SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Recap: Top 20 Perform

Last night the Top 2o performers took the stage to officially kick off Season 4 of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. There were some interesting pairings and some really inspired routines. Of course there were some missteps along the way, but I think the good outweighed the bad last night. I’m excited for the promise of this season based on the level of talent we saw in Week One.

I wasn’t able to see the show until this afternoon and it’s killed me not to read anyone else’s reviews of the performances, but I know I would have be swayed so I had to wait to see it all for myself.

So here’s my take on last night’s performances. Check back tomorrow for more on tonight’s performances and our thoughts on who got eliminated – yes, there will be another TV Talk Podcast: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Edition coming your way in the morning.

Rayven Armijo and Jamie Bayard kicked off Season 4 with a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha. I think Dan Karatay said it best when he commented that is was “not bad, but not great”. And with that you know they’re in trouble because it’s not often that I agree with Karatay. But he’s right. For the first week it wasn’t horrible. But really there was just no connection between the two dancers. I found it a bit too theatrical and their facial expressions a bit distracting. They were both dancing as individuals out there. And yeah, I really didn’t need to see Jamie in his undies. Not at least during the first week.

Susie Garcia and Marquis Cunningham took the stage next with a Smooth Waltz. Color me impressed. It was far from flawless but they performed the piece very well. Susie was graceful which was a nice change from the trashy girl we’ve seen thus far. Marquis holds himself beautifully and reminds me a bit of Danny Tidwell. They struggled a bit on the lifts, but it’s the first week and those lifts are tough. I give it a thumbs up for a Week 1 performance.

Kourtni Lind and Matt Dorame were given a Jazz routine by Mandy Moore. These two had to be paired together because at 5’9 and 6’3, Kourtni and Matt might have looked a bit odd paired with their shorter fellow contestants. If they get split in the future it’s going to make from some interesting choreography. But as for the routine? Yeah, I wasn’t really feeling it. I think they have decent chemistry and will probably be good partners in the future, but this dance was sloppy. It looked as they were just executing moves rather than performing a routine. The lifts and jumps were lifeless, and I think that might have to do with Kourtni’s height more than anything. I guess we’ll see in the future.

Chelsea Traille and Thayne Jasperson were hot! hot! hot! with their Cha Cha by Tony Meredith and Melanie. Talk about chemistry. Chelsea is fierce and Thayne kept up with her which is saying a lot because that girl exploded on the stage. I thought they did a fantastic job with the Cha Cha (not that I really know what that Cha Cha is or what I should be looking for), but I know I liked what I saw last night. Although I do think they had a great connection I think that Thayne needs to be more cognizant of his partner. I thought at times he was looking at himself more in the camera than at Chelsea. That’s what TiVos are for…look at your partner! One of my favorite performances of the night so far. And Thayne, congratulations – you are in the running to become GMMR’s S4 SYTYCD boytoy.

Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura were lucky enough to work with Mia Michaels on a Contemporary routine their first week. Mia Michaels – you are a strange bird. I love ya, but you are strange. I’m glad she described tonight’s routine as ‘Tim Burton’s wedding’, because I’m not sure I would have understood it otherwise. I was a bit disappointed that so much of the pre-performance video was about Mia’s disappointment in Mark, because I think it distracted me from the routine – almost tainted me a bit. And I say almost because I thought Chelsie and Mark were fantastic last night. They captured the quirkiness that Mia was going for. They were individuals when they needed to be and partners when it was called for. I thought Mark was wonderful and by the thumbs up he got from Mia I think he won her over. Chelsie was fantastic on the stage. Her poofy dress was really distracting and I felt I missed out on some of the moves because of it, but overall I thought it was a performance worthy of Ms. Michaels choreography.

Twitch and Kherington Payne are forever known as ‘Twitchington’. Done. And after the performance they gave us last night, I’ll call them whatever they want me to. Their performance of Tyce D’Orio’s Broadway routine was fantastic. What a pair! These two demanded my attention and they had it all last night. The moves, the personality – they really sold it. Kherington showed a maturity I hadn’t seen yet, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Twitch. He’s a special dancer. I’m a big fan of these two already!

Comfort Fedoke and Chris Jarosz were up next with a Jive routine by Tony Meredith and Melanie. Hmm, ok I can’t say I was a fan of this one. And I think it’s going to take me a little while to get comfortable with Comfort (ok, you have to let me have that one…I couldn’t resist). There have been some big personalities on SYTYCD over the years but Comfort is in your face. She kind of scared me, and I think she may have intimidated Chris a bit too. Comfort was all personality and sex appeal which is great but she needs to work on her technique because the former is only going to get her so far. Chris was also lacking in technique and tried his best to match Comfort’s personality. He didn’t quite get there, but he tried. I think both of them were dancing as individuals out there and I wasn’t all that impressed. But damn if Comfort isn’t a ball of fire!

Katee Shean and Joshua Allen were the second pair with a Hip Hop routine by Napoleon and Tabitha last night. And let me just say this: Joshua! Joshua! Joshua! This guy was one of my favorites through Vegas week and he didn’t let me down last night. He was sick! His moves were smooth when they needed to be and crisp and sharp when it was called for. I wasn’t sure what was going on when the routine started but once they got into it I was loving it. Katee was better than I expected her to be, but I really thought that Joshua was the one to watch. I think these two will be a strong couple as we get further into the competition.

Jessica King and Will Wingfield really, really impressed me with their Tango by Hunter Johnson. This certainly didn’t look like a Week 1 routine. Will did Debi Allen proud last night as his years of training was apparent. He was strong and confident and completely mesmerizing. Jessica was graceful and hit beautiful lines last night (yeah, after watching for years I know what to look for…ha ha). Jessica had a few big missteps, but like the judges I overlooked them because the rest of the routine was so very strong. Bravo!

Courtney Galiano and Gev Manoukian closed out the night with a Disco routine by Doriana Sanchez. With all do respect to Neil and Sabra’s Disco routine from last season, I can’t say that I’m ever a fan of this genre. I always find it a bit too cheesy for my liking and last night was no exception. I thought the routine was all over the place and didn’t look put together or professional. Some of it was the dancing but I think some of it was the choreography as well. I’m a fan of Gev and I didn’t think he had a really strong night, but I’ll give him a pass this week. But I must say that Courtney Galiano really showed me something. I thought she was fantastic. Does she remind anyone else a little of Vanessa Hudgens…when she has her clothes on?

My favorite performances of the night:

• Jessica King & William Wingfield
• Katee Shean & Joshua Allen
• Twitch & Kherrington Payne
• Chelsea Traille & Thayne Jasperson
• Chelsie Hightower & Mark Kanemura

Should be safe:

• Susie Garcia & Marquis Cunningham
• Kourtni Lind & Mark Dorame

Should be dancing for their lives:

• Courtney Galiano & Gev Manoukian
• Comfort Fedoke & Chris Jarosz
• Rayven Armijo & Jamie Bayard

Let’s talk Week 1. Who were your favorites? Any standouts…good or bad?