SYTYCD S5 Ep. 14 Top 12 Performance

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Tonight's show is very important.  It is the last show before the Top 10 are chosen.  Top 10 means TOUR, which to a dancer means money and exposure.  The Top 10 become THE face of the season.  Yes, we all will love and remember the other 10 dancers, but it's not the same.  I am worried for some of my favorites that haven't done that well so far.  I really hope they make it to the Top 10. 

SHOW START -

Cat is wearing a form fitting 40s inspired black dress with her hair in a classic 40s do.  It hits her at the knee and I wish I could look like that in a dress that simple.  It's very sophisticated compared to her flashier outfits she's been sporting lately.

(I love how Kupono always stands behind his partners like he's posing for a prom picture.  So cute.) 

Cat announces the Top 12 will be performing two routines per couple.

Judges:  Nigel, Mary, & Tyce Diorio

No cast "reveals" this week because the show is too jam packed. 

Ade & Melissa (1) - Disco / Doriana Sanchez / Move On Up (Destination)
-Dance concept - all style or else it'll look cheesy
-Costumes - Melissa is wearing a shiny hot pink and purple  one piece that reminds me of little girl bathing suits, especially because she has a ballerina's chest.  Then she has on gold sparkly t-straps and her hair is discotastic.  Ade has on an even more hideous shiny outfit.  He has a metallic snakeskin purple shirt and blue shiny pants.  The shines don't even match.  I also think the bottom of his pants have gold accents.  If they are trying to make them look bad, they have succeeded.  
-Dance - I will say it, I didn't like it.  It did not compare to Brandon & Janette's disco a few weeks ago.  Melissa's disco bounce was off and Ade outperformed her.  It always seems hard for Melissa to lose her ballerina center so when she does, it feels a little awkward.  Melissa has great extensions and legs which helped during the lifts (which were awesome), but everything between those lifts was not great.  Then sadly, Melissa slipped and fell in their last pose.  She tried to recover, but that is your last impression of the dance.

Nigel - Incredible start to the show...exciting.  Tremendous, good job, strong couple
Mary - Screech from Mary.  Disco pick me up.  Fun, well done & well executed.  Ade - first time he let go.  Melissa great in lifts and she let loose too.
Tyce - "friggin great".  Melissa - adore you and no one would think a ballet dancer could do this.  Growth...great body.  Ade - fantastic, rhythm, embodied it.

So again I do not agree with the judges.  Like I said, I loved the lifts, just not the dancing in between.  AND, I liked Ade dancing, but not Melissa as much.  Oh, and yeah, Melissa does have a chest, but that costume doesn't make her body look as good as it could.

Kupono & Kayla (1) - Contemporary / Mia Michaels / Gravity (Sara Bareiiles)
-Dance concept - Addiction / wanting something that isn't good for you / Kupono is her addiction
-Kupono tells a story about how his family dealt with a friend who had a bad addiction to drugs and it almost destroyed his family and his friend.  While telling the story, there are tears in his eyes and he says he almost doesn't want to be the addiction.  He really breaks down so you know this subject matter hits close to home.  (I'm getting teary eyed now too)
-Costume - Kayla is wearing a blood red bra with tank and booty shorts.  Her shirt is ripped up.  Her hair looks like they wet it and she doesn't have any makeup on...like a drug addict.  Kupono is wearing grey slacks and vest and with a red sash belt and a black ascot.  He has black smudged makeup below his eyes and looks sinister. 
-Dance -  Holy cow!!!  TEARS...That dance just made me start balling big time! From the very beginning lyric about "something brings me back to you", Kupono has his arm waiting for Kayla and she hugs him like someone she loves.  Then he feeds her and she seems so broken, but can't stop herself from consuming it.  Then he is in charge of her body and movement.  Uhhh, so creepy when he caresses her extended leg.  She tries to fight, but he won't let her go.  He keeps feeding it to her and she still fights, but looks so defeated.  The lyrics say "you're keeping me down" and Kupono is holding her arm with force.  Kayla looks like she is crying and Kupono has the most evil smirk on his face.  It's so sad.  Then he gently holds her head before strangling her.  Brilliant and emotionally wrecking.  

When they're done, Kayla hugs Kupono and he kisses her head.  The audience is cheering and the camera shoots over to Mia who has tears in her eyes and looks so proud. 
 
Nigel - Powerful piece of choreo.  Kayla great except he can't see her face because of her hair; therefore, he's not getting the full benefit of her performance (woah...that guy's blog is so correct about Kayla starting to get negative reviews - See blog listed at end of my last entry).  Kupono - strong, malevolent, dark, and powerful.  Brilliant in it.
Mary - Kupono - so intense and stays in character honestly.  Kayla - flawless every week.  Staying on the train.
Tyce - You add a level when you dance with Mia and become actors ("the best dancers are the best actors").  It was an experience.  Kupono could be stronger in his body, but he took what was given and acting was good.  Kayla is a beast - phenomenal.  Whole package.  

Jason & Caitlin (1) - Foxtrot / Tony Meredith / Minnie the Moocher (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy)
-Dance concept - American style foxtrot with a jazzy twist.  It's sexy with the woman aggressive and man gangster.
-Costume - Caitlin is wearing a chandelier fringy silver topped dress that is sparkly and has flowing green ruffles on the bottom.  She and Cat can go out afterwards with those hairdos.  Jason looks dapper in a back suit and green hanky.  Very gangster and cool.
-Dance -   They look the part which is great.  I loved the vibe.  It was pretty and Caitlin looks beautiful.  I felt it was a little slow.  The choreography kind of dragged a little.  Caitlin has great extension and they made the lifts look easy (except the very last one...looked like an arm wasn't in place, but they ended alright).  It was good...sorry Caitlin, it wasn't great.

Nigel - Caitlin made everything look simple and gentle (Grace Kelly).  Jason's footwork was good tonight.  Huge improvement for the pair.  Def Caitlin's style.
Mary - Trememdous, suits them well.  Caitlin looked like she was floating.
Tyce - Outsnapped Mary LOL - Look like stars, captured the essence.  Could have glided more...more in Caitlin's eyes.  Jason, great job. 

(Have you noticed that at the end of the numbers, the guys are always so sweaty and the girls look super cool...must be all those lifts the poor guys have to do).

Phillip & Jeanine (1) - Russian Folk / Youri Nelzine & Lilia Babenko / Kalinka (Barynya)
-Very interesting move considering that blog I mentioned earlier and that writer's prediction for the winner.  Maybe the producers tried to throw a curve ball hoping that it's uniqueness will wow the audience (or Jeanine will exceed expectations in her non style once more), or maybe they're getting Wade for contemporary later and they needed to balance out the wowness of Wade.  We'll see soon enough.
-Dance concept - Russian character, amazing Russian technique / playful competition
-Costume - Very folksy costumes
-Dance - It felt a little comical for me, especially from Phillip.  I felt like Jeanine was really trying to capture the tecnhique and feel, but Phillip had a big cheesy grin on his face.  I liked the intrticate footwork that I could plainly see from Jeanine, but not from oafish Phillip.  The best part for Phillip was the leg kicks in the squat...he did make those look easy.  I think this style worked better as male duo with Twitch & Joshua last year during the finale. 

Nigel - Felt like two young kids and too easy...he recalls Twitch and Joshua and their choreo...this one was too folky.  Not enough vodka to enjoy.  Phillip's leg work on turn over was fabulous and Jeanine looked beautiful.
Mary - Jeanine's intro was really believable.  Phillip's flips and leg kicks were good.  As a whole it was too simplistic.  Some bright spots...have another routine to bring it.
Tyce - Agree to some degree.  He wants to honor the dance and commends them for the 3 days they had to execute and perfect the style. Phillip wasn't horrible.  Jeanine fabulous.

Evan & Randi (1) - Hip Hop / NappyTabs / Halo (Beyonce)
-Dance concept - Young couple in love who just find out they're preggers
-Costume - Finally a NappyTabs routine where I like their costumes.  Evan is dressed like Napoleon and Randi looks like a young girl...she actually looks so skinny in those jeans.
-Dance - Awwww...that was a sweet routine.  Evan is looking an engagement ring (shotgun wedding anyone?) when Randi walks in and they embrace.  There were some nice moments like where Evan's hands looks like wings fluttering, or the lyrics about an Angel.  I didn't really like the lifts (especially if she's preggo), but they danced it well.  I thought Randi was really good at hip hop. During the routine, Evan proposes and Randi accepts.

Nigel - He quips about the choreo this season with impregnating aliens and proposals after the girl is pregnant. Then he says the same thing I said about doing lifts if she's preggo.  (Funny how sometimes I say the exact same thing as the judges). Loved NappyTabs allow them to be themselves, not "urban".  They are one of his fav couples and asset to show.
Mary - She was expecting a train wreck and they did a good job.  Evan didn't falter.  Randi always draws her eye and she stands out in this competition.
Tyce - Good choreo storytelling.  Lucky to work with them.  Evan needs to find more and come out, explore more.  Randi was great.

Brandon & Janette (1) - Argentine Tango / Leonardo Barrionuevo & Miriam Larici / Libertango (Forever Tango)
-Is that the couple that danced on the first Results show?  They were good.
-Dance concept - Sexy, passion, intimacy
-You know, it's not going to help the partnership in a style where it's new to the one person who doesn't speak Spanish and has to learn even more than everyone else.  Kinda rude people!
-Costume - Hot sexy red dress on Janette and Black suit red shirt on Brandon.
-Dance -  AMAZING!!!  They were so close together and yet their feet were so intricate.  I loved all the flicks.  The lifts were great.  Loved the one at the beginning where she's in front of him arched back and spins around and ends up still arched back.  Then the whole ending lift sequence was so good.  Brandon did not look like a novice and Janette really played up the heat of the routine. 

Nigel - STANDING O FROM THE JUDGES!!!  (Chill moment for me!)  As close to perfection on this stage ever for a ballroom routine.
Mary - (Nigel says if that train aint coming there's gonna be trouble).  Temp is rising - Mary scream.  That was outstanding...the flicks, the lifts.  Brandon - you are so not disappointing me one ounce.  Janette = flawless.  First class on the Hot Tamale Train!  Shimmy and screaming for them!
Tyce - Power couple - specifics to detail.  They're like freshly squeezed OJ where they got ALL the juice out and left nothing but the rind.  Unreal!

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After the break, Cat tells everyone that after Top 10 is chosen, they won't be dancing in their partners anymore and will be paired up with someone new each week.  (This is the same as it is every year).

I was wrong, they saved the couple "reveal" for the 2nd dance.  They will reveal what they will miss about working with each other.

You know...some of the remaining dancers will not look great dancing with some of the others (poor short Evan).
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Ade & Melissa (2) - Waltz / Ron Montez / Natural Woman (Mary J. Blige) 
-Melissa got all teary eyed thinking about not dancing with Ade anymore.  awwww
-WHAT??!?  How did Melissa get by without any Hip Hop?  Oh, that is so set up.  I think they want her in Top 10.
-Dance concept - Traditional, but not restricted to close holds.  Breaks away for entertainment value.
-Costume - Flowy lavender gown with faux flowers on neck and wrist for Melissa and waiter looking outfit for Ade (black slacks and vest with white shirt). 
-Dance - It was good, but it's not something I haven't already seen from these two.  It's like watching them do another pas de deux.  It feels a little safe.  They're beautiful together and they do magnificent lifts.  They're graceful and have wonderful technique.  BUT...are they growing?  I don't know.  It was nice to finally see Ade get to shine w/ that beautiful turn sequence.  Now if Melissa pulled off Hip Hop, then I'd be impressed.  

Nigel - Very beautiful, played to their strengths.  Ade's strength and upper body great, but needed more rise and fall.
Mary - Very beautiful.  Ade had great strength in the lifts, but some problems in the actual waltz.  But, didn't matter because all eyes on Melissa.
Tyce - Melissa - beautiful, but when dancing to a song like this, need to rise to the occassion.  Ade needed to stretch even more because he makes everything look easy.

Kupono & Kayla (2) - Broadway / Joey Dowling / The Dance at the Gym (West Side Story) 
-Kayla said that "Pono" had a positive energy and makes people feel good.  Kupono said he'll miss Kayla's sweaty hands and feet because they're comforting.  LOL
-Joey looks so different without the hair like last week. 
-Dance concept - love at first sight
-Costume - Kayla has on a pink girly frock with poofy short skirt.  Kupono has on checkered pants and vest and white shirt.  Kayla is always barefoot...I find that weird.  Kherington last year was always barefoot as well.
-Dance - Joey has really good choreo and it looks good when the dancers execute it well.  Loved the 60s styling, more apparant on Kupono in his shoulders and stance.  I thought it was well executed, but don't know if I felt love.  I think I felt more lust and fun.  Probably the music.  It felt like when the other people are dancing, not when Tony sees Maria and they dance together in the slow kind of waltz while everyone else dances to this song.  I wanted the "Maria - I just met a girl named Maria" feeling from West Side Story.

Nigel - His period of time - missing the contraction and emotion for this routine.  They didn't match the connection because the period was about being tough and they didn't do that.  He needed more. Executed well.
Mary - Good job, but understands what Nigel is saying.  Still needed a little more, but still a force on this show.  Kayla = dynamic and Kupono = good job outside his style.
Tyce - Joey gave them great choreo and it's timeless.  They needed to get down into the floor and use the space.  Yes, they danced well.  Kupono could have dug in a little more.  He thinks they'll be around for awhile. 

Kupono exhales and kisses Kayla on the head again.  He's very affectionate, and they are so cute together.  I have become a Kayla convert. 

Jason & Caitlin (2) - Lyrical Jazz / Mandy Moore / Show Me Heaven (Maria McKee)
-Oh, so thought they'd have Wade...that means Phillip & Jeanine probably do get Wade, or maybe it'll be Brandon & Janette (that would kill if it's true).
-Dance concept - Kitchen sink routine - everything in it 
-Costume - Cailtin - brown/tan halter baby doll dress and Jason - white pants, no shirt (he looks good - dang that body)
-Dance - Hmmm...it was their style and they executed it, but I wasn't blown away.  I hated the song and I didn't feel anything.  They did all the moves and they were in sync, but what emotion was there?  I think this one was just boring choreo.  It wasn't bad, but it felt pointless.  Sad that is their last routine together.  I liked the ending pose...I felt their "feelings" for each other then.  I actually liked their first number more than this one. 

Nigel - enjoyed it, beautiful choreo, worked hard and synced.  Didn't see chemistry, but technically danced well together.
Mary - Sees chemistry, but didn't feel magic (not choreo).  Parts that could be magical, but didn't see it.  Jason has a great face and Caitlin and beautiful lines.  It was really good, but not memorable.
Tyce - Mandy did a great job and the partnership was challenging and they did it well.  He felt like it was safe and their work was appreciated. 

Phillip & Jeanine (2) - Jive / Tony Meredith / Stuff Like That There (Bette Midler)  
-WHAT??!?  Again I am shocked.  Another week and no contemporary?  OK,  I don't know what these judges are trying to do here.  Maybe they want them in the bottom to create drama because they are well liked, knowing their solos will save them for Top 10.
-Dance concept - Sailor coming home expecting girl to be all in love, but she plays hard to get.  Booty grabs and chest shimmies (Jeanine has a hot curvy body...I bet Arielle is none to happy that Phillip is dancing with her).
-Costume - Jeanine has on a vavavoom Vegas looking sparkly bra and fluffy tutu-esque skirt.  Phillip has on matching blue slacks, white shirt and tie.
-Dance - Surprisingly, not as bad as I expected.  Jeanine was outstanding.  She not only looked good, but she flirted with Phillip and the audience.  She drew me in.  But I was surprised that Phillip didn't completely suck.  His feet for the most part weren't distracting and they looked like they had fun.

Nigel - Terrific choreo, and without question, Phillip was the best he had done outside his style.  He's finally coming to life.  Jeanine proved why she is here last week and is one of the best Top 10 dancers.
Mary - Guarantee that Jeanine will be here next week.  Phillip was a big surprise, but she can't count him out.  Jeanine was on fire tonight.  She's on the Train!
Tyce - 1-888-Fan Friggin Tastic / Phillip what he lacks in technique, he makes up in performance.  Jeanine is a star.  Great package deal.

(Oh yeah, they're hyping her now...like she was this dark horse they didn't see coming, but probably knew from the beginning),

Cat announces that Evan & Randi have Samba which means, O-M-G...Brandon & Janette have WADE!  YES!  Power couple have the power choreographer tonight!

Evan & Randi (2) - Samba / Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis (S3) / Ritmo De Bom Bom (Jubaba)
-Anya looks different.  Actually, Pasha looks better and Anya looks like she got old.  And she's so covered up in rehearsal.
-Dance concept - Sexy samba  
-Costumes - Jungle fever - Randi has on a leopard print halter ballroom outfit with leathery fringe off the tail.  Evan has on all drk brown/black with a small patch of matching leopard on his shirt,  I like Randi's hair pulled back in a faux hawk.  It makes her look taller. 
-Dance - I like samba because of the pulsating drums.  I liked the entertainment, but I missed some of the "samba".  I like that fast moving feet and butt wiggle move that I always see.  I think Evan seemed a little weak in the routine.  He needed more machismo and less smooth.

Nigel - Evan was strong, but not a hot samba king.  Randi was hot.  Together, they weren't hot enough. 
Mary - It wasn't hot, but it was a hot sizzle.  Great routine.  Hard partnering and they lived up to it.  Evan - It wasn't dynamic...1/2 way committed.  Could have gotten more gritty. Randi was a hot tamale!
Tyce - Evan- Be a detective and watch old shows (Danny & Lacey - Hip Hip Chin Chin - one of my fav ballroom routines with some of my fav dancers - super hot) to see why they were great

Brandon & Janette (2) - Jazz / Wade Robson / Ruby Blue (Roison Murphy)
-How in the world did they both get their styles this week AND dance with Wade?  WOW.  Is Wade a giant or are they extremely small too?  Seriously, he's a foot taller than each of them.
-Dance concept - 2 thieves, Brandon calculated and Janette crazy, cartoon like
-Costumes - They're supposed to be thieves, but they're very well dressed ones.  Janette had on a striped shirt and black shiny leggings with a cherry wig and bowler hat.  Brandon has on black pants and vest with a white shirt and ascot. He also has on a bowler hat.  They both start with huge white sunglasses and remove them during the piece.
-Dance - Brave move starting way up on the balcony and then taking about 30-sec to get down the stairs to the stage; although I liked the stair choreo.  I was impressed with Janette.  I thought she took her "crazy" character and really danced it.  I liked the concept and their use of space.  Wade does weave a great story, but it wasn't super wow like his Crash Test Dummies routine.  Overall, a super strong couple.  I'm harder on them because they're so good (like Mia LOL).

Nigel - The two have showed that they can do anything brilliantly.  Brandon started tough and has overcome since the beginning.  Janette shocks him because she's a salsa dancer, but she's picked all styles up.  He suspects they will get the biggest vote of the night.
Mary - The best for last!  Spontaneous combustion and used the sets.  Clear pictures.  Stole hearts.  Still behind Brandon since the beginning and Janette was great.
Tyce - Have that "thing".  They're not victims and they're in charge.  Proud and privileged to watch.  Wade has a strong voice in the industry and Tyce is inspired.  Technical excellence.  
 
Oh my...who will be leaving?  So hard to decide.

Kelly Rowland and DJ David Guetta performing tomorrow night.