So You Think You Can Dance Episode Recap: The Top 8 Perform
We are one week closer to finding out who America's favorite dancer will be. After a night with few notable performances, who do you think deserves to stick around? And who do you think should be sent home?
And here's my weekly love letter to Cat: What is it about you that I love so much? You are wonderful to look at, but it's so much more than that. You're incredibly relatable, and I believe every one of those dancers knows just how much you love them and are rooting for them. I think that's why I love you. Feel free to share your Cat love below.
But now, let's dance. Or at least talk about it. More new partnerships and a special guest judge...Ellen DeGeneres. Mia Michaels is also on the panel tonight.
I guess Nigel's a doctor now. When American Idol producers approached Nigel about doing a dance show, he didn't think they could do it successfully. Mary thinks the show keeps getting better every year and calls Nigel an English muffin (again). The show is pushing Mia as an artist and that's important. Three Emmy nominations, thank you very much.
The Dancing
Group Dance: The Top 8
Choreographer/Dance: Travis Wall/Contemporary with a fusion of styles
Rehearsals: It's a futuristic dance although no one is quite sure what year it is. Each person gets to showcase their own style briefly.
Title/Artist: "Let It Rock"/Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil Wayne
Performance: Totally strange outfits but cool. I'm actually enjoying most of the crazy lighting because it makes sense for what they're wearing. Nice to see the boys and girls dancing separately then together. Fun. Oops, I thought it was done before the dance was over. Great effort. Fun to watch. I feel really weird saying I didn't love it.
Judge's critiques: Nigel feels like a proud father to Travis. Loves the look, very Lady Gaga. The dance styles stand out for themselves; everyone is terrific. Ellen claims she can do that and that she consulted with Travis on wardrobe. Mary thinks the dancing is great, costumes are great, choreography is great. She doesn't have anyone to pick on. Mia is beyond proud of Travis. The dancers did a great job with it. She wants to wear their costumes. It's quite possible we'll see her and Ellen in those costumes on results night.
Evan and Janette
Choreographer/Dance: Sonya Tayeh/Jazz
Rehearsals: It's about wanting people to shut up. As the piece continues they're getting angrier and more frustrated. Evan talks about awkward moments in his body.
Title/Artist: "Move (Metronomony Mix)"/CSS
Performance: Sonya is always great with movement in general. Even though Evan thinks the movement is awkward for him, it all looks pretty great. Great form by Janette. Nice technique by both, but I'm not connecting with it emotionally. It's a bit of a head-scratcher.
Judge's critiques: Nigel thinks they're two little stars and feels like he's finally getting more from Evan. He thinks Janette is wonderful in everything she does. Ellen thinks it's hard-hitting, rich, full, complex; compares them to wine. Amazing. Mary calls it a lot of fun. Really good job by Evan outside his genre. Wanted to see him more gutsy and a little rougher. Janette can't take a wrong step out there. Mia thinks Evan made a step in the right direction. He'll never be the dark, freakish character Sonya wants. Janette is her favorite this season.
Solo: Kayla
Title/Artist: "The Moment I Said It"/Imogen Heap
I think we're seeing something a little different from her tonight, and I'm enjoying it. Great technique, as always. Amazing lines and control. I'm still a big fan.
Brandon and Jeanine
Choreographer/Dance: Hunter Johnson/Waltz
Rehearsals: Jeanine is excited to be a brunette Cinderella. They have to be soft and beautiful at the same time. Brandon is finding the steps confusing and seems to be letting his mind wander. They're both really out of their comfort zone. This piece is all about controlled power.
Title/Artist: "May It Be"/Hayley Esterna
Performance: Hmm, trouble right off the bat with the lift? They become more confident as the dance progresses. Nice lines from Jeanine. Great lifts. Nice movement and flow but it is a bit awkward. I'm kind of giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one. Liked it but didn't love it.
Judge's critiques: Nigel calls it an extremely tough routine. So demanding. He didn't enjoy the music at all. Didn't get as much as he waned from Brandon in that routine. Ellen disagrees with Nigel, which gets applause from the audience. Ellen thinks they are fantastic. Mary says this is the slowest waltz they've ever had on the show. Any ballroom professional would have trouble with the tempo. They are respectable; would have liked to see stronger lines. Mia tells Brandon if he hadn't been dreaming about birds and bunnies, it would have been better. Expected it to be magical. Wanted to be taken to another place. So many stuck moments that she couldn't be taken away. Wanted more because they're the tops.
Solo: Jason
Title/Artist: "...Slowdance on the Inside"/Taking Back Sunday
Nice movement around the stage. Great jumps. I was really impressed with his upper body movement. Didn't love it though.
Ade and Melissa
Choreographer/Dance: Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin/Cha Cha
Rehearsals: The most challenging part of this will be getting the technique. There's a lot of think about. Ade needs to find his sexy back walk. It's overwhelming.
Title/Artist: "Yeah (Como Goza Mi Morena)"/Chino Espinoza Y Los Duenos Del Son
Performance: I'm distracted by the music but I'm so excited to see them together again. Hmm. I want it to be sexier and hotter and they're disappointing me. I think the technique is there, but for some reason they don't seem to be connecting. Maybe they're concentrating on the steps too much? I'm so disappointed. What is wrong with me tonight?
Judge's critiques: Nigel calls it a great routine. A lot in there to show off. Melissa needs to be careful about turning out too much. She' hot. There's no question about that so she doesn't need to go over the top when trying to be sexy. Ade had some great moves; great stature. Could have sizzled a little more. Ellen wants to know if they're carpenters because they nailed it. Loved it. Mary thinks they nail the execution of the material but everything is in slow motion. Ade needs to be down into the floor. His bum is too high. The feet are sliding all over the place for both of them. Melissa's feet were turned too far in; she put too much effort into it. A little tiny bit below what she expected. Mia thinks this is Ade's worst performance of the season. It was thrown all over the place. Needed to get in there more. Thinks Melissa did an excellent job considering she's a ballerina.
Solo: Janette
Title/Artist: "Seduces Me"/Celine Dion
I like that she's barefoot. I like the levels. Very different than last week and I'm really enjoying it. Didn't like the end when she was hanging off the stage but I love her. Nice job.
Jason and Kayla
Choreographer/Dance: Tyce DiOrio/Broadway
Rehearsals: About a man who's caught up in the music and a temptress who wants to take his mind off the music. They can't make a lot of mistakes although they definitely do in rehearsal. They've got to find it quick.
Title/Artist: "Mr. Monotony (from Jerome Robbins Broadway)"/Kim Criswell
Performance: Kayla's movement is amazing. Jason's selling it for me, but I've pretty much only got eyes for Kayla. They are making it fun, which is always an accomplishment in a Broadway piece, at least for me. Nice lifts. This is the first piece of the night I've actually enjoyed.
Judge's critiques: Nigel thinks Jason's toes and feet are absolutely terrific; reminded Nigel a bit of Gene Kelly. Kayla's lines are beautiful. She can do anything that's thrown at her. Terrific for the pair of them. Ellen loves her seat and calls them good nailers. Mary thinks Tyce has come up with a fabulous number. Flowed effortlessly. Jason is cool and suave up there. Kayla is riding first class; she's still on the train. Mary screams. Mia loves the piece and fusion. They did it amazing. Wants Jason to work on his upper body; he needs to open up. Great performance though. Kayla should sing and act. She will take Broadway by storm. She's in the dictionary under girl, perfection, and star. It's awesome to see how brilliant a girl can be.
Solo: Ade
Title/Artist: "Hater"/Various Productions Artist
Wow, his jump is practically in slow-mo. Great height. Came up a little short in his back flip but I enjoyed his piece. I still want him to slow things down though.
Evan and Janette
Choreographer/Dance: Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin/Rhumba
Rehearsals: Dance of passion. Extremely sensual. Janette's got the sexy Latin thing down. It's harder for Evan but he feels he can find it somewhere inside himself.
Title/Artist: "Heartless"/Kris Allen
Performance: Janette is amazing. So smooth and sexy. Looks like Evan got off balance but saved it. Yikes. It's looking pretty amazing otherwise. It's a good thing Janette is front and center in this piece. Great lift. Evan's doing a pretty good job of selling it. I enjoyed it.
Judge's critiques: Nigel loves the choreography. It's an exceptionally hard style to get votes with. Janette does have it down pat. There was nothing passionate in Evan's face; his heavy eyelids make him look drowsy. He needs to perform with his face or risk losing chemistry with his partner. It's lacking for Nigel. Ellen loves Evan's eyes and face. He's a special guy. She loves Janette; thinks she's amazing. Incredible. Mary thinks Evan did a good job. A lot of tough choreography. Was on time, very well connected. Loved the lift. Janette has the patent on flavor and spice. She's a little hot tamale out there. Mia agrees with Ellen. Not everyone has to be stunning or perfect. Evan brings something to the stage that not a lot of people bring. Wasn't sure if she wanted to see him sexy but he did it with a Zoolander face. Janette is just tackling everything.
Solo: Melissa
Title/Artist: "Heads Will Roll"/Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Great lines. She's making it really fun and trying some new things. I love her to pieces.
Brandon and Jeanine
Choreographer/Dance: Laurieann Gibson/Pop Jazz
Rehearsals: There's no story. The story is them. Don't dance it, feel it. No thinking allowed. Don't be a girl, don't be afraid. Tough love, that's for sure. Jeanine gets a little teary.
Title/Artist: "Battlefield"/Jordin Sparks
Performance: Love the outfits. Brandon is killing it for me. I'm feeling it. Very nice partner/side-by-side dancing. I want to watch and not type. Pretty amazing. Best piece of the night for me so far.
Judge's critiques: Getting some love from the audience. Nigel says that's all he's asking for. They just showed the audience exactly what they want. It's finally begun this evening for him. Jeanine is fantastic. Brandon is strong. Choreography is strong and there it was. Ellen thinks they make it appealing to join some type of armed forces. Really unbelievable. Mary thinks it was strong, powerful, dynamic. Do you hear it coming? Mary screams. These two are gonna take the train right into the finale. Mia calls Laurieann her sister. Brandon and Jeanine more than danced. They were inside it. Brandon is such a powerhouse. Jeanine, wow. Congratulations.
Solo: Evan
Title/Artist: "Old Devil Moon"/Jamie Cullum
I love him in his own style. He makes Broadway so much fun to watch. Great job.
Solo: Jeanine
Title/Artist: "Let the Drummer Kick"/Citizen Cope
She picks her music brilliantly. I always love her solos and this is no exception. Great control. Impressive. She is my favorite female dancer.
Melissa and Ade
Choreographer/Dance: Tyce DiOrio/Contemporary
Rehearsals: Piece is about a woman who has breast cancer. The dance is hard because it's not about the steps. Hardest part will be portraying the message.
Title/Artist: "This Woman's Work"/Maxwell
Performance: Amazing choice of music. Now they're really connecting. Beautiful. Wow. Nice lifts. Great emotion from Melissa. Can't really see Ade's face but he is there for her 100%. Wow. Wow.
Judge's critiques: Nigel thinks that's just shown him why he loves dance so much. So much emotion without the use of words. I love that he's almost speechless. If this doesn't get an Emmy nomination next year Nigel will be hugely surprised. He's just witnessed one of the most memorable routines on this show. He can't think of a better couple of have danced it. Ade's strength is incredible. Together they were absolutely sensational. Ellen feels so privileged that she got to witness that. It's the most beautiful thing she's ever seen. Mary is touched so deeply because they danced it so beautifully. She doesn't think she'll ever forget it. Thanks Tyce for shedding light on this. Ade made the lifts seem effortless. Melissa just flew into his arms. Full trust in this partnership. Mia calls this an important piece of work and breaks down. Millions of people have known someone who's fought or not fought cancer. She wishes she had the strength they had in this piece for her dad. Melissa is an angel. Really not about the dancing although it was a perfect portrait of what was being said. Thanks Melissa, Ade, and Tyce.
Solo: Brandon
Title/Artist: "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That"/Robert Randolph & The Family Band
I like Brandon shirtless. Nice acrobatics. Nice use of the stage. Great levels. Nice spinning. Really fun and incredibly acrobatic. Still love him.
Jason and Kayla
Choreographer/Dance: Shane Sparks/Hip-Hop
Rehearsals: Jason is a zombie who transforms Kayla into his zombie mistress. The key is dead weight; Shane needs them to sit in every move. Jason wants people to cry and run away from their televisions.
Title/Artist: "They're Everywhere"/Izza Kizza
Performance: Nice work but they aren't killing it, although I didn't expect them to. I do think they're dancing it to the best of their ability but I would have loved to see Phillip perform this with Kayla and maybe they will on the tour. I think any piece after Melissa and Ade's contemporary piece won't measure up. Respectable but I didn't love it.
Judge's critiques: Nigel loves that it is Michael Jackson-inspired. Loves that Shane is back this season. He's been a little disappointed with hip-hop this year but they got something together there. Enjoyed it very much. Over the last few routines they've knocked it out of the ballpark. Ellen tells them to keep dancing like that and they'll have their own talk show some day. She loves it. Mary thinks her little puppy dog got bitten by rabies. They did what Shane wanted them to do. Pure entertainment. Each gets a Mary scream. Mia tells Shane it's her favorite piece he's ever done. Loved the last image; disturbingly hot. Great performance for both.
I'm not sure if fatigue has set in for our Top 8 but I was underwhelmed by the first hour and a fair amount of the second. I'm not saying we're not seeing good, even great, dancing — namely Melissa and Ade's incredible contemporary piece. I cried. I admit it. But apart from them and Brandon and Jeanine's pop jazz piece, we're not seeing enough memorable dancing. Is it the choreography? I don't think so. There has been some really great choreography but in a lot of cases the dancers haven't quite delivered. The choreographers have stepped it up this year because it seems like the pieces are more intricate and harder to perform. Whatever the case might be, it's leaving me wanting more. It's probably too much to ask but I want every piece to be danced well and be memorable.
Before their second performance, I would have thought Melisa and Ade were in trouble but now I don't know. I wonder if their contemporary piece will do enough for them to keep them out of the bottom. The only two dancers I'm not willing to lose are Brandon and Jeanine. I'd be okay with almost anyone else going home.
What did you think? What are the best/worst pieces of the night? Who do you love and hope to see take home the crown? But most importantly, did you vote?
