Time for the couple shake up. Mostly I'm excited to see some new pairings. I think Noelle has hung on the longest because of her partner getting votes. Depending on who she's paired with, she could really be in trouble.
Whoa! Jumping right into the dancing with no video package and no commercial. I've never seen that. Must have a lot of show to get to.
NOELLE & RYAN
Hip Hop / Tabitha & Napoleon
The first half of the routine was way too close to the season 3 Mandy Moore routine by Neil and Sabra, and not nearly as good - though I don't think I could like much of anything better than I like watching Neil dance. Once they got away from the desk it got a little better, but I was underwhelmed. For me, Tabitha & Napoleon have gotten really stale - except the group routine at the beginning of last week's results show, which I never would have guessed they choreographed. How about a hiatus for them and we bring Shane Sparks and Dave Scott back more often? Oh yeah, the dancers. Ryan is NOT a hip hop dancer. Not so good. BUT, I'll bet Adam gushes about how "freakin hot" it was.
Smooth Waltz / JT & Thomas
That was a gorgeous routine, but these two bore me. I think they're both in trouble tonight. With legs as long as Noelle's, she has to work extra hard to make them look good, but she's not doing it. It never looks like they are quite straight - in this or in her solo tonight. Early on, I thought Ryan could win this thing, but the other boys are just too good and he hasn't really gotten better in the past few weeks. Adam thinks this is a "power partnership"? Really? I don't see it.
ASHLEIGH & LEGACY
Contemporary / Gary Stewart
I used to think I didn't really like the video packages before the performances, but I'm feeling really lost tonight. The intro to this routine was cut off coming out of the commercial, so I didn't hear who the choreographer was and without knowing the story or vision behind the piece, I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much. Mostly, I think the dancers did a good job and that was obviously a very physically demanding routine. Actually, I think Ashleigh was fantastic. She continues to surprise me. But, there were a few parts where I wasn't sure if Legacy was missing choreography or not hitting things hard enough, or if that was part of the routine. On top of it all, this is a new choreographer to the show. I'm left scratching my head on this one. The headstand at the end was cool.
Hip Hop / Dave Scott
Ooo, ask and I shall receive...Dave Scott. I was right to ask for that. That was some great hip hop. This just shows that you can have a theme/story in hip hop without being cheesy or acting out the lyrics to the song. The routine was a bit understated, but I liked it. Ashleigh and Legacy came with the right amount of intensity. I would have liked to see a trick or two from Legacy. The judges comments are confusing me...they loved the Tabitha & Napoleon routine, but thought this didn't have enough dancing? I don't get it.
KATHRYN & NATHAN
Broadway / Spencer
Well that was fun. I should preface that by saying that since I love Danny Kaye and White Christmas they could have stood there and I would have enjoyed it. This made me want to turn on White Christmas (which I love). In fact, I think I might just do that after the show. Kathryn can definitely pull off old Hollywood. Though he danced this well, I think I might be bored with Nathan. I'm going to pause on that judgement until after his second dance and his solo tonight, but I don't care for his immaturity.
Rumba / Melanie & Tony
Didn't like anything about this. I didn't buy the performance. There was no chemistry. I didn't like the music or costumes. Think they got a bad draw. Glad for them that they had a good first routine.
ELLENORE & JAKOB
Quick Step / Melanie & Tony
Yeah, they should hoist that trophy at the end. I would expect nothing less than perfect from these two and that was pretty fantastic. My two favorite parts of the choreography were when they separated from each other but held their arms as if they were in a closed hold, and I loved the tap time step. I don't know enough to spot if the technique was there, but I thought the dancers were great.
Contemporary / Sonya
I'm not even going to comment on this. It was just too good. Sonya must have been so excited to get these two. One of the best routines of the season! Incredible!
MOLLEE / RUSSELL
Lyrical Jazz / Mandy Moore
I love Mandy Moore. She brings out only the good 80s & 90s songs and always brings a fresh approach to the choreography. Onto the dancers. I like this pairing, but I'm a bit befuddled. There were some moments that were really clunky, then there were parts that were danced beautifully. I think the clunky is coming from Mollee. I think she would excel in Sonya's choreography. Russell is awesome. I am so impressed with him. Ooo, and they were able to save a few bucks by putting Russell in the same wardrobe as last week.
Jive / Anya & Pasha
As soon as I heard jive for these two, I was excited. That was just fun. Perfect routine for the energy of these two. They were able to just let go and have fun and they pulled it off so well.
SOLOS
- I don't always love Mollee's "choreography" in her solos because she just throws trick after trick, but I do appreciate her fearless style. She may turn out to be an innovative performer and choreographer in the future.
- I sometimes forget that Russell is a krumper because he's adapted so well to other styles. That solo was slammin, and I don't really like krumping.
- Ryan, way too much make up!
- Looks like Kathryn gets that crying thing from her mom.
- OK, maybe I'm not done with Nathan. Great solo, and it seems like he's a bit humbled this week.
- Ellenore is so cool. She's just the kind of person I want to be friends with.
- We finally get to see a solo from Jakob and I loved it. He is such a beautiful dancer.
No comment on Cat tonight. She always looks gorgeous, but nothing of note tonight.
