(S04E19) This was an exciting week on So You Think You Can Dance. We had great routines, great costumes, great performances. Nigel wore white leather. He insinuated once again that he and Mary Murphy have more than a working relationship. The woman who sang "Mickey" was on the show. (I was half-hoping that she would perform last night. Maybe even as one of LL Cool J's dancers. She's the original locker, don't ya know?) And after those eliminations, I think I'm in the twilight zone.
Will America please (pretty please) send home Mark and his crooked pinky fingers next week? Sheesh.
It's a short review...
OPENING PERFORMANCE
The top eight danced to "Universal Mind Control" by Common. The piece was choreographed by Chuck Maldonado who, Blogging So You Think You Can Dance reminds me, helped Nigel with his routine last Thursday. The costumes were very amateur looking. I felt like I was watching the adult hip-hop class at a local recital. Those tops on the girls made them look like they had wedgies. Ultimate wedgies.
The choreography and staging was interesting but the dancers looked a little tired. The song had a nice build up and they should have saved some energy for the part in the center of the stage where they all danced together. The locking in canon at the end was quite good though.
THE ELIMINATIONS
I loved Will's James Brown dance on Wednesday. This is a travesty. Well, maybe not a travesty. As most of you know by now, Will was eliminated last night. He was in the bottom two with Twitch. I would have been sad to lose either of them. However, I think Will will have more options open to him in the dance world after this show. Plus, he's a high-brow dancer/artist, technically proficient and exquisite to watch on stage. That, in addition to his evident charisma, he can write his own ticket with any dance company.
This is not to say that Twitch isn't an artist in his own right. But I doubt Twitch and Alvin Ailey (or any reputable dance company) would ever be a good fit. Will has a lot to look forward too. This show was merely a stepping stone. Okay, I'm done consoling myself. What do you think? I personally think it should have been Mark's week. Much like Dominic last year, his style is wearing thin on me. He just doesn't captivate me any more.
Let's talk about the girls briefly. I think from the remaining four, America's elimination was the right one. Comfort is truly the best female hip-hop dancer the show has seen. But she's had some flops on the show too. And like many commenters have pointed out, we can't always make allowances for her just because of her style. The show is about versatility and stepping up to the plate.
Courtney was in the bottom two as well. She's a dangerous one. The judges make such a big deal about Chelsea and Katee, but America keeps Courtney in each week. If she really nails it next week (and gets a great partner), she could take out Chelsea. What do you think?
And one last thing: the way Cat did the eliminations this week was stupid. I like calling the hopefuls up one at a time at first, but then there's no suspense at the end. I know it's a little sadistic, but I like to see the dancers sweat as Cat slowly opens the card.
GUEST PERFORMANCES
Finally, two guest performances worth watching. The Los Angeles Ballet was amazing. It's really not a surprise though. I wonder (and this is totally esoteric on my part), did they lay marley floors for that? I don't recall SYTYCD having marley. I know, I'm way too neurotic. I hated how the tweens clapped during the performance too. It's not Twitch and Kherrington up there--save the applause till the end.
And Ladies Love Cool James! LL was on So You Think You Can Dance. This is either awesome or a sure sign of the apocalypse. It was refreshing to see someone of his caliber. Not too many people can command an audience like that.
I'm leaving it open for discussion this week. Here's some questions...
What do you think of Will's elimination?
Who are your favorites to win the competition?
What did you think of the opening number?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2008 @ 8:58AM
Cindy Gibson said...
I am so glad Will went home. I was sooooo over him by the third week. All the praise and favoritism made me cringe. He really had trouble with his routines this week and it showed. Even the judges had to take him down for some of the moves. But yes, the demigod was wearing thin. I agree that Mark should go but I couldn't stand the thought of losing Twitch.
Courtney is so cute you have to love her. I know she has a real battle on her hands with the other two girls and they are great, but I rute for her every week.
From here it will be tough for whoever is lost, but hopefully they will all get picked up by someone.
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7-26-2008 @ 11:13AM
Patti said...
I agree with you Cindy. Someone said on one of these blogs that Courtney is underrated. Somehow I think Joshua (fabulous) will pull this off, even though Katee seems to be everyone's favorite. I think Katee is a terrific dancer, but somehow I find myself pulling for Courtney. Much more of a personality on and off the dance floor. There's something about Chelsea I don't care for. I was totally shocked that Mark stayed. Will is a far better dancer. Much of this relies on fanbase. I really like Twitch, he is quite versatile and full of charisma. It's anybody's guess who will stay until the end!!!! Love this show.
7-26-2008 @ 10:11AM
deebopalula said...
I have a question for you -- why is your name (and many of the other TV Squad writers) now "TV Squad Blogger"? What's that all about?
p.s. - I'm now pegging Katee to take the top prize.
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7-26-2008 @ 10:45AM
Saragee said...
I really loved Will's James Brown routine. I thought it was really brave of him to show a different, fun side of himself as opposed to the technical perfection.....thought he would get votes because of it. I really think his elimination was due more to people thinking he was safe and voting for someone, like Mark, who looked like they were going home.
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7-26-2008 @ 10:58AM
Melissa said...
Mark has more charisma in one crooked pinky fingernail than anyone on the show, in addition to being a skilled dancer. So why is everyone hating on him? If he can survive the country 2 step, he can make it to the finale.
Chelsea and Katee have better stories than Courtney, and I'm banking on them making it to the finale as well.
TV Squad Blogger, you might want to make sure that people don't have to use the dancer's dictionary when reading your posts.
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7-28-2008 @ 9:42AM
Netra said...
What does a story have to do with your dancing. I dont want to hear some stories I want to see some amazing dancing. Katee has delivered Chelsea..not so much.
7-26-2008 @ 1:06PM
Laura said...
I am glad to see Will go. I wasn't a big fan of Will but I think that the the way the judges and the show fawned over Will even when he messed up had more to do with my apathy toward him than anything else. The fawning grew old long before we got to the top 10 dancers.
I think Thursday's show was a prime example of the judges holding will on a pedestal. Comfort did her solo and Cat walked her off stage. Courtney did her solo and Cat walked her off stage. Twitch did his solo and Cat walked him off stage. Will, however, did his solo and Cat took him over to the judges to see what they thought of him being in the bottom two.
I don't think this was something Cat did on her own. She was told to do it, probably by Nigel.
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7-26-2008 @ 8:22PM
Gian said...
I think the one point no one makes about Will is that voter's know he has a future in dance; between the talent, the look, Debbie Allen and the judges raves...he's going to be a success no matter what. Maybe America just wants to give the title to some won who NEEDS it to advance their career. I think the final four will be Courtney, Katee, Joshua and Twitch....and I think Twitch may just pull it out.
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7-27-2008 @ 10:48AM
Ryan said...
Nope. I'm glad Will is gone. I never really got into him and wanted him gone before the Top 10 even though I knew the judges would never ever have gotten rid of him earlier than that.
And I AM rooting for Courtney. The other ladies are great, but Courtney makes me root for her. But it's moot anyways since you know it's going to be a Benji/Travis style final two with Joshua/Twitch.
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7-28-2008 @ 10:59AM
fowak said...
A: If Joshua actually makes it to the Top 4, I think I'll cry and throw up at the same time.
B: I'm really tired of the judges (and apparently bloggers) saying Comfort was the best female hip hop dancer. Sara was miles better and proved to be extremely versitle. Fortunately, though, Comfort is gone and I hopefully won't have to hear it again. EVER.
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7-29-2008 @ 1:53AM
gerry said...
Will had to go, but I thought it would be after Mark. I adore Mark, because he is an actor/performer and his dances have passion. Will is a technical dancer, a gentleman, and no sex appeal. I know white girls always find any black man sexy, but this guy can't even control his hips like Twitch and Joshua. Will could never have done the piece that Mia Michaels choreographed for Twitch and Katee - ever. Nice guy, bland, bland, bland.
This is the same thing that happens with many artistic showdowns, because sex appeal sells and technique is only a part of what people what to see.
Of course America got it right. The voters make stars not judges. The paying public makes stars not critics. And it will always be that way. And it should be.
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7-29-2008 @ 7:42PM
Mittens said...
Her name is spelled Chelsie, not Chelsea.
I believe the top four will be made up of Chelsie, Katee, Joshua, and Twitch. Courtney might be in there, but hopefully not Mark. I don't think Mark is as good with all of the styles as Joshua and Twitch are. Chelsie, as a ballroom dancer, has done magnificently on just about every piece she's performed, whether it was ballroom or hip hop or contemporary. Katee has done brilliantly as well. In terms of dancing ability, I think Katee is the best candidate. However, I'm not sure her personality is good enough to let her win. Both Twitch and Joshua have the personalities and abilities to pull through. There really is no clear-cut winner, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see.
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7-30-2008 @ 10:47AM
Dottie said...
Inasmuch as talent has very little to do with the voting and final outcome, anyone could win. I think it is sad the public cannot understand the goods and bads of dancing and elect to vote on popularity. Happened with Benjie; he should not have won. The other young man (can't remember his name) was a FAR better dancer, but Benjie won the hearts of the voters who, I assume, were mostly girls.
Popularity will only take you so far in the big, bad world. There has to be a strong talent there, also. IMHO, Mark and Courtney can go, and the winner can be any of the other four.
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7-31-2008 @ 11:46AM
lesley gillman said...
this link said I could WATCH episode I missed last night 7/30/08 where can I SEE the full episode?
thanks
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