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I’ll Be the Judge of That! – So You Think You Can Dance 5, July 8by Terri Smith -- 07/09/2009
View Printable version of this article I am as happy as a clam, gentle readers. My “dead weight” dancers are finally gone, and it couldn’t have happened at a better time now that we get double the dancing!! I’m looking forward to people shining outside their comfort zones, since it seemed like last week had a bunch of people dancing in their specialties. I’m looking for A-game creations from our choreographers and I’ll be watching if Mary Murphy can keep her first class car on the Hot Tomale Train after her simply amazing night last week. My expectations are high tonight. By now you’ve read Jenn’s RNO recap, so let’s get it on! 
Melissa & Ade – disco I was wondering why Melissa’s hair was super curly during her intro. This is what I’m talking about regarding seeing dancers do well in other styles different from their own. I hate disco routines with a fiery passion, but they did a really good job. It didn’t blow my mind, it wasn’t as great as Jeanette & Brandon’s disco, but they did very well. Their energy was high, but it fell in places where they weren’t doing complex choreography. Ade’s feet were all over the place when he did spins. There was the little fall at the end, but I found it absolutely adorable that Melissa turned out of it and sassed herself back up. I actually cursed out loud when Melissa was in that lift where she held herself in the splits. That was unbelievable! I second Tyce’s notion: friggin’ great, indeed. Kayla & Kupono – contemporary With how good these two are with characters, I knew this would be excellent. I mean, wow. These two are a great combination with Kayla being an excellent technical dancer and Kupono being a great actor. Thanks to the camera, I was able to see Kayla’s face, and she really was into her character and the story. Kupono’s intensity was amazing to watch. I know he had a lot to deal with but he did an excellent job of letting it go and really being in the moment. Their side-by-side choreography was excellent as well. Both of them have really good lines and height on their leaps. I can see what Tyce was saying that Kupono could be stronger in his dancing, but if he was weak tonight, I’m going to have to watch more closely because I didn’t see it. Caitlin & Jason – foxtrot Okay, I need a second to figure out how to say this. Aside from moments when Caitlin’s skirt moved, I was bored. The moves looked “easy” and “gentle” but it looked like there wasn’t anything behind them either. I was waiting for something great to happen, and it just didn’t. They looked nice (except Caitlin’s dress made her look hippy), but this was a very forgettable routine. I actually already forgot parts of it already. That’s gotta be a record in forgettable-ness.
Jeanine & Phillip – Russian folkdance Jeanine sold this routine like a champ! Phillip did better on not looking like he passed a kidney stone while he danced. The tricks they did looked great. The best part of it was Jeanine’s entrance. Most of my comments, like the judges’ comments, will be in the choreography section below. Quote of the night might again go to Jeanine: “We’re talking about pure Russia here. It’s like 100% authentic Russian folk dancing. Get excited.” Randi & Evan – hip-hop I’ve had dreams of these two absolutely kicking @$$ doing a hip-hop and just blowing everyone’s mind. It wouldn’t be a gangsta-type routine. It’d be like Travis & Benji’s nerdy hip-hop routine from a few seasons back if Shane Sparks choreographed or it would be one of those “really good story” routines if NappyTabs choreographed. There would be Hot Tamale Train tickets and cheers abound. They would be the “pair to beat” and people would “pick up the phone” and Evan would declare his undying love for me after he got rave reviews from the judges. I just stared at my TV like a complete goober during their performance. It was so awesome! I completely did the same thing Mary did. I watched Evan waiting for him to screw up, and he did a really great job! I watched it again to see if there was anything I could pick on, and while there were moments where the routine seemed a little simple, the story itself and how well these two pulled that story off masked that a bit. I’m working on understanding Tyce’s criticism of Evan. I try to stay objective even though he is my Dance boyfriend, and while I see his “exploring more,” whatever that might mean, as a good advice for the future, it shouldn’t take away from how well he did tonight. Both of them did excellent. 
Janette & Brandon – Argentine tango These two just need to make out already. That was freaking HOT! Janette rocked it, as well she should since she’s a Latin ballroom dancer, and Brandon absolutely smoldered in his face. Dancing with the Stars has taught me that while Argentine tangos aren’t supposed to be super flashy, they are really close-knit and intricate. All the flicking and kicking they do has to be really specific or they hurt each other (especially boys). They’re supposed to look a little mean because they have to look like sexual tension is brewing. Lines need to go on forever, and the audience needs to see every muscle working overtime, even in simple holds. These two executed this routine brilliantly. I got excited when Cat said these two were doing an Argentine tango, because I knew it would be this good. These two really can pull off anything so far. Now who wants to see Janette do contemporary? The last time everyone dances with each other again?! You’re going to make me cry! Melissa & Ade – waltz I was worried these two would lose their connection with all the strict holds and neck placements and all that. While the choreography definitely helped out, these two are just absolutely beautiful! (I said that before the judges did – over and over again.) During the replays, I noticed the criticisms the judges had with Ade. He didn’t do badly or anything, but his feet and his arms left much to be desired. He’s ridiculously strong! Melissa was wonderful! Her training kicked the crap out of that routine and she did great with the holds and frames and all that. Kayla & Kupono – Broadway That was good! The lighting guys definitely get a raise. I completely agreed with Nigel that while they looked like they were in character, they didn’t completely sell it for me. They did dance it really well and nothing should take that away from them. The side-by-side choreography did expose Kupono as the weaker dancer of the two by far. It’s to Kupono’s advantage that he won’t be compared to Kayla anymore. They did fine, but it didn’t blow my mind. 1 2 3 Next-->View Printable version of this article
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