SYTYCD Recap: Mia Michaels Spreads The Love
Was it just me or was last night's episode of So You Think You Can Dance one of the best ever? Seriously, it was a big old love fest lead by Nigel and Mia Michaels of all people. Cat Deeley was wearing a fantastic little pink dress and I think everyone was in a great mood because of the announcement of the Dizzy Feet Foundation.
On to the dancing! This week we're looking at the highs and lows of the competition so far.
First up were Janette & Brandon with a Jean Marc and France Genereux Cha Cha. These two haven't done wrong since they got on the dance floor so there really weren't any lows in their competition.
Verdict
Us: Once again, these two are incredible. Janette was really in her element and Brandon is great at butching it up on the dance floor. The one thing I'm surprised the judges didn't dislike was his lipsynching throughout the performance.
Nigel: "I think it might possibly be THE BEST DAMN CHA CHA I have ever seen on the show!". Nigel really enjoyed Brandon in particular and thinks they are brilliant.
Mary: "I can hear a train coming. Yes, it could be the hot tamale train." "You two have two first class tickets on the hot tamale train!!! WOOOOOOOO!!! WOOOOOO! WOOOOOO!"
Mia: She knows she has scared Brandon but she was really impressed with his performance. She made him cry.
Mary Murphy Scream Count: 3
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 2
On to the dancing! This week we're looking at the highs and lows of the competition so far.
First up were Janette & Brandon with a Jean Marc and France Genereux Cha Cha. These two haven't done wrong since they got on the dance floor so there really weren't any lows in their competition.
Verdict
Us: Once again, these two are incredible. Janette was really in her element and Brandon is great at butching it up on the dance floor. The one thing I'm surprised the judges didn't dislike was his lipsynching throughout the performance.
Nigel: "I think it might possibly be THE BEST DAMN CHA CHA I have ever seen on the show!". Nigel really enjoyed Brandon in particular and thinks they are brilliant.
Mary: "I can hear a train coming. Yes, it could be the hot tamale train." "You two have two first class tickets on the hot tamale train!!! WOOOOOOOO!!! WOOOOOO! WOOOOOO!"
Mia: She knows she has scared Brandon but she was really impressed with his performance. She made him cry.
Mary Murphy Scream Count: 3
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 2
Kayla & Kupono were given a contemporary routine by my favorite, Sonya. Since both Kayla and Kupono's first partners were eliminated, that was their lowest low. Sadness. But, since they've been paired together they got put on the hot tamale train right away for their Viennese Waltz.
Verdict
Us: Sonya can pretty much do no wrong. Her music and drama are always interesting and Kayla and Kupono make the choreography look effortless. There's something really fluid about Kayla's movements that put her a cut above the rest. Also, she looked like she belongs in the band Rasputina. Kupono is just too cute for words.
Nigel: Thought Kupono was a new man. He thought the choreography and the way they danced it was fantastic. The pair is reaching their potential.
Mary: "These two are alive and kicking!" Sonya did a great job of playing to their strengths. Mary loves Kayla's legs. Everything was controlled and their chemistry together was incredible. They all love his kicks and his feet. They're staying on the hot tamale train.
Mia: "Aesthetically you guys are so gorgeous together. Stunning couple." She is psyched about everything and loving it all even more.
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 4
Randi & Evan got a Broadway routine, which should be perfect for them but choreographer Joey Dowling not only towered over the two of them, she also went way to quickly for them.
Verdict
Us: Randi out-shined Evan but that could be because the moves seemed a little too prissy for him. Towards the end of the dance, they seemed a little out of synch with each other. If I had to guess, they'll be in the bottom three this week.
Nigel: It was a great tribute to Bob Fosse but when doing this style of dance, their wrists need to be more flexible than they were. He was underwhelmed with Evan but still thinks the two of them are in his top 10 for all the dancers.
Mary: It was entertaining.
Mia: Joey Dowling is six feet tall and amazing. Randi and Evan are short and weren't amazing this week.
Jason & Caitlin have had a bit of a roller coaster ride of an experience on the show. Their first week they were on the mark with their Bollywood performance but they haven't been too great with the last two. This week they were given a "Unique Jazz Dance" routine from Brian Friedman. It was unique for sure. Caitlin had to play an alien coming to earth to impregnant Jason - the last man on earth. Brian used one of my favorite Santigold songs.
Verdict
Us: Love the music, choreography and concept. I think I'm just a big old weirdo. Caitlin's costume was distracting but she did a really great job overall. Jason didn't seem to have a ton to do though.
Nigel: "I think Brian Friedman comes from another planet." It was very weird but they both commited themselves 100%. "The dancing condom it looks a bit like."
Mary: Didn't think it played to their strengths. It was fun but it didn't sit right with her.
Mia: She thinks Brian just wanted to be out there and have fun, not win any awards with this routine. She hates the tin foil of Caitlin's costume. It was entertaining.
Jeanine & Phillip got paired with a hot routine from Tabitha and Napoleon (now known as "NappyTabs"). The married couple put together a hip hop performance where Jeanine and Phillip were literally chained together.
Verdict
Us: Awesome concept. I was more impressed with Jeanine's ability to keep up with Phillip more than anything. The chain was cool but was a bit confusing at points.
Nigel: Loved it, thought they should be chained together and dancing forever.
Mary: It was so creative. Phillip's chest popping just goes on and on.
Mia: She's a big fan of NappyTabs. The concept was there but she got caught up in the "chainography". She thought they did a great job overall though.
Melissa & Ade were lucky enough to get the very first Pas de Deux to ever grace the SYTYCD stage. Choreographer Thordal Christensen was in a very romantic mood and created the routine around the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet.
Verdict
Us: Sonya can pretty much do no wrong. Her music and drama are always interesting and Kayla and Kupono make the choreography look effortless. There's something really fluid about Kayla's movements that put her a cut above the rest. Also, she looked like she belongs in the band Rasputina. Kupono is just too cute for words.
Nigel: Thought Kupono was a new man. He thought the choreography and the way they danced it was fantastic. The pair is reaching their potential.
Mary: "These two are alive and kicking!" Sonya did a great job of playing to their strengths. Mary loves Kayla's legs. Everything was controlled and their chemistry together was incredible. They all love his kicks and his feet. They're staying on the hot tamale train.
Mia: "Aesthetically you guys are so gorgeous together. Stunning couple." She is psyched about everything and loving it all even more.
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 4
Randi & Evan got a Broadway routine, which should be perfect for them but choreographer Joey Dowling not only towered over the two of them, she also went way to quickly for them.
Verdict
Us: Randi out-shined Evan but that could be because the moves seemed a little too prissy for him. Towards the end of the dance, they seemed a little out of synch with each other. If I had to guess, they'll be in the bottom three this week.
Nigel: It was a great tribute to Bob Fosse but when doing this style of dance, their wrists need to be more flexible than they were. He was underwhelmed with Evan but still thinks the two of them are in his top 10 for all the dancers.
Mary: It was entertaining.
Mia: Joey Dowling is six feet tall and amazing. Randi and Evan are short and weren't amazing this week.
Jason & Caitlin have had a bit of a roller coaster ride of an experience on the show. Their first week they were on the mark with their Bollywood performance but they haven't been too great with the last two. This week they were given a "Unique Jazz Dance" routine from Brian Friedman. It was unique for sure. Caitlin had to play an alien coming to earth to impregnant Jason - the last man on earth. Brian used one of my favorite Santigold songs.
Verdict
Us: Love the music, choreography and concept. I think I'm just a big old weirdo. Caitlin's costume was distracting but she did a really great job overall. Jason didn't seem to have a ton to do though.
Nigel: "I think Brian Friedman comes from another planet." It was very weird but they both commited themselves 100%. "The dancing condom it looks a bit like."
Mary: Didn't think it played to their strengths. It was fun but it didn't sit right with her.
Mia: She thinks Brian just wanted to be out there and have fun, not win any awards with this routine. She hates the tin foil of Caitlin's costume. It was entertaining.
Jeanine & Phillip got paired with a hot routine from Tabitha and Napoleon (now known as "NappyTabs"). The married couple put together a hip hop performance where Jeanine and Phillip were literally chained together.
Verdict
Us: Awesome concept. I was more impressed with Jeanine's ability to keep up with Phillip more than anything. The chain was cool but was a bit confusing at points.
Nigel: Loved it, thought they should be chained together and dancing forever.
Mary: It was so creative. Phillip's chest popping just goes on and on.
Mia: She's a big fan of NappyTabs. The concept was there but she got caught up in the "chainography". She thought they did a great job overall though.
Melissa & Ade were lucky enough to get the very first Pas de Deux to ever grace the SYTYCD stage. Choreographer Thordal Christensen was in a very romantic mood and created the routine around the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet.
Verdict
Us: Yep, that's ballet! Nicely done. Not much more to say.
Nigel: He is super psyched that ballet is being watched by so many people. Melissa was superb and Ade's feet could have been better but overall he was good.
Mary: She just loved it and thought it was beautiful. The chemistry was there. She loved to see Melissa in her own style.
Mia: She is excited to be celebrating classical dance. She loved their routine and is basically obsessed with Melissa.
The final couple of the evening was Karla & Vitolio who were paired with "The Dreaded Quickstep" as Cat calls it. Not only is it a challenging dance but it's the first time they danced together and Jean Marc and France Genereux need to help them.
Verdict
Us: First of all, I love Rufus Wainwright. Secondly, I had the song stuck in my head for the rest of the night. Thirdly, Vitolio did a great job. Karla wasn't as into it but overall I thought they did nicely. The routine was pretty sweet and I loved Karla's dress.
Nigel: Loved the choreography and Karla's dress. Overall he thought it was very entertaining and they're finally able to get their personalities out there.
Mary: "So much for the kiss of death dance! WOOO!" She thought Vitolio did a great job and it was really well done. "WOO!" She thought Karla looked beautiful out there.
Mia: "Jean Marc is a genius." Mia overused the word "brilliant" this episode. She is confused by Vitolio because he isn't consistent with his form. "Karla you're gorgeous but you looked a little scared sometimes."
Mary Murphy Scream Count: 5
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 4
It's going to be really tough to predict which dancers will be in the bottom three tonight. Who do you think deserves to go home? Who do you think is going to go all the way? Let us know in the comments!
Us: Yep, that's ballet! Nicely done. Not much more to say.
Nigel: He is super psyched that ballet is being watched by so many people. Melissa was superb and Ade's feet could have been better but overall he was good.
Mary: She just loved it and thought it was beautiful. The chemistry was there. She loved to see Melissa in her own style.
Mia: She is excited to be celebrating classical dance. She loved their routine and is basically obsessed with Melissa.
The final couple of the evening was Karla & Vitolio who were paired with "The Dreaded Quickstep" as Cat calls it. Not only is it a challenging dance but it's the first time they danced together and Jean Marc and France Genereux need to help them.
Verdict
Us: First of all, I love Rufus Wainwright. Secondly, I had the song stuck in my head for the rest of the night. Thirdly, Vitolio did a great job. Karla wasn't as into it but overall I thought they did nicely. The routine was pretty sweet and I loved Karla's dress.
Nigel: Loved the choreography and Karla's dress. Overall he thought it was very entertaining and they're finally able to get their personalities out there.
Mary: "So much for the kiss of death dance! WOOO!" She thought Vitolio did a great job and it was really well done. "WOO!" She thought Karla looked beautiful out there.
Mia: "Jean Marc is a genius." Mia overused the word "brilliant" this episode. She is confused by Vitolio because he isn't consistent with his form. "Karla you're gorgeous but you looked a little scared sometimes."
Mary Murphy Scream Count: 5
Hot Tamale Train Riders: 4
It's going to be really tough to predict which dancers will be in the bottom three tonight. Who do you think deserves to go home? Who do you think is going to go all the way? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
That wasn't the first Pas de Deux. They had one last season with Katee and Will.
Posted by: Quick Step | July 4, 2009 7:14 AM