SYTYCD (Episode 3) – Top 16 Dancers

In continuation with my infatuation of the summer, this is a summary of So You Think You Can Dance, with the top 16 dancers! Although I still feel last season was better at this point in the competition, there are three groups that are emerging out of these talented dancers.

My favorite couple since week one: Katee and Joshua

Another very strong couple: Kherington and Twitch

The strongest and underrated couple: Chelsie and Mark

First, I was spending time reading other blogs and I constantly read something about “technique this and technique that.” No offense because this is a dancing competition, but the average person does not what a *insert dancing term here* means, which makes it a show about the “favorite” dancer, whether it’s based on dancing styles/skills, personality, etc… So, on the count of three, get over it and realize that this competition is not all about technique! 1…2…3…! Thank you! But, I digress!

Group 1: (Kherington and Twitch) - Hip Hop:

Judges: Nigel told the couple that the dancing was great and I loved your personality through the performance… “I can’t think of any negatives.” Mary let off her typical annoying scream, which makes you wonder is it really rum in her coke. Adam said the couple did an amazing job, but gave constructive criticism, advising Twitch to teach Kherington about “stops,” but gave positive words nonetheless.

My Opinion:First, I want Shane Sparks/Wade Robson to take over hip hop choreography. I am not really a fan of Tabitha and Napoleon’s choreography, unless they are to slower songs. Kherington definitely stepped it up and brought it up two notches as Napoleon wanted her to. Twitch did amazing as usual. I think think they did the best with what they had to work with.

Group 2: (Courtney and Gev) - Rumba:

Judges: Nigel said that he was very happy with the routine, telling them that they make a fabulous couple and I loved the passion. Mary though it was great choreography by Tony and Meredith, but could have been a little more melting, but overall loved the chemistry. Adam told Gev that he is an incredibly strong partner and he loved Courtney’s personality and attitude in this performance.

My Opinion: First, I think Gev has a little crush on Courtney, which makes him want to be a stronger partner. Imagine his surprise when he got the chance to “grab her butt” as part of the choreography. I was scared in the beginning because her dress (one-half practically naked) got caught on her heel on the ground, but thankfully she pulled it off. This was a sexy performance – I was wondering did I have to put in $.25 to see that.

Group 3: (Comfort and Chris) - African Jazz:

Judges: Nigel told Chris that he felt Chris was slightly stiff…. Comfort you were great, but something was still missing. Mary told the couple that she needed something more “animalistic” in your face. She added, it was just not “off the chain” for me. Adam responded, “I didn’t see as much aggression as I wanted… It was in your body, but not so much in your face.”

My Opinion: The routine did not seem like the typical jazz piece, but I actually loved it. I believe the judges want these two to go home. They really do love Comfort, but it is obvious they have been hard on them these past two weeks. Personally, I loved the choreography and even the performance, although I do agree that it could have been slightly more hard-hitting. Overall, I actually think they executed it well, but apparently the judges didn’t have the same sentiments.

Group 4: (Jessica and Will) – Disco:

Judges: Nigel felt it was a good performance overall and whatever mistakes were made, they carried them off. Mary told them “congrats to you… I thought you were ‘lean, mean, disco machines.’ Why is she always so annoying? Adam said that they received challenging material. He added, “Jessica, don’t get in your own way because you’re exquisite… Will you are so good, it is scary.”

My Opinion: There were about three mistakes that I noticed and I am no disco expert of any kind. Will was outstanding in this performance, but he is an incredible dancer. Jessica is really good as well and it was nice the way she helped Will at the end because he made a mistake. I wanted to see more in this performance, but I believe it was good.

Group 5: (Kourtni and Matt) - Contemporary:

Judges: Nigel loved the performance, saying that both of them found a style that worked well, but Matt needs to relax more. Mary said that something was for sale and she was buying it (yes, she is always that corny). Adam said that their bodies are extraordinary and it was a fantastic job overall, but mentioned the same thing to Matt that Nigel did.

My Opinion: I really liked the comic book choreography by the new choreographer, Sonja. She did an amazing job using their personality to match their dancing skills. Great story telling with incredible execution from Kourtni and Matt. On a side note, people should quit being mean to the wardrobe department because their costumes were “a mess!”

Group 6: (Chelsea and Thayne)  – Quickstep:

Judges: Nigel said that he didn’t see nay personality and that it was a much better attempt than he thought it would be. He told them to “better get their solos ready,” which are words that no one wants to hear. Mary said that they looked beautiful and this was a difficult performance. She added that Chelsea let her partner down. Adam said that they are both great individual dancers, but they didn’t look comfortable in this element.

My Opinion: I feel bad for every couple that dances the quickstep, no matter the couple or the season. It is an extremely difficult dance and the judges typically don’t like it. Chelsea was absolutely beautiful in the performance and I think Thayne is a very strong partner. They were just stuck with this difficult dance style and the judges did not like it at all. Personally, I always find it difficult to criticize or praise the quickstep because I don’t understand the dance at all.

Group 7: (Chelsie and Mark) – Hip Hop:

Judges: Nigel said that he loved the choreography and that Chelsie and Mark is amazing… Brilliant choreography and brilliant dancers. Mary said that there is nothing more to say. She added it was such a realistic performances and they lived it on stage. “Your eyes said everything, said Mary. Adam jumped up screaming and said “that is what I am talking about… you are the couple to beat!”

My Opinion: Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of Tabitha and Napoleon’s choreography, but I loved their routine to “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis. This was definitely a tie for my favorite routine of the night! This was a flawless performance. They are fantastic, but I still feel they are fantastic. People need to wake up quickly because they are becoming one of the strongest couples!

Group 8: (Katee and Joshua) - Samba:

Judges: The first word out of Nigel’s mouth was WOW! He added that Josh has a natural Samba body and Katee is phenomenal… Loved it! Mary said “personality merit- check, technicality merit – check, and not only are you on the hot tamale train, you have two first class tickets!” There was not really anything more that Adam could say, but he loves to talk, so he told them that “Katee, I don’t ever want to hear you say that you’re not sexy because this performance was incredible!”

My Opinion: My favorite couple of the season thus far! They haveexecuted all three performances incredibly and they are the couple to beat at this point! This performance was SEXY! Katee should quit doubting herself because she is phenomenal and Joshua is a strong partner with so much talent. This was a tie for my favorite performance of the night… Just out of curiosity, did anyone else feel sorry for Joshua in his pants? Either way, he was having fun and this couple needs to keep up their amazing work.

Same with last week, this week was rather difficult to pick my favorite performance, but my favorite two performances came with the last two couples.

Favorite Performance (1) – Katee and Joshua (Samba):

Favorite Performance (1A) – Chelsie and Mark (Hip Hop):

Last week as I predicted, Salsa dancer Susie Garcia and Contemporary dancer Marquis Cunningham went home. Who will it be this week?

Prediction of Bottom Three Couples:

1.) Comfort and Chris

2.) Jessica and Will

3.) Chelsea and Thayne

First, I actually like all three of the women and would hate seeing any of them go home, but if these are the bottom three couples, I hate to predict that I believe Chelsea and Chris will go home. Personally, I cannot say that I will be sad if  Chris goes home because I have never really been a fan of his, but I love Chelsea’s personality and dance style. I just feel she has not really had the chance to reach her potential. I also feel Chelsea may be going home because Mary said “Chelsea, I think you let your partner down,” and Nigel said “better get your solos ready,” which are the last words anyone wants to hear in this competition. In addition, Comfort has a strong chance of going home as well, simply because she has only done incredibly well with her solos. But, I like Comfort a little more than Chelsea, but both of them are remarkable.

This may be a first week I get the people going home wrong because the girls will be difficult for the judges to decide. Stay tuned tonight (Thursday, June 26th at 9:00pm ET) for the dreaded RESULTS show and to see the choreographed group dance!