So You Think You Can Dance – Recap & Review – Top 14 Perform

photo: fox

So You Think You Can Dance
Top 14 Perform

Original Air Date: Nov 17, 2009

Rachel M- TwoCents Reviewer
rachelm@thetwocentscorp.com

We’re down to 14 dancers, which means we only have two weeks until the top 10! Are the top 14 really the best? Does anyone make it on the hot tamale train this week?

Ashleigh and Jakob (Hip Hop): It was a very stereotypical Tabitha and Napoleon routine, and I recognized “signature” moves but I still enjoyed this routine. The cheated on girlfriend and the man trying to get forgiveness, the theme comes up for them a lot. Jakob is practically flawless, even in a routine that is way out of his style and doesn’t even include a leap. Ashleigh, the growing seedling of the season, holds her own and really emotes. Nigel comments on her amazing growth on the show and she really deserves it.

Karen and Kevin (Broadway): This Broadway number from Sweet Charity ends up showing just how much trouble Kevin is in. He manages to keep up okay but the fear is written all over his face! And a lot of the number is painfully slow. Karen manages to portray sweetness instead of sexiness for a change. Broadway “requires so much personality” as Nigel, says and neither of them showed enough personality. Finally, the judges notice that Karen is a sexpot and not quite a good enough dancer. I think they’re in trouble.

Noelle and Russell (Foxtrot): Actually the second time this couple has pulled the Foxtrot, but it was the first week and Noelle was injured. Hopefully that means that they’re actually good! It may have technically been better than most, and there were some good moments, but mostly it was kind of boring and cheesy. There is something about Noelle that I just don’t like and I know Russell is favorite. How badly do we want to see him dance with someone else?

Channing and Victor (Jazz): Two curious blackbirds? Seriously Tyce? Okay then, well, I think considering the challenges they did a solid job. The music was a little unsupportive, so a lot of the onus was on the dancers to provide the rhythm and beat, which they did. And Victor has a great leap through the cage bars at the end! So far tonight this dance is certainly the most interesting. The judges are complimentary but reserved about Victor’s lack of growth.

Kathryn and Legacy (Paso Doble): Well this should be interesting! This style has given us some of the best performances on this show ever (remember the shimmy Sabra did down her partners body in Season 3?). Umm…WOW!!! First of all, the audience always loves a shirtless hot man and Legacy delivers there. And from the first moment, the battle is on. If anything this lost steam towards the end with a drawn out death spiral. Overall though, the tricks were good, the technical steps were good enough that you didn’t notice any major problems and both dancers looked strong.

Intermission: Update on the Dizzy Feet Foundation, which is a scholarship organization for dancers. Dancing at a higher level can be incredibly expensive, and giving financial help to young dancers who have the talent but not the funds is a great cause. If you’re in the area, they are having a big event later this month in LA. It’s going to be a star-studded event and if you go please tell me how it is!

Ellenore and Ryan (Contemporary): First of all, let me just say that Travis Wall is the best ever. Everything he does make the hair on the back of my neck stand up and gives me shivers. I actually applaud the TV tonight. Quiet and simple and compelling, and maybe I’m being a sycophant but just OMG! The judges are effusive with praise and it is well deserved. Now, would any couple have gotten this praise since the choreography was so good? I don’t think so; it needed the power and the elegance that this couple brought.

Mollee and Nathan (Pop Jazz): LaurieAnn the choreographer is SCARY! They are both strong dancers despite their young age. This week they show more maturity than last week but this routine is just all over the place and I can’t tell if it’s the choreography or the dancing at first. I think that they are giving it their all, and the judges seem to agree that they committed. Nathan is super talented, but he gets a little lost in the shuffle. This couple is the darling of the competition and as long as they keep pulling good dances they’ll be safe.

Was this show better than previous weeks or is Season 6 still dragging? Did you vote for your favorites? What are your TWOCENTS about this weeks show? Who’s going to make it through to the Top 12?

Best Quote: “Ole, brother, ole!” – Mary Murphy