SYTYCD News Roundup

More on Will. His mom is interviewed by Fox 17 in Nashville. A reader found this via IDF, along with this video produced by Will and fellow Celine Dion dancers.




Canada's CTV gets top 12 thoughts from Mary Murphy, Dan Karaty, and Jean-Marc Genereaux.




NZJ was down with the flu last week, but catches up with reviews of So You think You Can Dance top 14 and top 12 shows. Glad you're felling better!

Robert Muraine/Phillip Chbeeb Battle? UPDATED

Here's what Phillip Chbeeb said when I asked his reaction to last night's throwdown:

all i would like to say is that i gladly accept the invitation...i didn't personally watch the show so I'm not sure exactly what happened...I respect Robert as a performer...but after the recent onslaught of comparisons of us on the internet i think a battle would be a great way to get all that blogging frustration out and a way to really match up our skills and styles...

It sounds like it's on, if Nigel & Co. follow through.

UPDATE: Here's Robert's appearance on the show.

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Poll Results

The results of this week's poll:

Clearly safe
Katee & Joshua
Chelsie & Mark
Kherington & Twitch

At risk
Kourtni L & Matt
Courtney & Gev
Jessica & Will
Comfort & Thayne

600 readers voted. Thanks for voting!

Natalie's Top 14 Performance Music Recap

So this week brought on a good variety of songs. Some of the songs hurt the dancers, but for the most part it took their performances to a different level.

Also, if you’d like a full playlist at imeem.com with all the songs from this episode, follow this link. If you’d like to see this every week, let me know! I also embedded a full playlist at the bottom of this post if you’re interested in hearing all of the songs without going to the website.


Jessica and Will’s Jive choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin

A lot of this seemed disjointed. The music was perfect for the choreography. They just didn’t utilize either.

Song title: Choo Choo Ch’Boogie
Artist/Band: Five Guys Name Moe (Original Broadway Cast)
Where you’ve heard the song before: The show had a brief run.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



More after the jump...
Comfort and Thayne’s Broadway routine choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler

I’d like to see this guy come back and choreograph a routine to this song for the Top 2 guys. I think that it would be amazing. The song creates a certain mood. Most people have either seen the movie or a school production of West Side Story, so the music comes with certain expectations. First off, the costumes didn’t go with the song. Second, Comfort and Thayne looked like they were dancing two different routines. Not even the song could save them.

Song title: Cool
Artist/Band: Bernstein and Sondheim
Where you’ve heard the song before: The last time you were getting ready to have a rumble in a vacant lot.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Kourtni and Matt’s Hip Hop routine choreographed by Cicely and Olisa

This was painful to watch. All around. I wanted this to be really good. No dice. This had a really nice beat that they could have killed. Instead they danced the steps so smooth, I could barely see what they were doing or even pay attention.

Song title: How Do I Breathe
Artist/Band: Mario
Where you’ve heard the song before: Who knows but now every time you hear it again you’ll picture two very awkward people not dancing hip hop well.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Chelsie and Mark’s Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore

Now there’s the Mandy Moore that I know and love. I loved the different ways Mandy represented the song’s title. It was never overdone.

Song title: Kiss Kiss
Artist/Band: Holly Valance
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s been in a bunch of shows and movies. More here. I also feel like I’ve heard the melody before. Maybe I’m making that up?
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Kherington and Twitch’s Paso Doble choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin

The music was really strong in the beginning and they were struggling to keep up. Once they got started though, I think they danced well with the music. There was something false about the energy in this routine though. I wasn’t a fan.

Song title: Malaguena
Artist/Band: Brian Setzer ’68 Comeback Special
Where you’ve heard the song before: More info about the song over at Wikipedia
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Katee and Joshua’s contemporary routine choreographed by Mia Michaels

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Mia or these two anymore, I found a way. A perfect song. A bit haunting. It really set the mood and elevated the already amazing choreography and energy. I’d like to see every single routine they’ve done on the tour. Well, maybe I could go without the WCS…

Song title: Hometown Glory
Artist/Band: Adele
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s very early in Adele’s career but you may have heard this song on Grey’s Anatomy or One Tree Hill. I watch both. Naturally.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Courtney and Gev’s Hip Hop choreographed by Cicely and Olisa

This was a dud for me. All around. Song. Choreography. Energy. Personality. Ugh. Also, creepy comment #239489302 from Uncle Nigel. Oh…and at one point, I thought Courtney was Natalie from S2. Weird.

Song title: Lights, Camera, Action!
Artist/Band: Mr. Cheeks
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was popular a few years back.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Jessica and Will’s Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore

You can’t go wrong with Heart. And a shirtless Will doesn’t hurt either. I think that Mandy really used the song well. Nothing in particular stuck out but I like how the choreo was soft and then strong and then soft again to match the song.

Song title: Alone
Artist/Band: Heart
Where you’ve heard the song before: Here’s another song that made the rounds on Idol first. Plus Celine covered it.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Comfort and Thayne’s Waltz choreographed by Edward Simon

This music was just the background. Very blah. I liked the choreography though.

Song title: Hov Arek Sarer Jan
Artist/Band: New Age Armenia
Where you’ve heard the song before: I’m not sure anyone has heard this song before.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Kourtni and Matt’s Mambo choreographed by Alex Da Silva

Strong music. Really strong horns. I think it could have really taken their performance up a notch if they had danced it a bit better. I didn’t hate it. But I didn’t love it either.

Song title: Ban-Con-Tim
Artist/Band: Super All-Star
Where you’ve heard the song before: No where?
Where you can listen to the whole song:

This is another song that’s not around at all. You can buy the album at Amazon.



Chelsie and Mark’s Foxtrot choreographed by Edward Simon

Oh Paul Anka. You melt my heart. Even in dog form. Perfect song for this routine. I could do without having to see that dress ever again though.

Song title: It’s My Life
Artist/Band: Paul Anka
Where you’ve heard the song before: This is a cover of Bon Jovi’s version. Which is strange. I would have thought it was the other way around.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Kherington and Twitch’s contemporary routine choreographed by Mia Michaels

I wish choreographers would use John Mayer songs more often. I wasn’t in love with anything but the music. The choreography was pretty simple, but I think Mia used the song well. The dancing was a bit manic. I guess it was supposed to be like that. I would have liked a little more fluidity and maybe angst? Something’s missing. I like referencing John Mayer whenever possible.

Song title: Dreaming With a Broken Heart
Artist/Band: John Mayer
Where you’ve heard the song before: His album Continuum. It was also on an episode of The Game. I actually saw the part of the episode with this song. Which is weird, since I would never subject myself to that show normally.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Katee and Joshua’s West Coast Swing routine choreographed by Benji Schwimmer

Meh. Not crazy about the song. It didn’t do anything to help the routine. Like a few weeks ago, I think Katee and Joshua’s energy and performance were above the music.

Song title: Shake It
Artist/Band: Brother Yusef
Where you’ve heard the song before: This is another one that I’ve never heard before.
Where you can listen to the whole song:

So apparently Fox decided to okay songs tonight that I have to pay $20 to buy. Sorry, ha. No dice. The full album is available for purchase at Amazon.


Courtney and Gev’s Broadway routine choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler

Really high-energy song. I agree with Tabitha. I think they could have brought the energy down for the instrumental middle section. There weren’t any layers to how they danced it even though the music warranted them.

Song title: New York, New York
Artist/Band: Bernstein, Comden, and Green
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from On The Town, a 1944 musical.
Where you can listen to the whole song:

The part that they used starts around the 2:30 mark.

Top 14 Performance Show - Sue B's Recap

Wednesday night's So You Think You Can Dance: Two (dances) for the price of one! Since each couple performs two dances (that's 14 dances in two hours for those keeping score), let's do it differently this time. I will give you reviews by couple, though each couple does two dances, but not consecutively. That'll make it easier for you to read, easier for me to type, and Ted won't have a heart attack posting this. :)

Cat wears a black and white: um, something kind of dress. Flapper? Candy striper? Penguin? Maybe she is a penguin with a curly bob from the 20s or 50s, since there are a lot of Broadway-themed dances? Don't ask me.

Tabitha and Napoleon are the guest judges, tastefully dressed. Mary wears a silvery dress that does not make her look like a shiny disco ball. Nigel wears a nice suit. Apparently, the biker leather jacket and jeans was not a turn-on for, well, anyone.

More after the jump...
Will and Jessica.

Dance one: The Jive by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin (we sort of find this out later; few of the judges are announced/shown in the abridged package, and even then are sort of giving half shout outs).

Summary:

The judges feel they do a pretty good job. Mary says they are not on the train but it is a good performance. Nigel says that Will is strong, but Jessica is in trouble when they switch partners (okay, Nigel, we get it, you don't like her). I don't think she is going to make it to the Top 10, so she probably won't need to change partners.

Dance two: Lyrical by Mandy Moore.

Summary: Tabitha and Mary love Will shirt-less. The judges like this routine a lot better. Mary screams that the two of them are on the train and she didn't think Jessica had it in her. Nigel asks who in the audience wants to dance with Will. (Everyone raises their hands.) He reminds Jessica that when she stops worrying, she is absolutely brilliant. He also notes that they had a melt down during the week (interesting) but that it didn't impact their performance and everyone will be picking up the telephone for that. We'll see.

Comfort and Thayne.

Dance one: Broadway by Andy Blankenbuehler (good thing someone wrote this down in advance). He's cute. Comfort does not want to be in the bottom three again (no kidding).

Summary: TabNap and Mary love their partnership, the choreography, their flirtiness. Nigel is disappointed. He says that Andy is a real legit Broadway choreographer and they did not exhibit the passionate aggression the piece needed and they would have been booted off Broadway. Harsh, Nigel.

Dance two: Smooth Waltz by Edward Simon, a new choreographer. Comfort has on a flowing dress.

Summary: All of the judges thought Comfort looked angelic and Thayne was still hanging tough but wasn't as strong as Comfort.

Kourtni and Matt.

Dance one: Lyrical Hip Hop with Cecily and Olisa. I like Matt's hat.

Summary:

TabNap agree it was not good enough for a hip hop competition. Mary says the dance has to be entertaining and it was not. Nigel asks if he can talk after the booing! (Yes, there was a lot of booing throughout, especially for Nigel.) He say he doesn't know if it was the choreography (ouch) or the dancers (double ouch) but that it didn't sit well for him. Oh, oh.

Dance two: Mambo by Alex DiSilva. Matt notes that he doesn’t know the Mambo, but the Mambo hates him. Hee hee.

Summary: TabNap and Mary were underwhelmed. Nigel notes that it was two small people (Alex and his partner) choreographing for two tall people (remember: 12 feet tall?), so while it had to be shaper, overall it was a good routine. He also got angry and said to the audience that he was trying to improve the couple's dancing, and if they don't like it, don't bother coming. Whoa.

Chelsie and Mark.

Dance one: Contemporary by Mandy Moore. At the end, Cat blows kisses to Mark, he blows kisses to Cat, Tabitha blows kisses to everyone.

Summary: The judges LOVE LOVE LOVE their dancing and their chemistry and everything.
They are Nigel's favorite couple (yay, Marksie!).

Dance two: The Foxtrot by Alex DiSilva.

Summary: TabNap and Mary love their elegance. Nigel thinks Mary ignored their technique (what?). He then proceeds to diss Mary, saying he wished her opinion was three decibels lower. Is this the FIRST time in four seasons he noticed how loud she is?

Twitchington (Twitch and Kherington).

Dance one: Pasa Doble by Tony and Meredith (we only find that they are the choreographers after the dance). Twitch has on an open shirt and looks hot.

Summary: The judges thought Kherington was strong but Twitch wasn't enough of the Matador. Nigel was entertained, however.

Dance two: Dance of the Beds (contemporary) by Mia Michaels. They danced to John Mayer's "Dreaming with a Broken Heart," and I swooned. Twitch is shirt-less this time.

Summary: The judges loved their strength and vulnerability. Napoleon noted that with a good looking guy, beautiful girl, bed, flowers, what else could you need? Nigel praised Mia and said that they were in his top three couples. Impressive.

Katee and Joshua.

Dance one: Contemporary with Mia Michaels. Wow. Just wow.

Summary:

The judges LOVED this piece and the dancers. Mary noted that this week she was looking at Katee more than at Joshua (a compliment for Katee). Cat notes that the piece didn't have fancy staging or costumes, but didn't need them. Nigel said that this proves that they are two of the three or four couples who will make the season outstanding when history is written (wow, I say).

Dance two: West Coast Swing with Benjy (and Lacey) Schwimmer.

Summary:

The judges are not overwhelmed, but seem to be giving the couple a pass by stating things like they had a different style than in the other piece (so what?) and how good Benjy's choreography was and how well he would have executed it. (Remember Sara and Pasha's West Coast Swing last season? This was not that.)

Courtney and Gev (final couple).

Dance one: Hip Hop by Cecily and Olisa (Note: I like TabNap's and Shane Sparks's hip hop routines a lot more.) They are dressed in matching Number 10 football shirts, like Eli Manning's, and I am sad that the Patriots lost to the Giants in the FINAL MINUTE OF THE SUPERBOWL. I may never get over this. Moving on...

Summary: Gev didn't hit it hard enough (maybe b/c he was nervous, since this was a different type of hip hop than he was accustomed to). Courtney hit it hard. The judges thought it was too funky to be a strong hip hop routine. Nigel dissed them with a Cinderella crack, but was funny when he said it was like the O'Jay's Backstabbers song (yep, I'm old).

Dance two: Broadway by Andy Blankenbuehler. This was set to New York, New York by Bernstein, etal, and was very 50s style.

Summary:

The judges loved their chemistry but thought it could have been more expressive. Mary thought they could be headed toward the finals. (Me: yay!) Nigel feels they are flying under the radar (me: like Sabra last year), and the dance was good but not good enough.

Predicted bottom three:

Comfort and Thayne
Jessica and Will
Kourtni and Matt
Possible: Courtney and Gev

Going home:
Jessica or Comfort and Matt or Thayne.

Comfort & Thayne's Smooth Waltz (Video)

Comfort Fedoke & Thayne Jasperson - Smooth Waltz- Edward Simon

Chelsie & Mark's Jazz (Video)

Chelsie Hightower & Mark Kanemura - Jazz - Mandy Moore


The song is Kiss Kiss by Holly Valance, not Holly Vance as shown on-screen.

Katee & Joshua's Contemporary (Video)

Katee Shean & Joshua Allen - Contemporary - Mia Michaels

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Kherington & Twitch's Contemporary (Video)

Kherington Payne & Stephen "Twitch" Boss - Contemporary - Mia Michaels

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Early Recaps

I'm going to watch some of those routines again. Nate Levy has an entertaining recap up at Levy On TV, and Matthew Murphy's live blog is over at Ranting Details. Videos tomorrow.

So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 Track List And Voting Numbers

Jessica & Will - 888-836-7601

Jive - Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
Five Guys Named Moe
(Original Broadway Cast)

Lyrical Jazz - Mandy Moore
Alone
Heart




Comfort & Thayne - 888-836-7602

Broadway - Andy Blankenbuehler
Cool
Bernstein and Sondheim

Smooth Waltz - Edward Simon
Hov Arek Sarer Jan
New Age Armenia




Kourtni L & Matt - 888-836-7603

Hiphop - Cicily & Olisa
How Do I Breathe
Mario

Mambo - Alex DaSilva
Ban-Con-Tim
Super All-Star




Chelsie & Mark - 888-836-7604

Jazz - Mandy Moore
Kiss Kiss
Holly Vance Valance

Foxtrot - Edward Simon
It's My Life
Paul Anka




Kherington & Twitch - 888-836-7605

Paso doble - Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin
Malaguena
Brian Setzer '68 Comeback Special

Contemporary - Mia Michaels
Dreaming With A Broken Heart
John Mayer




Katee & Joshua - 888-836-7606

Contemporary - Mia Michaels
Hometown Glory
Adele

West Coast Swing - Benji Schwimmer
Shake it
Brother Yusef




Courtney & Gev - 888-836-7607

Hiphop - Cicily & Olisa
Lights, Camera, Action!
Mr. Cheeks

Broadway - Andy Blankenbuehler
New York, New York
Bernstein, Comden and Green

So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 Performance Show Open Thread

SYTYCD News Update

Kristen Sample at TVSquad collects readers' favorite routines from previous seasons.




Matthew Murphy live blogs tonight's show at Ranting Details. I've mentioned that Matthew is a dancer. I don't mean that he just gets his groove on at the club. Check him out, along with fellow American Ballet Theater dancer Jackie Reyes with the Garden City Ballet. Matthew also choreographed the piece.

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People Magazine interviewed Chelsea Traille and Chris Jarosz after last week's eliminations.

So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 Dance Spoiler Open Thread UPDATED

UPDATE: Me Talkin' To You organized the scattered spoilers about as well as can be done.