Top 8 here we go!
Welcome our guest judges Rob Marshall and Lady Gaga… oh, what are we in for tonight?
Sasha and Pasha doing Jonathan Roberts Quick Step. I dislike her costume. Distracting. I just don’t feel that she is suited to this style of dance. It’s the first routine of hers I’ve ever been able to look away from. Mr. Marshall hit it on the head when he said she dances with such abandon and that’s what he loves about her and that’s what was missing from this style.
Caitlynn with Ivan (YAY!) doing a hip hop routine by Marty Kudelka. Cute. Ivan’s all growed up! She did fairly well keeping up with him. She looked great.
Jordan and Ade dancing a Tyce Diorio Jazz routine. I’m just going to get this out of the way. Dislike of Tyce is just growing daily. I love Ade and I could care less about Jordan. She has the same “I’m innocent/I’m sexy/oooops” face ALL THE TIME. If I take my eyes off her face, I enjoy her legs, and there were moments with the legs that were great… but even Ade didn’t make me love that routine.
Melanie and Neal doing a Mandy Moore routine. I’m totally biased. I love that song. I love both Melanie and Neal. I adore Mandy Moore when she does a pretty routine and that was PRETTY! The unison was insane. The emotion was palpable. It built and built the more it went and from the jump (oh that AMAZING JUMP made me gasp) to the end I was on the edge of my seat. Beautiful. I love it when everything comes together and works. That just worked.
Ricky and Anya dancing a Jason Gilkison Jive. Anya is amazing no matter who her partner is… but that was not the best jive I’ve ever seen... it didn’t get better as it went along, struggled with the lift in the middle (I will say I don’t think Jess could have done that lift that Ricky did at the end)… I do love his smile but I don’t know how long he’s going to be around if America is the only one in charge of the decision.
Jess and Lauren doing a NappyTabs routine. Okay… I’m going to say it. I like Jess. I don’t know when it happened that his arrogant “jersey boy” attitude became a non issue or disappeared. But it did. And now I just enjoy watching him dance. He’s really talented and I’d pay to see him in a show. He hasn’t been mugging for the camera and when he’s been dancing the last few weeks he’s been so into his partner that it makes me enjoy him more because it draws me into the dance.
Tadd and Lauren doing a Mandy Moore routine. I love Tadd… and that he went on even without his hat and just sort of implied it was still there. Didn’t miss a move. Is his lip bleeding? Loved the MJ homage at the beginning. Tadd really is a sponge.
Marko and Allison doing a Sonya Tayeh routine. I know she’s not a contestant but can’t Allison win it? She makes me like a Sonya routine. Well, she and Marko together make me like a Sonya routine. They really felt every step. It was lovely.
Jonathan Roberts choreographing a fox trot for Caitlynn and Tadd. Ummmmmmm… I LOVE her dress. Loved the lift spin at the end. Lovely.
Marko and Ricky doing a Nappy Tabs routine. Not bad. Not my favorite boy/boy hip hop routine. I mean, it just doesn’t compare to Tranji from season 2. I will say that Marko was much more street than Ricky – Nigel hit it on the head when he said Ricky was too high.
Jason Gilkison choreographing a rumba for Jess and Jordan. I didn’t feel the chemistry – and it wasn’t Jess’s fault. He was totally into her and she looked away from him – closed her eyes, looked past him, to the audience… just not deep into him the way he did to her. Her dress was pretty though.
Sasha and Melanie doing a Sonya Tayeh routine. I really just don’t get Sonya half the time. This was part of that half of the time when I don’t get it because it is just not my thing. Was it danced well – I’m sure it was… but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Okay bottom 4?
Jordan
Ricky
Caitlynn
Tadd
Going home:
Ricky
Jordan or Caitlynn
What do you guys think?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
SYTYCD - Top 12!
Okay ya’ll welcome to SYTYCD – with our top 12 couples. So, this will be the last time we have the couples paired together as is because once they become top 10 we get to see them dance with the All Stars. I really enjoy the way they changed it up this season. Although, I think I’d really like to have seen them not have permanent partners but pick the partners each week so that we don’t have “power couples” but power dancers. You know?
Anyway, moving on… I love Cat… I’m enjoying her dress, although the bodice could be a little less squishy. And our judges… guest Judge Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Broadway – how much do you think he’ll love Jess?) and resident choreographer Sonya Tayeh.
Sasha and Alexander doing a routine by Tony Meredith and Capitan LAPATIN… gotta say, wasn’t loving it. Alexander did far better than he has been doing, but I felt like Sasha brought her game down to meet him more than he rose to meet her. They both started to get sloppy towards the end like they were getting tired and it showed. Possibly the first slot of the night will not do them a service… but we’ll see tomorrow.
Jordan and Tadd doing a Travis Wall contemporary routine. Ummmm WOW. That is what I said at the end of the routine right before I backed it up to watch it again. It was dark and twisty but still Beautiful. The lines and the pictures that the still moments presented. Tadd is SO strong – and commits 100% to every style. I loved everything about that even though it wasn’t my normal sweet/sad/emotional Travis kind of routine.
Now we have Ryan and Ricky doing a Spencer Liff Broadway routine… Well wasn’t that nice of Spencer to choreograph a routine where Ryan’s Stepford Smile was not necessarily out of place. Can I say it seemed really easy and not technically difficult. And all of a sudden I really am in love Jesse Tyler Ferguson because he said everything I felt… and so did Sonya.
Caitlynn and Mitchell doing a Christopher Scott routine. She hit everything so much harder than he did. It was actually distracting because the unison was off. I didn’t love the attempt at “emotional manipulation” by Christopher Scott. It’s not fair because I like her so much.
Melanie and Marko dancing a tango choreographed by Louie Van Amstel. I’m really excited to see them take on something so COMPLETELY different than their own style this week. Okay – so it started and I was a little – eh… but it seemed way more difficult a routine than Ryan and Ricky’s so I was not hating on it – plus you could tell even though the footwork (little tricky) was sometimes not all it could be they were giving it their all. And of course, I always feel that Melanie and Marko are totally into each other when they’re supposed to be and this was probably the sexiest they’ve been. And still I was just sort of eh – until the last 10 seconds with the back bend through the legs into the whatever position that was. AMAZING! Hopefully that’s the thing the voting public remembers.
Clarice and Jess do a Christopher Scott lyrical hip-hop routine. Okay… stupid emotional manipulation from a stupid stupid choreographer has left me weeping. Tissues… need tissues. I cannot even fairly discuss this routine. I don’t like Jess, Clarice annoys me and yet here I am crying like a baby. Jess danced that really well – although there were definitely moments where his Broadway showed through… but for the first time Clarice really connected with a piece and so did I. Stupid, stupid emotional manipulation!!! The only thing that would have made that more manipulative is if they’d had Sasha’s sister dancing it instead and turned it into a “big girl” routine.
Round 2:
Sasha and Alexander dancing a Tyce “Keith” Diorio routine. Much better than the first routine they did. Sasha really is amazing. Alexander did a much better job himself – I actually looked at him a little more. Still, I think she’d be so much better with another partner. I’m pretty sure she’s going to be in the top 10. She’s unbelievable. Alexander… I don’t know.
Jordan and Tadd doing a Broadway routine by Spencer Liff. The music was strange and the timing just seems really off… It’s really making me think it’s a Spencer Liff thing and not the dancers. I think my favorite part was Tadd spraying breath freshener in his mouth. Sad. I love Tadd. I hope Travis’s routine will save them and pull in the votes.
Ryan and Ricky doing a Louie Van Amstel Cha-Cha! Eh. I just don’t connect with either of them. I liked the costumes? I mean, it was definitely more challenging than their Broadway number. My favorite Mary Murphy statement had to be when she told Ryan she was “Not really tidy down below”… This was the best Ricky routine though. I wonder what would have happened to him over this season if he’d been with anyone else but Ryan.
Caitlynn and Mitchell doing a Jazz routine by Travis Wall. (Now I want to say the last time Travis did a Jazz routine he got yelled at by Nigel for it not being “real Jazz”.) This time I have to say I definitely saw some “Jazz” moves. Much, much better than the first routine. Caitlynn is a force to be reckoned with. I agree with Sonya’s comments to Mitchell because he is so focused on being a good partner he loses a little of his own performance “sparkle”. And I agree with Nigel’s comment about Caitlynn not bringing the audience into that.
Melanie and Marko next up doing a contemporary routine by Dee Caspary (whom I love). I really liked this routine. (Still think the left at the alter one is my favorite) but this is a second. This routine just shows how amazing they are as a couple. I agree with Nigel – there really is something magical about them when they perform together and it did feel like an organic flow of movement not just steps. And Sonya’s tip for them to stay humble really brought to the forefront the reason I love them so much. They’re amazing but they’re not cocky about it. I’d totally pay to watch either of them dance.
Lastly – Jess and Clarice doing a jive by Tony and Meredith… Okay – what happened to Clarice? For the first time like… um… ever – tonight I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Was her technique flawless? No… but she was charismatic and sparkling and awesome and her footwork was great – but they lost some momentum in their lifts. I think that was one my favorite they’ve done. Especially because I was not emotionally manipulated into liking it.
Okay, so bottom 3:
Ryan and Ricky
Caitlynn and Marshall
Jordan and Tadd
(Alternatively Sasha and Alexander are a possible choice but I think she has a big enough fan base to make them both safe.)
My pick to go home : Ryan and Ricky (please?)
Okay, enough of my ramblings… what did you guys think?
Anyway, moving on… I love Cat… I’m enjoying her dress, although the bodice could be a little less squishy. And our judges… guest Judge Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Broadway – how much do you think he’ll love Jess?) and resident choreographer Sonya Tayeh.
Sasha and Alexander doing a routine by Tony Meredith and Capitan LAPATIN… gotta say, wasn’t loving it. Alexander did far better than he has been doing, but I felt like Sasha brought her game down to meet him more than he rose to meet her. They both started to get sloppy towards the end like they were getting tired and it showed. Possibly the first slot of the night will not do them a service… but we’ll see tomorrow.
Jordan and Tadd doing a Travis Wall contemporary routine. Ummmm WOW. That is what I said at the end of the routine right before I backed it up to watch it again. It was dark and twisty but still Beautiful. The lines and the pictures that the still moments presented. Tadd is SO strong – and commits 100% to every style. I loved everything about that even though it wasn’t my normal sweet/sad/emotional Travis kind of routine.
Now we have Ryan and Ricky doing a Spencer Liff Broadway routine… Well wasn’t that nice of Spencer to choreograph a routine where Ryan’s Stepford Smile was not necessarily out of place. Can I say it seemed really easy and not technically difficult. And all of a sudden I really am in love Jesse Tyler Ferguson because he said everything I felt… and so did Sonya.
Caitlynn and Mitchell doing a Christopher Scott routine. She hit everything so much harder than he did. It was actually distracting because the unison was off. I didn’t love the attempt at “emotional manipulation” by Christopher Scott. It’s not fair because I like her so much.
Melanie and Marko dancing a tango choreographed by Louie Van Amstel. I’m really excited to see them take on something so COMPLETELY different than their own style this week. Okay – so it started and I was a little – eh… but it seemed way more difficult a routine than Ryan and Ricky’s so I was not hating on it – plus you could tell even though the footwork (little tricky) was sometimes not all it could be they were giving it their all. And of course, I always feel that Melanie and Marko are totally into each other when they’re supposed to be and this was probably the sexiest they’ve been. And still I was just sort of eh – until the last 10 seconds with the back bend through the legs into the whatever position that was. AMAZING! Hopefully that’s the thing the voting public remembers.
Clarice and Jess do a Christopher Scott lyrical hip-hop routine. Okay… stupid emotional manipulation from a stupid stupid choreographer has left me weeping. Tissues… need tissues. I cannot even fairly discuss this routine. I don’t like Jess, Clarice annoys me and yet here I am crying like a baby. Jess danced that really well – although there were definitely moments where his Broadway showed through… but for the first time Clarice really connected with a piece and so did I. Stupid, stupid emotional manipulation!!! The only thing that would have made that more manipulative is if they’d had Sasha’s sister dancing it instead and turned it into a “big girl” routine.
Round 2:
Sasha and Alexander dancing a Tyce “Keith” Diorio routine. Much better than the first routine they did. Sasha really is amazing. Alexander did a much better job himself – I actually looked at him a little more. Still, I think she’d be so much better with another partner. I’m pretty sure she’s going to be in the top 10. She’s unbelievable. Alexander… I don’t know.
Jordan and Tadd doing a Broadway routine by Spencer Liff. The music was strange and the timing just seems really off… It’s really making me think it’s a Spencer Liff thing and not the dancers. I think my favorite part was Tadd spraying breath freshener in his mouth. Sad. I love Tadd. I hope Travis’s routine will save them and pull in the votes.
Ryan and Ricky doing a Louie Van Amstel Cha-Cha! Eh. I just don’t connect with either of them. I liked the costumes? I mean, it was definitely more challenging than their Broadway number. My favorite Mary Murphy statement had to be when she told Ryan she was “Not really tidy down below”… This was the best Ricky routine though. I wonder what would have happened to him over this season if he’d been with anyone else but Ryan.
Caitlynn and Mitchell doing a Jazz routine by Travis Wall. (Now I want to say the last time Travis did a Jazz routine he got yelled at by Nigel for it not being “real Jazz”.) This time I have to say I definitely saw some “Jazz” moves. Much, much better than the first routine. Caitlynn is a force to be reckoned with. I agree with Sonya’s comments to Mitchell because he is so focused on being a good partner he loses a little of his own performance “sparkle”. And I agree with Nigel’s comment about Caitlynn not bringing the audience into that.
Melanie and Marko next up doing a contemporary routine by Dee Caspary (whom I love). I really liked this routine. (Still think the left at the alter one is my favorite) but this is a second. This routine just shows how amazing they are as a couple. I agree with Nigel – there really is something magical about them when they perform together and it did feel like an organic flow of movement not just steps. And Sonya’s tip for them to stay humble really brought to the forefront the reason I love them so much. They’re amazing but they’re not cocky about it. I’d totally pay to watch either of them dance.
Lastly – Jess and Clarice doing a jive by Tony and Meredith… Okay – what happened to Clarice? For the first time like… um… ever – tonight I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Was her technique flawless? No… but she was charismatic and sparkling and awesome and her footwork was great – but they lost some momentum in their lifts. I think that was one my favorite they’ve done. Especially because I was not emotionally manipulated into liking it.
Okay, so bottom 3:
Ryan and Ricky
Caitlynn and Marshall
Jordan and Tadd
(Alternatively Sasha and Alexander are a possible choice but I think she has a big enough fan base to make them both safe.)
My pick to go home : Ryan and Ricky (please?)
Okay, enough of my ramblings… what did you guys think?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Top 7 Couples
Welcome to SYTYCD!
It’s my birthday – and as such – I expect a GREAT show from the “Magnificent 7” couples left in the competition. I demand AWESOME routines – seriously – give me some MIA please – or if no Mia, how about not giving me any Keith Diorio or Sonya strangeness tonight? I also require the Judges to be on the ball this evening – call out the bad performances and make some sense please – don’t just hand out meaningless platitudes like they’re candy at Halloween, okay?
So, let’s get started by meeting our JUDGES… I’ve really enjoyed the guest judges so far this season – how does tonight stack up with - Carmen Electra, really? I never would have guessed ballet was in her background. Finger’s crossed and hoping for the best from her… Oh and for my birthday – TRAVIS WALL! Sadly, I am worried he will be a bad judge because he’s so sympathetic to the contestants having been one himself “blah, blah, blah” Still I’m hoping for the best with him too. The only thing better would be if he choreographed ALL the routines tonight. Alas, that is not the case. *Sigh*
Justin Giles doing a routine with the top 7 guys. Okay – Chris was late in the unison parts for a bit and it threw me off. If I didn’t have the back-story from the choreographer, I would have had no idea what it was “supposed” to be about. I thought it was interesting though. My eyes focused mostly on Marko and “oddly enough” Jess. I think they both did the best in the number. What did you guys think?
First Couple of the night – Melanie & Marko doing a Jazz routine by Ray Leeper. WTF?!?! Do the costume people HATE her?! So distracting. I’m sure they danced it well but I couldn’t get past her red/white/blue lace one stocking stupid outfit. Just because the song says “Americano” do we really need to put her in stars and stripes? And his pants with suspenders no shirt? Seriously? Really? What have you done SYTYCD costume department? I dislike this. Watching it again to focus on the dancing. Okay, so… had her costume been exactly the same except say in SOLID black – she would have been SUPER SEXY. Her dancing and attitude was FIERCE! And Marko was good too. Now, I don’t see “Jazz” in that routine, but whatever. Again, not happy with the costume department right now.
Moving on: Sasha and Alexander are up with a Shaun Avaristo hip-hop routine. Ehhhh. I like Sasha, but Alexander leaves me cold – and it’s not because he has seriously no swag at all, but because he doesn’t pull his weight as a partner – he’s just not her equal at all – and it just doesn’t help make a routine pop when the chemistry is supposed to be the central drive and there is none to be found. At least the judges agree with me.
Jordan and Tadd doing a waltz choreographed by Toni Redpath. I like Toni’s stuff. It was dreamy and romantic – Can’t believe he’s a hip-hop dancer when he does stuff like this. I grow to like Jordan more and more – (especially with her video packages the last 2 weeks). Not my favorite routine ever – but the best one so far tonight.
Clarice and Jess dancing a Justin Giles contemporary routine. Emotionally I felt NOTHING. Nothing. Not a single thing. I felt more watching their rehearsal movements without music than I did watching the actual performance. Not sure what the judges saw that I didn’t… But I will say I love Travis as a judge even when I don’t agree with him because he gives great technical notes. I went back and watched it again – still – got nothing from them. No emotion still. Is it just me?
Now we have Ashley and Chris doing a Salsa choreographed by Liz Lira. Oh, I’m afraid. Let me channel Sue Sylvester for a moment… SLOPPY BABIES! Not impressed at all. They had not nearly enough energy for this routine. It was stilted and awkward.
Ricky and Ryan doing a Jazz routine by Chucky Klapow. Ummmmmm no. I would rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon than watch this routine ever again. In fact, I think I will fast forward through it. Not a fan at all. And it has nothing to do with the dancers at all because for once Ryan didn’t break character with her Stepford Smile. The only thing that could have made me feel more grossed out by the routine is if the costumers had made them into CLOWNS. Not a fan.
Lastly for the couples is Caitlynn and Mitchell doing contemporary – please, dear Lord, please – make this one good? Mandy Moore (PLEASE MAKE THIS BEAUTIFUL FOR ME!?!?!) J’adore Caitlynn! J’adore! She’s really one of my absolute favorites this season. It’s Melanie and her for the win for me. That was lovely – not tear worthy Mary Murphy but still beautiful. That was great partnering from Mitchell – the jumps the lifts the legs the feet the arms – really just beautiful. Her leg’s especially.
And now – our grand finale – the girls doing a Ray Leeper Jazz routine… Seriously – couldn’t Melanie have worn THIS outfit during her actual routine? Again, Caitlynn and Melanie drew my eye – but I think Mr. Leeper – not my favorite.
So overall – really a very disappointing evening for me. Seriously - SYTYCD WHY DO YOU DISAPPOINT ME ON MY BIRTHDAY!?!?!
What did you guys think?
It’s my birthday – and as such – I expect a GREAT show from the “Magnificent 7” couples left in the competition. I demand AWESOME routines – seriously – give me some MIA please – or if no Mia, how about not giving me any Keith Diorio or Sonya strangeness tonight? I also require the Judges to be on the ball this evening – call out the bad performances and make some sense please – don’t just hand out meaningless platitudes like they’re candy at Halloween, okay?
So, let’s get started by meeting our JUDGES… I’ve really enjoyed the guest judges so far this season – how does tonight stack up with - Carmen Electra, really? I never would have guessed ballet was in her background. Finger’s crossed and hoping for the best from her… Oh and for my birthday – TRAVIS WALL! Sadly, I am worried he will be a bad judge because he’s so sympathetic to the contestants having been one himself “blah, blah, blah” Still I’m hoping for the best with him too. The only thing better would be if he choreographed ALL the routines tonight. Alas, that is not the case. *Sigh*
Justin Giles doing a routine with the top 7 guys. Okay – Chris was late in the unison parts for a bit and it threw me off. If I didn’t have the back-story from the choreographer, I would have had no idea what it was “supposed” to be about. I thought it was interesting though. My eyes focused mostly on Marko and “oddly enough” Jess. I think they both did the best in the number. What did you guys think?
First Couple of the night – Melanie & Marko doing a Jazz routine by Ray Leeper. WTF?!?! Do the costume people HATE her?! So distracting. I’m sure they danced it well but I couldn’t get past her red/white/blue lace one stocking stupid outfit. Just because the song says “Americano” do we really need to put her in stars and stripes? And his pants with suspenders no shirt? Seriously? Really? What have you done SYTYCD costume department? I dislike this. Watching it again to focus on the dancing. Okay, so… had her costume been exactly the same except say in SOLID black – she would have been SUPER SEXY. Her dancing and attitude was FIERCE! And Marko was good too. Now, I don’t see “Jazz” in that routine, but whatever. Again, not happy with the costume department right now.
Moving on: Sasha and Alexander are up with a Shaun Avaristo hip-hop routine. Ehhhh. I like Sasha, but Alexander leaves me cold – and it’s not because he has seriously no swag at all, but because he doesn’t pull his weight as a partner – he’s just not her equal at all – and it just doesn’t help make a routine pop when the chemistry is supposed to be the central drive and there is none to be found. At least the judges agree with me.
Jordan and Tadd doing a waltz choreographed by Toni Redpath. I like Toni’s stuff. It was dreamy and romantic – Can’t believe he’s a hip-hop dancer when he does stuff like this. I grow to like Jordan more and more – (especially with her video packages the last 2 weeks). Not my favorite routine ever – but the best one so far tonight.
Clarice and Jess dancing a Justin Giles contemporary routine. Emotionally I felt NOTHING. Nothing. Not a single thing. I felt more watching their rehearsal movements without music than I did watching the actual performance. Not sure what the judges saw that I didn’t… But I will say I love Travis as a judge even when I don’t agree with him because he gives great technical notes. I went back and watched it again – still – got nothing from them. No emotion still. Is it just me?
Now we have Ashley and Chris doing a Salsa choreographed by Liz Lira. Oh, I’m afraid. Let me channel Sue Sylvester for a moment… SLOPPY BABIES! Not impressed at all. They had not nearly enough energy for this routine. It was stilted and awkward.
Ricky and Ryan doing a Jazz routine by Chucky Klapow. Ummmmmm no. I would rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon than watch this routine ever again. In fact, I think I will fast forward through it. Not a fan at all. And it has nothing to do with the dancers at all because for once Ryan didn’t break character with her Stepford Smile. The only thing that could have made me feel more grossed out by the routine is if the costumers had made them into CLOWNS. Not a fan.
Lastly for the couples is Caitlynn and Mitchell doing contemporary – please, dear Lord, please – make this one good? Mandy Moore (PLEASE MAKE THIS BEAUTIFUL FOR ME!?!?!) J’adore Caitlynn! J’adore! She’s really one of my absolute favorites this season. It’s Melanie and her for the win for me. That was lovely – not tear worthy Mary Murphy but still beautiful. That was great partnering from Mitchell – the jumps the lifts the legs the feet the arms – really just beautiful. Her leg’s especially.
And now – our grand finale – the girls doing a Ray Leeper Jazz routine… Seriously – couldn’t Melanie have worn THIS outfit during her actual routine? Again, Caitlynn and Melanie drew my eye – but I think Mr. Leeper – not my favorite.
So overall – really a very disappointing evening for me. Seriously - SYTYCD WHY DO YOU DISAPPOINT ME ON MY BIRTHDAY!?!?!
What did you guys think?
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