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Top 10 to Top 8: Thoughts

My favorite part of the season is here…All Stars and solos are back. It’s just something about when the all-stars join the show the dancers step up their game. There are no more saves, so whoever has the lowest votes from each team will go home. Also, there was another injury, this time it’s JJ and her ribs. Before the show gets started, Jennifer Lopez had some news. The winner of this season gets the chance to dance in her Las Vegas show.

Hailee & Brandon: Warren Carlyle (Broadway)
Such a fun, fast paced routine. This is what I like about Broadway numbers. I really can see the Liza Minnelli and Lady Gaga, when it comes to Hailee. It was just another fantastic way for her to show her personality. Side note you can find Brandon dancing in Brittney Spears in Vegas.

Derek & Kayla: RJ Durell & Nick Flores (Jazz)
Okay so not going to lie…I had to re watch this one because I couldn’t take my eyes of Kayla. I sometimes forget who is the one competing. We definitely saw a different side of Derek this week.

Virgil & Comfort: Chris Scott
This was just too cute. Chris Scott does it again…from the music selection to the dancers was just amazing. I love how effortless that Virgil and Comfort made that dance look. Virgil’s personality is infectious (such a goofball)…loved his happy dance with Cat.

Megz & Marco: Ray Leeper (Jazz)
This was another one I had to watch again…this time it was the song choice…it makes me think of “Center Stage” every time.
This was just a simply a fun routine and just makes you want to dance with them. Megz, like Nigel said, stays true to herself which is nice. Anyone else surprised to learn her parents were ballroom dancers.

Edson & Jaime: Travis Wall
Hate that Edson was eliminated tonight…moments like this I really miss the results show. Thankful he left on such a high note. One of the best of the night and Travis deserves to win an Emmy.

Neptune & Jasmine: Pharside & Pheonix
Halloween a few months early? Just a fun concept and good to see Neptune in his element.
Also, Nigel said the wrong dancers name again. This time it was Sasha who didn’t get the credit for dancing “Misty Blue” with Twitch.

Jim & Jessica: Dee Caspary
So weird to see Jim struggle in rehearsals. I’m not sure but maybe the pressure of the competition got to him a little bit. Over it was a beautiful dance but I felt that the story was a little lost…maybe it had something to do with not connecting with his partner. Agreed with everything Jason said.

Jaja & Alex:  Nakul (Bollywood)
This was so much fun…especially to see yet another side of Jaja. She is my favorite street dancer and has a really chance of winning.

Gaby & Joshua: Pharside & Phoenix
My favorite of the two Pharside & Phoenix routines tonight. Gaby is the other chameleon on the show. I have a feeling it may come down to Gaby and Jaja in the final two.

Bottom 4: Megz, JJ, Derek and Edson Going home: JJ and Edson

Stay tuned for tour info.

August 17, 2015 I Written By

Dance is one of my biggest passions. I grew up dancing at Augusta West Dance Studio (the same studio that Kathryn McCormick). I have a BFA in theatre/dance from Valdosta State University. Tap is my favorite style of dance.

Top 20 to Top 18 Thoughts

Love tonight’s opening number choreographed by Pharside and Pheonix. My mom and I like to try to guess who does the choreography for the opening number before Cat reveals the answer. After watching last weeks show it seemed clear to the public the Team Street won the show. However, Cat revealed that according to the voting results that Team Stage (much to the surprise of Travis) won the night with 54% of the vote. Also, cute to see Twitch blush when Cat said she saw Magic Mike XXL (btw Twitch is fantastic in the movie) over the weekend.

Okay back to tonights show…the competition really gets started.

1. Haliee, Darion & Yurelis: Salsa; choreo by Jonathan & Oksana.
This had the possibility of being a great salsa trio but fell a little short. The girls were fantastic and hopefully they will be safe next week. Darion was the weak link in this trio. There wasn’t any emotion coming from him and the fact he also bobbled that lift did’t help either.

2. Derek & Ariana: Jazz; choreo by Ray Leeper
So nice to get to see Derek in a smaller number, giving the audience a chance to know who he is. I thought what Ariana said in the package was great, that she can also have technique in other styles. She had Twitch asking what team she was on. Overall a nice dance.

3. Alexia, Virgil & Megz: Contemporary; choreo by Dee Caspary
This was one of my favorites tonight. I was definitely impressed by Virgil and Megz. Also I saw Megz in a different light and looking forward to seeing what else she can do.

4. Burim,Gaby, Edson, & Lily: Bollywood; choreo by Nakul
While Bollywood routines are always fun to watch but they do make me nervous just because of the amount of detail and energy this style requires. Like usual the dancers pull it off. Happy to see that Burim is continuing to pick up the choreograph and love that he also gave credit to the other dancers for helping him. This dance was a great example of team work.

5. Kate, Asaf & Neptune: Broadway; choreo by Spencer Lift
Love this version of “All About the Bass” but the dance itself was okay. I like Kate and I agreed with Nigel that her cool confidence doesn’t always work in her favor. She needed a little more sass. Asaf seems to be his own worst enemy, hopefully he will get out of his head cause he seems to pick up the choreography pretty well.

6. Jaja & Jim: Hip hop; chore by Chris Scott
My other favorite of the night. Jim really reminds me of Alex Wong, which isn’t a bad thing in my book. Also I love the softer side of hip hop and the softer side of Jaja. These two are in my personal Top 10.

7. Marissa, Moises & JJ: Jazz; choreo by Ray Leeper
It was another good jazz routine for me. Though it was interesting to hear the difference of opinion from the judges. Nigel and Jason didn’t like they fact the girls had a smirk during some moments of the dance. Paula on the other had liked it.

Overall enjoyed both of the team dances but the prop in the Team Street routine was fun.

Bottom 6
Team Stage: Darion, Derek, and Moises
Team Street: Ariana, Lily, and Neptune

Twitter Save: Moises and Neptune
Judges Save: Derek and Ariana

Going home: Darion and Lily.

*Tune in Tomorrow night for the 10 year anniversary special at 8/7 central.

July 20, 2015 I Written By

Dance is one of my biggest passions. I grew up dancing at Augusta West Dance Studio (the same studio that Kathryn McCormick). I have a BFA in theatre/dance from Valdosta State University. Tap is my favorite style of dance.

Top 14 Power Rankings

After a week off, it’s time to get back to the competition. I have to say the only surprise of who was in the bottom 6 for me was Makensie. I thought for sure the judges would have saved her right away but they chose Jenna instead. I think I knew from the get go we were going to be saying goodbye to Mariah and BluPrint.

Top3

Jenna & Tucker: I agreed with the judges that we were reminded why he was nominated for a Emmy. It was just a beautiful dance and I felt like Jenna finally had a moment that connected with me. I sorta wish they didn’t tell us that they had only worked with their prop for a few hours. That being said it probably added to the dance.

Makensie & Paul: When Cat said they were doing hip hop and saw the costumes before the commercial break, my first thought was really? It was another fantastic Dave Scott hip hop. Paul continues to surprise me, he even surprised me with how good of an artist he is. I think Makensie is one of the best girls on the show so I’m not sure why she is being lost in the mix. Hopefully this will be a wake up call for her fans…you can’t just vote for Paul you have to vote for her too.

Amy & FikShun: Is there anything these two can’t do? I loved that Tyce allowed them to be creative with his choreography. I just loved the concept of the dance, even thought the genre was jazz, I could see some Broadway coming though too.

Middle 3

Jasmine H & Aaron: So they were the lucky couple that drew the dreaded quick step from the hat. Thankfully it didn’t turn out to be the kiss of death. I seem to find myself not liking Jasmine’s dress, I feel like it should have only had one slit.

Malece & Alan: overall I agreed with the judges on this one. I was a great dance but Malece had the attitude that goes with hip hop and Alan did not.

Hayley & Curtis: I have mixed thoughts about this one, I love the concept and thought they both danced it well. Curtis seemed to have the most criticism, mainly about keeping his shoulders down.

Bottom 2

Alexis & Nico: I was a great dance but if you are the first couple to dance and you are dancing Jive then you need to light up the stage like Tiffany and Benji did last season. However, like the judges said it wasn’t good enough to be remembered as the night went on.

Mariah & BluPrint: they only land here since they were eliminated but I wanted to give my thoughts about it. So happy to see Brian back and I loved what he choreographed. They danced it well but wasn’t enough to save them.

So who will be in trouble next week my guess is we will see Alexis, Hayley, Curtis, and Alan in the bottom. I’m not sure of the other two that might be in danger but it will probably surprise me.

July 25, 2013 I Written By

Dance is one of my biggest passions. I grew up dancing at Augusta West Dance Studio (the same studio that Kathryn McCormick). I have a BFA in theatre/dance from Valdosta State University. Tap is my favorite style of dance.

Emilie’s Top Partner Routines from Season 8

This one was really, really hard, which just goes to show you how many great routines there have been this season. I know we feel like the choreography has been lacklaster and maybe the dancing too. Maybe it’s felt over-produced. But we’ve said that before. Usually, after the season’s over and we see the tour, re-watch videos, we remember all the great highlights of the season. SO, I’m going to share some of my favorites now.

I can’t even really put these in order because they’re all amazing in different ways. I’ll list the ones with All-Stars first, how about that?

1. Christopher Scott’s “Misty Blue” with Sasha and All-Star Twitch (Top 10)

2. Mandy Moore’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with Melanie and All-Star Neil (Top 8)

3. Miriam and Leonardo’s “Malajunta” with Caitlynn and All-Star Pasha (Top 10)

4. Tyce Diorio’s “Fool of Me” with Sasha and All-Star Kent (Top 6)

5. Stacey Tookey’s “Hearts Ask Pleasure First” with Melanie and Sasha (Top 4, last night)

6. Nappytabs’s “Memories” with Jordan and Tadd (Top 16)

7. Stacey Tookey’s “Turning Tables” with Caitlynn and Mitchell (Top 20 2nd round)

8. Dee Caspary’s “Belong” with Sasha and Alexander (Top 16)

9. Travis Wall’s “Turn to Stone” with Melanie and Marko (Top 20)

10. Spencer Liff’s “Please Mr. Jailer” with Ashley and Chris (Top 20 2nd round)

And because I absolutely CAN’T resist giving you lagniappe (and I can’t keep it to only 10):

11. Sonya Tayeh’s “Heavy in Your Arms” with Caitlynn and Marko (Top 6)

12. Spencer Liff’s “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” with Melanie and Tadd (Top 6)

Can you tell that I think the Top 6 night was pretty much the best performance night of the season, after the Meet the Top 20 episode? 🙂

Well, what do you think? I *KNOW* there are some routines you’re going to be mad I didn’t include. What are they?

August 11, 2011 I Written By

Emilie’s Top Group Routines from Season 8

There are A LOT more fantastic routines from this season than we think about immediately. I know Nigel’s tweeting already about some of the routines they’ll show on the finale tonight, but I’ve been ignoring him so I can remind us about my favorite dances. There have been a LOT of great group routines. Most of Tyce’s great work this season has been in the group routines, actually.

#1 Tyce Diorio’s “The Circus Sets Up” (Top 8)

#2. Dee Caspary’s “Poison & Wine” (Top 16 B Group)

#3. Sonya Tayeh’s “Pop, Drop and Roll” (Top 10 Girls)

#4. Christopher Scott’s “Velocity” (Top 10 Guys)

#5. Kelly Abbey’s “El Fuego” (Top 12)

#6. Dave Scott’s “Sinnerman” (the 2nd Top 20)

#7. Nakul dev Mahajan’s “Kata Kata” (Top 14)

#8. Sonya Tayeh’s “XR2” (Top 20)

#9. Justin Giles’s “Grown Unknown” (Top 6)

#10. Tyce Diorio’s “Little Bird” (Meet the Top 20)

There are *easily* more dances I could’ve picked. I had a hard time leaving the Top 7 Girls and Guys routines off the list. Are there group routines you think I should’ve included instead?

I Written By

SYTYCD Season 8 Top 6 Performance Music

Oh my! I can’t believe we’re this close to the end of Season 8. I can’t wait to see what great routines the show has in store for us tonight.

Melanie danced a Nappytabs hip hop with Twitch to: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne’s “Roman’s Revenge” – Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Roman's Revenge (feat. Lil Wayne) - Single

Sasha danced a Tyce Diorio contemporary with Kent to: Me’shell Ndegéocello’s “Fool of Me” – Fool of Me - Bitter

Marko danced a Dmitry Chaplin paso doble with Janette to: Antonia Gomez’s “Zorongo” – Zorongo (Traditional) - 2 On 1: Fabulous Flamenco! / La Gitarra Flamenca

Rickey danced his solo to: Justin Nozuka’s “After Tonight” – After Tonight - Holly

Tadd danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz (?) with Ellenore to: Beirut’s “The Gulag Orkestar” – The Gulag Orkestar - Gulag Orkestar

Caitlynn danced her solo to: Katie Thompson’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” – What's Love Got to Do With It - KT LIVE

Rickey danced a Dee Caspary contemporary with Jaimie to: Trent Dabbs’s “Inside These Lines” – Inside These Lines - Your Side Now

Tadd danced his solo to: Yolanda Be Cool & Dcup’s “We Speak No Americano” – We No Speak Americano - We No Speak Americano - Single

Sasha danced her solo to: Lady Gaga’s “Teeth” – Teeth - The Fame Monster (Deluxe Version)

Caitlynn danced a Dmitry Chaplin samba with Pasha to: Kat DeLuna’s “Drop It Low” – Drop It Low - Drop It Low - Single

Marko danced his solo to: James Morrison’s “Wonderful World” – Wonderful World - Undiscovered

Melanie danced her solo to: Freestylers ft Belle Humble’s “Cracks” – Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) [feat. Belle Humble] - UKF Dubstep 2010

Sasha and Rickey danced a Kumari Suraj waacking routine to: Beyonce’s “Schoolin’ Life” – can’t find this on iTunes yet. I’ll keep looking.

Melanie and Tadd danced a Spencer Liff Broadway routine to: Shirley Bassey’s “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” – (Where Do I Begin) Love Story - Shirley Bassey: Greatest Hits

Caitlynn and Marko danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine to: Florence + the Machine’s “Heavy in Your Arms” – Heavy In Your Arms - Lungs (Deluxe Edition)

I Written By

Introducing Your Season 8 All-Stars

Tonight’s Top 10 episode is going to rock, not least of which because it’s the first time we’ll see the Top 10 dance with the All-Stars.

First, we have Melody Lacayanga, the Season 1 runner-up. I chose her disco with SYTYCD Canada judge/choreographer Blake McGrath because I don’t normally go for disco and this Doriana Sanchez disco was fun. I didn’t watch Season 1, but looking back over the season, it seems like Melody’s partners tended to get eliminated a lot. I hope this doesn’t happen to her Season 8 partners!

Allison Holker from Season 2 was an All-Star last season and had some phenomenal routines. I’m going to resist my urge to find videos from last season and instead give you something from her original season. Here is her Alex da Silva Argentine tango with her original partner Ivan Koumaev.

Pasha Kovalev was also an All-Star from last season and I am NOT going to show you the phenomenal tango he did with winner Lauren Froderman. No, I am NOT. I’m going to stick with first seasons and show you him “out of his element,” dancing Mandy Moore jazz with Sara von Gillem.

Yet another All-Star from last season, Twitch Boss was originally the runner-up from Season 4. Chelsie Hightower, who was also from Season 4, was scooped up by DWTS along with Lacey Schwimmer, danced this fun Nappytabs hip hop with Twitch during their season.

Comfort Fedoke, also from Season 4 and also an All-Star last season, also danced with Twitch. Instead of showing you that video, I’m going to show you dancing with Mark Kanemura, Chelsie’s partner for most of the season, in another awesome Nappytabs hip hop.

Brandon Bryant was the runner-up of Season 5. I so want to show you his Wade Robson jazz with Janette, but Margaret showed that video in her All-Star post (same reason I didn’t show Pasha & Sara’s West Coast Swing). So instead, I’ll show you their Dave Scott hip hop, where they were both “out of their comfort zones.”

As an All-Star last season, Kathryn McCormick danced so much with Robert that I could just give you one video for both of them. However, let me show you Kathryn in her Season 6 glory (she came in 3rd), especially since her season didn’t get their own tour. So here she is, with runner-up Jakob Carr in a contemporary routine choreographed by Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden.

Season 7’s Robert Roldan (3rd in his season) has already danced once in Season 8, with Caitlynn Lawson, so he was already an All-Star as far as I was concerned. Because the All-Stars started at Top 20 last season, most of his dances are with Kathryn or another All-Star. I wanted to show you his Dee Caspary contemporary with winner Lauren Froderman, but it wouldn’t embed. Instead, I’ll show you their Dmitri Chaplin (Season 2 and DWTS) samba because it’s fun and they were both out of their element.

Chelsie’s only going to be an All-Star for tonight’s episode and it sounds like they may switch up the All-Stars from week to week. It’ll be interesting to see who else they bring on board and all of the great routines that result. Also, I haven’t ever seen it confirmed, but Allison and Twitch may be dating and it’ll be interesting to see them together as All-Stars again. Also, I’m dying to see our Georgia peaches, Kathryn and Season 8’s Melanie Moore dance together. You know what else I’d love to see? I’d love to see a current contestant dancing with an All-Star and choreographed by another SYTYCD alumni. That would be awesome. 🙂

Are they any Season 8 contestant/All-Star pairings you’re dying to see?

July 20, 2011 I Written By

Season 8 Top 12 Performance Music

This may be one of the most important performance nights since we’re going to see our Top 12 cut down to the all-important Top 10. Here’s hoping the performances are amazing! I’ll be updating the music here live.

Sasha & Alexander’s Tony & Melanie Paso doble: I didn’t catch all of this, help if you can! Taylor Long & ? ‘s “Alley Dash Alley Dash - Destructive Drums 2 - Tremors/March of the Trolls” March Of The Trolls - Destructive Drums which is not on iTunes (that I can find)

Jordan & Tadd’s Travis Wall contemporary: Olafur Arnaldo’s “Brotsjor” – Ólafur Arnalds

Ryan & Rickey’s Spencer Liff Broadway: Frank Sinatra’s “All I Need Is the Girl” – All I Need Is the Girl - Francis A. & Edward K.

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Christopher Scott hip hop: Lupe Fiasco ft. Eric Turner & Sway’s “Break the Chain” – Break the Chain (feat. Eric Turner & Sway) - Lasers (Deluxe Version)

Melanie & Marko’s Louis van Amstel tango: Gotan Project’s “Triptico” – Tríptico - La Revancha del Tango (Bonus Track Version)

Clarice & Jesse’s Christopher Scott lyrical hip hop: Boyce Avenue’s “Just the Way You Are” – Just the Way You Are - New Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1

Sasha & Alexander’s Tyce Diorio jazz routine: Aretha Franklin’s “That’s Life” – That's Life - Aretha Arrives

Jordan & Tadd’s Spencer Liff Broadway: “Out Tonight” – Out Tonight - Rent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) from the RENT soundtrack.

Ryan & Rickey’s Louis van Amstel cha cha: Enrique Iglesias ft. Ludacris & DJ Frank E’s “Tonight (I’m Loving You)” – Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) [feat. Ludacris & DJ Frank E] - Single

Caitlynn & Mitchell’s Travis Wall contemporary: Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart” – Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits

Melanie & Marko’s Dee Caspary contemporary: David J. Roch’s “Skin and Bones” – David J. Roch

Clarice & Jess’s Tony & Melanie jive: Robert Randolph & the Family Band’s “Ain’t Nothing Wrong with That” – Ain't Nothing Wrong With That - Colorblind (Deluxe Version)

July 13, 2011 I Written By

Top 16 Performance Thoughts

Here are my thoughts on tonight’s episode, live as they happen (after the jump). I hope you’ll add your 2+ cents as well, in the comments below. Let’s get this discussion started!

SOOOO excited that Kristin Chenoweth is the guest judge!!

Looooove Cat’s look tonight, the finger waves in her hair and the flapper dress. But Cat, being Cat, has an adorable personality to match her appearance. She nailed it when she referenced last week’s “brutal, quadruple elimination.” When chaos erupts on SYTYCD, we always have Cat Deely to keep things sane.

It’s good to see Lil C back, too. He made me laugh when he said he’d been a “busy little buckster, maintaining my buccness.” He’s great. AND, did you catch him double dog dare Mr. Producer Lythgoe into booking him for the finale? Would you like to see Lil C as the musical guest?

Here’s a spoiler line for the rest, just in case…

Read more..

June 29, 2011 I Written By