Tapeworthy: SYTYCD8 & SYTYCDC4

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 8 - Top 14 Results, Top 12 Performances - Eps. - 813-814
Judges (Top 14): Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Carmen Electra, Travis Wall
Judges (Top 12): Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sonya Tayeh

So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Season 4 - Top 22 Performances - Ep. 406
Judges: Jean-Marc Généreux, Tré Armstrong, Luther Brown, Mary Murphy, Blake McGrath

So I've been a little busy, plus CTV is trying to kill me with 2 versions of the show running simultaneously, with an episode running Monday thru Thursday so I can barely keep up anymore.

And while I was originally annoyed at the Canadian version for starting so early, now that I've seen the Top 22 perform, I think I'm more excited with the Canadian version than I am with the current US version that's running. While the US dancers are good, with the exception of Marko and Melanie, I haven't been truly excited about anyone in recent weeks (especially since they kicked off Nick and Iveta).

Other interesting notes, with both versions now running at the same time, it's even easier to compare, and like I've said before, the camerawork on the US version just pales to the Canadian cameramen. It's funny that the US version seems to have upped their judges to 4 now so of course, the Canadian version has now upped it to 5 (with both panels having Mary Murphy, who somehow manages to be in LA and Toronto for each week's tapings).

And lets face it, the Canadian judges are far more annoying than the US judges, and no one can top Cat Deeley, but the dancers and choreographers in Canada are generally better. (Though if Marko and Melanie immigrated, we'd have a fantastic set of dancers). Can we also take Cat too?

So I didn't have time to blog last week's results show but basically Ashley and Chris got kicked off. It was about Chris' time, but I feel Ashley got dragged down with a sinking ship. Meanwhile, the judges kept bottom 3 Ryan and Ricky yet again, and while I recognize that they are spectacular technical dancers, and manage to play their dance roles with passion, there seems to be a disconnect that I can't pinpoint, but I think many other people also notice.

Top 14 Group Dance
Style: Bollywood
Choreographed by: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: "Kata Kata" from Raavan
Seriously, can Bollywood NOT look fun?

Dance for your Lives from Chris, Jordan, Tadd, Ryan and Ricky (and missing Ashley's solo):

Meanwhile, last night's Canadian results:

Top 22 Group Dance
Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Luther Brown
Song: "On the Floor" - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
Not usually a Luther choreo fan but this is probably one of his best, probably because he uses what he's got and lets the dancers show off their specialties.

My Predictions from Top 22 Canadian Performances:
Should Go Home: Sadly, I guess I'll say Lauren and JP by default? Even though both are excellent dancers?
Bottom 3 Couples:
Geisha and Adam A.
Carlena and Boneless
Cassandra and François
Will Go Home: Geisha and Adam A.

I was partially right:
Bottom 3 was actually:
Geisha and Adam A.
Cassandra and François
Lauren and Rodrigo

And while I thought they would send Lauren or Geisha and Adam A home, I was surprised they sent Cassandra home instead, while I wasn't surprised they sent poor Adam A. home, but with another chance next year since they admitted that he shouldn't have danced with his injury on performance night.

Cause lets admit it, he was a terrific dancer but he probably wasn't cast in the first place because he's a bit short. Right? Cause his dancing skills, even with an injury, were superb.

So I'm a little short on time so my notes are pretty quick this week:

Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost
Dance #1
Style: Paso Doble
Choreographed by: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Song: "Alley Dash/March of the Trolls" - Taylor Long/Rick Powell
Grade - Dance: B
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B+

Paso Doble is not easy but I thought Alex upped his game just in time. Always loved Sasha but I'm starting to forget she's still around and I'm not sure that's a good sign.

Great attempt, mostly well done, but I'm just not that excited enough about this to write any more.

Here's the video of Sasha and Alexander's Paso Doble:

Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang
Dance #1
Style: Contemporary
Choreographed by: Travis Wall
Song: "Brotsjór" - Ólafur Arnalds
Grade - Dance: B
Grade - Boy: B+
Grade - Girl: B+

A decent dance but not one of Travis' best, and while I thought it was well danced, the moment it was over and the judges started speaking, I already forgot what I just watched.

Well executed but lacking that extra sparkle that Jordan and Tadd usually have, or what a great dance makes.

Here's the video of Jordan and Tadd's Contemporary

Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime
Dance #1
Style: Broadway
Choreographed by: Spencer Liff
Song: "All I Need is The Girl" - Frank Sinatra
Grade - Dance:C+
Grade - Girl: B-
Grade - Boy: B-

Didn't love the dance at all and felt it was kind of a bland choreography danced with Ryan and Ricky's usual technical aptitude but without any spirit. The judges note them for that but Sonya, bless her heart, doesn't excuse the dancers for lacking spirit with poor material, as dancers should be giving it their all no matter what they are given.

Love Spencer, he's so pretty, but he's usually much better than this.

Here's the video of Ryan and Ricky's Broadway:

Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly
Dance #1
Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Christopher Scott
Song: "Break the Chain - Lupe Fiasco feat. Eric Turner and Sway
Grade - Dance: C
Grade - Girl: B-
Grade - Boy: C+

What the hell was that? I'm loving Caitlynn, and I respect her attempt, but it was just no. But it was better and harder hitting than Mitchell (who is usually much better than this). But the routine itself, with it's dark message about Uganda or something in Africa and clit faces and fuck frogs and such seemed totally out of place and out of spirit. Caitlynn and Mitchell didn't really have much of a chance, and they couldn't even fudge their way around the hip-hopping.

Here's the video of Caitlynn and Mitchell's Hip-Hop:

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar
Dance #1
Style: Tango
Choreographed by: Louis Van Amster
Song: "Triptico" - Gotan Project
Grade - Dance: B+
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B

Ok, that final flip was amazing, but I thought this was the first time Marko and Melanie weren't as great as they usually were. Nigel thought they did a tremendous job but I thought it looked shaky and less confidence.

They managed to convey the attitude and on quick glance, it could have been convincing, but overall, this is probably their worst performance yet.

Here's the video of Melanie and Marko's Tango:

Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto
Dance #1
Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Christopher Scott
Song: "Just The Way You Are" - Boyce Avenue
Grade - Dance: A
Grade - Boy: A
Grade - Girl: A-

First off, I love this version of the song. Who is this Boyce Avenue?

Loved the dance, loved it all except for that frightening picture at the end.

Jess has been slowly winning me over week after week and I think this is the dance that finally puts me over and he is officially on my good side. No fence anymore.

Clarice has such a beauty in her dancing and while I feel she hasn't been as consistent, I thought she did a wonderful job here.

Here's the video of Clarice and Jess' Lyrical Hip-Hop:

Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost
Dance #2
Style: Jazz
Choreographed by: Tyce DiOrio
Song: "That's Life" - Aretha Franklin
Grade - Dance: B-
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B

I first saw this at the gym and watched it from the halfway point, and I thought it was a total mess. Then I found out who choreo'd and it all made sense.

Re-watching it didn't really help, and yet the judges heap praise on Tyce's choreo again and I'm mystified.

I thought Alex and Sasha did a fine job, but I was nowhere near as excited as the judges were about this. Alex definitely upped his game this week but I've already partially written him off, and I feel like he's pulling Sasha down with him.

Here's the video of Sasha and Alexander's Jazz:
Coming Soon

Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang
Dance #2
Style: Broadway
Choreographed by: Spencer Liff
Song: "Out Tonight" - Daphne Ruben Vega from Rent (Original Cast Recording)
Grade - Dance: C+
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B+

The judges skirted around the issue but basically called out Spencer for another bad routine, but they partially blamed the dancers for the lack of pizzazz but while I didn't think it was amazing either, I thought they did a pretty good job with what they were given.

I didn't really get Nigel's comment about it needing to be quirkier. Has he not seen Rent?

Here's the video of Jordan and Tadd's Broadway:

Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime
Dance #2
Style: Cha-Cha-Cha
Choreographed by: Louis Van Amstel
Song: "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" - Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris
Grade - Dance: A-
Grade - Girl: B
Grade - Boy: B+

I thought Ricky far outperformed Ryan here in the footwork, though when Ryan has to do that showgirl thing, she's really good at keeping that smile during her movements. Which may also be the reason why she seems annoying in her dancing. Too fake.

Here's the video of Ryan and Ricky's Cha-Cha-Cha:

Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly
Dance #2
Style: Jazz
Choreographed by: Travis Wall
Song: "Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Grade - Dance: A-
Grade - Girl: A-
Grade - Boy: A-

Thank goodness they had a second dance to prove that they're basically just behind Marko and Melanie. Simply superb dancing in a nice routine by Travis (that also makes up for his earlier blander routine).

Here's the video of Caitlynn and Mitchell's Jazz:

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar
Dance #2
Style: Contemporary
Choreographed by: Dee Caspary
Song: "Skin & Bones" - David J. Roch
Grade - Dance: A
Grade - Boy: A
Grade - Girl: A

Oh thank god the perfection of Marko and Melanie are back again. Thank goodness for Dance #2. Sadly though, together for the last time (until the finals I'm guessing).

Here's the video of Melanie and Marko's Contemporary:

1 comment:

DuchessKitty12:57 p.m., July 14, 2011
What happened to my boyfriend Spencer Liff?! Both of his routines last night, especially the one for Jordan & Tadd set to my most hated song from Rent, were really lacking. Spencer's choreography is usually so dynamic.
I also felt let down a little by Chris Scott's routines. I definitely liked the lyrical hip-hop he did for Jess & Clarice better then his "dying kids in the Congo" one, but overall I felt bad for everyone concerned over how blah their routines were.
Thank god for Louis Van Amstel.

Tapeworthy

Thursday, July 14, 2011

SYTYCD8 & SYTYCDC4 - Free Trade

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