I think SYTYCD fatigue is finally setting in for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really enjoying this season. I’d be enjoying it more if Alex and Ashley were still around but I think we’ve still seen a lot of great dancing in Season 7. But only 3 can make it to the finale. Will your favorite make it through?
But, first we need to get some housekeeping out of the way. How does the wonderful and fabulous Cat Deeley fare? The hair is a bit too messy for me and I’ve seen her in dresses I’ve liked more. I do like the strange black webbed detailing on the bodice but the colorbands on the top are a bit much and the bottom of the dress is too loose.
Sigh. Why is there a panel of 4 judges now? I know it was instituted the week Kenny Ortega was on the show (so 2 weeks ago?) but I don’t like it. If they want us to hear different opinions swap a regular judge out and put a guest judge in. Wow. I am pretty opinionated tonight.
Group Routine
Lauren, Kent, Adechike, and Robert
Tyce DiOrio / Broadway
Rehearsal: They’re gamblers. The excitement takes over their bodies and they go crazy. They’re down to the last lap so it’s time to enjoy it. The top 4 should be like the 4th of July, fireworks.
The Crapshooter’s Dance / Guys & Dolls (50th Anniversary Cast Recording)
Performance: Nice interplay between Lauren and the guys. Adechike looks like a bit of a weak link here to me. I’m enjoying everyone else.
Judge’s critiques:
Tyce liked working with them. Kent stands out. Adam thinks it’s fun. What’s not to love? They’ve given us a lot of joy. Nigel says everyone is bidding for a place in the finale and one of them will be disappointed.
Further comment: Meh. It was a serviceable routine for me.
Lauren
All-star partner: Pasha
Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo / Argentine Tango
Rehearsal: The most important thing is the relationship between the man and woman. It’s a conversation without any words. They’ve broken up and the guy is very sad in the nightclub. The female is seductive, manipulative, and sexy.
Oblivion / Astor Pizaaolla
Performance: I’m loving that it’s slow. Great connection. Very sexy. Great lifts and cool tricks. Really nice job. I barely had time to type anything because I am so engrossed.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel’s eyes steamed up. The intensity and passion. The control is magnificent. Lauren showed why she’s here in the top 4. Tyce gives her props. The silence is golden and she uses it. Mia says the choreography is unbelievable. She just became a woman. So mature. It is simmering. Adam quotes Sting and says everything she does is magic.
Further comment: It was immensely enjoyable. I don’t think we’ve seen a tango like this before (well, I can’t remember one). Lauren can be sexy and she finally seems to be owning it.
Adechike
All-star partner: Lauren
Sean Cheeseman / Afro Jazz
Rehearsal: Sean’s throwing a little Afro Caribbean in as well. The story is the path to freedom. They’re looking for that Promised Land. They see it and start to rejoice.
The Path / Ralph MacDonald
Performance: Great quality of movement. It seems so natural for both of them. And they look like they’re having a blast although Adechike looks just a bit tight. Nice ending.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel thinks it’s fun. Thanks Sean for the choreography. Wants Adechike him to relax his back. Tyce wants Adechike to look, find and discover. He could have taken it further. Mia didn’t care for that. It isn’t the piece, it’s the execution. Adechike can’t expand to the heavens. She wants to feel full body, mind, and heart. Adam thinks it’s about losing your center. He wants Adechike to forget the judges are there and dance for his life.
Further comment: I also feel like Adechike is holding back. We’ve seen him more exuberant and more engaged.
Robert
All-star partner: Anya
Jonathan Roberts / Viennese Waltz
Rehearsal: It’s very technical with complicated steps. Jonathan doesn’t think Robert is a ballroom expert yet.
Lost / Anouk
Performance: I like the Viennese waltz. I think Robert is doing a great job but it looks like he’s counting or something even though he’s performing it well. There are a lot of lifts, which they’re doing a great job with. I wanted to love it just a bit more.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel thanks Jonathan for a beautiful routine. Robert has the beautiful carriage and he worked hard on the rise and fall. Excellent. Tyce thinks Robert invested wholeheartedly tonight. He wears it like a suit. Mia says it is so romantic, he’s the prince of the season. She wants him to relax and enjoy the ride. If there is ever a night to be brilliant, it’s tonight. And Adam calls Robert brilliant. He owns it.
Further comment: I’m with Mia. If Robert had really relaxed into it, it would have been gorgeous.
Kent
All-star partner: Courtney
Doriana Sanchez / Disco
Rehearsal: The story is inspired by love on the dance floor. Kent knows that Disco is very upbeat in shiny clothes.
When Love Takes Over / David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland
Performance: I’m enjoying it so far. Great energy. Some of the transitions in Disco can be rough and there is no exception here. I thought there would be more lifts. They did a great job.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel asks Kent if he’s done anything like this before, and he hasn’t. They lost some lifts. Kent didn’t make it cheesy. Tyce’s recommendation is for Kent to do research on a style he doesn’t know. He did well. Mia thinks it was a little rough. It wasn’t the partnering. Movement felt compact; the worst performance from Kent this season. Adam agrees with Mia. His performance is too youthful.
Further comment: I would have liked to see more lifts. I think Kent got a big break here and it’s not fair to the rest of the dancers. I didn’t want to see him drop Courtney but if there’s something he doesn’t do well we need to see it.
Lauren
All-star partner: Ade
Sean Cheesman / Jazz
Rehearsal: It’s about Lauren trying to seduce and lure Ade. Lauren has to be vampy, sexy, and enticing. The catch is Lauren is a deadly black widow. The movement is kind of animalistic.
Hide U (John Creamer & Stephanie K Remix) / Kosheen
Performance: Cool opening. I’m loving it. That lift was strange and cool. Great job. My eyes are on Lauren almost the whole time.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel thinks that upside down lift is amazing. Strong work. It is masculine and Lauren is sexy doing it. He hopes people will think she deserves to be in the finale because she does. Tyce snaps at her. He wanted a bit more ferociousness. Her dancing is spectacular. Mia calls Lauren a beast. She loves strong female dancers. The sexual chemistry wasn’t as evident. It is amazing. Adam says he wants to hire her.
Further comment: I agree about the chemistry. Lauren and Ade just don’t have any. But I’m ok with it because the dancing is so strong.
Adechike
All-star partner: Kathryn
Dwight Rohden & Desmond Richardson / Multiple styles
Rehearsal: They’ve worked with Adechike before and they’ve watched him grow. They wanted to give Adechike a challenge and to showcase his gifts.
Fearless Love / Melissa Etheridge
Performance: I’m seeing the exuberance and power. I think he’s really letting himself go. And Kathryn has been so amazing this season. The ending was a bit rough but great job.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel thinks Adechike has showcased his talents across the season. He loses a little bit of wind at the end. He’s got to keep that strength. Tyce wants to celebrate where Adechike’s at. Adechike put a piece of himself on that dance floor. Mia wanted more. Adechike has the potential for being a superhero dancer. She sees moments and glimpses of Desmond coming through in Adechike. He’s moving and growing. Adam thinks Adechike really lays it all out there. He’s super proud.
Further comment: I totally agree with the judges. He’s tired and he can’t hide it. He’s giving it his best and there are some great moments coming through, but not always.
Robert
All-star partner: Dominic
Tabitha & Napoleon / Hip Hop
Rehearsal: Two clowns have just found out their big top is closing. By nature clowns want to be happy. The clowns are aggravated when they find out. NappyTabs wants this routine to be different.
Scars / Basement Jaxx feat. Kelis, Meleka & Chipmunk
Performance: It’s so strange but I like it so far. Robert is doing a great job of keeping up with Dominic. Strange. But cool.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel loves it. Creative choreography. Tremendous. Whatever they throw at Robert, he just does it. It’s hard to critique it. He’s brilliant. Tyce loves the Tab and Nap. Robert really shows up to this piece. He takes it on and makes it magic. Mia likes the concept of Hip Hop Theater. Robert commits to everything, perfect. He’s had an amazing evening. Adam says Robert out danced Dominic. He’s brilliant. This night is Robert’s.
Further comment: Robert didn’t out dance Dominic. I think he’s done an amazing job tonight but he DID NOT out dance Dom. Didn’t happen.
Kent
All-star partner: Neil
Travis Wall / Contemporary
Rehearsal: It’s about two guys who are best friends. Neil isn’t the friend that Kent thought he was. Neil stabs him in the back and after fighting back Kent realizes he just needs to walk away.
How It Ends / DeVotchKa
Performance: I love that they’re so connected. Great lifts. Amazing technique. Great jumps. Travis is brilliant. Brilliant. It looked like a bit of a lovers quarrel at the end but it was pretty impressive.
Judge’s critiques:
Nigel calls the piece inspirational. Stunning. Kent danced it brilliantly. Outstanding. He just booked a place in the finale. Tyce asks if Kent’s kidding him. Excellence was just delivered by the choreographer, dancer, and all-star. Mia thinks it’s the first time that she can’t find words but she is crying. So real, so uncomfortably awful. That’s what true genius is. The combination of the three of them is perfect. Adam calls Travis brilliant. If tonight had been the finale, Kent would have just won the show.
Further comment: What a great story. I’m sorry Travis got stabbed in the back but without that he wouldn’t have given us this amazing piece. Kent, butch it up just a little. But great job.
What did you think? I’m a bit disappointed in the structure of tonight’s show. I didn’t get it. I would have liked to see each dancer perform a solo and I would have loved to see them dance together – but not in a group dance. I didn’t watch the little recap moments so I can’t tell you whether or not those were good.
I think Kent has it in the bag. He’s just too popular with those tweens and teens. But who do I think will make it into the top 3? Kent, Lauren, and Robert. Robert was a bit of a dark horse before tonight but he really stepped it up. Adechike will still get a lot of votes but he disappointed in all three of his dances tonight. I hope Lauren gets the votes she needs because she deserves to be in the finale.
Thoughts? Who do you think belongs in the finale?
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