As I mentioned in last week’s blog, I like to give a quick little shout out to Cat in ever “episode.” I like to acknowledge that she’s a fantastic host – why, oh why hasn’t she been nominated for an Emmy already? – and I like to evaluate her look. This week Cat’s hair is a little too much for me but I’m digging the dress. And she’s radiant, as always.
I think a lot of people enjoy all the personal tidbits we learn about the dancers – me included – but this blog will be focused on the dancing. I just needed to get that out there. Sometimes I’m genuinely touched by or interested in what the dancers reveal but at the end of the day I know the producers are just trying to fill up some space. Wow, that seemed jaded. Yet true.
And don’t forget this season is all about live, live, live…as in, the show isn’t pre-taped like it has been in every previous season. It’s actually LIVE. I’m excited about that. It leaves a lot more room for error. And brilliance. I already feel the difference.
Our judges for tonight (and the entire season) are Adam, Mia, and Nigel. I love Adam and Nigel on the panel but I must admit I’m a bit worried about Mia. I think she’s a brilliant choreographer but sometimes I think she’s unnessecarily harsh – yes, I’m taking about Brandon from season 5. I know that dancers will have to endure an intense about of criticism over the span of their careers but sometimes I think she takes it too far. That said, I think must of her critiques are spot on and meant to be helpful for the dancers. So without further delay, let’s get to it.
Ok, I’m already caving. Something America doesn’t know about Billy is he’s very in to do-it-yourself projects. This week he’s teamed up with All-star Lauren.
Tyce Diorio / Broadway
Footloose / Kenny Loggins
Rehearsal: Billy’s character needs to dance, loves to dance. The routine is very fast. Keep pushing it, gotta keep going.
Performance: Really fun music. Great energy. Billy is such a rock star. I heart Lauren; she’s rocking it too. Great timing, nice form. They aren’t totally together but I’m not caring. A great way to start off the night. Very well done!
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Tyce was using longer movements and it suited Billy. Be careful with chemistry; had a good buddy relationship. Good start.
Mia: So proud of him. Loved seeing Billy dance like this. Tackled it, did an awesome job. Did focus on length instead of bounce and frenetics. Wants him to dance like a man. Awesome job.
Adam: Dancing is too easy for him. For Billy to grow, focus on inhabiting the character; it’s what’s in-between the steps he needs to fill out. Congrats. He’s killing it.
Cristina once auditioned for a singing competition in Mexico but she got cut. She doesn’t sing anymore. She is paired with All-star Mark.
Sonja Tayeh / Jazz
Starstruck / Santigold
Rehearsal: Sonja is really inspired by the snake. Cristina has to be loser with her body. She’s gonna push it and get her head into the body of the snake.
Performance: I love their starting position. Very Sonja and I’ve loving it. Great body positions – so interesting. I feel Cristina being loose with her body, which is great. Mark is such a great partner for her to have. Loved it.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: That routine was all about the coming together of Sonja and Mark. That style is fabulous to see. Cristina is tremendous in it. She “filled the spaces.” Nigel can only complement her. Well done.
Mia: Oye Mama. She partnered with a genius of twisted and dark. Did an awesome job. Would have liked to see the twisted in her face. Didn’t expect it from Christina and she’s so proud.
Adam: He’s stunned. Adam thought it might be a disaster and he’s so wrong. What was so incredible is he saw no trace of a salsa dancer. Fully inhabited the character. Gives complete performance. Tremendous.
It’s important for Jose to stay flexible so he does yoga every day. He’s is partnered with All-star Comfort this week.
Tabitha & Napoleon / Hip-Hop
Beautiful Monster / Ne-Yo
Rehearsal: This isn’t your traditional hip hop and it’s not approved for all audiences. Two predators ready to attack but don’t know who’s the prey.
Performance: After a slow start (too slow for me), I’m enjoying it. Comfort’s great in this genre and Jose’s no slouch. Nice partner work. It was fun to watch. They threw some nice tricks in there.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Wow. Nigel points out that Jose doesn’t know hip-hop, hasn’t had choreography or a count before, and has to become a character. Jose has done things this week he’s never had to do before. Absolutely outstanding. Not anticipating that at all.
Mia: The only criticism Mia has is about his commitment to the choreography and character. He needs to bring it but he has grown a lot in a week.
Adam: It’s improving week after week. Jose’s come legions from Vegas. Work on power moves that are faster.
What do we need to know about Adechike? He went to the FAME school. Tyce went there as well but may not have been living up to his potential. This week Kathryn is Adechike’s All-star partner.
Travis Wall / Jazz
Addicted to Love / Florence + The Machine
Rehearsal: Travis is playing with a man’s fantasy. Adechike is an office worker daydreaming about a sexy girl. Uh oh, they’re having prop trouble.
The Performance: I like the slow start here. Nice partnership – Kathryn is really partnering him well. This song is kinda perfect for this piece. Nice technique.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Ade-cheeky. Choreography is wonderful; so much going on. Kathryn was giving him everything. Nigel didn’t quite believe it was his fantasy. It isn’t just about steps. It’s about dancing and performing. He knows Adechike can perform better.
Mia: Mia warns us she’s gonna be harsh. Tells Travis it’s a great piece of work. There was nothing between them. There was nothing there. Brought nothing but stiffness, strength, and empty technique.
Adam: Travis gave him an incredible opportunity. Adechike was a technically great partner. Didn’t go the extra step. He have to become a different kind of partner. Good job.
Up next is Melinda. She wants us to know she’s also an actress, who we’ve seen on As the World Turns. She likes to play music and just started writing her own music. Melinda is paired with All-star Pasha.
Tony & Melanie / Jive
L.O.V.E. / VV Brown
Rehearsal: The vibe of the routine is love. Melanie wants her to be in love with Pasha. Melinda says he’s hot with brilliant stage presence.
The Performance: I’m seeing some good footwork by Melinda, which isn’t surprising considering she’s a tapper. They aren’t quite together though. I think Melinda’s a bit nervous. Recovered nicely…oh, spoke too soon. I saw a few mistakes but I thought they had great energy. Not a bad effort.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: There’s no question Melinda’s vivacious, gorgeous. Don’t pull the faces. Doesn’t think this style suits her. She’s unsafe this week.
Mia: Agrees with Nigel. There’s something about her legs. There’s a lack of sexiness and something else she can’t pinpoint. Melinda’s a great performer. Be careful not to go over-the-top. Be authentic.
Adam: Melinda’s going to see that she’s a good actor and entertainer/performer when she looks back at the tape of the performance. Blew out the performance. They love her so Adam urges her to keep working.
America doesn’t know Alex likes to sing; he sings all the time. It makes him happy when he’s stressed. This week Alex is partnered with All-star Allison.
Sonyja Tayeh / Contemporary
Hallelujah / Jeff Buckley
Rehearsal: The piece is about when you need salvation; trying to find peace within yourself or in the world. Ballet dancers expresses themselves differently. Alex wants to show us he can open himself up.
The Performance: Wow. His lines are really impressive. Great partnership. I feel like they’re really in sync. I wanted to watch it and not type – which is the highest complement I can give them. Wow. Very, very well done. That gets some standing ovations.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Alex has just set a new standard. Sometimes dancers concentrate on the architecture of dancing and they forget the poetry. Not here. Utterly fantastic. Allison and Alex are mega lightyears ahead of everyone else. And Sonja! So, so happy.
Mia: That is the best piece of work danced on the SYTYCD anywhere in the world to date. Sonja has outdone herself. Alex is sheer perfection and genius. She’s shaking because he’s so brilliant. So excited about this journey.
Adam: So incredible and it speaks to how amazing Alex is. They’ve never seen this level of performance and he now knows why Alex wasn’t let out of his ballet contract the last time he auditioned.
Alexie has been on Star Search as part of The Hip-Hop Kids. This won’t be the first time she’ll be judged by Adam Shankman. That brief shot of him was awesome! Alexie is paired with All-star Twitch this week.
Tabitha & Napoleon / Hip-Hop
Butterfly / Jason Mraz
Rehearsal: It’s about sneaky young love. This dance probably isn’t suitable for children.
The Performance: It’s a little too slow for me. Sometimes NappyTabs disappoints me and they’ve disappointed me with this one. Technically they’re hitting the steps I’m just not feeling it at all. Hmm. I’m disappointed. Not even Twitch seems to be able to do anything with these steps so I can’t really blame the dancers.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Alexie is such a cute little dancer. Nigel wants to make sure she’s not too cutesy.
Mia: She danced liked a young, adorable girl. Alexie needs to step it up. No hip-hop groove, no swag. Just feels cute.
Adam: That was a performance won over by pure charisma. Alexie needs to dance with the sensuality of a woman and the power of a guy. Dance with that power.
What don’t we know about Lauren? She’s passionate about working with kindergartners. She wants to make a difference. This week Ade is Lauren’s All-star partner.
Mandy Moore / Pop Jazz
Oh Yeah / Yello
Rehearsal: This dance is about first-date moves. Mandy thinks Lauren is having trouble being sexy but Ade doesn’t agree.
The Performance: Fun concept. They were killing it in terms of technique and form. Great partner work. Nice connection between the partners, but not in terms of chemistry. Highly enjoyable.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Really well choreographed routine. Lauren had confidence in jumps but found it sterile. No chemistry. She needs to improve her performance without a doubt.
Mia: Brings up “filling in the space” again. Technically she’s kinda flawless. Emotionally and character-wise, she wants to know what’s going on inside. Felt like the first draft of a performance.
Adam: He’s concerned; not sure she’s listening to the critiques. Didn’t see character or connection. He wants her to look deeper into who she is; find out more about character. Technically she’ll always be fine.
What does America need to know about Kent? At his high school he was crowned Homecoming King out of a class of 14 guys. Kent is paired with All-star Anya. Wow. That wil be interesting
Tony & Melanie / Cha-cha
Lady Marmalade / Diva Invasion
Rehearsal: I hope Anya doesn’t kill him with her sexuality but I do think it will be great for Kent to be exposed to that. Let’s see him dance like a man!. Kent has to portray strength, masculinity, and confidence. He’s never met the likes of Anya.
The Performance: Great partner connection. I really like Kent and I’m enjoying him here. I still think he’s 18 but I think this journey to “dance like a man” has just started. Nice footwork. He’s being a great partner for Anya. There are a few moves that aren’t quite masculine but I’m choosing to overlook them. Very enjoyable.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Overriding factor of the routine is that he enjoyed it. Wapakoneta can be can be proud. Kent reminds him of a young Paul Newman. Tells him not to be careful not to look like Jessica Rabbit. Loved every second of his performance.
Mia: He committed to everything. Looks like a Ballroom boy. She’s so proud of him. It was a great routine.
Adam: His determination shows. Kent blasted through his weaknesses. He did good. Awesome.
Ashley does some crazy voices. She does something called the Galvatron. This week her All-star partner will be Neil.
Tyce Diorio / Contemporary
For All We Know / Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
Rehearsal: It’s about the greatest gift anyone can have, which is love. It’s less about dancing and more about the connection.
The Performance: I love that Ashley is absolutely throwing herself into it. Great form. Nice partner work. Great lifts. I don’t think it has the emotional resonance they were going for, but I did enjoy it.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: It’s got to be about transcending the steps. Ashley needs to use her emotions in her dancing now. What America didn’t know is how beautiful a dancer she is.
Mia: She felt her a lot. Mia’s not sure what Ashley’s feeling. Not coming across as loudly as she had hoped. She’s a special little bunny. She brings something innocent and special. Technically, the picture is gorgeous. She’d proud and intrigued.
Adam: Technically there, but not emotionally. She’s not connecting emotionally.
What do we need to know about Robert? He really wanted to be a professional baseball player. Dance is something he never thought he’d have. He’s paired with All-star Courtney this week.
Sean Cheesman / African Jazz
Norweg / Cirque De Soleil’s Saltimbanco Soundtrack
Rehearsal: Crazy, crazy fast. It’s about two mystical creatures who become human once a year and they rejoice. High energy. Courtney thinks there might be bumps, bruises, and perhaps an emergency room visit.
The Performance: Very cool. I like that the beginning is so close to the ground. They are moving their bodies in very strange and wonderful ways. I love seeing a new style of dance on this show. Great blend of African and Jazz. Robert is really killing it for me. He’s got great, great lines and movement. Well done.
Judge’s critiques
Nigel: Sean’s routine is fabulous; loved the movement. Loved the way Robert danced it. Thinks he’s a dark horse in this competition. He’s gonna be so good. The boys are so strong this year.
Mia: He’s out of the gate. There are so many things she loves about him. He’s got a quirk factor, beauty, he’s an athlete and technician. She wants him to dig into who Robert is.
Adam: Seeing him and Courtney together is unbelievable. Completely there for each other. Knew what they were dancing about. He thinks Robert is one of the best contemporary dancers they’ve ever had on the show. He’s going very far.
Overall, I’m very happy with the level of dancing I saw tonight. There were some great discoveries – Cristina dancing Jazz, Ashley dancing Contemporary – even though she didn’t take it far enough – and the revelations that where Alex and Robert. Wow, that a fun night.
In the future I will try to keep my blog much, much shorter. I think I just got really excited about having my favorite reality competition back on the air in the summer, where it should be.
Who’s in trouble? I didn’t enjoy or understand Alexie’s piece even thought I love her personality. Beyond here it could be a number of other people. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
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