On to the Finale

Well, we have our top 4 dancers and are ready for the Finale! I think America got in right with the Ladies, but I am sad to see Ade go. I can't believe that the Finale will be in the Kodak Theater! That is huge! I can't wait!!!!!!

Evan is in the Finale...

So sad for Ade. Tear. Sniffle, sniffle...

Kayla is in the Finale!

Thank goodness!!!! Phew! Finally we are done with trina Melissa! Kayla deserves to be in the finale. She has been a standout from the beginning.

Sean Paul

Did they go to the club on the corner and find these back up dancers? They are kinda a casual mess.

Evan's Solo

Watching Evan perform makes me wonder if his fan base went crazy last night and voted him into the finale. It's not that I dislike Evan, it's just that I think Ade has more to offer and deserves that place in the finale more.

Kayla's Solo

I think it is best that I no longer watch Kayla's solos. I find that her solo performances cheapen my opinion of her as a dancer. I can't handle how she falls back into dance competition mode. She is so much better than that!

Chelsea and Mark dance Nappy Tab's "Bleeding Love"

I love the unexpected lyrical hip hop interpretation of this pop song. This dance has definitely been one of my favorite pieces from Tabitha and Napoleon.

What was Kat thinking?

Usually I think that Kat chooses really cute, trendy and sometimes cooky dresses, but tonights emerald green 80s sequin throwback is just not working for me. Sorry. The short sleeves I think threw me over the edge. Hey Kat, Jem and the Rockers called and they want their dress back.

Jabbawockeez Perform

I love how this group uses dramatic costuming and masks to create a level of uniformity and synchronicity that appears not human. I can't get enough of the drama!

Ade's Solo

I think that was 8 rotations on that turn. Executed with such beautiful strength and control! I can feel his inner passion for dance through his performance.

Melissa's Solo

I can't watch... she makes me feel sick.

Chelsea and Joshua dance Dimitri's Emmy Nominated Piece

This is probably one of the most entertaining and captivating ballroom pieces that I have ever seen. Dimitri did a great job creating drama through the dynamic of the movement and music. Nice to see Chelsea and Joshua dance again... they both are so cute!

Katie and Twitch perform Mia's "Mercy"

I love how Mia used the natural essence of both of these very different dancers to create such a unique piece. The use of the door brings out so many dramatic moments. What an awesome piece! It was nice to see Twitch and Katie dance again. I always really enjoyed both of them.

Brandon is in the Finale!

I don't think anyone is surprised that Brandon made it through. He was definitely the obvious choice. He had a great night last night, especially with his solo, and deserves to be in the final 4.

Jessica and Will perform Tyce's "Silence"

I feel bad because I don't remember that piece from last season... I also don't really remember Jessica. It was a beautiful performance of Tyce's intimately creative choreography. I like how the costuming brought a primitive quality to the piece.

Jeanine is in the Finale!

As expected, Jeanine is the top girl. Although she did not have the best night last night, Jeanine has been consistent week after week and is definitely a favorite among trained dancers.

Top 6 perform Tyce's piece to Send in the Clowns

Quiet sophistication. The maturity and depth of that routine was captivating. I loved it. Some of Tyce's best work in my opinion. I loved the ironic play on the literal interpretation.

Thursday, July 30 Results Show

The top 4 dancers will be chosen tonight!

Who is going home this week?

I think Melissa and Evan are the most likely candidates to go home this week. However, I feel more confident on my Melissa prediction than my Evan prediction. I personally think Ade and Brandon deserve to be in the finale, but Evan's fan base might pull him through over Ade.

I guess we will have to wait and see tomorrow night!

Top 3 Ladies dance Sonya's Jazz Routine

Superhero thing, interesting. I like how the costumers personalized their "uniforms." Cool choreography. Very out of the box.

Notice that all three of them had amazing lines on their arabesques and kicks. They have all spent a ton of time at the ballet barre by the looks of it. I think Jeanine was the only one that really got the full "flavor" of Sonya and her choreography. Kayla was close, but was missing a slight edge in her execution. It was not quite extreme enough in the little details. Melissa blended.

Kayla and Brandon dance Doriana Sanchez's Disco

Drop and give me 20 Brandon... that was awesome!

They both have such great energy and this really capitalized on it. They had a rough time getting out of some of those lifts though. The transitions could have been a lot smoother. It was a fun and very demanding routine. Overall, I think they did well.

Evan's Solo

I don't think Evan gets enough credit for his technical capabilities. His jumps, leaps and turns are really strong. There is definitely more to him than just his personality. I don't think he is stronger than Ade or Brandon, but he is no chump.

Jeanine's Solo

Not her best solo. Not sure what I think of that. It just didn't have much content.

Melissa and Evan dance Louis' Quick Step Routine

This was good for both of them. Both of their comfort zones played into this style well. I don't think this will be enough for Melissa, but I think that Evan is definitely getting the best material possible this week to help him stay for the finale.

Brandon's Solo

It was really smart of Brandon to save this till the end. He performed this piece for the audition round too. This illustrates every ounce of his ability and potential. He is so powerful and his classical technique is so smooth you could butter toast with it. The standing ovation was well deserved. Way to go Brandon! Get on the train, because you are riding it straight to the finale!

Jeanine and Ade dance Napoleon and Tabitha's Hip Hop Routine

Nappy Tabs loves them some props. I liked the use of the boxes, but do they have to communicate all of their concepts so literally? The eviction notice was a little much for me.

It was good. They weren't amazing, but they danced it well. I don't think this is not going to earn or lose them any votes. I just don't know if this is going to help them get in the finale.

Melissa's Solo

Yuck. Awkward. She gives ballet a bad name. She really needs to dance classical excerpts! All she is doing is cheapening the art form by pathetically trying to "modernize" a dance style that doesn't need to be modernized. Hey Melissa, learn to love the person that you are and stop trying to be something you're not.

Kayla and Brandon dance Stacey Tookey's Contemporary Piece

I agree with Lil C. This was a great match up. I think they both danced this beautifully. The choreography was great too. Some of the lifts did not appear as natural as others choreographically speaking. I felt like she threw some in there just to have a lift, but overall I was definitely impressed by the song choice and creativity.

I would pay a million dollars to have Kayla's extensions. I am not sure that I really liked her costume or hair... does she have one of the zig zag head bands in her hair?

Ade's Solo

I loved the song choice, choreography and execution. It was raw, but still placed. It was emotional, but still strong. He exhibited artistry and technique. Good stuff!

Melissa and Evan dance Tyce's Broadway Routine

Evan's musicality is so musical theater fabulous! This routine is just what Evan needed this week to get him into the finale. I think he looked very authentic.

I disagree with Nigel. I don't think Melissa adapts that well. I wish Melissa would let all of the prim and proper-ness go and allow her classical technique to be evident through her correct execution of movement. She shouldn't scream "trina" in every dance she does. It is getting old.

Kayla's Solo

She looked like she was on auto pilot. I was left wanting so much more musicality and dynamics. She kills me because in choreographed routines she shows so well. I am glad that she went for more non-traditional body shapes and movements this time, but the full package is not coming together in her solos.

Jeanine and Ade dance Louis van Amstel's Samba

I think the use of Lady Gaga will really help this dance be memorable because otherwise, there was nothing to write home about. I really like how Jeanine's face reflects her movement. She doesn't over do or force facial expressions, they are always natural.

Side Note: Jeanine's costume reminds me of Mayzie's tail in Seussical!

Top 3 Guys Perform Sonya's Jazz Routine

Willy Wonka inspired... interesting. I really liked the use of the cut gloves in bright yellow to bring attention to the hands. I really enjoyed the still poses that were interspersed throughout the choreography. The pictures were really captivating.

Ade's power and strength definitely stands out to me compared to the other two... yes, even over Brandon. I am not sure if this is because he is physically larger than the other two or if he just dances "larger." I agree that Evan kept up and really rose to the occasion. The routine was awesome. They all performed well.

Wednesday, July 29th's Performance Episode

Top 6 perform... Melissa is going to need a really good night to stay alive this week. After last week, who knows what is going to happen with the guys. I think the performances are really going to make a difference this week.

Hopefully we will have a Mia Michaels routine tonight!

Well... I guess I was wrong

After going 2 for 2 last week I totally struck out this week! I am happy with who is left though. Next week is going to be really tough! I am not ready to let any of the ladies go.

Another great week of dance - well, another pretty good week of dance. There were definitely some lows this week, but the couple amazing pieces made up for it.

(It looks like Charm City did not make that grocery store cake)

Saying goodbye to Jason

Phew (wiping brow)... that was a close one! Jason was good, but he needs to grow some more. I was really scared we were going to lose Brandon!

Still upset about Katie's fake out

Great, let's teach our children to fake it... that is a great idea! Really?

Nigel wanted Jeanette to win...

ouch... burn... that is messed up Nigel. You have 6 really pissed off dancers to deal with now!

Saying goodbye to Jeanette

I am ok with this. Jeanette is not as talented as the other girls. She is sweet though and has done really well. I hate to say it, but that solo did not help her!

Kayla walked away from that like she was just in a car accident and sneaked out with her life!

Katie Holmes Performs Get Happy

She was so lip syncing... how cheesy and disappointing. It is good that they got all of those real dancers to dance around her so that we wouldn't notice that she can't really move. Great fake out. I could hardly tell.

I liked the choreography, but I have a problem with someone advocating for the arts and then pulling a SNL Ashleigh Simpson routine. Was it too hard for her to actually show up for the taping of the show and perform live on stage? Oh wait... but then she would have to be talented. That would be a problem... (tapping finger thoughtfully on chin) hmmmm...

Ramalama Bang Bang with WADE Dancing!

I LOVE THIS DANCE AND CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WADE JUST PERFORMED!!!!
Watching Wade perform is amazing... it is like he is possessed by the music. He is so phenomenal!

Again, it was great to see the original dancers perform this incredible number. I have always thought that Martha totally killed this choreography.

Brandon's Solo

I think Brandon performed this better last night...

I really hope he is not suffering from the "obvious favorite" curse where people do not vote for him because they think he is safe.

Jeanette's Solo

I can't watch this again... I really can't... I am not just being dramatic.

Jason's Solo

He is so going home... at least I hope he is instead of Brandon - eek!

Kayla & Evan dance the Viennese Waltz

I still don't get the pretty dress, but I do think that she performed that with a greater level of anxiousness than she did last night. Definitely a better performance... is it too late though?

Mia's Bench Routine with Travis and Heidi

It still gives me chills! I can't believe how much more mature Travis dances now. You can really see the growth he has made in strength and artistic articulation. I feel bad because Heidi is just the "girl in the dance." She really does not command any attention throughout the number... but I am thinking that Mia knew exactly what she was doing when she choreographed it that way...

hahaha (think Count Dracula)!

Who is in the bottom guy wise?

Ade is safe - again, I think Tyce's piece made all the difference!

Jason is in the bottom - I am not super surprised, but I did think that he had a decent night last night.

Evan is safe - I didn't see that coming! I guess his fans really LOVE him and were willing to get bruises on their dialing fingers to keep him on the show for another week!

Brandon is in the BOTTOM?!?!?! I am speechless!

Wade's Hummingbird Piece

I can't believe that they got the original dancers to come back and perform again. I hope they both have kept studying otherwise jumping back into that choreography would be a physical shock!

They looked good. The piece is definitely a reflection of Wade's left-field choreography! What kind of drugs does he do to come up with this stuff?

Bottom Two Girls

Melissa is safe - I am shocked. I guess that Tyce contemporary piece got viewers to vote for her. I am really surprised.

Kayla is in the bottom - I am surprised. I thought she had a great night last night with her two duets. I guess they were not as memorable as I thought.

Jeanette is in the bottom - I guess her fan base did not come through

Jeanine is safe - thank goodness... I guess the waltz didn't have an effect in the end.

Looking Back Through Five Awesome Years

Wow... it is crazy to see the faces all so many dancers from past seasons. I totally forgot about a couple of them. It was also great to see the quick clips from so many of the amazing dances that were produced over the five years. I know that I have been inspired so much by this show. I am sure that it has pushed and challenged other choreographers and dancers in ways that never existed before.

I am happy to celebrate how this show as able to bring present-day dance, real artistic dance to the forefront of pop culture.

Opening Group Number - One from A Chorus Line

I am going to try to look past the fact that the end poses were not the same... come on top 8!

Great choreography from Mia Michaels! I loved how much of the original Broadway choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian could be seen through the contemporary interpretation. She did an amazing job paying tribute to the original while innovating and augmenting the movement. I really appreciated the use of the "cracked" mirrors and clown-like make-up elements to help communicate the message that this was not going to be your mama's Chorus Line.

Awesome!

Thursday, July 23 Results Show - 100th Episode!

I am excited to see who makes the cut tonight. I am also excited to see Katie Holmes show us what she's got.

Fan Base vs. Performances

So the question comes down to...

Will viewers vote for the top performers of the night or will they stay loyal to their season-long favorites? I guess we will have to wait and see!

So, which guy will get votes...

Brandon - so safe the other guys are wishing they were him. Each week he proves why he is a favorite!

Jason - After two strong duets with Kayla, I think Jason will be safe this week too.

Ade - I am scared for Ade. Although his performance of Tyce's contemporary was phenomenal, I think viewers are going to remember the dance more than the dancers. I don't know if his solo will be enough to keep him out of the bottom 2.

Evan - As much as I think Evan's fan base will still be voting for him like mad tonight, I think he is going to fall short. Neither of his performances were enough to gain any swing votes.

I think Evan will be going home this week.

So, which girl will get votes...

Kayla - I think her two strong duets tonight will keep her in the top.

Jeanine - This one is not as clear. I think Jeanine is a favorite among trained dancers so her following, solo and duet to Battlefield should keep her safe... but that waltz... I am not sure if that is going to negatively effect her in the end or not.

Jeanette - Although Jeanette is a favorite, she had a rough night between two disappointing duets and a confusing solo. If her fans get behind her she will be fine, but I think she is going to be in the bottom two.

Melissa - Although Melissa had an amazing moment with Ade performing Tyce's contemporary routine, I don't think it will be enough to keep this trina on her toes. I think her fan base has diminished.

I think Melissa will be going home this week.

Jason and Kayla dance Shane Sparks' Hip Hop routine

Wow, you can feel the influence of Thriller throughout this routine. I think the character really helped Kayla and Jason perform this creative and intricate choreography. They both seem to need strong direction from their choreographers to perform to the best of their ability. Their solos never have the same level of execution as their carefully choreographed routines do.

Good work. Kudos to Shane Sparks. Nice end of the show.

Brandon's Solo

For not being a very tall guy, Brandon dances like he is 10 feet tall. He has this incredible ability to dance beyond the natural space of his body. Power and strength... it sums it up.

Ade and Melissa dance Tyce's Contemporary Piece

I LOVE this song my Maxwell. It screams pain and longing... and love all at the same time.

This was really powerful. I think Tyce did an amazing job matching the music and the concept. It was emotionally thick and deep with vulnerability. I loved the contrast between Ade's strength and Melissa's softness. Really cool lift when Melissa jumped on Ade's back and then extended her body. The vertical lift that Mary talked about was amazing too!

I don't think that I can break this piece down to different elements. It would make the comprehensive artistic efforts of both the dancers and the choreographer trivial.

Standing ovation. I commend Tyce for bringing these emotions forward with such grace, strength and integrity.

Jeanine's Solo

Loved this! I know that Kayla gets all the attention about her long lines, but Jeanine's lines should not be overlooked. I loved the combination of technical elements and rhythmic punches. She is just so good.

Also, props for using Citizen Cope!

Evan's Solo

He can drop his hat and people will still love him. It is great that his love for dance and this style brings such energy to the stage each and every time he performs.

Brandon and Jeanine dance Lauriann Gibson's routine

Creatively speaking, I loved this piece. It had the weight and grit of a hip hop, the technical elements of a jazz dance and a softness of a lyrical - at points. I thought they performed with their whole heart, soul and body. They really communicated the essence of a warrior. Loved it!

However... there were several moments that were not clean. I am going to look past this and appreciate the passion and technical excellence that was exhibited in every movement, arm, kick and body line that they articulated.

I can hardly remember the horrible waltz from earlier in the night. They were lucky this one was second!

Is she trying to lose? I am mean really... what is she thinking?

Melissa's Solo

Ok. If Melissa is going to be the trina of the season then she needs to embrace the purity of the ballet art form and stop trying to be something that she is not. These contemporary-ily styled pointe routines to alternative music choices is not earning her votes. The ballet purists are pissed and the contemporary dancers think she is an imposter. Go back to your roots Melissa and dance an exerpt from Swan Lake or something!

Mia's Softer Side

Wow... is that Mia Michaels? Where did her sweet "we celebrate you" comment come from? Nice message to send to all of the aspiring dancers out there.

Evan and Janette dance Tony and Melanie's Rumba

Nice use of Kris Allen's cover of Heartless. My girl Hannah must have loved this!

Is this the night of awkward tempos? I can't say that this dance helped them much. Eh. There was something fumbly about it. Jeanette is a sexy demon... her hips roll in ways that shouldn't be legal. Poor Evan. He is not getting much help from the choreographers tonight.

Ade's Solo

I found Ade's solo to be really engaging. The non-traditional music choice totally drew me into his rhythmic and idiosyncratic movements. This was a good choice for him. I think he displayed strength in his precise movements and dynamic jumps, originality in his creative choices for music and choreography and mature judgment to go against the grain to create a solo that will really stand out to viewers. Way to go Ade!

Jason and Kayla dance Tyce's Broadway Jazz routine

I loved the city scape lighting. It totally set the stage for the piece.

Now that is what I have been waiting for. They had me with the first wrist break. Loved it. Their movement was as juicy as a fresh picked orange! I thought the two of them worked well with each other... created characters and a story line out of mid air. They both just redeemed themselves after some lack luster solos.

Jeanette's Solo

Was that a lyrical ballroom routine? Weird. I have seen better split leaps on 8 year olds. Her toes weren't pointed, her knees weren't extended and her thighs weren't pulled up. Yucky. She fell back on her weight as she went into the ponche which caused her to bobble a bit. Then she had to visit the 90s and pull out a roll over the toes. I am wiping tears... I can't handle the disappointment in tonight's show.

Ade and Melissa dance Tony and Melanie's Cha Cha

Before I get to the dance, I feel like the show is getting a bit heavy on the ballroom.

I feel sorry for Ade... that shirt makes him look like he stepped out of a 80s hair band. His hips helped me forget about it though! I wasn't buying Melissa's attempt to be sexy. She tried real hard though. Overall, it was a good performance... again, nothing outstanding.

I want to be blown away by these performances and things are coming out lack luster :-(

Jason's Solo

Hopping on a triple turn... really Jason? Really? Jason's cute face is going to have to work overtime this week after that solo. To his credit though, the height he achieves on his jumps and leaps is dreamy.

Brandon and Jeanine dance Hunter Johnson's Waltz

I am disappointed that these two awesome contemporary dancers got ballroom... I will wipe my tears and try to appreciate it. I said try...

I loved the toe drag into the lift... the transition was so buttery smooth! Otherwise, I was not super excited by it. However, is it the dancers or the choreography... Hey, if Mary thinks that they danced "respectfully" I think we should end with that. I think they might be in trouble though.

Ellen vs. Paula

Is there something ironic about the fact that Ellen DeGeneres's (intentionally crazy) comments on SYTYCD are easier to follow than Paula Abdul's on American Idol?

Kayla's Solo

I love this song... not crazy about Kayla's performance though. I think she is going to need to do a whole more than that to stand out. Not to mention, why the heck is she wearing a pretty dress... I am missing any aspect of her performance that reflected the freakishness of the music. I mean, you could have danced that choreography to Mariah Carey and it would have gone better.

Evan and Janette Dance Sonya's Jazz Routine

There were no jazz hands in this piece! Sonya's music choices are so out of the box and unexpected. I like how the mouth grab grew into a story line without it being literal. I liked the weirdness of the choreography, it brought charm to the isolated body shapes.

This definitely shows growth in both of them as dancers. However, I have to agree with Mary that they lacked a certain amount of grittiness that would have brought a nice edge to their performance. I wish the performance climaxed a bit more. I found it a bit monotonous in energy and character as the piece developed... otherwise it was good. Not sure if I agree with Mia about Janette being her favorite... jury is out on that one!

Top 8 Dance Travis Wall's "Fusion" Piece

I love the use of glow in the dark, light and reflection costume elements to communicate the futuristic vibe that Travis was going for. The costuming combined with the "fusion" of dance styles really brought a level of artistic integrity to what is otherwise a cheesy pop song. I am sure that dances to this song could be seen on several recital stages this year, but I doubt any of them looked like that. Without the futuristic concept, I am afraid that the slightly slower tempo of this song would have made this dance crash and burn.

If the dancers were not as talented, there is no way that they could have pulled this off. They did a great job exhibiting and communicating a level of energy that match the song's teeny bopper feel and didn't get lost in the slower tempo (for an upbeat number). Difficult thing to do.

Tonight's Judges

Well, since Mia is on the judges panel I am guessing that we won't be seeing any of her choreographic genius on tonight's episode :-(

I can't wait to hear Ellen DeGeneres' comments! She is so funny! I love her "where the streets have no name" reference during her introductory babble! What a trip!

Wednesday, July 22nd's Performance Episode

We are down to the top 8 dancers! I am crossing my fingers for a Mia Michaels routine!

Til Next Week

Another great week of SYTYCD. I am already looking forward to next Wednesday. The choreography inspires me, the creativity consumes me, the artistry moves me and the performances engage me. I just can't get enough!

Saying goodbye to Kupono

I hate to say it, but I saw it coming. I actually think that Kupono lasted longer than I expected. I think he lucked out and got some really great choreography over the past couple of weeks that helped him elongate his stay. Regardless, his performance in Mia's contemporary last week was awesome. I guess that shows that he has a lot of potential.

Saying goodbye to Randi

Gosh, I hate it when I am right! I am sad to see her go because she is super talented. She just had a really rough night. I am going to miss her unitards...

That was so much fun... I loved the confetti!

Black Eyed Peas

Such an awesome song. It totally makes me want to get up a dance around the room like a total idiot... I can't hold back. I am taking a dance break... back when this song is done!

Ade's Solo

Love the control on his turns! I could eat that with a spoon it was so milky and smooth.

Melissa's Solo

Same awkward solo as last night. eh~

I didn't mean it that way...

Kupono's Solo

Was that the same solo that he performed last night? Again... what is Kupono's main "style"? I have no clue what I would call that... I still like his originality though. I also think that he could be a really good male model. He has good bone structure.

Randi's Solo

Stronger than her solo last night. I think she is in the bottom for the first time for two reasons:

1. Paso Doble was not good
2. New partner... I think that Evan might have kept her safe in past weeks.

Debbie's "casualty of a style" reference is so true!

The bottom four

I think these 4 have ended up in the bottom this week due to circumstance. I don't think that these dancers did anything wrong as much as I think that the top 6 have done a lot of things right.

Ade is in the bottom... I am not surprised. I really like Ade, but after some process of elimination he ends up falling to the bottom. I think it would be really hard to beat the fan bases of Brandon and Evan. Jason had a great night... that leaves Ade and Kupono.

Brandon is safe... I am sure this does not surprise anyone. He is definitely the male favorite to win it all.

Kupono is in the bottom two... as predicted. He just did not do enough last night to keep his head above water.

Evan is safe... kinda surprising after the slightly awkward waltz with Kayla and struggle during the group African dance. I guess his adorable personality and Broadway bound solo did the trick.

Who is in the bottom guy wise?

Jason is safe... his standout duet with Jeanine and better than average solo got him a ton of votes.

Melissa... I am kinda surprised that Melissa is in the bottom. I would have thought that her "ballerina" identity would have made her stand out from the rest. I still think that she will stay another week over Randi. Randi's rough night is going to be hard to overcome.

Kayla is safe... another one who I think has a lot of fans. Guys think she is hot and "real" dancers think her technique and lines are to die for.

Jeanine is safe... I think she has a strong fan base and had a great night last night. She is solid. I think a ton of "real" dancers love her. If you know technique, you can recognize that Jeanine has it!

Randi... as predicted is in the bottom two. She had a rough night last night.

Who is in the bottom girl wise?

Jeanette is safe... as predicted her fan base and strong solo kept her alive!

So much filler... so little time. I wish they were able to incorporate more dance performances into the results show, especially now that the dancers will not be "dancing for their lives."

Emmy Noms

Awesome to see four routines nominated for an Emmy! This show has totally put 21st century dance on the map in pop culture.

Thursday, July 16 Results Show

Great opening routine by Wade and his wife Amanda. I loved the costuming and concept. They are so crazy creative. I love the contrast in movement styles... they make it totally work.

So, which guy will get votes...

Brandon - safe, safe and safe... his fan base is huge and he performed well.

Jason - I think he is safe too, thanks to his powerful contemporary duet and original solo.

Ade - I would be surprised if Ade was not safe. He performed well, but I think Evan's large fan base may mess with Ade's standing.

Evan - Evan did not have a great duet or group performance, but his solo should be memorable. I also think people find him lovable. I think his fan base will pull him through this week.

Kupono - The dark horse... like Ade, I think Evan's popularity and his sad Paso Doble might mess with his chances. I think he will definitely be in the bottom two.

My guess is that Kupono goes home this week. I just don't think his performances or fan base are large enough to keep him on the show for another week.

So, which girl will get votes...

Jeanine - Strong solo and great contemporary... she should be safe

Kayla - I think Kayla better hope for a strong fan base. I don't think her solo or her Viennese waltz was enough to keep her completely out of jeopardy.

Jeanette - I think her solo, contemporary routine and fan base will keep her safe.

Melissa - Not sure about Melissa. This week we will see if she has a true fan base or if Ade was pulling her along each week. Her performances were good, but I don't think they were memorable.

Randi - I am also not sure about Randi. Her lack luster solo and Paso Doble will probably place her in the bottom.

My guess is that Randi goes home this week.

Top 5 Guys dance Jeffrey Page's African routine

I love that Jeffrey said "this is not gonna be your Hollywood African!" It is so hard for trained dancers to let go of their training to get to the roots of just pure movement.

Not as clean as I would have liked, but it was good. Evan really struggled, but he tried really hard. He seamed to be about a half second late throughout. Kupono had some nice moments. Ade and Brandon killed it. Jason definitely held his own. Cool choreography. Really great to see African dance choreographed with this level of integrity and authenticity on a pop culture TV show!

Jeanette's Solo

I think she looked good. It is so hard to do a ballroom solo and not look awkward, but I think Jeanette was able to perform this solo with integrity. She probably broke a ton of ballroom rules, but I would never know that and I would guess that most viewers wouldn't either! She stayed true to herself and looked strong.

Melissa and Brandon dance Tyce's Broadway routine - HAIR

Classical technique duo as hippies... I like the costuming. Nice bridge between the style of the era and danceable clothes. The choreography was not a true musical theater piece. It was more of a jazz dance set to Aquarius in my opinion. This was a smart choice by Tyce because it played to their strengths. It still retained the essence of the 70s and the show. It was good... not amazing, but good.

Jason's Solo

Three great solos in a row. Jason really surprised me with this one. Great and unexpected music choice. He really demonstrated a mature sense of composition and movement. This might have been one of the first times that I genuinely enjoyed him as an artist.

Jeanine's Solo

Another great solo! She did an awesome job showing off her lines and technique without it feeling tricky. She looked strong, trained and artistic. Good stuff!

Ade's Solo

Wow. That was definitely the best solo of the night so far. Really awesome. I loved him last week in disco and I loved him this week in his solo. I think Ade is on Brandon's heels!

Randi and Kupono dance Tony and Melanie's Paso Doble

First, Randi looks like Kelly Clarkson with that wig!

Although they both danced this well considering that they are out of their comfort zone, I think Kupono communicated the intensity of the style better than Randi. I can see how Nigel would want his movement to be more into the floor though. They worked better than I expected as a couple. It seamed a little flumbly and lacked authenticity at times. Their movement definitely did not match the music.

Kayla's Solo

So, I am having a hard time with this one. I HATE it when people dance lyrical with a constant smile. Not all lyrical routines are downers, but the constant smile looks fake and forced in my opinion. Her choreography on her solo did not bring out the artistry that I saw in previous duets on the show. Where is the grittiness from Mia's contemporary routine... where is that Kayla? She needs to be able to show that same level of artistry and depth in every routine that she dances.

Evan's Solo

He looked great. He so belongs on Broadway. His character comes through so clearly as he dances. He also gets great height on his jumps and is a very clean dancer in his style.

Melissa's Solo

I did not think that her choreography reflected this song by Lamb. She will stand out due to her ballet pointe work. She is definitely a strong ballerina.

Jeanine and Jason dance Travis' Contemporary Routine

I love Travis Wall's choreography. Really unique lifts. His mom Denise nurtures amazing artistry in her dancers.

I don't know if the two of them really did justice to the full intention of Travis' choreography though. Although they looked AMAZING, I think they could have danced it with more musicality. Some moments felt a bit contrived to me... brief moments. Overall though it was really good.

Love Jason Mraz... great song choice.

Kupono's Solo

I really love Kupono's originality, but I was not impressed by his solo. Cool movement, but not much technique. What is Kupono's main "style" anyway? I can't remember...

Randi's Solo

Nice to see her balance turns, leaps and movement in her choreography. I wouldn't say that this was a very artistic routine, but she looked good. I would have preferred that she did a clean quad than fall out of the last rotation of her quint.

Jeanette and Ade dance Nappy Tabs Hip Hop

Well, Jeanette tried really hard and did well considering how far out of her comfort zone Hip Hop is. Cool roll thing in the middle of the routine. Ade definitely carried the routine. Ade looked good, but not as good as I expected. They definitely had moments that were not clean. They were details, but they stood out to me. Choreography was ok, not as cool as the group number from last week though.

Brandon's Solo

I love this version of "In Your Eyes!" I am glad that Brandon did not fill this solo with straight tricks, but I felt like his choreography got a bit redundant. He still looked strong though. He just exudes strength, technique and power. I wish his solo reflected that along with his artistry a little more. It was still good though.

Debbie crack's me up - Evan "you handled your big woman!"

Its nice to have Mary comment critically for this dance style. I am not familiar enough with specific ballroom technique to knowledgeably offer a full critique. I feel like Mary's comments really help me learn more about what I should be watching for during ballroom routines.

Kayla & Evan dance the Viennese Waltz

Slightly awkward with the height difference. I am also not a big Seal fan so this was not my favorite music choice. I am a fan of Kayla's so it is hard for me to think that she did not look good. I think they did an OK job. They worked well together considering the height difference and being their first time as a couple. I agree with Nigel that Kayla's lines looked great.

Judges all liked it too. Debbie Allen thinks this is the best "top 5 girls" that they have ever had on the show. I would probably agree. I can't remember another time when all of the girls left at this point impressed me. Usually there is one or two that lack technique and cannot execute at the same level. This year is definitely different.

Fun routine. Cool choreography. Kayla looked really strong throughout the number. Jeanine did not look as good as I expected. Jeanette was not as precise with her movements, but her energy definitely helped her. Melissa and Randi were both fine. They are all really good, but I think Kayla stood out during this number.

All five girls in a Bollywood routine... hmmm... should be interesting. I don't think any of the girls are going to struggle. They are all pretty talented and have a good amount of technique to fall back on. This should be a great way to see which girl stands out over the rest!

I can't wait to see who everyone gets paired up this week. The new couples should be really interesting!

Wednesday, July 15th's Performance Episode

I am so excited to start this blog. Can't wait to share all of my crazy thoughts about SYTYCD as it is televised!