The Big Finish

Well, here we are!  How did America vote?  Let's recap tonight's show, and then we'll find out...

First, as I come into this show tonight mulling over how I think/hope it will turn out, I find myself mostly brewing about the controversy over Cyrus - 'cause make no mistake, there's been controversy.  LOTS o' people don't seem to think he deserves to be here, and yet a mighty lot also seem convinced that, being about America's favorite dancer, he's sitting right where he oughta be.  I'm torn.  As someone who firmly believed Jakob should've won over Russell on the same logic (better dancer v. favorite), it's hard to argue Cyrus should win.  Yet, I'm the first to defend (now) that this is, indeed, a popularity contest.  The dancers must not just be technically proficient, they also have to win the hearts of the audience.  So after a LOT of soul-searching on the subject, where I find myself coming down, is this:  Chehon is clear and away the better dancer.  He's brilliant, in fact.  But it took him all season to win me over as a performer.  To me, that says just as much as Cyrus' technical deficiencies, especially in a contest about favorites.  Does that mean I hope Cyrus will win?  Not necessarily, but it does mean I feel comfortable that I can defend the show in good conscience if he does.  And now, on with the show!

WOW, what a stupendous opening routine!  I worried that the much-hyped Sonya Tayeh and Christopher Scott co-developed routine would ultimately fail to measure up, but I am thankful to be very, very wrong.  Was Nigel right that it was the best opening routine ever?  Meh, I'm still a fan of Rama Lama (although admittedly, I can't remember if was actually an opening routine...), and I'm not convinced there haven't been some other equally terrific openers, but this was stellar in its own right, no doubt.  I loved everything about it - the mood, the music, the costumes, the blend of dance styles, the choreography, and even the Emmy-winning lighting.  Fantastic opening for the show.

In the interest of brevity and because we've seen all the "favorites" routines before, I'm just going to hit a few highlight thoughts:
- I love Twitch.  Immensely.  But he can just go home when that number he does with Witney comes up, because I am riveted to her every time I watch it.  Girl rocked the HOUSE!  I don't even have an adjective buck enough for that dance. Mm.
- I forgot how much I loved Love Cats.
- Stop making me cry.
- LOVED the Christopher Scott hip-hop WITH Christopher Scott in it.  BOOYAH!
- I wanna live at Dragon House!  And Brian Gaynor remains one of my all-time favorite SYTYCD auditioners.
- Say what you will about Cyrus' overall dance talent:  that boy can animate like nobody.  NOBODY.
- As for that NappyTabs routine with the allstars and the top 10?  There are not words.  There was entirely too much awesomeness going on in that number to possibly put an adjective to it.  It would be limiting, no matter what I chose.  That is right up there with Rama Lama for me.  Wow, I just said that. It was THAT good.

Now, a word about the winners' circle (emphasis on winnerS):
I'm still not sure how I feel about the two-winner format.  Yeah, it was a shortened season with only one show a week, but I'm not sure that that alone necessitated two winners.  Yeah, yeah, we hate picking ONE winner, and sometimes it seems severely leaned in favor of one gender or another, but really, we've managed it for eight seasons.  And an equal number of girls and boys have won (Nick, Benji, (Josh? I can never remember the dude who won Twitch's year!), Russell for men; Sabra, Janine, Lauren, and Melanie for the ladies), so really, I think we coulda handled it.  But, okay, I'll grant us all a one-season copout.  Just don't do it again, Nigel.

As for the winners themselves?  Woulda been truly heartbroken for either girl that didn't win, because both were exceptional and either as winner woulda been a satisfying answer.  And I'm willing to bet the vote spread was minimal.  So, my congratulations to Eliana, a truly spectacular talent, and very deserving winner.  As for the guys:  yeah, I'll admit I ended up being a bit disappointed for Cyrus, and a bit surprised too.  I really thought Nigel's end-of-show commentary last week mighta pushed the votes to defending Cyrus, but I guess not.  Still, it's not an unhappy or undeserved result, and I'm happy for Chehon, who's clearly worked for this moment.

And with that, you have your Season 9 favorite dancers, America:  Chehon and Eliana.  Bring on Season 10!!!

The Final Four - Performance Finale

OH, I almost hate for this to END!  What a season it's been.  You think the talent just can't get any better, and yet somehow it does.  And was it ever on display tonight!  Let's get right to the goods:

Cyrus & Eliana, Jason Gilkinson paso doble: I’m sorry to all the naysayers, but CYRUS.  JUST. KILLED. THAT!  Yes, the leap and cartwheel were terrible, but otherwise, he was outstanding.  His posture was good, his moves were crisp, and he was a fantastic partner.  Eliana was, of course, perfection, but this time, I did not feel she suffered at all for being teamed with Cyrus.  I loved that, and what a great way to open the show.

Tiffany & Will, Sonya Tayeh jazz:  Well, I thought they performed it terrifically, but I was kinda “meh” on the choreography itself.  Tiffany is such a light, and so joyful to watch, and this routine did show that off.  I wish it had been one of Sonya’s better routines, because I think with each of them getting their own genre, Tiffany shoulda gotten a better showcase.  But, it by no means sucked, so there ya’ go.

Chehon & Eliana, Marat Daukeyev ballet:  Well, I didn’t think the choreography was terribly interesting, but I recognize its difficulty, and that not everyone could do that.  It certainly showed off what those two are capable of, though, and it was a nice change of pace from the abundance of contemporary and hip-hop numbers.

Tiffany & Cyrus, Tessandra Chavez lyrical hip-hop:  That was probably my favorite Tiffany performance all season.  She was not only technically virtually perfect, but her expressiveness was so convincing that at one point, I couldn’t resist saying out loud, “You let him have it, girl!”  And Cyrus was great, although admittedly, this one time I was hardly watching him for how riveting I found Tiffany.

The Top Four,  Tyce Diorio “quirky” number:  Well that was…interesting. It was an interesting attempt to showcase each person’s skills, but it ultimately didn’t quite hang together for me.  Not good, not bad, just…yep.

Eliana’s solo:  How ridiculously elegant.  I am so glad she had to do that in her toe shoes (‘cause she pretty much did, given the quick-turnaround between numbers), because it just emphasized how splendid her lines are and the absolute eloquence of her movement.

Chehon & Allison, Stacey Tookey contemporary:  I’ll admit I have not been Chehon’s biggest fan this season, but I am SO glad I was overruled and that we got to witness that extraordinary performance.  Allison is probably my all-time favorite female contemporary dancer (if not female dancer period), and yet Chehon completely held up to her level.  They absolutely threw themselves all over that stage, and were both so emotionally invested that I worried Twitch (Allison’s beau, currently) would storm that stage.  Tiffany and Cyrus had my favorite routine of the night – until this happened.

Eliana & Tiffany, Ray Leeper Broadway:  Well I wasn’t thrilled at the idea of pole dancing having made it to SYTYCD, but I have to say that I was frankly just not all that impressed, and not because it was pole dancing.  It wasn’t nearly as nasty as I’d feared, but it also just wasn’t all that…huh.  I don’t get the judges’ reactions at all.  I was impressed with Eliana’s pole work, just because of the physical strength required to execute it, but I didn’t think she was all that sexy.  I thought Tiffany was the sexier of the two, and also the better overall performance, which was a smidge more Broadway. 

Cyrus’ solo:  I just don’t get tired of that.  Ever.

Tiffany’s solo:  By far the strongest solo, and that is exceptional tonight.  She’s right, she wasn’t known at the beginning.  What a testament to her skills – and her drive – that she is here in the final four, blowing us away with each and every performance she gives. 

Chehon & Cyrus, Sonya Tayeh jazz:  I wish I could explain why certain Sonya Tayeh numbers connect for me and others don’t – this one had music and choreography just as weird as any other, but I absolutely LOVED it.  No, she didn’t dumb this down, and yes, it showed a little in Cyrus.  Some of his execution was marginal, and it seemed like he was anticipating a bit more than once.  But Nigel was right that he has come so terribly far; I don’t think he could possibly have pulled that off back at the beginning of this season, and he did more than respectably tonight.  Chehon was terrific, and I have not been disappointed with any of his stuff tonight, which is a first, I think.

INTERLUDE:  Jean Sok – That was one of the most remarkable things I’ve seen on this show, and considering all that we’ve seen here, that is really saying something. 

Chehon’s solo:  Lovely.  Just lovely.

Eliana & Alex, Travis Wall contemporary:  For sheer quality of dance, this is one of my favorite pairings the show has ever given us.  I could watch Alex and Eliana dance ALL. NIGHT. LONG. That was exquisite.

Tiffany & Chehon, Dmitry Chaplin rumba:  Honestly, I did not have high hopes for this dance, but I was happy to be wrong.  Just goes to show how far Chehon has come this season that he could ultimately convince me (sorry Mary) that he has chemistry with Tiffany - who was wonderful, as always.  Not my favorite number - or performance by either of them - but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.  

Cyrus & Twitch, Christopher Scott animation:  To quote Billy Ocean:  "Simply. Awesome."  Rob Marshall took the word right out of my mouth: That was crazy, crazy good.  I do think Twitch mastered the choreographed-ness a smidge better, but his animation wasn't quite as crisp as Cyrus' so that kinda evened the field.  Twitch makes Cyrus look like such a shrimp by comparison, but both are incredible specimens in their genres.  

Now, as for Nigel's parting comments:  That was an interesting move on his part.  On the one hand, I completely understand: people have questioned Cyrus' continued presence all season long, and sure, as a dance professional, it's hard to set aside quality and technical proficiency for popularity of performance.  On the other hand:  what a horrible thing to say, regardless of whether anyone listens to him or not.  It's a comment best dealt in person, not live, at the end of an otherwise wonderful series of performances, and certainly not when others will be voting immediately thereafter.  Then again, he may very well have just sealed the sympathy vote for Cyrus, but either way, I thought it was terribly unfair and inappropriate.  Twenty lashes with a wet noodle tonight, Nigel!

So, America: who will it be?

Top 6 Perform, and the Final Four are Chosen

Opening number:  outstanding!  (And shocker that it was Sonya Tayeh.  NOT.)  And at first, I thought Chehon was Cyrus, so I’m thinking that says something about how the two were performing just then...  But I digress.  Let's get down to it, shall we?

Tiffany & Benji (YAY, Benji!!), Jean-Marc Genereux jive:  First of all, thank you SYTYCD producers for bringing ALL the bestest all-stars back this season! HI, BENJI!!  Second:  what a fantastic opening duet.  So fun, so full of energy, and so terrifying – those CARTWHEELS! Oy.  Now, that said, I do think Tiffany was probably a bit less sharp than she could’ve been, but holy Moses, between the tricks and the verve and the keeping up with Benji…WOW.  Spectacular!  

Witney’s solo:  Now, I know it’s hard to do ballroom dances without a partner.  And I give the girl props for taking on a paso doble-type number as a solo, which I don’t think has really been done (has it?).  But…that was…just…  Hm.  I didn’t particularly dislike it, but my husband was quick to point out the expressions on the judges’ faces when the cameras cut to them between numbers, and I have to agree that sorta summed it up.  Just kinda… o.O

Cole & Melanie, Sonya Tayeh jazz:  I have been hearing that song for months now, and every time I do, I think, “that is such a Sonya Tayeh song.”  ‘bout damn time she choreographed to it!  Now, for the dance:  I thought it was great.  Hubby was less impressed.  But even though I think Cole did really well and I enjoyed the number, I do think it might have a little trouble competing with the other numbers.  Yeah, I know, we’re only two numbers in, but if the opening jive was any indication, every number is going to have to be superb, and for me, this was just “really good.” 

Chehon’s solo:  Uh…was that choreographed by the same person who did Witney’s solo, by any chance?  ‘cause I kinda had the same reaction with this.  There were some great spins in the middle, but otherwise… Maybe it’s just because his last one was SO phenomenal, but… o.O

Eliana & Twitch, Christopher Scott hip-hop:  Wow.  Rarely does Christopher Scott disappoint me, but I did not care for that routine one little bit.  The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way – the music, the jazz/hip-hop combo, the moves, even the personality of it just…no.  It was danced well enough – although there were a couple of “meh” moments – but it wasn’t awesome.  Nigel pretty much nailed it for me.  The routine wasn’t the best exhibition of Eliana’s capabilities – nor did she make it moreso. 

Tiffany’s solo:  FINALLY.  Best solo ever?  No.  Considerably better than either of the others so far tonight, HELL. YES.  Thank you, Tiffany!

Chehon & Kathryn, Tyce Diorio contemporary:  That was gut-wrenchingly beautiful, Tyce, Chehon, and Kathryn.  Even as they stood and listened to the critiques, they still looked beaten and drawn, and had me on the brink just to look at them.  Fantastique!

Cole’s solo:  Now THAT was dancing for your life!  That was a terrific display of Cole’s unique style as well as his proficiency as a dancer, and I loved every second of it.

Witney & Marko (YAY, Marko!! But DUDE, where did your hair go??), Ray Leeper jazz:  Well, Marko nailed it, and Witney’s dancing was outstanding.  But I wasn’t completely convinced she was committed emotionally, at least not the entire way through.  I thought it was pretty darn good, and I’d happily watch it again (and probably will), but I’m not sure it’s at the level of Tiffany’s jive or Chehon’s contemporary, for example. 

Eliana’s solo:  I’m not sure that was all she was capable of, but it was quite lovely nonetheless.

Cyrus & Comfort, Christopher Scott dubstep:  Well, you know I love watching Cyrus do what he do, and boy, did he DO it tonight!  I’m sorry, but what other male dancer this season could’ve done what he just did with that number??  SYTYCD app fans apparently agree with me:  91% said, “BUCK!”  Yeah, I know, it still doesn’t mean he can do contemporary convincingly or could walk into a ballroom competition and walk out with a prize, but DAMN, he is just DA BOMB at what he does.  LOVED. IT.  !!!

Witney & Chehon, Jean-Marc Genereux cha-cha:  OOF.  That was my visceral reaction to the one missed lift.  And then it was just…okay.  I felt like it was underwhelming choreography for Witney, and yet too challenging for Chehon.  Witney did as well as she could with what she had to work with, but it just wasn’t enough to float this routine.  OOF.

Cyrus’ solo:  Meh, not his best work.  But his musicality is incredible, and that shines through even the more ordinary choreography.  Still love watching him.

Eliana & Cole, Mia Michaels contemporary:  Well that little bit o’ weirdness from Mia really worked.  It was unique and challenging and beautiful, and I was pleasantly surprised at how moving it proved to be.  Both of them danced it brilliantly (stop stealin’ my words, Nigel!), and were passionately expressive in all the right ways.  Tremendous.

Tiffany & Cyrus, Spencer Liff (gag!) Broadway:  Not one of Spencer’s worst, thankfully, and they nailed it.  So much personality, and just wonderful showmanship.  And boy, did they manage chemistry!  It was terrific on all counts, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Interlude:  the Axis Dance Company – “WOW” just doesn’t cut it.  That was amazing and powerful, and I look forward to watching it again.

THE FINAL FOUR:

There was not going to be any single outcome here that wouldn’t sadden me, and yet I found myself cheering when Tiffany was the first announced through to the finale.  Of course, that meant either Eliana or Witney was going home, and either of those choices sucked.  And yet…kinda like the way if you toss a coin and have to declare while it’s in the air which side you’re hoping comes down, I knew while I was waiting that it was Eliana I wanted in the finale.  Good thing, because that’s who it’ll be.  I’m sorry to see Witney go, but I think the other two are better all-around dancers, and I’ve come to appreciate them both more each week.

Similarly, I found myself saying, “Not Chehon.  Not Chehon.” when it was the guys’ turn, like Harry Potter wishing to not be put in Slytherin.  And yet that was the first guy announced as through to the finale.  *sigh* I was, of course, thrilled when Cyrus turned out to be the other, but at the same time, I am truly sorry to see Cole not make it.  I am not entirely surprised, because I think based on judge’s commentary last week, that outcome was somewhat predictable since we’re now down to votes, which are often influenced by a single dance and its critiques, but I am still bummed.

But what a finale it will be.  Four fantabulous dancers, and then, we vote once and for all.  Who will your vote be for, America??