SYTYCD – Finals – 08/06/09

Hi Everyone:

Well, this is it…another season is about to come to an end. I can’t believe it went by so fast. What a group of dancers! Each and everyone is so talented. I’m sure there are lots of opportunities out there for these kids once they’ve finished their Tour.

OK, boy Cat looked lovely last night in a short, white halter dress, hair down and a little curly, long diamond/white earrings and those ’staple’ high heels!

Over 3,500 people are packed into the Kodak theatre to watch a great show.

Here’s the Top 20 reunited to dance to A BRAND NEW DAY by Diana Ross. Wonderful to see them all together again. Terrific unision in their steps.

Cat says that over 21.6M votes came in on Wednesday night to choose your favorite dancer of the season.

Let’s say “Hi” to the Jidges for the last time…all 7 of them!

Lil C – Adam – Mary – Mia – Debbie – Tyce – and, of course, Nigel

(No talk of Paula Abdul joining the show next season. I guess Nigel is going to get together with her this weekend in Vegas where they are holding auditions for Season 6!).

Ohh, Cat also had the cameras pick up all the rest of the choreographers who were seated right up front in the audience.

She then did a recap of this past Season. She said that over a quarter of a BILLION votes came in throughout the season.

She then recaps last night’s performances.

We are going to do the same thing wwe’ve done in the past and that is, ask each Jidge, to choose his/her favorite routine of the season. This is always fun. We get to see dancers we haven’t seen in a while and I’m willing to be that we will see these routines on tour!

Let’s start with my fave Jidge…Adam:
He chose the hip/hop routine by Nap/Tab which was performed by Phillip and Jeanine. Music: MAD by NeYo – This routine ‘almost’ had me liking hip hop! Loved the kids though.

Nigel is chosen next and he says that one of his favorite routines of the season was Janette and Brandon dancing the Argentinian Tango – Janette is such a beautiful dancer and what can we say about Brandon…

(I’ve got to look up this Snakesonacane.com to see what the heck is going on…I keep seeing it flash on the screen…)

Debbie is next and she chooses Louis’ waltz performed by Oska and Vitolio – Music: Enja – such grace, lovely steps

Mary chose Jason/Jeanine dancing to a Jason Mraz song…the one with the KISS at the end. Soooo sexy. That Jeanine is quite the dancer! – Guess what…they gave them a Standing “O”!

Now it’s Mia’s turn and she chooses the Samba danced to perfection by Max (who I think went home far too early!) and Kayla – Louis routine.

Cat now tells us that the producers had a surprise for the Top 4 dancers last Sunday. They picked them up in a stretch limo and they went to the theater to see a ‘preview’ of the movie, FAME which stars some of the former dancers from the show. This was previewed at the MGM Towers.

Seasaon 6 will premiere on Sept. 25.

Back to fave routines:

Deb chose a Group # choreographed by Nap/Tab and Dimitri. It’s Hip Hop and Samba both – danced by the Top 16….another Standing Ovation!

Let’s go to Lil C now who chose the Ji Ho Bollywood routine danced by Jason and Caitlin (it was terrific)…boy that Jason got another KISS!!!

Alright, let’s call the Top 4 to the Stage and eliminate someone.

Cat says – Brandon – Kayla – Jeanine and Evan….the dancer is 4th place is:
KAYLA They gave her flowers and showed a recap of her time on the show and she kinda liked Travis cause she called him out! She also thanked Mia for pushing her…

Let’s get back to favorite routines:

Adam – chose a Mia routine that he said showed her ‘light’ side. It’s the BUTT number performed by Evan and Randi (one of my faves of the season too…so cute!)

Back to Mary – the “Queen of Screams”
who chose the Brandon/Jeanine Paso Doble choreographed by Louis. WOW Here’s your #1 and 2 dancers as far as I’m concerned…

Let’s call the Top ‘3′ to the Stage again:

This time it is EVAN who goes home. I just love this kid so much. I know he’ll be in the audience in Sept. rooting for his bro Ryan….cya on Broadway Evan!!!!!!

Nigel’s turn again – he says that, besides Mary’s Botox confession, his favorite moment was Mia’s routine of Addiction performed by Kayla and Kupono – what a powerful number.

Cat now tells us that we are going to see the Season’s fave guests on the show: Rage Boys Crew – these kids are adorable and boy can they dance. Love Cat’s mingling with them too…..

It’s Tyce’s turn and he chooses the Disco Routine choreographed by Dorianna – danced by Brandon and Janette – So much fun and still one of the fastest routines on the show.

This is has been such a wonderful night for incredible talent!!!! (just my opinion)

Mia gets to choose the last routine of the night which was done by Tyce and danced by Melissa and Ade. It is the breast cancer number which tugs at all of our hearts. Even now I cry when I think of how breathtaking this number was…absolutely beautiful and my all time favorite.

Tyce tells us, after the number and standing ‘o’ that he got a call from his friend who he dedicated it to and she told him that she is now cancer FREE! What wonderful news.

We have a little treat now – the Top 8 performers come on the stage to the tune of ONE from A Chorus Line and they are great – the mirrors close and out comes – Mia – Mary – Tyce – Adam – Debbie and Nigel….what a way to end the season…what fun!!

Cat calls Brandon and Jeanine to the stage and they do a recap of each of their work during the season.

This is it….your favorite Dancer this season…drum roll is…..JEANINE

Soooo cool. I thought for sure it was going to be Brandon but Jeanine is such a great dancer. Could have gone either way. Confetti, people mobbing the stage, Jeanine being carried by Ade…all excitement.

That’s it for now and instead of waiting until next summer…I’ll see you in the Fall.

Take care, Joanie

SYTYCD – Top 4 Perform 08/05/09

Morning Everyone:

It’s just beautiful here in NE today..70s.

At the Kodak theatre last night, it was hot, hot, hot. First with Cat Deeley’s outfit – gold lame sheath, hair down and curly and those outragous high heels!

Well, this is the ‘big one’. The fans decide at the end of this evening, who is America’s Best Dancer. Boy will it be tough.

The Kodak holds 3K people. It’s where the Oscars are given out and where AI has it’s final show the last few years.

Love the new set.

The Top 4 Dancers come out to a Standing Ovation…nice.

Our Jidges tonight will be Adam (love that he’s back for the Finals), Mary and Nigel. Mary, by the way, looks beautiful tonight as she does most weeks. Now if she could only pull in some of her enthusiasm, she’d be fine.

Adam said that, in all honesty, out of the 4 who are left standing, he sees a few he didn’t expect and a few he did but they are all unbelievably talented.

Mary’s just goin’ crazy over the Top 4.

Nigel says that the top 4 are tired, bruised, battered yet they’ve got to ‘earn’ the title!!! Dance their butts off tonight.

The Top 4 Perform a Wade and Amanda Robson routine which tells the story of 2 cheerleaders and 2 jocks. Music is: Boys, Boys, Boys by Lady GaGa – What a way to start the show. All four were fantastic and Wade and Amanda did a terrific job. Another Emmy nod next year???

Now Cat shows us a peak at S6 auditions so far and, as amazing as this season has been, I’m just blown away by the little I saw of the Fall Show. It’s going to take our breaths away….

Jeanine and Evan will dance a Sonja routine. Story is a guy trying to keep his girlfriend who is not interested in him anymore and smacks him around to convince him of her feelings. – Oh this was so good. I’ve got a feeling everything we see tonight will be top notch….excellent.

Adam – Great you guys. I have to admist I never saw Jeanine going this far but boy, girl you deserve to be standing there tonight. Evan – same feeling for you but I have to say that this show will never be the same without you. Great Job to Sonya too.

Mary – In this partnership, Jeanine stood out. Evan you were good too but now as good as her.

Nigel – This is an enormous stage to fill. You two DID fill it with your leaps, jumps, moves, splits, etc. Evan – you are well loved by the public. I know you can do this. Jeanine – you are so strong.

SOLO – Brandon – Cat and he talk and reminisce about his journey so far. He is one remarkable young man and is wicked talented. (Adam…take note!)
His solo was great..not as good as last week but still a cut above!

Adam – Now that’s what I call competing. Take No Prisoners!

Mary – You just gave me goosebumps. You defy gravity. You are born to dance…screaming!

Nigel – More screaming – You are an amazing young man. Last week’s SOLO brought us to our feet; this week we were almost there. You still wipe out the competition.

Brandon and Kayla will do a Tyce Broadway routine. Song is Bye Bye “Live” from All That Jazz (Bob Fosse) – Tyce wanted to do it a little different tonight and he certainly had the dancers to work with. – this was absolutely out of the ballpark! Top Notch dance….and choreography too.

Adam – He’s jumping up in his chair. You two are soooo good. I am so stoked to see you two dance together. Kayla – there’s nothing you can’t do! Brandon – WOW.

Mary – Hot Tamale Train – Definite frontrunners.

Nigel – You have shown us right there why you are in the Top 4!

SOLO – Jeanine – with Cat to talk about her journey and background.
She’s such a sweet and strong girl and has beautiful controlled moves.

Adam – Standing “O” – Are you kidding?
Those pirrohouettes(?) were unbelievable. You killed it. You took a risk with that routine and you did it!

Mary – O My Goodness. You are a standout. Terrific.

Nigel – So brave to do that. You have to go for it now and Jeanine..you belong in the Final Two.

Brandon and Evan ‘battle’ it out in a pop/jazz routine by Laurieann Gibson. Unfortunately…Evan is NO Nasty Boy!
O You Nasty Boys – Janet Jackson

Adam – Evan – you were not as nasty as you could have been. Brandon – you got it perfectly.

Mary – Evan, what’s the nastiest thing you’ve ever done? He thought about it for a minute and said, “Just too many to list!” Of course, he was only joking. – Mary then said,: Brandon, you were just a little bit nastier.

Nigel – Evan, you’re work ethic is probably the hardest of any of the 4 remaining here. But you have this adorable face that in no way says ‘nasty’. Brandon – you are nasty!

Next we have Kayla and Jeanine who will dance a Mia Michaels’ routine. Mia wants the girls to use the WHOLE stage and as they go across, strip the ‘layers’ of the week’s they’ve competed so when they got to the other part of the stage…they would be stripped…(not really!). – MIA..another Emmy Nod my girl!
You are one strange but talented gal.

Adam – Mia, your work is so special. It’s like two thoroughbreds racing to the finish line. Boy you 2 are good.

Mary – The concept was powerful. Layers kept peeling off. We’ll remember this one Mia.

Nigel – I just wanted to see more and more layers come off (which Mary and Adam jumped on him for). I mean dance wise…I didn’t want it to end.

SOLO – Evan-one on one with Cat.
What a nice kid. He loves his family so much and misses them. Ryan will be in S6 this fall.
He danced to a Michael Buble tune. The kid screams Broadway.

Adam – You have very interesting moves and I have to admit, that it was the same routine that got you on the show to begin with. Don’t know how the fams will react but you were wonderful.

Mary – Your solo did it for me. You brought a new style to this show. New energy.

Nigel – Do I think you have something special? The WOW factor? I don’t think so but what you did for us Evan is show us that a ‘Broadway’ kinda guy can come so far with hardwork and talent.

Evan and Kayla will dance a Tony and Melanie Meredith – Jive routine – that’s kinda country western style. I thought it was good. A lot of energy, high steps and Evan kept up with Kayla throughout.

Adam – Didn’t think this routine was something you would do at this stage of the game. Country western? (to which the audience booed!)
Evan – you had strong lifts and Kayla you were fantastic.

Mary – I love Country Western stuff. Evan, didn’t think you were as good as Kayla though.

Nigel – You both came out with guns blazing! – Evan, the audience loves you.

SOLO – Kayla – one on one with Cat.
She’s very talented and has a nice family.

Adam – OK, audience, you have to remember that you base the person’s work on the WHOLE season, not just one solo. In the past we have had Benjie, Sabra, Ben, Joshua – who all becames American’s Fave Dancer – I think you could be standing next to them tomorrow night.

Mary – You are gifted.

Nigel -Right from the beginning we saw something special in you. In fact, I think you were the first one we chose for the Top 20. American can not sit on their hands though. If they want you to win, they have to VOTE.

Jeanine and Brandon will dance a Paso Doble routine by Louis! I really wasn’t that crazy about this routine but I think these two are wicked talented.

Adam – Brandon, you filled out the transitions between steps. You two shredded it!

Mary – Screaming – Loved Louis too.

Nigel – You carried this pice off. The two of you deserve to be in the finals tomorrow night….

So there you have it. One more night to go. Who will be the winner????

Cat asked the 3 Jidges. Adam and Mary couldn’t commit but Nigel did:
BRANDON…and I agree. As much as I love Evan, Brandon has a little bit more to offer. Needless to say, all 4 will have careers on Broadway or as backup dancers to some big stars….

See you one more time..tomorrow night.

Joanie

SYTYC – Top 6 Perform – 07/29/09

Hi Everyone:

Hope the weather is nice where you are. Here in New England…it is ‘finally’ a typical summer…hazy, hot and humid. Thought I was in a sauna when I stepped out today.

OK, let’s see what happened on Wednesday night. – First of all, Cat looked gorgeous, as usual. Her hair was long and straight and she had a cornflower blue straight dress that was about 4 inches above the knees (at least!). And..of course..high heels.

She talked about the itinerary for the night. The Top 6 will perform 4 times. Twice as a couple, solo, and then the girls will do a number and the boys will also do a number.

OK, that said, let’s introduce our Jidges for the night (who, as we know, only give their opinions now. It’s up to us to choose who stays and who goes).

We have Lil “C” joining Mary and Nigel tonight. Oh boy, he is one philosophical guy…it’ll be hard to sum up his thoughts!

Nigel said that he doesn’t want us voting on the choreography part of the number but, instead, the personality each performer brings to the stage. Dance well, YES; but also, don’t forget to express yourself. It’s been such an exceptional season that it is very hard to choose one over the other. Sooo, it is up to the dancer to show us why they should stay.

First up will be the 3 boys, Evan, Ade and Brandon who will dance a Sonja contemporary routine. Kind of a “Willy Wonka” effect to it. True Romance is the music. – Sonja…what a great routine. And all three guys are terrific. WOW, Evan keeping up with Ade and Brandon is really special. These are very tough steps, leaps and such and all three are in complete unison. BRAVO!

Lil “C” – Well, I love that we finally get to see Ade and Brandon dance together and I must say that I am so happy that Evan kept up with them step for step. Great number.

Mary – LUVED IT! Here’s 3 males who all kicked those legs all at the same time. The flips were awesome.

Nigel – Four me – Evan stood out because he showed his personality and was able to keep up with Ade and Brandon – step for step. Sonja – great routine. – Congrats to all 3 guys.

Commercial – “Lie To Me” with Tim Roth (love him) will be back in the Fall.

By the way, as long as I’m on this roll, did any of you happen to see the 5 part miniseries TORCHWOOD on BBC America, last week? It was awesome. If you are an XFiles fan, you’d love it…check it out. It’s on ON DEMAND to watch when you have time.

Jeanine chose Ade to dance with. They will do a non-traditional Samba choreographed by our buddy, Louis (from DWTS). – He has them doing some really hard stuff. Let’s see how they do. Love Game by Lady GaGa is the music. – Costumes are beautiful and sexy. The roll at the beginning was really good. It’s a fun routine with those tough steps.

Mary – The first 15 seconds blew me away but then you lost me. What happened to the Samba steps? Looked so novice to me. Didn’t care for it.

Lil C – Jeanine, you were amazing and boy do you look hot tonight. It’s tough mixing styles and having a new partner. It just failed for me.

Nigel – Ade – not your best. Jeanine – you were wonderful.

SOLO – Kayla – Such stretching steps and long beautiful legs.

Melissa chose Evan – they will dance a Tyce Broadway routine. (yes) – The song is, “Get Me To The Church On Time” from My Fair Lady. Well they both did quite a good job for me. They dance well together.

Lil C – I feel as if you let us down. I was so hoping to see something spectacular because, Evan, it was Broadway, but it just wasn’t there.

Mary – Get Me To The Finale on time! Thought it was fun, entertaining. Melissa, you came to life. Evan – terrific.

Nigel – Melissa – because of you, Season 6 auditions have a lot of ballet dancers. Will they be able to adapt to all the dances you have to do on this show…I don’t think so. You are one special lady. Evan – technically, that routine was not demanding BUT your personality was there.

SOLO – Ade His solos are always amazing.

Kayla chooses Brandon (Natch) – they will dance a Stacey contemporary #. Story is she is a mistress who just can’t break it off with her married lover. Hmmmm, sounds hot! – All I Want is the music. Well Kayla has a hot red outfit on and is throwing those legs around like nobody’s business and what can you say about Brandon?

Lil C – This was really intense – beyond amazing.

Mary – Brandon – you are on that Hot Tamale Train and Kayla you, once again are joing him. Brandon, you were in complete control of her steps. The dancing was brilliant. Kayla perfection.

Nigel – Stacey comes to us from SYTYCD, Canada and is now on our show. Great routine. I would have loved to have seen you two together earlier this season – Brilliant.

SOLO – Melissa – She is beyond graceful

Jeanine and Ade will dance a Nap/Tab hip hop # for their second routine. Story of a couple being evicted from their apartment. Move If You Wanna is the music. – Good unison for these two. Love Jeanine. They even danced with boxes on their feet – not easy feat!!!

Lil C – You guys danced it way better than I thought you would. Ade – it’s so good to see you ‘earthy’ finally. Jeanine – good job.

Mary – First of all..Jeanine – I forgot to tell you how awesome you were in your Samba #. You 2 won’t be getting any eviction notice!

Nigel: Ade – it was great to see you ‘get down’ to it. U 2 were great.

SOLO – Brandon – sheer perfection.

WOW….the Jidges are giving him a standing ovation and so is the audience. (this should bring him right to the finals). Nigel said that had to be the best SOLO we have EVER seen in all the seasons of SYTYCD.

Evan and Melissa will now dance a Quick Step for their 2nd # and it will be choreogaphed by Louis who is really leaning hard on Evan. Because Melissa is taller than he, Louis wants to have him have the ‘illusion’ of being taller (kinda like a Tom Cruise thing!).
As Long As I’m Singing is the music.
Boy, this is great dancing.

Lil C – Evan I commend you for such a great dance. In Episode 2 I told you to be more powerful and you were.
Melissa – you look beautiful and did a fabulous job.

Mary – Louis – another great routine. This is such a tough dance to do. The beginning was good but then it started to fall apart. Sorry.

Nigel – Melissa, you are only 29…stop thinking you are ‘old’. You’re going to make us think you are the “Cloris Leachman” of this show. You are extremely talented. This was not one of your best tonight though. I don’t know how the fans will react.

SOLO – Jeanine – Terrific

SOLO – Evan – (I hear Broadway calling for you!!!!!)

Kayla and Brandon will dance their second routine to a Disco theme choreographed by Donna. – Disco Dance is the music. – WOW, what tough steps. Kayla amazes me with how she can stretch and those high stretches with Brandon holding her above his head were unreal. Fun steps. Liked it!

Lil C – OK – you have to see it with your ears (the music? steps?) – I loved it.

SYTYCD – Top 6 Results Show – 07/30/09

Hi Everyone:

Sorry I didn’t get to do my review on Friday. Wasn’t feeling well. But here I am today…I know….it’s like locking the barn door after the horses have run out but hopefully you will enjoy my ‘thoughts’ on Thursday’s Results.

First of All…as usual…didn’t Cat look lovely? She had a green, short, metallic dress on with her hair pulled back into a bun (like it better when it is down and curly) and those high heels of hers!

The Top Six perform a Judy Collins’ song, Where Are The Clowns choreographed by Tyce and boy they were all great. Love Tyce’s vision of this song.

Tonight we have FOUR Emmy nominated numbers in past seasons for you to enjoy.

Our Jidges tonight are Lil C, Mary and Nigel.

Cat then does a ‘recap’ of Wednesday’s show and then she calls the Top 3 Girls on stage (remember though…..we’ll still see all of them on Tour later this summer).

Jeanine – SAFE
Lil C said that she is indeed worthy to be in the Finals.

Now Cat introduces Jessica and Will whose Tyce routine, “Silence” got him an Emmy Nom. – I can see why this was nominated. WOW, what jumps at the end!

Now let’s bring the Top 3 Guys on stage.

Brandon – You will be in the Finals next week. (I think Brandon’s fate was sealed the night before when his solo won him a Standing Ovation!)

Mary said that she’s believed in him from the first moment she saw him dance, unlike others who will remain nameless (Mia and Lil C). You’ve been terrifice every week and you’ve proven yourself deserving to be in the Finals….

Let’s do another nominated number..Mercy with Twitch and Katie which was choreographed by Mia.
I certainly remember this number with Katie trying to break down the door to get to her lover, Twitch. Great piece.

Next we’ll have Joshua and Chelsea (who is now on DWTS) do their Emmy number which was choreographed by Dimitri. – Another worthy piece of work.

OK, now we’ll do the Solos…just for fun and because it will be the last time we see one of the boys and girls dance for us.

Melissa – So graceful
Ade – Spins and leaps abound

Now we are going to see Randy Jackson’s 1st season winners of his show, America’s Best Dance Crew, the Jabberwockees (which I still think are the best they’ve had on that show), perform for us. Excellent moves!

For the 4th nominated piece we have Chelsea (again) and Mark perform a Nap/Tab routine, Bleeding Love which is the story of the husband going off to work and the wife not wanting him to leave…the briefcase one…WOW, great number.

More Solos:

Evan – LOVE HIM….should be on Broadway
Kayla – superb (but I’m rooting for Melissa..)

Oh, Sean Paul performs in this mix somewhere….

OK, who is going home tonight and who will be in the Finals next week.

GIRL: Melissa (so sad to see her go)

BOY: Ade (WOW, that means that Evan will be around for next week. How oool is that???)
————————————-
So, now we have Brandon, Evan, Kayla and Jeanine who will perform in the Finals this week. It should be very exciting…my money is still on Brandon though. They are all talented but he has that ‘extra’ edge about him that should push him right to the TOP>

Talk to you later this week,

Joanie