Join me tonight for some exciting and tense eliminations. The judges have no more say. 100% America’s votes. Who will go home?
Our judges this week:
Nigel, Mary, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Group Number- Choreographed by Shaun Cheeseman- Hlohonolofatsa by Soweto Gospel Choir
An african dance, and the top 6 is wearing all white. It’s a decent routine, but we’ve seen some more memorable opening group numbers (like last week).
1) Paul and Kathryn McCormick- Jazz- Choreographed by Tyce Diorio-
Kathryn starts up on a ladder to make it look like shes in some incredible dress. Then she comes down to get jiggy with Paul. I think this is a good routine for Paul to be sexy in, but I don’t think there’s a lot of real dancing here. I think Tyce let him down a bit there. I don’t like the choreography at all here. Lots of stopping and posing, and dance moves that an amateur could do. Probably one of my least favorite routines of the season, even though Paul danced it well. It just looked really easy. Nigel says Paul can do anything. Mary loved the dress at the opening (that was definitely cool). Mary thought Paul was magnificent. Jesse likes how nobody was told they were in the bottom. Jesse thinks Paul is spectacular.
We get a home package from Amy’s parents… before we get Paul’s numbers. Weird. No numbers for Paul… Maybe we get them after the solos?
Amy’s Solo from The Red Violin
It was alright. Too short for me. You’d think for their final solo, they could have had more than 30 seconds. Still no numbers.
2) Hayley and Josh- Hip Hop- Choreographed by NappyTabs- Work Hard Play Hard by Wiz Khalifa
The dance takes place in a boxing ring set up. Josh is “training” Hayley. I love that we brought Josh back, because there are other hip-hop males than just Twitch (even though I love Twitch). I don’t think Hayley is the strongest Hip Hop dancer, and she seems to pale next to every Male All-Star in hip-hop. Though, she did a really fantastic job with the choreography. Josh just pulls focus, and hits harder. Mary compliments Hayley on fighting to stay in the game. Mary babbles about skill and will for a few minutes. Jesse calls it the greatest workout video of all time. Jesse tells Hayley that she’s been consistently awesome all season. Jesse keeps saying this is the best top 6 ever. Nigel says Hayley reminded him of Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby.
Home package for Fik-Shun.
Fik-Shun’s Solo- Look At Me Now by Chris Brown
Fik-Shun is a GREAT soloist. His solos are always interesting, and he puts his best stuff in them. He got a standing O from Jesse.
3) Aaron and Melanie- Broadway- Choreographed by Spencer Liff- Faith by George Michael
Aaron has a future on Broadway, for sure. Hes always done great in this style, and he got a gift this week being able to do a style that suits him perfectly. This is my favorite routine so far tonight. Aaron gets to highlight his personality, and Melanie is a great partner for him. OOPS. He dropped her. He missed a catch after Melanie spun, and she hit the floor. Damn. That sucks. It was an obvious miss. Melanie tries to say how it was in character. Jesse points out that the show never forces dancers to do tap, or ballet. True. They are harder styles to pick up in a few days though. They could train them in tap early in the season, and toward the end start introducing tap routines. Nigel tries to hit him with some technique issues regarding his shoulders. Aaron has had a shoulder injury in the past, which we talk about a bit, and sometimes he’s careful with his shoulders because he doesn’t want to injure himself out of the competition. Mary says she would pick Aaron of all the people left in the competition, if she could pick a partner. I think Aaron is the last dancer left in the competition who is a “returning” competitor. Interesting fact.
Home package for Jasmine!
Jasmine’s Solo- Amazing Grace by Destiny’s Child
I liked this more than Amy’s, but Fik-Shun still holds the top spot in solos.
Home package for Paul!
Paul’s Solo- Mamba Negra by Huecco
Being a latin dancer, he’s almost always partnered in his own style. However, I thought his solo was pretty good. He threw in some leaps and stuff and didn’t just shimmy.
4) Fik-shun and Witney- Fox Trot- Sexy Silk by Jessie J
I’m worried, but this choreo is pretty slow for Fik-Shun, and there are plenty of non-ballroom moments for Fik-Shun to do his own style. Nigel would call this watered down, I’m sure. Fik-Shun has a hard time maintaining the carriage in the upper part of his body. His shoulders are down for most of the close partner work. Witney was pretty good though. Mary says Witney reminds her of Marilyn Monroe. Mary points out he had some rough spots, some lines that weren’t good. I think he did better than Cyrus did at ballroom. Jesse talks about how it felt like Witney was leading him around the floor, but he doesn’t think Fik-Shun’s fans will care. Nigel thinks Witney dominated the routine. Nigel tells Fik-Shun that this wasn’t particularly strong. Nigel thought Fik-Shun’s solo was fantastic.
Home package for Hayley!
Hayley’s Solo- Be Mine! by Robyn
Pretty standard contemporary solo. I think all three girls performed good-not-great solos tonight. Then again, they only get 30 seconds.
5) Jasmine and Neil- Jazz-Choreographed by Tyce Diorio- Unfaithful from Unfaithful
This is based on a hurricane. This is a MUCH better Tyce routine. The music is beautiful. Jasmine is beautiful. Neil and Jasmine are both hitting emotion on all cylinders. Standing O from all judges. Best routine of the night so far. Nigel thought it was excellent, and thought that was the best he’s ever seen Neil dance. Nigel loved Jasmine’s solo. Mary was crying a bit. Mary thought Jasmine was spectacular. Jesse compliments Tyce. Jesse thought it was beautiful. Jesse says Jasmine is his favorite dancer this year.
Home package for Aaron!
Aaron’s Solo- Use Me By Bill Withers
I can’t remember if we’ve ever seen Aaron tap before in a solo. He’s pretty fantastic. Great solo. The mens solos were better than the women.
6) Amy and Alex Wong- Bollywood- Choreographed by Nicol- Munni Badnamm
Holy crap. Alex is FANTASTIC in this style. Amy is doing a great job, but Alex looks like he was trained in Bollywood. Amy was told to be sexy, and I think she comes across as more cutesy than sexy in this routine. Those knee twirls were cool. Standing O from the judges. Great choreography. That was super fun. Mary thought it was crazy, and commends them for the athleticism they showed in that number. Jesse compliments her on her routine last week, and thought Amy was awesome this week too. Nigel liked it, and thought it was danced incredibly.
7) Hayley and Paul- Contemporary- Choreographed by Dee Kaspary- I’m Gonna Be by Sleeping At Last
Two dancers who I was hoping would get a second chance at having a great number this week. I think this is that number. Of course, Hayley is in her style, so she’s incredible. But, Paul is really a great contemporary dancer too. So, this is really a great pairing. Even though these two have never danced together before, the chemistry is there. Beautiful. One of my favorites of the night. Standing O from Mary and Jesse. Jesse points out that even though they’ve never danced together, they clearly have a shared connection. Nigel loved the flow of the movement. Mary is hoping Hayley and Paul become a couple in real life. She thinks they’re cute together, and Paul reminds her of James Dean. Mary says the connection was amazing.
8) Amy and Fik-Shun- Hip Hop- Choreographed by Dave Scott- Lemme See by Usher
Fik-Shun gets his style. Amy had the strong Bollywood, so she didn’t need a comeback. Fik-Shun needed the comeback, and he got his style, AND his old partner. Amy is actually a solid hip hop dancer, a little more believable than Hayley. Of course, she’s at home with her old partner. Fik-Shun is incredible in this number. I wonder if they’ll bring him back as a hip-hop all-star. Nigel compliments Dave’s choreography. Nigel calls out Miley Cyrus. Mary says it’s fabulous to see those two together again. Jesse calls Fik-Shun a megastar.
9) Jasmine and Aaron- Jazz- Choreographed by Shaun Cheesman- Mirror Mirror by Lord Kraven
Giant mirror on stage. This is how Jazz should be done. This just destroys Tyce’s jazz from earlier. It’s freaky. Weird, and there is a much more constant movement on stage. Still not one of the best of the night, but a much better jazz. Jasmine and Aaron both had terrific routines though earlier and weren’t seeking redemption. I think everyone tonight had at least 1 great routine tonight. Mary loved Jasmine’s solo. Mary screams. Jesse agrees. Mary and Jesse both love how far Jasmine bent her leg in that routine. Jesse has a crush on Aaron. Nigel says they compliment each other so well. Nigel tells Aaron that his tap solo was incredible. Nigel loved Aaron’s shoulders in this routine. Nigel tells Jasmine, again, that her leg move was crazy. Nigel thinks that was the routine to beat.
Results after the break!
Girl Results First:
First Girl Safe: Amy
Second Girl Safe: Jasmine
Going Home: Hayley
Hayley gets her own goodbye package, and doesn’t have to share a montage.
Boy Results:
First Guy Safe: Aaron (A tapper made the finale! Nigel’s dreams can finally come true!)
Second Guy Safe: Fik-Shun
Going Home: Paul (will not be winning a second SYTYCD competition)
Who Will Win?
I just realized there are no numbers, because we vote next week, and the finale is 2 weeks from today. Join me next week!
