The Top 12 Perform

Tyce was the third judge on the show, and had some hilarious moments playing off of Mary all evening. My personal favorites were his shimmy with Mary, his comment "1-800-friggin fantastic" but I also loved that he managed to give the dancers some element to improve on without raking them over the coals. Let's get to the dancing. This is the last week before things get dicey and the dancers have a new partner each week. I think some will handle it just fine, but others....



Melissa & Ade
"Move On Up," Destination (Disco, Doriana Sanchez)
Can we skip the disco for the rest of the season? Is anyone that into it? I thought they tried really hard, but that was part of the issue for me. It looked like they were trying really hard and then when Melissa fell at the ending, it was just too painful. I don't care what the judges say, I won't ever watch that one again.

"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Mary J. Blige (Waltz, Ron Montez)
This was everything that the other dance wasn't, and I was so impressed with Ron Montez's choreography. I didn't even feel like I was stuck watching a boring waltz. (Those of you who have followed my blog, know that I am not a fan). This was really beautiful, and Ade had some turns that were every bit as beautiful as Melissa's. I hope they are not in the bottom, but since half of the group will be it might happen. I don't think the judges will get rid of either of these two!

Kayla & Kupono
"Gravity," Sarah Bareilles (Contemporary, Mia Michaels)
This was the show stopper of the evening for me. I have been struggling with Kayla, because I feel like her dancing sometimes is empty steps, but I take all of that back after this number. I realize that Mia can make anyone look good, but there were moments in this dance that made all of the hair stand up on my arms. When Kupono held Kayla's arm as she cried and kept this malevolent look on his face, I was completely in awe. In Mia's words A-mazing.

"The Dance at the Gym," West Side Story (Broadway, Joey Dowling)
I love West Side Story, but I did not care for this. I don't know if it was the music Joey selected for the piece, but I did not feel the love story she was trying to portray went with this particular cut of music. I kind of understand what Nigel was saying about missing the element of danger, but I think it was more than that.

Caitlin & Jason
"Minnie the Moocher," Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Foxtrot, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin)
This was old Hollywood class, and I loved it. I could not stop watching Caitlin and wondering what would happen next week if she ended up with Evan. She had gorgeous lines, and they both captured the energy and style perfectly.

"Show Me Heaven," Maria McKee (Lyrical Jazz, Mandy Moore)
This was a gorgeously danced piece, and I actually watched it twice to see why it didn't capture me the way I thought it should have. I think they danced really well, but I think their relationship has never recaptured that sexiness from the bollywood piece. The kiss at the end of that number was filled with passion. The energy felt more like brother/sister or good friends in this number, and I wanted more manliness from Jason. He looked so great without his shirt on!! It is hard for me to gauge if they have done enough to keep out of the bottom.

Jeanine & Phillip
"Kalinka," Barynya (Russian Folk Dance, Youri Nelzine & Lilia Babenko)
Why? I didn't think it was as awful as it looked in rehearsal, but the producer's of the show (hey Nigel-that's you)should have left this alone. What did they expect these two to do with that?

"Stuff Like That There," Bette Midler (Jive, Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin)
I thought Jeanine was fantastic, and is really emerging as one of my favorite girls. I can't WAIT until she has another partner to see what she can accomplish. Phillip is a unique dancer, but what in the world will they do with him in the top 10? Only their first hip hop number was so fantastic that I would re-watch it. If they land in the bottom, they have to send him home.

Randi & Evan
"Halo," Beyonce (Hip-Hop, Tabitha D'umo & Napoleon D'umo)
These two are so darn cute, and although I am not sure that they captured popping all that well, their chemistry was as powerful as it always is. Is it enough to stay out of the bottom, I don't think so.

"Ritmo De Bum Bom," Jababa (Samba, Anya Garnis & Pasha Kovalev)
This had some great lifts and interesting movement, but they didn't capture the sensuality of it, and so it didn't work for me. I love these two, but this wasn't enough to stay out of the bottom.

Janette & Brandon
"Libertango," Forever Tango (Argentine Tango, Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo)
This was the best tango on the show ever. I watched it three times. I could not believe that they could dance that perfectly and still keep that energy and passion between them the entire time. These two are running away with the show. In my mind, they are the two to beat.

"Ruby Blue," Roisin Murphy (Jazz, Wade Robson)
Absolute commitment to choreography and because of that it was pure entertainment. I was so amazed by Janette's technique and personality in this piece. She was equally as good as Brandon. A perfect night for the pair of them. They have nothing to worry about.

Bottom 3
Based on dancing, Evan and Randi, Phillip and Jeanine, and Melissa and Ade. Problem is, 2 of those couples have never been in the bottom which could spell disaster for Caitlin and Jason. As far as who goes home, I hope it is Phillip but I will be sad to see any of those girls go. I wouldn't want to be the judges tonight. It will be sad every Thursday from here on out for me. What a great top 12. Tune in tonight....