(S05E13) Tyce DiOrio joined the judging panel this week, which saw a lot less filler (THANK GOD!) because each of our remaining six couples had two dances each to get through. We also were advised that this would be the last week that the current couples would remain intact.It was a good showcase of the remaining talent on the stage, as well as confirming that this is one of the stronger top twelves we've seen. Once we get down to eight or so, thing are going to get really crazy. Of course, I say that while at the same time thinking that a front-runner has established him or herself already.
Melissa & Ade
"Move On Up," Destination (Disco, Doriana Sanchez)
For as strong as this couple has proven to be, this felt a little frantic to me. You could see them working at the dance, which took me right out of the performance. They even blew the ending. All in all, I thought it was a hot mess, despite what the judges said.
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Mary J. Blige (Waltz, Ron Montez)
Thankfully, this was their second dance, as it was a tremendous improvement on the show opener. Ade was impressively strong, and Melissa had every bit of her classically trained grace and beauty in movement. Ade didn't handle the steps across the floor as well as Melissa, but they redeemed themselves.
Kayla & Kupono
"Gravity," Sarah Bareilles (Contemporary, Mia Michaels)
That was a goosebumps moment. Michaels nailed this story of addiction. Kayla just blew me away as the harrowed addict, while Kupono was perfectly sinister. The characterization was astonishing. Every moment awe-inspiring.
"The Dance at the Gym," West Side Story (Broadway, Joey Dowling)
I didn't feel the story of true love as much as Dowling may have wanted me to. It was odd considering how strongly they portrayed their roles in the prior dance. The dancing wasn't as strong as I would have liked; there's an energy in Broadway that was lacking for me. The steps were appropriately performed, though.
Caitlin & Jason
"Minnie the Moocher," Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Foxtrot, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin)
I found myself drawn to this performance, and couldn't take my eyes off the elegant beauty of those lifts. Cailtin was far and away the stronger performer in this one, flowing with grace through the steps between the lifts, as well.
"Show Me Heaven," Maria McKee (Lyrical Jazz, Mandy Moore)
This was just effortlessly performed, and yet it was so much harder than it was made to look. I thought the chemistry between the two was much stronger than the judges did; this was a great showcase for their talent.
Jeanine & Phillip
"Kalinka," Barynya (Russian Folk Dance, Youri Nelzine & Lilia Babenko)
Jeanine handled this pretty well, but Phillip was clearly struggling. The whole dance seemed to be choreographed at about two thirds tempo which wound up making both dancers less than impressive. A few acceptable moments, but overall not good enough.
"Stuff Like That There," Bette Midler (Jive, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin)
Better than the first number by a large margin, Phillip handled the lifts very well. It was a fun piece and I was surprised with how well Phillip handled it; Jeanine I expected amazing from. I was thinking him gone this week, but I'm not so sure now.
Randi & Evan
"Halo," Beyonce (Hip-Hop, Tabitha D'umo & Napoleon D'umo)
I loved the choreography better than I loved the performers, and I liked them, too. Both dancers were a little out of their element, so Tabitha & Napoleon kept the moves within their league. Overall, it was well done, and their overwhelming cuteness made it just adorable to watch.
"Ritmo De Bum Bom," Jababa (Samba, Anya Garnis & Pasha Kovalev)
Again, there was something missing in this performance, but I'm not sure I can place my finger on what it was. They're still cutie pies, but they didn't give the passionate performance this style demands.
Janette & Brandon
"Libertango," Forever Tango (Argentine Tango, Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo)
I think we all expected this to be amazing considering who was dancing it. Janette in her style and Brandon ... well, dancing. And it was as strong and impressive as I expected. Every movement was as close to perfection as I've seen on this show (and I wrote that before Nigel nearly mimicked my words -- BASTARD!).
"Ruby Blue," Roisin Murphy (Jazz, Wade Robson)
The level of commitment and energy that these two put into every performance puts almost all the other couples to shame. They just throw everything into it all the time. Amazingly, they have amazing technique to go with it, and they nailed this one, as well.
SUMMARY
Janette & Brandon are kind of running away with the whole competition, and tonight almost sealed the deal, particularly Brandon. I don't know the bottom three, as it's half of them. Clearly Phillip & Jeanine and Evan & Randi had the roughest night, but so many of the couples who had a bad performance balanced it out with a better one. I don't know what America will do.
Any thoughts on who might not make it into the next round?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-09-2009 @ 7:10AM
Xina said...
One thing. Melissa and Ade didn't blow the ending of their disco number! Come on...she slipped, and then recovered nicely. She didn't sit on the floor like a stooge, or start crying...she got up and gave us a little pose, and Ade was right there for her. Even the best dancers have issues on occasion, to say that they blew the ending...ridiculous.
Phillip and Jeanine-that Russian Folk thing was a joke. After Twitch and Joshua's last year...this was like my two little boys playing around in the yard.
Caitlin and Jason-just not doing it for me.
Evan and Randi-their Hip Hop routine worked for them. She is just too darn happy to pull off a street vibe, but their samba was the issue for me. I don't think she committed at all! Her booty didn't quite shake, her chest didn't quite pop all the way. And Evan looked like a little boy playing dress up.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Wade Robson's choreography. And the pair really pulled it off with grace, style and flair.
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7-09-2009 @ 7:37AM
Lisa said...
Brandon & Janette, wow, I don't know the technical details of ballroom but when they finished that Argentine Tango I just stared at the TV and said 'flawless' and then they gave us the icing on that cake with the help of the genius that is Wade Robson...now that is showing how to give it your all. The rest were good if not great at times but the aforementioned stole the show.
I think Melissa is our departing 'gull' and I think Philip's number might be up.
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7-09-2009 @ 8:11AM
laura said...
First of all disco is supposed to be "frantic" and it was amazing. Second they didnt blow the ending, her shoes slipped and they recovered nicely, blowing the ending would be her not even getting into that position in the first place or falling and not getting up.
Jason and Caitlin have NO chemistry and play to the audience only, not eachother thats why I cannot stand them.
Kupono and Kayla on their second dance faltered because Kupono cant fake falling in love with a girl, no matter how good his acting skills might be.
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7-09-2009 @ 10:09AM
Sarah said...
i didn't think the Russian dance was that bad. i could totally see the whole school yard vibe. it was cute, although it had me wanting more.
i think i watch Brandon and Janette's Tango three times. it was so good, it was almost on par with the professional Tango we saw earlier in the season. it was that good.
i also loved Kayla and Kupono's contemporary piece. and even though Randi and Evan had an off night, they are still my fav couple.
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7-09-2009 @ 10:56AM
am_hollitz said...
This is the first season I've watched the show, so I'm not sure how far the judges will whittle down the contestants (do they crown one guy and one girl or just one person overall?)
Anyway, I think Brandon is a lock to win on the men's side, and Kayla and Janette will have a dance to the death with Kayla being victorious (I love Janette, but like Tyce said, being a good dancer means being a good actor, and Kayla edges out Janette just slightly in this way.)
If they ultimately crown only one person, it'll be Kayla.
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7-09-2009 @ 1:24PM
MarcDom7 said...
They crown one final winner, man or woman, who got the highest votes. What constitutes second place in this show is a bit more pseudo-controversial, but 2nd place definitely gets a cash prize (and third place as well if it's pretty clear that they, like Twitch last season, got more votes than the "best girl").
7-09-2009 @ 11:03AM
Robert said...
As much as I'm sick of Phillip, there's no way he's not going through to the next round. The producers totally want him to be in the top 10 for the tour. It's obvious that even when he sucks, they don't say anything profoundly negative to him. I don't care if he hasn't had training in other styles, most of the other dancers haven't either.
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7-09-2009 @ 4:33PM
Sarah said...
not necessarily. they made special provisions for Sara and Hok to perform in their season's tour. they opened up alternate positions for them and if Philip were to go this week, i am sure they'd do the same for this season's tour.
7-09-2009 @ 11:44AM
Lisa said...
Wade Robson has been my favorite choreographer since season one, and last night he did not disappoint! Janette and Brandon danced this piece wonderfully! I was previously a big Randi fan, but I think both her performances fell short last night. I'm also a big Mia Michaels fan, but wasn't crazy about her piece last night. I thought Caitlyn and Jason's Mandy Moore's jazz lyrical piece was phenomenal; I was surprised the judge's didn't agree!
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7-09-2009 @ 2:01PM
Jessica said...
I have been surprised a few times at the bottom 3 this season. This week's bottom three will be Kupono and Kayla, Phillip and Jeanine, and Caitlin and Jason. The people going home will be Caitlin and Jason.
Mia Michael's number was so emotionally moving. I loved it and watched it a couple of times. Mia annys the crap out of me, but you can't deny her talent for choreography. I hope she wins an Emmy for that number.
Both of Janette and Brandon's numbers were perfection. I just sat there and said wow through the whole Argentine Tango routine. Wade is a fav for me.
The Russian folk dance was boring, too disjointed - didn't flow for me. It could have been exciting because Phillip and Jeanine are strong dancers. Their second number surprised me. Phillip did better than I thought and I hoped the judges would give him some credit for that.
Randi and Evan seemed off. The Hip Hop number was not as good as it could have been and their last number was way to stiff. If you saw Pasha doing some of the moves in rehearsal, he was loose but precise. Not enough flexibility in the hips, shoulders or back.
Kupono and Kayla did a great job of both performances, especially the addiction number. Though the second lacked the emotional connection they were suppose to have. I too don't think Kupono could pretend to have love at first sight for a woman.
Adae and Melissa were so good last night. They always are. Adae the manly stong guy and Melissa the gracefully, sweet gal. They are perfect partners. Adae is so freakin' handsome.
Jason and Caitlin did a great job executing their routines. However, they haven't had the chemistry the other couples share. They have been together since the beginning. Kayla and Kupono had it right off the first count of 8. Caitlin is a beautiful dancer and Jason is strong and talented. Sadly, I think they are going home.
Who thinks this season belongs to the women? They are all very good, so talented, amazing. Adae and Brandon are the male standouts. Overall the strongest and most talented dancers to chasse across the SYTYCD floor ever.
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7-09-2009 @ 4:23PM
Sarah said...
i do think this season belongs to the women. i noticed a lot last night that the female side of each couple, with the exception of Brandon and Janette, got more props than the male partner. that being said, none of the female talent stacked together compares to Brandon alone.
7-09-2009 @ 2:46PM
Dave said...
I strongly doubt that Philip would drop out of college to go on the tour - not gonna happen!
Although Kayla is probably prettier and a stronger dancer, Jeanine always holds my attention. She's been my favorite all season, and now she get's props for her dancing too:o)
Either Evan or Jason will go for the guys, Randi or Caitlin for the girls.
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7-09-2009 @ 3:28PM
La-Di-Dah said...
Janette's my fave currently. As I understand it, ballroom's not her style because salsa isn't ballroom, but even if salsa is close to a. tango or cha cha, she brings an added sexy appeal and skill (and attitude) that makes her admirable. Go Janette!
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7-09-2009 @ 6:25PM
Val said...
I dislike Mia Michaels immensely but the dance she choreographed was wonderful I must admit. Kupono's performance was so great I had to rewind and watch it again he did a superb job..
I rarely get what Wade Robson does and believe most everything he choreographs will win a duo a trip to the bottom 3. He did well today, easily my second favorite dance of the evening.
Phillip is a joke.. Judges blamed a lot on the choreographers but I suspect that they had to dumb it down because PHILLIP CANT DANCE!(hip-hop excluded) Thank goodness Jeanine will get another partner net week Phil is holding her back.
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7-09-2009 @ 9:45PM
CC said...
No way - Melissa and Ade blew the ending. The ending is the most important part of a performance because it's the last thing you remember! And she did not cover it well, as the judges said. She slipped but they should have secured that ending. You can't just think "oh, the piece is over" before it's done.
I still think there's a conspiracy when it comes to picking styles (and therefore, choreographers) - who in the world thought Russian folk dance would be a good idea when there is never any folk dance on the show? And Nigel mentioned Joshua and Twitch's Russian piece last year - that was not the same style.
They go on and on about never having a ballerina on the show before - they've never had a folk dancer (of whatever culture/country) on the show! That would be even more unique!
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7-11-2009 @ 11:30PM
Ann said...
I would think it would be possible for Tyce DiOrio to have much more meaniful and intelligent comments besides "frigin" to make. I was put off by his comments last night. I thought he needed to be bleeped. To me it shows his lack of respect and immaturity.
There is no definition for frigin, it is only a nasty slang word!
If the program wants to be professional it needs to act professional!!!!!!
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