Not that the world needed yet another fan blog about a TV show, but after a very interesting Season 7, I felt more convinced than ever that this show would benefit from having a judge on its panel each week who is merely a fan - not a choreographer, producer, or Hollywood bigwig. The Judges (capital "J" when referring to The Main Trio) might find themselves a bit more in tune with the audience if they actually ever bothered to ask why the audience votes the way it does. So, to be purely self-serving and egomaniacal, I have appointed myself "the SYTYCD Fan Judge" (until such time as the show appoints one), and with that, here is yet another fan blog about a TV show...

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Top 14 Perform - and the Top 10 Are Chosen

WELCOME BACK!

Well, I’m on vacation, but thanks to the Olympics and other programming decisions by Fox, I am, for once, not missing the finale!  I did, however, tune in late, so I missed the first routine (and, I presume, an opening number), which I now know was Cyrus & Eliana (bummer!).  I came in during the recap of National Dance Day, so that’s where I’ll pickup tonight, until I can get home and see what I missed on the DVR.  (OH, and being late, I have NO idea who these guest judges are, so…yeah.)

George & Tiffany – “Hometown Glory” - Yep, they blew that one away.  Granted, I never really saw the original, originally (I’ve only seen the footage – musta been a season I didn’t watch or before I tuned in that year.  But they killed it – although I do think Tiffany leapt more than ran during the assisted run.  Otherwise, beautiful.

Will & Amelia – “The Butt Dance” – I’m not a fan of this dance.  Wasn’t the first time, not now.  BUT (har, har), they did it tremendously well.  I continue to be impressed by these two, and although I understand Nigel’s criticisms, I’m not entirely sure I agree. 

Janelle & Dareian – “The Mattress” Hm.  I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this routine.  I never saw the original (was busy having a baby that season), and now that I have…hm.  I think it’s a very passionate piece, but I feel like there isn’t enough dancing, just a lot of throwing themselves around on the mattress.  That said, I think they both danced it well.  I don’t notice Dareian’s feet when I’m busy watching him dance, but I do think Janelle’s hair got in the way, BUT THAT’S NOT HER FAULT.  Who decides the costuming and such?  I’m thinkin’ that wasn’t up to her, and so I’d hardly fault her for the fact we couldn’t see her face. In any case, a “meh” routine by comparison, but by no means poor.

Audrey & Matthew – “Time” – Another one I didn’t see the original of, but I liked this version.  I agree with Mary that I felt something was a little lacking from Matthew in the emotion department, but at the same time, I think that somehow gave it a lightness that was actually kind of useful in the piece.  Audrey was, once again, beautiful.  I understand Nigel’s critique, but once again, I’m not sure if I agree.  I think if you’re comparing it to the previous and if you fully understand all the background that he does, it’s understandable, but on its own, I think it was lovely and touching.

Witney & Chehon – I have to say that I think that was THE best I’ve ever seen Chehon perform – not just dance, perform.  I was, for once, a little less impressed with Witney, contrary to the judges.  I think she performed okay but actually didn’t dance it as well as she could have.  Maybe this time I’m comparing it to the original, but I think Heidi had it in spades over Witney.  It was by no means a poor showing, though, and I still thoroughly enjoyed the routine.  

Cole & Lindsey – That. Was. Outstanding.  I was worried, because I did not think it was possible to match up to Kayla and Kupono, but they managed it.  I wasn’t entirely sure about Lindsey until near the end when I got a look at her face, and it just stole my breath.  I immediately teared up, and I hadn’t realized I was that invested until then.  And Cole was perfect for this dance; I agree with Mary that he was a little quirkier where Kupono was sinister, but he has the capacity to look completely inhuman, and in that respect, he was even better than Kupono – he looked less like a bad guy and more like the personification of an evil thing, and that was appropriate.  By far the best performance of the night.

The Bottom Six

WOW.  Um, okay, even I’m a little surprised Cyrus made it to the top 10, but I guess that’s a popularity contest for ya’.  But BOTH Lindsey AND Amelia in the bottom???  Oh my.  I’m not entirely sure what to hope for here, because I truly think Lindsey has the potential to win the whole shebang – especially after seeing what she is capable of in that Addiction number – but Amelia has been marvelous so far, so it’s not like I want to see her go home.  True, we’re reaching a point where there will be no more good answers, but…LINDSEY OR AMELIA???  (Because no, I don’t believe Janelle has performed well enough to be allowed to stay – shame though I think that is.)  That is just the suckiest of all possible dilemmas for the top 10 selection, in my opinion.

As for the guys…well, I don’t love the choices there either, but I’m not quite as heartbroken about them.  I will miss whoever it is, and I think I would miss George most.  That said, Dareian was the ONLY one of the six who danced for his life just then, and I mean that boy danced like it was the last thing he might ever do.  Bad feet or not, if that solo has any bearing, Dareian just might’ve bought himself a spot in the Top 10.  I think Nigel even made a face that said, “well heck, I thought I had my mind made up until Dareian danced.”

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I was both relieved and disappointed about the girls – understandably, since there was just no right answer.  But, I agreed with the logic – if tonight has bearing, then Lindsey knocked it out of the park, and more importantly, showed us an entirely different dimension that we haven’t seen, and that I wasn’t entirely sure she was capable of portraying.  As for the guys, I’m okay with it (but I would also have been okay with Dareian after that solo) because I’ve got a soft spot for George; I don’t know why.  Sadly, this is just a season where nobody really “deserves” to go home., but somebody must.  And on that happy note…

WE HAVE OUR TOP 10!

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