So You Think You Can Dance - Higher Expectations

So You Think You Can Dance - Top 18 Results - The Cut from 18 to 16 - Ep. 509
Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Guest Judge: Lil C

So I rewatched last nights episode and I think I enjoyed Vitolio and Asuka's performance more than I gave them credit for. Just wanted to say that before I moved on.

And again, I've reposted (below) the little panel chat we had about last night's Top 18 performance. This week we also welcomed Brian from Stinkylulu to join me, LowResJoe, and ABChau while TwoP Lauren S sits out this week.

Top 18 Group Dance
Style: Contemporary
Choreographed by: Mia Michaels
Song: "Higher Ground" - Stevie Wonder



I wish they showed Mia Michaels schooling Brandon!

My Predictions from last night:
Bottom Three Couples: Asuka and Vitolio, Caitlin and Jason, Kayla and Max (I think Kupono fans may save Ashley and Kupono, as will Philip fans save his team)
Going Home: Asuka and Vitolio

The bottom three were actually, Caitlin and Jason (yup), Kayla and Max (yup) and Ashley and Kupono (guess I was wrong).
Wow, so I guess Asuka and Vitolio won't be going home and I predicted totally wrong there. It's going to be hard here because here are three good pairs that had kinda sucky nights (two with Hip-Hop). Well, and in the case of Kayla and Max, I think bad wardrobe did them in.

The "Dance for Your Lives" Solos

Caitlin Kinney
Song: "Make You Feel My Love" - Adele
Grade: A-

Wow, smart play Caitlin smart play. Nice choice of song which suckered me in, and then a nice balance of tricks and emotional thrusting.






Jason Glover
Song: "Superman" - Robin Thicke
Grade: A-

Well played Jason too! Well played! I actually really liked some of the smaller transition moments between his big tricks and thought they were a nice touch.




Ashley Valerio
Song: "By Your Side" - Coco Rosie
Grade: A-

Thinking back to her crash test dummy, then her here, she really can transform herself to different types and I still haven't pegged her down. Which actually bodes well for her as a performance artist and actually a great thing. Which probably also explains why I keep forgetting about her but keeping getting re-wowed everytime I see her dance.


Kupono Aweau
Song: "Many Moons" - Janelle Monáe
Grade: B+

Much like Mark (I keep saying that everytime I comment on Kupono don't I?), his solo has less tricks but more weird choreography to fit his personality. I can dig it, though maybe my memories have built them up but I think I preferred Mark's solo's still.


Kayla Radomski
Song: "Walking On Air" - Kerli
Grade: B-

Considering she probably performed the best (of the bottom 3 girls) last night, she kinda had the worst solo and relied on jumping across the stage over and over again.





Maksim Kapitannikov
Song: "Footloose" - Kenny Loggins
Grade: B

It was footloose and free. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it and I like him but I think I liked a few previous Russian ballroom dancers more (Pasha! Dmitry!)

Here's the video of Caitlin, Jason, Ashley and Kupono's solo's:

Here's the video of Kayla and Max's solo's:


So my guess would be that both Kayla and Max would go just from the solos... BUT...

in the end, the judges decide to cut:
Ashley Valerio.
ACK, just as I was starting to love her.

And:
Maksim Kapitannikov, which is sort of less of a surprise, especially now that we correlate him with a dancing Kevin Spacey.

Which now means Kupono will be dancing with Kayla next week.

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And here is Brian from Stinkylulu, LowResJoe, ABChau and I chatting about the Top 18 Performance night:

This week, in the interests of clarity and flow, I'm going to break up the convo by performance, and as always, out picks for the best and worst of the night are at the bottom. Let's go!

VANCE: So apparently this season may be a great season but none of them can really do Hip Hop justice. On the other hand, it wasnt even near the worst hip-hops we've seen on this show. Or maybe I was just being nice this week because It thought overall people did alright.

Caitlin and Jason could have done better. Philip and Jeanine could have done better. Kupono and Ashley could have done better. Vitolio and Asuka could have done better, but for 2nd week it wasn't all that bad IMHO.

That being said, one of those groups (or Kayla and Max only because of their hideous costumes apparently to match Brian's usual wardrobe) are going home (though I'm guessing Philip is safe just cause he's Philip and either Kupono or Jason will save their teams from bottom 3).

Now the biggest thing I want to talk about? Jonathan and Karla's redemption. Did I not say last week that Karla had SOMETHING and I liked her for SOME reason? Plus now I feel justified in my cougar crush on Jonathan. (Plus, CDN Stacey Tookey as choreographer!!! WHADDUP! EH!?) Oh, and Melissa and Ade totally rocked it again!

JOE: Okay, let's take this couple by couple, shall we? Let's start by answering some questions. Like did you think Evan would have been a better fit than he was for the jive (or do you think he WAS a great fit)? And doesn't Randi look like Kellie Pickler's slightly smarter cousin?


Randi and Evan
Jive (Louis van Amstel)

BRIAN: Hmmm. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Randi had a relative or two in the big house. But she mostly reminds me of that one really bossy cheerleader, the one who got pregnant or busted or something so she had to quit the squad before the end of junior year. I loves me my little munchkin Evan. And I get it that he wasn't perfect on the jive, but methinks they raked him a little too hard (though it probably got his fanbase riled to call like crazy).

JOE: This one one of a few routines tonight where I couldn't help but think of a routine last season that was much better (in this case, Chelsie and Gev's jive). I think the judges were pretty much right in their criticism, but Evan did impress me with some of those high kicks he threw in there.

AB CHAO: Eh. They were ok. I think I am feeling like this about the whole season thus far. It doesn't seem like these people have any charisma, or something. Also, the lack of hip-hop skills is REALLY getting to me. I'm so depressed.


Melissa and Ade
Jazz (Sonya Tayeh)

BRIAN: Still can't get excited about Melissa. Something too too labored about every gesture, like the choreography is a very heavy sweater or something. And that costume. Good-NESS. She was all shocking pink and pasty white, which made Ade's darker berryness disappear a little. Ade seems to be really good, though I just feel this is the least apt pairing of the season.

JOE: I have to disagree on these two, who are fast becoming my favorite pair (give or take a Kupono/Ashley). There's a danger with Sonya's choreography that you're gonna get swallowed up by the weirdness (Kourtni/Matt did last season, Courtney/Mark did not), but these two really made their mark. And Ade may be the rare Dance guy who can go shirtless without making it seem show-offy or desperate.

AB Chao: I should say no one has charisma EXCEPT Ade. He has charisma, and is hot. The routine itself was pretty good, and I do like crazy Sonya. They did it justice; I didn't love it.


Caitlin and Jason
Hip-Hop (Shane Sparks)

BRIAN: I like Caitlin. I love Jason. I could care less about Shane. What I admired so much about Caitlin and Jason last week was how astutely they learned -- because of Nakul's thorough guidance -- the style and the choreography of Bollywood dance. I sometimes wonder if choreographers for certain styles (hiphop and contemporary, especially) just can't be bothered to babystep the dancers into their style (like almost all the ballroom and novelty folk do). Not all choreographers are good teachers and, this week, it seems Shane's limits as a mentor were really exposed.

JOE: Weak sauce all around, from Caitlin, Jason, and even Shane, who put together something that felt like one of Napoleon/Tabitha's more watery routines. I worry that it's been two weeks now and I still don't have much of a handle on Jason. At least Caitlin can hold on to her fragile emotionality (that she kept admirably under control this week).

AB CHAO: I think these two are really in danger of going home. The whole thing was sort of awful, and I was trying to like it REALLY BAD. Because, as you know, Shane is my boyfriend. But yeah, I thought he did soft-pedal the choreography, and it felt like poor man's Tabitha & Napoleon.


Janette and Brandon
Disco (Doriana Sanchez)

VANCE: I still think Brandon looks slightly uncomfortable in his partnership but overall is was excellent and while I always forget who Janette is, I find myself mesmerized be her on the dancefloor.

BRIAN: Yes, the lifts were impressive and, yes, it was very, very fast...but I honestly didn't think Brandon was all that good in this one. He maintained the kinetic energy of the ridiculously difficult choreography but lost the disco smoothness along the way. This routine, though, stirred my first bit of real enthusiasm for Janette.

AB CHAO: I'm just going to put it out on front street, here: I hate Brandon. I'm sorry, but I do. Does that make me a Mia? I think it might. I do not care. I do not like him. Fail, etc. Jeanette is ok, but I can't see past Brandon to like her. Maybe when she gets a different partner, eventually? Man, I feel bad about my attitude. Whatever: HATE!

JOE: Yeah, I'm with Anna Beth in really not caring for Brandon at all, but this routine was, I thought, phenomenal. Hard, fast, show-offy disco, and the both of them pretty much bowled me over with energy. Did it turn me around on Brandon going forward? Maybe not. But this week he's def on my good side.


Asuka and Vitolio
Waltz (Louis van Amstel)

VANCE: I think they sold it with their efforts more than their steps but again, it wasn't that bad, but in the end, might have been one of the worst of the night and I think these two might be in danger tonight.

BRIAN: First off, it's only fair that I confess: I. LOVE. VITOLIO. I don't exactly have a crush, but I do think he's terribly underrated thus far and that he's one of the most quirkily telegenic of anyone this season (even without the backstory). I basically feel about Vitolio the way I felt about Mark and Gev at this point last season -- worried that his distinctiveness won't be appreciated by the callers. It's really too bad, then, that he's been paired with probably the least "likable" dancer of the season in Asuka. That said, Asuka gave an effective, accessible performance tonight and Vitolio was good (even though that costume looked like one of Bea Arthur's "Maude" pantsuits).

AB CHAO: These two cuties were one of my favorite couples last night, but that is probably because I love to cry. And they did make me cry, because, you know, HE'S AN ORPHAN. And I felt that in The Dance. Technically, yeah, it was just all right, but y'all know I went on that emotional journey with them. Also, Vitolio is totally one of my favorites, but I am scared no one else likes him as much. Probably, they just don't understand him like I do.

JOE: These two just bore the hell out of me, and I couldn't even get it up for Vitolio's waltzed depiction of personal pain. This was the second routine of the night that paled in comparison with a season 4 number (Twitch and Kherington's fancy-pants waltz), and I would not at all be surprised to see them in the Bottom 3 again (though after the personal story and Mary's tears I sincerely doubt Vitolio's going anywhere).


Kayla and Max
Pop-Jazz (Brian Friedman)

VANCE: I couldn't really concentrate on the dancing here because I was so horrified by the outfits.

BRIAN: The Russian ballroom boys always squick me out a little bit and Max is no exception. (And I really wish Nigel hadn't made the Kevin Spacey connection. I now can't help but see Max as the Muppet Babies version of La Spacey.) But, even with his hairless pits and those girlicious harem pants, I thought Max was really good in this routine -- the routine I think I liked best of the night. Kayla, too, was really strong and somehow made that feather fart of an outfit work. But she was nowhere near as astonishing as she was last week, and the wild overpraising by the judges is setting her up for a backlash sooner rather than later.

AB CHAO: I don't even remember this routine. I do remember their scary, scary outfits. Max does look like Kevin Spacey, though I'm not sure I would be taking that as a compliment.

JOE: I thought it was a super-fun rendition of a bizarre dance, but I'm with Brian that the constant over-praise is ultimately not going to do Kayla any favors.


Jonathan and Karla
Contemporary (Stacy Tookey)

VANCE: My fave of the night and the big surprise of the night. Plus give it up to Stacey Tookey! AND Mary Murphy for knowing "Falling Slowly" was an Academy Award winning song and not some "obscure" song no one knows (shakes head at Kara). (Granted, I'm sure someone fed this to Mary or Mary did her research beforehand but at least someone did that.)

AB CHAO: I agree with everything Vance said about this, down to being happy Mary knew what the song was. Last week I was mad that Karla didn't go home, and now she is one of my favorites. I'm so glad I finally like a girl. I was beginning to think it would never happen. Jonathan is a cute little thing, isn't he? He was awesome too.

JOE: After seeing the judges fall all over themselves praising this, I actually rewound back and watched it again. For whatever reason, I was unimpressed with it the first time, but now I definitely see it as a strong routine. Jonathan moves very naturally for contemporary.

BRIAN: Utterly blah. I found myself looking past the dancers to enjoy Stacey Tookey's excellent choreography. Jonathan seems sweet in a simple-ish way, kinda like David Archuleta in shiny pants, but I remain overwhelmingly underwhelmed by both his dance skills ad his stage presence. Karla appears to be entirely capable though I can still barely remember her.


Phillip and Jeanine
Tango (Tony Meredith)

VANCE: Not as hot of a mess as it could have been but it still felt like two kids learning the steps and doing their darndest to perform it.

AB CHAO: Man. Poor Philip. He was trying so hard, and it was really kind of painful to watch. I thought Jeanine did a great job of buoying him, though, and without her it probably would have been a lot worse.

BRIAN: Not good. Not awful. But just not good.

JOE: Not good, though I'm glad Jeanine was spared. I really hope that while Philip gets a pass for sucking at ballroom, the contemporary dancers get a pass for not doing as well as they could on hip-hop. Which brings me to...


Ashley and Kupono
Hip-Hop (Shane Sparks)

VANCE: Love them more than their dancing this week.

AB CHAO: I love these two. I think they are great partners. Kupono is also my boyfriend. However, this sucked. I actually felt kind of sorry for Shane because both of his routines got panned so hard. He looked so despondent when they cut to him that second time. Buck up, Sparks! There is always next time, until they fire you!

JOE: Okay, it seems I'm the only one, but I rather liked this routine. I thought they both hit it reasonably hard, the energy was up, I thought it was miles better than Caitlin and Jason's routine. If they end up in the bottom three with, say, Asuka/Vitolio and Philip/Jeanine, I will be very interested to see which guy they send home. And by "interested," I mean "dismayed," because it will obviously be Kupono. At this point, I think I have to pull for Jason's ouster.

BRIAN: For someone I hadn't even noticed before the Top20 were announced, Ashley's becoming more and more impressive each time I see her. And, while Lil C's critique of Kupono seemed spot on, I don't see their performance as the insulting disaster that the judges accused it of being. And perhaps I'm feeling a little defensive regarding Kupono (because me loves him me do), but I'm already weary of the panel accusing him of being not manly enough.
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JOE: Finally, most importantly, thoughts on guest judge Lil' C? And all the choreographers, really. Like, for example, how I'm already completely in love with Brian Friedman's face?

BRIAN: I miss Friedman's crazy curly hair.

VANCE: Lil C? Love him. Love his critical speak.

BRIAN: I almost like Lil C. He seems fairly smart and has a good eye. But his smartyparty word shtick grates. Especially when he uses those big fancy words incorrectly. And I'm not sure what to think of Mary's growing irritation with him. All for show? Or something else?

JOE: I had noticed that -- Mary has a real grudge against him, doesn't she? You'll remember she never really flipped out in Vegas re: Brandon until Lil C co-signed Mia. What's her deal there? If her Botoxed face were more expressive, maybe I could get some context clues, but alas.

AB CHAO: Lil' C is probably my favorite judge. I think it's because I, too, have given birth to progress, and my progress baby helps me create clarity from chaos. When he uses all those big words incorrectly, it merely aids me in my journey to becoming a dominant submissive. Also, that I am quite buck.

JOE: I think Lil C -- along with Mia -- might be my favorite judge too! He IS the beginning of my progression. Every day.

AB CHAO: It makes me happy to see that you feel the same way about Lil' C. I say we get together and make a loquacious, adjectastic progression baby.


TOP 3 PERFORMANCES
AB Chao: Karla/Jonathan; Asuka/Vitolio; Melissa/Ade

Brian: Max/Kayla; Asuka/Vitolio; Brandon/Jeanette

Vance: Karla/Jonathan; Melissa/Ade; Brandon/Jeanette

Joe: Melissa/Ade; Brandon/Jeanette; Max/Kayla

LEAST FAVORITE:
AB Chao: Caitlin/Jason

Brian: Melissa/Ade

Vance: Phillip/Jeanine (or Asuka/Vitolio)

Joe: Caitlin/Jason

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For More So You Think You Can Dance:
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So You Think You Can Dance - Season 5:

Top 18 Performance
Top 20 Performance, Top 20 Results and Panel Chat

Auditions - Vegas Week Part 2 - Top 20 Announcement, Top 20 Pictures/Panel Chat
Vegas Week Part 1
New York City, Denver, Miami, Memphis, LA, Seattle


So You Think You Can Dance Canada:
Finale
Top 8 and 6 Performances and Results, Top 4 Performances
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances and Results
Introducing Canada's Top 20
Auditions:
Toronto Week - The Cut to the Top 20
Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Montreal - West, East, Middle and Quebec
Toronto - Toronto's Best Foot Forward
The Judges, The Host, The Teaser, All Photos from CTV

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:
Finale
Top 4 Performances
Top 6 Performances and Results 6 to 4
Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20
Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics

Thanks to Rickey for the photos and videos.
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com