SYTYCD Season 7 Top 6 (Again!) Thoughts/Power Rankings
This one is both easy and difficult. Once again… Except things haven’t really been going as you’d think this season, huh?
Top Two
Lauren – Had a great night! I think her personality is finally coming across just right to America and her dancing is incredible. I loved her Broadway with Allison and enjoyed her Foxtrot with Adechike. But, it’s really her solo that stood out tonight – incredible. And plus, she’s been growing steadily the last few weeks. I’d even say she edged Kent out for pure performance.
Kent – Kent’s routines weren’t my favorite of the night. I enjoyed his cha cha with Anya and I thought he was the standout in that Broadway with Jose. I LOVED all of the personality that shone through during the night, but his routines were not the memorable ones. HOWEVER, he has the most dependable (and largest?) fan base, plus, he’s a “contender” according to the judges.
Middle Two (of course, one of these two will be in the bottom 3, but I don’t care)
Billy – Despite not dancing last week (or maybe because of it??), Billy had a killer night. While I actually think he was weaker than Robert in the Bollywood (and there were some timing issues that I think he was the cause of), it was the last routine and Bollywood is always energetic and memorable. His solo was a great remix of his solo from Vegas Week (“Lights Go Down” by Telepathe, which has been popular all season). He was fiercer and you could see the fire in his eyes. But, what really saves him in my opinion is his PHENOMENAL Stacey Tookey contemporary with Ade. It was one of (if not THE) standout routine of the night.
Robert – He is one of my FAVORITES and he’s been growing so much this season, both in dance ability and in the eyes of the audience. However, I think Billy had a more obviously better night. I adored his Stacey Tookey contemporary with Kathryn, but was the second routine of the night and not even the strongest Stacey Tookey routine. And while I think he out-danced Billy in the Bollywood, I think not everyone will agree with me.
Bottom Two
Adechike – I hate to say it, because he’s really been growing on me the last two weeks or so and I really liked his jazz with Courtney (and even his Foxtrot with Lauren had highlights), I think he doesn’t always connect for some reason with his partner or audience. It makes me sad to say, but I am happy he’s on the tour regardless.
Jose – Unless some wildness (like Lauren’s late-in-the-show injury) saves him again, I think his departure this week is pretty much a given. Nigel even called it – straight out, to his face – and basically said, “at least you’re going on the tour.” I don’t think that’s gonna rally the fans this time around. That being said, his hip hop with Comfort is just about one of my favorite things ever. But honestly? That was probably because of Comfort. That girl is a SHOCK this season. And such a pleasant one. I liked what Jose brought to it, but I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing another guy dance it with her.
Some Final Thoughts
-There was a very obvious and kinda sad disparity in cheers. Kent and Lauren got more than anyone else. There were almost crickets for some, as if they realized how mean it would be not to cheer. OR, there were staffers prodding them with sticks to cheer for everybody.
-LOVE Toni Redpath as a guest judge. One thing I gotta say for the SYTYCD producers is that they do kinda listen to us. I think they got that we needed the irksomeness of constant Mia/Nigel/Adam judging to be shaken up with some new blood. And I love, love, love some Toni Redpath. She’s a good mix of hard and soft, sour and sweet, Mia and Cat.
-Nigel annoyed me a lot tonight. The first time was when he pretended he hadn’t noticed that Jose hadn’t been in the group routines. Whether or not Jose pulled his groin and legitimately sat out, it’s a bit weird that they tried to pass it off like it hadn’t happened, that they never addressed it till WE, the audience, did.
-Loved that Billy was really fighting with his solo. Liked Kent’s solo, especially his song choice (he’s good with that). I think the Elliot Yamin cover was the right choice for what he was doing, but can’t help thinking of the original by Donny Hathaway , who was one of Yamin’s biggest influences (he even had Hathaway’s daughter singing back up vocals for him on American Idol).
-I think Adam nailed it when he said that he already thinks of Lauren as an All-Star. She does already have a quiet polish to her like the All-Stars do. I think she was genuinely surprised and touched to hear it.
-The second time that Nigel annoyed me was when he “misspoke” and called our beloved SYTYCD American Idol. Yes, yes, we know you may go back to producing the big brother of SYTYCD and you may replace the whole judging panel, Nigel. FOCUS. Ugh.
-I thought it was sweet that Robert was visibly smiling after hearing his fellow contestants speak about him, before his solo.
-The INSTANT I heard the opening notes of “Mad World” for Stacey Tookey’s routine with Billy and Ade, I was like, “This is gonna be good” and put my pen down. I was right.
-Kinda sad that the judges pretty much ignored Jose while critiquing the Broadway with Billy and that Nigel pretty much told him he’s gone this week. But, it kinda sucks that it’s true, too. And that he was dancing all by himself on stage at the end of the show. :'(
-I loved the package for the Bollywood and Nakul narrating it as a Bollywood movie. That was great. 🙂 I also loved that Nakul got to tell people how DIVERSE Bollywood is and that it pulls from other styles (ahem, Mia). I thought it was odd that it always seems to come down to Billy and Robert. And I really think it does come down to them two for that third Bottom 3 spot. Hopefully, it’ll be Jose and Adechike to go home.
Disagree with me? Agree wholeheartedly? Fess up!!!
I cannot imagine them sending Adechike home before Robert or Billy, regardless of Billy’s great performance tonight.
I think Robert and Jose will go, assuming they’re both in the bottom.
Only way Adechike goes home is if he’s up against Kent or Lauren.
I agree with you about Kent’s night being ho-hum, though. Good, but not great. And Nigel bugged me tonight, too–especially with the Jose/groin thing…”oh, I didn’t notice!” Yeah, right.
At the time of this writing, the consensus of the voting is that Jose and Adechike are the bottom 2, with a tie for Billy and Robert for the other “in danger” spot. If Billy is in the bottom 3, I think the judges will definitely put him through. For the sake of argument, then, if Robert is in the bottom three instead, Jose should be gone, but that leaves the judges to choose between keeping Adechike or Robert. I could see that being split two-to-two. What happens then? My guess is that as Producer Nigel will give himself a second vote, and it seems that he is leaning towards Robert.
I don’t see how you send Adechike home when he’s never been in the bottom 3.
Ever.
The whole season.
I mean, I know a lot of people on this site thought he should have been, but he hasn’t. So he should go before someone who has consistently been in the bottom 3 each week? That doesn’t make much sense at all. I don’t get the logic.
I agree it will be tough, the easy thought was Jose and Billy after last week, but I think Billy had clearly the best night of the dancers tonight. With all due respect to the judges gushing, I though Kent and Lauren were merely “good” rather than “great”. Particularly Lauren’s piece with Allison. Maybe it was the music, maybe it was creepy Tyce, but I just didn’t care for it.
Anyone find it odd that we’ve had 3 Bollywood numbers this season but no waltz?
Gah!
I was prepared to not have Billy in the final four. I kind of figured I wouldn’t be able to have him and Robert both, so I wasn’t even going to vote for Billy (much, lol). And then he had to go be SO SUPERNATURALLY BRILLIANT in that Stacey Tookey piece that is now EASILY in my top 10 ALL-TIME SYTYCD performances!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want a Top 5. I really, really, really want a Top 5.
I’m going to go rewatch “Mad World” a zillion times. Great night overall, but holy crap. Genius work by Stacey. But I think there’s also just something about Billy and Ade, dancing as opposites, that is magical. Little Boy Billy and Old Man Ade in Mia’s piece, and now this. Gurrgh. Love.
yes,billy had a good night BUT me and my friends agree that Billy should go bc he chose to sit out last week. it sets a bad precedent if the judges don’t deal with it now.
jose is ready to go too.
my faves of the night were (in order):
1. the broadway by spencer. LOVED his choreography!!! i wanted it to go on forever!!! Jose and Kent were adorable.
2.the bollywood. yes, robert outdanced billy and had the right intensity but i did feel awful for billy’s poor knee. that HAD to hurt. 🙁
BTW-I’ve decided Robert is an amazing actor (when he was fake crying in his practice scene). He is gorgeous and would be so good on screen – maybe a soap opera?
3. the contemp. with billy and ade. what can i say about ade? he is incredible in this piece. he killed it.
4.the contemp. with robert and kathryn. good chemistry.
5. the jazz piece with adechike and courtney. my only issue was adechike would have looked the part more in a t- shirt and cool hat.
6. the fox trot w/lauren and adechike. it was smooth, i liked it.
my least faves were:
7. the cha cha- it was OK
8. the broadway with the 2 women- it was OK
and the HUGE FAIL of the night for me was…
9. the hip hop w/jose and comfort. poor comfort looked like an old, bag lady. it was weird.
You know I was thinking what “Mad World” would have been like with Adam Lamberts version.
I laughed when he said Idol but hey at least its on the same network and speaking of Idol Allison Irraheta will be on the show tomorrow.
Anyway hard to choose who will go home. One obvious choice is Jose. Anyways Im thinking is between Lauren and Kent. The top 7 will be on tour so YAY. Oh and YAY for Adam showing Kathryn love made my night.
I am so disappointed that Mary was let go as a judge this year. I think there is more to this story that is not open for discussion.
I am so SICK of Mia Michaels! She is so arrogant. She apparently believes she is the ONLY judge that matters. She is an expert on every dance genre including ballroom. I would like to see her ballroom any dance… just once. She is so mean and rude except for her “chosen one.” She makes up her mind from early on who she is rooting for and doesn’t give others a fair shake. This is so sad. I really feel for the others.
Making her a full time judge is a horrible mistake on so many different levels.
I don’t know if I will watch SYTYCD after his year unless she goes and they bring back Mary. I am sad as I have watched every show from Season 1 on.
billy must go home! he had one good routine tonight and that was his contemporary piece. i am not sure what consensus voting Lee is referring to with regards to Adechike being in the bottom. If you are referring to DialIdol, it has been wrong ALL season long. Billy punked out last week b/c he did not want to look like an idiot in the Step routine. That is not a champion. I would rather have Jose over Billy.
I do think Kent will win it all. I happen to think Lauren is a good dancer but not great.
Agreed that Mia Michaels has to go. I am not sure why they decided not to renew Mary’s contract, but she is sorely missed this season! I hope she is back. Maybe Mary can replace Carrie Ann on DWTS since Carrie Ann has no idea what she is talking about anyway.
I know why they replaced Mary. She was driving the viewers NUTS with her screaming and lack of actual content in her comments.
I don’t think Mia is all that much better, but I’d still rather have her than Mary. Tonight though I did enjoy the ballroom perspective back on the show. So, how about bringing in Louis van Amstel as a judge.
Of course, I think Benji would be an entertaining judge as well. I’m just not so sure they could get him there. Plus, they might now want to vault a past contestant to judge quite yet.
@Kevin, we were supposed to have a waltz the week that Alex Wong got injured. He was going to do a waltz with Anya and the Bollywood with Adéchiké. Though, I agree, it is odd that we haven’t had more traditional ballroom routines.
Super, super writers and comments on this blog. It’s s good as the show itself!
The only one safe is Lauren. I think Robert will survive too. The other three are up for grabs though. I’m completely with “ahs” – Billy was the one to go until his absolutely riveting “Mad World” piece. It’s going to be an interesting results show!
But I will miss Jose’s spirit. He’s not the most accomplished dancer, but he IS the one you can’t take your eyes off for a second when he performs.
Billy Bell just saved Season 7. I hope the voters save Billy Bell. That was one of the best performances of any dancer anywhere.
Easily near the top of my all time top 10 list.
I know dialidol means squat, but that performance motivated people to pick up the phone for sure.
okay, typing as I watch again…
didn’t love the cha cha. really wanted to. what was up with Anya’s hair? it looked cool until I saw the closeup, weird. I thought Kent definitely improved on his first cha cha but it definitely wasn’t his best performance.
laughed out loud when Robert apologized to the poll for kicking it again, that was really funny. sooo beautiful wow. interesting twist at the end, I was not expecting that at all, good job stacey. I thought their bodies molded together really well. One thing I would have loved to have seen was a side by side section, kind of like what Robert did with Alison during his piece by Travis. Like they’re connected even when they’re apart. I also wished I could have seen their faces more, they’re both incredibly expressive and emotional dancers.
LOVING Toni Redpath as a judge, especially when she was talking to Robert. She was articulate and invested in him without being over the top. Kathryn was so darling in her response. And I agree that I like the Robert without the hamminess that he had at the beginning.
Fabulous music choice by Tyce (wow I haven’t said that in a while). And this was eons better than Courtney and Adechike’s first routine. I agree with the poster above who said that Adechike’s outfit would have been more complete with like a button down or a white tank and a cool hat. I felt like something was missing in that dept (though I’m not complaining that we got to watch his chest, lol). He is a such a powerful dancer.
Glad to see Marty back, though I almost didn’t recognize him without the braids that he used to have. Wow, that was not the music I was expecting when they were describing that routine. I guess the best thing I can say about it was that it was nice to see Jose’s personality shine in something that was more in his wheelhouse. He had that “oh shucks” look again. Comfort killed it, and I agree with Emilie that I would have loved to have seen someone like Twitch (or even Will Wingfield) dance it with her.
Great routine for Alison and Lauren. Fun to see Tyce and Alison reunited since he’s the one responsible for Alison’s most memorable dance during her season. I thought they both really danced full out in a very difficult routine. There were a couple of points where Lauren lost a little of her umph in her movements but kudos to her for getting it right back. Really fun number.
Um, what was up with Nigel as the only one sitting down after Ade and Billy’s AMAZING routine? That looked awkward. Wow, I don’t even know what to say. Billy did part of that routine with his hat over his eyes, and he was flawless. I didn’t know who to watch!! They are both such committed dancers, and I think we finally saw the old Billy. Stacey really found incredible ways to work with their strengths and their bodies. She’s on fire this season. Looking forward to seeing this one on tour for sure. Can I just say how great it was to see Ade dancing again, this was his first time doing a partner routine since Week 3!! And Ade was the only All-Star not to get a comment from at least one judge tonight, what gives?
Confession: I was in Kiss Me Kate in high school, so hearing that music brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, haha. But Spencer Liff killed it!! What a great routine for Kent and Jose. And, for the first time, I agreed with every one of the judges. This style fits Kent so perfectly, and Toni’s right, Jose got away with a bit, not having to be as big as Kent, but it definitely showed the difference in talent. Nigel mentioned Evan, but we never really got to see Evan do his own style in a partner routine, only in solos. What a treat it would be to get these two together. Two really great Broadway routines in one show, it’s been a while since we had that! True Life: I’m in love with Spencer Liff.
I wonder if Beyoncé ever thought her music would be used in a foxtrot! It was pretty to watch, Lauren looked like Courtney Galiano (although blonde) in that dress. After hearing Toni’s comments, I went back and watched the routine again and began to see what she was talking about. It was pretty and they had good chemistry, but that was about it.
Bollywood is a great way to end the show. I thought both Robert and Billy did a fabulous job. I was having trouble figuring out who to watch because their costumes kinda matched the colors of the lights. This is a routine I think would have really benefitted from the old stage. I’m not sure anyone can touch Katee and Joshua’s piece, but I would put this one ahead of Mollee and Nathan, Jose and Kathryn, and Jason and Caitlin. I agree with the judges, I thought Robert won this battle, but only by a nose.
If I had to pick a bottom 3, oh goodness (btw, I hate that we’re still at B3 when, by this point normally we really should only be doing a B2), I’d put Jose in and probably Adechike, then…lordy. I really don’t know. Be advised that I watched the routines on youtube tonight so I haven’t seen the solos. From what I’m reading Lauren and Billy both had fabulous solos. I really want Billy and Robert to stay because they both had such strong nights tonight. Gah, I don’t know!!
I think the only reason they’ve had four judges the past couple of weeks is because they’re maintaining the show at two hours even as the number of dancers dwindle. They have to eat up time somehow!
Margaret – how could you have trouble deciding who to watch in the Bollywood? It seemed like the camera only showed one of them at a time for half the dance! It really annoys me when they do that.
You mentioned Beyonce’s music for the foxtrot – I really liked that both ballroom numbers were to “different” music than we typically get.
Had to jump in here just to express my love for the Stacey Tookey piece. In the package, I was thinking this was going to be great. Done deal with the music choice.
Billy emotes with his entire body.
The big credit has to go to Stacey. The way she braided the two different dances–Ade’s sharp, no-nonsense with Billy’s compellingly awkward angles together–was incredible. Then when they came together, my heart just soared. Beautiful agony.
Little things that just wrenched my heart:
the initial move of Ade protecting his briefcase from the Billy (scary street person) then the way Ade used the briefcase as a shield against the unpleasant reality of a homeless man.
The move where Ade waves his hand in front of Billy’s covered face at the lyric “no expression”
Their mutual reaction to discovering they knew each other.
After the “discovery” when they both do the same moves, but they are so very different in the execution.
The lifts, as if Ade would try to help Billy, but there’s still a stiffness between them and Billy seems to resist even as he leans into Ade.
Whoa, just whoa.
I’m with Nigel; if screwing with the rules last week allowed us to get that, it was sooo worth it.
Does anyone know the story on Lauren’s injury last night? I’m catching tweets that she was taken to the hospital with dehydration and a concussion? Hope she’s ok.
From what Nigel’s been saying about America already picking their top 3, he’s making it sound like Kent, Lauren, and Adechike are so far ahead in the votes that they can’t be caught. That would leave Jose, Robert and Billy in the bottom.
Jose is a sure bet to go home. Choosing between Robert and Billy is tough. Robert is so so good and easily my favorite, so I want him to stay. Plus its my opinion that Billy should have gone home last week anyways, after not dancing. I just really really really hope Robert is spared.
Oh and last comment… Can we have Spencer on every week? Or at least more than twice per season.
Man, this is going to be a really hard goodbye. No matter what happens, I’m going to be so heartbroken. I JUST WANT THEM ALL TO WIN. 🙁
I LOOVED how they had each dancer talk about the soloist, it was so cute! Lauren’s segment was just hilarious, that girl and her imaginary horse..and jumping onto the pillar. I wish they showed more of just the contestants being themselves!
Also in that last package for Bollywood, did anybody else find the “Now HIP HOP! HIP HOP! HIP HOP!” part awesome?? I literally laughed by butt off. I love the interaction between dancers, choreographers, etc.
I think, undoubtedly, that Lauren and Kent are going to be the top 2. After that, I really have no problem with either of them winning! Lauren is amazing technically, and her bubbly personality is just freakin’ adorable. And Kent, oh Kent. I’ve loved him from the start in his very first interview with Cat. He’s not as technically adept as Lauren, but his fans are the most zealous kind…so his chances are much higher I think. Does anybody else notice that his musicality in his solos seems a little bit lacking? You watch Lauren and Billy and compare them to Kent, he seems to have a little trouble filling in the spaces between his turns, jumps, and tricks. As much as in pains me to say that 🙁 BUT I love him. He will be my husband. Mark my words!
I think the judges might have to base their decision on the season as a whole, and as a result, Billy will probably be joining Jose. Who knows, Robert might not even end up in the bottom! He has some pretty creepy tween fans of his own!
@ Beth (Comment #3) – I didn’t say that is the outcome I desired, but it seems very possible the way this entire round of 6 has unfolded. The top 4 that I would like to see (in order) are Lauren, Kent, Robert, and Adechike.
@ tamdayc (Comment #9) – The poll is the one by Marianya on the puresytycd home page, there is also a link to it just above these comments as the “Previous Article”. By this morning it is still showing Jose at the very bottom, followed by Adechike, with Billy now slightly edging out Robert for the last “in danger” position. If the actual voting reflects this poll, then the scenario I outlined in Comment #2 could still happen.
@Lee:
Definitely possible, but not likely. The voting on this site has been really off on Adechike. He’s been at the bottom of the voting for weeks, yet has never been in the bottom 3. I think the judges, and the blogosphere, has wildly underestimated the love for Chike out there in the voting public.
With that said, anything can definitely happen, but if Adechike is in the bottom 3, I don’t think there’s any way the judges will let him go, unless he’s up against Lauren or Kent.
@Kevin, when the camera was showing them individually, which, you’re right, they did a lot, it was easy, but when they did those wide sweeping shots the boys got lost amongst the lights with those bright colored costumes.
Interesting show. Loved foxtrot and contemporary. Cat’s dress wasn’t bad tonight. LAUREN BETTER NOT GO HOME. There also seems to be lots of kissing this season, but since I didn’t watch seasons 1 and 2, who’s the couple that had the first on-stage kiss?
Anyways, I found out that Trandrew over at SYTYCDism was wrong for once, and he’s usually always right. His spoilers said Dom was dancing yesterday, but he didn’t. Dom said on Twitter that he had rehearsal, but I don’t think he’s dancing with the musical guest, since it’s Allison Iraheta and Orianthi. Kherington Payne and Lexie Contursi are rumored to come back to dance with them, so I’m betting it will be all-girls. If he has his all-star performance, it better be with Sabra because 1) I am still a Dombra fan and 2) Today is Sabra’s birthday.
@Lola, I read that tweet (from Mark) and he was rehearsing with Dom, Twitch and Neil, what a 4some!
The following comment is not meant to offend Legacy or any of his fans (beware it is long but makes sense) :
BTW… I need to talk about something that irks me. People hate Jose because he’s not as good as previous bboys, right? Or so they say. Oh, and let’s not forget about when he walked into his audition saying he was better than Legacy. Oh no. It seems nobody can get over that. So, I hear Legacy was one of the most loved people on the show. Was able to do other styles well. Apparently had abs. HA HA HA. I have yet to see ONE discussion where people are talking about Jose and don’t bring Legacy up. His fans aren’t over it. They think Jose is a cock. Buuuttt I heard Legacy was a cock during his audition. Pretty much all bboys are. I’m bugged, though, because look at the nicknames of the bboys who have been on the show:
Ryan: Ryanimay (I LOVE YOU, RYAN)
Dominic: D-Trix 🙂
Hok: Well… Hok, short for Hokuto 🙂
Gev: Gev, short for Gevorg
Jonathan: LEGACY
Jose: Full Deck
Oh my! Look at Jonathan’s nickname! Legacy! 😮 I read a post somewhere about a guy who hates Legacy.
“This guy is a douche. Seriously, he calls himself Legacy!”
My, oh my, many people seemed to have overlooked this!
It irks me even more that after Legacy gets brought up, Dominic usually does too! WHY ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE?! I was reading a thread the other day where there was a poll:
Who is better: Legacy or Jose?
I was like, oh okay, finally it’s between only those two, but then I saw the third option:
Both suck, DOMINIC FTW!
Um, I’m totally in love with Dom, but why not bring up Ryan, Hok, or Gev? Then people forget about Jose and start arguing about Dominic and Legacy. ARRRHHHGGGGG!!!!! The results usually vary, since Legacy is loved but Dom has a HUGE fan base. And according to recaps, one of SYTYCD’s most popular alumni. Besides, Dom was a part of the best season of SYTYCD and Legacy’s was a dud. So, anyways, it got me thinking:
If Jose hadn’t said he was better than Legacy in his audition, would he still be hated as much? If Dominic hadn’t been brought back as an all-star (GOD FORBID), would people be comparing him to Legacy as well? Will people finally shut up after Jose gets eliminated?
I found it unfair that Legacy got contemporary three times and hip hop twice. If you’re good in one, you’re gonna be good again if you get the same one. And more people eating up all the judges’ word about “growth.” Barf. According to reader Courtney, Dom was the original “little bboy that could.” It came as a shocker that a bboy who had never worked with a partner could do disco, contemporary, rumba, hip hop, jive, Viennese Waltz, and Krump. I had a hard time believing Legacy had no form of training since he was 28. He was good, though. Poor Jose. All this contempt for him (I AM TALKING TO YOU, COMMENTERS AT SYTYCDISM) is wrong. At least he’ll be relieved of that tonight. In a way, Legacy is similar to Jose. Legacy “danced from his heart” (-.-) and Jose has his personality. Someone (me) makes a comment regarding their unfainess towards that and people stick up for Legacy, saying things like, “But he danced from his heart” or “He was good in other styles” or “But we love him” BLAH BLAH BLAH, always the same thing. It proved that this hatred for Jose is because of the stupid Legacy comment.
@Lola… Yikes, lol. I’ve never been to the “-ISM” site, and I’m really glad. Sounds annoying!
It’s sad if there’s Jose “hate” for any reason. I don’t hate him at all. At this point, I resent his presence *slightly* because I don’t really enjoy watching him dance very much, his own style or no. But that’s all.
And I love Legacy. He is #4 on my personal list of all-time favorite SYTYCDancers (after Katee, Joshua, & Mark). But it didn’t bother me a bit that Jose said he was better than Legacy. They asked him and he had to say yes to show he had confidence in himself. He also said Legacy inspired him.
All the comparing is irritating, definitely, but I’m thinking it’s mostly just inevitable because their seasons were back to back. I’ve loved seeing Legacy show up assisting in rehearsals and that they seem to have become friends.
Yes, Dom is awesome, lol. Although I have to admit I didn’t watch S3 at the time it happened, and though I’ve gone back and watched a lot of the dances, been able to say “That was good,” I’ve felt no personal connection to the dancers (because of not “living through the season” so to speak). I’ve enjoyed getting to know several of them as All-Stars.
I think I feel about S4 how you feel about S3. And speaking of, thanks for mentioning Gev. He is one brilliant little b-boy who is too often forgotten!
@Lola, I don’t hate Jose, I never have. I think SYTYCD has been really lucky to get the group of breakers that we’ve had over the past seven seasons. I know the judges love growth, and usually with breakers, they either have it or they don’t. Ryan grew in season 1 when he did a latin ballroom routine pretty successfully. Hok and Dom grew in season 3 in the hummingbird and the flower and I’ll Stand by You (Dom’s contemporary W2). Sara grew during her west coast swing with Pasha. Gev grew during his rumba. Legacy grew during Stacey Tookey’s emmy nominated routine W2, Fear. All of these routines came relatively early on in the competition, so we see these routines and can say, “wow, these guys/girls have a lot of potential for not having a whole lot of professional training”. With Jose, his broadway number last night was really the first time I saw legitimate growth in Jose, and Kent outdanced him. We’re now in week 7, all those other memorable dances were between week 2 and week 5.
I agree with you that bboys have to have a little extra swagger. I think Jose put himself on a pretty high pedestal coming right in and saying he’s better than Legacy. But, that’s more because Legacy is so fresh in people’s minds and so loved. I haven’t really seen Jose do things that the other breakers haven’t done before. Dom’s chair routine, that was original.
I think Jose suffered this season because he was the only contestant in the “hip hop/breaking” genre. Usually, there would be one other (boy or girl) but because he was the only one, he stuck out amongst the contemporary and ballroom dancers. Plus, we’ve got Twitch and Comfort AND Dom on as the All-Stars in the genre, 3 of the best dancers we’ve ever had on the show. Look at Dom, look at Jose, there’s really no comparison. Dom has had the chance to refine his craft through Quest and ABDC, SYTYCD has given him opportunities that Jose hasn’t gotten yet. Hopefully Jose will get some of those opportunities now, because he does have a big heart and seems like he works really hard.
You’re talking about Ryan, Hok and Gev not being talked about as much, their personalities weren’t quite as big as Dom and Legacy. I love all the breakers we’ve had. Hok was such an entity all his own, I think the choreographers had trouble figuring out how to utilize his skills, otherwise he would have lasted longer. Gev really grew as a dancer, especially watching him dance contemporary with Courtney and jive with Chelsie. SYTYCD has changed so much since Ryan’s season, plus he was in a guys group with Nick, Blake, and Jamile, 3 guys with big personalities.
You make a valid point, I will give you that. I wonder what would have happened if Jose hadn’t made the comment about thinking he was better than Legacy. Dominic, Comfort and Twitch have all contributed to fabulous dances from this season, so I’m glad they are All-Stars.
The “ism” site is definitely a place where logic and sanity goes to die. 😉
But they have great videos and spoilers so…
lol
So, I wasn’t a big Legacy fan (he was my husband’s fav, though) and I’m not a big Jose fan, either. I loved Jose early on because of his great attitude toward dance, but I haven’t seen much growth in him– in performance or technique. I also don’t feel like his solos are that exciting, compared to prior b-boys we’ve had. As much as I love the kid, he’s just not good enough, imo.
I remember Dom back on season 3 and I loved watching him dance. He was full of joy (just like Jose) but the boy grew by leaps and bounds. And his solos were untouchable. Gev and Courtney were an unbelievable pair–he was pretty outstanding. Legacy showed tremendous growth, but something about him didn’t sit right with me.
My point, I suppose, is that not everyone who wishes Jose was gone feels that way because of his Legacy comment. Many of us just feel like it’s his time, Legacy or no Legacy.
@beth, I agree with you. like I said, I don’t hate José, he seems like a wonderful kid, and I actually really really enjoyed him in Spencer’s broadway number last night, I thought he and Kent balanced each other out really well. But it’s his time, and I think he’s knows that as well. Looking back at some of my previous comments, I wasn’t Legacy’s biggest fan either, and I thought he was eliminated at the right time. I don’t José’s comment about Legacy against him at all.
I keep echoing Margaret today. 🙂 I agree completely. Legacy went out at the right time (roughly) in the competition, so people feel good things about him. If the judges had kept him on, gushing about his personality, while Jakob had been cut it would have been a different story. Similarly, if Jose had gone out week 3 after Christine and Melinda, I think everyone would be fine.
@Kevin, agreed. Jose most likely would have left next after Melinda. It’s been the crazy injuries and losing people like Alex and Ashley before Jose could go that makes him still being around rub a bit the wrong way, though it’s in no way his fault (or even the judges, really).
@beth: re: comments #1 and #3 Most people would agree that though Jose is incredibly sweet and hard-working, he’s the least trained and least successful dancer this season. Yet, he’s been in the bottom 3 only twice compared to Robert’s 3 and Billy’s 4 – both of whom are more talented (and trained, though they don’t necessarily go together) dancers. So, clearly personality has something to do with the voting, no big surprise. Adechike has been saved for most of the season by the injuries, by people objecting to the judges favoring Jose over him and disliking other dancers’ personalities. In my opinion. That being said, I think if he’d been on the show in a different season, a regular season, he might have had more of a chance to stand out, get good choreography, grow some chemistry with one partner till the Top 10, etc. So. Yeah. Guess I’m done.
@Gayle (#13): Awww, thanks!! I’m glad you like the site!
@everybody: I’ve been loving the conversation! Was reading throughout the day at work, though I couldn’t respond. I maintain that we have the most thoughtful, lively and respectful SYTYCD conversations. 🙂
[…] -Adechike and Billy was a bit more suspenseful. Personally, I noticed Adechike’s King Zulu t-shirt cause Zulu is my favorite Mardi Gras parade. I wasn’t too surprised when Adechike was safe and Billy wasn’t, even though it wasn’t what I predicted in my Power Rankings. […]
I just don’t understand how the executive producer wouldn’t have been told that Jose was sitting out group routines due to an injury.
I liked Legacy and I think that he did a good job at adapting to different styles in a way that Jose hasn’t seemed to do as much(to me at least). But I also thought that he benefited from having Kathryn as a partner(I remember one of their intro spiels talking about what they were learning from each other). Maybe Jose would have been able to grow more in the old format with the same partner for the first half.
I was a bit put off by his Legacy comment at the time, but in everything since then he’s seemed like a nice down to earth guy, so I assume he was just giving them a soundbite.