Lauren is in the bottom three, a guest performance extols the joys of the age of consent, and Mia takes all of us to Wonderland. Two people go home and the top four is finally revealed in tonight's double elimination so let's get down to business!
Group Performance:
Song: "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" by Sting
Well, I don't see Lauren; it looks like Allison is the only female dancer onstage. That does not bode well. The Alice in Wonderland theme is fun and wonderfully off-putting. Mia Michaels choreographed this one so it's a little kooky, but it looks fantastic. I can't really tell exactly, but is that Jose in the back?
Cat, looking quite beach-ified, stalks out on stage to let us all know that despite having to miss this week's group number, Lauren is perfectly fine. And we are now just two weeks away from crowning this year's champion. And there are new prizes this year:
-$250,000
-A cover on Dance Spirit magazine
-An endorsement deal with Gatorade to be the very first dance athlete spokesperson for Gatorade.
So, does this mean either Kent or Lauren will have purple colored sweat pouring from their bodies? Because that's gross. Seriously, Gatorade spokespeople, you should probably get that checked out.
Anyway, after some shameless plugging of StepUp 3D, we get on with the results!
Group One: Jose and Kent
Kent is safe.
Jose is in the bottom three.
No real surprise there; even Jose seems to know he's going home. He looks so crestfallen upon hearing Cat's announcement that I just want to go up and hug him. I'm sure he just wants tonight to be over with.
Group Two: Adechike and Billy
Adechike is safe.
Billy is in the bottom three.
I know a lot of people haven't connected with Billy this year, but last night's performances were some of the best we've seen from any of the dancers this season. Billy just laughs a bit when he hears the news as if he expected it at this point.
Group Three: Lauren and Robert
Robert is safe.
Lauren is in the bottom three.
Okay. I give up. I don't know what criteria people are using to vote for dancers on this show. Lauren has been consistently spectacular for the last three weeks. The only explanation I can think of is that everyone assumed Lauren was safe and so they didn't vote for her. Robert looks equal parts horrified and stunned. He just keeps saying "thank you" repeatedly. The silver lining? Lauren will surely be saved out of those three. Of course, that means we all know how the judging will play out so there will be no more surprises this evening.
Before we get to this week's solos, the viewing audience must endure more of Step Up 3D. May I ask a question that has been plaguing me ever since I saw the trailer for this movie? Okay. Here goes. Ahem. Why does a dance movie need to be in 3D? Ruminate on that and get back to me.
Back to the preview. Adam is wearing some serious bling in his interviews; that necklace is a star all on its own. Hey, it's Twitch! Fine. I knew he was in it, but I always get happy when he makes his way onto my television screen. Plus, his name is just so much fun to say.
Guest Performance No. 1: The Step Up 3D Dancers
All of the songs are from the StepUp 3D soundtrack and each piece of music features a different group of dancers. The blonde in the beginning is a lot of fun to watch, but I really love the girl in the striped pants during the second song — her acrobatics are amazing and terrifying to watch. All of the Step Up dancers are brought out for the last number and there is one breaker who continues spinning on his head for 30 seconds after the song is finished.
It's official that all of the Top Six from this season plus Ashley will be on the Dance tour!
Guest Performance No. 2: Christian TV
Song: "When She Turns 18"
Okay, please tell me this song isn't about what I think it's about. Nope, it totally is. This is apparently Christian TV's first appearance on television. Are we sure? I feel like his dad — Vanilla Ice — really should have used those connections for him sooner. At the very least, his uncle — the lead singer of A-Ha — could have pitched in. Don't act like you weren't thinking it. Is it just me or do women in bathing suits and swim caps only make you think of the Nuva Ring? Maybe that's appropriate considering the song. Maybe that's just one more thing this fictional girl should look into when she turns 18.
Obligatory National Dance Day Plug. People are dancing on ice, under water, and while washing cars. The gala is going to be quite grand from the sound of it.
Solo Performance No. 1:
Song: "Hot Music" by SOHO
Jose is really fluid tonight, but there isn't the usual flare or joy that he usually brings to his routines. Nigel's right, though, and Jose has definitely improved in his own field of dance.
Solo Performance No. 2: Billy
Song: "Szerencsetlen" by Venetian Snares
Billy's costume is amazing — red pants, large pink scarf tied in a bow, and a grey blazer. And the dancing is fantastic. I think Adam was onto something when he said Billy was reborn on last night's show because this solo is just phenomenal. Fast, yet beautifully poised — this performance probably won't save him, but it will definitely make him a dancer to remember in my book.
Solo Performance No. 3: Lauren
Song: "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
Nope. Billy's going home. Lauren just proved her dainty little foot should never should have been placed in the bottom three. What amazes me is that she is so young. Just imagine what kind of dancer Lauren will be in five years.
Guest Performance No. 3: Allison Iraheta feat. Orianthi
Song: "Don't Waste the Pretty"
While Allison has a great voice, this song doesn't do anything to showcase her talent. Neither does it provide much for the dancers to work with. Similar to last week's Enrique debacle, the dancing during this performance seems completely superfluous. I wish there was more of an effort made to feature the All-Stars by the director.
Elimination:
Cat best sums up everyone's thoughts for this week's elimination: "Hopefully this week, they've made up their minds."
Nigel sheepishly admits that they have and that the decision was unanimous. I've seen a lot of people on the message boards wondering when America's vote will become the final vote this season and now we have an answer — next week. That's right. Beginning next week, America's votes will determine who stays and who goes. Fingers crossed, America will remember not to vote off Lauren next week.
Nigel congratulates Jose on tackling all of the dances thrown at him and shining throughout the competition.
Billy's presence is greeted with screams from the audience, but Nigel hypothesizes that the young man's slightly "androgynous" style may not be connecting with the audience at home. In other words, America is afraid of openly gay male dancers. I would like to think that isn't true, but who knows. I hadn't really thought of that option probably because I'm a theatre kid and, let's face it, there are more than a handful of gay male dancers in the world. Nigel assures Billy that his style has connected with choreographers and other dancers so he will have nothing to worry about.
Lauren is safe.
Both Billy and Jose seem as unsurprised as I am by the results but both express gratitude for the experience and for the lessons learned during their time on the show.
So, here is how the top four stands for next week:
Kent
Lauren
Robert
Adechike
I'm afraid to jinx anyone's chances next week, but I will say I think next week's bottom three is a little obvious if this week's results were any indication.
What did you think of the show tonight? Are you as happy as I am that Jose has finally been taken off the show? Why do you think Billy and Lauren fell into the bottom three? Is anyone out there not predicting Kent to take the whole sh
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