Sabra Johnson Wins SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

Here we are. The season finale of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. What a talent-filled journey it has been. Thanks to all of you who have come to GMMR each week of the show to read my thoughts, but more importantly to share yours. It’s been so great to experience this show with you this year. I can’t wait until next season.

Before we get into tonight’s finale recap, I have to first apologize for not writing a full recap of last night’s final performance episode. I had a fantastic time watching the show with Ducky, Jess, Murph, Whit , Heather and Adam. We laughed, we watched with awe and amazement and I think we even had a few Mary Murphy screams. To sum up the two hour episode in one word, I would have to say that I was “content”. Not overwhelmed, not underwhelmed but content. The two standout moments for me were Danny & Lacey’s stunning waltz and Danny’s unbelievable final solo. Although I’ve been Team Sabra for some time now, after last night’s performance I am woman enough to admit that Danny Tidwell won me over. He is such an amazing dancer and he has grown so much through this competition. I was floored watching him perform last night. By the end of the night, I was so exhausted the last thing I could do was go home and blog about it. And today, well my day got the best of me and it slipped away until it was time for the finale. I got home at midnight tonight and sat down to watch. It’s about 1:45am as I begin tonight’s recap but I’m determined to finish this so we can discuss SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE for the last time…well until next year.

So let’s do it…

Cat Deely, looking stunning as usual, welcomes us for the last time before introducing the Top 20 dancers. It was so great to see so many familiar faces back on the stage. The judges table is packed tonight as Nigel and Mary are joined by Dan Karatay, Wade Robson, Shane Sparks and Mia Michaels – the best of the best (if of course you swap out Dan Karatay for either Debbie Allen or Adam Shankman).

Mr. Broadway, Tyce D’Orio, has choreographed an amazing routine set to music from Broadway’s Lion King performed by the Top 20 dancers. It was nice to see them all perform one final time all together, and that routine is sick.

Top 20 Dance Finals

In what proved to be an amazing night of television, some of the most popular choreographers and judges from this season shared their favorite moments and picked a favorite routine to be performed tonight. In between the performances we had a few special guests…but more on that later.

First up was Mary Murphy and she chose to see “Transformer” routine, choreographed by Shane Sparks and performed by Pasha Kovalev and Lauren Gottleib . This dance had one of my favorite intros of the entire season, and it was such a surprise to see Pasha, a Russian-born Latin Ballroom dancer pull off a hip-hop routine of this caliber.

Pasha and Lauren Final

Our very first guest of the night is introduced and his name is Brandon Norris. Does the name not ring a bell? What if I told you that Brandon was the amazing clogger we saw during the auditions? Now you remember, right? Brandon came out and did his thing which continue to blow me away.

Brandon The Clogger

And let me just say that THIS is why the SYTYCD finale blows away the AMERICAN IDOL finale. Rather than bring back past contestants to embarrass and humiliate them once again like IDOL does, SYTYCD chose to showcase unique talents that just weren’t’ right for the competition. Bravo!

It’s Nigel’s choice to choose a dance and he goes with the “Hummingbird” routine by Wade Robson and performed by Hok Konishi and Jaimie Goodwin. This dance is definitely near the top of my top 5 routines of the whole season. Hok and Jaimie became the hummingbird and the flower and it was once again beautiful to watch.

Jaimie and Hok Finals

Jean Marc Generaux surprised me with his favorite routine of the season – the Shane Sparks hop routine danced by Sabra and Dominic. This sexy number showed the softer side of hip hop and the tougher side of Sabra. And it was so nice to see my boy Dominic back on the stage (and not dropping Sabra). Still looking for the video of this one…sorry.

Guest judge Adam Shankman chose Sara & Neil’s disco routine as his favorite of the season. I’ve never been a fan of disco, but this routine by Doriana Sanchez. And once again the joke about knocking on Neil’s wood is not lost on me, or any woman (or gay boy) watching.

Sara and Neil in Finals

The second guest performer is a guy none of us will ever forget – Bryan Gaynor. Bryan’s unique dance moves are only more unbelievable knowing he faces the challenges associated with scoliosis. Shane Sparks was once again floored, and is still trying to get him a part in the dance movie he is choreographing.

Brian Gaynor Dancing in Finals
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The Top 8 dancers perform the “Get Up” routine by Shane Sparks. I dubbed this one the Matrix number. I gotta say that although I’ve been over here for quite some time, Lauren Gottlieb is pretty tight in this dance.

Top 8 Perform in Finals

Boy genius Wade Robson has chosen to see Lacey & Danny’s Samba routine which was choreographed by last season Top 10 dancer Dmitry Chaplin. This is definitely one of the my favorite routines of the entire season. I think Lacey & Danny performed it better tonight than they did the first time, and that’s saying a lot.

At the conclusion of the dance, Cat tells us that it’s time to see one of the dancers eliminated from the competition. It’s time to say goodbye to either Danny or Lacey. The card is read and coming in as your fourth favorite dancer is…..Lacey Schwimmer. A round of applause for Lacey who showed us all who the real talent is in her family. You go girl!!

Cat welcomes us back from a break to tell us that Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls will be performing. It was at that exact moment that my thumb accidentally hit the fast forward button on my DVR…random?!

It’s time for Shane Sparks to pick his favorite routine of the season. And let me just say that I often forget what a mini-me Shane Sparks is. He can’t be more than 5’3. I’ve got nothing against short people, but I always seem to forget so it’s a bit jarring when I see him next to Mia and he just comes to her shoulder. Anyway, Shane goes with the West Coast Swing dance choreographed by S2 SYTYCD winner Benji Schwimmer. This routine is sick!! Pasha and Sara were once again off the charts with this one. They are so fast from beginning to end – just fantastic!!

Pasha and Sara in Finals
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Tyce D’Orio chose the Fox Trot by Jean Marc Genereaux and performed by Anya and Danny. Let me just say this, watch the original performance of this dance and then watch tonight’s performance of the dance and you will see how much Danny Tidwell has grown in this competition and as a partner. Unlike the first time he danced, he performed with Anya and he complimented her grace rather than just dancing for himself.

Anya and Danny in Finals

Wade Robson “Chaplin” routine by Sara and Jesus (yay Jesus is back!). At this point in time, Sara should feel very honored that she was part of 3 of the 8 memorable routines performed tonight. Go little B-Girl. Once again, I loved this piece and its characters.

Jesus and Sara in Finals

It’s ladies choice, and Mia Michaels decides to showcase the Neil & Sabra “Boardroom” routine choreographed by Mandy “no I’m not her so stop asking me” Moore. This dance kicked ass once again tonight.

Neil and Sabra in Finals

That dance was the last we will see Neil and Sabra dance together because one of them is about to be eliminated from the competition. Cat bring Danny up to the stage and announces that Neil Haskell has been named America’s third favorite dancer. Oh Neil, you’ve been to me you little piece of dancing eye candy. You will be missed. xoxoxox

So now it’s down to Sabra and Danny. One of these two will be named America’s Favorite Dancer? These were my pick for the top two so I’m beyond ecstatic right now.

We are treated to the Top 8 dancers performing the Danny Tidwell/X Marks the spot contemporary routine. I had only seen this brilliant piece on youtube before, so it was a real treat to see it performed again tonight. Mia Michaels, I love you.

Repeat of Imogene Heap Opening Dance

So here’s the moment I’ve been waiting for all night. No, they aren’t announcing the winner just yet. But Cat and Nigel are going to perform. Or at least I thought they would. Instead they faked us out by having little cartoons with their big heades superimposed on them. Ugh. Boo!! I wanted to see them dance. Cat and Nigel are lucky that I’m a quick forgiver, or else I’d still be pissed.

(Side note: It’s now 2:39am and I’m still watching/writing. If you find any typos I don’t want to hear about it. I’m not lying when I tell you that I’m falling asleep on my keyboard. But I’m going to continue on in the name of SYTYCD bloggers everywhere!).

Ryan Cabrera came out to sign the SYTYCD elimination tune “I Will Remember You”. Um, when did Ryan Cabrera become a Jack White wannabe. I know I’m a little out of touch with the teen pop music scene, but didn’t Ryan Cabrera used to be hot?

Dan Karatay chooses the final dance of the season and it’s no great surprise that he picks the heartwarming Mia Michaels contemporary routine performed by Neil and Lacey (well it was heartwarming, until I started referring to it as the Dead Daddy Dance…I never said I was a good person).

Lacey and Neil in Finals

And now here we are. The moment that we’ve been waiting for all season. It’s time to announce the winner. Danny and Sabra stand nervous on the stage as Cat opens the envelope. After 16M votes SABRA JOHNSON has been named America’s Favorite Dancer and winner of this season’s SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

CONGRATULATIONS SABRA on your well deserved win.

…and that’s all she wrote. Thanks again for another great season. Let’s meet back here next year for a new season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE.

Oh my sweet Lord someone put me to bed!!!

Quick note: If you are planning on attending the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Tour, please email me and let me know.