(S03E15) It seems like the summer is just flying by. Here we are, already down to the top ten. The competition has been very tough up to this point. Still, considering the talent of the contestants left, and adding in the fact that all of the partnerships are out the window, it's only going to get tougher. Jean-Marc Genereaux got the nod to choreograph the big opening number this week, to the tune of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy." It was my favorite of the opening numbers so far. Lots of energy, and the period costumes were great. It's pretty impressive that, after all of the work that goes in to the weekly routine, the group is still able to come together and deliver these big numbers each week. As fun as they are though, we do tune in for the results. All the details are after the jump.
With only 6 couples, Cat brought them up in three pairs, each with one safe couple, and one in the bottom three. The first two sets were not surprising. Sabra & Dominic were the number one choice in the TV Squad poll, as well as the BloggingSYTYCD poll, so when they came up with Anya & Danny, I thought it was pretty clear who would be headed off to the solo round. Sure enough, much to the surprise of Mary Murphy, Anya and Danny were in the bottom three. She said that they would be safe if she has anything to say about it.
Also a foregone conclusion going by the poll results was the pairing of Sara & Pasha with Jaimie & Hok. The poll held up and Jaimie & Hok would also be dancing solos. Nigel again talked about how unique Hok is, and how he is struggling with the different styles of dance. He pointed out Jaimie's teacher, Denise Wall, in the audience and said that all teachers should use Jaimie as an example. That's a pretty great compliment right there.
The third pairing was the one with some intrigue. Lauren & Neil just edged Lacey & Kameron in the poll, but not by a lot. And Lacey & Kameron certainly do seem to have a devoted following hitting the phones. I was surprised as we learned that Neil & Lauren would have to do solos. Wade said that he didn't understand how they could be in the bottom three and questioned whether America just didn't go for the goggles. My theory is that it came down to a lack of support for Lauren, and an overwhelming support for Lacey. I get the feeling that Kameron has had a nice ride on the Lacey express and will be very interested to see what happens with the new partners next week.
As the dancers prepared for their solos fans were treated to a tap exhibition by Jason Samuels Smith. Tap isn't something we get to see a lot of on television, so it was great to see such an amazing performance. Jason was there to promote the Los Angeles Tap Festival at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. One more thing before getting to the solos. Nigel made mention of the Emmy nominations for Wade Robson and Mia Michaels. I'm still pissed that Friday Night Lights was passed over in all the big categories, but it's nice to see the two of them recognized for their great work on the show.
Off to the solos, and they made things quite interesting. For the girls, Anya led off and had what I think was her best solo yet. A great song, fast paced, and a real solo performance. Jaimie was second and did well, but it felt somewhat lacking given what we have seen from her in the competition. Lauren finished up with my favorite of the girls solos. This was a Lauren that I hadn't seen before. It made for a very tough decision. For me, Jaimie has shown enough in the competition that I would put her through despite having what I thought was the weakest of the solos. Left then with the choice between Anya and Lauren, you could really make a case either way. I would have sent Anya home based on the fact that I thought she should have already been out of the competition.
For the men, Danny was up first, with my favorite solo from the men, doing exactly what you would expect. There is no denying that he is an amazing dancer. Every last little movement is so crisp and precise, it's amazing to watch. Of course, that isn't the issue with Danny on the show, it's the mysterious x-factor of connecting with the audience. Hok's solo followed a similar theme. When left to his own devices, you just can't look away. Where Danny is perfection in motion, Hok leaves you wondering if you really just saw what you thought you did. He makes the most unnatural of movements so fluid. Neil was last up and put on a nice showcase of his skill. It was probably my least favorite of the men, not that it was horrible, but it gave me the feeling that he was showing off his book of tricks where Danny and Hok put together more complete pieces. Keeping all of that in mind, I still would have sent Hok home. It seems like the competition is starting to pass him up. Top twelve is still a great accomplishment.
The judges headed off to debate while the crowd watched a performance by Enrique Iglesias. This one was notably different from the other performances we have seen this season as it didn't feature a dance number. Just Enrique and his band. It was a nice performance overall.
Finally, the judges were back, and it was time to get down to the business of the top ten. The girls were up first and he called Jaimie forward, to a huge cheer from the crowd, and told her that her solo was ok, but not as good as they would like it to be. But she was moving on to the top ten. Of Lauren he said that they felt like she had never reached her potential. He mentioned again that Anya always has trouble with her solos, and this ultimately a solo competition. At the end of the day, two of them thought that tonight Lauren did reach her potential and she is moving on. Anya is going home.
Getting to the guys, Nigel cut right to the choice and brought Hok forward. He told him that he was in his favorite performance of the season so far, the Wade Robson butterfly piece that Hok and Jaimie did. Unfortunately, his struggles with the different styles had caught up with him, and he would be going home. This is the first time I have been in agreement with both of the judges eliminations.
So there you have it. We have a top ten, and it's a pretty solid one. I think there are a couple performers that are somewhat under the gun, most notably Kameron. Overall though, this is an amazing group and they all still have a solid shot at winning. I'd say season three is coming along quite nicely.
TV Squad Ten: Cartoon women who should have Playboy centerfolds
Six Mad Men characters who are in limbo after the finale
Fact or Fiction: Big Bang, Brothers & Sisters and CSI
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-20-2007 @ 6:42AM
Jez said...
I'm just happy Pasha & Sara are safe. Dominic or Sabra for the win!
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 8:31AM
Tori said...
I love that there are no frontrunners at this point. The rest of the competition is going to be so interesting now that they are going to switch things up. All of the dancers have their strengths and vulnerabilities and they all have a shot at it. But I completely agree that Kameron is going to have to step it up as well as some of the other more inconsistent dancers (Jamie, Neil and Lauren).
I think Lacey and Kameron should have been in the bottom 2 if for any other reason than to force them to do a solo. Given how many problems ballroom dancers have with their solos (Faina, Pasha and of course Anya have all been criticized) it does Lacey no good for her fans to shelter her. She's going to have that extra pressure in the home stretch that could potentially be her downfall.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 12:03PM
Saragee said...
I'm really looking forward to next week to see what happens with Danny. My theory has always been that it was Anya that was putting him in the bottom three. I just don't think she ever connected with the audience. It will be interesting to see if he still comes in in the bottom 3 with another partner. I don't think he will.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 9:58AM
Ryan said...
I pretty much agree with the first comment by Jez. Except even though I'd be fine with Dominic and Sabra as the final 2, I wouldn't mind Pasha (or Sara) in those spots as well. How cool if those four are in the final four? Probably not with Neil and Lacey as big crowd favorites...
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 11:35AM
Jason said...
I was so hoping Danny would go home. The guy has ZERO charaisma. An absolute bore. I don't care how well he dances; I never want to watch. At least Hok was interesting. I could have seen Neil go home, but I thought he did some real nice work in his solo and his last two numbers have been among his best.
At this point, I think Lacey's following is going to make her tough to beat. I wish I could judge her without knowing she was Benji's sister.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 12:25PM
Dawn said...
I wonder how much of Lacey's popularity is tied to her brother, Benji. She is likeable in her own right, but might be getting a "boost."
Also, I wish she would stop wearing knee socks. It's annoying.
I knew Hok was going and I understand why, but I really did like him - he is such an individual. Kameron, on the other hand, is only there because of Lacey.
Overall, its a good season this year.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 12:28PM
Rob said...
I would have liked to see Danny go home, but I understand the decision to send Hok packing. There's no denying that Danny's a great dancer, but I just don't get any emotion out of him.
What I really love about Hok though is that he dances to entertain,.. and he does a great job at it. A good example of this is his freestyle display at the very end of the show as the credits were rolling. Talk about being a good looser. Do I think he should have progressed to the top 10? Not necessarily, but damn,.. that guy can dance.
The only other thing I have to say is that I really like Lauren, but I also know I'm in the minority with that feeling. I doubt she'll win this thing, but I really like her personality. Anya is beautiful and a great dancer, but meh,... just a flash in the pan.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 12:55PM
Erin said...
This is actually the only reality show of the bunch I watch. I have never seen one episode of Dancing with the Stars or American Idol.
That being said, it's just frustrating that, in the end, it seems like a popularity contest. Lacey really isn't all that likeable in my opinion. I certainly don't think she is the best dancer. But it seems unfair that she could win because of her "cult" following or that fact that she's Benji's sister. Are all of the shows like that?? She seems so phony.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 3:39PM
Where did my stars go? said...
I didn't like that Lacey got on because I felt she was given special treatment because of Benji. However, over the weeks I have changed my mind. I definitely like her - she is really entertaining to watch.
I would love to see Danny and Jaimie team up. I think he comes off arrogant, when actually I think he is probably a little insecure or shy when it comes to communication. He puts up a bravado that doesn't serve him well - but that is just my opinion.
I love Sabra and Dominic. I hope that they do as well once they are split up. He will have a tough time competing against the more traditionally trained Danny and Neil, I fear.
This has been a great season so far - can't wait to see the rest. I would also like to see some more of last year's contestants dance, too.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 6:36PM
Ryan said...
Even if Lacey is getting a boost from being Benji's sister, she is still a great enough dancer that does connect with the audience. Look at Danny! He's Travis' adoptive brother and it seems like he's not getting any boost from that connection (except in the form of Mary unabashedly drooling over him week after week).
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 10:51PM
michelle said...
I think the show is editing, and influencing the vote. When the show first started, they always showed Benji standing up and cheering for Lacy, but did they ever show Travis Wall who has been there day in and out for his bro. Furthermore, I think they got rid of Anya, because I think she would have been competition for Lacey. What I see happening, is that Lacey and Pasha will be paired together, and they will be given the best choreographers, and I think Lacey will be in the top 4. I predict based on how the show is editing and who they are getting rid of, it will be Lacey, Danny, Sarah, and Pasha or Neil in the top 4. Lacey will be announced the winner.
Reply
7-20-2007 @ 10:51PM
michelle said...
Danny all the way... Love him.
Reply
7-24-2007 @ 6:33PM
Shannon said...
I'm sorry, Brett Love, but I have to agree with the comments from "you're an idiot." I really don't like your blog. I disagree with nearly every review you give and I don't think you understand dance very well at all. Your take on Nigel's "Dancing with the Celebrities" comment was way off. DwtS is a complete joke... another chance for people who already get enough attention to garner a bit more. You can't even compare that piece of dung with SYTYCD, which showcases some amazing and deserving talents. I will not be reading this blog anymore because it just ruins the show for me.
Reply
7-26-2007 @ 12:06AM
Dmitriy said...
The week when they sent Anya home became my last week of watching this show. Along with Danny, she has put the entire 3 years competitors to oblivion. While other dancers were trying not to be clumsy and immature, Anya danced as though she is the sexy maturity herself! But now, the remaining few OK dancers are paired with those who should've been kicked out weeks ago. So, now the judges must tour with Lacy, Cameron, Niel, Jamie, Lauren... So, maybe it was good to send Anya home in order not to show up with people who are on the same level as Sedrik and Shauna.
Reply