So You Think You Can Dance concluded season 11 last night. It was a fun show, packed with lots of dancing.
Cat Deeley opened the show by announcing that the winner will appear on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine, perform in the cast of On the Town on Broadway, and win $250,000.
We then met the judging panel: Tara Lipinski, Adam Shankman (I've missed him this season!), Jenna Dewan Tatum, Debbie Allen (another of my favorites), Mary Murphy, and Nigel Lythgoe.
The dancing began with a wonderful Broadway routine performed by the top 20 to "Doctor Jazz" (Jelly's Last Jam). It was choreographed by Warren Carlisle, and both Ricky and Valerie had exceptional solos in the dance.
Then the reprise dances began. The judges picked a favorite, and so did each of the dancers. Mary's favorite was Jessica and Casey in the Travis Wall "kiss" dance to "Like Real People Do" (Hozier). It was lovely, although Casey almost dropped Jessica at one point. I was watching with friends and we all gasped.
Debbie's favorite was Ricky and Valerie (her favorites of the season) in Phoenix and Pharside's number about an inventor and a life size doll. It was danced to "Turn Down for What" by D.J. Snake and Lil Jon.
Zack's favorite was his dance with Amy that was choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. It was about the loss of a friend to death, and it was danced to "Europe After the Rain" by Max Richter.
Nigel's favorite was Rudy and Allison Hoelker in the Ray Leeper number "Dirty Diana" by Michael Jackson. He reminded us that Allison will be a pro dancer on Dancing With the Stars this season. That will be fun (and good for her!).
Paula Abdul appeared out of nowhere. Evidently she has been judging the Australian version of the show. She introduced the winner of this season's Australian SYTYCD, Michael Dameski. He danced and was impressive, although a bit more gymnastic (and less emotive) than I like.
Valerie's favorite was her tap routine with Zack that was choreographed by Anthony Morigerato. It was performed up and down a set of stairs to "Sing" by Ed Sheeran. This was also one of my favorite numbers of the season.
Les Twins performed as guest dancers in a fun hip hop routine.
Ricky's favorite was his Sonya Tayeh dance with Jessica to "Vow" by Meredith Monk. It was just as good in the reprise.
America voted on their favorite hip hop routine last week and the winner was Carly and Serge in "Senile" by Young Money. This was the skeleton hip hop number that I remember not caring for because the makeup covered their faces and depersonalized the dancers.
A clip aired of Jasmine Harper from last season visiting the top 4 dancers in rehearsal. She brought singer Ciara, and they encouraged the dancers. This was sponsored by Degree for Women (evidently a big sponsor of the show this season -- kudos to this company for airing dance themed commercials).
Jenna's favorite was Tanisha and Rudy's Sonya Tayeh dance to "You Need" (Bengsons). Tanisha is such a good dancer! I had hoped that she would make it to the final 4.
Enrique and Sean Paul performed a Latin/hip hop music number.
Adam's favorite was Zack and Ricky's Pharside and Phoenix hip hop routine, performed with a playing card theme to "The Antidote" by District 78. I was surprised again at how well they performed this hard hitting hip hop number.
Cat announced the fourth place contestant -- Zack. I really like Zack and think he showed a lot of growth this season. I hope he continues on and explores dancing on Broadway. I think his versatility and tap style would lend itself really well to that venue.
Tara's favorite was Emilio and Jasmine's "Get Low" (Dillon Francis and D.J. Snake). This Tabitha and Napoleon hip hop number is about a snake charmer and an enchanted snake.
Jessie Tyler Ferguson took over hosting temporarily and was a hoot, especially in an exchange with Travis Wall about extemporaneous dancing.
The top 10 dancers and the All Stars performed a beautiful number choreographed by Sonya Tayeh and Christopher Scott. It was about people connecting at a busy train station and it was performed to "Sweet Disposition" (Tender Trap). If you can find this video online, see it! It is amazing. (I have not posted SYTYCD videos as they tend to not stay online for very long.)
Jessica's favorite was her dance with Robert, choreographed by Travis Wall. It was performed to "When I Go" (Over the Rhine).
Cat then announced the 3rd place dancer -- Jessica. Jessica is a pretty girl and a talented dancer, but I never really connected with her performances. I think she has a lot of talent, though, and hope she has a great career.
Cat's favorite was Valerie and Ricky in the Travis Wall routine "Oh Darling" (Gossling). I really liked this number, too ... and love that it featured the top 2 dancers.
I had hoped all season that Valerie and Ricky would be in the top 2, and I was delighted that they were. Cat announced that the winner was Ricky. Yay! He is one of my favorite dancers ever on SYTYCD - charming, versatile, and absolutely amazing in every dance style.
I really enjoyed this season. There were so many strong dancers. I hope the show is renewed for Season 12, next summer.
What did you think of the finale? Did your favorite win? I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.
This week's So You Think You Can Dance was the penultimate episode. The finale is next Wednesday night.
The show began with a beautiful group dance to "Wind Beneath My Wings" (Ryan Dan Travis) choreographed by Travis Wall. The leaps and pairings in this number were just lovely. (Photo above.)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson sat in as a judge. He is one of my favorite SYTYCD judges. I love the good natured humor he brings to his comments.
On this episode all the dancers partnered with each other, danced a solo, and danced with an All Star in their chosen dance genre.
Valerie and Ricky did a Sean Cheesman African jazz number to "Voices of Savannah" (D.J. Chus). It had an animal theme and was a lot of fun.
Jessica and Zack performed a Broadway routine choreographed by Spencer Liff. It was about an underground rendezvous spot, and it was danced to "Hernando's Hideaway" (Ella Fitzgerald). I could really picture this number in a Broadway show. Spencer Liff is one of my favorite show choreographers.
Valerie and Zack performed a contemporary dance choreographed by Tyce Diorio. It was about a couple in love, and Valerie portrayed a blind woman. The number was danced to "Pearls" (Sade) and it was really lovely.
Jessica and Ricky danced a Ray Leeper number to "F for You" (Disclosure with Mary J. Blige). It was full of drama, but not one of my favorite numbers.
Jason Mraz performed his new song, "Love Someone." I like it - really like his voice!
Valerie and Jessica performed a Bollywood number by Nakul Dev Mahajan to "Ghagra" (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani). I almost always enjoy the Bollywood numbers of SYTYCD, and this number was no exception. The girls looked like they really enjoyed this dance.
Zack and Ricky performed a Phoenix and Pharside hip hop number about the king of diamonds and king of clubs to "The Antidote" (District 78). It was hard hitting and athletic and I thought both dancers really did an amazing job working so far out of their genre.
Valerie and Aaron performed a Broadway style tap number choreographed by Anthony Morigerato to "Love Me or Leave Me" (Sammy Davis, Jr.). It was a show stopper! This was another number that would be great in a Broadway show.
Some clips of Ricky's first audition aired, and then Ricky danced an amazing solo to "Skin and Bones" (David J. Roch).
Ricky and Kathryn danced a Stacey Tookey contemporary number about a man who hit rock bottom and a woman who is an angel helping him. It was performed to "Not About Angels" (Birdy).
Valerie's audition aired, and then she danced a tap solo to "Valerie" (Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse).
Zack and Aaron danced a Broadway tap number to "Piano Man" (Billy Joel). This number was choreographed by Anthony Morigerato, and it was about a bartender and customer sharing stories. The conversation actually took the form of tap. What an incredible number!
Jessica's audition played, and then she danced a solo to "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" (Juliet Sims).
Jessica and Robert danced a very moving contemporary number to "When I Go" (Over the Rhine). It was choreographed by Travis Wall.
Zack closed the show with a tape of his audition and a tap routine to "Superstition" (Adam Rafferty).
I really enjoyed this show. It was probably my favorite episode this season. I thought the two tap duets (Valerie and Aaron, Zack and Aaron) were real standouts. I also loved Ricky's solo.
I actually voted tonight - 10 times for Valerie and 10 times for Ricky. I have to say I also like Zack a lot, and would not be unhappy if he won.
I think this will actually be a very close vote. I usually watch the show with a group of friends and the four of us had four different opinions about who should win.
Did you enjoy the show this week? What guy and what girl do you want to win?
It's already the penultimate episode of the season. How is that possible? The summer has gone so fast!
The show opened with a hip hop number to "Hide" (N.A.S.A.). It involved glow-rings, half-masks, and a lot of fast movement. The choreographer was Nick Demoura.
Cat Deeley announced that the dancers would perform three numbers tonight: one with a fellow contestant, one with an All-Star, and one solo.
The guest judge this week was Christina Applegate ... always a great addition to the judging panel.
Ricky and Valerie danced a Broadway number choreographed by Spencer Liff. The song was "I've Got the World on a String" (Frank Sinatra), and the dance involved a swing, with retro Broadway style costuming (flowing dress for Valerie). It was fabulous -- and my favorite number of the night.
Jessica and Casey danced a disco number by Doriana Sanchez to "Dim All the Lights" (Donna Summer). It was fast and fun with lots of lifts. They did a great job.
Ricky performed a solo to "My Tears Are Becoming a Sea" (M83).
Zack and Jacque danced a foxtrot choreographed by Jean-Marc Generaux to "Anything Goes" (Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga). It was not great - sort of a flat number without a lot of connection.
Jessica danced a solo to "I Was Here" (Beyonce).
Valerie and Twitch danced a wedding theme hip hop number choreographed by WilldaBeast. The song was "Yeah" by Usher. It was very sharp hip hop including some crumping. I prefer lyrical hip hop (i.e. Tabitha and Napoleon), but thought Valerie did a good job. (Twitch, of course, is a superstar!)
Casey danced a solo to "Lay Me Down" (Sam Smith).
Valerie danced a solo to "What I Like About You" (The Romantics). (One of my favorite 1980's songs, which predisposes me to like the dance.)
Jacque and Will danced a Sean Cheesman contemporary number to "99 Red Balloons." I really like Will, but was not a great fan of this number. (I also prefer the original version of "99 Luftballoons.")
Zack danced a solo to "Butterfly" (Jason Mraz).
Jessica and Ade danced a Ray Leeper number about a club in Tokyo. The song was "Boneless" (Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, and Tujamo). Ray Leeper is not one of my favorite choreographers, and this dance was no exception for me ... it was very busy but didn't have a lot of substance.
Jacque danced a solo to "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (The Andrews Sisters). Good for her, doing a dance out of her usual classical ballet style. I enjoyed it!
Ricky and Anya danced a foxtrot choreographed by Jean-Marc Generaux. He remarked that the foxtrot is originally from Cuba, which interested Ricky (he is Cuban-American). That is neat - I had no idea. The song was "Dare (La La La)" by Shakira. Ricky just excels in every style of dance.
Casey and McKenzie danced a contemporary number by Stacy Tookey. The dance was about having just one day left with the person you love. The song was "Over You" by Ingrid Michaelson. I think this was one of Casey's best performances - well danced and very emotive.
Zack and Fik-Shun danced a hip hop number choreographed by Phillip Chbeeb. It was inspired by an ink blot test and danced to "Sail" (Awolnation). The choreography was very striking and unique.
Finally it was time for the results. Cat said that the following dancers were safe and will dance in the finale next week:
Jessica
Ricky
Valerie
Zack
This means that Casey and Jacque went home tonight. I am a bit surprised that Zack made the final 4 over Casey, but I am glad he did. It is great to have two tappers (Jessica and Zack) in the final 4.
Next week the guest judge will be Jesse Tyler Ferguson (yay!) and the all-stars will be Robert, Kathryn and Aaron. Jason Mraz will also sing.
This was a very dance-packed show. I am happy with the final 4. What do you think?
This was Michael Jackson week on So You Think You Can Dance. There was some great music showcased, and it was a lot of fun. The Top 8 also became the Top 6, and that was not as much fun. But more on that later!
The show opened with the Top 8 performing a futuristic dance choreographed by Travis Payne to "A Place With No Name."
The judges were introduced, and this week Jenna Dewan Tatum sat in with Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe. Jenna's critiques are not as detailed as some of the other judges, but she is pleasant and thoughtful, and what she says is always constructive.
Tanisha danced a solo to "Warrior" by Havana Brown.
Ricky and Jaimie danced a Travis Wall number about best friends. It was beautiful, and Ricky was, as always, superb. The song was danced to Michael Jackson's "Smile." (All the pairs performances were danced to Michael Jackson songs.) Ricky learned he was safe, and he will dance with Anya next week.
Valerie and Ryan danced a samba battle choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux. It was danced to "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." It had a nice energy, but Valerie's movements were not as sharp and crisp as one might wish. Valerie found out that she was safe, and will be dancing with Twitch next week.
Casey performed a solo to "Outre" by M83. This was followed by Rudy's solo to "Warrior" by Drehz.
Casey and Comfort performed a hip hop routine choreographed by Pharside and Phoenix. The number, set to "Xscape," was about a spider (Comfort) who had the kiss of death. It was danced against a giant spiderweb. Nigel said that Casey is growing as a dancer - and I agree. Casey learned he was in the bottom 2 guys. I was surprised to see him in the bottom 2.
Jacque danced a solo to "Nocturne in C Sharp Minor" by Lento (Lazic and Wispelwey).
Tanisha and Nick danced a Stacey Tookey number about love lost and regrets to "She's Out of My Life." It was a lovely number. The judges praised Tanisha's strong core but Nigel said she needs to show more vulnerability. Tanisha learned that she is in the bottom 2 girls.
Jessica danced a solo to "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion.
Rudy and Allison danced a Ray Leeper number to "Dirty Diana." Allison stole the show! Rudy learned he was in the bottom 2 guys.
Valerie did a solo to "Dance With Me Tonight" by Olly Murs.
Zack and Makenzie did a Spencer Liff choreographed Broadway number about a new girl in town. (They are pictured in the photo above.) It was danced to "The Way You Make Me Feel." The costuming was retro, with a 1940's look, and the dance was reminiscent of old time Broadway. I loved it, and have to say that Zack is becoming my favorite dancer who is not Ricky in this competition. Broadway is a good genre for him. Zack learned he was safe and will dance with Fik-shun next week.
Ricky danced a solo to "Haegt, Kemur Ljosio" (Olafur Arnalds). There is such an ease to his dance!
Jacque and Twitch danced a Dave Scott hip hop number to "Slave to the Rhythm." The stage was littered with trash and a street setting; it was distracting and drab. One of my friends commented that Jacque looks a lot like Lea Michelle, and I agree. (I had not noticed that before.) Jacque learned that she was in the bottom 2.
Jessica and Will danced a Mandy Moore number and earth and mankind to "Earth Song." The judges praised her growth. While I think she is a good dancer, the judges are much more enthusiastic about her than I am. Jessica learned she was safe and will be dancing next week with Ade.
Tanisha and Rudy learned they will be going home. I was really shocked that Tanisha is leaving, as she has seemed like the most consistent of the girls, and she is very versatile.
Casey learned he will dance with Makenzie next week, and Jacque learned she will dance with Will. Next week Christina Applegate will be returning as a judge.
What did you think of last night's show? Were you surprised who went home? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments section, below.
Wow! What a great show tonight. I loved seeing the all stars return. The So You Think You Can Dance all stars are dancers who had breakout performances on previous seasons.
Before we get to the all stars, though, there is the opening number. The top 10 dancers performed a fun number to "Bang Bang" (Jesse J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj). The number, choreographed by Jamal Sims, had the dancers dressed as neon cowboys and cowgirls. You could tell the dancers were enjoying this "cut loose" piece.
The guest judge this week, sitting with Nigel and Mary, was figure skater Tara Lipinski. She is upbeat and articulate, with constructive critiques.
After each dancer performed tonight, they learned if they were safe or in the bottom two guys/bottom two girls (in jeopardy of going home).
Bridget and all-star Brandon performed a Bollywood Disco number choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan to "Disco Khisko." It was a happy dance with sparkly costumes, but not one of the truly spectacular Bollywood numbers from this show (like Katee and Joshua, Season 4). Bridget's dance fate: bottom 2 girls.
Tanisha and all-star Ryan performed an Argentine Tango choreographed by Leonardo and Miriam to "The Gaucho's Pain (Tango Jointz)." (Photo of Tanisha and Ryan, above.) At one point Ryan balanced Tanisha on his neck. They danced well together, and this was a great number. Tanisha's dance fate: safe.
Emilio and all-star Jasmine performed a hip hop number choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon to "Get Low" (Dillon Francis and DJ Snake). Emilio was the king and Jasmine was the pet snake who wanted to be in power. I often judge dancers on competitive shows based on who draws attention and performance focus. In this case, that was definitely Jasmine. I felt that Emilio was outdanced. Emilio's dance fate: bottom 2 guys.
Valerie and all-star Ade performed a jazz number choreographed by Tyce Diorio to "Hearts a Mess" (Gotye). Valerie was supposed to be upset and angry. There were a lot of great lifts. I do agree with Nigel, who said that Ade is a dancer with great breadth of movement, and he showed Valerie up. Valerie's dance fate: safe.
Rudy and all-star Jenna danced a cha cha choreographed by Louis Van Amstel to "Maps" (Maroon 5). The dance was about their attraction. I felt Jenna drew focus in this number and outdanced Rudy, although he is a very likable personality onstage. Rudy's dance fate: safe.
Jacque and all-star Cheon danced a contemporary/ballet duet choreographed by Travis Wall to "Adagio for Tron" (Daft Punk). Nigel raved about the "range of movement." I thought the blending of styles was intriguing, but the very dark stage lighting made the number hard to see. Jacque's dance fate: bottom 2 girls.
Ricky and all-star Lauren performed a rockabilly style jazz number choreographed by Mandy Moore to "Bossa Nova Baby" (Elvis Presley). This number was so much fun! It was one of the standout performances of the night for me, and I already plan to find it online to watch again. Ricky's dance fate: safe.
Casey and all-star Kathryn performed a Broadway number choreographed by Spencer Liff to "Maybe This Time" (Liza Minelli). It had a theme of loves me, loves me not. There was some beautiful movement in this piece, and Casey is really coming into his own on this show. Casey's dance fate: safe.
Jessica and all-star Twitch performed a hip hop number choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon to "U Got Me Up" (Calmere's Underground Goodies). It was about an old guy at a bus stop who meets a younger pin-up girl. This was the other standout performance tonight for me. It was so much fun! I am just happy every time I get to see Twitch dance. Jessica's dance fate: safe.
Zack and Amy danced a contemporary number choreographed by Sonya Tayeh to "Europe, After the Rain" (Max Richter). The number was a tribute to her friend, who died suddenly. It was atmospheric, with lightning and the sound of rain, and it was really beautiful - lots of lifts and leaps. Zack's dance fate: bottom two guys.
It was announced that Sonya is going to be choreographing for the Martha Graham dance company. What an honor for her! I wonder if she will still be doing work on SYTYCD as well?
The bottom dancers appeared on stage: Zack, Emilio, Jacque, Bridget. It was announced that Emilio and Bridget got the lowest number of votes, so they went home this week.
Next week's show will feature the music of Michael Jackson. The dance pairs will be:
Tanisha with all-star Nick
Valerie with all-star Ryan
Rudy with all-star Allison
Jacque with all-star Twitch
Ricky with all-star Jamie
Casey with all-star Comfort
Jessica with all-star Will
Zack with all-star Mackenzie
That sounds like a great show. I love Michael Jackson's music, too!
What did you think of the show this week? Which performances were your favorites? Do you think the right dancers went home? I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.
The top 14 dancers performed on So You Think You Can Dance this week. The show began with a group dance to "Last Moment" by Christopher Filippi. The number, choreographed by Mandy Moore, featured atmospheric lighting and the dancers in Roman garb. It was a lovely way to start the show.
The guest judge this week was Christina Applegate. I really like her as a judge. She takes the show seriously and has insightful comments, but also offers a sense of fun.
The bottom 6 were announced, with news that 4 of them would go home. They were: Serge, Teddy, Casey, Jessica, Carly, and Emily
Emilio and Bridget danced first. Emilio said that Bridget brings congeniality to the show, while Bridget said that Emilio brings a potty mouth. They danced a jazz number by Ray Leeper about two devils on a mission from hell. The music was "Long Road to Hell" (Avicii). Their costumes were red and cheesy and the whole number was a little bit too much for me.
Next up were Tanisha and Rudy. According to the dancers, Tanisha brings hiccups to the show and Rudy brings a quiet demeanor (said ironically, as he is very loud!). They danced a Mandy Moore contemporary number about seduction to "Seduces Me" (Celine Dion). There was lots of big movement and an impressive overhead lift. Christina gave them a standing ovation.
Serge performed a solo to "Wicked Game" (Parra for Cuva) in ballroom style. I wish I had voted for him last week! (I rarely vote.)
Jacque and Zack were introduced. The dancers said that Jacque brings customer service skills from her job at a grocery store to the show. Zack brings "mad rapping skills." They danced a vampire theme Paso Doble by Jean Marc Generaux to "Dragula" (Rob Zombie). It was dramatic and interesting to watch. Nigel said it was good that the concept did not overshadow the routine, and I agree.
Carly performed a contemporary solo to "Not About Angels" (Birdy). I keep getting Carly and Emily confused - they are very similar to me in look and style.
Emily and Teddy were next. Emily brings a business degree to the show, while Teddy brings rubbery arms and neck. They performed a Warren Carlyle Broadway number about a cat and mouse style flirtation. The song was "From This Moment On" (Kiss Me Kate). Nigel said it ended weak and I agree. Teddy lost synchronization in several places.
Casey performed a solo to "Kiss Me" (Ed Sheeran).
Jessica and Casey performed next. Jessica brings her awkwardness to the show (according to Casey), while Casey brings a great turning ability. Travis Wall choreographed a number for them about finding a person in your life who centers you. It was danced to "Like Real People Do" (Hozier). There is a screen capture of the dance above. The pivotal moment of the dance was a kiss. Their chemistry was great. The judges all gave them a standing ovation.
Emily performed a solo to "Infra 8" (Louisa Fuller, Natalia Bonner, Nick Barr, Ian Burdge, Chris Worsey).
Teddy then performed a solo to "If I Ever Fall in Love" (Shai).
Carly and Serge were next up. According to the dancers, Carly brings her emotions to the show, while Serge brings a ponytail. They did a quickstep choreographed by Jean Marc Generaux to "A Cool Cat in Town" (Tape Five). Serge shone in this number.
Jessica performed a solo to "Fever" by Beyonce.
Valerie and Ricky danced next. Valerie brings her tomboy personality to the show, while Ricky brings great Cuban coffee. They danced a hip hop choreographed by Pharside and Phoenix. It was about a witch doctor and a doll, performed to "Turn Down for What" (D.J. Snake and Lil John). It was a fun dance, completely in character.
The girls performed a group number choreographed by Mandy Moore. It was a salute to strong women dancing together, performed to "My Immortal" by Evanescence. The judges loved it, and Christina singled Valerie out for praise, calling her "Tappy McTapperson."
The guys performed a group routine choreographed by Travis Wall about a city of lost souls. It was to "Wave" (Beck). The men wore what my friends and I termed "skants" (pants that looked like long skirts). They did some amazing leaps and at the end of the number they fell off the stage, one by one. It was a beautiful number and I think perhaps my favorite of the season so far.
The judges decided unanimously on the four dancers going home: Teddy, Serge, Emily, and Carly. They kept Casey and Jessica. I prefer Serge to Casey, and was sorry to see him go.
The All Stars are returning next week. Woohoo! I love seeing them return. The pairs for next week were announced:
Rudy will dance with Jenna.
Jacque will dance with Cheon. (Can't wait to see him next week!)
Zack will dance with Amy.
Bridget will dance with Brandon.
Ricky will dance with Lauren.
Tanisha will dance with Ryan.
Emilio will dance with Jasmine.
Valerie will dance with Ade.
Casey will dance with Katherine.
Jessica will dance with Twitch.
What did you think of this week's show? Are you excited to see the All Stars return? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
It's So You Think You Can Dance night! The top 16 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Mandy Moore. It had a water theme and was set to "Take Me to the River" by Annie Lennox. I loved it! I think Mandy Moore is often overlooked as a choreographer on the show, but I really consistently like her work.
Misty Copeland is sitting in as a judge again tonight. While I like her, I really miss seeing some of the familiar faces from past seasons, like Adam Shankman.
The bottom 6 dancers were announced:
- Bridget
- Brooklyn
- Tanisha
- Marquet
- Serge
- Zack
I'm disappointed to see Zack on this list. I think he is a really strong dancer.
Tonight we saw clips of the dancers' first performances (home movies - very cute!) prior to their pairs dances.
Valerie and Ricky danced a Bollywood number choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan to "Dilliwali Girlfriend" (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani). It was energetic and fun!
Bridget and Emilio did a contemporary number by Travis Wall about removing the past from your memory to move on. They danced around an empty bed frame to "The Leaving Song" (Chris Garneau). It was very intense, and I thought that Emilio stood out.
Tanisha and Rudy did a Dave Scott hip hop number that he envisoned like a black and white comic book. The danced to "Good Kisser" (Usher). Nigel said Tanisha reminds him of Uma Thurman, and I agree.
Jessica and Marquet danced a Dimitry Chaplin choreographed foxtrot to "I Put A Spell On You" (Nina Simone). Marquet portrayed a very powerful businessman. It didn't grab me - and evidently the judges agreed. Mary did not like Marquet's hold, and Nigel didn't like the routine.
Carly and Serge danced a Mandy Moore contemporary about desire to "Foolish Games" (Jewel). It was emotional and well danced. Serge is one of those dancers who sort of flies under the radar for me. I keep forgetting to mention him as a favorite, but I think he is very strong.
Emily and Teddy did a ballroom number by Oksana and Jonathan to "Bruk It Down" (Mr. Vegas). It had a lot of lifts! It was okay but not a standout to me. Nigel related that Emily has a dislocated shoulder.
Jacque and Zack danced a Sonyah Tayeh jazz number about a couple who had a past fling and want to rekindle things. They danced to "Back to Black" (Beyonce). Zack is so versatile! Misty was very critical of Jacque. Nigel asked her point blank if she is more critical of the girls than the guys. Misty answered that perhaps she is because the guys are at another level.
Brooklyn and Casey danced a Wildebeast hip hop number to "Hustle Hard" (Ace Hood). It was not a really memorable number for me, and I am not sure that either of them sold the hard hitting hip hop.
Then there were two group numbers. Sonya Tayeh choregraphed a number about a village of broken people to "So Broken" (Bjork). It was odd and unsettling with lots of falling and angst. Tanisha was a featured dancer.
The second group number was by Travis Wall. It was about outlaws escaping the city. There were a number of dramatic group lifts. It was performed to "Love Runs Out" (One Republic). Ricky is such a star! When he was dancing with the group, he really drew so much attention.
Lucy Hale from Pretty Little Liars "sang." (Enough said.)
The judges closed the show by sending the two dancers with the lowest audience votes home. Marquet and Brooklyn, who auditioned together, also left the show together. Marquet was an early favorite of mine, but I don't think he lived up to his potential. I think he is very young, and perhaps not quite ready for the competition.
Next week four dancers will be eliminated. That should be a very dramatic show!
Did you watch this week? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments, below.
This week the top 18 dancers performed. The show started with an elaborate top 18 dance to "How It's Done" (District 78). The dancers moved like chess pieces across the stage in a number choreographed by the Academy of Villains crew members.
Cat Deeley introduced the judges, "three divine devotees of dance" - Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Misty Copeland.
The bottom 6 dancers were announced: Bridget, Emily, Jourdan, Emilio, Stanley, and Teddy.
This week the dancers all told America something they did not know about their partner.
Jacque said that Zack loves to swim. Zack confided that Jacque is obsessed with fellow dancer Rudy. They then performed a lyrical hip hop number by Keone and Mari. The song was "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith. The dance started with the dancers lying down and then moved upward. It was lovely and emotional. Mary commented on the "articulation of movement."
Marquet told America that Jourdan is always working out. Jourdan said that Marquet is in a hip hop crew. They then performed a Dee Caspary contemporary dance about a couple trying not to disappear. The song was "Disappear" by Mikky Ekko. There was an umbrella prop. The dancers did not seem to connect, and I agree with the judges, who wanted to see more vulnerability with Jourdan.
Jessica told America that Stanley is an aspiring model. Stanley said that Jessica likes to surf (but not very well!). They then did a Tyce Diorio number about a magic carpet ride. The song was "Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter" by Nikka Costa. I'd never heard this song before but think I like it because the title is fun. Stanley did some great leaps and extensions. The judges commented on Jessica's mugging for the camera during her dance.
Bridget told America that Emilio is a ninja. Emilio said that Bridget is a Renaissance Festival nerd who has a magic wand. Then Anya and Pasha were magically on my tv screen. Pasha! Pasha Kolakev is my all time favorite dancer from SYTYCD and the friends I watch with have teased many times that he is my "tv boyfriend." They choreographed a jive for Emilio and Bridget to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. It was a fun number! Bridget really did well in this genre. The speed of the dance was fast and light.
Teddy told America that Emily likes deep sea fishing. Emily said that Teddy is very competitive at board games. They danced a Tyce Diorio number about a poetic look into someone's eyes with the thought "don't ever leave me." The song was "No Me Quitte Pas" (Nina Simone). The meaning of the song ("Don't ever leave me") was apropos to both of them being in the bottom 6. I agree with Nigel's comment that they made some ugly lifts beautiful.
Casey told America that Brooklyn skateboards. Brooklyn said that Casey takes fashion seriously. They danced a Bonnie Story jazz number about a prom to "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Michael Buble). It was a fun number, and Casey stood out with his megawatt smile.
Ricky told America that Valerie is obsessed with pigs. Valerie said that Ricky was a high school mascot and dressed as a barracuda. They danced a Lacey Schwimmer choreographed Viennese Waltz. Good to see Lacey again -- one of my favorite SYTYCD alumni. The song was "I Won't Give Up" (Jason Mraz). Valerie wore one of the prettiest dresses I have ever seen (photo of Valerie and Ricky above). It was like the Jessica McClintock meets Laura Ashley dream dress from my teen years. Nigel gave them a standing ovation. Mary said the beginning was "dreamlike," while Misty commented that it was Valerie's night. This was easily my favorite dance of the evening - absolutely beautiful.
Carly told America that Serge is friends with Maks and Val from Dancing With the Stars. We then saw a clip of them playing pool together. Serve said that Carly joined the college dance team. They danced a Luther Brown hip hop number clothed as skeletons. The song was "Senile" (Young Money). The dance was very ominous and hard hitting -- not my cup of tea. I agree with Nigel, who did not care for it.
Tanisha told America that Rudy has a crush on Jacque. Rudy said that Tanisha has a massive family. They then performed a Broadway number choreographed by Warren Carlyle. It was danced to "Sing Sing Sing" from Fosse and included cane tricks and a soft shoe routine. It was truly a showstopper!
My favorites of the night were Valerie and Ricky, Tanisha and Rudy, and Bridget and Emilio. I also thought Zack and Jacque were very good.
The judges decided that Stanley and Jourdan would go home based on America's vote. I think this was the right choice.
Looking forward to next week's show already! I wonder who the guest judge will be? I would love to see Adam Shankman or Twitch back on the judging panel.
What did you think of the Top 18 show? Did the right dancers go home? You can leave comments below.
This week on So You Think You Can Dance the Top 20 performed, and two dancers were sent home.
The guest judge this week was Misty Copeland, prima ballerina of the American Ballet Theatre.
The show opened with a fun group number to "New York, New York" from On the Town, choreographed by Josh Bergasse. Emilio had a scene stealing bit with a baseball bat.
After the opening number, the judges appeared in baseball jerseys as a tribute to the upcoming MLB All-Star Game on Fox.
Then the bottom 6 dancers were announced: Brooklyn, Jourdan, Malena, Casey, Nick, and Serge. The final decision would be made after all 20 dancers performed as planned.
This week the partners were switched, and the partnerships will remain the same until the Top 10, unless a dancer is eliminated.
Tanisha and Rudy performed a Sonya Tayeh jazz number to "You Need" (Bengsons). Sonya called the number "grimy and aggressive." The dancers wore punk rock costumes. Misty told Tanisha, "You are fierce, girl." I also think Tanisha was a standout in this routine.
Valerie and Ricky danced a Travis Wall contemporary number to "Oh Darling" (Gossling). It was about the one that got away. Travis commented, "Ricky needs to pull Valerie up to his level." I enjoyed this dance, especially Ricky.
Bridget and Emilio danced a Luther Brown hip hop number to "Work" (Iggy Azalea). It was about a guy's flirtation with a nerd girl turned "bombshell." It was fun and light, but not particularly memorable.
Jessica and Nick danced a Benji Schwimmer West Coast Swing number to "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. (Thank you show for including some older music for viewers who are over 40.) I love Benji, and was happy when he won Season 2. I often watch the show with a group of friends, and we had a running joke that season. There was a girl who appeared in the Season 2 audience with a huge sign that said, "I baked cookies for Benji." After that we made cookies (several times) while we watched the show. And yes, they were of course for Benji. Despite this Benji fandom, I have to say that the West Coast Swing number fell apart. Nigel criticized the choreography and the dancers.
Carly and Serge performed a Sonyah Tayeh contemporary dance to "Latch" (Sam Smith). It was a tribute to unbreakable love and it was beautiful. Serge really stood out as a strong, emotive dancer.
Emily and Teddy performed a Dave Scott hip hop dance to "Don't" (Ed Sheeran). The dance was about a sexy flirtation, but I did not see much chemistry or connection between the dancers.
Malene and Stanley performed a Spencer Liff Broadway jazz number to "I've Got Your Number" (Nancy Wilson). (Yes, I love this song -- it is exactly my cup of tea!) The dance was prop dependent, with telephones on long cords. The idea was fun and retro but the performance was lackluster. I was disappointed, as Malene and Stanley are two of my early favorites.
Jourdan and Marcquet performed a Sean Cheesman jazz number to "Work Work" by Britney Spears. It was about a sexy interrogation. Marcquet is such a dynamic dancer. Misty called Marcquet out on his facial expressions (too serious) and Nigel called Jourdan out on her facial expressions as well (too smiley).
Brooklyn and Casey performed a Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo tango to "Gallo Ciego" (Luis Bravo's Forever Tango). I really liked Casey in this number.
Jacque and Zack performed a Sean Cheesman African jazz number to "Dibiza" (Danny Teraglia). The costumes, makeup, and backdrop were bright, groovy colors. This number was a real standout - lots of fun and very high energy.
The judges called the dancers in the bottom 6 onstage. Malena and Nick were sent home. I am disappointed about Malena, as she was my favorite of the ballroom girls.
The judges will continue making the final decision (counting in the votes by viewers) until the Top 10. Then the decision will be solely up to the viewer votes.
Did you watch SYTYCD this week? If so, what did you think of the dance performances? Were the right dancers sent home?
Hooray! So You Think You Can Dance auditions are over and the actual competition has begun. This week the Top 20 danced in pairs, in their favored dance style, to compete for a role in Broadway's On the Town and the title of America's Favorite Dancer.
Singer/dancer Jason Derulo joined Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe on the judging panel. While his comments were not as in depth as some of the dancers and choreographers who judge (i.e. Adam Shankman, Twitch, Kenny Ortega, Debbie Allen), he took the process seriously and offered thoughtful critiques.
The performances included:
Brooklyn and Serge - Cha Cha choreographed by Dimitry Chaplin, performed to "Hell Yeah" (Midnight). Serge stood out in this number (and not just because he was sweating profusely!). Brooklyn did not come off as strongly as he did.
Emily and Casey - Contemporary choreographed by Travis Wall, performed to "All of Me" (John Legend). Emily and Casey performed a dance about a couple arguing. Emily's extensions were lovely! I had forgotten how charming Casey is.
Valerie and Zak - Tap Dance choreographed by Anthony Morgierato, performed to "Sing" (Ed Sheeran). Valerie and Zack did an ambitious number involving a staircase. It did not have the speed and lightness that I like in tap, but it was a fun number. Loved Valerie's red tap shoes!
Bridget and Stanley - Contemporary choreographed by Bonnie Story, performed to "Doesn't Mean Goodbye" by Jon McLaughlin. Stanley has star power - love his presence on stage. He had great elevation with his leaps.
Jacque and Jourdan - Ballet choreographed by Marat Daukayev, performed to "Pas de Deux - Black Swan" (Tchaikovsky). The girls were both dressed in black. They look very much alike, and neither really stood out in this number. Their synchronicity was off a bit at the end.
Malena and Marcquet - Brazilian Samba choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, performed to "Morning Drums" (Gregor Salto). Loved everything about this performance. Samba rolls! Marcquet is a star!
Carly and Rudy - Contemporary choreographed by Stacy Tookey, performed to "Take It Easy" (Jetta). Rudy's goofy personality in the pre-dance interview is charming. He does not have the technical skill of some of the other dancers.
Emilio and Teddy - Hip Hop choreographed by Christopher Scott, performed to "Nightshift" (The Commodores). The lyrical hip hop number was about a janitor and security guard dancing after hours. It was fun! Emilio has a great personality on stage.
Jessica and Ricky (pictured above) - Contemporary choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, performed to "Vow" (Meredith Monk). I think Ricky is the dancer to beat this season. This number was amazing! I loved the move where he carried Jessica on her back, while she was in full standing position. Nigel said that this dance was "another level entirely," and I agree completely.
Tanisha and Nick - Cha Cha choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, performed to "I'm a Freak" (Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull). Fun number but not as dynamic as the other Cha Cha by Malena and Marcquet.
Two dancers will be eliminated next week. Who is in danger? There are a lot of contemporary girls, and I think they sort of run together. I also believe that the two ballet dancers will cancel each other out with votes, probably sooner than later. I think we may see the following dancers in the bottom three:
Brooklyn
Emily
Jourdan
Serge
Teddy
Nick
I'm looking forward to next week's show already! Did you watch SYTYCD last night? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments, below.
This week's So You Think You Can Dance was action packed. The judging panel included Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman (one of my favorite judges), Twitch (one of my favorite SYTYCD alumni), ice skater Tara Lipinski and American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina Irina Dvorovenko.
The dancers all had a short solo dance (without judges' comments), followed by choreography in different styles: Hip Hop (choreographed by Christopher Scott), Jazz (Sonya Tayeh), Ballroom (Dimitri and Anya), Contemporary (Travis Wall), and Group Round (choreographed by the competing dancers as a collective effort). This was followed by another solo dance.
The pace was fast and fan favorites left early. I was sorry to see Marie Poppins (European popper) and Caleb Brauner (quirky contemporary dancer) cut early during the choreography process.
The show was so fast paced that I found it hard to keep up! I wish the callbacks had been the full two hours with another two hour show announcing the top 20 and providing a showcase for their dancing so we could have gotten to know them better.
The top 20 was announced:
Bridget Whitman, Contemporary
Brooklyn Fullmer, Latin Ballroom
Carly
Blaney, Contemporary
Casey Askew, Contemporary
Emilio Dosal,
Popping
Emily James, Contemporary
Jacque Lewarne, Ballet
Jessica
Richens, Jazz
Jourdan Epstein, Ballet
Malene Ostergaard,
Ballroom
Marcquet Hill, Latin Ballroom
Nick Garcia, Latin
Ballroom
Ricky Ubeda, Contemporary
Rudy Abreu, Contemporary
Serge Onik,
Latin Ballroom
Stanley Glover, Contemporary
Tanisha Belnap,
Ballroom
Teddy Coffey, Hip Hop
Valerie Rockey, Tap
Zack Everhart, Tap
I was sorry to see Ja Ja (popper) and Johnny Wacks (wack style street dancer) cut. That said, I think this is a very strong Top 20. The standout for me is Ricky Ubeda, who has talent and personality to spare; he is just a star on the stage. I also really like Malene Ostergaard (ballroom), Marcquet Hill (ballroom), Stanley Glover (contemporary), and Valerie Rockey (tap).
Next week will be the first live competition show. I'm really looking forward to it. What did you think of last night's show and the Top 20 announcement? Do you have any favorites going into the competition?
So You Think You Can Dance showed Atlanta auditions this week! This is always fun to watch; I enjoy looking for local landmarks. Last night we saw the Fox Theatre, the Swan House, Piedmont Park, the Olympic Rings fountain, a MARTA train, and lots of good dancing!
The judges were Lil Buck and Jenna Dewan Tatum (pictured above). They joined regulars Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.
Highlights from last night's show included:
Mariah - a jazz dancer with a bubbly personality and dance that included a sense of fun.
Kelly Mac Coy - another jazz dancer from a performing family. There was a silly, cheesy video about her background, including her mother's appearance years ago on The Love Boat.
Ricky Ubeda - my favorite dancer of the night! Ricky is a contemporary dancer from Miami. He is CUTE (girls will love him) and has a charming personality. His leaps and elevation were amazing.
Marissa Milele - the "Princess Warrior" - a powerful dancer, although her performance resembled a great gymnastics floor routine.
Angelina Granitz - a contemporary dancer who was inspired by her older brother. She has an odd, deadpan personality but is a very talented dancer.
Christina Moye-Palacios - a contemporary dancer inspired by her younger brother, who has many serious health challenges. Her dance was contemporary with a bit of ballet (nice extensions and lines).
On the down side, there was a belligerent dancer who couldn't take criticism (Brandon "Sideshow" from Dragon House), lots of long auditions, several dancers wearing striped hammer pants (shades of the 1980's, yikes!), and (yawn) another Justin Bieber segment. (Please, show, finish up this dance crew business and remove Justin Bieber from my tv screen!)
Next week is in California and features callbacks. By the end of the show we will meet the Top 20. I can't wait!
So You Think You Can Dance aired auditions from Los Angeles and Philadelphia this week.
The guest judges were Christina Applegate (in Los Angeles), and in Philadelphia, Misty Copeland (American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina - pictured above with Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe) and Billy Porter (star of Kinky Boots on Broadway).
This audition show felt long to me for some reason. Maybe a little too much contemporary dance emoting for my taste. There were some great dancers, though! They included:
Johnny "Waacks" Gibson - a returning dancer who auditioned in Season 9. He does a form of street dance called waacking. He was sent on to choreography, where he received a ticket to Hollywood.
Malene and Armen - ballroom dancers. Malene is a beautiful dancer, but she has struggled with depression. Armen appeared on the show last year but dropped his partner and was dismissed during Hollywood week. They were amazing - great chemistry! He reminded me a bit of Maksim Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars.
Amir Sanders - the "funky ballerina," as she called herself. Amir was classically trained at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She brought some funk to her ballet audition -- and was easily my favorite dancer of the night. The judges sent her to choreo, which really surprised me, since she has such strong training. However, she got a ticket to Hollywood after choreography, so all is good!
Landon Anderson - a ballroom dancer who auditioned with Jenna Johnson, who danced in last year's competition. He looks like an "aw shucks!" young Ron Howard, but danced with lots of power. He went through, and Jenna also got an invite to be an All-Star on the show this year.
Stanley Glover - a contemporary dancer with a sad back story. His mother died when he was 4 years old, and he was shuffled around until he found a loving home with a family friend. Stanley danced a fun and creative contemporary number where he portrayed a mysterious creature. He was offbeat and fun, and his choreography was terrific! His dancing reminded me a bit of former contestant Mark Kanemura.
Next week the show will be in my hometown of Atlanta. I can't wait!
Did you watch last night? Do you have favorites, or any thoughts about the show you'd like to share? I hope you'll leave a comment below.
