SYTYCD S5 Ep. 22 Top 4 Performance (FINALS)

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Can you believe this is the last performance show for Season 5 already?  Did this season fly by or is it just me?  I'll post a Season 5 recap review later. 

(Yes, I did not blog the Top 6 Elimination show.  I'll get to it, but Dragon Con is coming up soon and I have been preoccupied trying to get my costume together, plus we're going on a cruise for a wedding and our anniversary.)

WOW!  SYTYCD is coming up in the world...performing at the Hollywood Kodak Theater.  That's where they do the Oscars right?  Man, that must be scary performing on such a huge stage with so many people in the audience.  I'd be afraid of dancing on a stage that is different if I were a finalist just because it could be more slippery or just knowing you have to project to thousands of people in a theater versus the small TV stage.

Cat is wearing a light gold mini dress that again looks like separates.  It's 3/4 length sleeved and mid thigh length.  Her hair is loose and wavy.  She's wearing some brown "edgy" shoes.  They seem a little too casual compared to the dress, but overall she looks okay, if not drowned in the stage. They cut to a camera angle from behind showing the packed theater all on their feet.  Again, wow...intimidating. There are three thousand people in the audience. 

They introduce the Top 4 dancers and they have to RUN to the center, say hello, and do an 8-count.

1. Jeanine was first and guess what?  Surprise...she did an arabesque jump.  It's her signature move.
2. Evan was second and he does that "Aww shucks...I'm so shocked and happy to be here face" thing as he does a double tour en lair (yeah judges...he has no technical talent as a Broadway dancer - sarcasm people)
3. Kayla was third and she got a HUGE response from the audience.  Ugh on her outfit, but nice on the aerial (has she done those before)?
4. Brandon was last and he did a "hip hoppish" solo.

They sure are a short bunch. =)  

Judges - Nigel, Mary, Adam

Nice politically correct answer Adam regarding if he agrees with the Top 4. 

Ugh on Mary's dress.  It looks OK sitting down, but she stood up to scream at the audience to "bring it", the red dress has a HUGE bow on the front.  She should stay sitting down.  =)

TOP 4 GROUP DANCE - Wade & Amanda Robson / Boys Boys Boys (Lady Gaga)

• Brandon, Evan, Jeanine, & Kayla (oooo...all their names start in the first 1/2 of the alphabet)
• Dance concept - 2 football jocks hitting on 2 cheerleaders
• Costumes - Guys in jeans, white t-shirts, and letterman jackets.  Girls in a full SYTYCD cheer outfit (started with jacket on and removed during the routine).  The girls have on very small sequined spanks under their skirt (why does everything Jeanine wear look so much more scandalous?).
  
• Dance - This was a much more "normal" routine for Wade.  It had a straightforward theme and moves weren't "odd".  It was very all American and relied a lot of acting.  I think Evan did well with pulling his face, but his dancing was weaker than Brandon.  I did like their synchronized back handsprings.  The girls were more evened, but Kayla just makes things look easier.  I did think Jeanine's hurkey was actually pretty good, like she'd done it before.  Number brought back memories of the BFF and I shaking our pom pons!
  

 No judges reactions for that routine.

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Montage of the past five summers (seasons), five champions (Nick, Benji, Sabra, Joshua, & ???), then statement about doing it again in the Fall (as they show a girl fall down by getting her foot caught in her backpack strap).  Season 6 promo (audition cities = New Orleans, Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles & Salt Lake City).  "Season 6 is coming sooner than ever and BIGGER than ever."  (while showing an overweight man jiggle in slow motion).

Evan & Jeanine - Jazz / Sonya Tayeh / Heartbreaker (MSTRKRFT ft. John Legend)

• Dance concept - Man trying to keep his girl, but she is over it
  
• Costumes - Jeanine is wearing small purple booty shorts that are laced in the front of her right side (no undies?) and a blue bra top with black & purple accents. As she continues to dance you see the back and the costume is actually one piece.  In the back the bra top is a tank that connects to a skirt (like dance skorts).  Evan has on black pants and black shredded top with a purple shirt underneath. 
  
• Dance - Evan is really lucky he gets to dance with Jeanine & Kayla because both make him look better.  Actually it's not that they make him look better, but more that you don't even watch him because the girls are so good.  In this Jeanine really stood out with her poses and aggression.  She also looks like she's lost weight and the camera loves her.  I did like her feistiness in the intro treatment.

Adam - Great!  He never saw Jeanine coming and she has dominated week after week.  He underestimated her and he can never forgive himself.  He NEVER saw Evan in the Top 4, but now this season will never be the same without him. Evan is the mole hill that became the mountain on the show.  Sonya choreographed to their strengths.
Mary - Good partnership.  Jeanine stood out more, but Evan held his own.
Nigel - Enormous stage and need to bring the performance and Jeanine did because she is strong, feisty, and tomboyish.  Last time he wants to see Evan thrown around on the stage and he needs to be responsible for his own personality.  If he brings enough personality, he could win.  Jeanine stood out as growing in technique and personality.

Yeah, judges were really pushing for these two.  I hope Brandon and Kayla get the same in return.

(NICE SIDEKICK 3G COMMERCIAL WITH CREWS FROM ABDC...SAW QUEST, BEATFREAKS, SUPERCR3W, AND MORE).

Cat interviews each of the Top 4 about their journey. 

SOLO #1: BRANDON - Dies Irae (Karl Jenkins)

•  He's always sore, but loves it, he misses Janette, his favorite dance was the Argentine Tango with Janette because of its intensity.
• Discussed Mia (Mia shown saying "I understand there is talent there, but I don't see it" - cut to Brandon wiping tears from his eyes). He says, "To know that someone you respect so much and love to death doesn't feel what you are giving to them...I think she was giving me tough love." Then they show Mia saying Brandon is amazing.  Brandon said it was a shock and he finally proved it to her and himself that he wasn't going anywhere.  He didn't think he'd make the show because he doesn't see it in himself sometimes. (You wonder how someone so talented would ever have doubts.  Just proves that even the most talented fear they aren't good enough.  Guess if he didn't fear, he'd never grow.)
• Same song as Jason/Caitlin's horrendous Gladiator Paso Doble
  
• I love how they illuminate their names really big across the back of the stage.
• WOW!  That was so energetic and strong.  I liked that he added elements of quick movements that were more intricate and not just strength.  It's amazing how he has the stamina to toss his whole body off the ground from the floor multiple times.  He ended in a split that he held off the ground and remained there for a few seconds before bringing himself to a standing position without his hands to assist.
  

(shot of the remaining Top 20 in the audience)

Adam - "That is competing"...doesn't get the board shorts costume with the routine, but...he's like an extreme dancer, a super athlete.  It was a bit frantic, but he was going for it.
Mary - Gave her goosebumps (dynamic, defy gravity, arms slice through the air).  Born to dance. Mary got choked up again.
Nigel - Amazing.  Last week's solo was totally outstanding.  This week, he wiped out the competition. 

Brandon & Kayla - Broadway / Tyce Diorio / Bye Bye Life (All That Jazz)

• Dance concept - The part of the movie where the Bob Fosse character is dying and it's a musical / showy place - Tyce's own spin on it
  
• Costumes - Brandon is the dying guy and he's wearing a sparkly sports coat and black slacks.  Kayla is the Angel of Death and is wearing a black sexy costume with her hair in a ponytail with extensions to make it long and straight
  
• Dance - I LOVED IT!  I love this movie (one of my favs) and this was a nice update to the classic.  I will say the last third got a little sloppy.  The second turns would have been phenomenol if they didn't get off from each other in the last few turns.  There were a few other syncing issues, but overall, they looked great together.  Kayla is a beast!  LUV! That leg hold flip to leg hold was ridic.

Adam - He jumped up and down and screamed, that is so good.  He admits he knew they'd be in the end from the beginning.  It's heaven to see them dance again.  There's nothing Kayla can't do and Brandon is an animal out there.  Unreal!
Mary - Terrific, rock stars, don't disappoint, front runners. Super hero dancers
Nigel - Just showed why they are in the Top 4.  (Tyce is named after a cookie...huh?).  They brought the entertainment value was fantastic.  They filled the stage.  (Nigel had a heart attack before?). 

SOLO #2: JEANINE - Por Una Cabeza (The Tango Project)

• Started dancing at 3 and she was bad at first, but was pushed to contine
• She freaked over the Russian Folk routine, but her favorite was the Jason/Jeanine contemporary.  She said she really connected with him and the routine was emotional.  Cat comments on the smooch fest at the end, and Jeanine claims it wasn't choreographed (I knew it!!!  Jason is a big PLAYA.  I was right...ugh)
• It was a modern solo tango and it was beautiful.  That turn sequence was unreal and she just stopped...such control.  The only thing I didn't like was the flesh tone underwear that made it look like she wasn't wearing anything on the bottom. 
  

Judges gave her a standing ovation!

Adam - Are You Kidding?  Risky solo, but she killed it!  So happy for her.  Such a beautiful woman: body, shape, smile, and your dancing is so full of warmth and kindness.  She fought Brandon back.
Mary - Peaking at the right time.  She lifts her partners.  That solo was the best thing she has done on this show. 
Nigel - Brave solo and pulled it off.  She's in the final 2...as an equal. 

Brandon & Evan - Pop Jazz / Laurieann Gibson / Nasty (Janet Jackson)

• Dance concept - Competition to win the top spot (gee...that's original)
  
• Costumes - Jeans, wife beaters, & leather jackets
  
• Dance -  Starts with dancers coming from both sides doing a switch middle leap to the center. They're the same size so the competition aspect does seem even.  It was much more "choreographed" than I expected...def jazz feel.  They both had good technique and were synced.  Brandon hit harder, but Evan was cleaner on the turns (smoother). I didn't love the routine, but it was good. Don't hate me for saying this, but I felt like they were dancing "with each other" not against each other.  It just lost some masculinity in parts.

Adam - Evan got a little dusted (boos ensue and Adam says, "This is my job...and I've never been booed, that was so mean, can you guys be nice to me again").   Evan's natural "sweetness" wasn't overcome and Brandon got down and dirty.
Mary - "Evan, what's the nastiest thing you've ever done?" LOL.  (Cover the ears of his grandmas).  Evan responds that the list is so long.  =)  He's likable.  Brandon a little bit sharper, hit harder.
Nigel - All the choreographers say that Evan's work ethic is beyond reproach.  Evan doesn't have a nasty bone in his body...he has a "choochie" face?.  Can't make someone like that look tough in Nasty, but Brandon also out-danced Evan.

Kayla & Jeanine - Contemporary / Mia Michaels / The Four Sections: IV. (Steve Reich) 

• Dance concept - Dance goes from Stage Left to Right and metaphorically, they shed layers like life. (Jeanine's calf is wrapped...)
  
• Costumes - They are wearing leotards with multiple layers of skirts in different colors, textures, styles on top.  The layers are removed until they eventually are left in just the leotard.
  
• Dance - (dream come true to have two great female dancers with Mia).  They are both such strong dancers that they looked amazing together.  I did notice some issues with wardrobe where the skirts wouldn't come off and sometimes came off late (Jeanine couldn't get the last one off on the beat).  I liked the dance, but I didn't feel emotionally attached to it.
  

Adam - That was like watching the world's longest wardrobe malfunction.  Amazing.  Concept piece was risky...it was like watching two thoroughbreds racing.  Trifecta with the two dancers and Mia.
Mary - Relevant concept for tonight about the dancers' journey.  Heart and soul left on the stage.  Strongest two women in the finale.
Nigel - Easier to see the competition when the dancers are side by side.  Routine didn't go on long enough for him (DIRTY OL' NIGEL!)...he said, you know the dancing was strong.  Jeanine has peaked at the right time. 

SOLO #3: EVAN - The Best is Yet to Come (Michael Buble)

•  He didn't think he would audition, but his college musical theater instructor urged him to try out.  Ryan is his best friend and it was hard when he made it and Ryan didn't.  He misses him family (awww...he's the baby).  He thinks people vote for him because he's something different.
  
• He likes the "Butt" routine (Randi/Evan/Mia) because Mia is hard, but will work hard to get it out of you.
• His normal routine...they all kind of look the same.  I liked the beginning gymnastics sequence, esp because the hat stayed on.  I wished he'd worn a different shirt because the perspiration circles were not cute. At the end, he drops his hat and does a comical kick the hat as you're walking - very Charlie Chaplin like. (Sadly I must accept that he may win).
  

Adam - Interesting - variation on his audition piece. Risky because it's either love it or seen it before.
Mary - Evan is unique and bringing new energy to an old style (Donald O'Connor, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly) so it won't be lost.
Nigel - He's special...he brings the "awww" factor.  He hasn't grown as much as Nigel thinks he should have.  Not as strong as Brandon or Jeanine's solos tonight.  (Ugh...more sympathy votes)

Evan & Kayla - Jive / Tony Meredith & Melody Lapatin / T.R.O.U.B.L.E. (Travis Tritt)

• Dance concept - Fast jive
  
• Costumes - Country theme - Kayla is wearing what looks like those toddler beauty queen outfits with the small blue top and matching tutu-ish skirt.  She had to dance in cowboy boots...that's tough.  Can't point, they're heavy, and your foot isn't secure...poor thing.  Evan wore black jeans, a white cowboy shirt opened on top.
  
• Dance -  I didn't like Kayla's shoes because they made her movements seem heavier than necessary even though she worked it.  Evan seemed more at ease flicking (no shoe hinderance).  Kayla was a little spastic at times with her arms.  I liked the kick flips because Kayla's legs are so long and she looked like she was going in slow motion.  There were a few lifts that seemed off because Evan looked too small next to Kayla, and a timing issue at the end for one death drop lift.  It was OK. Kayla pecked Evan at the end...looked choreographed and she didn't look like she liked it much.
  

Adam - Wasn't a finale level routine for him.  Not knocking country western. Kayla strong showing.  Great lifts for Evan.  Great bounce.  It didn't feel competitive to win.
Mary - Phenomenol routine.  Evan wasn't very strong...kicks weren't pumping.  Safe...two dancers dancing seperately.  Kayla stole the show and she was jamming, absolutely beautiful.
Nigel - Came out with guns blazing.  Brought personality (the crowd bursts into an EH-VAN chant...really??!  Seriously?!?!  People are lame). Kayla - where has that personality been all season...put that with your technique and you'd be riding home right now.  The most personality from her. 

Hmm....Kayla had personality in lots of routines, plus she showed emotion in many other routines.  I think she has trouble with showing personality off the stage, not on.

SOLO #4: KAYLA - Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics)

• Started dancing after watching Singing in the Rain.  Her grandparents are so cute! 
  
• Amazing reviews over the course of the season.  Likes "White Lightening".  Fav routine - Addiction because she made an impact on people. 
  
•  Sadly...it was no where as strong as Brandon or Jeanine's solos.  She needed to use the stage more and not be so stagnant in the middle.  Also, for some one who ALWAYS has great lines, her back arabesque jump had bent knees.  She is a remarkable choreographer's dancer, but not a great choreographer for solos. 
  

Adam - Solo was fine, but didn't show her as a dancer.  The show is for America's Favorite Dancer, but the show has had some of the BEST dancers ever...Travis Wall, Will Wingfield, Danny Tidwell, and Kayla just joined them in that club as one of the best dancers.
Mary - She is gifted...exquisite.  Mary loved the solo.
Nigel - No question she was strong.  She may be hurt because the judges and choreographers have all said she's wonderful from the start.  She was the first one put in Top 20.  People may not vote for her because they think she is safe.  Justly deserves Top 4.

Brandon & Jeanine - Paso Doble / Louis Van Amstel / Tetsujin (The Matrix Soundtrack)

• Dance concept - excited about these two because separate they were great, but together even better
  
• Costumes -  Matrix bondage like vinyl (leather) looking costumes on both.  Very gothic, severe, and SEXY!  Pretty hot
  
• Dance - FINALLY A DECENT PASO DOBLE THIS SEASON!  Strong, passionate, technical.  The lifts were insane.  I really liked this routine.  It's my second fav of the night next to Brandon/Kayla's Broadway.  Both were amazing technicans, but also brought the tension needed.  Loved the limp ending, like a cape in his hands. 
  

Adam - A champion is made in the transitions and the small parts...it never ended.  They competed and shredded tonight. 
Mary - scream!  Best paso this season.  SCREAMS!
Nigel - Screamed back!  They carried the routine off.  Brandon was like a racehorse in a stall revving to get to the woman and do things to her (then dirty ol Nigel said he wanted to do it to her too...le sigh Nigel).  He thinks they are the two front runners after tonight. 

Judges Predictions -
Adam - Brandon tore it up.  Jeanine was the dark horse who came racing in.  Evan may be the most popular contestant ever.  Kayla is one of the best dancer he's ever seen.
Mary - She can't predict it
Nigel - Brandon or Jeanine after tonight.  Kayla did all she could and Evan is a lovely lad.  

(Just an observation...Jeanine's body is sick now...she's lost a litte of the baby fat around the middle and is now just sex on stage). 

Now in America's Hands...vote from the heart everyone! 

Finale episode will have some of the best routines from the season...yeah...that means Kupono might be dancing again =)