My So You Think You Can Dance 100 Episode Thoughts
I must admit that I’ve been reminiscing about the 100th episode and enjoying the whole experience thoroughly. My list of past So You Think You Can Dance routines (only the amazing ones) was my favorite part so go check it out.
Now on to thoughts about tonight’s show. Plus, tonight I’m including some videos. It seemed the right thing to do in honor of the 100th episode.
I must admit that I wasn’t surprised at all when I heard that Jason and Janette were going home. Don’t ask me why, but I just had a feeling that Kayla and Brandon were going to make it through. That said, figuring out who’s going to be in the bottom 2 is so hard. Week to week it changes depending on their partners and the routines they get.
Now about Jason and Brandon…
With that said, I’ve kind of not liked Jason this whole time. He just never really clicked for me. As I watched the recap of his best moments I decided that I think it was the producers fault that we didn’t really get to know Jason. Everyone’s loved how he was the first one to hug whoever was safe. I also noticed when I think it was Kayla was safe, she went over and Brandon didn’t even acknowledge her, but Jason reached out to greet her. I think we missed this side of Jason and I think I would have liked him better had they shown more of that side of Jason on the show.
At the end of the day, I would have been very happy if Brandon had been sent home and Jason stayed. However, when I was watching it, I was surprised that I had kind of turned around to almost liking Jason. Plus, Brandon just has never been right for me. Tonight Brandon proved in his solo that he’s an amazing dancer. I’m just afraid he’s an amazing solo dancer and not very good in partnering.
Think back on Brandon’s dances. I can’t think of one moment where I can say that Brandon totally connected with his partner. The only one that comes to mind is in the Vegas auditions when Brandon and Natalie did that Sonya routine before Natalie was sent home. For me, Brandon just fails to connect with his partner. Yesterday hit that home when I saw no chemistry between Brandon and Jeanine. Add in something about his head (some people say it’s his big neck) and let’s just say I’m not a huge fan. Although, I will be excited to see Brandon’s solo next week.
While we’re on the boys….
Evan is unique. He has a Benji like following. However, it doesn’t feel quite as strong and it does seem to be waning. Plus, Benji had very few people that wanted him gone. Evan isn’t so lucky. I’ll be a bit surprised if Evan makes the top 4. I think the tide is turning for those not called Kasprzaktivists.
What can I say about Ade? It’s the pick. It’s the pick. Definitely a possible dark horse. He surprised me out of the chute with a few good routines with Melissa and some great choreography. I don’t see him winning it all, but won’t be surprised if he wins the top boy prize (assuming they do that again this year).
Now my dear Janette…
I must admit that I like Miami. However, I’m going to stick with the tweet I sent as they announced the girls “I’ll be very sad if Kayla or Jeanine goes home.” Janette will be missed. Some people suggested to me that it might be an Allison-ed. I don’t think it’s quite the same. In fact, it’s probably closer to a Kherington-ed. Allison was a GREAT (and probably still is) technical dancer who was sent home too early because she probably lacked in the personality department a little (or at least it wasn’t shown). Kherington was kind of the opposite. Solid technically, but oozed personality. Janette is definitely more like Kherington. Do I dare admit that Brandon’s popularity was keeping Janette on the show? Hmm…Miami will certainly be missed.
Seems like a lot of people are unhappy that Melissa is still there. As I watched her during the announcements I couldn’t help but think that if Melissa was a 21 year old girl, she’d have never made it to the top 20. I can’t think of really any dancer before Melissa that has embodied the more mature dancer this way. It’s been a nice storyline that I’ve enjoyed this season. It’s crazy to think that the “naughty ballerina” is now the “mature dancer.” I will admit that Melissa was a bit lucky to have gotten a couple Impressive routines at the start of the show and then of course yesterday’s Tyce piece. I’ve liked Melissa a lot, but it will be a sad finale if it doesn’t include both Kayla and Jeanine for me.
Speaking of Kayla and Jeanine…
Kayla has become my favorite dancer. Yesterday I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she danced. Plus, little pieces of her personality have really started to show through for me as the season progresses. Maybe it’s just her smile. Kayla does seem to be enjoying herself more as the season progresses. Yes I’ve become a real fan.
Jeanine has been the surprise of the show for me. She was hidden in the shadow of Phillip to start, but ever since that broadway routine she’s stood out to me. Even her less than stellar Waltz her face still had that star quality for me.
Of course, just don’t make me choose between Kayla and Jeanine.
Now I promised you videos.
I already posted the Wade Robson Ramalama video. Highlight of the show for me and I was surprised how much having Wade Robson dancing brought to the stage for me. Plus, I think I waxed nostalgic for So You Think You Can Dance season 2 as well.
Travis Wall and Heidi Groskreutz Bench Routine Video
I’ve said this many times in the comments, so sorry to repeat, but Heidi’s my all time favorite dancer. Plus, she’s the reason I even started blogging about SYTYCD. So, you can thank Heidi for Pure SYTYCD. Looks like marriage is treating Heidi well and hasn’t hurt her dancing. We of course know Travis Wall is doing well. My only slight comment is that All those tatoos down Travis’ arm were a bit distracting for me.
Hok and Jamie doing The Hummingbird and the Flower is just exquisite. Hok makes this routine for me, but Jamie is underrated for her performance as well. Granted Wade (or probably his wife) deserves a lot of credit as well. This performance was just as good as the original.
Mia’s chorus line number was cute. Check out the video:
The camera work on the group numbers still kills me. However, when each dancer stepped from behind the mirror I could see such a difference in the performance ability. Some pulled off the over the top step out and others just stepped out. Only problem is that it was hard to tell who was who. Overall a nice start to the night. Nothing Wow, but not too disappointing either.
I think few would argue with me on this. Katie Holmes performance was the disappointment of the night. Certainly the build up was too much, but let’s put that aside for a second. The lip syncing just killed me (as it has with past performers). The singing was ok I guess. The dancing was…wait that didn’t look like Katie Holmes dancing to me. Many don’t like that it was recorded, but I already knew it would be. Although it did feel awkward that it wasn’t filmed on the same stage. I’ll just leave it at that. You can see the video of Katie Holmes performance on So You Think You Can Dance yourself and be the judge:
Well, the flashbacks tonight made it a great episode. I would have still loved it to be 2 hours and included some new choreography with a bunch of the past dancers. The crazy thing is that this week was hard to know who would go home. Next week will be even worse.
Remember to buy your tickets for the So You Think You Can Dance tour tomorrow. There’s a pre-sale code you’ll need at the link I added. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until Saturday to buy.
Finally…
If you’ve read all the way to here….you might be a SYTYCD-a-holic!!
Poor Janette got Kherington’d…………she got 2 boring routines (which wasn’t helped by her partner)………and being from Australia I’ve always questioned America’s voting patterns around Top 10 & 8 week.
I like Janette’s bubbly personality, it’s quite refreshing compared to some/most of the others this season.
Best of luck to her in the future.
I hate the camera work on the dances period. you can never see the full choreography. EVER. and i’m a choreography NUT. i believe Mia’s Chorus Line was amazing. I love [Chorus Line] the show immensely and this little twist on it was fantastic. Having learned the choreography to that number years ago this was just fantastic to see another take on it. and Mia.. well she never disappoints. but that’s just my opinion.
The 100th episode is great tho I Agee the Katie h. Perf is a bit bummer. I was so awwd to see all the sytycd family onstage and how I wished they showcased more performance and also lengthened the show.. Might’ve been nicer if they had the 100th on a Wednesday.. I am a big big fan of Josh and katee and seeing them sitting together made my day!!! Lol!!
I’m actually hoping for a female to win this year.
Kayla is growing on me for sure, but I still want Jeanine to win 😛
I actually wasn’t sure who my favorite was after the first show until I went to this site. I noticed that she held the most votes in the poll even if it may have been someone just over-voting. There was also a post about how this website was one of the first hits on google when typing Jeanine Mason so I decided to do that for myself and discovered that this girl has got a lot of talent. That combined with her personality that I see on the show has definitely made me a fan.
So I guess I have this website to thank for helping me choose my winner 😛
And is Mia and Tyce switching genres now??? =o
I was disappointed in the actual 100th episode after all the build up. Katie Holmes was not all that and even though the singing wasn’t that bad the lip sync was. I agree that it should have been a longer show with more of the past standout performances. Like I have said before, it wont be as appealing to me now that Janette is gone. I can’t believe it she was never in the bottom and then just gone. America screwed up. I now hope Jeanine wins it and Ade is my favorite guy. Kayla and Brandon might be great technical dancers but I just don’t feel anything when they dance and when they are not dancing their personalities seem fake.
John, I can pretty much cosign your statement…except for the Kayla v Melissa part. 😉
Janette was great, but she wasn’t the strongest dancer for me, and I never identified with her. Brandon is such an amazing technical dancer, but I don’t feel the connection there, either.
My ideal top 4 would be: Melissa, Jeanine, Ade and Brandon.
I would have preferred Jason over Brandon, though. He out-danced all the boys on Wed night, IMHO. Plus, there’s those squishy cheeks. lol
I’m also with you on the “I-wish-it-were-two-hours-of-pure-former-dances” last night. I was underwhelmed by the Katie Holmes montage, and I am also beginning to be annoyed by seeing the same solos from the night before.
Oh well–at least my two favs are still around!!! 😀
The 100th episode was way to short. They should have just had a 3 hour special on some other evening and brought back alot more of the dancers and talk to them. The Katie routine was a BIG disappointment……Now Janette should not have gone home. Jeanine bugs me. I like Evan but I think it is time for him to go. Ade and Brandon are awesome. I hope one of the guys win because I really don’t want Jeanine or Kayla to win…….
Are you kidding Katie Holmes what a Joke. That was pitiful I was furious after all this big build up. Its not live and its lip synched Badly. For the 100th episode that was BADDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!. Katie Holmes was a JOKE she couldn’t even dance on the same stage. For a great show to have that stuck in the middle just sucked. Katie Holmes should donate a million dollars for them to destroy that part of the show. AAAHHHHHHHHHHH
I don’t really think you can say that Janette was Kherington-ed or Alison-ed. We’ve been saying for weeks now that the girls are all really strong. We each have our favorites (for me it’s Jeanine first and Melissa second) but the top four girls, at least, are all super strong. I think the voting each week is more and more based on the choreography because the dancing is just so good. For someone to be Kherington-ed, she’d have to have been voted off before a significantly weaker dancer. It would have to be a shock, a travesty. Sure, a many are disappointed that she’s gone, but I don’t think it’s at the level of Kherington.
KAYLA IS DEFINITELY AMAZING. She has been my favourite throughout the ENTIRE competition. I just want everybody to see that she is THE best technical dancer on the show. She IS a very, very good dancer and could just about be the next big star (as Mia said). I want everyone else to see that. She does have a quieter personality though, which is holding her back, imo.
I’m glad to see that we all agree on something. Katie Holmes was not a good addition to the show. Although, if she did donate $1 million to the Dizzy Feet Foundation, then I’ll let it slide. I do admit, she didn’t make me cringe (except for maybe the lip syncing) but it just felt completely out of place.
Oh yes, and beth, you’re off my train. You must cosign 100% of what I write to be on my train;-)
Boo–well, John, I’ll just start my own train then. 😛
Wait. I guess I need to start my own blog then, too.
Nah, yours is much better than I could ever do. Grr. Guess I’ll just hitchhike from now on. lol
RE: the underwhelming Katie Holmes segment: My wife and I were not impressed by her dancing. Tyce built it up too much in his comments earlier this season. Oscar worthy? I don’t think so.
I was somewhat surprised to see Janette go. Nigel certainly thought a lot of her. Melissa and Even seemed surprised that they weren’t in the bottom.
More past season dances (and dancers!) would have been good, instead of the montage of too-brief clips.
I think we’ll try and go to th Minneapolis tour performance. It’s the closest to where we live here in Canada.
I was also disappointed in the 100th episode. I wish it had been a 2-hour show, with more past dances and dancers! And of the dances it did showcase, why did they have to be pre-recorded?! It would have been great to actually get a chance to hear from the past dancers, see what they’ve been up to, what SYTYCD has done for them…
And I also could have done without the whole Katie Holmes segment. Snore!
Evan is still my fave guy… but unless he gets a great routine for next week, I’m not sure he’ll make it into the Top 4 (sniff, sniff!)
I would have rather Brandon left last night instead of Jason. And forgive me, but I would have rather seen Kayla go than Janette.
Beth,
Fine you can have a spot in the kaboose for now;-)
Shannon,
No forgiveness for you. You’re in the kaboose with beth now too…lol
Just playing, you’re entitled to your opinion. Even if it’s the wrong one. Well, at least you got the Brandon one right.
Man I’m getting snarky. Must be the pending baby (4 days for those keeping count)!!
I agree that it would of been better with a 2 hour special and new dances with past contestants. Thats what I was hoping for and thats what seemed like they were building up to.
Like last season, where they brought past contestants from season 1, 2 and 3 back to do that group number, and the “where are they now” segment. I LOOVED that … becuase I got to see some of my favourites from past seasons, Lacey, Neil, Travis etc. =)
Soooooooooo disappointing for a celebratory episode! The whole Katie Holmes thing was such a waste of time. Her lip-syncing killed me and she didn’t even really do any dancing. A lot of shoulder shrugging and a couple kicks but that was it.
If their point was to celebrate previous contestants, then they should have stuck to that and done it in the name of the Dizzy Feet Foundation. Katie Holmes did nothing to strengthen the show itself or its reputation.
A “where are they now” segment would have been nice instead. For instance, has anyone seen Sabra?
I think that Brandon connects just fine with his partners. So well, in fact, that no girl has been sent home on the week that she danced with Brandon. Meanwhile 2 girls who danced with Evan were sent home and one of them – delightful Janette – had never even been in danger before. Evan is the kiss of death for his partners but his fans keep him muddling through week after week. Yes he’s cute and adorable in a puppyish way, but this puppy only knows one trick and should have been sent back to his kennel a couple weeks ago.
Well aside from that, I was really shocked to hear Janette leaving. I definitely thought she would have been in the finale. I’d say she definitely qualifies for being Allison-ed because of the possibility of a low fan base. I think Allison’s personality did shine but just did not garner enough votes due to people assuming that she had it in the bag and had a lot of fans. It just really goes to show that ALL YOUR VOTES matter.
Sorry I forgot to press enter after my #3 comment and it came out as number 20
Brandon- I liked him at first. I really don’t like him now. John, your comment about him not acknowledging Kayla is spot on. I’ve caught glimpses before the camera cuts away, of Brandon snubbing someone or generally just being fake and ungracious. When he knows the camera is on, he’s charming and totally fake. I think he’s a diva! I wish he’d gone home because Jason really grew on me and was one of my top 2 boys.
Kayla and Janette-I have been trying not to like Kayla and Janette, but they grew on me and they are my favorite girls. I cannot believe they sent Janette home!
I too was surprised that Janette was in the bottom two and ultimately sent home. I didn’t realize how much I liked her until I saw she was voted off. She was a great dancer and seems like a strong woman – so I wish her luck in whatever she decides to do now.
While I love Jason, I expected he’d be the one going home. It’s a shame though (aside from the fact that I found him to be incredibly good-looking), I thought he was coming into his own and I saw a new kind of confidence during his solo on Wednesday. It appears as though Cat took a particular liking to him as well, I noticed she was still consoling him during the credits amidst all the confetti and cake. I think she’s right when she said that SYTYCD becomes such a close family, and I think that’s really nice. So while Janette and Jason were voted off, I’m sure they know they have a ton of support still going their way!
It was nice to see some highlighted performances from previous seasons – I wish we could have seen more. And regarding the Katie Holmes performance, well, that’s politics. I really wasn’t expecting anything from it aside from the desire to highlight one of Dizzyfeet’s largest donors.
John- Thanks for posting links to all the music they use on the show- I love checking it out on itunes.
Recently i’ve decided i want a brandon vs. ade finale.
i’m not a fan of kayla nor jeanine and i think melissa will be going home soon.
i was a caitlyn, randi and janette fan so i’m done with the girls now.
my biggest question is :
Has Melissa done any Hip Hop yet????
If not, why hasn’t she?
I think Brandon has been pleasant to everyone besides being an awesome partner to every girl he danced with. If he failed to acknowledge Kayla’s win over Janette, maybe its because he was as shocked as a lot of us were when he heard that Janette was voted off. After all, Brandon and Janette had probably become friends having danced together so often. Besides being a wonderful partner (no girl has ever been voted off on the week she danced with Brandon) he also does amazing solos. And, those of us from Florida who know him personally know that he’s a delightful and caring person. To know him is to love him and I hope he wins.
Jackie – I think you hit the nail on the head about Evan being the kiss of death partner once the votes started to be for individuals. I wish this weren’t the case, but I would put money on it that his partner this week goes home.
I still can’t get over the fact that Janette went home. I thought she might take the whole thing. Energy and personality go a long way, I think, which is why I’m ready for Kayla to go home. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again about her: flawless technical dancing. Where’s the passion?
I definitely would NOT call Evan the kiss of death when it comes to partners. Has anyone failed to realize that it was Evan’s partnership that carried Randi into the Top 10? The moment she was taken from him and stuck with a less than stellar partner, she dropped the ball and was eliminated. If it wasn’t for Evan, she would have been eliminated long before she was. Kayla was in the bottom during her week with Evan, but what else is new? She’s almost ALWAYS in the bottom, even if she gives an outstanding performance! Janette leaving is sad and very upsetting, but I don’t blame Evan for that. I blame the lackluster and underwhelming choreography, and Janette’s overly-confident fans. And let’s be honest– her solo wasn’t awesome that week, either.
If anything, as a contestant, the only thing you should be worried about when being partnered with Evan is that his popularity might outshine your own. I won’t pretend that he has the same capabilities technique-wise as Kayla or Janette (I do think he was better than Randi), but I don’t believe for a second that his is an unlucky name to draw from that hat.
Bijou, I’m putting money down that his partner this week goes home, but that’s because I know who his partner is and I just don’t think there’s any way she’s going to make it to the Top 4. It will have nothing to do with Evan, it’s simply her time.
I really think all the dancers in the top 10 were great this season. And I love our top 6! I hope Melissa and jeanine make it to the finale, but at this point it’s anyone’s guess. Anyone can have a bad or a good week. I am jonesing for some great choreography this time, though, because I’m trying to convert my in laws to sytycd this week!
I think Kayla is a fabulous dancer! She is my favorite and has been from the beginning (I like Jeanine too and thought Janette was really good as well). Some of Kayla’s dances have brought tears to my eyes… I feel the emotion she is trying to emit. I am always surprised to read about the perceived lack of passion- If you actually watch her face- it is there… I just am not seeing these same things so it is hard for me to understand how people don’t like her. I agree that she has a quiet personality and that is what is hurting her- people don’t fall in love with people who are guarded and they perceive them differently than what is intended. I wish the top 4 could have been Kayla, Jeanine, Janette and Ade but since it can’t I think Kayla, Jeanine, Ade and Evan would be good…
MAD MAD MAD. Evan should have gone home. He is unique and great and there is certainly a great spot for him in showbiz. But he should have been kicked off before Jason (who I didn’t care much about at first, but who has really impressed me in the past few weeks).
As for the girls, Janette has been one of my favs since the beginning so I was sad to see her go. Who would I rather have gone? I have no idea! I love Kayla, I don’t love Jeanine but can admit that she’s got amazing talent, and Melissa may not be popular but she’s done amazingly well. So I didn’t really want any of them to go home. I guess I was just really bummed it was Janette. I think if it had been Jeanine, I would have been less disappointed.
EVAN BETTER NOT BE IN THE TOP 4. I know it is “America’s Favorite Dancer” (and he seems to be one of them!), but I want the most talented to win. That’s not him.
I think I will just be bummed every week from now on because I don’t want anyone (except Evan) to go home. 🙁
I too would have liked to see less Katie-build up and more dancing. Would have been fun to hear “where are they now” as well.
I was so disappointed that Ade went home. I would have rather it been Brandon and Kayla. With the top 4 that is left I am 100% for Jeanine. I realy was pleased with the Emmy nominted dances. It reminded me why I liked Chelsie so much last year. She was a great pro dancer on DWTS this past season. I hope she is back again. Maybe that will be where Janette can shine.