Tonight the top 12 performed, and it's a big week, as the judges told us...and told us.....and told us, because the top 10 get to tour. So, here we go!
Cat Deeley looked great in a slinky coral slouchy drinking straw wrapper. The judges were Wade Robson, choreography master, along with Mary, wearing a black giraffe dress, with black sleeves that were missing the shoulders, and sand dollars in her ears, and Nigel, looking better than usual, I thought, in his dark suit with red polka dot tie.
First up were Sabra and Dominic. These two sure are likable. They danced a jive. Wade called them firecrackers that were focused with positive energy. Mary thought they were terrific, but there were some technical things that weren't exactly right, and Nigel thought they were amazing, and great partners for each other. Nigel came up with his geeky comment of the week, to Dominic, "You are living proof that they are still producing gold up there (in Sacramento.)"
Next came Jaimie and Hok. They danced Broadway to Mr. Bojangles. The judges praised Jaimie - across the board. She danced beautifully, had great lines, and was classy. But, they all wanted more from Hok. I thought he was a little trapped by his choreography, but ..... the judges didn't like his performance. Uh-oh.
Third were Sara and Pasha. They danced jazz, and Wade liked the routine a lot. Mary and Nigel thought they did a great job. Even so, Nigel felt it might not be enough to keep them out of the bottom three, because it was so stylized. Sara actually looked great - so cute. Pasha, you know I love him, but the outfit really did nothing for him. They were really really good tonight, though!
Next came Lauren and Neil. What was up with the costumes? Beanies and goggles. Too funny. I liked it because it was so unusual. Mia Michels of course. Mary said it was really good, not great. Wade thought it was really well executed. Nigel didn't understand it, nor like it, but thought they did a good job.
Anya and Danny were next, doing the Foxtrot. All the judges loved them. Wade said that finally Danny showed emotion and personality. Mary thought they were fabulous, and Nigel said it was the best Foxtrot they've seen on this stage. They were great. Danny was actually smiling, and gave Anya a kiss on the cheek at the end that showed genuine happiness and connection with his partner.
Lacey and Kameron were next with a Britney Spears schoolgirl number. Boy chasing girl. I think that they played the roles well for the choreography. Oh wow, what an original theme, girl in cheerleading outfit being sassy with a boy. But, I think that Lacey played it well, and danced really well. I was surprised that she was that good at hip hop. Wade said that Kameron wasn't "snappy" enough for him, and that he "wasn't in the pocket." Oh, master of choreography, we know it didn't have enough quick snappy movements, while leaning slightly backwards. But, ..... I think that Lacey did outshine Kameron slightly. Mary said that Lacey was "right on point," and Nigel said that the dance wasn't his favorite.
So......who will it be going home tonight? The judges said that this is the last time that they will have a say in who stays and goes. After this, it's up to the voting viewers.
Let's hear what you think. Were the judges too harsh on Hok? Do they love Sabra and Dominic too much because they are newer dancers? Will Sara and Pasha be seen on the town in their suspenders and neon? If Anya is in the bottom three, what crazy outfit will she wear? Were those swimming goggles that Lauren and Neil were wearing? Let's hear it!
Yeah, I'm fearful about Hok, but he was my pick to win, so I will remain in denial and not address that point. In my assessment, I think that besides Hok, Pasha and Kameron are at risk. Neil would be my other guess for the bottom three.
ReplyDeleteAs for the girls, I think Anya is going to be the one this week. Sara might be at risk, Lauren too?
Yes, loved the goggles. What did she say? Welder meets swimmer? Or was it a bank robber, or a racoon? WWI flying ace?
So...
ReplyDeleteI had nightmares last night about Mr. Bojangles chasing me in platform shoes while wearing welding goggles and goofball suspenders. And it was in black and white. And everyone had an English accent and scary earrings.
Paging Dr. Freud...I wonder what my therapist is going to pin that one on?
This week, it may all come down to HAIR. Hok, dude, there are appropriate times and places for cornrow braids. Whilst dancing as an old man with a derby hat in a period piece, I daresay you're pushing the envelope.
And we all are aware of my ever-subtle sentiments about Ms. Lacey's Fraggle Rock weave. Um, no. It is a bad, bad, bad hair day every day for our fearless heroine. The whole electrocuted lemur look - I can't get with that. And the fact that her dancing partner mentioned that she doesn't wash it every day just added to my already percolating revulsion. Bald Britney or Lemur Lacey: it's a toss up.
Thankfully, Lacey's dancing talent typically distracts from her - ahem - follicular challenges - but not last night. Last night, their hip hop performance was ridiculous, lackluster, and over-sexed in a cheeseball, nonconnected, non-intimate way. I just really, RE-HEEE-ALLY (channelling Jim Carrey there) hated it. It was my LEAST favorite of all the dances last night and I am betting it lands Lacey and Kameron in the bottom two tonight. If it does, I think Kameron has more to fear from the solo dance than Lacey. Even with the hair, she can dance circles around that boy.
And the Nia Micheals welding crew - I dunno, guys. The beanines? The Max Headroom glasses? I give you full props for managing to actually not trip and fall with those super dark goggles on - that alone is a feat worthy of praise. And there was a lot of energy in that number. But, I think that is about the best I can say for it. Neither dancer was in true synch with the other and I found myself kind of wishing they'd had another week to rehearse.
Madam Candicesinka predicts that Lauren and Neil will be dancing for their lives tonight. Lauren may or may not be Asian during her solo. We'll have to watch to find out.
The third pair to round out the bottom three? Jamie and Hok. But this bothers me, because I think it is led entirely by the judges commentary. Hok was NOT as bad as some of the others tonight (Neil and Kameron, for instance), but because everyone came down so hard on him, he'll be in the bottom three and will have to come up with something decidedly fantastic to keep his braids off the chopping block. I bet on Hok, though. He has broad fan appeal and also really pulled off a fabulous solo last time he was in this position.
And Jaime... the girl rocks. If she dances tonight, it will be more of an exposition than an actual elimination. She is fantastic and glorious to watch. Unfortunate partnering has landed her in the bottom 3 before and probably will again tonight, but she doesn't belong there and will not be headed home.
I'm tossed about Anya and Danny. For me, this is THE BEST I have seen them dance. But I worry about the overall voting public because the "foxtrot" is not universally appealing. I hope that the collective 14-year old voices who actually vote each week recognized true dancing talent despite the genre.
Sabra, Dominic, Pasha, Sara, you guys are golden this week. And if you'll notice, all of those contestants actually WASH their hair and there are no braids, weaves, or zoo critters in sight. See? It DOES all come down to the battle of the fro's in the end.
Candice,
ReplyDeleteI loved your post.
You go, girl.
I was strangely reminded of DEVO when I watched Lauren and Neil. I was also trying to figure out if they were wearing rubber dishwashing gloves.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the Hok that was a hummingbird? please find him. And........Okay I do think that Jamie is gorgeous and one of the outstanding dancers but she doesn't have much "content" in her interviews, Okay I think the light isn't on sometimes .....
I now really am under the impression that Kameron is a prop, and could Lacey outshine him that much? So I have a problem between Kameron and Hok. I want to say Kameron is going, I didn't like his hip hop and I thought that HH was his thing.... so I would say out of all the dancers I've not noticed him, as an independent dancer.
Anyway the rest is "what Candice said"