So You Think You Can Dance Season 4 - Top 14

Two dances for each couple!

The selected music, choreography, costumes, and style of each dance influences my feelings so much that it doesn't seem fair to judge the dancers as if they can be separated from the other elements. Among music, choreography, costumes, and style, I'm most influenced by music. If the music doesn't move me, I'm less likely to enjoy the dance. I'm not expert enough to see subtle details of dance ability, though I can recognize good lines, complete extensions, and effort.

My pet peeve tonight is two fold. I don't like how the couples react to the 'tamale train' as if they really aspire to ride it. They've given credence to a gimmick that isn't even consistent. Recently, its been bandied about so much its lost any meaning it might have had. I wish the dancers would stop acting as if this is the be all and end all of their critiques.
On the other side of the coin, I wish the judges wouldn't show such obvious favoritism to some dancers. It seems out of proportion to what they've done.

I like Napoleon and Tabitha as judges on the show. Their critiques are genuine and observant. Their energy feels good; happy, respectful, knowledgeable, in sync. Its rare to see a couple who's public energy is so balanced - neither of them outshines, or outtalks the other.
Tabitha mentioned the different styles of Hip Hop tonight; smooth, street, etc which suddenly helped me make sense of mainstream Hip Hop. Its like the Lindy Hop - there are different styles of that too. And now, with Hip Hop there are different styles. A lightbulb moment for me. Thank you Tabitha!
Based on Mary and Nigel's critiques though, they still expect Hip Hop to be 'street'.

I like Mia Michaels choreography as much as anyone - but could we tone down the Mia Love a little? Its turning into worship and making me uncomfortable. Also, it gets a little rote and loses its meaning after awhile.

My last overall comment is that I enjoyed the new choreographers this week. I like Andy Blankenmuehler's style of Broadway (because it so resembles the original iconic dance styles), and I thought Edward Simon choreographed some nice ballroom. Last week I enjoyed the new choreographer as well. Its nice to see new interpretations of dance styles; Cecily and Olisa's smooth Hip Hop.

This week I'm going to give numerical scores between 1 and 10, 1 being lowest and 10 being highest. And, I'm doing it from memory instead of right after the dance.

Jessica and Will
Jive - Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin = "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie" from Five Guys Named Moe (Original Broadway Cast)
Lyrical Jazz - Mandy Moore - "Alone" by Heart
There wansn't enough lightness in the jive dance; it seemed heavy footed compared to the song. I thought the judges were generous to Jessica and over zealous about Will - given the performance.
The Lyrical was performed well with no obvious mistakes, but it didn't wow me.
5.5

Comfort and Thayne
Broadway - Andy Blankenbuehler - "Cool" from West Side Story
Smooth Waltz - Edward Simon - "Hov Arek Sarer Jan" by New Age Armenia
I enjoyed the Broadway dance that echoed the style of West Side Story so well. It suited Thayne. I could picture him as one of the original dancers.
The Smooth Waltz was very relaxing; I enjoyed the music. Comfort and Thayne did a nice job evoking the smoothness. I didn't agree with the judges, however, that he toes were pointed correctly during the lift - they looked pointed, but awkward as well. It was still beautiful though.
It was perfectly clear to me, and the judges, that this duo is much better than either of them had before. Not based on talent, just chemistry. They seemed more natural together.
6.5

Kourtni and Matt
Hip Hop - Cecily and Olisa - "How do I Breathe" by Mario
Mambo - Alex DeSilva - "Ban Can Tim" by Super All-Star
I enjoyed the smooth Hip Hop dance style. It was intricate and interesting without a lot of tricks. I thought they danced it well.
The Mambo had no heat.
For the first time, I noticed the lack of connection between Kourtni and Matt. I think Matt will get cut because of it. Kourtni's solos have emotion, so the judges know its there with her. But, Matt's solos are more of a showcase for his technique. This was just an unfortunate pairing because whatever each of them has inside wasn't brought out by the other. My suspecison is that we'll lose both of them tonight. I think the judges have overemphasized their weaknesses instead of focusing on what they do right, which has influenced how people think of them. Its too bad.
6

Chelsie and Mark
Jazz - Mandy Moore - "Kiss Kiss" by Holly Valance
Foxtrot - Edward Simons - "Its My Life" by Paul Anka
In the jazz routine, its true - Mark wasn't moving his hips enough. But, I think Chelsie had a hard time holding onto the character. Their characters weren't in sync. She was flirty and he was intense. No glaring mistakes. Overall I wasn't blown away.
The Foxtrot was well performed, and choreographed. I still wasn't blown away.
6.5

Kherington and Twitch
Paso Doble - Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin - "Malaguena" from Brian Seltzer '68 Comeback Special
Contemporary - Mia Michaels - "Dancing with a Broken Heart" by John Mayer
On the Paso Doble, I thought she went overboard in her facial expressions - just a tad. Overall, it was a nice twist on the Paso Doble - usually the man's in charge, but I think it was pretty obvious who was really in charge!
They nailed the contemporary piece. As the judges said, they completely committed. It was really a Twitch dance, and I think the flower throwing was a bit overdone, but the reason it worked is because Twitch, in particular, gave it 100%. Technically, they managed to get all the intricate movements as well.
8

Katee and Joshua
Comtemporary - Mia Michaels - "Hometown Glory" by Adele
West Coast Swing - Benji Schwimmer - "Shake It" by Brother Yusef
Excellent work by Katee and Joshua again. Its true and has to be said - they really are the couple to beat. They haven't missed once. They've been lucky enough to get some great dances, but they've also lived up to the dances. I didn't love the Tyce DiOrio dance, but I've liked every other one.
I didn't like the West Coast Swing dance because of the song. I kept expecting it to get up and go somewhere and it never did. I think Katee and Joshua could have handled a lot more. This was not as good as last year's routine from Benji.
9

Courtney and Gev
Hip Hop by Cecily and Olisa - "Lights, Camera, Action" by Mr. Cheeks
Broadway - Andy Blankenbueller - "New York, New York" by Bernstein, Comden and Green
On the Hip Hop, Courtney definitely got into it more than Gev. He seemed tentative, while she was going for it 100%.
In the Broadway, she was also 100% there, but he was closer this time. His look and body type fit the dancing. Again, nice to see some classic Broadway styles.
7


My predictions:
Bottom three will be a) Kourtni and Matt, b) Jessica and Will, c) Courtney and Gev or Comfort and Thayne.
Going home - Jessica and Matt

A round of applause from me to all the dancers because even if I didn't love the dance, I completely respect you as dancers. Congratulations to you for having the courage to love and share dance.