It’s All-Star night and we’re excited. We fully expect the dancing to hit all the right high notes now that we’re down to the top ten. It just better deliver because if not, just what the hell will be on the tour? Pretty much nothing in the last few episodes has been worthy. The lackluster-a-tude this season has been a bit shocking. So let’s hope the All-Stars know how to turn it up a few notches.
Who set the stage ablaze?
Is it just me or have the eight count openings gotten a bit better? Yes, yes, it’s still a one-two step thing, but I’m sensing more verve. Cat comes out and she’s as cheeky as ever in her shark-skin reflective frock. We like this. The shoulder pads had a bit of a square linebacker thing going on, but we like that it gives spindly Cat a bit of broadness. It manages not to be boxy and not being boxy is always a good thing!
We’re off to the judges introduction…there’s Nigel and Mary, who’s doing some sort of Spirit Fingers…heh! hand-waggle thing Cat notices (and mentions! My first shout out! Yes, I know. Shut it.) when they introduce none other than Doogie Howser’s Barney Spectacular Clara’s Heart! Oh, joy. It is national thigh-throbber Neil Patrick Harris! Broadway’s womb just exploded. He is the sultan of sing and dance. He is Jazz Matazz, and all things sunshiny and good. He’s not just another television person. Or some sort of Celebrity Silicone Boob. He is NPH, darlings. You better recognize greatness and kiss his finely buffed loafers or just swoon at his randy earlobes. I dunno. NPH has sexy earlobes. Who knew?
No waste of time introductory vignettes this week. This is awesome again.
Dancers: Marko & Chelsie
Dance Styles: Samba
Choreographers: Jason Gilkison
Concepts: Fast Samba
Music: Cinema Italiano, Kate Hudson (Just What? Stop Encouraging Kate Hudson she doesn’t know you’re joking.)
Performance: There was a lot of hip action from Chelsie and a lot of performance from Marko. Was it spectacular? Not entirely. It looked like a well choreographed performance. It was high energy and Marko sold it for all it was worth. And I credit that intricate lift more with Chelsie’s expertise in the genre more so than Marko’s skills. She knew just how to fold her body around him. The mark of a real professional.
Marko’s solo: Well, he starts with a tumbling run, but since we’ve seen Ade do the same run and know how spectacular it can be, this didn’t wow as much. It was a bit slow, but at least he tried to dance to the music and it seemed choreographed.
Judges:
Nigel: You found the courage to pull it off seamlessly. Every dancer needs that courage. We think you’re ahead of the field. And you lost a good partner but now “You’re Dancing With The Stars” Oh, shameless dig or was it a plug, nice Nigel.
Mary: You are the real deal out there. While earringless she states that she won’t be surprised if he’s in the finale. Really amazing.
Neil Patrick Harris: A dirty way to start the show with a scissor kick around the face. I would have kissed her too at the end. (OR ME NEIL! KISS ME! Shut up. I know. Still.) You dance with such precision. You are the guy to beat.
Spirit Fingers: Nicely done. It was tailored to Marko’s strengths and he performed it well. Chelsie though is a real powerhouse.
Dancers: Jordan & Brandon
Dance Styles: Contemporary
Choreographers: Desmond Richardson, Dwight Rhodan
Concepts: Highs and lows of love
Music: Who You Are, Jessie J
Performance: It’s going to be hard taking your eyes away from Brandon’s perfectly chiseled form. When you do, you notice that Jordan is impressive in this, even though Brandon is beyond magnificent. Jordan rises to the challenge. This is the performance that tells you that dancing with the All-Stars is a totally different experience for these kids. This movement choreographed by Richardson and Rhodan was simply awesome and sumptuous.
Jordan‘s solo: Jordan showcased a bit more dancing than she’s usually shown. She relied on her talent and not just her sexy. Finally.
Judges:
Nigel: Desmond and Dwight are simply two of the world’s best contemporary choreographers. Jordan you don’t have many weakness. With you they found someone who can do everything asked of them. Wake up and keep this girl in the competition.
Mary: Takes my breath away. Jordan you were fearless tonight. We were served by Dwight and Desmond. You are fighting to take the next position. You are dancing solid.
Neil Patrick Harris: I was breathing while watching. I watched you feel the number. Even though Brandon is impressive, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you, Jordan.
Spirit Fingers: I wanted more. It was over way too soon. This was the most free I think we’ve seen Jordan. She danced with someone who was able to reach down and draw out of her what we’ve seen only as potential for several weeks now. Well done, Brandon.
Dancers: Tadd & Comfort
Dance Styles: Hip Hop
Choreographers: Chuck Maldonado
Concepts: Guttah Sexy and Ghetto Fabulous (Eye-roll)
Music: Look At Me Now, Chris Brown
Performance: Well, the music seemed to be just a little too fast for the performance. It just looked slowed down way too much. If you’re going to dance to Busta Ryme’s super, duper fast lyrics than I expected a lot more action in the dance. Not to say that it wasn’t danced decently…it was. I was just expecting more. It was slightly disjointed, and the music overwhelmed the dancing, which goes to Busta’s credit, but not so much to Maldonado’s.
Tadd’s Solo I like Everything I Can’t Have by Robin Thicke and think it should be a ballroom song. It didn’t do much for Tadd here, but he did his tricks but mostly we’ve seen this before. Tadd may be in the bottom three.
Judges:
Nigel: Everything was just so fast. You’re not hip-hop…you’re a B-Boy.(Soon this will be less amazing to us, Nigel) Everything that we throw at you…you pick up. I think you outdanced your All-Star.
Mary: The routine was fired right out of the cannon. Great musicality. You have swagger for days. Gettolicious Woo! ( Ghettolicious? Scary, scary, scary)
Neil Patrick Harris: You were better than Comfort. Well choreographed. The shirt pick-up ting was DOPE! (Oh, NPH…Dope. Hah.) And then he shills for HIMYM and the Smurf movie…urgh…we don’t care though! NPH is on the show.
Spirit Fingers: Comfort is no longer good enough (if she ever was) to be on this show. Tadd certainly did outdance her with little effort. I wonder if that’s the reason why it seemed a bit slow. Was he compensating for Comfort?
Dancers: Mitchell & Melody
Dance Styles: Broadway
Choreographers: Tyce Diorio
Concepts: Take Off With Us
Music: All that Jazz
Performance: Well, this was a bit of a disaster. Is it just me or are we just so sick of Tyce and his All That Jazz thing? I am…I so am. I understand Broadway…Liza, Liza, LIZA! But seriously, Tyce, let’s find a deeper well. This thing just looked a bit awkward. The dancers weren’t connected and where was the airplane theme? He could have incorporated some sort of caricature into the performance, but really I’ve got nuthin.
Mitchell’s Solo Mitchell always gives a tour de force in emotion and this was no exception. He dances with such light and joy and this suited the John Legend selection. As shirtless solo’s go it had charisma.
Judges:
Nigel: It was a bit Fosseesque. It’s more about the style than the pointed toes. There was a groove that you were missing, but mainly, it was lacking style.
Mary: It was overbaked. For a lot of it..yeah, it was overdone.
Neil Patrick Harris: I didn’t get the airplane theme. I didn’t get it. It seemed very pieced together. It was not incredibly thought out as a piece. That was not my favorite. (Said with palpable disdain. RAWR! HISS! TYCE-BASH!)
Spirit Fingers: WOW, NPH WAS HARSH! And I love it. FINALLY! Someone who tells it like it is…all that was missing was outright blaming Tyce for this rehashed Broadway shtick. I’ll do it. TYCE, BUDDY, THIS SUCKED. I GIVE IT ONE AND A HALF JAZZ SNAPS OUT OF FIVE!
Dancers: Caitlynn & Pasha
Dance Styles: The Tango
Choreographers:
Concepts: Couple who’s been disconnected
Music: Malajunta, Orquesta Color
Performance: Starts out very mature and theatrical. Pasha adds some age onto the dance which is a good thing. Well done. I couldn’t even tell that it was one of our kids on stage…she looked so grown up. The dance was smooth and sultry, everything a Tango should be.
Caitlynn‘s solo: I love Cosmic Love by Florence + the Machine, so I was expecting something totally mindblowing, but there was still the same leg extensions and twirls. Okay.
Judges:
Nigel: You were a woman…and far sexier here than in any other performance (EW! NIGEL. No.) Lists all the ballroom stars and adds Caitlynn. Big compliment.
Mary: Mary gives it a standing ovation. First Argentine Tango of the season. Caitlynn you were breathtaking. Everything seemed effortless. You were a complete woman dancing. Took your dancing to another level.
Neil Patrick Harris: It was great theater. It started off a bit slow for me. But you were super in sync. This is the first time that I can say that I want to learn the Argentine Tango.
Spirit Fingers: This was a perfect tango. It seems that with the top ten we’re going to get some great routines.
Dancers: Sasha & Twitch
Dance Styles: Hip Hip
Choreographers: Christopher Scott
Concepts: Rekindling Flame
Music: Misty Blue, Dorothy Moore
Performance: Oh, this was just wonderful. It was so well danced. There was so much chemistry between these two. It was hip-hop but yet it was still a throwback to the 1960’s. It had that kind of groove. Loved, loved this a lot. It was complicated and the range was so varied but both Sasha and Twitch did the routine with effortless zeal and real magnetism. In some sections Sasha’s face was just pure adoration and love, and it was wonderful. And also redemption for Christopher Scott from last week.
Sasha‘s Solo: Sasha has a way of making awkward movement work for her, and even if what she’s doing isn’t as compelling, she is able to sell it with her body and facial expressions.
Judges:
Nigel: Wow. Soggy milk, nastiness. (Just what? Nigel stop talking.) I truly think this was the first time you’ve had chemistry. Fabulous
Mary: Need to call fire department for Chris putting together that “sexyass number”. (HA! Mary cursed.) I loved you doing this number. You’re an All Star tonight.
Neil Patrick Harris: Best routine of the evening. Show is lucky to have Christopher Scott. Sasha you were in a play. I felt that you were a couple. You should dance every dance together. I hope you do this for the tour.
Spirit Fingers: Wow, I loved this so much. TWITCH AND SASHA SHOULD GET MARRIED!
Dancers: Jess & Kathryn
Dance Styles: Contemporary
Choreographers: Stacey Tookey
Concepts: Making a connection
Music: The Lonely, Chirstina Perri
Performance: Nicely executed contemporary routine. You can tell that Stacey Tookey was working with Jess on the lifts. He didn’t look comfortable with each of them, but at least he was able to pull them off a bit better. It was done pretty well, but Jess still doesn’t seem as natural in the role of contemporary love interest. The chemistry was lacking just a bit.
Jess‘s Solo: It was cute. I was annoyed. But it was the thing that he always does. So okay. Yeah.
Judges:
Nigel: This had more lifts than Joan Rivers’ face. BA-DUM-CHING! You coped with your lifts well. This routine was endearing.
Mary: My favorite piece of yours. I loved the lifts. I really loved you in this piece.
Neil Patrick Harris: Extraordinary designed performance. I feel like your face is a little muggy, though. I’ll remind you to be present and own it in your face. You had a point of view. It’s as good as I’ve seen you do.
Spirit Fingers: Nicely done. But there is still something about Jess that annoys. Along with the mugging thing NPH mentions…Jess needs to shut his mouth while he’s dancing. It looks weird to see him mouth breathing as he’s dancing. Stop That!
Dancers: Melanie & Pasha
Dance Styles: Viennese Waltz
Choreographers: Jason Gilkison
Concepts: Guiding a suicidal friend
Music: Everybody Hurts, Tina Arena
Performance: This was pretty and the wind machine blowing was kind of hilarious, but it was just okay. Its not the best Viennese Waltz that we’ve seen on the show. All the right notes were hit, but it was mainly perfunctory in the genre of the Waltz.
Melanie‘s Solo: Yeah, this was boring. She danced to a slowed down version of Grease’s You’re the One That I Want and it dragged. Yes, Melanie dragged across the stage. Good thing this wasn’t a D4YLife!
Judges:
Nigel: Beautiful flow of movement. The movement didn‘t stop. You are a solid absolutely brilliant dancer.
Mary: Mary starts off lusting after Pasha…of course. Melanie you were just floating. The transitions were beautiful. You do this like it is something you’ve done all your life. You’re amazing.
Neil Patrick Harris: It didn’t seem like there was a lift in the entire number…it was effortless. You’re like superhero people. You have this glow that’s part past and part future. So beautiful. And it seems like it comes from inside.
Spirit Fingers: Melanie danced this well, but it wasn’t something that was so spectacular that it was overly memorable.
Dancers: Ricky & Allison
Dance Styles: Jazz
Choreographers: Tyce Diorio
Concepts: Waking up after a bad dream
Music: Precious Things, Tori Amos
Performance: Right off the bat we know that Ricky is EVIL, because he has the EVIL ON SYTYCD face which is part vampire and part zombie, but he digs deep and is able to get away from the SYTYCD cliché and pull off this intense performance. And Allison is perfection as always. It’s a bit monstrous, but the ending is spectacular and dark.
Ricky‘s Solo: It was good, but I need a little more musicality in the dancing now with our favorites. Tricks and lifts are great, but there should be more dancing.
Judges:
Nigel: I love when Tyce is free and choregraphs not in the Broadway style. (Nigel has basically said that Tyce should do less Broadway…we concur) I was watching you when normally I would be watching Allison.
Mary: Normally I call Tyce Dr. Feel Good, but this was deliciously dark. You really brought it. It was reckless and committed.
Neil Patrick Harris: I was impressed. It was a pretty bold call for you, Tyce. (Again, your Broadway is less inspired). Ricky you seem to dance young in past episodes. I responded to what you did. Your moves were fierce.
Spirit Fingers: Ricky was impressive and he was evenly matched with Allison who will never dumb down her performance. All around a good showing. I too think that Ricky has needed to mature in his dancing. This may be a turning point.
Dancers: Clarice & Robert
Dance Styles: Bollywood
Choreographers: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Concepts: Guy and girl play cat and mouse
Music: Aila Re Aila, Khatta Meetha
Performance: This is one of the better Bollywood performances we’ve seen on the show. It was fast and packed with movement. Nekul wasn’t kidding when he said he threw in the whole kitchen sink. It was romantic and really well executed. They both nailed it.
Clarice‘s Solo: Where Jordan let the Pussycat Doll thing go in her solo routine, it looks like Clarice picked it back up. This is a step backward I think for Clarice.
Judges:
Nigel: You couldn’t have done this any better. It was a perfect fit for you. I love the style. I’m happy to watch. A great end to the show.
Mary: This was exhilarating to watch. It was intricate and hard to do…all the knee work. Clarice, it was so much fun. A perfectly fit Chanel suit.
Neil Patrick Harris: I loved it. It was so intricate. I never thought I super connected with you, Clarice. You opened up and became more alive in this.
Spirit Fingers: It was quick, fast, fun and alive. Well done.
So what did you think of our kids with the All-Stars? I think they raised the bar a bit. Many of the dancers looked like they had to grow at least five years just to keep up with their All-Stars and I think that’s a good thing. Now we’ll see who truly belongs on the show.
Note: Okay my little SYTYCD fans I’m sad to say that there won’t be a recap next week. Spirit will be at the beach and the beachouse is not equipped with DVR so no recapping ability. However, rest assured if something major happens I may check in with a quick-cap!
