SYTYCD S5 Ep. 6 Top 20 Performance

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Today is when the REAL competition starts.  The dancers made it out of thousands of dancers to become the top 20 competitors for So You Think You Can Dance Season 5.  This is when your favorites may fall from grace because someone who was rarely showcased during the audition process will shine through.  But it's also when you find out it's not just about talent.  These dancers have to win votes which means the audience has to be interested in them enough to vote.  So this is when I may get angry when a gifted technician is sent packing in favor of the funny guy or the sexy girl.  I always hope the full package will win out in the end, but my favorites have never won the show.  I'm crossing my fingers that Season 5 will be my year!

The performance episodes are filmed on Tuesdays and the elimination episodes are live on Thursdays.

SHOW START -

Cat Deeley is wearing a cream colored short dress with silver spiderweb patterned metallic strips.  They left her hair down and casual.  I don't like the dress at first glance, but maybe it'll look better later.

Here it comes...our first introduction dance solos for the Top 20...getting excited!

They all looked pretty talented during their 8-counts to impress.  It seemed the guys got more screams than the girls with Brandon, Evan, Kupono, and Jason garnering the loudest squeals from the girls in the audience.  Out of the girls, it seemed Asuka and Kayla had louder receptions. 

Cat coming out says, "I have new babies!"  She's so cute!  And the pattern on her dress is a little better in full view, but still very spiderweb-ish. 

Judges - Nigel, Mary, & Adam

Mary is wearing a trashy sparkly dress that shows lots of cleavage.  At least her hair isn't completely Dallas big.

Adam producing three films including Step Up 3D, which has Katee (S4), Joshua (S4), Ivan (S2), Twitch (S4) - BIG role.  Awesome!

Montage of the dancers' journey to Top 20.  It's so emotional to watch.  I get so excited for them all over again.

Phillip & Jeanine - Hip Hop / NappyTabs / Mad (Ne-Yo)

• A popper and a contemporary
• They're cute together
• Dance concept (NappyTabs love their themes - Lyrical Hip Hop as Nigel calls it):  Couple who can't go to sleep until they resolve their issues
• Jeanine is not a hip hopper, by her own admission.  Good thing she has Phillip.
  
• Jeanine was definitely not as good as Phillip, but I think he was a good partner and made sure he danced with her.  It looked rough for the first few 8-counts, but Jeanine seemed to relax and the dance was smoother.  I think she was still a little stiff, but for their first time out, it was good.  I wasn't blown away.  I did like some of acting near the end and the spooning.

Adam - "Unfreaking real" - Jeanine held her own & Phillip has grown / generous to partners and makes them better (that's what I was trying to say above)
Mary - Tried to do a fake out and we got our first screech, good chemistry
Nigel - Jeanine was fantastic especially for not having done this before.  Phillip has a following and Jeanine is an unknown, but she has made a mark.

Very positive review.  I'm sure it won't stay that way by the end of the show. 

Vitolio & Asuka - Broadway / Tyce Diorio / Hot Honey Rag (Chicago)

• Asuka called her Mother, Mommy. =) She did other dance styles, including ballet, until college where she found Ballroom. 
  
• Vitolio has this riveting back story.  Now we learn that his Mother actually died during childbirth having his sister.  That's even more sad.
• Dance concept:  Make a silent film together
• They both have some issues with locking, but they looked impressive in rehearsal.
• They're both dressed in very cute outfits.  Vitolio in a Charlie Chaplin inspired suit and Asuka in another Elegant Lolita outfit complete with little hat, poofy sleeves, and bows.  She is really quite stunning on stage.  I said "another" before because her official photo is Lolita as well.
  
• Now, after saying I loved what they were wearing, here's what I thought.  The dance had potential with the first waddle from Vitolio and when Asuka released the red balloon, but there was something missing.  It started very slowly when they first came together in the center of the stage, and ramped up the energy,  I saw them perform the steps masterfully, but there was no fire.  It felt very rehearsed, and lacked chemistry between them.  They didn't really relate to each other very much and Asuka's facial expressions were distracting and forced.  I don't even remember what Vitolio's face was doing.  

Adam - Followed number that was extremely emotional and yours was character, but because of that it felt artificial.  However, it is apparent they are both good dancers.
Mary - Little disappointed because it wasn't brought to life.  It was too safe.  Did the steps only.
Nigel - It wasn't about the dancing.  Their lines were fantastic.  They needed to put more personality into it.  Their personalities didn't come across because they were too concerned with the steps and lines.

Good dancers, no personality in the routine (but great in real life)

Jonathan & Karla - Cha-Cha / Tony Meredith / Poker Face (Lady Gaga)

• Karla is a professional dancer and has been in two Broadway shows including Wicked
• Jonathan fell in love with dancing after the first season and he told him Mom he wanted to dance
  
• Dance concept:  The woman flirts with the guy and he's out to get her
• Jonathan is so sweaty...gross
• Karla called him "cute" like little-boy-cute.  It was funny when he fell into her butt crack.  I bet he was embarrassed.
  
• I don't like the strobe light at the beginning.  It hides the dancing and gives a false sense that something better is going on.  But, at first they came out strong.  Karla had some issues throughout with weak arms.  Her costume was really pretty and she looked hot.  I didn't like Jonathan's mesh shirt...yuck to guy nipples through shirts.  There was one lift that looked off.  It was like he picked her up and she landed straight legged bent in half.  Was that an error?  They moved on well if it was.  I did feel about 3/4 in to the routine they started to lose some energy.  Overall, I thought Jonathan should have been better considering he's a ballroom dancer. 
  

Adam - Thought it was really good.  Technique was good, but frame dropped.  Jonathan needed more flexibility; danced more like a man than a boy
Mary - Gave Jonathan the scream he wanted.  She loves her cha-cha rough...kinky Mary.  Jonathan has lipstick on his shirt.
Nigel - No one knew them before and they exploded with chemistry (I think I was watching a different routine).  Nigel liked when Jonathan came through Karla's legs in the splits.  Fantastic routine.

The judges and I disagree on this couple.  

Evan & Randi - Jazz / Tyce Diorio / I Only Have Eyes For You (Jamie Cullum)

• Randi had auditioned twice before and thinks she's thinks she is more country growing up
  
• Evan is midwest.  Aha - both have backgrounds in common
• Dance concept:  Love story intimacy
• Randi is MARRIED...WOAH!  She's uncomfortable and Evan is scared...LOL, "I don't how big her husband is."
• NOW WE HAVE A SHOW!  Wow, that was wonderful.  It was believable and they danced so well together.  Both made everything look effortless and it just flowed. They have such wonderful lines and technique.  This is definitely one I will be youtubing and watching many times over.  I loved it!!

Cat asked Randi if her husband was present.  When she says he isn't in a pouty face, Cat tells Evan he is safe.  Cute moment.  Evan's brother Ryan was in the audience, along with another brother.  Such family love and support.

Adam - Calls them vertically challenged, but they filled the stage.  Their lines went forever, and no one saw Evan coming, but he was a beautiful dancer.  Blew him away.
Mary - She admits they were at the end of the pack for her in Vegas, but the stars came out for them.  It was smoldering and fluid and believable.  Predicts they'll be around for awhile. 
Nigel - Absolutely fantastic.  They are a couple that people will recognize and talk about.  Great control and great number from Tyce.

Another glowing review, but this time I believe it was deserved.  
 
Tony & Paris - Hip Hop / NappyTabs / Let the Beat Rock (Black Eyed Peas - Boys Noize Megamix)

• Paris was in a car accident and her left leg is numb from the knee down...WHAT??
• Tony got a letter to play college lacrosse, but he chose dance instead.
  
• Dance concept:  fast hard
• NappyTabs impressed with Paris' hip hop and Tony needed more "stank"
• I actually think Paris showed up Tony in that piece.  She could really groove and get down.  Tony needed to give just a little bit more energy.  I liked the part of the choreography where they're on their knees and fall back and then come back up.  It looked like they were swimming in water.  The weakest part was when the music sped up and was more rave like.  They were supposed to be doing this style that I can't remember the name, but one of the BeatFreaks on ABDC was really good at it.  Both Tony & Paris looked awkward and off during that part.  Overall, I think it was a harder number to pull off because they couldn't rely on emotions, but they pulled it off. 

Adam - Good job, BUT didn't like the costumes, and need to work on attack and rebound on hard hitting songs.  Tony can't get by as the cute guy on the show only.  He needs to be known for his dancing.
Mary - Will this be memorable...I don't think so.  (See this is where I can't fault the dancers for the choreography they were given.  The "lyrical hip hop" will always be more "memorable" only because there's a storyline, but I thought this couple executed the number well.  Interesting how they gave the only two hip hoppers a hip hop number.  They're probably afraid to lose either one too soon if they received an unfamiliar style).  Tony wasn't  aggressive enough.  Paris was good, but not extraordinary.  Capable of growth.
Nigel - Agrees with Mary.  Tony has a lot of growth needed.  Paris is a great dancer.  But their stank "stank".  It felt like steps to Nigel.  It wasn't real. 

I think that review was harsher than necessary.  I felt more chemistry between them over Jonathan and Karla.

Jason & Caitlin - Bollywood / Nakul Dev Mahajan / Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire)

• Someone pulled the short straw, but with the popularity of Slumdog, it is more mainstream.  However, for the first number, that's a scary task to have to dance something so unfamiliar. 
• They are both on my favorites list and I'm happy they're together.
  
• Caitlin - Gymnast -->Acrobatic dance
• Jason - He's really cute in a boyish way.  He was an athlete and always active.
• Dance Concept:  Lots of steps and very difficult choreography with feet and hands doing separate moves.
  
• Nakul feels he's putting in more than he should for the first show, but what a way to start.  SCARY!
• Their costumes are exquisite.  Caitlin is even prettier with that on.  Great opening lift.  They weren't as clean as Katee and Joshua (S4) when they danced it, but it wasn't bad.  I think Jason "performed" it more.  There were times when I could tell Caitlin was really concentrating on the intricate choreography and forgot her face.  Loved the use of her acrobatic skills.  They didn't really dance together all the time (meaning they didn't interact together) except when there were lifts and at the end when THEY KISSED!!!  I totally saw lips touching and it lasted for a few seconds.  Now that's the way to get me interested.  That left me with a lasting impression!  =)  I think they did well and people will vote for them,  It was certainly not forgettable.

Caitlin had to wipe lipstick off Jason's mouth...HOT!

Adam - YOU GUYS ROCKED!  Jason's hand work and legs were superb and he made it look effortless.  He was worried about Caitlin, but she blew it out there.  Great job!
Mary - Another scream.  Great strength in handstand skills and foot movements.  Jason has charisma.
Nigel - You're following the memories of last season's fantastic routine.  Fantastic. Caitlin - beautiful to see.

I think that was the most glowing review so far.     

Brandon & Janette - Foxtrot / Louis Van Amstel (from DWTS) / Come Fly With Me (Michael Buble)

• Ugh...the dance of death, especially for the first show.
• Janette is Cuban and learned her skills from her family.  (I do know she danced with a studio that did a lot of partner ballroom...she's trained).  I think she is pretty as long as she doesn't smile too big because she has a gummy smile.  Otherwise, hot body.
• Brandon - some people either like you or they don't and Lil C and Mia don't see all that he is.  He says it hit him hard and he wants to prove them wrong. 
  
• Dance concept:  Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers
• I hope they are better than that segment leads you to believe.
• That was better than expected. They both looked great.  I loved Brandon's cool cat Frank Sinatra confidence and all the small nuances he'd do with his hands and shoulders.  They had some impressive lifts (the overhead spinning split and the spins where he was holding her under her arms).  There were some nice personality moments in the routine.  I think her bubbly personality helps bring him out of the shy confidence that he normally possesses.  

Adam - "As sad as America is to see Brandon dancing in clothes, I'm just going to tell you, it works".  haha  It was lovely and beautiful.  Worked together.  Brandon had a lot of character and performance.
Mary - Can't give an eyebrow because she's all botoxed- LOL.  Janette WAS Ginger Rogers and she was lovely.  Lifts were effortless.  He's a powerhouse.  People are crazy if they don't see Brandon's talent (OOOOHHHH...this WAR between Mia and Mary is going to be F.U.N.  this season). 
Nigel - This style was not natural based on Janette's salsa training, yet her carriage was beautiful.  Brandon has never done this style and his arms were good, but he needs to work on his tiny feet (make them stronger).  Lovely routine.

Foxtrot will not be the kiss of death tonight.  Phew.

When Cat announced the upcoming number was choreographed by Wade Robson, Brandon screamed (like a girl).  Cat asked if he was excited and he jubilantly said he was SUPER excited,  He's adorable!   

Kupono & Ashley - Jazz / Wade Robson / Felt Mountain (Goldfrapp)

•  Well Brandon, I'm super excited too.  My fav boy Kupono gets Wade on the first week...YES!
• Ashley auditioned four times.  She moved to LA and making it as a dancer is harder than she thought, so she hopes this show will help her career.
  
• Kupono is born & raised in HI.  He's a dance teacher, but it doesn't pay the bills so he does odd jobs like scrub mildew off walls or assembles shopping carts (crappy jobs he says).
• Dance concept: Two crash test dummies.  Kupono is the one who has been broken multiple times and reassembled whereas Ashley is the new dummy intrigued by Kupono.  Opposing personalities - live life to the fullest
  
• So mesmerizing and intriguing.  Wade Robson is a conceptual genius.  I wish I could spend a day in his head.  Both Kupono and Ashley were in full costuming and character so much that you didn't even see them as themselves, but fully immersed in their roles.  Amazing movement and they maintained it.  The weirdest part was the exit to the crash test.  It felt slightly unfinished. I can't even explain this dance, but I know I loved it!  Another repeat youtube performance.   
  

Adam - There is no other show that exposes maintstream to this kind of diversity.  Was hard for him to focus on the dancing and their characters because it was so weird to see them like this.  Exquisite technique and they'll go far.
Mary - She bought it 100%.  They were both great and mesmerizing and entertaining.  Dog made the hot tamale train. 
Nigel - Wade = Genius.  His routines are memorable.  They each had characters and they adhered to their characters the whole time.  They mastered it.  Absorbed in another world. 

I knew I loved Kupono...he's so talented.  AND, I didn't know Ashley, but I look forward to seeing more of them!

Ade & Melissa - Contemporary / Mandy Moore / Right Here Waiting (Richard Marx)

• I'll say I'm a little worried because Mandy Moore's choreography is hit/miss for me.
• Melissa = Naughty Ballerina.  She is strictly a ballet dancer, also known as Buff Ballerina because she's muscular.  She's 29 and the oldest (or most seasoned) on the show.  She looks older now than when she dances. 
  
• He is from Chapman University in Orange County, CA.  That's where Katee and Natalie also went.    He's also a DJ.  He will be a sound engineer after dancing.
• Dance concept:  The moment you fall in love - Dirty Twister LOL
  
• Cheesy song!  Mandy likes the 80's music.
  
• Love the wind effect.  That was way more beautiful than expected.  They were fantastic as a couple.  They were both so fluid and had magnificent technique.  The lift where she was in the middle split behind his head and then flipped in front of his head was crazy.  It looked like she weighed 10lbs.  It was very sexy and intimate.  I liked it. 
  

Adam -  We see good, we see great, we see eh, but we don't always get to see...SPECIAL.  That was special.  Melissa has gotten better with age.  Ade has a quiet power that is extraordinary.  Moved him.
Mary - HUGE scream!  Totally believable.  Flowing amazingly.  The quality of the movement.  Testament to ballet training.  Ade is a gentle giant. 
Nigel - Fantastice top 20.  Beautiful to have a ballerina on the show.  Ade - no one has seen him yet.  Choreographed well as a pas de deux, but Ade has more inside when he gets to dance by himself.

Ade is a big surprise for me and I want to see more from him.  He has a great presence on stage and a nice face on TV.  I think I like how he uses his power more than Brandon because he's taller; therefore, doesn't seem like he's muscling through it.

Max & Kayla - Samba / Louis Van Amstel /  Jum Bah Day (House of Gypsies)

• They're a weird looking couple.  She's 18 and he's 26.  Their age difference is even more pronounced because he looks older than 26 because of his hairline issues and she looks younger than 18 because she's just blonde and boring.
  
• Kayla - we've heard the same story about her three times already.  It's not compelling anymore.  I need more personality from her.
• Max - Born in Moscow and moved to the US when he was 13. Brothers were brought over one by one.  His younger brother died in a car accident five years ago.  =(
• Louis has known Max since he was 14 years old.  Good for Max, not so good for Kayla. Max claims that Louis is responsible for making ballroom happen for everyone in NY.   That's some high praise.
  
• Dance concept:  hard
• Max said this is a good opportunity to help Kayla because she's not a ballroom dancer.
  
• Great song...high energy with percussions.  That helped drive the energy of the dance.  I think Kayla is lucky she's dancing with someone who could lead her because a good male partner can make almost anyone look better.  She looked sexy in her costume, bombshell look.  The flashiness hid any technical issues from my ballroom layman's eyes.  I think they'll get by.  I don't know about that straddle lift.  It just seemed weird because of how they look and their age discrepancy.  She has so much personality when she was dancing versus when she's just talking. 
  

Adam - That was so good. Max is lucky because he got ballroom first and God created a perfect creature in Kayla.  Kayla looked natural.  She looked that good because of Max.
Mary - Hot tamale train & screams. 
Nigel - Truly sensational routine.  Had everything you could wish for.  He tells Kayla she was always at the top of list throughout.  She appears to be able to do everything.  Max could have easily been lost, but he was great (but needs to be sharper like Pasha-S3 and Dmitri-S2).

I wonder how they'll be at other styles.  I think Latin ballroom is easier to look sexy and pull off that side of dance.  I will reseve my judgement on them for next week when it's not this type of routine.  They both need to win me over more.

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My Favorites:
Kupono & Ashley
Evan & Randi
Ade & Melissa

Predicted Bottom 3:
Vitolio & Asuka
Jonathan & Karla
Tony & Paris

Predicted Cast-offs:
Based on this performance and followings,  I think it might be Jonathan and Karla.