So You Think You Can Dance Top 12 Performance Show Rants
Many of you have been requesting a place where you can discuss the various episodes of So You Think You Can Dance. Most of you have been doing it on the post I do about the music, which is fine but I figured it was about time I just created a special post for people to discuss the latest episode of So You Think You Can Dance.
So, let’s hear your rants, reviews, recaps, thoughts, complaints, happiness, commentary and anything else you might want to say about the So You Think You Can Dance top 12 performance show (July 8, 2009).
As always, I’ll be doing some real time updates on tonight’s SYTYCD top 12 on my TV Blog and Pure SYTYCD twitter accounts if you want to see my short commentary in real time. Also, remember that I’m on the West Coast, so if you don’t see me responding until later, you’ll know why.
Let the Ranting begin!!
God. This show is so amazing. My favorite dances were the Wade Robson, and/or the addiction dance. That Mia Michaels piece was so good I felt like puking. My body was in some sort of revolt because it was so good.
Wow, some great pieces tonight! I bet Mary Murphy was saying a big ‘I told you so’ to her fellow judges after seeing Brandon tonight. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make the top four.
Mini rant here –
I really don’t know what the judges have against Evan though. Nigel claims Randi and Evan are one of his favourite couples but every week it’s ‘Randi you were great. Evan we were disappointed.’ Yet they can’t seem to put what exactly it is he didn’t do or should have done better into words. It really hit home for me tonight watching Philip and Jeanine’s jive. Yes they did well but I don’t think it was as good as Evan and Randi’s and yet Philip gets praise and Evan gets the old disappointment act. I’m beginning to think it’s less about Evan’s technique or ability to dance with emotion or even his chemistry with his partner and more about the simple fact that he doesn’t fit Nigel’s “macho” image of a tall male dancer. I really wish Nigel would lay off the poor guy. There’s nothing he can do to change his height and, as they admitted, he technically danced everything as he was asked to.
I loved the Mia routine. I started crying just a little because it was just so great. After it was done I thought “I hope she’s nominated for an Emmy for that!”
Phillip has really grown during the competition, it was very apparent in his second dance.
I loved Randi & Evan’s first dance, but their second one just wasn’t good.
I was really not in tune with judges tonight. I couldn’t believe they didn’t absolutely love that Mia Michaels routine. I thought it was breathtaking. I do agree that Brandon/Janette were probably best couple of night. But after every comment, almost everyone, I was like WTF?
The Wade Robison was awesome also. and the Mandy Moore
I agree with Chelsea. I LOVE Randi and Evan. Evan is a great dancer.. I love to watch him dance but he seems Nigel always has something bad to say about him. I really don’t think Phillip is all that great but somehow they love him.. go figure. I also like Brandon. Love SYTYCD
OK, so another one of my long rants that I like to write probably 10x more than anyone likes to read. lol
1. Melissa/Ade: Cruddy draw, huh? Disco and waltz? Ouch. But, as usual, it was effortless. Ade’s feet weren’t 100% on the Waltz, but who was watching him, anyways? 😉
2. Kayla/Kupono: Mia’s dance was unreal–I thought they completely killed it. I still think Kayla needs something though–her technique and execution are flawless…but maybe it’s that she doesn’t feel it from her gut, yet? I dunno. She’s still unreal, though. I think both were disappointing in the Broadway…it felt a bit, I dunno, false? The music brought me right to West Side Story, and their dance didn’t. Maybe that’s the problem with using music that “goes” with something…like the Fosse dance from last week.
3. Jason/Caitlyn: She looked straight up like a movie star in the foxtrot. I was floored. It was very very well danced! I was so pumped to see them in their own style this week…but I was left disappointed. Was it Mandi’s choreography? Hmm. But I didn’t feel the strength or the passion in it. Maybe it was compared to Mia’s earlier…hmm.
4. Janeane/Philip: Excuse my french, but…WTF? They were screwed with the Russian folk. I can guess two choreographers who won’t be invited back. 🙂 It was too slow in the middle….and boring. IMO, anyhow. Their jive was phenomenal, though. Philip surprised me. I’ve cooled to him lately, because I didn’t feel he was living up to his partner, but he did much better this week. Not perfect, but better. Will the voters pity their poor choreography draw or not????
5. Randi/Evan: I actually understand the “disappointment” with Evan. He’s a great dancer, but his best quality was always his enthusiasm and authenticity…he seems to have difficulty always bringing that out in performances. He just doesn’t hit it like he should, sometimes. It’s hard to pinpoint. Maybe it’s because Randi is SUCH a strong dancer, that if he doesn’t hit everything 150%, it is exposed. I felt their hip hop was great–Evan brought it there. But their samba was disappointing. I wish we could have seen Pasha and Anya do it. 🙂
6. Jeanette/Brandon: OK, so I’m sold. I’ve been a hater (yeah, I know), trying to find something not to like. I just can’t. I’m on the bandwagon, train, whatever now. lol They are pros out there. That Wade Robson piece was sick. I’m a Robson ADORER, but he outdid himself with this one–music, theme, choreography, costuming…perfection. And their tango? I don’t think I’ve seen one better…including the pros who were featured a few weeks ago…
So, my thoughts on who goes down and who goes home?
–Bottom three is tough because everyone’s good. I think Kayla/Kupono go down because of broadway–it’s fresh in people’s minds. Though hopefully they’ll think of Mia and vote. Jason and Caitlyn, for the same reasons…foxtrot isn’t terribly memorable, usually, and their second dance was a bit lacking. Randi & Evan will probably round it out. They were disappointing in their final dance too. I usually think the last dances are the ones who stick out in people’s heads.
With that said, Melissa and Ade got too terribly unmemorable draws with disco and waltz, so they could fall down…and if Janeane and Philip get penalized by fans for the Russian fiasco, well….
It’s anything goes week, this week.
But, since I know the judges want their favs and most popular dancers in the top 10…I think that Kupono and Caitlyn go home. Why? Because Kupono probably should have gone home last week, and Caitlyn gets the least praise of all the girls during the performance shows…though her solos usually save her. Wonder how they’ll spin this…
(Thanks, John, for giving us a place to rant and rave!!!!)
Once again how could the judges not have raved over that Mia Michaels routine, to me it’s the best of the season so far, just beautiful routine.
Has anyone else been a bit disappointed by some of the choreography this season? Even with a few of the great routines tonight, still don’t feel like we have found our Park Bench, Bleeding Love, or Dancing with Father in Heaven routine yet this season, and we’re pretty far in.
Brandon and Janette – INCREDIBLE! Way above the other couples. The only dance that came close was Mia’s choreography for Kapono which was a heart wrenching number, beautifully performed.
While I’m with everyone on being absolutely FLOORED by Mia’s routine tonight (she’s gunning hard for another Emmy!), I’m surprised that no one has mentioned Janette & Brandon’s tango yet…it was PHENOMENAL. Nigel hit the nail on the head – it was as close to perfectly executed ballroom as we’ve ever seen on the show. I always held Chelsea & Mark to be the gold standard for Argentine tango on the show – but tonight, they were bested by Brandon & Janette. And what amazing good fortune to be choreographed by, quite possibly, the two best Argentine tango dancers IN THE WORLD today. Seriously, go back and compare Janette & Brandon’s performance tonight to that of Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barronuevo during the week 1 results show – THEY KILLED IT.
Poor Phillip & Jeanine – they quite possibly drew the crappiest dance in the hat this week with that Russian Folk disaster. However, I can’t really blame the choreographers – they were tapped to choreograph a “Russian folk dance” and that’s what they did. I’ve seen Russian folk dance and it looks like the routine they did – a bunch of little hops and flicks and spins and dancers trying to outdo one another. It’s not exactly a dance genre that lends itself well to contemporary artistry, unfortunately. Another Trepak (like the one danced by Joshua & Twitch last season) may have suited them better than this. Oh well – I think Nigel made it clear that they wouldn’t be revisting this genre again…
My spidey sense is telling me the bottom 3 are likely going to be Kayla & Kupono, Caitlyn & Jason, and Jeanine & Phillip. And I agree with Beth that it will likely be Kupono & Caitlyn going home – I think the former just hasn’t been putting enough effort into his solos, and I feel such an emotional disconnect from Caitlyn when she’s onstage that makes her routines feel empty and boring even when flawlessly executed. If somehow Kupono & Kayla manage to avoid the bottom 3, though – I think Phillip might be in danger.
I am a huge fan of this show, but i was left slightly disappointed tonight. I don’t feel that there were that many excellent routines, with a few exceptions.
Jannette/Brandon – This is my favorite couple, by far, out of the whole group. They have never given a bad routine. I also think they have the most memorable personalities on the show. Their tango was amazing, but i actually loved their second routine choreographed by wade more. When they were walking down the stairs, it was amazing. They hit it so hard, and so in sync, it was crazy. Its such a shame to see these two be broken up, because i feel like any other partner would just weigh them down.
ok enough with my brandon/jannette rant lol. i also thought that the mia michaels routine was beautifully done. I really like kayla, i think shes a beautiful dancer.
im not as much of a kupono fan. He’s always rubbed me the wrong way, but i have to say that i’ve gotten used to him and find myself liking him more now.
I didn’t totally agree with the judges tonight, for one thing, i dont think that ade and melissa’s disco was all that well done. If we compare their disco with Jannette and Brandon’s, their’s just doesn’t look as well executed IMO.
I feel really bad for phillip and jeanine, they totally got screwed tonight with their routines. Russian Folk and Jive? I don’t see too many people picking up the phones for that. It’s too bad because Phillip was my fav at the beginning of the show.
All the other routines were so/so. My Pick for bottom three would be :
1. Caitlin and Jason
2. Phillip and Jeanine
3. Ade and Melissa
sorry for the huge rant !! although i feel i could go on forever. lol
In no particular order…
I’ve always liked Brandon and Janette and they hit it so far out of the park tonight it went into orbit. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the show.
Randi/Evan just didn’t do it for me tonight. Of their routines, I loved the jive and butt piece and everything else has been sort of ‘eh’. I think they’re both adorable but don’t compare to some of the other dancers.
I loved the Kayla/Kupono Mia piece for a number of reasons. The personal connection we learned about in Kupono’s interview definitely put me on his side to start with and then the piece was well done, including the first real acting I’ve seen from Kayla on this show.
Not so much for the Bway piece, though. She’s an extremely accurate dancer but there’s just not enough heart in it or expression in her face. That was my beef with Karla, too, although I think Kayla is more proficient.
Caitlin and Jason’s fox trot was nice but not memorable. I thought the Mandy Moore piece was sensational, though. I was disappointed that the judges knocked it down. This is the first time they gotten to work in their own style and I think they killed it, even with less chemistry than some couples have.
Oh, the horror of that Phillip/Jeanine Russian piece. It had nothing to do with how well they danced it. Just shouldn’t have been on the show, period. The jive, on the other hand, was a great surprise! If I couldn’t see his face, I wouldn’t have known it was Phillip dancing it. I still don’t think he could hack it if they were given a contemporary piece but it’s nice to see that he is actually expanding his repertoire.
I love Melissa and Ade for personal reasons and I think they did well tonight with what they were given (although no one could compare to Brandon/Janette’s disco – that’s just not fair!). It’s too bad that some of the other pieces were so much more extreme – both good and bad. They may get lost in the mix but I still think they’ll both be in the top 10.
If it were up to me, tomorrow would be
Bottom three:
Randi/Evan
Phillip/Jeanine
Kayla/Kupono
Going home:
Kupono and Randi
But I don’t think that will actually happen.
In that case, my very tentative guesses for tomorrow’s actual results are…
Bottom three:
Randi/Evan
Catilin/Jason
Kayla/Kupono
Going home:
Kupono and Caitlin
I thought tonight was one of the better nights in this season – definitely lots of pieces that had both excellent choreography and execution. I also loved having Tyce as a judge – he always had something meaningful to say to each pair of dancers.
I’ve become a major Brandon and Janette fan the past few weeks – for some reason I wasn’t really on board until now (probably because of all the flack Brandon got during Vegas). They seriously NAILED their pieces! I especially loved the jazz routine!
I also absolutely loved Evan and Randi’s hip hop routine!!! I’ve always been a fan of Evan, but I think they both brought so much to their characters – with the expressions and to the acting moments in the dance. It was very believable! I’m also getting tired (like others) of the judges fussing at Evan week after week – I don’t feel that he does less than some of the other guys who get much more praise (like Philip today with the jive). I do think Evan’s problem is that he’s got that one look – the lovable, slightly mischievous look – and he has a hard time putting on different faces for each dance.
Kalya and Kupono’s contemporary piece was awesome – another amazing Mia number… I find it interesting that the majority of the dances that are most memorable each year are from her. Her stuff can be weird at times – but when it’s on, it’s brilliant.
After watching the entire show, I can’t imagine how they’re going to choose who leaves. It’ll be interesting to see who’s in the bottom – I felt like every couple had at least one strong dance (except perhaps Philip and Jeanine)…
here’s my $.02
Melissa and Ade- meh. they did good, not great, not vote-worthy. I just find myself forgetting about both of them.
Caitlyn and Jason- meh again. I liked the contemporary, the foxtrot was boring. again, not vote-worthy. also, Caitlyn’s dress in the foxtrot was so awful! I really think she did piss of the wardrobe people in some way!
Jeanine and Phillip- ouch, From Russia with no love! I really thought they could’ve approached their dancng with more ferocity like the trepak style had and it would have been better. some of phillip’s moves were kind of just embarassing. They redeemed themselves with their jive (thank goodness), I found it very entertaining. I also loved Jeanine’s little tutu!
Kayla and Kupono- I liked the Mia Michaels… didn’t love it. I think Kupono put a lot of character in and Kayla danced really well, but it just didn’t seem geniune. Broadway was cute, but not vote-worthy.
Randi and Evan- I can see how people like and hate this couple. I find them endearing, even though their routines have typically fallen a little short. I thought Randi did surprisingly well with the hip-hop, Evan wasn’t really matching her strength. The samba was entertaining enough. They did well enough to stay on the island for another week.
Jeanette and Brandon- They are the power couple right now. The tango was so hot and sexy and those legs, yowza! And forget it, the Wade Robson peice was so cool! I think the both have a shot to win it at this point.
My picks to go home:
Caitlyn and Jason- They just never delivered after Bollywood for me. I actually loved the alien number last week but these two are usually boring.
[…] gets harder. And now, half of the couples are in the bottom 3! Thanks for your comments in the “SYTYCD rant” John provided, cause I totally scoped them out. Also, I’m using my texts back and forth with […]
I really can’t believe how many Janette and Brandon lovers there are in these comments. I’m going to ban you all. Ok, not really. You’re welcome to your opinions. Personally, Janette I’ve loved for a while. I love her fireball personality, but it just feels awkward for me next to Brandon. Janette’s legs in that tango were incredible though. I think I’ve been completely biased towards Brandon for a while since I think Mary Murphy is such a quack and loves him so much. I should probably give him more credit than I do, but I just don’t get him.
Caitlin totally looked like a movie star tonight in the fox trot. I could have sworn she was Katherine Heigl (Izzie on Grey’s Anatomy). She has such an amazing look. Don’t be surprised if her fans keep her in. She really has a good following from what I’ve seen.
Unlike the rest of you I enjoyed the Russian piece. Jeanine’s look was outstanding and her spins just made me smile. I loved them.
I think that most of the girls completely danced circles around the guys tonight. The guy was just a pawn in the dance.
I must admit that Randi has kind of grown on me. I absolutely LOVE how she always seems fully committed to the dance. She reminds me of my favorite dancer ever on SYTYCD: Heidi from season 2. You know that Heidi left it all out there each dance. Randi seems to do the same.
Goodness, tomorrow is going to be a rough time.
Glad you all like this thread to allow you to comment. It’s fun to read all of your opinions.
Wow, a lot of my comments were already said! First, the addiction number? PHENOMENAL!!! The best this season, and comes close to the bench number for my all-time faves. I usually treat my family to a discourse on choreography and dancing after each dance and what could have been improved, but I was just speechless after that one. I think everyone can relate to needing something bad for them, like Mia said. My only comment was that I would have liked to see more of Kayla going to the addiction, rather than just trying to escape it (choreography-wise). I thought that was a big part of the story but didn’t really see it in the dance.
Talk about a horrible pick week! Russian folk dance and jive for one couple? Disco and waltz? Ouch!
I love evan, but the judges always say they’re dissapointed (as stated before). Seems like their just waiting for him to land in the bottom 3 to kick him off.
I’m so sad to see the couples split! Randi and Evan were a match made in dance heaven.
Speaking of heaven…someone mentioned a “dancing with father in heaven” dance. What song was it to? I’d like to watch it on youtube, because my father died of cancer last month.
My picks for bottom 3 are Caitlyn and Jason, Mellisa and Ade and Phillip and Jeanine. I’d send Melissa and Jason home. All the other boys are so highly praised, but Jason just flies under the radar. Jeanine is definitely safe from being cut, but between the other two, I think Melissa lacks the spark of personality of a SYTYCD winner. But they’re all great dancers and I hate to see anyone go!
Has anyone else noticed that Melissa and Ade are the only ones not to do a hip-hop? All their dances seemed to highlight Melissa’s training. Probably because that’s what ballet does…but I just thought it was funny. They’ve done, what 4 ballroom numbers?
Oh, and though I usually love Nappytabs, I thought they dropped the ball this week, Great choreography, but where was the story? If i hadn’t been told what it was about, I would have thought it was just about proposing. Only the hand on the stomach move gave any nod to the pregnant thing. And sorry, but Evan is about as made for hip-hop as Phillip is made for tango 😉
I don’t want anyone to go home, but I would be least disappointed if we said good-bye to Phillip, Jason, or Evan for the boys (in that order). I was a bit surprised that the judges left Phillip in last week. I mean, it is great that he has improved, but it is painfully obvious that he can’t keep up with the other dancers in genres outside his own. I love watching him “do his thing”, but now it is time for him to leave room for dancers who are more well-rounded.
Evan looks tired to me (although not as tired as last week). I think he’s great, but I think there are stronger dancers all around and so, like with Phillip, I’d like to see him leave room for them.
I’ve always wanted to like Caitlin, but her dancing has never quite done it for me. It is like she is “almost” there…but something always seems missing.
I enjoy watching Melissa and Ade, but don’t know if they have the star power to keep going. I guess if I had to choose a girl to go home, it would be Melissa or Caitlin…but really, can’t we just send home two guys instead?! 🙂
I will be VERY VERY upset if Janette, Jeanine, Kayla, or Brandon go home. Let’s keep them around for a long time!
LOVED the ‘Gravity’ piece by Mia…..IMO it’s seriously the best thing she’s done since the Bench piece…..actually I liked it more than the Bench piece *hides*. I kid you not, this is THE FIRST routine ever on SYTYCD that make me tear up.
Not a Kupono fan, but he was brilliant! He completely embodied his character to the up most. You can just imagine how difficult it was for him to play a character that embodied the cause of so much pain in him and his family’s life.
Kayla was brilliant as always, but his time round I saw more performance, more emotion not only from her movements, but also her face.
As you can obviously tell, I LOVED the acting in this piece.
Wade was inventive and awesome as always. Can’t wait to see how Janette will do when she’s given something within her wheelhouse (Salsa/Contemporary). Everyone know that Brandon is an excellent technician, but he has yet to impress me with his performance (on an emotional level).
As far as the Russion Folk dance goes, it reminds me of that damn Country 2-Step…..not as difficult, but just as bad. Why include routines that you just KNOW will look horrific regardless of who’s dancing it?! Anyways……….Jeanine did brilliant with what she was given, I really hope once Top 10 comes around she’ll FINALLY get something near her style, and blow everyone away.
OK there’s my rant for this week…
Katherine – I find it interesting that you mentioned Evan’s one look. I actually like him partially because I think he’s able to pull out the acting and show such emotion. I find Phillip to often have one look and that’s part of what puts me off him. It sounds like I’m bashing on Phillip and I actually like the guy, it’s just that with this year’s group of dancers I think he’s way out of his league talent-wise.
John – I wasn’t a huge Brandon or Janette fan before tonight although with each week that they are out of their element I gain more respect for them because they are just so capable in other styles. This is part of the problem with favouring certain couples, as the judges seem to be doing. Yes it showcases them in their style but they don’t have the chance to grow and make mistakes earlier in the show and then they hit the top 12 or 10 and have a latin ballroom or a non-Nappytabs hip hop and they can’t hit it like they’re supposed to. I would like Melissa more if she had been given something like that tango or a Shane Sparks/Dave Scott hip hop and shown she could do it.
I like Randi a lot but I’m not sure how much of that is her and how much is her chemistry with Evan. It will be interesting to see how she does with another partner.
Gretchen – I completely agree about wanting to like Caitlin and her technique is excellent but she isn’t quite there for me either. The girls are so excellent this year that I hope she’s the one going home. She’s a lovely dancer but I don’t quite feel when she dances.
My dream for next week is to see Brandon paired with Jeanine dancing a contemporary piece. Both have proved they have star power in other styles and I would love to see them dance a contemporary together.
My favourite three dances of the evening (in no particular order):
Kayla & Kupono – Contemporary
Janette & Brandon – Tango
Janette & Brandon – Jazz
I must admit that I was also on the Brandon hater-train. Maybe because my wife is such a fan of his, since last year even? Janette and he were breathtaking last night.
Awesome, awesome Argentine Tango; I agree, right up there with Chelsea and Mark. Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo gave Janette and Brandon some of their signature moves from the first results show, like the woman’s spin within the man’s arms as they’re both bent over. However, Janette didn’t do any of Miriam’s sudden “stops” or that interesting move where she kind of vaults upwards, bracing her knee on Leonardo’s upper leg.
Mia Michaels’ choreography was sick (in a good way). I was actually disappointed that Kupono made it through last week, based on his weak solo. However, he attitude/presence was very strong in that piece.
Loved the Wade Robson Jazz dance. I was really astonished at how in synch both dancers were, even when they were doing stuff on different parts of the stage.
Jeanine is so strong. She saved Phillip’s ass last night.
Strongest women for me are Jeanine and Janette. It pains me to admit that, since I’m a real fan of Melissa and Caitlyn.
I have no idea who’s going home, except that I agree that Jeanine is safe. Nigel and Mary both said so, so even if she falls to the bottom 3, she has enough votes to stay. I’m afraid that if Caitlyn ends up dancing for her life, she’s going home.
Has anyone, besides myself, noticed that Kayla never consols the girl going home. I don’t know why this really bothered me about her but it does. Not a Kupono fan at all. I am really interested in knowing how the top 10 gets paired up. It was time for Phillip to go but I am sad that Caitlin is gone.
Huzzah a place to rant! I am unsure of my feelings about this so I figured I would air them here. At the beginning of the season I was excited that they were going to have Melissa, a classically trained ballerina on the show. I was excited that for once I would be able to see how classical training would compare and contrast to more modern or jazz dance training. Thus far, I have been pretty disappointed with the results. While I admit that Melissa is good I feel somehow betrayed that she doesn’t seem to be able to keep up with stars like Kayla or Janette. I am unsure if this is a bias because I have had such high hopes for Melissa. I have honestly watched Tyce’s breast cancer piece over and over again trying to experience the same range of emotion that others have had for that piece and I admittedly I have come up empty. (I realize I may be the only one that wasn’t particularly moved by that piece but that may be because the subject matter is outside of my personal experience where as dances such as “Addiction” are not) For me, her performances fall flat and lack the personality that Kayla and Janine’s do and especially Janette’s. While I agree it is good to be technically sound in a performance I think there needs to be a sort of sparkle or shine that the dancer should bring to it as well. While Nigel said that Melissa may have been the only one to dance that appropriately I often wonder what would have been if one of the other dancers were given a shot at it. Perhaps this is the difference in ballet between dancers who spend their entire lives in the corps de ballet and those who are able to step out from the masses to become soloists.
Man, it’s so funny how different people’s opinions are! I feel so much more emotion from Melissa’s dancing than from either janette or Kayla. I think back to her rumba and her Broadway, not to mention tyce’s piece or the Romeo and Juliet. I thought she’s been phenomenal every week for me.
I love hearing everyone’s opinions, though. It’s so hilarious!
Welcome Christina!!
Glad you could make it to the best place on the internet to rant about SYTYCD (although, I’m quite biased).
Just so you know, the latest place to rant for SYTYCD is: https://puresytycd.com/tag/so-you-think-you-can-dance-rants/ Each episode I create a new post for that episode to discuss that episode. Enjoy!!