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SYTYCD Season 5 Tour – Atlanta

As tonight’s Season 6 Vegas Week episode was wrapping up, I received my media alert about the SYTYCD Season 5 tour date in Atlanta. Amanda and I are scheduled to attend and once we receive our credentials, we’ll be able to meet with the Top 10 dancers and ask them a few (quick, no doubt) questions.

There are a million things I could ask. But I worry that if I don’t prepare in advance, I’ll end up just asking Evan if he’ll marry me. 🙂 Or bashfully telling Jeanine how much she rocks.

And I’m *really* interested in what you’d like me to ask. When I got to interview the judges (Mary, Adam and Lil C) earlier this year in New Orleans, it was my mom who actually gave me the best question. She wanted me to ask Mary where the whole “tamale train” thing started. I waited till the other press had moved on to the other judges before asking Mary and I got a really interesting answer.

So, help Amanda and me out. If you could ask any of the Season 5 Top 10 dancers one question, what would it be?? Don’t forget – Caitlin and Jason will be there, too. They’re billed as “special guests” as they’re not technically part of the Top 10.

Enjoy this picture that came with the media alert.

Dance pic 1

October 14, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD season 5 top 10 on Ellen!

I was perusing the wide world of YouTube and came across this awesome video! It’s in 2 parts. Basically, Ellen had the top 10 from season 5 on her show recently and they performed the “Calle Ocho” group number, the catch was that Ellen did it with them! It’s great fun to see them all back together again, it feels like we just left season 5!

one quick bonus video, the top 12 performing a clip of the “Brand New Day” group number outside in LA to pump everyone up for the tour! There are a few versions of this, including a video that John posted earlier that has interviews with some of the cast, and it also better highlights Phillip doing his thing.

September 12, 2009 I Written By

Personal Favorites From This Season of SYTYCD

Hey everyone! It`s been a really long time since I posted last, so I just wanted to say congratulations to John and his adorable new baby! I wish you and your family the best and may you all be happy and healthy!

This season of So You Think You Can Dance was really one of the best, with so much talent and many awesome dances. There were such amazing dancers that after the Top 12, I didn`t want anyone to leave! In this post I wanted to highlight my favorite performances of the season, and want to hear all of yours as well. 🙂 You can also take a look at Amanda’s post about the judges favorites.

Although each dancer possessed so much potential, I did have my favorites that I rooted for until the very end.

Kayla was by far my favorite and one of the most talented. I know I`m not the only one who feels this way, a lot of the people I have talked to have also voiced this opinion. She should not have been the first to go at the Finale! Her lines were definitely the prettiest, and in all the partner dances, I couldn`t take my eyes off her. I found a lot of the time that the guys she was dancing with had a whole barrel of trouble keeping up wit her and matching her strength. My only problem with her was that her solos were often very desperate and repetitive and a lot of the times I was worried she was going to be booted off because of them. Otherwise, her technique was flawless and she was very purdy. 🙂

My second favorite of course was Jeanine, for obvious reasons. For one, her solos were the greatest. They possessed a quality none of the other solo`s did. Musicality. That may seem like a small thing, but it really makes a huge difference. Those dances are way more appealing and probably one of the reasons she won. In the partner dancers, she was SO hard hitting, and almost always outdid her partner, whoever it was. I`m really happy she won. There is nothing bad I can say about her.

Favorite Solo this season:

My least favorite dancer was probably Vitolio. He was not dynamic or versatile whatsoever, and he didn`t have much of a likeable personality. I was really glad when he got the quickstep, but I loved Karla, and was really sad when she was partenered with him.

Now, onto the performances that I loved the most.

This season was a super good season for Contemporary dances. There were so many good ones, but my favorite one hands down was Evan and Randi`s Contemporary by Mia Michaels. This piece was full of fun, butt 😉 equally balanced out with superb technique and complex sequences. The music only added to the fun atmosphere and if I don`t watch this piece at least 3 times a day I don`t feel right.

Some other noteworthy pieces include:

Jeanine and Jason to If It Kills Me Jason Mraz - We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things - If It Kills Me (Jason Mraz) by Travis Wall

Kayla and Kupono to Gravity Sara Bareilles - Little Voice - Gravity (Sara Bareilles) by Mia Micheals

Melissa and Ade to This Woman`s Work Maxwell - Now - This Woman's Work (Maxwell) by Tyce Diorio

Karla and Jonathan to Falling Slowly The Frames - The Cost (Deluxe Edition) - Falling Slowly (The Frames) by Stacey Tookey

This season also had plenty of mentionable Hip-Hop dances, and it was hard to choose my favorite, but the one I was most enchanted with was Kayla and Jason`s by Shane Sparks. The story in this was just hilarious, and surprising light hearted considering it was about zombies and eating brains. It wasn`t anything too complicated, but fun and entertaining, which, if you think about it, is what the show is about. There were other Hip-Hop dances that were less simple, and more technical, but this was just fun!

Other awesome Hip-Hops:

Randi and Evan to Hal Beyoncé - I Am... Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Version) - Haloo (Beyonce) by NappyTabs

Janette and Brandon to What A World Common - Universal Mind Control - What a World (Common) by Shane Sparks

Jeanine and Philip to Mad Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman (Bonus Track Version) - Mad (Ne-Yo) by NappyTabs

Jeanine and Philip to Love Lockdown Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak (Bonus Video Version) - Love Lockdown (Kanye West) by NappyTabs

Other AMAZING dances:

Caitlin and Jason Bollywood to Jai Ho A. R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah & Mahalaxmi Iyer - Slumdog Millionaire (Music from the Motion Picture) - Jai Ho by Nakul

Kayla and Max PopJazz to Hot Like Wow Nadia Oh - Hot Like Wow - Hot Like Wow (Nadia O) by Brian Friedman

Janette and Evan Jazz to Move CSS - Move 12" - EP - Move (Metronomy Remix) (CSS) by Sonya Tayeh

Group Dance Top 8 Let it Rock Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne - In the City (Bonus Track Version) - Let It Rock by Travis Wall

Group Dance Top 16 I Know You Want Me Pitbull - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - EP - I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) [More English Extended Mix] (Pitbull) by Dmitry Chaplin, Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo

Worst dance of the season:

Jeanine and Philip Russian Folk Dance
Only the choreography, dancing was superb.

That`s it, my favorites of Season 5, looking forward to 6, and SYTYCD Canada starting Tuesday the 11th!!

August 10, 2009 I Written By

So You Think You Can Dance Tour Tickets on Sale

Just wanted to remind people that the So You Think You Can Dance Tour tickets are now officially on sale. You can see all the list of So You Think You Can Dance tour dates and locations or go directly to Ticketmaster to buy your tickets.

I’ll be going to the So You Think You Can Dance Las Vegas tour stop. If anyone is also planning to go in Las Vegas, let me know. Maybe we could do a dinner before the show or something. Could be kind of fun if someone’s interested.

July 25, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

Caitlin Kinney and Phillip Chbeeb SYTYCD Elimination Interview

Cailtin and Phillip are real professionals in this SYTYCD elimination videos. They just really seem to have their heads on straight and have it all in perspective. I’ll admit that I was completely biased to Caitlin at the start, but she never wow’d me after that and so she kind of faded when other dancers started to rise. So, I wasn’t as sad to see her go as I thought I would be. However, just watching this video below she is a stunningly beautiful girl. I’ll be interested to see what she does with her life in the future.

Phillip is awesome and he also seemed like he was ok with going home when he did. Phillip mentions he’d love to be back to do some choreography for the show. I’m not sure how that would work. His choreography is awesome, but it kind of requires his unique talents to make a lot of it happen. Would be fun to see if it would work or not.

I’m really looking forward to seeing these 2 dance on the So You Think You Can Dance 2009 tour. I should also mention at the end of this video Caitlin talks about whether her sister will be back on So You Think You Can Dance season 6. Check out Caitlin and Phillip’s SYTYCD elimination interview.

July 13, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Tour Locations and Dates

UPDATE: For those interested in getting a So You Think You Can Dance tour presale code, the presale code is: FOXTV. You’ll be able to buy them on Ticketmaster on Friday, July 24th. Enjoy!!

The So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 Tour is finally here. The dates and locations have been announced and we now know our top ten dancers: Ade Obayomi, Brandon Bryant, Evan Kasprzak, Janette Manrara, Jason Glover, Jeanine Mason, Kayla Radomski, Kupono Aweau, Melissa Sandvig, and Randi Evans. Plus as was announced tonight by Nigel Lythgoe, Caitlin Kinney and Phillib Chbeeb.

Tickets for the So You Think You Can Dance 2009 tour tickets have still not been posted on Ticketmaster yet, but once they are you’ll be able to find them here. Tickets for the SYTYCD 5 Tour don’t go on sale until Saturday, July 25th. Of course, once they are posted I’ll update this post and let everyone know.

The best part of the list below is that the So You Think You Can Dance tour is finally coming to Las Vegas. I’m completely ecstatic that it’s finally coming to my town. Let me know where you’re from and where you plan to attend the SYTYCD 5 tour. The dates and locations of the SYTYCD 2009 tour are below:

SEPTEMBER

SUN 9/20 Manchester, NH – Verizon Wireless Ctr Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 9/22 Boston, MA – Agganis Arena Bos Uni Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

THU 9/24 Newark, NJ – Prudential Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 9/25 Mashantucket, CT – MGM Foxwoods Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 9/26 Trenton, NJ – Sovereign Bank Arena

TUE 9/29 Toronto, ON – Air Cananda Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

OCTOBER

THU 10/1 Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 10/3 Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SUN 10/4 Champaign, IL – Assembly Hall Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 10/6 Chicago, IL – United Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

WED 10/7 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 10/9 Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 10/10 Toledo, OH – Lucas Co Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SUN 10/11 Indianapolis, IN – Conseco Fieldhouse Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

WED 10/14 Long Island, NY – Nassau Coliseum Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

THU 10/15 Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 10/17 Richmond, VA – Richmond Coliseum Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

MON 10/19 Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 10/20 Duluth, GA – Arena Gwinnett Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

THU 10/22 Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 10/23 Tampa, FL – St. Pete Times Forum Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 10/24 Tallahassee, FL – Leon Co Civ Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

MON 10/26 Houston, TX – Reliant Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 10/27 Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center

WED 10/28 Grand Prarie, TX – Nokia Theatre Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 10/30 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center Buy Tickets Online

SAT 10/31 St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena at St. Louis University

NOVEMBER

SUN 11/1 Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 11/3 Omaha, NE – Qwest Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

THU 11/5 Colorado Springs, CO – World Arena

SAT 11/7 West Valley City, UT – E Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

MON 11/9 Los Angeles, CA – Nokia Theatre Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

THU 11/12 San Diego, CA – San Diego Sports Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 11/13 Glendale, AZ – jobing.com Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

SAT 11/14 Las Vegas, NV – Orleans Arena Buy Tickets on Orleans Arena website

MON 11/16 Sacramento, CA – ARCO Arena Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

TUE 11/17 Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

WED 11/18 San Jose, CA – HP Pavilion Buy Tickets on Ticketmaster

FRI 11/20 Portland, OR – Rose Garden

SAT 11/21 Everett, WA – Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center

July 9, 2009 I Written By

Just call me Charlie...but where are my angels?

SYTYCD Top 12 Power Rankings

I’m so excited for Top 10 next week. And a bit sad. Some couples, I’m praying they make it through, so I can see the dancers each with someone else and some couples, I’m incredibly sad (and maybe a bit worried) now that they’re going to be split up.

I keep saying how hard this is, but am mostly trying not to face that it’s not going to get any easier. Every week, it 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 my mom as notes, since we always talk throughout the shows.

Okay, so let’s start


-Janette and Brandon are SUPER safe this week, I think. Both of their routines were outstanding and they were last, so they’re fresh in our minds. WADE ROBSON! I think WR loves his Roisin Murphy (remember Lauren and Neil with “Night of the Dancing Flames”?). In the comments, Beth says she’s been a hater, but was sold tonight. I’m right there with her and I suspect that a lot of us with reservations about either of these two dancers will vote for them tonight.

-Jeanine and Phillip first had a kind of boring Russian folk dance, but they made it work with their personalities and chemistry and nobody had any complaints about their dancing. Phillip showed a lot of progress with his jive and Jeanine was too sexy for words and smoothed over any lack of polish on Phillip’s part. I believe they, too, will be safe. It’ll be interesting to see how Phillip does with a new partner. He’s got a great personality and is a good dancer, but he’s not picking up the other styles fast or strong enough, so he disappoints me sometimes.

-Kayla and Kupono rocked a Mia Michaels routine about addiction. It was ridiculously good, gave both my mom and I shiver attacks and apparently made Stephanie almost puke, it was so good. Their Broadway wasn’t nearly as good. I enjoyed it, but I think the judges’ comments were valid. However, I think the strength of Mia’s routine and Kayla’s popularity will save the day here.

-Randi and Evan made me so afraid tonight when I heard the words “hip-hop” attached to their names. But, they pulled out a sweet hip hop with Nappytabs’ help. It was funny how both Nigel and Mary spoke my thoughts for me. I kept wondering if Randi should be thrown around so much if she were pregnant (lol) and Mary voiced my hip-hop related fears. Their samba struggled in the middle (though Randi kicked butt and the opening was very strong). Loved seeing Pasha and Anya! I think the comments aimed at Evan were right on tonight (much as I love him). He’s a lot sexier than he lets himself dance, so he’s got to move those hips with confidence. You could almost switch R&E and K&K, in my mind, but I think that there was just enough of an edge with the stellar Mia Michaels piece to put K&K just a cut above. I don’t want either of them to go home! No siree! Let’s see how they dance with new folks.

-Melissa and Ade had two competent, interesting numbers, but they were routines that can sometimes be
less dynamic. Okay, it’s no secret. I’m not a fan of disco. My mom loved the disco, but I’m just never really that impressed. And the waltz was sweet, especially as it was potentially their last dance together. I was really impressed with Ade and enjoyed his independent spins near the end. But, because the dances were disco and waltz and earlier than the rest of the dances, I think they may be in trouble. At this point, I don’t dislike anybody, but I probably like Melissa and Ade least at this point.

-Caitlin and Jason had a great Foxtrot, but he wasn’t really keeping up with her. She got her wish with a sequiney, sexy costume (and I guess the costume department took pains to make up for last week). Their Mandy Moore lyrical jazz was good too, but everyone mentioned they just didn’t think they did quite enough since it was their own styles. I honestly hope that Caitlin at least makes it to next week because I suspect that, though they clearly like each other, she and Jason just never developed the right chemistry as dancers. I don’t think it’s so much Jason holding Caitlin back as they would’ve been better off with different partners.

However, I suspect that they’ll go if they’re in the bottom 3, since they’re no strangers to that position. Or Melissa and Ade. If I were calling the shots, I’d send Melissa and Jason home.

It’s really sad because, as much as I like all of the dancers at this point, I just don’t think the boys stand up to the girls in terms of dance talent. Evan’s probably the only one I’d be devastated to lose, where I love all the girls.

What do you think? Am I going to be terribly off this week? Or eerily on? Do you think Kayla and Kupono have any advantage going into the Top 10 since they’ve already switched partners? And let’s try this “dream couples” thing one more time now that we’re going to have the opportunity to see new partnerships next week.

Oh, and if you were wondering, my mom and I exchanged something like 60 text messages throughout this show. I tried to get her to do the Power Rankings for me since it’s so hard, but she had to go to bed.

July 8, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD Top 14 Power Rankings

This week is REALLY hard, so I cheated a little and checked out y’all’s comments on John’s music post. Thanks for all the help, all of you! One thing I have to say about the non-dancing part of the show was I love, love Cat Deely’s dress last night. And I’ve never noticed before, but doesn’t she seem to have a lot of pockets on her dresses? Last night’s definitely did, she kept sticking her hands in throughout the show. Cute.

Now to the couples:

Jeanine & Phillip – I’m loving Jeanine more and more and of course Philip rocked in his style. This was the best hip hop of the season, in my opinion and I think it gives this couple’s legion of fans an excuse to keep them faaaaaar away from the bottom 3 this week.

Janette & Brandon – Brandon won me back with their intro video and then with his emotional response to the overtly staged “apology” from Mia Michaels (he must be working with her soon). This routine was smoking! Great song, great choreography and great dancing. I think they’re safe.

Kayla & Kupono – Okay, you got a routine about vampires, a song from the Twilight soundtrack and Sonya. Kinda seems like it couldn’t fail, especially because good dancers were in the mix. I like Kupono’s dancing better with Kayla (though I really liked Ashley). Kayla is stunning. And Kupono matched her step for step in this piece.

Melissa & Ade – Pointe shoes! Awesome. It was beautiful and really cool to see. I thought Ade did a spectacular job when you consider how specialized classical routines are and it’s not his style. But it kinda felt like a gimme, like a routine you couldn’t judge against the others. I almost felt like I was watching one of the professional routines on Thursday. Which is a compliment, but also not (am I making any sense). It didn’t feel like a SYTYCD routine to me. I did enjoy it, a lot.

Randi & Evan – I really, really don’t want to put them here! I love this couple and I liked the routine. But you could feel that it lacked some of their normal vitality. There were numerous great moments (starting with Evan’s slow handstand across the table), but I think they’ve been flying high for several weeks and are probably due for a bottom 3 landing (temporarily). I don’t think (and really hope) they won’t be going home. They’ve been near the top every week, so hopefully that and their solos will save them.

Caitlin & Jason – I don’t want to write this one either. I didn’t feel the piece (it was weird!), but I do think the two of them danced their hearts out with what they were given. Those costumes, especially Caitlin. WTF? The moment I saw them walking into the room with Brian Friedman, I thought, “Oh, this could be really good or really, really, really bad,” and when he said “You’re an alien who came down to Earth
” I kinda wanted to throw up, I was so scared for them. They showed a lot of good sportsmanship and personality at the end, facing the judges, so maybe that will help them. But, they have been in the bottom 3 several times


Karla & Vitolio – I still don’t like Vitolio, though I do agree he’s growing and demonstrating more personality every week. I like him more when he’s dancing and Karla has really, really grown on me. I loved the quick change and Karla in general throughout the piece.

In the end, I suspect that it will be Caitlin and Vitolio that go home. Or perhaps Caitlin and Jason, since they’ve both gotten a lot of flak and have ended in the bottom. I love Caitlin, so this is a sad conclusion for me. But I don’t want Randi and Evan split up before the Top 10 and Karla has been doing better and better every week.

TV Guide.com has done a Power Ranking of the Top 14 individual dancers, some of which I agree with and some of which I don’t.  They place Jeanine and Karla in a tie for the bottom of the Top 14, when both girls have been gaining steady popularity AND the girls (in my opinion) are far stronger dancers than the boys this season. Nice to see TV Guide liked our idea for power rankings.

You helped me create this week’s Power Rankings, so let me know if you think I got it right or not.

July 2, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD Dream Couples

It’s a bit early for the Top 10 switcheroo, but having 2 out of 3 eliminations result in new couples has got me thinking.

Who do you think would make interesting couples when the switch does happen (assuming anybody left is still around)? And while we’re at it, do you have a strong suspicion that an eliminated dancer would have faired better with a different partner?

I’m curious to see what would have happened if Paris and Brandon had been partnered. I liked her – she seemed goofy – and I wonder if she could have brought out that side of Brandon that I haven’t seen in him since Natalie got cut Vegas week.

What about Jeanine and Evan? They strike me as a couple that could be really fun and amazing together. Or Kayla and Evan – would that be dance heaven or a total disaster?

Caitlin and Ade could be interesting together. I like her and Jason together, but Ade seems like a good mix of silly and strong and that could be really good for Caitlin.

What would a Tony and Janette pairing have looked like? I almost can’t fathom it. Or Kayla and Tony? Perhaps he could have learned a lot from her, become a stronger dancer and lasted longer.

I like the Randi-Evan pairing a lot, so maybe it’s blasphemous, but what do you think she’d dance like with Jason? Or Phillip? Or Phillip and Kayla?

I’d love to know what you think!

June 28, 2009 I Written By

SYTYCD Top 16 Power Rankings

Hi y’all, I’m Emilie. John has been writing so many wonderful posts the last few days and trying to bring in new blood for Pure SYTYCD, it’s no wonder he’s a bit behind on time. He asked me if I’d like to do the power rankings this week and I jumped at the chance!

This will be my first post, so if you’d like to know more about my SYTYCD thoughts before now, you can read my personal blog. I’ve been a fan of Pure SYTYCD for a while, so I’m excited to get this opportunity.

Let me say, in the interests of full disclosure, that my power went off right as the show was coming on last night. I had to convince my neighborhood bar to turn one of the t.v.s to FOX in the middle of the LSU-Texas game and then watch the routines without sound. So who knows how that’s affected my first take? It was certainly interesting. I’ve re-watched all the routines today and I was surprised to see that my general feelings about the routines held true, for the most part.

With no further ado:

1. Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak – I just plain love this couple and it seems like a lot of people do as well. Even when the judges seem to be searching for things not to like, I’ve never been disappointed with them. And the Mia Michaels gorgeous insanity factor was in full swing with a routine focused on a booty. This routine was incredibly sexy and fun. I think the only way Randi and Evan won’t be safe is if people assume they’re okay and don’t vote.
2. Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover – I wasn’t always a fan of Jason, but I adored Caitlin from day one. I’ve come to love Jason more with every routine and they have incredible chemistry together. They’ve also had the opportunity to dance really memorable routines. Yes, it was pretty theatrical and perhaps over-the-top, but I think they’re more than safe. Hopefully everyone who loves them voted.
3. Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi – On my blog, I said that I tend to forget Ade when he’s not right in front of me dancing. I don’t think I will anymore. I was ambivalent about this couple for a while, sometimes loving them and sometimes not really liking them much. But they’ve had several weeks of good chemistry and fun routines. I really liked their rumba. And I think enough people feel strongly about them and enjoyed this routine that they’re safe as well.
4. Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau – We were all concerned, I feel safe saying, about this new pairing. Especially after the way Kayla cried when Max got cut. And then the Viennese Waltz can be so dangerous—it seems like people are either bored by them or really impressed. But I think the chemistry was right on, the dance was gorgeous and they’ll win some favor because they danced so well together their first week. And everyone loves Kayla and wants to love Kupono.
5. Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant – This one is the hard one for me to predict. I loved aspects of this routine and I liked it better the second time I watched it. But Brandon didn’t seem to show a lot of personality or strength till halfway through. I don’t tend to like Brandon on the performance shows as much as I did in Vegas. But I love Janette and she sold it for me throughout, even when she seemed a bit silly. It might come down to the Brandon-Phillip fan bases, in the end.
6. Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb – I’d like them to be higher up and perhaps their fan base (Phillip’s in particular) will save them. I thought the routine was really cute and fun. However, the judges didn’t love it and they had tango last week, where Phillip clearly struggled. And
 America doesn’t always love Broadway (I tend to, but I seem to be strange that way). So I’m worried about them. I think Phillip is cute and has the room to grow, but I actually like Jeanine more. Despite the teddy bear thing.
7. Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero – I liked their hip hop last night! But I think they’re in danger. The judges have been particularly hard on hip hop routines this season (and in some ways, rightly so, though there’s been at least one little thing I’ve loved in every routine). They just seem really
humble in a bad way while they’re accepting their critique from the judges. Like they know they’re not doing their best. They should be doing better in the competition. They’re gorgeous, have some good chemistry and are both really good dancers. I hope they don’t go home, but I do suspect they’re in danger.
8. Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune – I was pretty mad they got saved by that waltz. It was a pretty cold routine and really hard to connect with emotionally. I make no bones about the fact that I don’t like this couple, but it does seem like they’re not connecting with audiences in general the way the judges seem to hope they will. I liked them better in their interview (but that’s not saying much), but they tend to be really stiff in their routines, like they’re constantly posing for still photographs rather than presenting a fluid routine with story and character. This continued with their Mandy Moore thrash rock jazz (?). While I hate to root for anyone to go home, I like everybody in the rest of the couples, so they’re my choice to leave this week.

What do you think? I’d love to know.

June 25, 2009 I Written By