So You Think You Can Dance: Wake Up Call

Golly Gee! Cat Deeley sure knows how to work a dress. Seriously, I’ve got to tip my hat to her because she was smoldering in that black number. We got a little more screen time with her since the judges were so chatty this week. The Dizzy Feet Foundation needs a shout out for just getting two whole minutes of promo during the opening. I now know everyone who will ever perform at and/or attend their November 29^th event. I’m a little bitter since all of season five, crews from ABDC and Channing Tatum (yum) and wife Jenna Dewan-Tatum from Step Up will be there. And after all their praising, I sort of want to be there now. Yes So You Think You Can Dance, your brainwashing was a success.

THE TOP 16
Karen and Kevin performed the hustle choreographed by Maria Torrez to “Come To Me” by France Joli
A bomb was dropped early on in Karen’s package when she announced that she’s, now, filing for divorce. I feel a little awkward with this intimate piece of information. Ummmm. Next! The dancing, for me, started slow. For a second, I thought the hustle might provide this pair with their first speed bump, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was a smidge of trepidation, but every trick they attempted was a success. Adam fawned all over both of them, noting that Kevin shined on the same level as Karen for the first time. And Nigel was proud of Kevin’s jeté and double pirouettes. 8

Ashleigh and Jakob performed a jazz piece choreographed by Mandy to “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
I’m loving this week’s package teaching us what we don’t know about the contestants. All these facts are kind of blowing my mind. Jakob pulled out of a dust attic some hella old road trip footage of him and Jeanine Mason, last season’s winner. They’re BFFs in real life! Of course, their routine killed. I now expect no less. Jakob continues to baffle me with his talent and likeability. Ashleigh, as the judges noted, just gets better and better. Girl transforms like a drag queen when you do her hair, put on some heavy makeup and put her in a leotard. There was nothing but praise for this routine and the dancers who danced it. 9

Pauline and Peter performed a quick step choreographed by newbies JT & Tomas to “Hey Baby!” (Shake Those Hula Hips) by Big Kahuna & The Copa Cat Pack
I could see the struggle on Pauline’s face from the beginning. They actually danced it well, but it was missing that extra flair you get when the dancers are relaxed and confident. I don’t blame them since plucking the quick step is like being hexed. The judges loved the performance aspect. Peter was on fire tonight in my opinion. Both Nigel and Adam pointed out that having a story helped. Technically, they didn’t really skim the stage with grace, but the judges and I enjoyed it for its entertainment. 7

Kathryn and Legacy performed a Broadway number choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler to “I Wanna Be Like You” by the Swingin’ Fireballs
Kathryn is absolutely beautiful. I mean all the girls who grace that stage are lookers, but when she dances, she becomes more beautiful. And to me, that’s a star. Adam wanted more man-eater instead of adorable, but that didn’t really bother me. Legacy stepped it up once more. I kept waiting to see a b-boy move slip through, but it didn’t. He had crazed, football hands the entire time, but Adam gave good advice about losing the tension. Mary wanted more chemistry, but loved Legacy. Nigel thought that Kathryn was juvenile and childlike. I’m starting to see what they mean, but I guess I just didn’t think the dance called for a vixen. Whatever personality she was giving, to me, suited the dance well. 8

Channing and Victor performed a cotemporary routine by Stacey to “Be Your Love” by Rachael Yamagata (Live at KCRW)
It’s their first dance as a pair, but they totally lucked out since they’re both contemporary dancers. They also lucked out with Stacey’s beautiful choreography because it was the type of performance that calls for the dancers to be both strong and soft at the same time. There are a ton of nuanced moves, body throws and tough lifts, yet it was still full of emotions. Adam thinks the pairing is invigorating for the two of them, and Victor helped bring out Channing’s softness. Mary wasn’t knocked out of her seat, but she thought it was danced well. Nigel agreed, thinking that they had to be great in their own styles, but he also felt it didn’t evoke his emotions or raise the bar. 8

Ellenore and Ryan performed a hip-hop number by Lil C to “Lost Boiz Anthem” by The J Squad
Ryan was awkward! There wasn’t enough tension in his movements which made him look flaily at times. Ellenore actually did pretty well, but it was hard not to watch The Awkward Ryan show. He was still confident, so I can give him that. Adam dubbed him the most transformed of the night after ripping on them a bit for picking a style that is the complete opposite of their personalities. I also noticed Adam likes to use the term “yeoman’s job” or “yeoman’s work” and besides that weird tidbit, he really does give fantastic criticism. Mary was a little more critical, and Nigel was more in line with my opinion that it wasn’t that good at all. 7

Mollee and Nathan performed a Salsa number choreographed by newcomer Gustavo Vargas to “Quimbara” by Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco
Did the dream team just stumble? Finally! These two needed something to smack them back to reality after hearing that they were so darn great at everything they touched. While I believe Nathan is a technical prodigy, I still think Mollee has some growing and reigning in to do. It’s hard to attempt to fix what you are told over and over again isn’t broken. They were scared and out of sync. The dance, which is supposed to be sexy, was downright laughable. I mean, these are kids, and you could tell. The judges felt that, regardless, they’d still be in the competition with the fan base that they have. 6

Noelle and Russell performed an afro jazz piece by new choreographer Sean Chessman to “Frog Dance” by Mickey Hart & Planet Drum
Now, that’s the way to end a show. It sad that I had to watch seven other numbers (not including Jakob and Ashleigh’s) before I was really revved up by a performance. That being said, Russell is finally back on the map, stepping outside of his comfort zone and excelling. I think putting him in the bottom that first week really reminded him that he’s going to have to push and push and learn extremely quickly. And this week, I would have never imagined the person I watched dance was a krumper. Noelle, also, had a lot to prove after being sidelined with an injury. The piece was based on an African princess, and though her looks may not embody the character, her body and movement surely did. 9

THE BOTTOM SIX
Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed this week. Nigel pointed out that, for the first time, we really got to see this season’s contestants’ weaknesses, and I’d have to agree. There weren’t a bunch of awful routines, but I also wasn’t completely and utterly wowed this week. In a perfect world, Mollee and Nathan, Pauline and Peter, and Ellenore and Ryan would grace the bottom six. For me, these were the week’s worst dancers, but looking at the pickings’, it’s hard to chose. Overall, they each are great dancers.

The show opened with a fantastically intense hip-hop number to “Warrior, PT.2″ by Lloyd Banks. Dave Scott is really rocking my world lately. Nappy/Tabs has the lyrical corner, but Dave Scott is killing the hard-hitting stuff.

The best part about recaps are skipping all the filler without having to fast forward so here goes. Adam reminded us all that this is a show about America’s favorite dancer, not the best dancer. So who’s floating America’s boat?

Ellenore and Ryan, Peter and Pauline and Karen and Kevin are in the bottom three couples. I’m baffled at how wrong America got it. Nigel said Mollee and Nathan needed a wake up call and reemed out Nathan for his immaturity. He even said the only reason he made it through was because girls like him and his looks. (Ouch!)

In my opinion, I enjoyed everyone’s solo, but Nigel stated the judges were disappointed this week. He compared their solos to some of last year’s contestants and said that they didn’t rise to the challenege and will have to work harder.

In the end, it’s Pauline and Peter who are sent home. In some more ouchie moments, Adam said that Pauline danced like a very advanced classroom dancer, and Nigel felt that Peter never achieved his star quality potential. I don’t really know the difference between a great dancer and a great classroom dancer, but I do agree that I wanted more from Peter, especially after a growing to like his personality so much.

It was a tough week, and with the talent this season, it’ll only get harder, but I’m okay with the judges choices. Did you agree or disagree with this week’s bottom six and the two the judges sent home?

Season 6, Episodes 13-14:  The Top 16 Perform & Two of 16 Voted Off (originally aired November 10&11, 2009)

Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro