And Then There Were Six
Thursday, July 31 2008 | Comments (0)
This week our final 6 dancers perform, and as we've seen in recent weeks, it's becoming impossible to predict who will stay and who will go. It's hard to believe we're only one week from the finale and I don't think anyone has any idea who's going to be able hang around and actually win!
First off I'd like to say Congratulations to the Top 6 remaining dancers: Chelsie Hightower, Courtney Galiano, Joshua Allen, Katee Shean, Mark Kanemura and Twitch Boss! We start this week's show by introducing our remaining dancers, and as always, hearing from host Cat Deeley. She begins by commenting how the weeks have flown by this season, and this has to be the toughest season ever! She also explains we are just one week away from the season's two-part finale. My how time really flies! Judges this evening include Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and the return of Adam Shankman - yay! All dancers have again been paired randomly this week; will dance two performances as couples, and one solo routine.
Cat states there is a lot to cover tonight so they're going to jump right into it. Our first couple dancing will be Mark and Courtney. They're paired with choreographer Jason Gilkison for a Viennese Waltz. I'm not a huge fan of this style of dance, because it's very easy to see technical flaws due to it moving so slowly. I'm really hoping for the best especially good chemistry for them, because I really like both dancers. And it actually turned out really beautiful - dancing to David Cook's "Time of My Life" - and they both did superb! The judges thought so too. Adam Shankman said this was a good performance for both dancers. He thought Mark's rise/fall in the Waltz was the best of any guy he'd seen on the show, and that Courtney was absolutely beautiful. Mary remarked the choreography was brilliant from "down under", their lifts were effortless, the leg/footwork was flowing like it was supposed to be, and that Mark really came alive on this performance. Nigel agreed with his two colleagues by stating the number was "beautifully romantic" and the duo started off the evening really well with their performance.
Now onto our first solo routine by Chelsie Hightower. She dances to The Pussycat Dolls "When I Grow Up". I actually liked this routine - it was sassy and confident, and it really showed off her lines, her legs, and her amazing footwork. I can imagine it would be hard for someone in the ballroom genre to come up with a different variety of week when it comes to solos, but I think she managed to pull it off this week. I really am hoping she and Courtney get into the final four. As much as I feel Katee is an exceptional dancer, I sometimes don't feel her personality like I do from Chelsie and Courtney. And in my personal opinion, I feel it's important when you're any type of entertainer - dance, music, etc.
Twitch is up next for his solo as well. He does a very entertaining routine to "The Midas Touch" by Midnight Star. He's adorable wearing gold rimmed glasses and a shiny grill on his teeth! He pulls off a lot of cool moves and tricks like he always does and seems a bit more confident in his routine tonight which is nice to see. Cat is such a good sport - she even puts on Twitch's glasses and teeth - spit and all - what this lady won't do for a glamorous laugh!
Our second couple dancing is Josh and Katee - back together again! They'll be performing a contemporary routine by Tyce Diorio and the song they dance to is Celine Dion's rendition of the classic "All By Myself". I honestly think these two will definitely be in the finale. They get endless amounts of praise every week from the judges, and I know they are fan favorites as well. But...here's my gripe about Katee - she seems very unimpressed with every comment she gets from the judges - like she doesn't need their approval, suggestions, or criticisms. The other contestants often look surprised and appreciative for their praise. But she always seems a little too poised and controlled? Anyone else agree with me or am I alone here? It would be nice to see her act or even look thankful or show a little more heart? I think they did a wonderful job with this piece, and the judges also agree.
Adam first gives praise to Tyce stating this is his best work ever on the show. Adam goes onto tell he and Tyce first met as dancers in 1990 on the Oscars show. They were brought together and mentored "by a little known choreographer, and a really cool lady named Paula Abdul". And Yes Paula was in the audience - how cool is that! Now onto what Adam thought about Josh and Katee's performance. Adam said and I quote: "You are by far two of the best dancers to ever grace this stage. Nothing is more exciting than to pair great dancers with a great choreographer." And Adam feels Tyce, Josh, and Katee are like the "holy trinity" of SYTYCD. His last comment to the pair and he yelled this part, "Congratulations, that was awesome". Mary thought the performance was filled with passion, strength, and the leaps were phenomenal. She thought it was the most beautiful thing she’s seen on the show. She predicts once again she'll see both of them in the finale. The routine gets an infamous Mary scream. And Nigel also agreed. He thought the number was beautifully danced and Joshua was absolutely brilliant. He felt the couple really delivered and he’s pleased they’re paired up once again.
Chelsie and Twitch’s first routine of the night is the Mambo choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. They danced to a Latin number by Victor Manuelle. I thought this performance was HOT HOT HOT! Twitch definitely was not in his element on this one and he did a great job keeping up with Chelsie the resident "firecracker" as Mary likes to call her. Cat comments that Chelsie's hips were like lightning! Adam thought Chelsie's performance was on fire, like an animal burning it up on the floor. He has yet to see something she can’t do. Adam felt Twitch was out of his element and could have sold it a little more. But he’s a really strong partner and gave a good performance. Adam was completely entertained. Mary thought it was a great routine. She gives Twitch huge props for being mostly on time as she knew this was a very difficult routine to do for him. She goes onto say Chelsie kept drawing her attention because she’s so fabulous in the Latin style. They both pulled it off respectfully. Nigel felt Twitch looked good for majority of the routine, but Chelsie was really in her element. Her footwork was fantastic, and overall he felt they did great individually and were great picks for partners.
Our next two solos come from Katee and Joshua. First up was Katee dancing to Maroon 5's "Can't Stop". I like the fact she changed things up a bit this week. Her solos are usually set to slower music but this week she really rocked it. She had much better technique and character and it was very enjoyable. Joshua's routine was performed to "Like That" by Memphis Bleek. His performance was great as well. His solos are so much fun to watch and this week I like that he threw in some technical elements from different styles intermixed with his own.
Courtney and Mark’s second dance is a Jazz piece choreographed by Sonya Tayeh and performed to "The Garden" by Mirah. It was really fresh, funky, a bit dark, and even seemed like it had a little bit of a hip hop element added to it. It was really unique, unlike anything I've ever seen before. Adam remarked "That was sick, and I loved it. Sonya is such an exciting new presence." Adam loves Courtney and Mark individually but together he feels they’re unbelievable. Mary thought the routine was crazy, raw, interesting and she absolutely loved it. Nigel totally agreed with the other members of his judging panel. This piece really suited Mark’s unique style. He also said anything they throw at Courtney she picks up. He felt this was one of the highlights of the night.
Katee and Joshua’s second dance of the evening is the Paso Doble choreographed by Jason Gilkison and performed to "Filet" from the Le Reve original soundtrack. The number starts out slow and graceful, and then becomes more high energy with some lifts and turns. It was pretty intense, really unexpected! Adam comments that Joshua is making him believe in the impossible. Adam feels Joshua is so brilliant and it’s not possible given his background that he’d be able or capable of doing what he’s doing. Adam absolutely loved it. Mary remarks she feels when Katee and Joshua dance together true magic happens on the stage and their performance was phenomenal. It got a very high and long winded Mary scream! Nigel felt the number was absolutely fabulous. He saw so many good things and then states he feels Joshua could steal the show if he keeps dancing the way he is.
Courtney and Mark have the final solos of the night. Courtney is up first dancing to "Rock Your Soul" by Elisa. Her solos have always been fun to watch and this week is no exception. She shows off her great technique and the routine was nicely done. Mark is the final solo number and he's dancing to "Bum Like You" by Robyn. I loved the use of his shirt as a prop. I think he’s the only male dancer still on the show who hasn’t bared his chest during his partner dance so he takes the liberty to do so now and it spices things up a bit. I still love his funky flair that he's stayed true to throughout the competition.
And for the last performance of the night, we see Chelsie and Twitch perform a hip hop number choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo. Adam first comments Tabitha & Napoleon bring wit and intelligence to the routines they create. He felt Twitch was hot and Chelsie got a “wow.” Adam was very entertained and it was a great ride for him. Mary states Twitch was totally in his element for this style and in most of the numbers he’s done this season she feels Twitch has been outstanding. She was a bit surprised Chelsie kept up with him and thought she was unbelievable. Nigel ends the show by saying any one of the six dancers could be in the Top Four. They are all absolutely fantastic and he knows they all deserve to be where they are.
Cat ends the show by giving viewers a last glimpse of each dancer’s performances of the evening, and their numbers to call in and vote. And that's a wrap for this show. Who will stay, and who will go? America will of course decide. And this week, I truly hope they pick the right people to be voted off! I don't feel their decision last week to eliminate William Wingfield was a wise one, but I'm sure we'll all see him again in the future. The guy's got a great deal of talent and I believe he'll do great things with that talent. Tomorrow night - SYTYCD results show! Check back for the updates!
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