SYTYCD Top 9 Performance Thoughts/Power Rankings
Once again, I’m going to combine my Top 9 performance thoughts and power rankings this week.
This one’s gonna be rough. Roouuuggggh. I’ve been reading a few of your comments to help me out here, but I’m still pretty confused.
Top Three
Alex – Is there any question? I think we can all agree on this one. And this is coming from me, the “hater” of hip-hop. Helllloooo…let’s just say I’m most likely to like hip-hop if it’s NappyTabs. And if Twitch is dancing, I’m always in love. But Alex is what made this routine, which was choreographed brilliantly for him and all, but he held his own with TWITCH BOSS! I mean, boss is in his name. π And Alex killed it. Did you hear that audience? Cat kept saying it was the loudest crowd she’d even seen on the show. It sounded like they were in a stadium. I especially loved Mia’s, “Who the hell are you?” Even though, I’m not really that surprised Alex rocked because he’s just phenomenal. When I saw the SYTYCDism spoilers that Alex and Twitch were dancing together, I made very girly sounds. π
Billy – The judges came down hard on him (but they kinda have to, since he’s been a judge favorite all along, right?), but it was a gorgeous routine. Billy still has a lot of fans and I thought the combination of his mentioning Legacy as his role model, dancing with Kathryn (who danced with Legacy) and a powerful routine from Stacey Tookey put him up top. He was a bit stiff and arrogant while getting his feedback, I think, which makes me like him less. But the routine was lovely and his solo was strong as well. Overall, I think the judges were hard on him because they’re trying to give him a possibility at a “journey/arch” that he might not be perceived as having since he’s so technically good.
Ashley – When Top 11 started after Vegas Week, I was thinking, “Who is this girl?” I had no idea who she was. But I loooooooooove her now. Yes, she needs to dance something other than contemporary. But she’s been able to show something different in this routine and it was a chilling and wonderful routine with Ade. She has quickly become one of my favorites and will be my biggest solace when we probably lose the girl who has been one of my favorite from the beginning.
Middle Three
Robert -I love him. He got BIG cheers, supported Jose (yes he can, when Cat asked rhetorically if Jose could hold his own) and had great chemistry with Courtney. But, he danced with Courtney again to a blah-ish Sonya (not her best, at least) routine thatΒ happened earlier in the show, which makes it sadly a bit forgettable. He was compared to Mark, however, and I think he does suit Sonya’s choreography. I hope it doesn’t put him in danger cause I loved when Sonya was taking America to task for not voting for Robert. He definitely deserves to stay.
Lauren – I thought it was a fun Broadway, and though I don’t always love her personality, I do enjoy her dancing. I thought both she and Neil were technically strong and had great lines, but there wasn’t a lot of chemistry between them. She’s starting to get a lot of flak, but a lot of people still really love her, I think. Also, I think the wardrobe malfunction and the resulting brou-ha-ha (“I enjoyed that tremendously,” and “I bet you did”) will make her stand out. She got a lot of time – and honestly kudos to her for carrying on with her entire strap dangling. I think that would have been just a bit distracting.
Kent – This is a tough call. It’ll either be Kent or Jose in this or the first Bottom 3 spot, in my opinion. But, they’re kinda on the same level, I think. Both didn’t dance strongly this week, both have huge fan bases. I do have to say I don’t think enough has been said about Dmitry’s phenomenal choreography here – smart and sexy work. While Jose got better feedback (and I liked his performance better), I think Kent’s fan base is a little more rabid AND I think that he’s perceived to have danced better in genres outside his own…
Bottom Three
Jose – Whereas Jose has been giving a lot of “Legacy choreography” – stunts within the choreo that show off his skillz and remind us why he’s on the show. I liked Jose’s performance tonight, but I agree with some of the comments I’ve seen that he didn’t do a lot of real dancing, more like excellent partnering. I think the routine (and most of his routines) have cleverly disguised his weaknesses and the judges are mostly glossing them over. So while I think he may be in the Bottom 3 tomorrow night, I think he’ll be a the “top” of the Bottom 3, which will mean he’ll be back next week.
Adechike – A lot of people are raving about his Dave Scott hip-hop tonight. After watching it back three times now, I think he made *some* improvement. But you know what? He had all the personality of a prop, to me. He might as well have not been there. The only times I noticed him was when he was being sloppy and cheesy. It’s kinda the reverse of Melinda for me – I don’t get the hate for her and a lot of people probably won’t get (or agree with) me putting him in the bottom 3. But honestly, I think that any little sign of improvement was going to be seen as a huge step for him because he danced like a stick with two beautiful women in his own genre in the weeks before this. I think he should be getting a lot of heat for that and I don’t care if he danced a slightly better hip-hop this week. I would’ve rather’d seen that routine with *anyone* other than him. Even not always loving hip-hop, I could see how that could be a great routine. With somebody else.
Melinda – I love her, but… it seems like I’m one of the few left who do. Especially if you count the judges. I thought Mia’s comment was so gross. What is the constructive point of telling her “we might have made a mistake keeping you” on national t.v.? Why not, “You didn’t dance your best, or as strongly as you needed to”? And, after watching the routine back, it galls me to admit this, but it was pretty awful. I enjoyed it in the moment, I did. I thought there were some especially awkward transitions into jumps, lifts and tricks and a moment that might’ve been choreographed or might’ve been a colossal mistake. I think the only thing that could save Melinda now is the sympathy vote after Mia’s ugly, pointless comment or if ALL of Melinda’s fans stay up all night voting for her.
I’m not happy about it, but I think Melinda’s going home. (Or maybe it’s a plot to use reverse-psychology are the voting audience….) I hope that it’s two guys in the bottom with her and I’m fairly confident in my picks. Though, as I said earlier today, I think we’re ripe for a shocker.
Some last thoughts before I go –
-I love that Cat’s talking more than ever – especially about the routines. Even if she’s not a dancer, she should get to put her 2 cents in after all the years she’s hosted and participated in the show. I like knowing what she thinks!
-I thought the solos were all pretty strong and interesting. I wasn’t thrilled with Ashley using the same music as last week’s group routine – I think it was too soon and indicated (whether this is fair or not) that she didn’t try as hard to be unique. Same thing with Adechike – he used at least the same song as his dance for his life in Vegas and it might have been the same solo, I’m not sure. I thought Lauren had the strongest solo of the girls and I was very impressed by Kent’s solo (his “new Billy Belly status” has never been clearer). I enjoyed Jose and Melinda’s solos quite a lot as well.
-The minute Alex’s footage started and up to the last minute on screen was some of the best SYTYCD has ever had to offer. Pure enjoyment. Even though Adam’s “This is your world and I’m just visiting” comment was regurgitated (Marianya reminded me he said it to Ashleigh last season), I think the emotion behind it was truly genuine. How could it not be? You could see the mass hysteria going on in that studio. I think NappyTabs were incredibly smart to forsake an easy route “battle” dynamic for this routine and in doing so, they made this an incredibly memorable routine, one that showcased both of its incredible dancers. If this is the quality of dancing we have to look forward to, I don’t mind *as much* that we’ll probably lose Melinda and be at 2-6 girls and guys.
-You know…some of the problem with this season’s female-male dynamic may originate with the choreographers. Hear me out… I suspect that the choreographers are just plain more inspired by the guys and they’re using the choreography to showcase and protect the guys, yet they’re not doing the same thing for the girls. Especially when you consider the enormous amounts of ballroom that the in-danger and eliminated girls have danced. The ballroom routines usually don’t have intense back stories, are very technically fussy and difficult, usually have less appealing music (hey, I’m considering the types of songs YOU tend to click on) and are a hit-or-miss when it comes to audience appreciation.
-Did you see Legacy on stage with all the dancers at the end? He and Kathryn seemed to have a bit of a reunion. π
Well, bring on my heat for all the cranky-puss comments about Ade. I know a lot of you are going to think I’m crazy for my power rankings this week, so time to hear it! π
I’m actually with you 100% about Adechike, Emilie – I only noticed a slight improvement in him this week, and my eyes kept getting drawn to Lauren in that routine (and I don’t even really like Lauren!). I think he just got lucky in drawing a great routine, and his solo felt unremarkable to me. I think he SHOULD be in the bottom 3, but he probably won’t be until at least one more girl (Melinda) is gone…
…poor Melinda. I daresay the judges have marked her for death this week with some of their comments, and I think she just got dealt a crappy hand this week – her chemistry with Pasha wasn’t great the first time around, and while I loved Fabian’s routine, he didn’t hold back – that was a HARD routine. The wardrobe malfunction didn’t help matters either. Her solo this week may have been my favorite yet – very creative. But I just don’t see her escaping doom this week. Ugh…I hate the disparity between guys and girls this season!
I think Robert is likely in danger this week as well – the Sonya routine, while it fit him well, wasn’t necessarily the week’s most memorable. Luckily, I think the judges have made it pretty clear that if Melinda falls into the bottom 3, they’re sending her home, so I think he’ll be around next week – and will hopefully get a more exciting routine.
Billy just continues to disappoint me. He’s just lost the youthful charm & sparkle he had last season – and it’s been replaced by a sort of sass. I’m going to word this as carefully as I can, but he’s coming across as a bit “fierce” to me – like a mini-Tyce or something. I think Comfort really hit the nail on the head when she described Billy as being all “Heeeyyyyyyy!” during krump practice last week. And I’m just not seeing the brilliance in his movement that I saw last season…*sigh* π
Alex is brilliant. Period. π
And while I do like Jose, I agree that they seem to be shoving the “little b-boy that could” routine down our throats at every opportunity…he definitely seems to get a reprieve from the judges when he errs while contestants like Melinda (and to some degree Robert) get picked apart at every wobble. I think it’s his swagger (and some clever choreography) that’s carrying him at this point.
I’m calling Melinda, Robert, and possibly Ashley in the bottom 3, with Melinda going home.
@Courtney: Even though you’re bottom 3 is different than mine, I hear ya. Glad we agree on Adechike. I felt like I was going out on a limb with that one since everyone’s been raving about his performance. Didn’t really see much improvement from him. I could see lots of attempts at improvement, but I kinda hated that I could see him trying so hard…rather than dancing compatibly with his partner.
I’m a fan of Adechike, but I can definitely see what you guys are saying. I think it’s really a toss up this week. I think Lauren and Dave Scott brought out his personality better than it had been recently, but maybe people think it’s too little, too late.
I love Kent, but I would put him in the bottom 3, Mandy Moore challenged him this week, and he really didn’t do very well. Allison danced circles around him. Like I wrote in my comments on the discussion thread, if he were dancing with the Allison of S2, it would have worked, she was just as bubbly as he is. But, she’s grown up in the 4 years since her season (she now has a daughter), and he’s just now 18 (the same age she was during her season). I know they picked Kent because of the “growth” angle, but I just haven’t seen it. Week 1, he used his performance to cover his flaws and we all thought it was really cute. Last week and this week, he’s been outdanced by his female partners. That song and those movements needed a strength in the partnership, and it just wasn’t there. I would put Kent in the B3 over Billy because I think Billy committed more to the nature of the piece then Kent did. I believed Billy more than I believed Kent.
I would put Kent, Adechike and Melinda in the bottom three, but with Kent’s fanclub I don’t really see it happening. Alex and Ashley are my favorites right now.
Also want to send out a thumb’s up for Dmiti’s (sp?) choreography! What a fun routine!
ashley is really getting better everyweek, and i love her! she’s another dark horse in the competition and i hope that she will stay really long in the competition :)) ashley and alex are the top dancers for me, imho.
btw i didnt see leagcy at the end. i thought it was alex hugging and talking to kathryn?
I went back and watched the ending just to spot Legacy…Legacy was NOT on there. That was Alex! Hahaha.
I think the bottom 3 should be Melinda, Jose, and Kent. I think the bottom 3 will be Melinda, Jose, and Robert, with Melinda sent packing in either scenario. The only thing that could save Melinda is the sympathy vote (from Mia’s harsh words), but that is so unlikely since she’s been in the bottom twice already. I feel really indifferent towards Adechike and Billy right not. I don’t particulary like either dancer, but Adechike really lucked out getting Lauren G, who should be the go-to hip hop girl.
I’m a bit disappointed in Sonya. Its obvious she loves Robert and wants him to succeed, but then she gives him lackluster choreography. He really dialed back on the quirkiness/strangeness this week tho, so maybe that will help him.
Sadly, I agree with Courtney about Robert being in the bottom three today. And it’s a pity, because I like the way he dances and I really like how Robert endures critique with the most gracious and humble attitude (as indeed was not the case with Billy, whose anger and frustration I could practically feel through the screen). I truly love Robert to pieces, but his Sonya routine was surprisingly boring and, especially after Alex’s hip-hop, totally forgetable. Besides, I don’t think Mia’s kinda rude comment about how he should get ballet classes will help him; the way she worded it made it sound as if he wasn’t ready for the show or something.
The judges do have a tendency to come down hard on people like Robert -and even Alex last week- and overlook Jose and Melinda’s truly fumbling attempts for the sake of diversity (at least until yesterday’s comments on Melinda’s routine, which was truthfully a mess). I think these two are both nice people but, apart from Jose’s hip-hop, I haven’t enjoyed any of their routines.
And I also agree with you guys about Adechike. I mean, why did he get a standing ovation from Adam? because he was a tiny little bit less stiff than he was on previous weeks? which, evidently, is very good for him and everything but still didn’t merit all that fuss!!
I trully hope that the worst doesn’t happen again and people’s votes get Melinda, Jose and Adechike out of the bottom 3, beacuse I think it would be just wrong to lose any of the others.
@Alexlee, I’m not Mia’s biggest fan as a judge, but I didn’t think her comment to Robert about taking ballet was rude, I thought it was helpful. Though, it got contrasted with Adam’s comment about him trying not to be so grounded when he jumps, so that was a bit confusing. I took ballet for the first time this year, and I think it’s great it terms of helping being mindful of your connection to the floor. I think it will bring strength in different areas of Robert’s dancing.
Adechike’s solo was definitely not the same one he danced in vegas. Just the same song.
And I still disagree with the Adechike opinions. π
Ballet is the basis for all dance and completely agreed with her when she told Robert to take some classes. Hell just look at Alex who is a ballet dancer and rocked that hip hop. Also on a side note Kathryn seems to be the favorite female all star I saw a tweet from Rochelle Lefevre(Victoria in the first to twilights) that made my day…basically saying is there anything she cant do? Im really starting to wonder why she didnt win. oh and Mia will be choreographing next week so I wonder if Mary will sit in for her.
I’m with you Amanda – every week I wonder if we can go back to last season and retroactively give Kathryn the crown. Or at least Jakob. π
I disagree with our host (and some of the rest of you) about Adechike. But art is nice in that everyone can have their own opinions.
Based on this week, I’d sub Kent into the bottom 3. factoring fanbase, perhaps Robert again.
@All: I love this conversation! I’ve just been reading and nodding over here. What I especially love is that even when we disagree (like with Adechike), we can all be so respectful of each other.
@Amanda: Maybe ballet is the basis for all modern dance… but not for African dancing or most folk dancing. π
@Emilie ok but ballet is a good foundation for all forms of dance. it helps with balance and many other things.
@Amanda: Were you rolling your eyes and thinking “smart ass” just then? π I can completely see the point of learning ballet for any kind of dancer.
I definitely agree about Adechike. I’m underwhelmed by him. I’m glad someone agrees with me! I’m not quite on the Ashley train, but I’m not running away from it. I’m not sure, she’s just not my absolute favorite. I like her well enough. I just hope Courtney and Alexlee are wrong about Robert being in the bottom 3 again; I like him too much! Probably in the middle tier, but I don’t think he should be in the bottom. I completely agree with the bottom 3 that Emilie has, and when I went to SYTYDism, their polls said the same thing. I hope the polls are right!
@Emily: I loved the “I’m not running away from [the Ashley train].” Too funny. And I think you just said I’m briliant since everybody agrees with my Bottom 3. ::preens:
My bottom three are Robert, Jose and Melinda (but it never turns out the way I think it should). If there’s a guy in the bottom three, he’s going home out of fear of an all-male finale (which is inevitable).
This is the first show where I actually kind of liked Adechike. His fan base has protected him for two shows and now that America has seen him take critique, I’m pretty sure he’s safe now.
Robert’s awesome, but there’s something about his dancing that is a bit unpolished. He’s certainly not in the league with the top 3 (Kent, Alex, and Billy). He’s middle of the road and with no real appeal or fan base to help him (like Jose) he’s bound to go home the minute he bombs.
As for the girls, if there was a top 20 and four-person finale (can you tell I’m still not sold on the new format?), I’d put Ashley and Lauren right there.
Melinda underwhelms me every show and I am still kind of salty that Cristina is not on the show because of her. Yes, Mia was harsh, but this is one of the times I’m glad she spoke up.
Not so sure about your theory on the choreographers. I think they are working really hard with what they’ve got. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure they’re adjusting well to the changes.
I LOVED ALEX’S PERFORMANCE!! shocked the hell out of me. I didn’t appreciate on how SYTYCD made me wait until the end lol.
I’ll be honest, did not like Robert’s performance and I usually like Sonya’s chereography. I found that Robert’s footage was more entertaining.
Kent’s performance wanted me to fall asleep and Adechicke’s was actually an improvement from last week.
I felt bad about Melinda’s performance and I must say that ballroom is not her thing. Her performance from last week was great. I was moved about her SOLO. LOVED IT!
@ Tiffany: Hey, they saved the best for last! π But my all-time fave hip-hop is Lauren/Pasha’s Transformers-inspired routine on S3. I heard it was the best season. Glad it was the only season I watched, but there are some parts I don’t remember. Meh, I was 9, I have an excuse. 8)
i feel the comments that were made by mia micheals pertaining to my nephew were totaly inappropriate,they were with out merit.this is a dance competition.i thought everyone should be judged on there individual preformance.not hte judges personal favorite,oh my nephew is adechike torbert.he is currently a star in this family,and i would like to see him judged,and respected as such.thank-you.S.TORBERT.