Hey Folks,
So, it’s top 16 results night. I gotta say, like most, I wasn’t all too impressed with last night. There were a few great couples (why do I feel like Melissa and Ade aren’t getting the fan love that they deserve?), and, um, one terrible guest judge. Going into tonight, I see the lonely stool of eliminated depression in Jonathan and Karla’s futures, simply because Jonathan stunk more than Asuka and the show’s not gonna get rid of two of its remaining three ballroomers in one fell swoop. That being said, I’m not gonna be surprised if this is the end of Caitlin’s run either. Because this recap is not all about the booty, but rather all about SYTYCD’s top 16 results show, lets get to discussing that, shall we?
Note: This is the slightly abridged version of the recap. For a fuller recap, head to sytycd.ca
Oh hey, remember how yesterday I said Cat was on an outfit hot streak? Yeah, well that ends tonight, with a pantsuit stolen from a Florida retiree circa 1973. Tonight’s opening routine is ballroom-ish, which I can’t remember them ever doing before. And my god is it sultry. Like, the first 30 seconds are all “I wanna be all up on you” looks. And then there’s that wet-outfit contest segment in the beginning. Ade, Karla, Melissa, Brandon, and Janette stand out. And Jeanine certainly stands out in the sultry, because she looks damn good during the wet part. Apparently, it was a collaboration between NappyTabs and Season 2’s Dmitry. I can totally see the mixture in there retroactively. Toni Basil, missing the hat, the only interesting thing about her from last night, is back along with Mary and Nigel. The show addresses Michael Jackson’s death (along with Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett). Nigel kind of makes it more about himself a little bit than the dead people (at least during Farrah’s part). Or maybe it’s just me? Nigel cites “Black and White” as the inspiration for the show. We then watch the Thriller video into commercial, which is always welcome for me. Because Thriller is awesome. If you disagree, you’re an idiot.
The first five couples are welcomed to the stage. I don’t know why they broke them 5-3 versus 4-4, but whatever. Asuka and Vitolio are first and they totally deserve to be in the bottom 3 for that. Asuka in particular. Which is where Cat deservedly sends them. Janette and Brandon are next. Oh look, Toni Basil says street during their video package. Whoodathunkit. Anyways, they’re safe. Good. Randi and Evan are next and these two are adorable looking together. I like the piece a lot more watching the parts during the video package. Methinks I’ll have to go back and rewatch it. They’re safe, or as Cat says, “the butt made the cut.” Jeanine and Philip are next. The routine still isn’t fantastic. They’re safe too. Phil’s fanbase must really be voting in droves. Melissa and Ade are last of this group and they best not be in the bottom. I mean, I really doubt they’d get rid of either of these two tonight, but I thought the same about Max last week. But they’re safe! Huzzah! And if you haven’t figured it out, these are the two I’m really rooting for. Go Adessa!
The remaining three couples are now on stage. Karla and Jonathan are first and wow, he’s even worse looking at it again. They best be in the bottom three. And good, they are. He really deserves to go tonight. Jason and Caitlin are next, and I’m totally not gonna be surprised to see them in the bottom. We have to wait and relive Kupono and Kayla before we hear results though. The final couple rounding out the bottom three is Caitlin and Jason, and, continuing a trend this season, Kupono and Kayla are way too in-your-face about celebrating their safety in front of the bottom three couples. Mary reminds the bottom dancers how many dancers they beat to be there. Toni basically says all three deserve to be in the bottom. Nigel makes Toni get mean. And you know, it’s probably the most interesting she’s been all week. Save for her choice of that hat.
Tonight’s stars of dance (which I accidentally just typoed as satyrs of dance, which would be so much more interesting), is a group of kid hip-hop dancers, the “Rage Boys Crew”. There are some stand out kids and some who just kind of do the moves. By the way, I absolutely don’t feel bad about dissing kids in this recap, just so you know. I mean, they’re all better than I would be, but I’m not putting myself out there on a dancing program, you know? There are a bunch that are really good though. So to recap, I don’t hate all kids, just those that can’t dance well. Cat gets down on her knees and kind of bows down to them.
Dance For Your Lives! DANCE!
Asuka- It’s not as good as her jive solo from week one. This one’s all about doing her sex kitten thing. I’m also pretty sure Cat just flat out called her Oscar.
Vitolio- This. Is. Awesome. This solo is all leaps and grace. Like, there should be no way he goes home after this.
Karla- Karla is, actually, really good for me. I like her movements, I think I maybe even understand what she’s trying to get across. It certainly makes me wonder how much I’d like her if she had a better partner.
Jonathan- Shockingly enough, his solo is actually pretty good too. I mean, it’s mostly tricks and some fancy footwork, and I doubt it’s enough to save him tonight, but it’s a high note to go out on.
Caitlin- Caitlin’s solo is pretty to look at, and it seems graceful. There’s some awesome leg stuff and a great back handstand leap thing. I’m not entirely sure if it’ll save her though.
Jason- Ok, well this is most definitely the final nail in Jonathan’s coffin. Jason is an amazing soloist and, to quote Shankers, so SYTYCD.
The judges disappear backstage, and I kind of hope Toni Basil stays there. Tonight’s musical act is The Veronicas, performing “Take Me On The Floor.” There’s something immediately off about the sound mix, because the lead’s being drowned out by backing percussion. She also repeatedly fusses with her earpiece. These girls look like junkies, but they do sing better than them. The performance is still kind of anemic though. And yet is still miles better than the last two trainwrecks of “performers.” Their back-up dancers are also pretty good. Wait, but one of the Veronicas really looks half-asleep. I’m still thoroughly depressed by the musical “stars” this show has been giving us. Honestly, where are those dancing prostitutes when you need them? At least they know how to put on a show.
SIDE NOTE: How much do you want to bet that like halfway through “More to Love” they introduce a bunch of skinny girls to spice it up? Because FOX is cruel like that. Also, I notice I am writing oodles of side notes on this show. Which is surprising, considering I have no interest whatsoever in watching it.
The girls results are up first, and the judges are unanimous. The judges feel Caitlin’s growing confidence and think she gave the best solo tonight. I’d say at least two boys were better than her, but whatever. Karla is called up next and they felt desperation in her and saw lots of technical flubs in her solo. They love Asuka’s beauty and how much she gives in her performances, but they feel she’s not growing, and she’s going home tonight. Which means the show really is getting rid of two more ballroomers since Jonathan has to be going home tonight, right? Right?
Well, it won’t take me long to find out since it’s the boys turn to find out their fates. They are not unanimous tonight, to which, what the what? How is it not unanimous that Jonathan has to go tonight. They feel Vitolio doesn’t deliver on his promises. They think Jonathan shined last week but was disastrous last night and they wanted more than just gymnastics tonight. They thought Jason was desperate this week, to which, again, what the what? But apparently, he was good enough to get through. The person staying tonight is Vitolio, to which I say, why the hell were the judges questioning this? Jonathan’s exit package reminds me of their contemporary, which doesn’t look as good on second watch. Cat plugs a rebroadcast of this past season of Idol’s Michael Jackson week next Monday before wishing us all goodnight. Well, I have to say, I would probably identify these two as the weakest remaining in their respective genders, so I have no problem with tonight’s results. My only question? Who in the hell voted to keep Jonathan? Would you have?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
So You Think You Can Dance 6/24- The Top 16 Perform
Hey Folks,
So, it’s top 16 night! Which gives us another 8 performances on which to pick who our favorites are and who we kinda sorta maybe think shouldn’t be there much longer (cough Philip cough). I know last week some people found my claim of Mia’s “Higher Ground” as being superior to Wade’s “Ramalama Bang Bang” to be dubious to say the least, but the more I watch it, the more I’m tempted to stand by my statement. It’s just soooooo grood. Which is a combination of great and good, for those who are not familiar with the TeenGirl Squad. But what “Higher Ground” has illuminated for me is that this season has been severely lacking in the Mia department. I wonder if she’s gonna have a reduced role this season or something. I know she’s doing one routine tonight (and none of you better complain about spoilers since your reading a recap), but that still seems like an oddly small amount of Mia for being three weeks into the season. Are you guys feeling a Vitamin Mia deficiency? Anyhoo, on to the dancing! Tonight’s Jidges are Nigel, Mary, and Toni “Oh Mickey You So Fine, You So Fine You Blow My Mind Hey Mickey” Basil.
Note: This is the beshortened recap. For the full version, head to sytycd.ca
Karla and Jonathan- They’ve got a Dave Scott hip-hop. And, oooh. He’s just awful. Like, save one trick, it’s Matt Dorame doing hip-hop bad. Karla tries her best to hold it together, but she’s just fighting a losing battle. It’s saying something when they get the biggest screams for nailing a simple move. Nigel felt it lacked a necessary danger. He bets the audience they’ll be in the bottom three. Someone is wearing their cranky pants below the judging table tonight. Mary felt no power and it wasn’t in the right groove. It felt store-bought to Toni. Karla accidentally holds up a two instead of a one. Good job Karla.
Asuka and Vitolio- They’ve got a Mandy Moore jazz. I’m just… not getting much out of this. Asuka seems tentative in most everything she does, and she has some weak leaps in there. Vitolio does better, but I’m not connecting to him at all. Remember all those Showgirls references I was making during the audition weeks? Well, this performance would have perfectly suited to Nomi Malone. And Asuka, well, she’s kind of no Nomi Malone. Uncharacteristically weak for Mandy. Nigel calls it fantastic. Mary thought it was good but not breathtaking. Toni tells them not to let their technique get in the way of their emotions.
Melissa and Ade- They’ve got a Tony Meredith rumba. Well, this is miles better than anything else we’ve seen tonight. I can’t even speak as to whether their technique is great because they’re so frickin’ connected and sultry that the emotion is being nailed and that’s drawing my focus. But it’s like 5 times better than tonight’s other routines. Melissa also looks great. Cat asks if anyone else feels as if they’re interrupting something. Cat also asks the audience to applaud Melissa’s half-an-outfit. She’s called a Goddess. And she looks vaguely Elizabeth Berkeley-ish. OMG, Showgirls is either taking over my brain or it’s a SYTYCD conspiracy. Nigel throws oodles of love their way. apologizes for that pun but throws oodles of love to both. Mary found it both unbelievable and believable, yet I somehow understand what she means. Toni calls it beautifully done. Also, I’m now officially calling it. Ade & Melissa=New Mark and Chelsie. Adessa for season 5!
Janette and Brandon- They’ve got tonight’s other Dave Scott hip-hop routine. FINALLY. GOOD HIP-HOP. Brandon nails it. Janette is a firecracker and deserves kudos forgoing out there in a leather corset, panties, and semi-fishnets with less leg covering. Which, by the way, she pulls off, because she’s a firecracker. But Brandon is buck. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the best hip-hop the show’s seen, but its certainly the best of the season so far. Nigel though they worked it. Mary thought they hit it. They get a scream. Toni liked Dave’s strategic melding of rock into hip-hop. OK, Toni Basil, we get it, you’re street. Stop using that word.
Kayla and Kupono- Gotta say, I don’t think these two are gonna work, but who knows. They’ve got a Jean-Marc Genereaux (and France!) Viennese Waltz. But I’m pleasantly surprised because it actually works really well. It also helps that they’ve got possibly the least busy lighting and camera work of any number all season. I see moments of weakness, mainly in Kupono, but it’s certainly much better than those first two routines. Nigel thought it was very beautiful but isn’t going to make anyone stand up and heer. Mary found it elegant and flowing and puts them on the Hot Tamale train. Toni really liked it. Toni also maybe sorta revealed she doesn’t watch the show regularly, because she wasn’t sure this week was their first week together.
Randi and Evan- They’ve got a MIA MICHAELS ROUTINE! That’s all about the booty. But it’s Mia, so I’m just excited beyond. Randi is also wearing a “Unitard girl” shirt, which is awesome in so many ways. Unfortuantely, it’s just not that great. I mean, its still good. But it’s missing that zap that other Mia routines have had. Plus they are a bunch of noticeable mistakes including Evan coming really close to falling at one point. It was good, not great. It may have been felled for me by high expectations, but I don’t know. It just didn’t explode off the screen for me. Cat calls them cheeky. Nigel found it beautifully danced and followed through. Mary found them terrific and hypnotizing. Toni thinks they lived up to the choreography.
Caitlin and Jason- They’ve got a Jean Marc Genereaux (And still France!) Paso Doble. It’s all about fight this week. They dance it exceptionally well, it seems, but I don’t feel the connection between them or the anger. But the dancing itself is pretty freaking remarkable. Although I think their timing to the music is off by the end. Nigel thought there was no connection in their eyes but that they danced it fantastically. Mary thought it was strong, but found Jason’s posture and the characters were only good part of the time. Toni liked it. God, she’s an awful judge.
Jeanine and Philip- They’ve got a Tyce broadway. Ugh, I have low expectations. It’s… cute. And I actually like the choreography much more than I usually like Tyce’s choreography. But there’s an energy that I find lacking. Jeanine is cute as button though. And Philip’s pants appear to have split during the number. But there was something that didn’t work about it. It’s almost like the music just didn’t work or something. Mary loooooves that Phil’s pants have split. She finds it ever-so-hysterical. Nigel thinks Phil still needs to grow more. Mary thought Phil nailed the character but his technique needed work. Toni found it adorable.
My Rankings for the Night:
1) Melissa and Ade
2) Janette and Brandon
3) Kayla and Kupono
4) Randi and Evan
5 & 6) TIE- Jeanine and Philip AND Caitlin and Jason
7) Asuka and Vitolio
big jump
8) Karla and Jonathan
Who Should Be Worried: Karla and Jonathan are obvious. Asuka and Vitolio are also probably gonna be there. Either Jeanine and Philip or Caitlin and Jason will probably round out the group.
Who I’d Send Home: Jonathan and Asuka should go home this week.
Who Will Probably Go Home: Save a miracle, Jonathan is dunzo. I fear for Karla as well.
So, it’s top 16 night! Which gives us another 8 performances on which to pick who our favorites are and who we kinda sorta maybe think shouldn’t be there much longer (cough Philip cough). I know last week some people found my claim of Mia’s “Higher Ground” as being superior to Wade’s “Ramalama Bang Bang” to be dubious to say the least, but the more I watch it, the more I’m tempted to stand by my statement. It’s just soooooo grood. Which is a combination of great and good, for those who are not familiar with the TeenGirl Squad. But what “Higher Ground” has illuminated for me is that this season has been severely lacking in the Mia department. I wonder if she’s gonna have a reduced role this season or something. I know she’s doing one routine tonight (and none of you better complain about spoilers since your reading a recap), but that still seems like an oddly small amount of Mia for being three weeks into the season. Are you guys feeling a Vitamin Mia deficiency? Anyhoo, on to the dancing! Tonight’s Jidges are Nigel, Mary, and Toni “Oh Mickey You So Fine, You So Fine You Blow My Mind Hey Mickey” Basil.
Note: This is the beshortened recap. For the full version, head to sytycd.ca
Karla and Jonathan- They’ve got a Dave Scott hip-hop. And, oooh. He’s just awful. Like, save one trick, it’s Matt Dorame doing hip-hop bad. Karla tries her best to hold it together, but she’s just fighting a losing battle. It’s saying something when they get the biggest screams for nailing a simple move. Nigel felt it lacked a necessary danger. He bets the audience they’ll be in the bottom three. Someone is wearing their cranky pants below the judging table tonight. Mary felt no power and it wasn’t in the right groove. It felt store-bought to Toni. Karla accidentally holds up a two instead of a one. Good job Karla.
Asuka and Vitolio- They’ve got a Mandy Moore jazz. I’m just… not getting much out of this. Asuka seems tentative in most everything she does, and she has some weak leaps in there. Vitolio does better, but I’m not connecting to him at all. Remember all those Showgirls references I was making during the audition weeks? Well, this performance would have perfectly suited to Nomi Malone. And Asuka, well, she’s kind of no Nomi Malone. Uncharacteristically weak for Mandy. Nigel calls it fantastic. Mary thought it was good but not breathtaking. Toni tells them not to let their technique get in the way of their emotions.
Melissa and Ade- They’ve got a Tony Meredith rumba. Well, this is miles better than anything else we’ve seen tonight. I can’t even speak as to whether their technique is great because they’re so frickin’ connected and sultry that the emotion is being nailed and that’s drawing my focus. But it’s like 5 times better than tonight’s other routines. Melissa also looks great. Cat asks if anyone else feels as if they’re interrupting something. Cat also asks the audience to applaud Melissa’s half-an-outfit. She’s called a Goddess. And she looks vaguely Elizabeth Berkeley-ish. OMG, Showgirls is either taking over my brain or it’s a SYTYCD conspiracy. Nigel throws oodles of love their way. apologizes for that pun but throws oodles of love to both. Mary found it both unbelievable and believable, yet I somehow understand what she means. Toni calls it beautifully done. Also, I’m now officially calling it. Ade & Melissa=New Mark and Chelsie. Adessa for season 5!
Janette and Brandon- They’ve got tonight’s other Dave Scott hip-hop routine. FINALLY. GOOD HIP-HOP. Brandon nails it. Janette is a firecracker and deserves kudos forgoing out there in a leather corset, panties, and semi-fishnets with less leg covering. Which, by the way, she pulls off, because she’s a firecracker. But Brandon is buck. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the best hip-hop the show’s seen, but its certainly the best of the season so far. Nigel though they worked it. Mary thought they hit it. They get a scream. Toni liked Dave’s strategic melding of rock into hip-hop. OK, Toni Basil, we get it, you’re street. Stop using that word.
Kayla and Kupono- Gotta say, I don’t think these two are gonna work, but who knows. They’ve got a Jean-Marc Genereaux (and France!) Viennese Waltz. But I’m pleasantly surprised because it actually works really well. It also helps that they’ve got possibly the least busy lighting and camera work of any number all season. I see moments of weakness, mainly in Kupono, but it’s certainly much better than those first two routines. Nigel thought it was very beautiful but isn’t going to make anyone stand up and heer. Mary found it elegant and flowing and puts them on the Hot Tamale train. Toni really liked it. Toni also maybe sorta revealed she doesn’t watch the show regularly, because she wasn’t sure this week was their first week together.
Randi and Evan- They’ve got a MIA MICHAELS ROUTINE! That’s all about the booty. But it’s Mia, so I’m just excited beyond. Randi is also wearing a “Unitard girl” shirt, which is awesome in so many ways. Unfortuantely, it’s just not that great. I mean, its still good. But it’s missing that zap that other Mia routines have had. Plus they are a bunch of noticeable mistakes including Evan coming really close to falling at one point. It was good, not great. It may have been felled for me by high expectations, but I don’t know. It just didn’t explode off the screen for me. Cat calls them cheeky. Nigel found it beautifully danced and followed through. Mary found them terrific and hypnotizing. Toni thinks they lived up to the choreography.
Caitlin and Jason- They’ve got a Jean Marc Genereaux (And still France!) Paso Doble. It’s all about fight this week. They dance it exceptionally well, it seems, but I don’t feel the connection between them or the anger. But the dancing itself is pretty freaking remarkable. Although I think their timing to the music is off by the end. Nigel thought there was no connection in their eyes but that they danced it fantastically. Mary thought it was strong, but found Jason’s posture and the characters were only good part of the time. Toni liked it. God, she’s an awful judge.
Jeanine and Philip- They’ve got a Tyce broadway. Ugh, I have low expectations. It’s… cute. And I actually like the choreography much more than I usually like Tyce’s choreography. But there’s an energy that I find lacking. Jeanine is cute as button though. And Philip’s pants appear to have split during the number. But there was something that didn’t work about it. It’s almost like the music just didn’t work or something. Mary loooooves that Phil’s pants have split. She finds it ever-so-hysterical. Nigel thinks Phil still needs to grow more. Mary thought Phil nailed the character but his technique needed work. Toni found it adorable.
My Rankings for the Night:
1) Melissa and Ade
2) Janette and Brandon
3) Kayla and Kupono
4) Randi and Evan
5 & 6) TIE- Jeanine and Philip AND Caitlin and Jason
7) Asuka and Vitolio
big jump
8) Karla and Jonathan
Who Should Be Worried: Karla and Jonathan are obvious. Asuka and Vitolio are also probably gonna be there. Either Jeanine and Philip or Caitlin and Jason will probably round out the group.
Who I’d Send Home: Jonathan and Asuka should go home this week.
Who Will Probably Go Home: Save a miracle, Jonathan is dunzo. I fear for Karla as well.
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