Season 6 Top 20

It is so fitting that Saturday night I will be watching and meeting season 5 dancers, and this week my favorite obsession starts all over again! I have not blogged during the audition process mainly because the new format was so quick that I could not remember names. I was grateful for last night's show, so that I could simply enjoy each dancer showcased in their individual dance genre. I also loved an opportunity to watch without critiques.
I am very saddened that we will not be able to watch Billy Bell this season, but let's hope he gets his health back and can join season 7. All I have to say about last night is that Wade was on a completely different level than the other choreographers. As we roll into tonight, not only do we not have Billy, but apparently Noelle has incurred some sort of knee injury and we will have to relive Pasha's awkward cha cha with Melanie from season 3. From what I have read on the blogs, Noelle's injury may be a pre-existing condition that she did not disclose to the executives and SYTYCD, and if that is true I think it is really sad that she gets a week one free pass. Here is how I saw the dancing this evening:


Phillip Attmore (25 from Pasadena, CA-Tap)& Channing Cooke (18 from Haverhill, MA-Contemporary- They picked the Jive with Jacob Gilkison. The song is Rockin Robin, and I am instantly annoyed. I thought that Phillip's dancing was not bad, but there is something about his cocky demeanor that is a huge turnoff. Channing looked stiff and completely uncomfortable in heels. Jacob said the key was to make a hard dance look easy. Guess what? The dance look really hard. When it was time for the lift there was an awkward stunt set up that I could barely watch. Adam thought Channing needed to plie more, but thought Phillip was great. Mary wanted more from both of them. Nigel thought they needed sharper retractions and they needed to build chemistry. This was totally forgettable, from the music, costuming, dancing and choreography. They are lucky they are judge favorites, because after that I could easily send them both packing.

Jakob Karr (19 from Orlando, FL-Contemporary) & Ashleigh Di Lello (26 from Orem, UT-Latin)- Broadway - Tyce Diorio-Hit Me with a Hot Note and Watch me Bounce.
Jakob is unbelievably talented and from the minute he hits the dance floor I am blown away. He has more than just effortless technique, and I am really surprised that this guy isn't working in some Broadway show. It must be a sign of the economic times. I have been on the fence about Ashleigh, initially thinking that the whole deal with her husband was just too much to drama to hold my interest. In this piece however, I actually thought Ashleigh had more chemistry with Jakob than she does with her own husband. Adam thought Jakob was born to dance, and Mary was blown away as well. Nigel went on and on about Jakob being one of the most talented dancers that has ever been on the show. I would have to agree, but as far as being able to take Ashleigh all the way to the top 10, that remains to be seen.

Peter Sabasino (21 from Philadelphia, PA-Tap) & Ariana Debose(18 from Raleigh, NC-Contemporary) - Hip Hop - NappyTabs-Black and Gold
This was a cute concept, but I didn't like the costuming at all. Worse than that, they didn't gel as a couple, and there was something in Peter's expression that set my teeth on edge. This piece was really beaten up in the blogs as the worst choreography ever by Tabitha and Napoleon. I would not agree, it had the potential to be something really funny, but the pair just couldn't take it to that place. Adam thought that their dancing didn't match. Mary thought the middle of the number was sloppy. Nigel thought they never figured it out through the entire dance. I did not think it was as bad as couple number 1, but by the judges comments can see that this will probably go to the bottom of the heap before the jive does.

Russell Ferguson (20 from Boston, MA-Krump) & Noelle Marsh (18 from Sandford, NC-Contemporary)- Foxtrot - Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin-Vagabond Shoes
Well, this wasn't nearly as awkward as Melanie and Pasha's Cha Cha from season 3, THANK GOD. The music lended itself to an older woman dancing with a younger man, so since that is what we had to watch, it was okay. Russell was a huge surprise with his ease in this character, and I was pretty amazed at his carriage and ability to lift Melanie and make it look like it was easy. He actually had some Gene Kelly charm that I would have thought impossible after watching this guys' Krump. Adam thought Russell defied explanation. Mary though he was going places. Nigel thought his lines were beautiful and that he did well.

Victor Smalley (20 from Miami, FL-Contemporary) & Bianca Revels (20 from Detroit, MI-Tap)- Contemporary - Travis Wall-Wasted Time
It is clear to me that Travis is the new Mia Michaels for Season 6. I think I held my breath through this entire piece. I loved the story, the music, and these two dancers did too. Bianca has some awkwardness when she dances, and even when she walks. It is the way she holds her neck. I was so enthralled with the story, that I didn't notice it. It was the first really enjoyable dance for me that I wanted to re-watch. At one point Victor lowered Bianca in a hinge and they were both strong and controlled. I am crazy for Travis Wall! Adam thought it was amazing but told Bianca to watch her shoulders and her feet. Mary loved the chemistry. Nigel thought they were the most connected couple so far. If Bianca can break some of those bad dance habits, she has so much personality that she should do well in this competition. I was cracking up during their rehearsal when Victor was ignoring her and she said "I was so excited when I pulled you out of the hat". The girl is funny.

Kevin Hunte (23 from Brooklyn, NY-Hip Hop)& Karen Hauer (27 from Fort Lee, NJ-Latin)- Cha Cha-Push It
Not a great song choice, but these two were smoking hot together. There were a couple of moments that were so steamy I felt like a peeping Tom. I was not a fan of the actual choreography, it seemed like a lot of bump and grind and using Karen to distract from Kevin, but you can't deny that she has the it factor, and he has a great face. Adam said he felt like Popeye with his eyes bugging out. Mary put Karen on the train and put Kevin on the platform. Nigel thought Kevin danced it very well and that Karen was a vision. (Here we go again-Karen is this season's Jeanine for creepy Nigel commentary).

Ryan Lello (28 from Orem, UT-Latin) & Ellenore Scott (19 from New York, NY-Contemporary Jazz)- Jazz - Sonya Tayeh-Aracadia
Talk about riveting, unique and fantastically performed. This had to be, for me, the surprise of the evening, because I was thinking that Ryan was going to get all Dimtry (season 2) every dance. (He is completely in love with his own body as so many of these ballroom guys are). So when I found myself on the edge of my seat, it was unexpected . This was a great Sonya interpretation and I loved the whole fallen angel storyline. The movement was fresh and these two really connected and sold it. Adam thought these were two of the most exciting dancers of the evening. Mary was so proud of Ryan. Nigel thought it was captivating and that Ryan surprised him.

Brandon Dumalo(replacing Billy-Hip Hop) & Pauline (Mata 18 from West Covinas, CA-Jazz)- Smooth Waltz-You Light Up My Life
We all know how I feel about the waltz. Yawn, stretch, check the watch. That being said, there were some really sweet moments between Brandon and Pauline,they established chemistry immediately. Not bad for a day and a half of rehearsals. As far as if they danced the waltz correctly? I don't really know or care. Adam thought Brandon needed to open his arms from his back (wtf?). Mary thought the chemistry was dynamic. Nigel didn't like it so much. He thought it wasn't strong enough for this program.

Legacy Perez (28 from L.A. CA-B-Boy)& Kathryn McCormick (19 from Burbank,CA-Lyrical)- Hip Hop - Dave Scott-Evolution
This was pretty weird. Lots of fake bug eating, like baboons at the zoo. Once I got passed this initial grossness, however, these two were amazingly strong together and somehow the quirkiness and the characters worked. It was kind of like cave people and the woman was in charge. Kathryn was the girl who talked in a really high voice when she cried during Vegas week. She was not even on my radar before this. She was really fierce and if she can come off a little better in the interview process, she might be one to keep an eye on. Adam thought they met in the middle and did a great job. Mary pulled a Paula Abdul. Let's just say after she screamed Yabadabadoo I could no longer listen to her critique. It was something about Bam Bam and Pebbles, and it was ridiculous. Nigel thought it was the hip hop version of Quest for Fire. I think that was a good thing.

Nathan Trasoras (18 from Downey, CA-Contemporary) & Mollee Gray (18 from Upland, CA-Jazz)- Disco - Doriana Sanchez-Turn the Beat Around.
These two are the youngest looking contestants in the history of the show and had really great energy. Their enthusiasm was contagious and you couldn't help but enjoy the piece, even though it was disco. I didn't think it was as amazing as Brandon and Jeanette from season 5, but what a great way to end the show. Adam thought they were the cutest couple. Mary thought it was the toughest Disco routine we have seen yet (really?). Nigel thought it was fantastic, great energy. Gary wanted to try a couple of the lifts. You know which one I am talking about. These two are extremely likable and are going to be around for a long time.

The bottom four, were Pauline, Brandon, Ariana and (SHOCK)Russell. They all danced for their life and it was completely obvious that it didn't matter what they did up there, the judges had made up their minds before the evening started. It is Brandon and Ariana who go home. Because Brandon has only been on the show a day and a half, Nigel is hoping to get him back next season, he is going to plead his case to FOX. Hey, aren't you the executive producer? If he doesn't get another chance, it is a shame because I saw a lot more potential in him than Peter or Phillip, but what do I know? Tune in next week.