The Top 14

After last week I had almost forgotten tonight was a SYTYCD night, and wasn’t in a hurry to watch it. Thank goodness for some different choreographers, because with one exception, I enjoyed every performance this evening. Cat was having a fabulous hair day, but her dress was reminiscent of a wrap dress I had in the 80’ made with tin foil. When I saw a Nappy Tabs number would open the show, I was nervous. Especially after all the Twitter ridiculousness of last week when they felt they had to defend their racy number with Karen and Kevin to their angry fans. My only complaint about tonight’s show was that it could have been an hour and a half, even with the 10 minute plug for the Dizzy Feet foundation. There was just way too much banter by the judges used as filler. Let’s get busy.

Ashleigh & Jakob (Hip-Hop w/ Napoleon & Tabitha D'umo)
"Whatcha Say," Jason Derulo
After the hip hop we have seen so far in season 6, if these two were going to fall apart it would be here. The story was that Jakob was a big fat cheater trying to get Ashleigh back. Ashleigh was so committed to the acting, but she actually kept up with Jakob’s dancing. They started off with her reading a text (which they displayed behind the dancers) and from that moment I was hooked. It had moments that reminded me of Chelsie and Mark’s Bleeding Love number, and it brought back that angst that Napoleon and Tabitha are so good at pulling out of their dancers. I loved it, and all three judges were blown away by Ashleigh. She may have started out with doubters, but each week she is changing minds. These two may have been the first number of the evening, but they aren’t going anywhere.

Karen & Kevin (Broadway w/ Spencer Liff)
"If My Friends Could See Me Now," Sweet Charity (2005 revival cast)
Before I start, I want to be clear that I loved this choreography. I felt so sorry for Spencer Liff who created a really authentic Broadway number, because these two looked amateur and uncomfortable. Apparently if Karen can’t bump and grind, she disengages from her dancing. You could almost see them counting steps and it was a huge disappointment. This piece had so much potential, and I can only imagine what Benji and Danielle (season 2) would have done with it. The judges were underwhelmed. These two are in the bottom for sure, and if it was my doing they would both go home.

Noelle & Russell (Foxtrot w/ Edward Simon)
"Baby (You've Got What It Takes)," Michael Buble and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
I really enjoyed Noelle and Russell in this number, and there was a sweetness and a joy that came across in their dancing. There were a couple of really nice lifts and I didn’t see any missteps. The judges agreed that this was a solid performance. Unfortunately, this is the Foxtrot, and I think this fact alone will land them in the bottom. Sweetness alone isn’t enough on this show to inspire phone calls, and I think it is outrageous that this poor couple pulled this style twice out of the hat. Out of the two hip hoppers that may find themselves on the block this week, Russell has no worries. Noelle on the other hand…

Channing & Victor (Jazz w/ Tyce Diorio)
"Blackbird," Bobby McFerrin
This music was obnoxious. I am not sure what Tyce was thinking. He could have accomplished the quirkiness of the dance and great use of the birdcage prop with Paul McCartney’s voice, come on! Victor and Channing danced it with technical perfection, and for the first time I might get what all of the hype is about Channing. She had personality and fierce confidence, which took this dance to a place that their contemporary piece from last week never made it to. Victor is a fantastic dancer, but he is missing the star quality that Jakob has, and this pairing doesn’t seem to have the connection that some of the other couples have. Overall, I loved the concept and the execution, but felt the music was a distraction.

Kathryn & Legacy (Paso Doble w/ Tony Meredith)
"Pursuit," Ka (Cirque du Soleil soundtrack)
If you could forget the last couple of seconds of the dance, this was extremely entertaining. Kathryn took notes after her critiques last week and brought a new level of intensity and emotion to her dancing. Legacy has won me over with his determination, even though he is a crybaby. I don’t know that I have seen someone want something as bad as he wants to do well in this competition. They captured all of the drama that the music and choreography required, and the judges were all three blown away. This was right up there with Neil and Sabra or Heidi and Travis’ Paso Dobles from seasons past.

Ellenore & Ryan (Contemporary w/ Travis Wall & Jaimie Goodwin)
"Your Ex-Lover Is Dead," Stars
Thank God for Travis Wall. He is bringing us those pieces that take your breath away this season, and this dance was one that I will save on my TiVo and watch over and over again. Ellenore was exactly how I expected her to be, brilliant, but Ryan was such a surprise. The story was about bumping into an old flame ten years down the road, and all those possibilities that might have been that didn’t happen. From the minute they looked at each other it was so believable and touching, and the lifts were freaking amazing. One of my fav’s from the season so far. All three judges were amazed with Ryan’s growth. They won’t be dancing for their lives this week.

Mollee & Nathan (Pop-Jazz w/ LaurieAnn Gibson)
"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga
I may get yelled at, but I do not get LaurieAnn’s choreography. I am not sure why they have her on the show except for the drama of her berating the dancers. I thought that Mollee and Nathan gave 110% and that they looked fantastic, but I just wasn’t moved by the story or lack of story. This piece did not do these two any favors, and the way the other guys are killing it this season, Nathan better start looking less childlike in a hurry. I think they are a cute couple, but cuteness is not required very often on this show and after last week’s disaster of a salsa, these two have a lot to prove to their fans. I thought they worked really hard this week, I am just sorry that it wasn’t for something more memorable.

BOTTOM
Hands down the worst couple of the night was Karen and Kevin. I am sure that Kevin is the weakest link left in that group of guys. The judges are crazy about Karen, although I don’t think she has the personality to inspire fans. The Foxtrot (due to the style not being a fan favorite) is going to land in the bottom as well. The third couple will either be Victor and Channing (if Tyce was too weird for the viewing audience) or Mollee and Nathan (due to bad choreography). I don’t think the judges will want to send Karen home, although that is who should go. I worry for Channing and Noelle if they are the other two in the bottom with Karen. Tune in tonight….