Last week I was pissed at the judges; tonight, I simply am disappointed. I think they once again got it wrong. As you read, remember that I type this while I am watching, so read it as though you are watching the show live. (Oh, I skip over the guest performances; I usually am trying to catch up at that point!)
Tonight’s opening number ... exquisitely beautiful. I am not a fan of Tyce, but this had passion and style in abundance. By the looks on their faces, the dancers obviously took to it and enjoyed performing it. The prime example was the look on Sabra’s face at the end of the number ... sheer joy. However, would someone please explain to the director that, when filming a group dance number, wide shots are more effective that tight closeups? I want to be able to see the action as a whole, to see the choreographer’s intent. Fewer cuts would be welcome as well. Also, they could have taken a moment at the end to let the audience see the boys’ chest a little more clearly! Hee hee ...
It was very gracious of the producers to let Jessi and Pasha dance the routine we should have seen last night. As I expected, it was hot. Jessi was not flawless in all of the cha cha movement, but she was sexy and performed the h*ll out of the number. It was great to see those lifts as they should have been done. If Jessi had been well last night, she and Pasha would definitely have been safe. That was great.(Um, in the backstage shots of Pasha and Melanie, was she carrying a glass of wine?!? That might explain why she didn’t dance so well!)
My fears were confirmed. Although I did not express this last night, I had a feeling America was going to do something like this. I don’t disagree with Lauren and Neil, and Anya and Danny in the bottom three, but Cedric in no way should have been safe tonight ... not to mention that he shouldn’t have been here this week, or even last week! I hope the judges are kicking themselves for keeping him safe twice. I just hope he doesn’t turn into a “Jerry Springer.”
The solos:
Lauren: With only 30 seconds, one should not walk across the stage removing one’s clothes. I anticipate similar comments to what Jessi received last week. She is dancing for her life, but she did not seem to have a sense of urgency.
Neil: Well, he pulled out every trick in the book, which was fantastic to watch, but I didn’t sense any personality or passion. Like Travis last year, I don’t watch him and think, “I want to share the joy he feels when he dances.” Also, I still wonder about him as an overall dancer.
Sara: That was fun, but, out of all the “B”-dancers (boys and girl), Sara is the weakest overall dancer. It may be her to go tonight, depending on how Jessi does.
Jesus also pulled out his bag of tricks, but, unlike Neil, he did it with personality. His tricks may not have been as strong as Neil’s, but Jesus is the more engaging performer.
Jessi: I really appreciate that Jessi did something different stylistically than last week. One of my big complaints about the dancers who find themselves in the bottom three on more than one occasion is that they never branch out in their solos, sticking to the safety of one style. For some that is a good thing, but it gets tiresome to see the same moves from the same dancer. Unfortunately, however, Jessi’s solo didn’t unequivocally state her case. I hope the judges realize that she would not have been in the bottom three had she danced last night and keep her.
Danny: With as much technical skill, Danny showed much more passion than the other two boys.
Anya: First of all, I think that was a poor choice of costumes. Anya is sexy, and that bodysuit did nothing to accentuate that. Her solo was a little boring.
This is going to be a tough choice for the judges. None of the girls really stated her case like Shauna did last week, so no one is definitely safe. I will not be surprised to see any one of them go tonight. Based on tonight’s solos alone, I would send Lauren home. However, if it was me, we would say goodbye to Sara tonight.
Similarly, it’s a tight contest with the boys. Neil has the tricks. Jesus has the personality. Danny has the passion. I’d keep personality and passion, since they both also have the technique, and boot the tricks. That is based on everything we have seen up until now.
Although I predicted it last night, and I am not surprised, I am VERY disappointed that we lost Jessi tonight. She is a very good dancer, and she and Pasha were a great couple. Once again, I think the judges got it wrong.
I also am disappointed that Jesus is gone, but that could be as much about me disliking Neil as it is about liking Jesus.
This leaves us the mismatched Sara and Pasha as couples. Perhaps Cedric will finally be shown the door next week, along with Sara, which would give us the potentially very exciting Shauna and Pasha. (When do they switch partners?!?)
"I am open, and I am willing,
For to be hopeless would seem so strange.
It dishonors those who go before us,
So lift me up to the light of change."
Holly Near
