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
