Ballroom Dance Channel

Good evening everyone, and welcome to So You Think You Can Dance – The Top 18.  We have 9 couples left to perform for you tonight, and once again the judges will send one guy and one girl home at the end of the night.  Next week will be back to normal and America will vote, since the World Series will be done.

Cat introduces our dancers,  and our judges:  Nigel, Mary and Adam.  Cat’s dress is very cute, but what is up with those shoes?  It looks like the designer sewed the puffy things you use in the shower to the backs of them!

Nigel makes two very important announcements.  First, Billy Bell will be allowed to move right to the Top 100 in Vegas for next season, since he fell ill and had to withdraw from this season.  Secondly, Brandon Dumlao, who had taken Billy’s place on such short notice and was sent home last week, will be allowed to audition again for next season.  This is wonderful news, and I am so happy for these two gentlemen!

Our first couple to dance tonight is Noelle and Russell.  Everyone was asked what the best and worst things are about their partners.  Noelle loves Russell’s voice, but doesn’t like that he is always wearing his sunglasses.  Russell loves how funny Noelle is, but hopes she can stop being injured so she can dance.  They have Hip-Hop this week with Jamal Sims, who has choreographed the Step Up movies and worked with Miley Cyrus.  He has designed this dance as a tennis death match, complete with racquets.  Noelle and Russell have some struggles with the props and the fast movements.  They perform to “Move Shake Drop Remix” by DJ Laz, showing us a very energetic routine and great sync.  Being a tennis player myself, I loved seeing the tennis moves incorporated into the dance!

Adam says he is so happy to have Jamal on the show, but he thinks the dance overwhelmed the dancers.  Mary thinks Russell won the match, but Noelle did a good job coming back from her injury.  Nigel says the routine was so fast that he believes the dancers didn’t get hold of it, and since the standard has been set so high this season, he doesn’t know if this dance was strong enough.

Next up are Ashleigh and Jakob.  Jakob says he isn’t crazy about Ashleigh’s hair, but he loves that she gets as sweaty as he does.  Ashleigh actually doesn’t like the sweatiness, but enjoys when Jakob does his impressions of bad dancing.  This week they have a Viennese Waltz choreographed by Tony and Melanie.  It’s a newly married couple’s first dance at their wedding, and Jakob feels strange pretending to marry a woman who’s already married!  They dance to “At Last” by Etta James, and this is a very sweet and elegant number.  I just love those beautiful lifts and spins!

Adam thinks they can do no wrong and he is madly in love with them.  The only thing he wishes was that they would have used more of the stage.  Mary loves the lift sequence, but was hoping for the dancing to be more powerful.  Nigel calls them a beautiful couple with great lines, and says that Ashleigh is proving herself to America.

Bianca and Victor are performing Broadway, choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  This is a number set in a Southern Church, with the two of them being moved by the Spirit.  Bianca is right at home with this, but Victor had never attended this kind of church service and struggles a little.  They dance to “Maybe God Is Trying To Tell You Something” from The Color Purple.  I wish I had the energy they show, dancing in their Southern Sunday best and praising the Lord.

Adam says it’s very important to study the dancing that has come before you…in this case Alvin Ailey, and the show Fiddler On The Roof.  He thinks they danced well, but didn’t lose themselves in the feeling enough.  Mary says it was really good, but agrees with Adam that they needed to dance with wild abandon.  Nigel also agrees and says he was a little disappointed.

Mollee and Nathan dance Bollywood next.  Nathan loves that Mollee’s bright personality brings him out of his shell, but gets tired of her always having to go to the bathroom.  Mollee says that Nathan is very attractive, but he is too easily distracted.  They are being choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan, who sets the story as a warrior prince going off to battle, with his princess being upset that he is leaving.  They perform to “Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah from Jodha Akbar, keeping in character with the dance and showing off amazing spins.  This is just breathtaking.

Adam calls them an exciting couple and says that Mollee is really maturing before our eyes.  Mary SCREAMS, saying she loves their new energy and she adores them.  Nigel calls it tremendous and praises their great control.

Channing and Phillip have Samba with Tony and Melanie.  Phillip loves Channing’s amazing eyes, but hates that she could probably beat him up.  Channing likes that Phillip always has a smile on his face, but thinks he talks way too much.  Tony and Melanie design a classic competition style Samba for them, and they have some trouble adjusting to the moves.  They perform to “Maracatu Funk” by The Samba Squad.  The routine is hot and wild, but they do struggle with some of the lifts.

Adam could see them struggling and says you have to make it work.  He did like their interaction and Channing’s great hip action.  Mary knows they were working hard, but the dance didn’t have the party feel to it that the Samba is supposed to have.  Nigel says their nerves were showing, and they need to get down into the floor when they dance.

Karen and Kevin are our next couple, and they have Hip-Hop with Tabitha and Napoleon.  Karen thinks Kevin is the sweetest person, but his hair takes him a long time to get ready.  Kevin loves that Karen is beautiful and dynamic, but when they dance together all eyes are on her and he feels like he disappears.  This number is about a mechanic who is working on a hot girl’s car.  They perform to “Ice Cream Paint Job” by Dorrough, and it’s sexy, hot, and in sync.  The ending has Karen sliding Kevin right off the stage and into the audience!

Adam says that for someone like Karen who is used to ballroom, she really tore it up.  He calls Kevin fantastic and likes that they really enjoyed their characters.  Mary puts them both on the Hot Tamale Train and calls it phenomenal.  She loves Karen’s confidence and says she has the “it” factor.  Nigel says Karen can move body parts that he didn’t even know could move, and he loves their personality.

Kathyrn and Legacy are performing Contemporary choreographed by Stacey Tookey.  Kathryn is amazed that Legacy can speak several languages, but hates when he does his cricket whistle.  Legacy loves that he can relate to Kathryn, but does not enjoy when she keeps hitting him by accident during rehearsals.  This is a story about a woman struggling with fear, and Legacy plays the part of that fear.  They dance to “2 Steps Away” by Patti LaBelle, and it’s very emotional.  I can really identify with the intense struggle we have facing our fears, and they do a wonderful job portraying that.  At the end she is pushing down her fear, right into the ground…WOW!

Adam thanks Stacey for a wonderful dance, and says he is so proud of Legacy’s transformation.  Mary says they danced with the abandonment needed for this number and also loves the growth she sees in Legacy.  Nigel compliments Stacey as well, and calls it very beautiful.

Pauline and Peter are up next with Jazz, choreographed by Wade Robson.  They are a new couple, since both of them saw their partners go home last week.  Peter likes that Pauline takes pictures of everything, but says she is obsessed with sneakers.  Pauline loves that Peter treats all of the dancers like his family, but has trouble with the fact that he thinks he’s a chick magnet.  Wade’s vision for this dance is:  What if Van Gogh orginally painted Starry Night with people in it, then took them out?  Pauline and Peter represent these people and want to torment Van Gogh.  They perform to “Little Green Bag” by George Baker Selection, wearing costumes that make them look like they belong in the painting, which is their backdrop.  They show strong movements and great musicality.

Adam thinks this number may be controversial, but loves that the dancers were 1000% committed to it.  Mary loves the concept and thinks they danced it really well.  Nigel says this made a statement and Pauline danced to her full extent, but Peter needs to loosen up his shoulders more.

Our last couple tonight is Ellenore and Ryan.  She calls him her bodyguard, but thinks he eats way too many protein bars.  Ryan loves Ellenore’s quirky personality, but jokes that she might be an alien ready to abduct him.  They are performing a Tango choreographed by Miriam and Leonardo, and they are nervous about all of the lifts.  They dance to “Violentango” by Astor Piazzolla, and the routine is hot, sexy, and sharp.  Wow, such beautiful footwork and flicks!  And Ellenore danced most of it with her heel caught in her dress!

Adam loves how they went for it, espcecially with the heel problem.  He loves the maturity Ellenore showed and likes their laser-eye connection.  Mary calls it spot on and smoldering, then she SCREAMS.  Nigel says it was a difficult routine, but no one could have done it better.  He likens Ellenore to Cyd Charisse.

The judges have to put 4 dancers in danger, and they choose Noelle, Bianca, Phillip, and Victor.  Each of them performs a solo for the judges’ final decision.  Noelle and Victor have strong solos, but it’s hard to showcase a lot of Bianca’s and Phillip’s tap skills in such a short amount of time.  The judges decide to send Bianca and Phillip home.

Tune in next week, when America will finally get the chance to vote on these amazing dancers.  Good night everybody!