SYTYCD8 & SYTYCDC4 - Free Trade

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 8 - Top 14 Results, Top 12 Performances - Eps. - 813-814
Judges (Top 14): Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Carmen Electra, Travis Wall
Judges (Top 12): Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sonya Tayeh

So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Season 4 - Top 22 Performances - Ep. 406
Judges: Jean-Marc Généreux, Tré Armstrong, Luther Brown, Mary Murphy, Blake McGrath

So I've been a little busy, plus CTV is trying to kill me with 2 versions of the show running simultaneously, with an episode running Monday thru Thursday so I can barely keep up anymore.

And while I was originally annoyed at the Canadian version for starting so early, now that I've seen the Top 22 perform, I think I'm more excited with the Canadian version than I am with the current US version that's running. While the US dancers are good, with the exception of Marko and Melanie, I haven't been truly excited about anyone in recent weeks (especially since they kicked off Nick and Iveta).

Other interesting notes, with both versions now running at the same time, it's even easier to compare, and like I've said before, the camerawork on the US version just pales to the Canadian cameramen. It's funny that the US version seems to have upped their judges to 4 now so of course, the Canadian version has now upped it to 5 (with both panels having Mary Murphy, who somehow manages to be in LA and Toronto for each week's tapings).

And lets face it, the Canadian judges are far more annoying than the US judges, and no one can top Cat Deeley, but the dancers and choreographers in Canada are generally better. (Though if Marko and Melanie immigrated, we'd have a fantastic set of dancers). Can we also take Cat too?

So I didn't have time to blog last week's results show but basically Ashley and Chris got kicked off. It was about Chris' time, but I feel Ashley got dragged down with a sinking ship. Meanwhile, the judges kept bottom 3 Ryan and Ricky yet again, and while I recognize that they are spectacular technical dancers, and manage to play their dance roles with passion, there seems to be a disconnect that I can't pinpoint, but I think many other people also notice.

Top 14 Group Dance
Style: Bollywood
Choreographed by: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: "Kata Kata" from Raavan
Seriously, can Bollywood NOT look fun?


Dance for your Lives from Chris, Jordan, Tadd, Ryan and Ricky (and missing Ashley's solo):




Meanwhile, last night's Canadian results:

Top 22 Group Dance
Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Luther Brown
Song: "On the Floor" - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
Not usually a Luther choreo fan but this is probably one of his best, probably because he uses what he's got and lets the dancers show off their specialties.


My Predictions from Top 22 Canadian Performances:
Should Go Home: Sadly, I guess I'll say Lauren and JP by default? Even though both are excellent dancers?
Bottom 3 Couples:
Geisha and Adam A.
Carlena and Boneless
Cassandra and François
Will Go Home: Geisha and Adam A.

I was partially right:
Bottom 3 was actually:
Geisha and Adam A.
Cassandra and François
Lauren and Rodrigo

And while I thought they would send Lauren or Geisha and Adam A home, I was surprised they sent Cassandra home instead, while I wasn't surprised they sent poor Adam A. home, but with another chance next year since they admitted that he shouldn't have danced with his injury on performance night.

Cause lets admit it, he was a terrific dancer but he probably wasn't cast in the first place because he's a bit short. Right? Cause his dancing skills, even with an injury, were superb.

So I'm a little short on time so my notes are pretty quick this week:

Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost
Dance #1
Style: Paso Doble
Choreographed by: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Song: "Alley Dash/March of the Trolls" - Taylor Long/Rick Powell
Grade - Dance: B
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B+

Paso Doble is not easy but I thought Alex upped his game just in time. Always loved Sasha but I'm starting to forget she's still around and I'm not sure that's a good sign.

Great attempt, mostly well done, but I'm just not that excited enough about this to write any more.

Here's the video of Sasha and Alexander's Paso Doble:



Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang
Dance #1
Style: Contemporary
Choreographed by: Travis Wall
Song: "Brotsjór" - Ólafur Arnalds
Grade - Dance: B
Grade - Boy: B+
Grade - Girl: B+

A decent dance but not one of Travis' best, and while I thought it was well danced, the moment it was over and the judges started speaking, I already forgot what I just watched.

Well executed but lacking that extra sparkle that Jordan and Tadd usually have, or what a great dance makes.

Here's the video of Jordan and Tadd's Contemporary



Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime
Dance #1
Style: Broadway
Choreographed by: Spencer Liff
Song: "All I Need is The Girl" - Frank Sinatra
Grade - Dance:C+
Grade - Girl: B-
Grade - Boy: B-

Didn't love the dance at all and felt it was kind of a bland choreography danced with Ryan and Ricky's usual technical aptitude but without any spirit. The judges note them for that but Sonya, bless her heart, doesn't excuse the dancers for lacking spirit with poor material, as dancers should be giving it their all no matter what they are given.

Love Spencer, he's so pretty, but he's usually much better than this.

Here's the video of Ryan and Ricky's Broadway:



Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly
Dance #1
Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Christopher Scott
Song: "Break the Chain - Lupe Fiasco feat. Eric Turner and Sway
Grade - Dance: C
Grade - Girl: B-
Grade - Boy: C+

What the hell was that? I'm loving Caitlynn, and I respect her attempt, but it was just no. But it was better and harder hitting than Mitchell (who is usually much better than this). But the routine itself, with it's dark message about Uganda or something in Africa and clit faces and fuck frogs and such seemed totally out of place and out of spirit. Caitlynn and Mitchell didn't really have much of a chance, and they couldn't even fudge their way around the hip-hopping.

Here's the video of Caitlynn and Mitchell's Hip-Hop:



Melanie Moore and Marko Germar
Dance #1
Style: Tango
Choreographed by: Louis Van Amster
Song: "Triptico" - Gotan Project
Grade - Dance: B+
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B

Ok, that final flip was amazing, but I thought this was the first time Marko and Melanie weren't as great as they usually were. Nigel thought they did a tremendous job but I thought it looked shaky and less confidence.

They managed to convey the attitude and on quick glance, it could have been convincing, but overall, this is probably their worst performance yet.

Here's the video of Melanie and Marko's Tango:



Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto
Dance #1
Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop
Choreographed by: Christopher Scott
Song: "Just The Way You Are" - Boyce Avenue
Grade - Dance: A
Grade - Boy: A
Grade - Girl: A-

First off, I love this version of the song. Who is this Boyce Avenue?

Loved the dance, loved it all except for that frightening picture at the end.

Jess has been slowly winning me over week after week and I think this is the dance that finally puts me over and he is officially on my good side. No fence anymore.

Clarice has such a beauty in her dancing and while I feel she hasn't been as consistent, I thought she did a wonderful job here.

Here's the video of Clarice and Jess' Lyrical Hip-Hop:



Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost
Dance #2
Style: Jazz
Choreographed by: Tyce DiOrio
Song: "That's Life" - Aretha Franklin
Grade - Dance: B-
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B

I first saw this at the gym and watched it from the halfway point, and I thought it was a total mess. Then I found out who choreo'd and it all made sense.

Re-watching it didn't really help, and yet the judges heap praise on Tyce's choreo again and I'm mystified.

I thought Alex and Sasha did a fine job, but I was nowhere near as excited as the judges were about this. Alex definitely upped his game this week but I've already partially written him off, and I feel like he's pulling Sasha down with him.

Here's the video of Sasha and Alexander's Jazz:
Coming Soon


Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang
Dance #2
Style: Broadway
Choreographed by: Spencer Liff
Song: "Out Tonight" - Daphne Ruben Vega from Rent (Original Cast Recording)
Grade - Dance: C+
Grade - Boy: B
Grade - Girl: B+

The judges skirted around the issue but basically called out Spencer for another bad routine, but they partially blamed the dancers for the lack of pizzazz but while I didn't think it was amazing either, I thought they did a pretty good job with what they were given.

I didn't really get Nigel's comment about it needing to be quirkier. Has he not seen Rent?

Here's the video of Jordan and Tadd's Broadway:



Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime
Dance #2
Style: Cha-Cha-Cha
Choreographed by: Louis Van Amstel
Song: "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" - Enrique Iglesias feat. Ludacris
Grade - Dance: A-
Grade - Girl: B
Grade - Boy: B+

I thought Ricky far outperformed Ryan here in the footwork, though when Ryan has to do that showgirl thing, she's really good at keeping that smile during her movements. Which may also be the reason why she seems annoying in her dancing. Too fake.

Here's the video of Ryan and Ricky's Cha-Cha-Cha:



Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly
Dance #2
Style: Jazz
Choreographed by: Travis Wall
Song: "Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Grade - Dance: A-
Grade - Girl: A-
Grade - Boy: A-

Thank goodness they had a second dance to prove that they're basically just behind Marko and Melanie. Simply superb dancing in a nice routine by Travis (that also makes up for his earlier blander routine).

Here's the video of Caitlynn and Mitchell's Jazz:



Melanie Moore and Marko Germar
Dance #2
Style: Contemporary
Choreographed by: Dee Caspary
Song: "Skin & Bones" - David J. Roch
Grade - Dance: A
Grade - Boy: A
Grade - Girl: A

Oh thank god the perfection of Marko and Melanie are back again. Thank goodness for Dance #2. Sadly though, together for the last time (until the finals I'm guessing).

Here's the video of Melanie and Marko's Contemporary:



Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto
Dance #2
Style: Jive
Choreographed by: Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Song: "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" - Robert Randolph & the Family Band
Grade - Dance: A-
Grade - Boy: A-
Grade - Girl: A-

I loved the rocking music but it didn't seem to... well... jive with the dancing. But then I realized it WASN'T their dancing. The music just feels a bit too heavy for the Jive. If you subtract the music and watch the dancing independently, you'll notice how bouncy Clarice and Jess were, which is exactly what this should feel like.

Jess particularly seemed to be extra bouncy, while Clarice kicked her nice long legs up into the air with a hot fervor.

Here's the video of Clarice and Jess' Jive:



- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Final Roundup:

The Dancers - Pairs Routine:
1st - Best of the Night: Melanie and Marko (Contemporary)
2nd: Clarice and Jess (Lyrical Hip-Hop)
3rd: Clarice and Jess (Jive)
4th: Caitlynn and Mitchell (Jazz)
5th: Jordan and Tadd (Contemporary)
6th: Ryan and Ricky (Cha-Cha-Cha)
7th: Sasha and Alexander (Paso Doble)
8th: Ryan and Ricky (Broadway)
9th: Melanie and Marko (Tango)
10th: Sasha and Alexander (Jazz)
11th: Jordan and Tadd (Broadway)
12th - Worst of the Night: Caitlynn and Mitchell (Hip-Hop)

The Routines:
Best Routine of the Night: Dee Caspary's Contemporary (Melanie and Marko)
2nd Best Routine of the Night: Christopher Scott's Lyrical Hip-Hop (Clarice and Jess)
3rd Best Routine of the Night: Travis Wall's Jazz (Caitlynn and Mitchell)

Should Go Home: Ryan and Alexander
My Predictions:
Bottom 3 Couples:
Ryan and Ricky
Sacha and Alexander
Caitlynn and Mitchell
Will Go Home: Sacha and Alexander


This is how I rank all the dancers overall (based on dancing and personality): (last week's rankings in parenthesis):
Overall Ranking:
1. Marko (1)
2. Melanie (2)
3. Caitlynn (3)
4. Jess (4)
5. Clarice (6)
6. Mitchell (8)
7. Tadd (7)
8. Jordan (9)
9. Sasha (10)
10. Ricky (12)
11. Ryan (11)
12. Alexander (13)


- - - - - - - - - - - - -
For More So You Think You Can Dance:
Check here for the most Recent current postings and Latest News on SYTYCD

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 8 and So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 4:
SYTYCDCanada Top 22 Performances
SYTYCDTop 14 Performances & SYTYCDCanada Audition Finals & Introducing the Top 22
SYTYCD Top 20 Redux Results, Top 16 Performances and Results & SYTYCDCanada Audition Vancouver, Edmonton, Saint John, Montréal
Top 20 Redux Performances
SYTYCD Top 20 Results & SYTYCDCanada Auditions: Toronto
So You Think You Can Dance - Season 8:
Top 20 Performance
Auditions:
Los Angeles, Vegas Week, Top 20 Reveal
Salt Lake City and New York City
Atlanta and Bay Area

So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 3:
Finale - Final 6 Results
Top 4 Performance
Top 8 Performance and Results
Top 10 Performance and Results
Top 12 Performance and Results
Top 14 Performance and Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Perfomances, Top 20 Results
Top 22 Performances and Results

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 7:
Finale - Final 3 Results
Top 3 Performances
Top 4 Performances, Top 4 Results
Top 6 Redux Performances, Top 6 Redux Results
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 7 Performances, Top 7 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 9 Performances, Top 9 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 11 Performances, Top 11 Results
Season 7 Top 11 Showcase
Auditions:
Dallas, Nashville, Vegas Week and Top 11 Announcement
Los Angeles and Chicago
New York City and Miami
Announcing the All-Stars! With Sexy Pictures!
Discussion on Format Change

Decadeworthy - SYTYCDworthy - Ranking All the Top 10 Dancers from SYTYCD and SYTYCDCanada (w/ Videos) - List Format

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 6:
Finale - Final 6 Results
Final 6 Performances
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances and Results
Top 20 Performances and Results
Introducing the Top 20, The Top 20 Showcase

So You Think You Can Dance Canada - Season 2 with So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Auditions:
Finale
Top 4 Performances
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results & US Vegas Week Auditions Continued
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results & US Salt Lake City and Vegas Week 1 Auditions
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results & US New Orleans and Atlanta Auditions
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results & US Boston Auditions
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results & US Phoenix Auditions
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results & US Los Angeles Auditions
Top 18 Performance, Top 18 Results and SYTYCD Top 15 Dances of all time
Top 20 Performance, Top 20 Results
Top 20 Announced
Auditions - Toronto, Vancouver, Saint John
Montréal, Edmonton

My Top 25 Routines from SYTYCD Season 1-5

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 5:
Finale
Top 4 Performance
Top 6 Performance, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performance, Top 8 Results and Panel Chat
Top 10 Performance, Top 10 Results and Panel Chat
Top 12 Performance, Top 12 Results and Panel Chat
Top 14 Performance, Top 14 Results, Top 14 Panel Chat
Top 16 Performance, Top 16 Results and Panel Chat
Top 18 Performance, Top 18 Results and Panel Chat
Top 20 Performance, Top 20 Results and Panel Chat
Auditions - Vegas Week Part 2 - Top 20 Announcement, Top 20 Pictures/Panel Chat
Vegas Week Part 1
New York City, Denver, Miami, Memphis, LA, Seattle

So You Think You Can Dance Canada:
Finale
Top 8 and 6 Performances and Results, Top 4 Performances
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances and Results
Introducing Canada's Top 20
Auditions:
Toronto Week - The Cut to the Top 20
Vancouver, Halifax, Calgary, Montreal - West, East, Middle and Quebec
Toronto - Toronto's Best Foot Forward
The Judges, The Host, The Teaser, All Photos from CTV

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 4:
Finale
Top 4 Performances
Top 6 Performances and Results 6 to 4
Top 8 Performances, Results 8 to 6
Top 10 Performances, Results 10 to 8
Top 16, 14 and 12 Weeks Recaps by Vance again
Top 12 Performances, Results 12 to 10 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 14 Performances, Results 14 to 12 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 16 Performances, Results 16 to 14 - Guest Blogger Linz McC
Top 18 Performances, Results 18 to 16
Top 20 Performances, Results 20 to 18
Introducing the Top 20
Auditions:
Callbacks in Las Vegas - The Top 20 Revealed - What Happens In Vegas
Milwaukee, WI - How The Midwest Was Won
Charleston, South Carolina and Washington D.C. - S.C.D.C. The New Electric (Boogaloo) Term!
Salt Lake City and Dallas - Yeehaw Utah!
Los Angeles - It's Time To Put On Those Dancing Shoes Again Kids!

So You Think You Can Dance - Season 3:
Live Tour - Toronto, Pasha's Solo Video, Neil's Solo Video
Finale - Winner Result
Top 4 Performances - Finals
Top 6 Performances, Top 6 Results
Top 8 Performances, Top 8 Results
Top 10 Performances, Top 10 Results
Top 12 Performances, Top 12 Results
Top 14 Performances, Top 14 Results
Top 16 Performances, Top 16 Results
Top 18 Performances, Top 18 Results
Top 20 Performances, Top 20 Results

For So You Think You Can Dance Season 2:
Favorite Video Clips
Song List Live Tour 2006 - Toronto
Live Tour 2006 - Buffalo, Pics, More Pics
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com