SYTYCD: Top 12
Sorry I’m late posting about this, I didn’t get a chance to see the show until last night. And I haven’t seen the results show yet, although I just saw who got eliminated when looking up the details for the performances.
Who did you like this week?
Standouts for me were Brandon and Janette. The tango they did was fantastic. And then the Broadway routine was even better. I think Brandon’s the best dancer on the show, but Janette can keep up with him. When I think of the Broadway routine now, all I can see is the way she moved.
I also thought Kupono and Kayla did really well this week. I loved the Mia Michaels addiction routine. Loved it. My husband thought it was boring and actually paused the show in the middle of it to tell me something. Arg. Their Broadway I also really enjoyed, even though the judges didn’t think they did well. I’m not a big enough fan of Broadway to care that they didn’t quite match the style.
Philip deserved to go home. I think Caitlin did too. I really wanted her to be better than she was. (I love those amazing back bends she can do.)
Same with Evan. He’d better crank it up a notch.
Posted on July 10, 2009, in Television. Bookmark the permalink. 18 Comments.
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Bingo!! Janette is not “keeping up with Brandon,” she’s outshining him on several occasions. Go watch their hip-hop number: her moves are more difficult (doing a rock version of hip hop), crisper, bigger, and her character more convincing. Brandon, by comparison, was a bit soft. They are equally matched in many dances, but over the long run I think she edges him out. I guess we’ll see for sure now that the partners are mixed.
And I’m not yet willing to concede victory to Brandon/Janette when I see shat Ade/Melissa can do. Srsly, those two are amazing.
Kupono and Kayla were phenomenal in the Mia Michaels routine. One of the best dances of the entire series.
Randi and Evan did a fun hip hop. Not excellent, but fun, with some cool moves thrown in by Nap/Tab to tell an unusual (for hip hop dances) story.
As for Caitlin, I think she suffered from having Jason as a partner. I just don’t think he brought out the fighter in her.
PS: Here’s hoping Evan gets paired with Jeanine, because if he gets Kayla it will be a height/lines disaster!
I thought Randi and Evan’s hip hop was stupid. They did ok. not great, but I thought the choreography/story was dumb.
Brandon and Janette were INSANE. So good. So glad Caitlin is gone. She was bugging.
My favorite dance, though, was the Mia. I HATE that it was Kupono that made me cry. But man…that was an amazing routine.
It would have made me cry if my husband hadn’t paused it in the middle to tell me about a giant painting he saw at an office he went to yesterday (that was done by someone I’ve known since 6th grade).
Susan: seriously, you thought the hip hop was stupid? Granted, it wasn’t the best Nap/Tab have done, but then again look at who they were working with. With those two dancers I think you have to come up with something cheesy or else they’d really look stupid.
gabby: what was so “bugging” about Caitlin? I thought she was a fine dancer, just not the same caliber as the other girls.
I think she was fine, but I will admit to not liking her since Vegas. I think it’s her face. She has that same scrunchy face as Renee Zellweger that bugs me. Shallow? Perhaps, but it overshadowed everything else for me.
Finally was able to watch tonight.
Not too many surprises. I really like Philip and Evan but neither have performed as well as I expected. And there are so many other solid dancers.
I’m with your husband Susan. I normally don’t like Mia Michaels stuff though. But then contemporary just isn’t a style I like in general.
Brian, it would have been interesting to see Caitlin with a different partner. I think the Brandon / Janette partnership really brought the best out in both. It’ll be interesting to see how they do starting next week.
Next week? Unless Evan really starts to shine it’s him or Jason. Neither have been in the league of the others, even though I really like Evan. (And I think he got shafted by that tall broadway choreographer they brought in – who didn’t exactly bring out the best in Kayla/Kupono either)
As for the women, that’s harder. I think Kayla is technically excellent but she’s just not an excellent performer. And at this stage you really need to communicate and not just be technically proficient.
I don’t think Evan will go anywhere for awhile now that it’s strictly America’s vote. Way too many fans…I think Jason and kapono will be in trouble first.
gabby: “Zellweger scrunchy face”…thanks for ruining it for me!
Clark: I want to go back and watch that Nap/Tab group routine because so far it’s the only chance we’ve had to see how Melissa or Kayla would handle hip hop. I really think “crispness” is Kayla’s big weakness, more so than her performance (although I agree she sometimes falls short there too, depending on the character).
Janette is the one I’m most scared for now. She’s is clearly a phenomenal dancer, but I think—and I know Clark is going to smack me for saying this—that she might suffer in the solo round due to her style.
Actually I agree Brian. She’s technically great – especially in her dancing this week. But her solos will affect her.
Gabby, I don’t think Evan will go first. (I’m actually surprised Kupono is getting as many votes as he does though) Jason is in trouble though as he comes off so bland and forgettable. But one thing we’ll see is how partnering is pulling some up and others down. So next week will be very interesting.
Overall though the girls are much stronger than the guys. With the guys its Brandon and Ade honestly. With the women it’s much, much more even.
Sorry, Brian. You did ask, though…
I agree, clark, that the women are stronger this year. It seems to go in cycles…
I love Evan, but the entire time he was dancing I was wishing Pasha was dancing instead. Poor little Evan!
I was wishing anyone was dancing instead. Aside from not showing any ‘dominance’ in his dancing, the open, shaved chest look—that is supposed to be macho-sexy on male Latin dancers—on Evan just looked adolescent. Thus Randi, who otherwise would have been pretty hot, just looked odd dancing next to this young boy dressed up like a man. Do the dancers have any say in their wardrobe?! (I’m looking at you Latin Evan, Alien Caitlin, and Pop-Jazz Max.)
Here’s my two-cents worth:
It was time for one-trick Phillip to go. (Yes, his one trick was amazing, but not enough to compete with the other guys.) And time for Caitlin, as well. I think her problem was not her ability, but her lack of self-confidence in her ability. She always seemed very insecure in what she did, even in taking judges’ comments.
Evan really needs to step up and show his inner fire, if he has any. I like him a lot, but he’s gotta give more. After viewing, and reviewing the shows, I personally think the judges and voters have mis-judged Jason. He is actually very strong, clean, and wonderful to watch. Maybe his stage presence doesn’t catch anyone’s attention. It will be interesting to see what happens for him with a new partner. Ade’s solo was the first time I’ve seen his “fire,” he’s always been the quiet, strong support-partner for Melissa, basking in all her glory. I’m anxious to see him with another partner.
Brandon and Janette have been amazing. Janette has really been the surprise of the season for me. She’s amazing.
Kayla is also an amazing dancer. Her technique and performance qualities, including her “acting,” are profound. I think her problem is that she’s only amazing when the music plays and she’s dancing – when she’s not dancing she disappears. Literally out of sight and completely forgettable.
Kupono? Time will tell. He can be wonderful, and he can be less than expected. I also am impressed with the HUGE difference Melissa’s maturity makes (both age and dance experience.)
Overall, the next few weeks will be very interesting. No major front-runners.
FWIW.
I agree Brian – some of the costumes and makeup are just plain bad. (Think Kayla’s face covering hair as well this week)
I agree about Evan. I think he is like Caitlin in that there’s a degree of insecurity which is surprising all things considered. But it’s really affecting his performances. (Although he’s also given some of my favorites…)
Jason is just forgettable. He needs to find some way to stand out. Ditto Kayla. There are kind of mirror images of each other in many ways. Great dancers but lacking in performance.
I disagree about front runners. Ade and Brandon are going to be in the final four unless they screw up major. For the girls it’s more complex and I think we’ll see a lot this week. If Janette is keeping it up then she’ll be in the final four and probably Melissa, although local favorite Randi is a dark horse.
BTW – what’s up with all the chest shaving. Is there no love for hair?
Clark:
Take. Your. Pick.
That’s harsh. Except for Magnum. Magnum was the man!
btw, how do I get the comment feed to work for this blog?