Jul 7 2008
Less Filling
This week, the remaining 7 couples were required to dance twice, so there was a lot less filler and more dancing. In fact, after introducing the judges (this week's guest judges were married hip-hop choreographers, Napoleon and Tabitha), Cat went straight to the first couple and there was no "cutesy theme" for the pre-performance videos. Instead, it simply showed brief clips of the rehearsals, which usually showed the dancers struggling with the routine, complaining about how hard a routine is, or some variation thereof.
Slow Starting Jive
Jessica and Will were up first with a Jive choreographed by Tony and Melanie. Dancing to "Choo Choo Oh Boogie" by Five Guys Named Moe, their jive lacked sharpness, particularly on Jessica's part. She seemed to be dancing about half a beat slower than Will. Tabitha thought it was "very nice" and it was a good way to "kick things off." Napoleon thought Jessica "took a while to get going" but after she did, he enjoyed it. Mary thought it wasn't that good, with "missed connections left and right." She thought that they "probably fooled a lot of people" but not her, because she could tell it lacked technically. Nigel thought it was a good performance but that Jessica danced "lazy" and Nigel warned her that should she lose Will as a partner, "[she'll] find it difficult."
"Cool" New Coupling
Because the judges didn't eliminate a "partner set" last week, there was finally a new couple this week. Comfort and Thayne are paired up after seeing their respective partners cut last week, and their first dance was a Broadway routine choreographed by new choreographer, Andy. Dancing to "Cool" from West Side Story, their routine was engaging, if a bit bland at times. Thayne seemed to dance it better than Comfort from our perspective. Tabitha thought they did a "good job" and she "felt their chemistry." Napoleon basically agreed with his wife. Mary "enjoyed the number" but thought it "could have been bigger." Nigel thought the number was about pent-up "aggression and passion" and that was missing from the dance. He didn't think it was "good enough" and that had this number been performed on Broadway, "[they would have been] booed off Broadway."
Hip-Hop Ambien?
Kourtni's and Matt's first dance was a Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Denise and Cecily. Dancing to "How Do I Breathe" by Mario, their routine seemed more lyrical/contemporary than hip-hop, lacking the requisite sharpness and edginess. Tabitha thought they were "in the pocket" but Napoleon thought it "wasn't good enough." Mary "didn't feel it" and thought that it was too "middle of the road" which she said simply wouldn't cut it at this stage of the competition. Nigel thought it was like "hip-hop on sleeping pills."
Snazzy Jazz
Mark's and Chelsie's first dance was a Jazz routine by Mandy Moore. Dancing to Holly Vance's "Kiss Kiss," their routine was highly energetic and fast paced, although it was hard to follow because the camera work was terrible. The camera would sometimes close in on one or the other and in a dance routine, close-ups are killer. Tabitha loved that they are "able to tell a story as a couple [while dancing]" while Napoleon thought they "performed well" together. Mary "loved it" and felt that "they haven't taken a wrong turn yet." Nigel felt that they were the "first couple [so far] with a connection" and he thought that "together, [they were] magical."
Powerful Paso
Twitch's and Kherington's first dance was a Paso Doble choreographed by Tony and Melanie. Dancing to "Mataguene" by Brian Setzer, their routine was fiery and strong with good energy, although it had a few stumbles technically. Tabitha loved the "slow build" of their dance and Napoleon thought that "the matador [in Twitch] came out!" He thought "it was money." Mary said she was "entertained" and that "it was full of passion" even though "the cape work [at the beginning] was [only] so-so." Nigel said he was "very entertained" but he wasn't sure that "[Twitch] gave everything."
Solidly Contemporary
Katee's and Joshua's first dance was a Mia Michaels Contemporary number, set to "Hometown Glory" by Adele. It was, as true of many Mia Michaels routines, frenetic and slightly incomprehensible but very engaging. There were also some extraordinary lifts that showed great trust and partnering between Katee and Joshua. Tabitha "loved it" and thought they "took it to the next level." She also loved the way they "command the stage." Napoleon thought that "[they] just got it." Mary thought it was "amazing" and that they "haven't messed up one time [in the competition so far]." Nigel thought that they were "one of three or four couples that make this season outstanding."
Lop-Sided Hip-Hop
Courtney's and Gev's first dance was a Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Denise and Cecily. Dancing to Mr. Cheek's "Lights, Camera, Action," their routine seemed slightly "off" somehow, as if they weren't quite in sync. To us, it seemed like Courtney was dancing too loose for a hip-hop routine but the judges thought the problem was with Gev. Tabitha thought that Courtney did great, telling her, "I'm feeling it, girl." She thought Gev was too "bouncy in the shoulders." Napoleon agreed, saying that he wasn't sure Gev “kept up" with Courtney. Mary echoed their sentiments, thinking that Gev "didn't quite hit it hard enough." Nigel thought it was "fun [and] funky" but that it was a bit like "Cinderella getting ugly." We assume that means it wasn't good?
