SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Recap: Top 16 Perform
June 27, 2007 by Kath Skerry
Sooo happy. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE makes me happy. That’s all I can say. And what a show tonight. Some fantastic dancing, some mind blowing choreography and some serious drama. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Joining Mary and Nigel at the judges table tonight, is the uber-talented Debi Allen. Debi is fun and fierce and I hope this isn’t the only time we see her as guest judge this season. Her personality was a perfect fit for this show and you can tell she is a big fan who watches like the rest of us at home. But it’s not all about the judges, so let’s talk about the dancers.
Sara Von Gillern and Jesus Solorio are kicking things off tonight with a Krump routine choreographed by Lil C, one of the original creators of Krumping. I can’t say I know for sure what Krumping is and how it differs from hip hop, but I thought there routine was a lot of fun. There was some much energy from beginning to end. This style is more in Sarah’s element, but Jesus really stepped up tonight in this new style. The judges were all about Sarah and Jesus tonight. Way to start off the show kids.
Cedric Gardner and Shauna Nolland are up next with a contemporary routine by Mia Michaels. Based on the backstage drama and Mia not wanting Cedric to perform, I was actually kind of scared to watch. I thought it was, well, interesting?! Shauna really showed me something tonight. Cedric wasn’t utterly horrible, but he certainly didn’t embrace the beauty of contemporary dance. He acted the part well, but there was no fluidity to his movement. And it was interesting that there were a few measures where he just sat in the corner and watched Shauna take the stage solo. I can’t help but think that it was by design. That being said, as a complete dance moron I enjoyed it for the story. Bravo Mia Michaels. As for the judges, Debi Allen loved it. Mary loved Shauna but thought Cedric let his partner down. Nigel was gracious in saying that Cedric has done a service by trying, but that he is probably going home. Cedric had an opportunity to respond and he was passionate and reflective of his time on the show, and supported the judges in their critique, but also tried to get dancers watching at home and in the audience to listen to the importance of training and trying new styles of dance. Bravo Cedric – very gracious of you. Oh and Debi Allen just offered Cedric a full scholarship to her dance academy if he is voted off. I love her!!
Lacey Schwimmer and a flat-haired Kameron Bink are the first dancers of the season to take on the Quickstep in a routine choreographed by Tony Meredith. WOWZA! That was awesome. So fun and they both looked amazing. As for technique, who knows, but they were stepping and it was quick so it was all good in my book. Lacey, girl you’ve been looking AMAZING since the beginning of the competition, and tonight was no different. And did anyone else catch the quick little smooch Kam gave Lacey at the end of the dance. Aw! Debi Allen thought it was classic and sassy. Mary thought they did a remarkable job. Nigel thought it was great all around.
Sidenote: Big brother Benji Schwimmer was cheering on Lacey in the audience, but there was someone else just over his right shoulder – J.D. Roth. J.D. hosted a ton of kids games shows in my youth but he’s also the creator of my other summer TV obsession, AGE OF LOVE. You don’t care.
Danny Tidwell and Anya Garnis are taking on Dan Karaty’s first routine of the season. Danny Tidwell taking on Hip Hop? Damn, the boy was fab!! I thought he was going to be really stiff and reluctant to let go of his technique, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong. He was smooth and really sold it. Anya on the other hand proved she is a mere mortal this week. I think she was way too stiff and I never felt like she was feeling the dance or the music. The judges all seemed to really love it. Debi and Mary were gushing, and Nigel really liked it but he didn’t think it was their best dance. He wants to see them improve just as much as the other couples whom he hinted at were at a lower level.
Dominic Sandoval and Sabra Johnson are up next with a Rumba by Jean-Marc Genereux. I’m loving these two and I want them to kill it tonight. And that’s just what they did. YAY! YAY! YAY! Dominic and Sabra were awesome! He continues to blow my frakkin’ mind with his versatility, and she is just flawless in every dance she does. This routine was a bit slower in contrast to what we are used to seeing on this show, but it was sensual and sexy. The judges better have loved it as much as I did…or else. Whew…judges loved it. They got a huge Mary Murphy scream and all around praise.
Neil Haskell and Lauren Gottlieb are taking on a tango once again by Jean-Marc Genereaux. Ok Neil and Lauren, I’m ready for you two to have a stand out performance. Is tonight the night? Hmm, not by my standards. I thought Neil really stood out (and not just because he’s my SYTYCD boy toy), but I don’t know if him standing out was a good thing or not. I didn’t really feel the cat and mouse game they said defined this dance (although Mary Murphy did). I wanted to see a little more structure from Lauren (who am I?). But we all know I don’t know what I’m looking at so let’s see what the judges had to say. Debi thought it could have been tighter. Mary thought it was just ok. Nigel thought it was pretty good, and they looked good together. Uh oh, bottom three? Perhaps.
Whew…these recaps are going to be so much easier in weeks to come as more couples are eliminated.
Hok Konishi and Jaimie Goodwin were lucky enough to get to work with Wade Robson on a jazz routine this week. And how were they? SICK. SICK. SICK. I actually stood up in the middle of their routine because I was so excited. I’m not sure how this jazz number differed from a contemporary routine but I don’t care. They were PERFECT. Hok’s ability to totally control every muscle in his body is astounding, and that adjacent to Jaimie’s more loose and flowing style blew my mind. Yes, tears. I know I’m partial to Wade, but he is in his own league. I can’t wait to post their dance tomorrow so I can watch it over and over again. The judges all loved it as much as I did. They all praised Wade for designing a dance perfectly suited for Hok and Jaimie’s style. Nigel said that this routine will be remember on this series for a very long time. Well done!!
Sidenote: Who was that chick that Wade was holding hands with in the audience? And WHAT was that ring doing on his left hand? And on her hand!! Is he married? NOOO!!
Jessi Peralta and Pasha Kovalev are the last ones to perform tonight with a Cha Cha routine by Tony Meredith. OOps scratch that. As reported earlier today, Jessi fainted during rehearsals and is in the hospital. Pasha is performing tonight with Tony Meredith’s dance partner Melanie LaPatin. This has got to be nerve wracking for Pasha as he’s practiced up until today with Jessi. Fingers crossed for him. Ok so first off, bravo to Melanie to stepping up and performing on national television at the last minute. And it has to be said, it was incredible to see someone bigger than a size 4 working it like she did on the stage. She was hot! And Pasha…well it just goes to show what a strong partner he is, because he didn’t miss a beat tonight. He was incredible and I imagine he will be around next week. As for the judges, well they (and the audience) gave these two a standing O. They all went a little crazy for him and it was well deserved, not only for his performance tonight but for the face that he performed the hell out of the routine under the circumstances.
And as for Jessi. Well she was still in the hospital at the time of the taping (which was Monday). If she is well enough to return to the competition tomorrow then she will definitely be dancing for her life. If she can’t perform, then she will be automatically eliminated from the competition. Crazy drama!!
So another fantastic night of dance!! It’s getting tougher and tougher to pick the bottom three each week. But I’m going to do it. I predict the following couples will be dancing for their lives tomorrow night:
- Cedric and Shauna
- Neil and Lauren
- Pasha and Jessi (remember, Pasha is not going to benefit from the votes of Jessi fans)
Going home tomorrow night will most likely be Cedric, and sadly Jessi.
Ok I’m off to watch Hok and Jaimie’s routine a few more times before going to bed.
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Filed under Neil Haskell, So You Think You Can Dance
Hok and Jaime were just astounding. During the intro for their routine I raised an eyebrow when Wade said Hok would be a humming bird. Sounded a little too weird. But then the dance started and it was just crazy how good it was.
I really hope Pasha isn’t in the bottom 3. Not only because he was darn good, but because his degree of difficulty in having a new partner. It would be a shame if he is put in danger when there are other worse dancers who are being protected by their good partners.
Oh, and I agree. Kameron and Lacey are totally putting a little “extra time” in. Even in the interview after the dance her hands were glued to him.
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Hey, wasn’t Pasha’s partner Melanie featured on What Not To Wear last year?
Heck yeah she was, Jen. How ridiculous is it that we recognize her? Pretty awesomely ridiculous, is what I’m thinkin’.
I’m just confused. I wasn’t into Jaimie/Hok at all. Where was the jazz? Where was the stepping outside their comfort zone to do something incredible and beautiful that they don’t usually do? Hok danced how Hok always dances, albeit amazingly, but still. And I’m officially irritated by Jaimie’s uptalking, and overall boringness. I don’t know. I’m pretty sure Jaimie doesn’t have a chance of winning this competition, but I honestly hope people’s love of Hok-flavored cuteness in general doesn’t bias them to vote just ’cause he’s cute. Just me, though.
I wasn’t really wowed by anyone tonight, not even Lacey and Kam, even though they did really well. I did, however, jump on the Sabra Love Train- she and Dom were beautiful tonight. Pasha was great as well, but I just hope Jessi is alright- I was bummed that she wasn’t able to perform with him.
even though she isn’t my favorite, i really did feel bad for jessi when i found out what happened to her. it would be an even bigger shame if she can’t perform a solo…at least if she performs one and gets sent home, its like she tried, but if she just gets sent home because she can’t, well that would just suck. but a part of me wants her to go so shauna(we know cedric is going home) can be pashas partner. love pasha, love shauna(after her solo last week and HER part of the contemporary this week), and i think they would make a pretty hot couple.
Way to go on recognizing that woman from What Not to Wear…I knew she looked familiar!! And my friends and I were also applauding her for being so sexy and not being tiny. But I’m thinking Pasha might make anyone look that good.
How in the world was that jazz routine considered jazz and not contemporary?! I didn’t see any jazz. Are Neil/Lauren ever going to get a non-ballroom dance?! Is Jessi going to be able to do her solo? Is Danny going to win this whole thing? Should he? I love the videos they show us before they dance. Neil/Lauren and Dominic/Sabra are so cute 🙂
I think E! reported Melanie (pasha’s parther for the night) was Tony’s sister. Melinie Lapatin danced with Tony for years and they were actually married at one point. They own a studio together in NYC and they’re legends in the world of ballroom. I can’t believe they called her “Tony’s assistant.” Melanie should have thrown a diva fit and made sure she got proper credit. 🙂
Lexi~ wait, so is Melanie Tony’s sister or were they married? Because if it’s both…yipes! 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this in-depth recap. I missed the show last night because I was well, dancing (my class was rescheduled from it’s usual Monday night). It looks like I missed an awsome show. Please post as many performances as you can get your hands on. I wil love you for it.
Thank you so much for posting this in-depth recap. I missed the show last night because I was well, dancing (my class was rescheduled from it’s usual Monday night). It looks like I missed an awesome show. Please post as many performances as you can get your hands on. I wil love you for it.
Sorry for the double post. I don’t know how that happened.
Did anyone notice who was working with Mia Michaels in the studio? Ben from Season 2! Do all of the past dancers get jobs with SYTYCD? ‘Cause I heard Natalie was a judge for the Greek show.
I cannot believe how happy this show makes me either! Love it all–and the dancers this year are so great I don’t want to see anyone go home!
I absolutely adore Sabra and even over the top Dominic. I keep waiting for Neil and Lauren to do something–anything! Lacey and Kameron are totally getting married and having a big family per Kameron’s dream. Sara was amazing with the krumping–she’s the only girl in the history of the show that can genuinely pull of the hip hop vibe. And is Pacha hot or what? *whew*
I adore Cedric and what he’s done for the competition. It is however his time to leave and I think he handled last night’s comments so graciously. I kind of want Jessi not to be able to continue due to other reasons b/c I LOVE all the girls in the competition right now and couldn’t pick one to leave.
And I loved loved Debbie Allen as a judge–she was so articulate and enthusiastic about everyone!
So the judges mentioned that they’d be changing up partners soon–anyone want to discuss when they think that might happen and who your fave and most distastrous pairings are? :o)
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
Kath, the girl Wade was holding hands with was his wife or at least I think it was. She is some fashion designer or from what I’ve read, he married her a couple of years ago.
So even though I think the couple is Kam and Lacey, I so totally want it to be Dom and Sabra. They remind me of that laid-back, sweet couple in high school. Kam and Lacey (even though I like them), remind me of that couple that is together because they think they should be, on account of being the cool kids.
Glad the judges cut Jessi, even though the first girl danced like a stripper approaching the pole – bizarre and bad. However, Jessi was flaky, unprofessional, and RUDE. You go on unless injured. If injured to the pt you can’t dance, you go home. I got dehydrated…the choreography was really tough…oopsies! Smirk smirk, gush over partner (that she let down and jeopardized…) NEXT! Even if her solo stunned (it didn’t) and she seemed EXTREMELY sorry for her flakiness(she wasn’t particularly)…They were right to fire her and keep another, even lesser, talent on the show for the learning opportunity and the incredible exposure it offers. No panic attacks or dramatics are acceptable. Ced may be weak in all genres but his own, but at least he is gracious and grateful for this chance and all the contacts from it. She didn’t even thank the dancer who stepped in to try and save P’s spot on the show in her absence – VERY VERY dumb. How much stress did she create for “her boyfriend” and the show’s producers. Pasha is what she will remember the most? Not the choreographers…the DANCING. What a retarded response, and not a dancer/artists. Uh…Buh bye. Good cut.
wow you are insane. jessi was incredibly gracious and handled being cut very well. especially since the judges gave her absolutely no reasoning for the cut. and her solo was definitely better than all the other girls. maybe you’re not very familiar with what good dancing is but she was by far the most talented and versatile dancer in the competition, every judge thought so. she remained composed instead saying some rude, self-righteous comment like most people who get cut do.
i think Lauren should of won. the judges said nicer things to her than to sabra and that bitch still won thats simply not fair.I LOVE YOU LAUREN AND NEIL. YOU ARE TRULY THE WINNERS IN MY HEART.
Love always leslie
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