Top 14 Power Rankings
Just consider this whole thing a spoiler. But, just in case, I’ll delay posting this for a little bit. I can never tell if my Power Rankings are how it is or wishful thinking on my part, so you tell me. Either way, this gets harder and harder every week. Here we go…
Top 3 Couples
1. Caitlynn and Mitchell – they had a phenomenal Mandy Moore routine and the benefit of going last before the Top 7 Girls routine. They grow on me more and more every week. They got a standing O from the judges and were really cute together on stage. I’ve decided that them being in the Bottom 3 last week was a mistake, so I’ve put them at the top of the heap. Perfect storm of great dancing, great routine and great placement in the episode.
2. Ryan and Rickey – I know they’ve been losing favor, particularly Ryan and have also been in the Bottom 3, but their Chucky Klampow jazz routine full redeemed them for me and they also danced later in the episode. I think they started their comeback last week and sealed the deal this week. I hope, anyway, cause it’d suck if they were in the Bottom 3 again, especially if they didn’t get saved.
3. Melanie and Marko – Their Ray Leeper Latin-fused jazz was interesting and strongly danced, but had the bad luck to be the first routine of the night. However, they are the most popular couple by far, so I’ve put them in the safety zone. Hopefully, people won’t assume they’re safe and forget to vote for them. I wouldn’t want them to get Kherrington’d.
Am I crazy putting my favorite 3 couples in the Top 3 or do y’all agree?
Middle Couple
4. Sasha and Alexander – I don’t love them as a couple, but Sasha in particular is very popular and is feautred prominently in group routines. She’s always given strong choreography and really immerses herself. I think they’ll be safe, but I could foresee an alternate set of events where they’re in the Bottom 3 and one of the other couples is here by the skin of their teeth.
Bottom 3 Couples
We *have* to have a Bottom 3 and despite the fact that I keep putting the same ones in danger and they always seem to be safe, I’m doing it again…
5. Jordan and Tadd – I could see them switching with Sasha and Alexander and being safe. However, I think their routine, while a great Toni Redpath routine, was a waltz towards the front half of the show. It was, at least to me (and Travis), a bit awkward at times and not as smooth as it could’ve been. I hope they’ll survive thet Bottom 3 cause I love them and would love to see them in the Top 10.
6. Clarice and Jess – They seem to be picking up steam, so they could also switch with Sasha and Alexander. They had their best routine together (in mine and Travis’s opinions, again) and one of my favorites of the night. I’m putting them here because I think they’re less popular than Sasha (and Alexander) and Jess really needs to dance with someone else to prove his mettle. At least as far as I’m concerned.
7. Ashley and Chris – Their salsa was the hands down weakest performance, by most definitions. I wouldn’t mind seeing either one of them dance with someone else, but I find that they are more consistantly the weakest of the couples and my least favorite. Which is so hard to say because they’re such great dancers and their personalities are shining more each week. I think, all things aside, they’ll be the ones to go tomorrow.
Okay, how delusional am I this week? 🙂
I’d switch Clarice/Jess with Sasha/Alexander (unfortunately, IMO), but agree with the rest. I’d be shocked if Chris didn’t go home this week – he was pretty bad in the boys group number.
My wife commented when the male group number started, “Who on the back row is not doing the same dance?” It seems to have been very noticeable judging by the comments. Since Ashley and Chris should have gone last week, it would be no surprise if they did this week. And truthfully, it may be only that they and Robert and Miranda were mixed up by one week.
I would only hope that Jess and Clarice occupy the fourth spot with Sasha and Alexander in the bottom three. The latter two did not bring their “A” game tonight.
Where else but in America and on SYTYCD could an ex-homeless boy from Atlanta and an “all American girl” from Washington state wind up dancing an absolutely stunning routine? My wife and I watched it in slow motion a couple of times to get the nuances on the lifts and the Mandy Moore choreography. Our favorite routine of the night and one of the best two or three this season. A couple of more dances like that and they could push Melanie and Marko.
I think Chris and Ashley’s time is up…I like Ashley but Chris’s time is up and I did catch his flub in the group dance.
Yeah, that salsa was weak. They did all the moves, but they didn’t MEAN them. Or in other words, as several of the judges said, it lacked energy. Also Chris screwed up in the group number, and yes they both should have been cut last week instead of Miranda and Robert. So the deck is stacked very heavily against Ashley and Chris.
Melanie and Marko had to dance some very poor choreography, so they could be in the bottom unless fans are voting regardless of performance. I also was not as enamored of Ryan and Ricky as the judges, while I thought Sasha and Alexander did better than the judges’ reviews would indicate.
But it really doesn’t matter, because unless Ashley & Chris through some strange voodoo avoid the bottom 3, everyone else is safe.
I agree with Johan, I think Ashley and Chris are a given to go home if they’re in the bottom. They’re basically 1 for 4 with the judges right now. Even if Sasha ends up in the bottom, there’s no way she’s going home, and there is no way Chris would stay over Alexander.
Can anyone remember a good salsa on the show? The only other one I can think of was Nathan/Mollee from 2 seasons ago and that one was a disaster.
@Rachel–yeah, best salsa was probably Janette’s audition. Mark and Chelsie was probably fared the best with it.
Benji and Hiedi pulled it off, but it struck me as well-executed, not smoldering.
Other than that: sytycd Canada Arassay (sp?) and Nico made it work (though he flubbed the lift at the end). I think they had more of the salsa flavor.
According to Wikipedia, AdeChike did one with Anya last season and was safe. Melsinda did one with Pasha and was eliminated.
Christina did a salsa as her solo th efirst two weeks and was eliminated on the second week.
There was a salsa in week 2 of Season 4 (Susie and Marquis) and both were eliminated that week.
so it hasn’t been the most kind dance style. Lauren and Niel (both future All-Stars) did one week 2 of Season 3 and survived. 🙂
Just don’t get it. Jess is a fantastic dancer AND performer. Don’t let what the judges originally said create your opinion of him. He can hold up to any of these guys with more style, charisma, versatility and technique. Am I blind or something? Just because he is shorter? He’s not that much shorter than Marko, he was next to him in the group # and there wasn’t much difference in height. Give me a break all you comtemporary groupies. Open your eyes and see what talent is!!!
My bottom three:
Sasha and Alexander. I liked their routine, and I really like Alex! But it wasn’t the most memorable, and just based on that they might be in danger.
Jordan and Tadd. I thought it was a bit heavy, mostly she, for some reason. They have had a lot of ballroom! I think because of that we haven’t really seen them kill a routine in their own styles, they’ll be in b3. They need a showstopper, now!
Ashley and Chris. I don’t like them together; I think they would do better with other partners. Thought I really like Chris (why am I so into the boys this year? Maybe the constant “the girls are beasts!”-thing…) I think he will go home tomorrow.
If I could choose whoever I wanted to go home tomorrow it would be Ryan and Chris (sad face), but it seems like a lot of people liked Ryan and Rickey’s dance (and even dared to compare it to Ramalama) so I guess it will not happen. 🙂
My own power rankings (based on routine)
TOP THREE
Ryan and Ricky
I usually do not like Ryan but last nights routine was amazing! I just loved the quirky movements… They both stayed on character perfectly!
Jess and Clarice
I actually really like Jess, and i thought this routine was amazing! He really shined, and i hope people will give him more of a chance. I actually thought this routine was lyrical hip hop but it turns out it was contemporary.
Sasha and Alexander
I loved this routine no matter what the judges say. It was supposed to be a light, fun hip hop and i think they accomplished that. This type of choreography ISNT supposed to have swag. I loved that the kiss was light and not a heavy make-out kiss that they usually add in.
MIDDLE COUPLE
Caitlynn and Mitchell
Well, this piece was great and all, but it didnt have much dancing other than the lifts. I would of ranked it higher but the big climatic lift at the end (with the flashing lights) was too early.
BOTTOM THREE
Jordan and Tadd
I really dont think it was fair for them to get another waltz. They are obviously not very good at this genre. At least it was better than their last one. Also, Jordan didn’t act like a seducing sea monster and Tadd didnt act like he was in love, so that was another thing that made me put them in the bottom.
Melanie and Marko
of course they are not going to be in the bottom, but in my opinion they should be for this routine. It wasnt memorable at all. Lots of times nothing happened in the choreography.The song was weird and made the dancing look strange. If they didnt explain the theme i would of thought it was another “sexy girl” piece.
Ashley and Chris
This piece was probably the WORST piece i have seen this season. They were two slow and it didnt even look like latin dancing. It was even off beat at the beginning. I also thought ashley looked nervous and awkward while dancing. Hopefully they will be sent home.
Oh and just another random comment, I really hate all this “Girls are strong and evil and out to kill boys” routines. Its really distacting and limits the choreo.
Travis Wall is the best judge!!! I hope to see him on that panel a lot more!
Loved the Ryan/Ricky jazz piece. She really did get into her character.
For some reason, I had my eyes on Alexander’s beautiful dancing this week. First in the men’s group piece and then his hip hop. Not every hip hop is about swag and this one was not. Last week when M and M did their lyrical (non-swag) hip hop Nigel and the judges loved it. But when Sasha and Alexander do it, they get criticized. I just want the judges to be consistent! Thank you Travis for getting it right!
I didn’t enjoy Ray’s choreography either- found it boring.
I guess Ashley will go? That salsa was not hot and it was odd when she was giggling through parts of it. I wouldn’t mind Mitchell or Marko going tonight.
I want them to switch up partners soon. Would love to see Chris dance with Clarice or Jordan.
“Benji and Hiedi pulled it off, but it struck me as well-executed, not smoldering.”
It can be hard to smolder with your cousin. That said, not every Salsa routine needs to be a story about sex, and I still think theirs holds up as one of the best in SYTYCD history. Not to mention their Mambo – which was really just an extra-fast-tempo Salsa…
First off- Carmen Electra is a vapid twit. Secondly, I totally agree with dmarie about Jess, he’s great! He seems so sweet and he’s always perfection…I, as well, don’t get all the hate, but to each his own.
I’m sad that we’ll probably lose Chris tomorrow, he was one of my favorites…I actually didn’t think the salsa was that bad seeing as how difficult the choreo was, but Ashley should def go, her solo was attrocious last week.
@Johan–I absolutely agree with you on their Mambo (flawless and huge on the wow-factor).
I thought I could hang in there until the All-Stars join the action. I preferred last season when the All-Stars were part of the show at an earlier juncture. This season (so far) is just a showcase for Melanie and Marko, and everyone else is just window dressing. I don’t even care for Melanie’s dancing all that much. I prefer taller, elegant dancers with great lines and leaping ability. I liked Ashley and Miranda. Oh well, there’s always next season.