The Final Verdict

Results Part 1: Mitchell, Tadd, and Melanie - Mitchell had a lackluster Broadway routine and was obviously part of the bottom four. Mitchell marks his fourth appearance in the bottom, though the first was because of injuries. Melanie managed to overcome some of the stigmas of a slow Viennese Waltz and losing Marko. According to Nigel, Tadd out danced Comfort, this is enough to argue that we need a new hip-hop female. Both Tadd and Melanie were safe.

Results Part 2: Marko, Sasha, Clarice - Marko opened the show with a sexy samba and benefited from having Chelsie Hightower for increased exposure; Marko was also last to perform his solo last night. He was easily safe. Sasha had one of the best Lyrical Hip-Hop routines, topping her last Lyrical Hip-Hop "Coming Home.” As much as Clarice was last and had an explosive Bollywood routine, Neil mentioned that he never connected with her. Clarice was in the bottom and Sasha was safe.

Results Part 3: Jess, Jordan, Ricky, Caitlynn - Jess was criticized for mugging for the camera, and the performance was all about how beautifully Kathryn moved. Ricky had another nightmare routine after following his zombie "Fashion" routine, on the second look; Ricky was very supportive of Allison. Jess was safe and Ricky was in the bottom four. Ricky now was also in his fourth appearance in the bottom showing that both Ricky and Mitchell should be eliminated soon. Caitlynn had the first Argentine Tango of the season and it marvelous to watch. Jordan had a very strong contemporary performance and was fighting. She had the disadvantage of performing second and having her solo in the middle. Jordan was in the bottom and Caitlynn was safe.

Musical Performance: Daniil Simkin (Ballet) - There was something adorkable about the whole routine where it looked almost too easy. The "drunken Frenchman" storyline was easy to grasp and his leaps were insane.

Solos

Clarice - The performance lacked a bit of something outside of the "Look at me, I'm pretty." I couldn't stop looking at the bow on her butt, there was no reason for it to be there and it looked like one you would put on a present.

Mitchell -A really cool routine involving a piece of fabric and proved his athleticism. Even though he fell out of his turn a bit, he had the same physicality he always does.

Jordan - Another slow routine which displayed her powerful extensions. The song was one of the most fitting songs as well where the lyrics kept saying "don't you let me go, let me go tonight" almost as a plea to the judges. The judges already emphasized how much they loved her.

Ricky - A performance where he was battling for a win. While the judges don't respond positively on back flips it was great visual for the audience. Ricky and Mitchell are a bit interchangeable so either elimination wouldn't faze me.

Musical Guest: Blush ft. Snoop Dogg - Does Snoop Dogg get paid to just say hello these days? Blush seemed like one of those attempts for an Asian group to succeed.

The final verdict

After the commercial break, Nigel announced that the votes were unanimous, so the background conversation was probably just Neil talking about his involvement with The Smurfs.

Nigel emphasized that contestants have been in the bottom before, including the apparently untouchable Twitch. Have we all forgotten that Twitch lost? The point was that Nigel cut Mitchell and Clarice in one quick swoop.

 

 

Good-by, Robert and Miranda

So here's my view:  I think Ashley should have gone home...Miranda far outdanced her in the solos and i would bet this is the reason for the not unanimous vote by the judges.  And I think Chris should have been sent home, but maybe that's because I think Robert's personality is so huge.  My husband thinks Chris is a better dancer...so...

After a performance show that had judges kissing one another and Kristin Chenoweth telling everyone to shut the front, back, side and garage doors, "So You Think You Can Dance" sent two more finalists home on Thursday night's results show.

So, which finalists had to dance for their lives, and which two were ultimately sent packing? (Spoiler Alert)



After the dancers opened the show with a jazz number to music from "The Incredibles," host Cat Deeley brought the couples on stage to learn their fates. And the bottom three pairs were Miranda and Robert, Ashley and Chris and Caitlynn and Mitchell.

The results weren't surprising. Miranda and Robert's Broadway number by Tyce Diorio was polished but nowhere near as exciting (or moving) as some of the other routines. Same goes for Caitlynn and Mitchell's Jean-Marc Genereux-choreographed samba - it was good, considering neither of them are ballroom dancers, but didn't compare to the other numbers. And all of the judges criticized Ashley and Chris' Sonya Tayeh-choreographed, zombie-inspired jazz routine.  [Is this the first time the judges have ever been less than over the top about Sonya?]

The bottom six danced for their lives, and the results show also featured a beautiful duet from the AXIS Dance Company, which integrates dancers with and without physical disabilities, and a gravity-defying ballroom number from Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian.

Then, it was time for the judges' decision. Nigel Lythgoe didn't make the three girls suffer long - he called Miranda forward first, and told her that while she was improving as the show went on, it wasn't enough. [Not unanimous among the judges.  I bet the runner-up was Ashley.  Oh well, she'll go home next week.]
Lythgoe then called each of the boys forward. He told Chris and Robert that they weren't improving fast enough, and noted that while Mitchell's solos are impressive, he keeps finding himself in danger of elimination. Ultimately, Robert was the one sent packing.

Lythgoe noted that the judges' were not unanimous in their decision to send Miranda home, but all agreed on eliminating Robert.)

Debbie Reynolds gives advice to eliminated contestants

Wednesday routines June 22

I am surprised that I liked Mitchell.  He didn't dance last week and came across as an emotional wimp when the camera shot him in the audience.  He was so good that I didn't even connect him with last week's cry baby.

Sasha with Alexander...I really liked this routine and the judges gave it added favor by announcing Obama's troop withdrawal announcement.

Chris and Ashley...I was prepared to not like their routine based on the silly interview and the difficulty during practice.  But, Ashley met her challenge head on and showed a new maturity.  I especially liked the first slow walk by Chris...that really set the mood.

Melanie and Marko...Is she the first dancer with short hair (other than Sasha)?  I liked their routine and think they may be the favorite of the judges.

Rickey and Ryan...please, someone tell her to stop with the big silly grin!  She loses character and mood.  Good dance...good costumes in spite of malfunctions.

Iveta and Nick...am I the only one who thinks Iveta is on the other side of 30?  Her talent cannot be denied, though.  And Nick seems to be a step behind her all through the routine.  Does he have a clue...  And the Bollywood was not great.  It is hard to find anything to compare with the first production number a few years ago.

I like Robert and Miranda...liked their routine, too.

Wadi and Missy...these guys may be in trouble but his personality is a bit more genuine than most others and the judges were tough on him because lack of hip action, I think.

Tadd and Jordan...OK, Viennese waltz is not popular among this young crowd...but this couple is one of the best.

Jess and Clarice...Well, Jess is fantastic on his own but I don't think it works for him with a partner.  He's a skinny little guy and could barely manage the simple lifts.  Made Clarice look bad.

First Week Eliminations - or not!

WOW!  What a Surprise!  No one was eliminated. The performances were all amazing....well, some more amazing than others.

So, Cat Deely found some new shiny shoes to make her literally stand head and shoulders above the little dancers. (The LA Times quoted her saying "I'm 5-foot-9. The minute I put heels on, I'm 6-foot")

The show began with a group number choreographed by Sonya that was dark and leathery....fierce and beastly!
The guest performances:  Keri Hilson lip-synced her song, "Lose Control," which was pretty lame.  And her dancers were boring.

The premiere of Lady Gaga's new video for "The Edge of Glory" was strange...not up to her usual standards of shock and more shock. The setting was plain; her costume change consisted of adding a jacket to her strips of leather.  But Cat did announce that Lady Gaga will be a guest judge later in the season.

Russian folk dancer Gennadi Saveliev performed a folk dance that was a complete embarrassment in Season 5.  And then they showed the video of it!  Will Philip and Jeanine be most remembered for their pathetic attempt?  I remember how the judges castigated the choreographer of that Russian folk dance.  What ever happened to him?

Then came the announcement that Jordan and Tadd, Jess and Clarice, and Robert and Miranda were the bottom three couples, along with Mitchell, who didn't dance Thursday night due to injury. Except for Mitchell who was automatically in "Dance for Your Life" club, I was very surprised by the other couples.  Jordan and Tadd performed an African jazz number that was perfect, much praised by the judges. And, although his arrogant personality is not charming, Jess could out dance (or at least keep up with) any current Broadway dancer.  He was transformed during the dance...a joy to watch.  Maybe the demographics of the voters lean more toward hip hop than the traditional Broadway. Clarice's performance was commendable, but her inexperience in that genre showed. What! Robert and Miranda were in the bottom three? Robert has more personality than any of the others...and their routine was fun.  Maybe he is over-wooing!
Everyone danced for their lives and no one was a stand out.  They were all amazing, and truly, no one "deserved" to go home.
The judges deliberated, and their voices could be heard but no words recognized.  Did Nigel sincerely decide at the last minute to keep all the contestants until next week...or was it part of his deliberate attempt to look confused and in pain?
So the contestants all jumped, hugged, and cried at the decision.

Now, next week will be a tough one because 2 boys and 2 girls will go home.  Expect some amazing performances and then the inevitable tears.