I'm adding a new 'feature'. Instead of the Verdict category, I'm going to include a ranking. As I watch the dancers I'll rank them.
I paid a little more attention to how people spell their names this time.
Judges this week: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Adam Shankman. Adam Shankman is generous in his comments, but sometimes he says too much, it feels awkward, and I get embarassed.
Cat Deely is now 'cat-tastic' courtesy of Adam Shankman.
I'm glad Nigel mentioned Cyd Charisse and some of her movies. This show cares about dance. I'm interested in more of Nigel's background in dance. What kind of dancer was he and how did he move into production? I suppose I could look on the Internet, but I don't know that I care that much right now.
Kherington and Twitch - Hip Hop - Napoleon and Tabitha - "Don't Touch Me (Throw Da Water on 'Em) by Busta Rhymes
Personality - Kherington seemed young in this taped piece. I get the feeling she comes from an affluent family based on Twitch's description of her shopping habits. Twitch still seems like a regular guy. They appear to be naturally good-natured so they're well suited to each other. She has beautiful skin. Lucky girl.
Song - I'm not good with lyrics so if the melody doesn't hook me, I don't have much feeling for a song. This one didn't hook me. Nothing good, nothing bad.
Choreography - I thought there were some unexpected moments; when they almost fell off the edge of the stage, when she was on his shoulders. But, the unexpected moments also felt bland. This dance is representative of the problem I'm having with Hip Hop on the show this year. Its too mainstream. Is it supposed to be a dance of emotion and anger and frustration? Is it supposed to be gangsta? I can see its evolved just like the music has evolved, but then I know the dancers are getting judged by their attitude when they dance it. But, if the dance is mainstream, how can you have an attitude about it? It doesn't make sense to me, or I can't get used to the evolution. I thought the dance could have used more interesting lines and poses. I wasn't overly impressed.
Costume - Since the story was about two people busting outta jail, they were appropriate, but definitely not flattering.
Dancing - Kherington was able to get a deep bounce in the movements. I believed it. However, this time she did mug too much and smiled at the wrong times. There were a couple places where she's supposed to, and she did. But, there were other places where we didn't need it. Twitch didn't overdo his facial expressions except where it was choreographed. That was a little distracting. I didn't see any problems with synchronization. I'd like to note that this is the first time Kherington has danced with shoes on - even if they were flats.
Overall - Nothing blew me away. I'm neutral.
Rank - First
Courtney and Gev - Rumba - Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin - "Wishing on a Star" by Rose Royce
Personality - Her story about him could get him teased a lot. His story about her was nice. I think the producers are trying to play up Gev as a shy geeky kid who's secretly in love with his dance partner, and Courtney as the beautiful, popular girl who's dating the football captain. I don't know how much is true.
Song - I liked this song. It was peaceful, easy to listen to. I'll look this one up on iTunes.
Choreography - Here's my problem with critiquing these dances rather than just enjoying them - especially when I don't have special knowledge of what to look for...was that a rumba? It felt like a showdance rumba - which doesn't have to have much rumba in it. The first lift and how they got out of it was creative. Beyond that, it was a lot of sexy poses.
Costume - well...ahem...half of her body was completely naked! She looked very sexy, as did Gev in his white shirt and black vest (with black pants - no half naked for the boys of course).
I guess you'd have to give her dress negative five points for getting caught on the heel of her shoe.
Dancing - I don't think Courtney had enough rumba wiggle in her hips, and Gev definitely didn't. She also didn't give full extension to some of the movements - in particular I think she was supposed to bend backwards while he held her, but she didn't go back very far. Otherwise, they did their movements quite well. They both had the look of intensity, even if I didn't really feel it.
Overall - I'd say this was the same as the previous dance. I have positive feelings for the dancers so its more on the positive side, but nothing blew me away.
Rank - First. Second is Kherington and Twitch.
Comfort and Chris - Jazz - Tyce DiOrio - "Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson
Personality - I wonder if they really like each other. They tease, but do they like?
Song - I'm not a fan of Marilyn Manson. I'm neutral on the song.
Choreography - Well... Tyce DiOrio expected it to be raw, grounded, and earthy. Yet it was paired with a song that sounds anarchic (?) and angry. I don't feel it meshing. I saw the dance was frantic and energetic and interesting. Some of the movements could have come from the African traditions. Less like the grounded earth, and more like a violent windstorm. I would say these two people came from the time before people had learned to speak.
Costume - Earthy, yes. Comfort's hair loose was a good choice 'cause it was kind of wild.
Dancing - I thought Comfort had the emotion of the dance more than Chris did. But, he had the better style and technique in his dancing. Its not that he DIDN'T have emotion, only that I thought she understood the dance better than he did. She did a beautiful job, but I thought it was clear she reached a limit. If she had more time she would have done it well. I liked his demeanor; his facial expressions.
Overall - The more I think back on this dance, the more I like it. I don't think the dancers lived up to it though (which is why I'm ranking them second instead of first - even though I liked the dance better).
Rank - First Courney and Gev, Second Comfort and Chris, Third Kherington and Twitch
Jessica and Will - Disco - Doriana Sanchez - "Heaven Must Have Sent You" by Bonnie Pointer
Personality - Its good to hear that young men can still be taught to be gentlemen. This taped piece did not show Jessica in a great light. She appears young and not 100% focused on what she's doing. I think the pressure must be getting to her and she's kind of giving up. She doesn't realize that's what she's doing though. Anyway, the producers are kind of setting her up for failure by making note of the fact that Doriana is trying to feature her so she can get out from behind Will's shadow, and then, according to Doriana, Jessica's not taking it seriously. As a viewer, I can't help but anticipate a lot of mistakes from Jessica.
Song - This sounded like a thousand other disco songs.
Choreography - And, this looked like a thousand other disco dances. I don't know - I talked about disco last week, or the week before. I don't get it. Lots of turns and lifts and speed - maybe that's all I need to know.
Costume - Her outfit was cute and flattering. His was too big. Too much fabric in the jacket. Too much.
Dancing - I feel bad for Jessica as I think back on this dance. She looked happy and carefree during a lot of the steps - no problems there. But, she didn't look confident on the turns or twirls. Maybe she didn't quite trust her feet. There was two parts where it looked like she completely missed something. Will didn't have much to do in this dance. Which is fine because his jacket was TOO MUCH anyway. Neither of them danced with lightness - it was a heavy footed dance.
Overall - This did not work well for either of them.
Rank - Fourth. First is Courtney and Gev, Second is Comfort and Chris, Third is Kherington and Twitch.
Kourtni and Matt - Contemporary - Sonya Tayeh - "Wrestlers (Sticky, Dirty, Pop mix)" by Hot Chip
Personality - I like these two a lot. Still. I love that Kourtni's so passionate about dance. It defines her and it binds her relationship with her mother. I didn't learn as much about Matt - he likes Ninja stuff. He's probably a bit on the goofy side (good goofy). I didn't even notice that he'd slipped on last week's dance!
Song - It was offbeat, but didn't rise to the next level for me.
Choreography - The choreography was different, creative, unusual, fun, and alternative. But even alternative music is heard so much it changes what alternative means. So, while this had the appearance of a new and different style (or at least that's what I hoped for), it was a different style that's been done before. The dance didn't engage the audience - those kids are easily engaged and even they were quiet. The momentum was brought to a screeching halt when they sat on the stairs. I appreciated the dance, but hoped for more.
Costume - Kind of child-like and fantastical. I wonder if it would have been better if the clothing was more realistic in today's world. I think the costumes reminded me of a children's illustrated story rather than a comic book.
Dancing - I think Kourtni and Matt are talented dancers. They did exactly as the choreographer requested of them. They had the right attitude. Kourtni had a perfectly coquettish look on her face when she took his tie in her mouth and led him away. I don't know what they could have done better.
Overall - I liked the dance, but it didn't wow me.
Rank - Tough. They were the best dance team so far, I think, but I didn't love the dance as much as I liked Courtney and Gev's dance - and maybe its because of the song alone. But - Courtney and Gev didn't give their dance 100%. Hmmm...I think I'll have a tie for first place.
Tied for first is Courtney and Gev, and Kourtni and Matt, Third is Comfort and Chris, Fourth is Kherington and Twitch, Fifth is Jessica and Will.
Chelsea and Thayne - Quick Step - Heather Smith - "You Can't Hurry Love" by Phil Collins
Personality - I think she must roll her eyes at him a lot. He's got a lot of energy and she gets the be the 'adult' in the partnership.
Song - The song wasn't dazzling enough for me. I like the song well enough, but its not going to elevate the dance.
Choreography - Wow - a lot of Quick Step! While the Rumba done by Courtney and Gev seemed like the showdance rumba, this seemed like the technical portion of a ballroom dance competition. It was a good overview of the Quick Step. Nothing spectacular. The audience was very quiet during the whole dance.
Costume - I thought he looked good, though the vest made his legs look shorter, and her dress was...gold.
Dancing - They did a workmanlike job executing the dance. I don't think it was as fast as a pro would do it, and they looked a little tentative at first. They had the right facial expressions. I actually think they did better than I would expect. In prior years, the Quick Step would have showcased a dancer's lack of ability. Both Chelsea and Thayne stood up quite well.
Overall - I don't think this lit up the stage or exposed any glaring weaknesses.
Rank - I'm putting this pretty low only because I don't think the dance was interesting and I don't think the dancers elevated it to the degree I'd need them to.
First is a tie between Courtney and Gev and Kourtni and Matt, Third is Comfort and Chris, Fourth is Kherington and Twitch, Fifth is Chelsea and Thayne, Sixth is Jessica and Will.
Chelsie and Mark - Hip Hop - Napoleon and Tabitha - "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
Personality - I don't feel like I learned anything new about them this time. Crooked pinky? Tomboy? Oh well. I'm still interested to know more about Mark.
Song - they were playing this in the grocery store today. That says something about how quickly music moves from fresh and hip to mainstream and...corporate.
Choreography - I believed the dance - I believed the emotion. It was choreographed to say something and it was plain to see. Excellent work.
Costume - I liked his suit and her outfit is cute as well. Clothes the characters would wear.
Dancing - Emotion, detail, crispness, synchronicity. The only distraction for me was that Chelsie's grimace could look like a smile from a distance. Otherwise, they danced it the way it was supposed to be danced.
Overall - Without question, the best dance of the night so far. Perfect blend of style, song, costume, dancers, and emotion. Great job by all.
Rank - First. Tied for Second are Courtney and Gev and Kourtni and Matt, Fourth is Comfort and Chris, Fifth is Kherington and Twitch, Sixth is Chelsea and Thayne, Seventh is Jessica and Will.
Katee and Joshua - Samba - Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin - "Baila, Baila" by Angela Via
Personality - nice segment, they both showed their vulnerable sides; he's a caring teddy bear kind of guy, and she's not confident in her sex appeal. They have a good friendship developing. In week 1 he was making fun of her awkward dance, and in week three he's sharing it with her.
Song - I feel I've heard the song but I wouldn't have recognized the name or the artist. I didn't feel it was as percussive as I expected for the Samba.
Choreography - The Samba is supposed to be rhythmic, hot, sexy, spicy. I'd say it was. No question about that. I don't know if it was the choreography or the dancers.
Costume - another 1/2 dressed girl. His outfit worked as well.
Dancing - They gave this dance 110% effort - every move was there. Both of them had the right attitude and they finished everything off. I wondered if there is one place they missed a movement - when he lifted her leg a little and then just put it down and they moved on. It didn't take away from the dance though. She didn't seem to have any problem with the sexy and he moved quite well for a man with his body type.
Overall - No question - one of the top two dances of the night. They saved the best two for last. In this case, I think the chemistry between the dancers is what put this one over the top. Excellent work.
Rank - I'm going to rank them second to Chelsie and Mark because overall I have appreciation for the emotional dance just a mite bit more than the sexy dance. First is Chelsie and Mark, Second is Katee and Joshua, Tied for Third is Courtney and Gev, and Kourtni and Matt, Fifth is Comfort and Chris, Sixth is Kherington and Twitch, Seventh is Chelsea and Thayne, and Eighth is Jessica and Will.
In a last minute surprise twist, I'm moving Comfort and Chris up to Third because I can't get that dance out of my mind; something about it was interesting.
My final ranking
1. Chelsie and Mark
2. Katee and Joshua
3. Comfort and Chris
4. Courtney and Gev
4. Kourtni and Matt
6. Kherington and Twitch
7. Chelsea and Thayne
8. Jessica and Will.
I'm going to listen to what the judges have to say about all these dances now. I wonder if I'm in agreement with them?
I can't imagine who will go home tomorrow. Well, on the girl side I guess I would have to say Jessica. But, on the boy side? I don't have a clue - maybe Thayne, Chris, or Gev - though none of them have done anything wrong.
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