SYTYCD, Top 14
by Vanessa Stewart on July 8, 2009
fox.com/dance, Mia Michaels, Nappy Tabs, sytycd, sytycd season 5, sytycd top 14, sytycdism
Whoa! This was a week to remember on So You Think You Can Dance! The choreography stepped up to the dancers and the choreographers provided original and artsy dances to make even the Quick Step interesting for probably the first time on any season. The results surprised the judges (and me), but it’s just going to get harder and harder from here on out. Karla and Vitolio picked the Quick Step, which is widely known as the Kiss of Death out of the hat. Although Vitolio really worked at it, Karla seemed uncomfortable the whole time. Her “star quality” as Nigel calls it didn’t shine. Both are great dancers who had many off weeks on the show. To their credit, this was seriously the most entertaining and well-danced Quick Step ever complete with Karla changing her dance IN MID TWIRL. Definitely worth watching on SYTYCDism.com.
With these two gone, the six couples left are all couples I love for different reasons and all couples for which I’ve voted. I can’t imagine who will fall next week. The competition is not just fierce, it’s brutal. Personally, my top 10 is Philip/Jeanine, Brandon/Janette, Evan/Randi, Kupono/Kayla, Ade and Caitlin. We shall see how that measures up. I voted for crazy for Philip/Jeanine and Kupono/Kayla, who both landed in the bottom three.
The incredibly original routines:
Rank 1, Philip/Jeanine. Once again, Nappy Tabs (Napoleon & Tabitha) created a insane routine, centered around what the dancers go through on the show using a CHAIN. They chained Philip to Jeanine by the ankle! It is an amazing feat that they executed perfectly. Both Nigel and Mary loved it, but Mia Michaels, the arrogant and awfully critical guest judge, called them on the chain, saying it was distracting!
Let me clear something up, the dancers have nothing to do with either the choreography or their outfits/costumes. So when judges harp on that, it’s completely uncalled for and should have nothing to do with them.
Rank 2, Kupono/Kayla. This is a new couple that should have probably been paired since the beginning. They compliment each other well and seem to really dig each other, too. Sonya choreographed this dark story about a vampires where Kupono had made piece with death, but Kayla still fought against it. Beautiful. The judges loved it, especially Mia Micheals.
Rank 3, Evan/Randi. This is the couple that when they land in the Top 10 will be because they’re awesome and America loves them, but not because the judges do them ANY favors. They danced a very complicated and wrist-intensive Broadway number. No matter how hard Evan dances, they tell him, “We expected more.” I don’t know what more he could do. He’s amazing, taking on every character given him with ease, dancing flawlessly. Randi does, too. But the judges pick on them, their wrists weren’t just right, their dance looked “heavy” (a Mia Michaels dig). AND then they keep talking about how short they are! As if that matters! Blah!!
Rank 4, Jason/Caitlin. This is another couple who can hardly do anything right in the judges eyes. Brian Friedman gave them a wild routine: Caitlin played an alien who had just destroyed Earth and came back to find the last man to procreate with, Jason. What a story for a routine! Caitlin had to be a dominate woman and she was! It was quirky, fun and highly entertaining. The judges harped on Caitlin’s outfit! What! Are you kidding me? It’s like they didn’t even watch the dance! Then Mia Michaels uncomplimented Brian Friedman by saying that he didn’t set out with this dance to “create the best dance ever.” Really? Maybe he did. America disagreed totally and voted for them anyway.
Rank 5, Brandon/Janette. I love this couple, but latin dances for me are just kind of all the same after awhile. A sexy cha cha cha executed perfectly. These two can really do nothing wrong.
Rank 6, Ade/Melissa. I guess I’m not refined, but I just can hardly stand ballet. The judges went on and on about how amazing to have classical ballet on this show, blah, blah, blah. And Melissa got to show off her training and wear point shoes. Whatever. Of course, America agreed with the judges!
Like I said, next week, I can’t imagine the suspense! Who will stay? Who will go? We’re so close to the Top 10!
Related articles you may enjoy:
SYTYCD, Season 5, Top 20
After the likes of Bleeding Love, the door dance, Joshua/Katie, and the bed dance of season 4, I skeptically tuned in to watch the Top 20 perform on Wednesday. Well, these dancers did not disappoint! The very first couple slammed on…...
SYTYCD, Top 16
I had an awfully hard time voting this week. I voted for 5 couples, but there were really 6 good performances. Poor Karla, if she stays this week, it will be because the judges see her talent and that Jonathan…...
So You Think You Can Dance 101
If you’re new to So You Think You Can Dance, here’s a little course to catch you up-to-date. First off, I know that’s a stupid and rather long name for a show, but once you tune in, you’ll fall in…...
I don’t think I could ever participate in the voting for this show… I’m just amazed by everyone. (I can’t dance. Period.)
The top 10 is nice, I haven’t watched this in a long time until Wednesday night and I enjoyed it, especially that Brandon, he can dance!
Yeah it was cool… dancers on this show has to really work hard, and it pays off, I hear they’ll be touring towards the end of July.
Yes, the tour dates are posted at sytycdism (those guys really know their sytycd stuff)! I’ve never really thought about going to the live tour, but I might try to catch it this year.
Live tour? yelp I agree, sounds like it would be totally fun!