duckyxdale » SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Recap: Top 12 Perform

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Recap: Top 12 Perform

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Top 12 Perform

I kee… I keep… I keep tr…

I keep trying…

I keep trying to write a recap but something keeps stopping me. I feel like Harry trying to throw hexes at the Half Blood Prince after Dumbledore bits it. I just can’t write because something is wrong in the world.

Danny Tidwell is like Voldemort. He’s “He Who Must Not Be Named” and it pains me with every bit of my being to say that…

No I can’t…

Adava Kedavra!

Damnit, didn’t work. I still want to say that I absoloved Danny and Anya’s Fox-Trot last night. There, I said. ARE YOU ALL HAPPY NOW? Kittens just died because I said that! Does that make you all happy?

I CURSE YOU JEAN MARC JENERAUX for creating such a wonderful vehicle that showcased his unreal talents. How dare you.

His leaps, his grace, his extension, his brilliance during that piece makes me want to gouge my eyes out. It makes my lightning bolt scar hurt. Seriously, the most beautiful and down right amazing routine of the night.

It was a real showcase for ~~Tom Riddle~~ and Anya Garnis as it highlighted the strenghts of each. Some wonderful partnering skills from Voldemort (finally) which really allowed Anya to just get out there and float as if her feet were on a Nimbus 2000.

Seriously, there’s going to be a Dark Mark above my house after writing this post.

Alright, enough with the So You Think HARRY POTTER Can Dance business. I just am getting so excited for tomorrow night’s release of the final HP book, The Deathly Hallows. I’ll be in Harvard Square watching Harry and the Potters along with Draco and the Malfoys before heading back to my hood to hit up the best independent bookstore in town, Brookline Booksmith and pick up my book at 12:01am!!!

Back to the dancing…

Cat was in quite the sultry pink number last night, huh? Vavavavoom there Miss Cat Deeley! She’s got a ticket on the Hot Tamale Train! I about freaked out when I saw WADE ROBSON sitting up there in the Judges area. I completely forgot that I spoiled he would be Judge back on Monday. HELLO! And did Nigel get a haircut? Scary thing is, his hair color and teeth color match now, kinda skeeved me out a little.

Lastly before moving on to the routines, THE SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE TOUR!!! 50 tour dates this year. I will obviously keep you posted on the tour as more details arise and I hope to bring Tour Diaries again this year! Let me know if you’re interested in writing one for us.

Seriously, can I get to the dancing already?

First up, the cutest kids on the block - Dominic Sandoval and Sabra Johnson with a Tony Meredith and ~~Crazy Bette Midler~~ Melanie Lapatin choreographed JIVE routine.

The pre-video with all the clips of Dominic dropping Sabra was hysterical and painful at the same time. Girls very leary but still very trusting of her untrained dance partner. They seriously are the best damn couple on that stage and it breaks my heart to think of them no longer working together after this week. How can we break up Domra or Sabnic? No, those don’t work…

The routine was fun and lively and very good for people who have never done a Jive before. There were some control and sync issues but all were forgiven because they are just so damn sweet together and really do lift each other to higher levels of dancing.

How much did you love the BUTT BONGO tribute? It was brief but he dropped her around his waist and banged those bongos! Loved it.

Next up, Jaimie Goodwin and Hok Kinishi with a Tyce Diorio and Travis Wall routine. You heard me right, my man Travis was in the house. Oh wait, they showed him for about 3 seconds, he didn’t speak, and I barely knew he was there. I didn’t think it was possible, but he got less screen time than Cousin Heidi did last week.

For reals? That ain’t right.

This was a slow Broadway number, more serious and thoughtful than playful Broadway which is what we’re more accustomed to on the show. Set to “Mr. Bojangles” it was a more whimsical and graceful routine than I expected, which was nice. Jaimie is unbelievable. She can do things with those legs like I’ve never seen anyone do before. Seriously, sometimes its like they’re not even attached because they kick so high and far. Hok was under-utilized and sadly the routine did nothing to make him shine or even be noticed this week. A little worried about that.

I’m so not worried for Pasha and Sara! Those crazy 80’s cats did a killer Jazz routine and the outfits? Please, to die for! I was back in elementary school with some leg warmers, some Olivia Newton-John and a portable tape recorder in my basement! LOVED IT!

Mandy Moore is turning out to be one great choreographer. This makes the second routine in a row from her that I’ve sweated. Girls got a future! HA!

It was so stylized and fun for the two of them to play off each other. I’m so sad that we only got two weeks of Sara and Pasha together because I think they compliment each other well and they seem to have a blast together! Both of their bodies are sick and slammin’ - I hate them both.

Can I make yet another random reference about the outfits and the routine? All I could think of the whole time they were dancing about was the movie THE LAST DRAGON! Sho-nuff! Remember the crazy red haired woman Angela (Faith Prince who was also great on HUFF) was trying to make a music video? It reminded me of the outfits and the music of that but in a good fun way.

Next up, My BF Neil Haskell and that shrew Lauren Gottlieb. I’ve decided I don’t care for her at all. Not really one bit. Mia Michaels put these two through the ropes this week! Major hardcore rehearsals that involved throwing each other on the floor, themselves on the floor, and plenty more bruising activities. At one point Lauren counted over 9 bruises on just one leg. Mia works it out! She ain’t playing!

The routine was incredible! I couldn’t take my eyes off Neil or was it Lauren, nope Neil. Hard to tell with those outfits and their body types. It was bubbly but robotic while still being light and graceful. The opening portion of it was so well choreographed and rehearsed that they slitted about in perfect harmony to the music and with each other. That assisted lift drag thingy where Lauren swept Neil across the floor was so incredible to watch. I want to throw him across the floor and “assist” him.

Neil is turning into a superstar and its about damn time. The Judges hardly noticed Lauren was around. That’s a good thing in my opinion. Gets ta gettin’.

I loved when Nigel said: “I hope you find your welding equipment soon.” Seriously.

Danny and Anya were next but we all know I shot my Potter load on that one.

Lastly, Lacey Schwimmer and Kameron Bink doing a Hip-Hop number choreographed by Dan Karaty. I hate Dan Karaty. He’s not good and we need him to go. Is that too much to ask? This routine was not much dancing. There was a lot of attitude and prancing to be had, as well as some geeking out but dance-wise we’re talking about 50%.

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t think Lacey was the sassiest sexy bitch up there with her crazy insane catwalks. Girl can move! She was fierce and scary and dazzling up there while poor KamKam barely made his way through the routine.

Kameron’s horizontal sideways flip (that Neil can project to the ceiling doing) was so lame. I don’t know if he didn’t hit the right mark so he couldn’t do it right or if he just couldn’t get his body into the air high enough but something was off and it made my heart sink. That was the beginning of the end for Kameron.

From that point on, he was off sync with her. His solo was so boring and weak. His whole spirit seemed off and I’m so worried about them being in the bottom 3 this week. He could potentially go home and that would be crushing.

The Bottom 3 (and it kills me):
Jaimie and Hok
Neil and Lauren
Lacey and Kameron

That’s a painful bottom three. I want Lauren gone. Period. That means Neil must dance his ass off tonight and prove he belongs in that Top 10. He deserves it. I worry that Kameron could go home but Hok’s been in the Bottom 3 before so I don’t know what to make of it.

So who’s going home? Who’s in our Top 10? Who’s making the tour? Who’s dreams will be crushed tonight? I have a couple theories…

The Judges will be working these scenarios big time when they deliberate tonight. Not only are they going to have to look at the dancers and think who’s best, they need to look at who America loves, who will sell Tour tickets, and who ultimately has enough “WOW” factor to make it another 8 weeks.

If Lauren lands in the Bottom 3, I think she’s going home no matter what. The guys are much harder to determine. Neil better not go anywhere so I won’t even factor him into the mix. Plus, blonde hair all American looking boy will sell tweener tickets like you’ve never seen - they need him on that tour for visual appeal if for nothing else.

Hok is so loved by the fans and after 3 years, I don’t think the Judges are going to get rid of that appeal. A fan favorite is a tough elimination to swallow and after so many crazy technical eliminations so early on, they might not want more boo’s and hisses.

That leaves Kameron. In my heart, I want him to stay more than Hok and I don’t know where the Judges will go with him. He’s been consistent and has shown so much personality but is it enough? Fingers crossed.

Here’s to an emotional night ahead of us…

************

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24 Comments so far
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As you might expect, we had similar opinions on last night’s performances, sans one…I wasn’t feeling Neil and Lauren’s routine. I agree that Neil was great, but overall I didn’t really like it.

I am really hoping for Lauren and Kameron to go home tonight. I can’t imagine that Hok would leave because he’s so loved and he would be AMAZING on tour. Kameron really isn’t anyone without Lacey and I can’t see people getting really excited to see him.

Mary mentioned plenty of available seats on the hot tamale train. Does that mean she reads your blog?? After all, you did wonder last week how many seats were left. I think you have a new fan!!! **doing my best MM scream**

Dan, I challange you to make every post until tomorrow Potter-themed. The more HP metaphores and puns the better!!

Where are all the top 12 videos?

I really need to watch that foxtrot again. I was so spoiled from the spoilers. I knew Danny & Anya had gotten raves from the judges, so I just sat back and watched, and I’m afraid I thought it was…boring. However, Danny definitely stepped up and does not deserve to go, and won’t.

I’m afraid for Hok too. I think the judges will pick him to go before Kameron. Both were underwhelming last night, but Kameron has a stronger dance background.

I agree the hoopla about Travis was much ado about nothing. Seems like they only put him in because crazy Benji wasn’t around last night. Travis didn’t even seem to be doing much assisting, from what was shown.

I have commented on the TV Guide blog that the choreography last night was disappointing, particularly Mia and Dan, but not happy with Tyce either. Any of their dancers who get cut should share the blame with their choreographers.

If Lauren and Neil are in the bottom 3 she could be gone. However, I think she is “connected” enough from her prior work with Tyce, that the judges may not be willing to cut her loose. They have been pretty easy on all the women, really. They might be willing to cut Sabra, but I really doubt she and Dom will be in the B3. I agree, tonight’s going to be tough.

I agree with you 100 percent. I wanted to HATE Danny and Anya’s performance, but it was wonderful.

Darn you Fox Trot!!!!

Sabra and Dominic were wonderful — yet again. How that girl can still have such chemistry with Dominic after being dropped on her head … it just shows how talented they truly are. The dance wasn’t anything WOW, in my opinion, but they had energy, spark and they sold it!

I’m working in a bookstore the night of the HP release. I’ll be thinking of you and all those other crazy Muggles while counting down the hours before I can read my copy of the book!

I still wasn’t that impressed with danny, I mean big shock, they gave the boring, arrogant dancer a boring arrogant dance and he looked perfect. And when he said his favorite part about anya was her costumes? the lamp shade and 70’s couch? lol he’s such an ass. Also was it Lauren who said working with neil was good because he was good-looking, I was ready for her to leave as soon as I heard that everytime I hear her talk I dislike her a little bit more. I think hok is probably going to go home, I mean I love him, but he can’t really dance that well outside of his own style. I’m worried though because I don’t really see Lauren going home I think Jamie probably would. Which is sad because when I watch her dance I forget that she’s only like 5′4 she’s got legs that go on forever.. I’m jealous

How excited am I about watching this episode tonight!?

Regardless of the fact that I haven’t seen last night’s show, I’m in totally agreement w/ your thoughts on Lauren & Kameron. Lauren bugs the living crap outta me. There’s just something on her that irriates me. & as much as I love Lacey & Kameron, I feel like he’s been riding Lacey’s coat tails the entire time.

Also… the hip hop routine, it sucked, and I don’t think it was so much the dancers but the choreography, I’m not sure hip hop dancers could even make that skipping crap look good.

I try to give Danny a little slack — he’s orphaned or dumped by his biological parents, then got adopted by a family related somehow to the show (I can’t remember the details). I don’t think he had a great childhood, you know? He’s channeled all his self-worth into dancing, which he does very well by the way. Everyone deserves to feel confident in something they do well.

Anyway, I really hope you write something about the new Harry Potter book. Something tells me you’re a fan! BTW, it’s Dark Mark, babe.

I am so glad that you appreciated the Mia Michaels choreography! Yes, it was weird, but it was AWESOME.

Also, on the SYTYCD message boards, somebody went back through all 3 seasons and ranked the choreographers based on how often their dances landed people in the bottom 3. The choreographer with the worst ranking, with 100% of his dances landing people in the bottom? Dan Karaty. I bet that Lacey and Kameron continue the streak–that dance deserved it!

i know. Im kinda afraid of whats going to happen tonight…

Am I the only one that thought that Kameron looked like Kevin Federline in his outfit?
I think it should be Lauren and Kameron too.

Please oh please can we start a campaign to get Dan Karaty fired? HACKtastic he is.

Wow, I commend you on being probably the ONLY blog that can mix SYTYCD with HP references. Both faves of mine, too. Dannnng!

Anyhoo, Lauren/Misha’s time has run out. And sad to say, probably Kam too. Only because Hok would be AMAZING to see on tour. It’s so hard to pick now.

By the way, I’m going to the taping on Monday to see the top ten. I’m stoked to the max!

Melissa, I’m so jealous!! You better report back here ASAP!!!

OH! And take LOTS of notes!

You should win something for writing this post!! Excellent!

You are going to be watching Harry and the Potters AND Draco and the Malfoys on Friday night…color me SOOO jealous. I was going to see them when they came to Nashville, but came down with a nasty flu bug and couldn’t go.

Back to the dancing, I really hope Lauren is going home tonight. If I *had* to pick a guy…I suppose Kameron hasn’t really done much sans Lacey, so he should get the boot.

Can I just say I got a teensy little kick out of the tiny pairing of Lacey and Pasha at the very beginning- so cute together! Nigel is still incredibly toothy with surprisingly large amount of fluffy hair, and damn did Wade talk A LOT last night. Keep on talkin’, Wade. I’m not really listening, but I damn sure am watchin’. Yum.

So, Sabra/Dom are so cute together. I’m surprised how much I’ve grown to really love Sabra- there’s just something about her that’s so endearing. She looked way hot in that sparkly red dress, and the ending was too fun.

Jaimie/Hok disappointed me a little. Well, not so much Jaimie, because I apparently love her for some inexplicable reason (Dammit!), but Hok’s “old man” thing. I had hoped he’d be more… melancholy? Maybe? I don’t know, but Jaimie’s extensions are incredible.

Sara/Pasha were my second fave of the night. After the show finished, I went to my room and blasted “Physical” for about two hours. LOVED IT! Look at my girl Sara bringin’ back side ponytails! These two have the sickest bodies, and were smokin’ hot- that chemistry is incredible. God, Pasha’s pretty. I love the gap. Sigh.

You know, with Lauren/Neil, I actually find myself agreeing with Nigel. Ick, I know, but whatever. I know that the dancing itself was incredibly intricate and hard and I totally commend them for that, but I didn’t like the dance. I don’t like not getting things, and I just didn’t GET this. And I usually love Mia’s routines, but this one? I just wasn’t crazy about. Neil was still great, and I still hate Lauren.

Argh, I am SUPER PISSED, though, cause apparently all Danny needs to break through my steely feelings of hatred is a routine choreographed by a French chipmunk, and danced to a Frank song that I love, and WHAT THE HECK I AM PUTTY IN HIS HANDS GOD. It was gorgeous and lovely and fancy and heart-warming and my absolute favorite dance of the entire night and maybe of all season. Kill me now.

I knew Dan’s routine would blow, and I’m afraid that Lacey/Kam will be in the bottom three, and I’m even more afraid because I really believe that they belong there tonight. Kam’s a total cutie and everything, but he showcased NOTHING last night. Sad, cause Lacey turned it out, even with this Crap on Toast routine Dan keeps shoving up our butts. ASS.

I’m fully on board with your bottom three, Dan, and will be super surprised if that’s not it. So until tonight, I’ll be listening to ONJ and daydreaming about Pasha in leggings.

LOTS OF NOTES, MELISSA. TAKE THEM.

I’m gonna forgo being a bitterly jealous whore, and just be way happy for you, cause I’m a super altruistic person, except for the times when I’m a bitterly jealous skankoid whore. And this is definitely NOT one of those times. Promise.

Copious notes! Will do. Hopefully they won’t be too tear stained because I’ll be like that crying Ashley girl just overwhelmed to be among dancing greatness. (Well, mourning the loss of Hok, too. Waaaaah!)

Mel — (brilliant name btw). I appreciate the altruism. I will represent for the MELs!

YES. Mels RULE.

Am I the only one who cannot stand Jaime? Everyone goes on about how much they despise Lauren (and I agree that her dancing never lives up to the hype she seems to get from the judges) but at least I can tolerate her when she is on camera, and her dancing isn’t bad it just isn’t special like Lacey’s or Sabra’s. Jaime on the other hand makes me want to gauge my eyes out with a rusty spoon! While I can appreciate her technical skill I don’t think she is a very versitile dancer. She is great in her own style, but they are all great in their own style, none of them would have made it on the show otherwise. I barely noticed her on the hip hop routine, her mambo/salsa whatever that was was awful, the jazz routine was more her style and I love that routine but my eyes were on Hok the amazing hummingbird the whole time so again I really didn’t notice her. When they did the waltz, it was bad, the only thing she did that was impressive were those contemporary style leg lifts so she didn’t really show any versatility in being able to perform a proper waltz. And than that boring piece this week, where again she is doing her own style in a broadway piece. She has amazing extension but thats not enough when there are amazing performers like Lacey and Sabra who have amazing technique too. And besides her dancing, her personality is so annoying it is impossible for me to like her. This stupid crush on Hok thing, ugh. And her voice sounds like a six year old girl. Yuk she needs to go next, I am dissapointed she made it on the tour instead of Anya.

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