I'll try and keep this concise, but I'm not great at that :)
Channing and Phillip--Jive
I almost never like the jives on SYTYCD. However, I thought Jason Gilkinson's choreography was very fun. Channing's legs are phenomenal. Phillip's tap experience clearly paid off tonight. The routine looked fun and good as far as jives go. I agreed with Adam dubbing these two a "classy partnership." Also, Adam has great constructive comments. I'm really glad he's permanent.
Ashleigh and Jakob--Broadway
Being in unison in your dancing doesn't directly relate to chemistry, which I thought was lacking. The choreography seemed really focused on Jakob, which I didn't mind but it also bailed Ashleigh out. The routine was about what I expected from a stupid partnership. I disagree with Adam's comment that it was smart choreography. I also disagree with Mary's use of the term "phenomenal." And of course I agree with Nigel's assessment that Jakob is one of the most gifted dancers to ever appear on the show.
Ariana and Peter--Hip Hop
This choreography was so classically Tabitha and Napoleon. Peter looked more natural in the movement than Ariana. Overall, I loved the routine. It was fun and clean.
(Noelle) and Russell--Fox Trot
Let me preface this by saying I hate the fox trot. That said, Russell definitely held his own. It was weird to watch him perform with Melanie, but you've got to love this guy.
Bianca and Victor--Contemporary
Travis Wall is a genius. Bianca seems cocky in her interviews. From Victor's beginning ronde de jambe on the ground, I was hooked on him. The choreography just worked so well. I LOVED the part with her on the ground staying connected to him as he walked. About halfway through I had to admit that as much as I dislike Bianca, I thoroughly loved this dance. That's not to say that my eye ever left Victor, because it didn't, but Bianca helped create a fabulous routine.
Karen and Kevin--Cha Cha
As an unrelated sidenote: he is such a pretty guy! He has awkward hands when he dances. The contrast in their outfits didn't help with the eye's natural tendency to go to her. I never really got into the routine, although Adam's comments about "hips" not normally being his thing had me rolling. Overall, Karen is hot and Kevin has potential.
Ellenore and Ryan--Contemporary Jazz
Sonya is such a character! I never really get her, but I so frequently love what she does. Ryan is obviously just such a great partner for lifts. And Ellenore has beautiful leg extension.
Pauline and Brandon--Smooth Waltz
He looks like a young (meaning small, inexperienced, undeveloped) dancer. I felt a little bit like I was watching a high school social dance routine. Once they were into the lifts it went a little better, but not tons. Hearing that Brandon had re-joined the show just a day and a half ago did make me more impressed with the level of the routine. Nigel hit it on the head with his "prom couple" comment.
Kathryn and Legacy--Hip Hop
As soon as I heard that these two were partners, I was okay with them both just being gone. But then I heard Dave Scott was the choreographer and had to admit that I almost always like his work. At the beginning I was struck by how good Kathryn looked and was forced to acknowledge that I'm judgmental and needed to give them a fair chance. In the end, it was the absolute most I could have liked these two dancers in a routine.
Mollee and Nathan--Disco
I decided that my main issue with Mollee is that she is a stereotypical jazz dancer. She is all about technique and not at all about the heart. So, I suppose she was lucky that she picked disco for her first week because it's very much rooted in the performance. I was unimpressed with the routine. The partner work--aside from the lifts--looked hard and disconnected. I don't ever like disco routines and this one was worse than usual for me. I'm sorry, but I really disagreed with the judges on this one. What they see as charisma and energy with this couple I see as nothing more than childishness. Sidenote from Jess: I thought Mollee couldn't do the routine full out. She just wasn't moving fast enough. The lifts were amazing but all the other movement looked a little frantic.
My reaction to the 4 in danger tonight was...
Ariana: okay
Brandon: that's only fair
Pauline: okay
Russell: WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!
Based on solos alone I thought Pauline and Brandon should go. They both showed us nothing. Jess disagrees with Wendy here. I thought Pauline showed some good technique in her solo. I thought it was unclear even what their styles were. In the end, I was fine with Ariana leaving as well as Brandon. However, I think it's really sad all he's been through, being cut from the Top 20, coming back with limited rehearsal time before tonight, dancing for his life, and then being cut again. I really respect him for his poise through that all.
And finally, if Russell has to dance for his life again any time soon, I might have a heart attack! Did you watch the show tonight? What were your thoughts? Which routines stood out the most?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Kicking off the Top 20
You've already read Jessica's thoughts on the Top 20 show, and I can pretty much say I mirror her sentiments, especially as far as last night's choreography went. What I'd like to do is just give you my quick thought on each of the Top 20 dancers.
Ariana is a bit of a nobody for me. Her talent was dwarfed further by the guys she danced with last night. Don't love her, don't hate her.
Ashleigh needs to go. She's good at her style, but her personality is beyond what I can handle. Anyone know where she went to school? She looks like a UVSC girl to me.
Bianca should have given up after her second rejection by SYTYCD. She's a great tapper, but there is something about her that irks me. I'll figure it out sooner or later.
Billy I love. I'd say he's top 5 for me. But since he's out of the competition due to illness, I guess that's a moot point. (A moo point...yeah, it's like a cow's opinion) I really am heartbroken about him leaving :(
Channing is such a likable character. One of my favorite girls this year. She looked great in her contemporary last night, even matched up with the fabulous guys.
Ellenore is a bit of an unknown. I have a feeling she'll be one of the contestants that really explodes later in the season.
Jakob, Jakob, Jakob. I can't even express how much this boy amazes me. Technically he's one of the most sound dancers we've ever seen on the show (I'm talking Will and Danny caliber), but he dances with such passion! I could watch him all day.
Karen is great. She has a sassy personality that really draws me in. I'm excited to see what she does outside her style.
Kathryn I can't look at without thinking of her high crying voice. Here's the thing with Kathryn: She's a fine dancer, but I guarantee you I danced with girls in high school better than her. Which means, obviously, she's not the best out there.
Kevin...meh. He's great at his style. Don't know what he'll do elsewhere.
Legacy I really, really dislike. I can't give you a reason for that either. I just don't like him.
Mollee needs to grow up.
Nathan I can't remember right now. Probably means I don't have strong feelings about him one way or the other.
Noelle is not the best dancer on the show, but there is something about her I really like.
Pauline is another nobody for me. She's fine. Nothing to make her stand out above the rest yet.
Peter I honestly change my opinion on each time I see him dance or hear him talk. Of the tappers I'd say he's perhaps the least talented, but I like him more than I like Bianca.
Phillip stole my heart during Vegas for no particular reason. I feel like he's talented and he's real. If he can hack it in the other styles I think he'll move up even further on my list, but I don't think he'll ever really be a contender for the top spot.
Russell brings to this show in personality what Jakob does in talent. One of my top 3 I'd say, easily. I hope he continues to improve in technique so that he can stay around until the very end. Russell makes me rethink every negative thing I've ever said about krumping.
Ryan is a refreshingly new face for the male dancers on this show. I think he's really very talented, and I think he knows that he's very talented, but he offers a conceitedness I can handle.
Victor wowed me last night on the performance show. I'm excited to see where he goes this season.
Bottom line, I'd like to see Bianca or Ashleigh go for the girls, and Legacy would be a scarcely missed loss for the guys.
Ariana is a bit of a nobody for me. Her talent was dwarfed further by the guys she danced with last night. Don't love her, don't hate her.
Ashleigh needs to go. She's good at her style, but her personality is beyond what I can handle. Anyone know where she went to school? She looks like a UVSC girl to me.
Bianca should have given up after her second rejection by SYTYCD. She's a great tapper, but there is something about her that irks me. I'll figure it out sooner or later.
Billy I love. I'd say he's top 5 for me. But since he's out of the competition due to illness, I guess that's a moot point. (A moo point...yeah, it's like a cow's opinion) I really am heartbroken about him leaving :(
Channing is such a likable character. One of my favorite girls this year. She looked great in her contemporary last night, even matched up with the fabulous guys.
Ellenore is a bit of an unknown. I have a feeling she'll be one of the contestants that really explodes later in the season.
Jakob, Jakob, Jakob. I can't even express how much this boy amazes me. Technically he's one of the most sound dancers we've ever seen on the show (I'm talking Will and Danny caliber), but he dances with such passion! I could watch him all day.
Karen is great. She has a sassy personality that really draws me in. I'm excited to see what she does outside her style.
Kathryn I can't look at without thinking of her high crying voice. Here's the thing with Kathryn: She's a fine dancer, but I guarantee you I danced with girls in high school better than her. Which means, obviously, she's not the best out there.
Kevin...meh. He's great at his style. Don't know what he'll do elsewhere.
Legacy I really, really dislike. I can't give you a reason for that either. I just don't like him.
Mollee needs to grow up.
Nathan I can't remember right now. Probably means I don't have strong feelings about him one way or the other.
Noelle is not the best dancer on the show, but there is something about her I really like.
Pauline is another nobody for me. She's fine. Nothing to make her stand out above the rest yet.
Peter I honestly change my opinion on each time I see him dance or hear him talk. Of the tappers I'd say he's perhaps the least talented, but I like him more than I like Bianca.
Phillip stole my heart during Vegas for no particular reason. I feel like he's talented and he's real. If he can hack it in the other styles I think he'll move up even further on my list, but I don't think he'll ever really be a contender for the top spot.
Russell brings to this show in personality what Jakob does in talent. One of my top 3 I'd say, easily. I hope he continues to improve in technique so that he can stay around until the very end. Russell makes me rethink every negative thing I've ever said about krumping.
Ryan is a refreshingly new face for the male dancers on this show. I think he's really very talented, and I think he knows that he's very talented, but he offers a conceitedness I can handle.
Victor wowed me last night on the performance show. I'm excited to see where he goes this season.
Bottom line, I'd like to see Bianca or Ashleigh go for the girls, and Legacy would be a scarcely missed loss for the guys.
Performance Show
I really liked that they started with the performance show this season. I liked seeing all the dancers in their elements. I think it shows how good they are before they need to adapt to new styles.
Can I just say I love Wade Robson's choreography, but he is an interesting character.
I always love Tabitha and Napoleon's work. I think the hip hop dancers are good, but I felt like they were all dancing on their own, and not very in sync.
Last season I was disappointed with Tyce Diorio's choreography a lot, but hopefully his season opener is an indication that he won't give us boring routines like last year. It helped him a lot getting the strong dancers that he did. I was impressed with all of them. Jakob Karr has been my favorite from day one. The first time we watched it, I hardly watched anyone else.
The tap choreography was good, but the song was boring, so that made the performance disappointing for me. I don't know how well the tappers will do in other styles. I don't particularly like Bianca.
The Jazz was also disappointing. I really dislike Mollee. She is a great dancer but looks/acts/and dances like she's about 12 years old. The dance was supposed to be sexy according to Sonya, but I felt like it was too cheesy. Good technique, but not much performance.
I loved Many Moore's choreography. She didn't have the talent as in Tyce's dance but I just loved how light and pretty it was. Too bad Billy Bell is hurt, he is a strong dancer.
I will really try not to rant about the last dance. I like salsa for the most part. I thought it was performed and choreographed very well. I really like Karen and I think she is a talented dancer. I don't like Ashleigh and I haven't from the beginning. (even though we live in the same county lol) I don't think she is as talented as she thinks she is and I'm mad she even made it in the top 20 in the first place. I think she is too possessive of her husband on the show. She needs to realize that there have been lots of married people on the show and their spouses weren't complaining when a dance partner had to be close to them. It just really bothers me. I hope she goes soon so we don't have to deal with drama.
Based on performances and my personal biases I'd say I would like to see B-boy Legacy and either Bianca or Ashleigh gone this first week. Maybe after tonight my thoughts will change.
Let me know what you agree and disagree with. Remember these are just my OPINIONS :-)
Can I just say I love Wade Robson's choreography, but he is an interesting character.
I always love Tabitha and Napoleon's work. I think the hip hop dancers are good, but I felt like they were all dancing on their own, and not very in sync.
Last season I was disappointed with Tyce Diorio's choreography a lot, but hopefully his season opener is an indication that he won't give us boring routines like last year. It helped him a lot getting the strong dancers that he did. I was impressed with all of them. Jakob Karr has been my favorite from day one. The first time we watched it, I hardly watched anyone else.
The tap choreography was good, but the song was boring, so that made the performance disappointing for me. I don't know how well the tappers will do in other styles. I don't particularly like Bianca.
The Jazz was also disappointing. I really dislike Mollee. She is a great dancer but looks/acts/and dances like she's about 12 years old. The dance was supposed to be sexy according to Sonya, but I felt like it was too cheesy. Good technique, but not much performance.
I loved Many Moore's choreography. She didn't have the talent as in Tyce's dance but I just loved how light and pretty it was. Too bad Billy Bell is hurt, he is a strong dancer.
I will really try not to rant about the last dance. I like salsa for the most part. I thought it was performed and choreographed very well. I really like Karen and I think she is a talented dancer. I don't like Ashleigh and I haven't from the beginning. (even though we live in the same county lol) I don't think she is as talented as she thinks she is and I'm mad she even made it in the top 20 in the first place. I think she is too possessive of her husband on the show. She needs to realize that there have been lots of married people on the show and their spouses weren't complaining when a dance partner had to be close to them. It just really bothers me. I hope she goes soon so we don't have to deal with drama.
Based on performances and my personal biases I'd say I would like to see B-boy Legacy and either Bianca or Ashleigh gone this first week. Maybe after tonight my thoughts will change.
Let me know what you agree and disagree with. Remember these are just my OPINIONS :-)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Welcome to our Blog!
If you aren't yet familiar with us, you can find out details at our individual blogs:
Wendy at www.worldofwendell.blogspot.com
Jessica at www.jjorgeute.blogspot.com
To put it simply, we're two sisters that danced once upon a time and although we don't always know what we're talking about, we still have plenty of opinions on the work others put into the art. We are huge fans of the Fox television series, So You Think You Can Dance and will use this blog mainly to enlighten all of you on our thoughts of the show. Feel free to leave lots of comments, whether you agree with us completely or think we don't know what we're talking about.
Enjoy!
Wendy at www.worldofwendell.blogspot.com
Jessica at www.jjorgeute.blogspot.com
To put it simply, we're two sisters that danced once upon a time and although we don't always know what we're talking about, we still have plenty of opinions on the work others put into the art. We are huge fans of the Fox television series, So You Think You Can Dance and will use this blog mainly to enlighten all of you on our thoughts of the show. Feel free to leave lots of comments, whether you agree with us completely or think we don't know what we're talking about.
Enjoy!
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