(S03E13) Cat opened up the show looking absolutely lovely with her hair up and her blue dress. She said that after last night's performances this might be the hardest elimination yet. I didn't really think it was that tough a decision, but considering that my picks for elimination didn't pan out, maybe it was more difficult than I thought. That led right into the big group performance, choreographed by Adam Shankman, which I'll call a modern take on the sock hop. It had a very Happy Days feel to it, if Ralph Malph had occasionally paused to do a little break dancing before telling someone to sit on it. It was a very fun performance all around.
Sabra & Dominic and Anya & Danny were the first two couples to get results. Cat told them that one of them was safe and the other was in the bottom three. After a quick recap of the performances, Sabra & Dominic were safe. Nigel said he was sorry that Anya & Danny were in the bottom three, because there is something that is missing in how they communicate with the audience.
Lacey & Kameron, Sara & Pascha, and Shauna & Cedric were up next and Cat revealed that one of the teams was in the bottom three before going through the recap of performances and judges comments. Shauna & Cedric were the couple in the bottom three. Mary said that she didn't know what happened.
Finishing off the results, Hok & Jaimie joined Lauren & Neil on the stage. Crazy Wade Robson defeated the power of the waltz and Jaimie & Hok were the third couple sent to solos. Oddly, there was no reaction to the choice form the judges. Once again, the TV Squad viewers got it just right in the poll.
While the dancers prepared for their solos we got a good look at Adam's payment for being a guest judge in the form of a huge promo for Hairspray. As blatant a plug as it was, I have to say that the movie does look good.
Anya and her cat suit were first up in the solo round. It was ok, but it has become apparent that her background doesn't lend itself well to a solo performance. That's not a problem that Danny has. He followed her up with another very impressive performance. Shauna was third to take the stage. I actually preferred her last solo performance to this one, but it was still very good.
Cedric was up next and what can you say about Cedric? He's amazing when he is doing his thing, but that's not the issue at hand with him. Jaimie came out for her first solo of the competition and really impressed. She packed a lot into her 30 seconds and was my favorite solo of the night. Hok finished out the solo performances with a very fun routine.
The judges headed backstage while Hillary Duff came on to perform her single "Stranger." It wasn't bad. If you like that Disney pop style, it's a decent song, and I think Hillary had the best sound mix of any of the musical guests so far this season. How much of that was due to her not actually singing the song I'll leave up for debate. I do have to question the wardrobe decision on the genie outfits though. Of all the possible ideas that must have been tossed around for a performance in front of 8 or 9 million viewers, that one won out? Really?
The judges were back and Nigel said that they were unanimous in both decisions and that they were basing them on everything they have seen this season. He called Jaimie forward and told her that she has been brilliant throughout the season and that she is going to be staying. Anya was up next and Nigel told her that they have a problem with her solos because of her ballroom background. She's safe. And that leaves Shauna on the outs, and me thinking that once again the judges got it wrong.
Ya see, here's my problem with this explanation. Remember way, way back a whole 2 weeks ago? According to the judges, Jesús was given the boot because he was outdanced in the solos. The solos were the thing, right? But not now. Now it's all about the season as a whole. The hell? The thing is, even looking at the season as a whole, I'd still put Shauna ahead of Anya. Lack of growth? Really?
Cut to the guys, and Nigel skipped right to telling Cedric that he is going home. It was rather sudden, but I think this one made sense, and it was what everybody was expecting. Overall, it was a good show, but it ended with me once again scratching my head trying to figure out just where the judges are coming from.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-13-2007 @ 5:50AM
D Colin said...
Thank you SYTID-- about time Cedric went home. Three great male dancers went home b4 him. I'm still so upset about Ricky. So tonight made me happy!
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7-13-2007 @ 8:48AM
Melissa said...
I'm totally in love with Hok.
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7-13-2007 @ 9:51AM
Jez said...
Dominic & Pasha are the best guys. For the girls, it's Sabra & Lacey. I like Sara heaps too though
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7-13-2007 @ 9:14AM
Georgia said...
Nigel has had the hots for Anya ever since she turned him on at the auditions.
To me, Danny is the best dancer they've ever had.
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7-13-2007 @ 10:59AM
Galley said...
I never knew Sarah Mason was on that show.
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7-13-2007 @ 11:47AM
Erik Hannon said...
What is the fascination with Danny and Anya? He comes off as a total ass who is in my opinion only just as good as the other guys and she's not as good a solo dancer as all the other girls. I just don't get it. Shauna clearly outdanced Anya in the solos last night, but I couldn't help to think that if Anya went home and Shauna stayed that Shauna would have been paired up with Danny, which would have been awkward due to his height (Cedric and Shauna looked awkward too). Anyway, Kameron and Lacey are my total favorite!!!
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7-13-2007 @ 12:53PM
Rose said...
All the dancers are very good. July 11’s best performances were Lauren & Neil with their jazz routine by Wade Robson, followed by a second standing ovation for Pasha & Sara with their West Coast Swing. These performances were DYNAMITE!
The bottom line here is that what the dancers are given by their choreographers to perform (music is important too) are going to make or break them. Let any of the dancers do a routine by Wade Robson and they are going to get lots of votes because Wade gives the dancers something outstanding to work with.
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7-13-2007 @ 1:00PM
Rose said...
All the dancers are very good. July 11’s best performances were Lauren & Neil with their jazz routine by Wade Robson, followed by a second standing ovation for Pasha & Sara with their West Coast Swing. These performances were DYNAMITE!
The bottom line here is that what the dancers are given by their choreographers to perform (music is important too) are going to make or break them. Let any of the dancers do a routine by Wade Robson and they are going to get lots of votes because Wade gives the dancers something outstanding to work with.
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7-13-2007 @ 1:17PM
sassy said...
Ok I usually respect Nigel's criticisms alot, I was upset in the first eliminations when he let Dominic stay but now I see that its working out. However Last night I was pissed. Anya's solo sucked big time and she should have gone home. I don't care if she's a good ballroom dancer, during solo's you're supposed to dance for your life and she doesn't know the meaning of that. I also blame the judges for putting Cedric in the competition in the first place. Because of his bad partnering skills he ruined the chances of two fantastic dancers Faina and Shauna. Shauna has been making up for Cedric's lack of skills. Shauna's growth is way better than Anya's. The judges need to remember that when Anya did her hip-hop piece she sucked, her solos sucked. She will continue to be in the bottom 3 and I can't suffer through another of her Solo's. BIG MISTAKE judges
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7-13-2007 @ 2:45PM
aime said...
I disagree completely with the judges on who they should have sent home. Especially with choosing Anya with Shauna. Anya's solo wasn't there, and isn't that the reason why they sent Faina home? I mean come one, Anya hasn't done that great with her partner dances wither. But Shauna has, even with Cedric as a partner, who isn't that great with a partner. I liked Cedric a lot, but I think that it was good that he was sent home, just because he's a better solo dancer.
On another note, Lauren and Neil have been my favorite couple since the beginning, along with Lacey and Kameron. They both had fanastic routines.
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7-13-2007 @ 3:29PM
Candyland said...
I am really glad to see Cedric go! Not because I dont like him but because he gets sympathy votes which causes the dancers who really deserve to be in the competition voted out. I know that nigel has a problem with that mostly (the girl with one arm, the fat guy) even though these people were good he made a point of not letting them through mainly because they would be voted for the wrong reasons (i.e. wow she is great "to only have 1 arm") and that really is unfair to the other dancers. One thing that Nigel said to danny and anya that i totally agreed with "america is not voting AGAINST u" basically if they let us vote for who should be in the bottom and the 3 with the MOST votes had to dance for their lives people like danny and anya would never be in the bottom. But the way this thing works and (American Idol) is that you not only have to think a person is a good dancer but you also have to care enough about there existence to call (busy signal after busy signal) to make sure they stay in the competition. So in the end it becomes more of a popularity contest than a dance contest. I believe that danny is by far the best dancer on the whole show but I also doubt he will win no one will ever doubt he is a great dancer but he just doesnt have the same kind of "vote pulling" charm as pasha and dominic. I Do not think he is Arrogant, he is a professional and basically he lets his art speak for its self which would be a great thing if this were a normal audition but is not really good for this type of competition where you are being judged by dancers and non dancers alike. One thing I dont understand about danny however, he dances with american ballet theatre (a very prestigious dance company) he has danced with debbie allen and he could probably walk into any company audition (alvin ailey, dance theatre of harlem, etc) and be offered top dollar, so I am a little confused about why he cares about being americas favorite dancer. Oh and I forgot about Shauna I mean she is a good dancer she just basically got screwed having cedric for a partner I do believe anya should have gotten voted off (totally agreed with the not being able to dance solo thing, she danced with a pole) but she wont out last lacey, who by the way is officially my favorite girl oh and I love sabra so here are my top picks: girls lacey and sabra boys: danny and pasha (but I am pretty sure dominic, and maybe even kameron will outlast danny)
when do they switch partners?
One last thing dannys only hope is to get a partner with a lot of personality like lacey or sabra then i think people would look at him from a different angle
BTW Danny, Pasha, Anya, and Lacey all dance like they know they are good (but thats because they are and they have all danced professionally before where as some of the others are shocked and exicted when they are safe)
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7-14-2007 @ 12:17AM
Kassy said...
did you actually watch Hilary Duff's Performace? Because it was pretty bomb. And maybe you need to go check out the video for "stranger", cause the "genie outfits" are part of the theme of the song/ video. And, she does sing live. But if you don't believe me-- hit up one of her shows. the girl can rock.
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7-19-2007 @ 2:07AM
DivaDea said...
I was heartbroken to lose Shauna. But I am totally in love with Sabra, and I'm seriously going to cry when/if she goes home.
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8-14-2007 @ 4:41PM
Tiana Cosby said...
I really think Sabra is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Lacey the only reason why Lacey getting occuragement because her brother won last year Lacey is not good like Heidi and i hope she stays that way to if Lacey wins Thurdsay night i am going to be pissed off i am going to be furtious who want her to win America do the right thing please Sabra deserves to win this year come on if Lacey wins she wins because of her brother it should be Danny and Sabra not Danny and Lacey you guys listen to me Sabra deserves it Lacey on the other hand needs to go away she already won alot of dance awards and stuff do the right thing or vote for Danny ya'll don't make another bad mistaked like ya'll did last time sent Travis home he deserved to win this is my last time Danny or Sabra deserves to win not Lacey yuckkkkkkkkkkk.
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