'So You Think You Can Dance 6' : Let The Competition Begin!
Tonight marked the kickoff of the competitive round of So You Think You Can Dance, although there was no audience call-in vote because the regular results show was pre-empted by the baseball game schedule on Fox. (Stupid baseball! America, get your priorities straight! Dancing is soooo much more fascinating to watch than a bunch of dudes standing in some outfield waiting for something to happen, and it takes just as much athletic skill!) Anyway, I've already weighed in on the judges' controversial choices for the bottom four (read that rant here), but now it's time to offer up my own choices for best and worst couples of the night.
And so here they are, listed in order of awesomeness, with my favorites first:
Kathryn & Legacy - Hip-Hop
I have repeatedly expressed my doubts about B-boy Legacy, but you never know what's going to happen on this show--because tonight, Legacy and his partner, contemporary specialist Kathryn, performed what I considered to be the best dance of the episode. A siiiiick Dave Scott routine set to Missy Elliott's "On & On" and depicting Kathryn and Legacy as sexy cavepeople, it was down 'n' dirty, intense, and, to borrow a word from Lil' C, bucc. Or, as Nigel Lythgoe, put it, this number was the "hip-hop version of Quest For Fire." The caveman role played to macho man Legacy's strengths, and if he keeps dancing like this, I'll never doubt him again. To quote another judge, Mary Murphy: "Yabba-dabba-doo!"
Ellenore & Ryan - Contemporary
A stunner masterminded by one of my favorite SYTYCD choreographers, Sonya Tayeh, this routine cast Ryan as a dark, malevolent angle (a whole new persona for the hunky ballroom himbo, which he embraced with glee) and jazz dancer Ellenore (one of my favorite females this season) as his pure and submissive angel victim. Sonya declared it her most inspired routine ever, and while I am not quite sure that was the case (Sonya has choreographed many amazing routines), it did remind me of my favorite routine of last season, Mia Michaels' "Addiction" piece. This couple's chemistry was "crazy," to quote Mary, and I hope these two get to dance together for a while.
Bianca & Victor - Contemporary
Tap dancer Bianca is another dancer I've been skeptical about in the past, but I got another curveball thrown at me when she dazzled me in this awe-inspiring, emotional number choreographed by season 2 SYTYCD alum Travis Wall and soundtracked by Meshell Ndegeocello. True, she was somewhat upstaged by the absolutely excellent Victor, who as a contemporary dancer by trade was much more in his element--but honestly, this was so much more riveting than her snoozy tap number on this week's "Meet The Top 20" special. Mary praised Bianca's passion, Nigel said the connection between Nigel and Bianca was the best of the night, and while new permanent judge Adam Shankman pointed out that Bianca's shoulders and feet still need some work, he was overall impressed. So was I.
Ariana & Peter - Hip-Hop
Dressed as black-and-gold androids and dancing, appropriately, to Sam Sparro's "Black & Gold," contemporary dancer Ariana was a sassy little fembot and Peter was a real revelation--who knew a tap dancer like him could execute a B-boy headslide? I was very surprised, pleasantly so, that Peter took to Tabitha & Napoleon's quirky choreography so well. The judges, however, were not as impressed as I was, with Adam griping that their dancing styles were not similar enough, Mary saying they were sloppy, and Nigel just acting completely underwhelmed. I suppose that's why they sadly chose to send Ariana home at the end of the evening. I'm glad they kept Peter, though.
Ashleigh & Jakob - Broadway
Oddly, this was the first time I saw truly sultriness and partner chemistry from the usually-annoying ballroom dancer Ashleigh, even though she was dancing with someone other than her husband, fellow competitor Ryan. Choreographer Tyce Diorio told Ashleigh and contemporary dancer Jakob that they needed to get that "man/woman thing," and man, they sure got it. Granted, Ashleigh was upstaged by her phenomenally gifted partner, whom Nigel declared once of the most gifted dancers in the history of the entire series (along with this season's Billy Bell, who had to bow out due to illness). Adam even said to Jakob, "God put you on earth for one reason, and it is to spread the gospel of dance," warning poor Ashleigh, "It's going to be tough to be partners with him." But I think Jakob is going to push Ashleigh and make her a better dancer. He has so far.
Mollee & Nathan - Disco
Definitely the Cutest Couple this season, perky golden girl Mollee and boy wonder Nathan, both barely 18, certainly had their work cut out for them when choreographer Doriana Sanchez crafted another warp-speed disco routine "inspired by Mexican wrestling." (Poor Nathan and Mollee! That Doriana is such a sadist!) But this was THE couple to get such a fun and effervescent routine, and true to the song's lyrics, they turned that beat around. Mary called them the "dream team," and Adam told them, "Your energy is infectious." And those stretchy across-the-stage splits Mollee did? Only a spry teenager could be that limber.
Karen & Kevin - Cha Cha
Ballroom dancer Karen was definitely in her element during this Melanie Lapatin & Tony Meredith number; hip-hop dancer Kevin, not so much. But this was no typical cha cha, and the fact that it was set to the Glee cast's version of Salt 'N' Pepa's "Push It" probably helped Kevin feel more comfortable. He certainly looked confident on that stage, although both dancers struggled with the contortionistic "unwinding pretzel" moves at the routine's end. But Mary put Karen on the Hot Tamale Train and said Kevin showed enough promise to be on the train's platform, at least. So these two will probably be around for a while.
Russell - Foxtrot
Krumper Russell was at a severe disadvantage tonight, as his assigned partner Noelle injured her knee earlier this week and had to sit this round out. Russell therefore had to dance with choreographer Melanie Lapatin standing in for Noelle. But Russell was superb--he cleaned up nice, and was genteel and smooth and elegant (basically, the opposite of krumping). A wowed Adam told him, "You continue to defy explanation"; Mary told him he did a "respectable job" and showed that elusive "it factor"; and Nigel declared, "You are living proof why I get on a soapbox and say, Please let kids experience dance in schools.'" So I am still confused as to why the judges put Russell in the bottom four tonight.
Pauline & Brandon - Smooth Waltz
Hip-hop/contemporary dancer Brandon was an alternate, brought in at the last minute to replace the aforementioned Billy Bell. He wasn't even supposed to be here, and it was a privilege for him to compete on the SYTYCD stage at all. But after just a day and a half of rehearsal, he executed a lovely Jason Gilkinson-choreographed waltz and demonstrated real chemistry with jazz dancer Pauline. Nigel was unimpressed, telling them like looked like a "prom couple" and were "not strong enough," but the other two judges gave them proper credit. Still, both Brandon and Pauline ended up in the bottom four at the end of the night, with Brandon ultimately going home. Oh Brandon, we hardly knew ye.
Channing & Phillip - Jive
This was indeed a "classy pairing" (Adam Shankman's words) between an athletic contemporary dancer and skilled tapper, and this Jason Gilkinson number set to "Rockin' Robin" was cute and fun. But nothing about it was very special, memorable, or mind-blowing. Mary said, "Not bad...but I want more from you guys," and Nigel complained about their lack of chemistry. My guess is these two may not stick around for long...but then again, like I said, you never know what's going to happen on this show.
Russel in the bottom four, that was pretty shocking. He is definitely my favorite and i think he did exceptionally well to be a crumper.