottom three couples will be
Peter & Pauline
Victor & Channing
Karen & Kevin
not that i think they were the worst couples to dance tonight (that would be Nathan/ Mollee & Ryan/Ellenore & Peter/Pauline) but i think they have the smallest fanbases and the judges will elimanate pauline & victor. we shall see.
That Hustle by Maria Torres? I’d be hard pressed to find many ‘Hustle’ moves. You can’t just call something a Hustle then throw in some Disco music and expect it to fly. I used to compete in dance clubs back in the late 70’s – and yes, I did the Hustle (both partner and group). Yeah ‘“ there were SOME familiar moves ‘“ just not enough to rightly be called a ‘Hustle’ ‘“ not an authentic one, at least. And that Quickstep by Pauline and Peter? About a NAVY guy huh? Well ‘“ Peter was wearing an Army uniform with Marine insignia on the sleeves and Navy emblems (wrongly) placed on his collars. Oh ‘“ and you don’t wear medals with ribbons’ ¦but hey! Who cares ‘“ right? Picky, perhaps ‘“ but it takes so little to just get it right. At least Shankman called it in his critique.
I loved Mandy Moore’s choreo ‘“ and both Ashleigh and Jacob danced it well; though I think a little more rehearsal would sharpen it even more. It’s bound to be a pleaser on the tour (I expect both dancers to make top 10). I also enjoyed Stacey Tookey’s choreo (though along with Nigel, neither Channing nor Victor’s performance blew me away). Legacy is really growing on me ‘“ and I’ve always loved Russell. Everyone else? Have to wait and see. I will say I DON’T like the new theatre. Almost all of the camera shots are proscenium, the lights make the dancers sweat more ‘“ and the crowd seems really removed. I preferred the earlier (albeit smaller), more intimate venue. The camera could get closer, and the dancers didn’t seem so lost on stage.
I appreciate your comments TFLS. I felt there was a lot more Disco moves than expected. However, I believe the Hustle dance steps were in Saturday Night Fever, and this does cause confusion. I’d like to see both dances done back to back.
It is distracting when the lighting and background takes away from the dancers. I hope there will be changes made soon.
YAY for Sean Cheeseman that Afro Jazz was great. Russell and Noelle did a great job and finally they gave Russell who is totally underrated some props. Is it wrong that the main reason I watch the show is for Russell? If Russell got bad comments this week I would’ve cut someone! lol
The show by itself was a bit of a let down seriously two hrs and is way too long for just 3 routines that I liked. One thing I wanna know how do they know that Nathan/Mollee are fan favorites is it because they just assume since their young cute and bubbly that they just have the teeny bopper vote.
My top picks and guaranteed safe IMO
Russell/Noelle
Jakob/Ashliegh
Legacy/Kathryn
My bottom 3 predictions
I really can’t even call it it could be anybody in the bottom 3 except the couples I put at the top so it should be interesting.
Sean Cheesman can be a brilliant choreographer but he’s also had some really lame performances on SYTYCDC. He was brilliant last night that’s for sure.
Russell is awesome.
I really dislike the tap dancer… I don’t know why.
Also I am sick of the remote control choreos. Sean Cheesman did one on SYTYCDC and it was lame. This remote choreo was one of the worst I’ve ever seen.
Is there not enough US choreographers that SYTYCD has to bring our Canadian choreographers to do their show? Their choreos on US show is just like on Canada’s show and well there’s nothing new to add.
Enough bank robberies and remote control choreos. Overdone and stupid.
I was so looking forward to last night. Kinda let down. I am/was a fan of Nathan. More from viewing u-tube than his performances on the show. But boy, the remark last night has me a bit put off. Which just proves that it isn’t just a dance contest, lol….. another pageant… but the dancing. What the??? Was he dancing the right style on that? I still think he is a good dancer. But the two of them, together..bad, bad… That leg business and lift…painful to watch.
I like Victor and Channing. I am a sucker for the pretty stuff. Although Victor does need to dig into the emotion a bit. He seems like a robot sometimes. Like he knows the moves, but doesn’t live them. Oh Billy Billy Billy, I so wanted to watch him..boohooo.
Russell is a star, isn’t he. He isn’t perfect but has so much Charisma. You just enjoy watching him.
Jakob. I was really happy to watch him last night. He is growing on me. He totally got into the personality of the piece. I know that technically he is really good..but beyond being nearly double jointed I worried he wouldn’t be good at digging into the personality. But he really was good.
I am just into guys…or are the girls lacking this year?
I really like how they have freshened things up with some new choreographers. I agree with whoever up thread said the Hustle was much of a Hustle, I thought the same thing but I love Karen and Kevin so I still enjoyed it.
Ashley and Jakob were good, when he dances he reminds me of Michael Crawford and the dancers in Hello Dolly.
Peter and Pauline’s quickstep was enjoyable, he really brought that character to life.
I love the chemistry with Kathryn and Legacy, their routine was one of the best Broadway routines ever on that show.
I don’t see any good chemistry between Channing and Victor, I liked their Stacey Tookey routine but not them.
I liked the routine for Ryan and Ellanore but their outfits were so distracting. I thought she was awesome, not so much Ryan.
Mollee and Nathan weren’t great but I don’t think it will hurt them, their fans will pull them through to top 10. Too bad because I really don’t like Mollee, I think it’s her immaturity that bugs the hell out of me. I wish Karen and Kevin had had that routine.
Noelle and Russell were good. I was confused by Nigel’s comment about Russell being the ’star’ this season because hasn’t Nigel pulled him out twice already and put him in the bottom? I like him a lot though, Noelle not so much.
I am so glad they put Adam on the panel, he’s a great judge who gives great criticism.
Hard to predict a bottom three, Channing and Victor, Peter and Pauline are the only 2 couples I can think might be in danger.
definition of vain and self-absorbed? Karen and Ryan?
Yipes…they are entirely too full of themselves and spend way too much time flaunting their looks. Just dance for pete’s sake and shut up! Oh and Ryan … get a shirt with buttons. While I love a good looking male chest — I annoys me to see you fall back on that instead of your dancing. Think about the dance moves and not your chest, would you?
Really Like Noelle and Russell. Both of them…dont know why are the hate for Noelle but i think she is good and not full of herself like some of the others. They are my favorite.
How do your jidges know that Mollee and Nathan have this big fanbase, by the way? … When this episode was taped, there hadn’t been any kind of voting yet, right? This has puzzled me all along — How do you get fan favorites when the fans haven’t yet weighed in?
What remark by Nathan? I totally didn’t see anything that wasn’t humbling.. he was joking if anything b/c I did see him laugh, etc.
Adam is on twitter and he gets a lot of people talking about Nathan and Mollee. Also, look at Nathan’s view for his audition in Season 5. It has over 100k views. A lot more than other people who have auditioned this season or even in season’s past.
I’m guessing it’s focus groups and feedback from the website (measuring who gets the most visits to their profile)
I haven’t gotten to post in forever; now, since I don’t have school I finally can. Anyway, Russell’s been my favorite since Vegas and he’s still my favorite now. The princess and the frog routine was one of my favorites, along with Channing & Victor’s contemporary, and Ashleigh & Jakob’s jazz (although Ashleigh still annoys me to no end). I think the bottom should be:
Mollee/Nathan (which is sad because I like Nathan)
Ellenore/Ryan (I like Ellenore, but Ryan is full of himself and did not do well in that hiphop)
Pauline/Peter (I actually kind of agreed with the judges on this one, I did like the performance, but the actual dancing wasn’t very good)
However, I think Nigel was trying to rally up the fans by declaring that Ellenore/Ryan and Mollee/Nathan would probably be in the bottom.
Also, mj, thanks so much for posting the videos…I didn’t get home last night until around 9:30ish (I was at school for over 13 1/2 hours) I just watched the first 5 dances on here, which I end up doing a lot… I actually found this website looking for an easy way to watch everything during season 4, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Wow, you’re probably right. Hard for me to get my mind around the idea that they probably pay to run focus groups on who people’s favorite dancer is. Cripes.
It’s all about the almighty buck.
My guess is if favorites go to soon, people stop watching and rating drop.
kevin was a bit stiff and awkward, but with karen as his partner, he shouldn’t worry too much…at least for this week.
mollee and nathan? wow. offbeat, uncomfortable and extremely amateurish. the quality of that dance had zero to do with age, and more to do with skill level. nathan has some nice lines, but i wonder if that’s all he has. sorry, so far, after 3 weeks, he has yet to shine.
and i actually thought kathryn and legacy had chemistry. yes, her acting was a bit confusing with the choreography, but who is to say thats not the way she was told to dance by the choreographer himself? the judges’ opinions of why it didn’t work should have been directed at him.
ellenor did a good job…ryan was the one who dragged the entire routine down. she didnt receive enough credit. sorry. but she at least she was on beat and knew how to move her body.
I’m gonna go ahead and post this here because I think this thread is dead and nobody will kill me for saying this but here goes:
I do NOT like Legacy. That is a stupid name and he looks like a little monkey when he dances. And with that stupid hat on last night he looked even more like an organ grinder’s monkey and I do not get the Legacy love at all.
Whew. I feel better.