SYTYCD: Making Some Damn Orange Juice, Yes I Aaaaaaaammmmm! (7/8)

So I have said before that I believe SYTYCD is essentially a high school where dancers come to learn. In that setting, Nigel of course is like the principal and Mary is the crazy teacher who has been there forever and students either love or think is ridiculous. The two of them would probably take part in skits during school assemblies among other funny skits throughout the school year. I would love both of them, especially Mary. Here’s who I would not love. The new-ish teacher with little beady ferret eyes who was insincere and trying to be like one of the student’s love them or hate them teacher (i.e. Mia Michaels) and that my friend is Mr. Tyce Diorio. My hatred for him has extended from his choreography to his very essence as a person. I don’t like the way he is insincere with both praising of the judges and the dancers. Also, he comes up with these little nuggets of wisdom that you know he thinks he is the wisest person ever. In addition, I don’t like how he is trying to “brand” himself as a judge and come up with identifiable character traits as a judge. (Mary has her “hot tamale” train, Lil C is nearly indecipherable at times). Finally, I believe Tyce Diorio would be the teacher most likely to sleep with a student. Yes I do!!! But enough about that insincere ferret, let’s get on with the show!

Cat Deeley looked stunning tonight! Every pair is performing two numbers tonight! It’s getting real y’all!

Welcome to….SOYOUTHINKYOUCANDANCE!

1-Melissa and Ade

Style: Disco by Doriana Sanchez
Song: “Move On Up” by Destination

Melissa did much better on Disco than I thought she would. She was not nearly as stiff as one might expect a ballerina to be. Her and Ade worked it out on this number. While I do not believe it was as good as Brandon and Janette’s Disco number, it was pretty good. The lifts were incredible and the number was entertaining. This is the best Dorian Sanchez has ever been on So You Think You Can Dance! Disco is serious stuff people!

Their second number was lovely. Again, I wasn’t blown out of the water but it was a well done Waltz that seemed effortless. At the end of the day, Melissa and Ade are never going to win this competition but they have been consistently good dancers and I am interested to see how long they last when they don’t have each other next week.

Style: Waltz by Ron Montez
Song: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Mary J. Blige

2-Kayla and Kupono

Style: Contemporary by Mia Michaels
Song: “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles

The brilliant Mia Michaels strikes again. This piece made me cry. Honestly, it was amazing and incredibly moving. Perhaps I was also glad that we didn’t have another routine about people falling in love…which frankly I am getting tired of watching. Kupono got to me in the interview section talking about his friend who struggled with drug addiction and then to watch the actual piece was powerful. Kayla danced extremely well and threw her entire body into it and gave herself to the dance. Kupono has grown leaps and bounds after joining her.

Their second number was not as awesome as their first but still pretty good. They absolutely did not fully realize this particular style of Broadway. All their movement should have been bigger which may have come if they came up with more defined characters. In this sense, I do not suppose they let the dance consume them so much the second time around as they did with the Addiction dance. It was a slight stumble for Kayla who up until this week I thought had a chance of winning this competition.

Style: Broadway by Joey Dowling
Song: “The Dance At The Gym” from West Side Story

3-Caitlin and Jason

Style: Foxtrot by Tony Meredith and Melanie
Song: “Minnie the Moocher” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Yes, they looked lovely. Yes, they had the unfortunate luck of following the Mia Michaels piece. However, this Foxtrot was just blah for me. It felt sluggish and a little contrived. At this point, I feel I have given Jason enough chances and truly neither one of them does anything for me.

I was happy they finally got their style for the second number, but that being said, they did not wow me…even in their own style. I also hated this screechy screechy song so that may have influenced me as well. They are definitely in the Bottom Three tonight, no question.

Style: Lyrical Jazz by Mandy Moore
Song: “Show Me Heaven” by Maria McKee

4-Jeanine and Phillip

Style: Russian Folk Dance by Youri Nelzine and Lilia Babenko
Song: “Kalinka” by Barynya

One word…ridiculous! (And not in the good way) The costumes and Pinocchio face make-up set them up for failure. Also, every week that Philip is on the show just betrays how weak a dancer he truly is. There was one moment when he was on the floor during this number that was laughable. Jeanine had outgrown him. Her commitment to character is exceptional and I never truly thought she seemed as ridiculous in this number. I am excited for her to be paired with someone new and I am hoping that Phillip leaves us very soon.

That being said, I think Phillip really outdid himself with the Jive. I agree with Nigel that it was his best performance outside of his style. However, that ain’t saying much because it was still not on the level with most of the other dancers on this show. Jeanine again completely outperformed him in both technique and character. Unfortunately, she will have to dance for life tonight as they will both be in the Bottom Three.

Style: Jive by Tony Meredith and Melanie
Song: “Stuff Like That There” by Bette Midler

5-Randi and Evan

Style: Hip-Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon
Song: “Halo” by Beyonce

Not my favorite Tabitha and Napoleon number but very adorable to watch. Randi and Evan are as cute and innocent a couple as ever. The choreography was fine, but the execution was not as sharp and hard hitting as it could have been. Unfortunately, I do believe they will be in the Bottom Three tonight.

The Samba was again not as fully realized as it could have been. If Pasha and Anya had done this it would have been RIDICULOUS!!! Unfortunately, Randi and Evan can not smolder with passion. They can just be cute like bunnies. So yeah, they danced it well enough but it wasn’t at the level it should have been. I think Randi needs to become more comfortable with herself and her body. Evan I don’t believe will ever be able to pull off the passionate sexy character. He is just not that kind of dancer.

Style: Samba by Anya and Pasha
Song: “Ritmo De Bum Bom” by Jababa

6-Janette and Brandon

Style: Argentine Tango by Miriam Larici
Song: “Libertango” from Forever Tango

I was entranced by this Tango. I have never seen a ballroom number on this show as perfectly performed as Brandon and Janette did tonight. They are just insanely talented and I am really sad to see them split up next week. While I was not a big fan of them in the beginning, they have both grown on me considerably. There is really nothing left to say other than this number blew my mind!

Their second number was just good ol’ fun and truly, they have been able to handle every single style that has been thrown at them and master it. It will be interesting to see how well they do when they are split up next week, but man I will be sad to see them working with other people because they were a powerhouse together. Honestly, I don’t think it is all Brandon either as Janette has done incredibly well to hold her own. However, right now Brandon owns this competition. I guess I’m all right with that because there really isn’t any one I want to win more but sadly, I am just not as attached to any one dancer as much as I was attached to most of the cast from last season.

Style: Jazz by Wade Robson
Song: “Ruby Blue” by Roisin Murphy

Final Thoughts:

The bottom three will be:

Jason and Caitlin
Randi and Evan
Phillip and Jeanine

I just don’t see how Jason and Caitlin will get through this week. I would love for Phillip to go, but I think they want him on tour because he will sell tickets. The show really started for me last week and I am happy to say that this week was just as enjoyable!

J Ramp Out!

SYTYCD: I Think I Hear A Train Coming (7/1)

Before I get started let me just say that I love Mary Murphy more than life itself! Yes I do! She makes me happy even when I am blue. In fact, this entire show makes me happy when I am blue. What I love most about So You Think You Can Dance is how empowering and encouraging it is to the art of dance. Unlike “American Idol” which feels like a sterile cutthroat competition most weeks, SYTYCD really has a higher goal and that is a beautiful thing. Speaking of beautiful, I want Cat Deeley to be the host of my life. There I’ve said it, I want her to be the host of my life!

Welcome…to SoYouThinkYouCanDance!

Favorite Cat Deeley Moments:

1. When know that Mary likes her Cha-Cha rough, but does she like it dangerous?
2. Shhh! Don’t Tell The Children.
3. I think you look like baddies, like Dick Tracy, like Ka-Pow!
4. Safety first, Nigel! Safety first!
5. Roe-may-O! Roe-may-O!

1-Janette and Brandon
Style: Cha-Cha-Cha by Jean Marc Genereaux
Song: “Hush Hush” by The Pussycat Dolls

As a couple they are technically strong, but I am not emotionally attached to either of them or their awkward laughs. Until of course, Mia makes Brandon cry by admitting that she has been hard on him because of all of his potential! This is one of the best Cha-Cha’s I have ever seen on the show and Janette and Brandon remain a powerhouse couple. It was sexy, fun, and technically spot on and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Despite Brandon being a dorkier version of Joshua, I do believe that Brandon is one of two people vying for the title at this point.

2-Kayla and Kupono
Style: Contemporary by Sonya Tayeh
Song: “Eyes on Fire” by Blue Foundation

Despite being one K away from a hate group, Kayla and Kupono are developing into a great couple! I also had not put together that Kupono and Mark (from Season 4) were both from Hawaii. Kayla is a slightly more committed dancer especially when it comes to a character, but I agree with the judges in that this pairing is bringing the best out of Kupono. I didn’t see the whole vampire connection, but it was interesting to watch the routine as if he were death. I also enjoy the fact that Nigel made fun of Mary for her “Yes they are! Yes they are!”

3-Randy and Evan
Style: Broadway by Joey Dowling
Song: “Rich Man’s Frug” from Sweet Charity

While I could easily have lunch with Randy and Evan, they are losing a little steam as a couple as each week they are just slightly falling short of nailing the choreography. This week, however, was all about the introduction of a new Broadway choreographer (THANK GOD!) by the name of Father Dowling. But seriously folks, of course Joey Dowling and Mia Michaels are friends because they are both extremely creative powerful women who feed on the tears of young dancers. But on to this routine, it just kind of fell short for me. The choreography is very stylized and there is something that just didn’t click. The movement was sharp enough for Fosse choreography and I don’t think their characters were as well defined as they should have been. It wasn’t terrible, but in a night full of very solid dancing this was a weak link. I totally agree with Mia that they danced a little heavy.

4-Caitlen and Jason
Style: Pop-Jazz by Brian Friedman
Song: “Creator” by Santogold

Poor Caitlen and Jason just can’t catch a break and I’m gonna go on record and say that in part that is because I could use a cartoon picture to represent their routine. This week Caitlen was an alien who destroyed Earth except for one last man whom she will procreate with to populate the barren planet. Here’s the thing, they could not have really danced this piece any better. It didn’t fit well with Mary and I don’t think it will sit very well with America. It was too ALIENating and Caitlen and Jason will likely find themselves in the bottom three AGAIN. I predict that Jason and Kayla will inevitably end up together.

5-Jeanine and Philip
Style: Hip Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon
Song: “Love Lockdown” by Kanye West

An adorable couple who is not the most versatile pair on the show. Phillip has an expiration date and he can’t get hip hop every week. Conceptually, I loved this number and thought the chain was brilliant and exciting! However, Philip has not really grown and Jeanine has been stuck in his shadow so I don’t think they have too much longer on the show as a couple. That being said, they will not be in the bottom three this week.

6-Melissa and Ade
Style: Classical Pas de Deux by Thordal Christensen
Song: “Romeo and Juliet” from Prokofiev’s Suite

Melissa and Ade are the dark horse couple. First of all, Melissa is pushing 80 and no one expects such an OLD dancer to make it this far. Second of all, they are an unusual pairing that unassumingly take the stage and do their routines very well. This week was beautiful and slightly boring. Of course, a milestone for SYTYCD because it is the first time classical ballet has been done on the show (since she was on point).

7-Karla and Vitolio
Style: Quickstep by Jean Marc Genereaux
Song: “Puttin’ On The Ritz” by Rufus Wainwright

Before I even saw this number, I expected Karla and Vitolio to fail because it was such a strong night. Delightfully, they thwarted my expectations and delivered probably the most enjoyable Quickstep I have ever seen on the show. Now, do I think they are not going to be in trouble? No. They will most definitely be in the bottom three. For whatever reason, Karla seems done with the competition. In fact, they may even be sent home this week simply because they do not have the fan base to support them. I don’t know.

Final Thoughts:

The bottom three this week is a difficult call, but I think that they will be:

Karla and Vitolio
Randi and Evan
Caitlen and Jason

I believe that Randi and Evan will likely be safe. I suspect that despite having a great routine Karla and Vitolio will be eliminated.

They also had a video about a new initiative the show is starting called the Dizzy Feet Foundation which can be viewed here:

I wholeheartedly support almost everything about the foundation except the involvement of this girl…

Clearly Mrs. Tom Cruise was instructed to have a charity project. Even more unfortunate, Tyce Diorio has choreographed a routine paying homage to Judy Garland’s iconic performance of “Get Happy” from “Summerstock” for Mrs. Cruise to perform on the 100th episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”.

*pauses*

C’mon….

I hear a train coming…whoo whoo…and it is train that is going to run right into the Hot Tomale train leaving nothing but carnage and talentless bobbed hair in it’s wake. Until then…

J Ramp Out!