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 has kept her down. If she goes, it will be a disappointment. She needs a better partner. It’s really tough competition. There were 2 stellar performances, 2 good performances, 2 couples I just like no matter what and then the 2 ugh performances. To recap, you can watch for yourself at the SYTYCDism.com.

 

Oh, the darling Tony Basil divined her hip hop wisdom as third judge! (Who? Why, she’s one of the developers of locking that you’ve never heard of!) Although she’s more intelligible than Lil C, it is quite hard to discern if she likes a dance or not because half the time she just talks about how great she is and what street is (as if the corner on street happened in the 70s when she was dancing). Nigel was in a mood, that’s for sure. And Mary screamed her head off like always.

 

For the dances:

 

2 Stellar Performances

Rank 1, Brandon/Janette. Dave Scott’s choreography was truly original. He couldn’t have picked two better dancers. I love these two. They can simply do anything! They have the brother/sister relationship thing that really works. Brandon played Mr. Hip Hop versus Janette’s Rocker Girl. Fantastic! The judges loved it too.

 

Rank 2, Evan/Randi. Mia Micheals for all her arrogance can really produce some original routines. This tops the cake with a piece centered around Randi’s butt. Simplistic but executed bravely by these amazing dancers. The judges went on and on.

 

2 Good Performances:

Rank 1, Jason/Caitlin. Ah, the Paso Doble. The fierce bull fight where the woman is the bull. It’s an amazing ballroom dance. I thought they did a very good job, with Caitlin standing out as the more fierce, but still Jason taking on the role. Their chemistry makes me think there may be something else going on? Hmmmm.

 

Rank 2, Ade/Melissa. The Rumba is basically the “Get a Room” dance. Sexy and sultry, Melissa nailed the technical lines and Ade (Nigel had to throw in “What a difference Ade makes!”) looks like a latino on the floor.

 

2 Couples I Like (and vote for) No Matter How Good They Dance

Rank 1, Kayla/Pono. This is the first dance for the couple, ugh, the Vienneese Waltz. Lots of wind, flowing dresses, carriage comments. But I have to say, this dance was beautiful and edgy for a waltz. Kayla performed amazingly (as always) and Pono held his own. I voted like crazy so they wouldn’t be in the bottom 3.  

 

Rank 2, Philip/Jeanine. Broadway, Tyce Diorio. Always tricky with Tyce. But pretty cool. Philip caught alot of flack that he needs to “grow more.” Nigel thinks that he won’t be in the bottom 3 because of his “following,” but that if he doesn’t step up, he’ll end up being a disappointment. Pretty harsh. He jumped over a 6 foot couch! Come on, because he doesn’t run like a contemporary dancer, he’s not that good? A big whatever!

 

2 Ugh Performances

Rank 1, Vitolio/Asuka. I usually really like Mandy Moore, but this is a really weird routine with too much pointy toes for Pat Benatar’s Heartbreaker. They were like preppy private school kids trying to blend in at a Slipknot concert. Nigel called it “fantastic.” I don’t think so. Mary said it was just ok. That’s more like it. 

 

Rank 2, Jonathan/Karla. Wow, this was horrible. The Hip Hop routine by Dave Scott was aight. But the execution by Jonathan is like “why is he on this show?”

 

So, in lieu of my expert opinion, Jonathan/Karla and Vitolio/Asuka landed in the bottom 3. After some desperate solos, Asuka was sent home for not “growing” and Jonathan went home because he’s just not up to the caliber of the show. I totally agree with these results. You’ve just got to be able to do hip hop on this show. Now, Karla and Vitolio will become a couple, but like Nigel says, if Vitolio doesn’t produce a stellar dance, he’ll be the one to go next week. I agree. At this point, I like everyone. The dancers bring it. What is lacking this season is the choreography to compliment them. Where are Tabitha and Napoleon? Will they be back next week? Tune in.