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SYTYCD All Stars

Alright Fox, you listening? Good…

So You Think You Can Dance All Stars! Similar to Survivor’s All Stars season, this would have the top 4 of the first five seasons going head to head in an automatic Top Top 20. 🙂

Imagine:

Season 1: Nick, Melody, Jamile and Ashle

Season 2: Benji, Travis, Donyelle and Heidi

Season 3: Sabra, Danny, Neil and Lacey

Season 4: Josh, Twitch, Katee and Courtney

Season 5: Jeanine, Ade, Kayla and Evan (my own imaginary, for the moment, top 4)

Dream couples anyone? Oh the routines we’d see!! Who would you love to come back that wasn’t in the top 4 of their season? Personally, for me, I’d really love to see Chelsie, Kherington and Mark from Season 4. Lauren, Kameron, Hok and Pasha from Season 3 (my first season). Caitlin, Randi and Paris from this season dancing with the all stars from seasons past.

You hearing me? Fox? Fans? Dancers? Okay, let’s do it. 🙂

July 27, 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?

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. Read more..

July 23, 2009 I Written By

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

SYTYCD 2009 Top 8 Power Rankings

While it’s never been easy (in my experience), this week’s Power Rankings are TOUGH! I kinda know what Nigel meant when he said the show felt pretty flat for a bit, though I didn’t completely agree with him. There were some great performances last night, but it kinda feels like maybe everybody (including the judges and Cat) felt their attentions flagging before the big 100th episode blowout (see John’s SYTYCD reminiscing post too). I’m kinda surprised they’re going to pack everything into an hour (if anyone knows differently, let me know) cause it seems like with Katie Holmes and the favorite routines and an extra judge making jokes AND regular elimnations, they’re going to need more time.

Loved Ellen on the show, especially when she said, “I just wanted seats and these were pretty good, so I said yes” and Travis Wall’s group routine. I’m kinda horrified to see if Mia and Ellen will actually wear costumes from the routine, though. Though I really adore a calm Mary Murphy. She really is well-spoken and intelligent, which just annoys me all the more when she begins the hysterics.

Alright, let me get down to it.

Solos: Jeanine, Brandon, Janette and Ade all had really strong solos, for me (in that order). However, I feel like Evan, Jason and Kayla were all giving us more of the same old same old and I was rather bored (as cute as I always find Evan, sigh). Melissa tried to give us something different, but it didn’t work for me, so I’d put her between Jason and Kayla there.

SYTYCD Top 8 Girl Power Rankings:

1. Janette had a great night. She had a strong solo and two solid routines. I feel like she did bring out the inner Latino stallion in Evan, as she promised. And they were strong together in that Sonya jazz routine. She shone, no matter what you think of Evan.

2. Jeanine had the best solo, in my opinion, and the second routine, the hip hop, was really good. I enjoyed it. The first though, that waltz, was so incredibly boring. I don’t feel like that was really the dancers’ fault and there were definitely some lovely moments. I loved the twirl into a lift they did, where Jeanine’s yellow dress proved itself a gorgeous wardrobe choice. But overall, because the “weak” routine was the first one, I think she’ll be fine. She’s my favorite dancer at the moment, hands down. She’s even beaten Evan for me.

3. Melissa really tried to stretch and do something different in her solo. I gotta give her props for that. I don’t dislike her as a dancer, by any means, but I tend to like the way she moves the least. I was bored again during her cha cha with Ade. I really wished they’d each gotten new partners, especially during that cha cha (hated the music, hated it). I wanted to see them with new people. However, they were gorgeous in Tyce’s contemporary. Simply gorgeous. It was the perfect song choice, the second I heard the opening notes to Maxwell’s “This Woman’s Work,” I was there. It was the first time I saw Melissa dancing outside her usual movements and it felt more true than anything else I’ve seen her do. And I don’t suppose they could’ve done what they did if they’d had new partners – I didn’t realize just what a leap Melissa made into Ade’s arms till the playback, but imagine the courage that has to take when her body is her entire career. If he’d slipped just a little, she would nose-dived into the audience. I actually felt twice as affected when I re-watched the routine, if that’s possible.

4. Kayla’s routine was more of the usual from her. I really like her and I think she’s starting to show a lot of personality. But she’s been so cold and buttoned-up so much of the season, and so on-the-ball, that I worry people connect to her the least and haven’t seen her “grow” (because she’s already been there, at least technically), so they won’t vote. I really liked her in Broadway, as the judges did. She was lustrous. And I really liked her in the hip hop with Jason, though a friend who was visiting my house during the show (and dances) did remark that she wasn’t hitting the movements as cleanly or with as much punch as Jason.  It was a cute piece. I would’ve said Melissa after the cha cha, but after the contemporary, I suspect Kayla’s the most in danger.

SYTYCD Top 8 Boy Power Rankings:

1. Ade had a strong solo (as always), a kinda awful cha cha and then that AMAZING contemporary I’ve already talked about at length. It’s the most memorable routine of the night in many ways (even if you hated it, you have to admit that having an entire studio audience and the judges sobbing is memorable). He is such a quiet, solid dancer, Ade. Hope everybody voted for him, because him being in the bottom last week was unforgivable. 🙂

2. Brandon had the strongest male solo. I was pretty impressed with him. The waltz was boring, as I’ve said, but it was first and he really was strong and sexy on that hip hop. He had pretty good chemistry with Jeanine, so I’m thinking he generally had a good night.

3. Evan, oh my Evan (or Evando as Cat clearly enjoyed calling him last night), kinda disappointed me with his solo, as I’ve said. It was cute and good, but he’s not really  incorporating any of the other styles into his solos, as some of the others are doing. He’s learning *a lot* on this show, so I want to see him use it. I really liked both his routines with Janette. They had really good chemistry and as the judges said, he was there for his partner (as he always is). I felt like he came a long way on the spectrum of sexiness – he moved his hips!, did you see that? And Mia has a good point – he may not be the most diverse or technically the best of the dancers, but there is something about him and the way he moves and his personality that makes it wholly enjoyable to watch him. I almost think I’d rather watch him struggle with a dance than a technically perfect but boring routine. But I do recognize that he’s not growing as fast as some of the others, so despite my personal love for him and his ENORMOUS fan base, I’m putting him in the bottom two.

4. Jason disappointed me with his solo, too. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was just too much like most of his others. It was around his solo that Mom texted, “Is it me or do the solos seem the same mostly?” Right as I was texting her the same thing. I agree that he was very charming in the Broadway and pretty awesome as a hip hop zombie. So why’d I put him in the bottom 2, at the very bottom? I guess I just haven’t the heart to put Evan here and I suspect that perhaps Evan’s fanbase might give just a bit of an edge.

But darn, this is HARD! I like everybody at this point, so it’s hard to predict who’s gonna stick around, when I’d really just love to keep watching them in new configurations. Do you suppose SYTYCD may lay off eliminating people this week, in light of how much they’re doing on the 100th episode? But I guess 4 would be quite a lot to leave all in one go next week…

And I know eventually there can be only one. My top 4 at the moment? Jeanine, Ade, Janette and Evan. Can’t wait to see the 100th episode tonight.

I Written By

SYTYCD Top 10 Power Rankings

What an amazing show!! First, let me say that I loved both the girls’ and boys’ numbers, especially that each featured a “foreign” dance style that was so high-energy and that both included all five linking arms and dancing together. And the FAME trailer got me sooo excited. It’s been too long since my last Kherington fix.

So, the rankings. Here we go.

Girls –

1. Jeanine had a terrific contemporary with Jason, choreographed by Travis Wall and it was stunning. Her solo was also incredibly strong. I think she acquitted herself quite well.

2. Janette and Ade had a wonderful Nappytabs hip-hop that was a lot of fun. More amazing chemistry here. Her solo was the last and pretty strong and she showed a lot of personality when Cat asked her, “So where are you from again?” and she whipped out, “New Zealand!”

3. Kayla continued her “flawlessness” with Evan. I really enjoyed her personality a lot when she and Evan discussed the height differences, switched shoes and after the performance revealed the “shoe fix.” Flats! On a waltz! That’s pretty neat, actually. Her solo was good.

4. Melissa has a cute personality and did well tonight with Brandon and in her solo, but I never seem to feel much variety from her. Of the girls, she’s my least favorite and I suspect that though she was gorgeous, she’s probably surprised us the least and showed the least growth (probably cause she has the most experience and is pretty technically trained). She’s my vote to go, though she probably performed better than –

5. Randi unluckily drew Kupono and, I think, suffered for it. I think the wig and the awkwardness of the routine (though there were some pretty elements) might hurt her. I suspect it’s between her and Melissa and I’d rather that she stay so I can see her with more partners. She’s my mom’s favorite, so I know she wants her to stay as well.

Boys (mom and I were in 100% agreement here) –

1. Evan has an enormous fan base, as well as a lot of flair and personality. His solo was strong and he did admirably in the African dance, though Nigel said he looked like a “dancing milkshake.” But I was actually never in any doubt that he would do well here, as he’s always been adept at leaping. He partnered Kayla with incredible strength (THOSE LIFTS!!!) and I think he’s learning more about masculinity and strength and sexiness every week. Which is great, cause he’s always been cute and charming.

2. Ade just wowed me tonight. He’s won me over more and more each week and I was excited to see him dance with Janette. What a wonderful partnership! So much chemistry. His solo rocked as well. Love that he got to demonstrate the power of the pick. Lol.

3. Jason was in the strongest routine of the night, with Jeanine and I’m thoroughly impressed with him. I hope he can keep it up. He gets major cool points from me for solo-ing to Muddy Waters Muddy Waters - Muddy Waters: The Chess Box - Train Fare Home.

4. Brandon had a good night, good routine with Melissa and a good solo. But he’s still a bit cocky and he’s almost too proficient. It’s kinda boring sometimes. Not all the time, but I think that people have latched on to people like Evan and Ade so much more at this point, and Jason just had such a great routine with Jeanine.

5. Kupono needs to go. He really let Randi down with all that awkwardness in the Paso Doble. I was proud of him in the African dance and liked his solo. But of all the guys, I think he’s probably the weakest (least consistent, at least) partner, which puts the girls in danger.

I can’t wait to see what y’all think!

July 15, 2009 I Written By

New Pure SYTYCD Merchandise Added

I’m really happy to let everyone know that we’ve just added a few hundred new designs (mostly t-shirt) to our Pure SYTYCD Zazzle store. We had to try and be really careful to make sure that So You Think You Can Dance wouldn’t get mad at us for violating trademark, but I think we did a killer job with some of the designs. Here’s a quick list of themes you might be interested in:
SYTYCD-a-holic – I’m going to post more on this idea
Branette – Brandon Bryant and Janette Manrara
Evandi – Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak
Kaypono – Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau
Melade – Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi
Caitson – Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover

Yes, I know that the couples are breaking up and so we’re a little late, but I figured fans of the couples might still like it. I also, added some Kasprzaktivist t-shirts for fans of Evan Kasprzak as well. Let us know what you think of the various designs and if there are other ones you’d like. We aren’t experts at graphic design, but we do what we can.

Take a look at just one example of the SYTYCD-a-holic design:

July 10, 2009 I Written By

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

Vote for your Favorite Member of the So You Think You Can Dance Top 10

Now that we’re finally down to the So You Think You Can Dance top 10, it’s time to start looking at the dancers as individuals and not as couples. So, it only seems appropriate to post a poll asking which of the So You Think You Can Dance 2009 Top 10 is your favorite dancer? You can only vote one time for one dancer, but the results should be really interesting.

July 9, 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

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