Encores & results
Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008 by Travis Cody in
It was a really good show on Wednesday, with just a couple of exceptions.
Pam and I are loving how the kids have embraced all of the different styles. As we watch each dance, we can actually see through some of their struggles with choreography and style to how talented they really are. There were a couple of dances that we didn't understand because of the choreography, but all in all these kids are really entertaining. Top 12 through the end is going to be uber-competitive this season.
We'll start the encores with our favorite pair. Twitch pulled his own hip hop style out of the hat, and Kherington stepped up. The choreography told a fun story in a funky way. Twitchington brought the personality, technique, style, and performance.
Hip hop ruled on Wednesday as the dance of the night was Chelsie H and Mark with a stylish and emotional piece choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon.
We are so pleased with the addition of Tabitha and Napoleon to the show. The dances they are creating make hip hop accessible. They've taken a lot of the posturing out of it, replacing it with real story. I guess there's nothing wrong with the crotch-grabbing and trick-laden style...some of those tricks these kids can do are amazing. But I want to see dance with it, and T&N are pushing the kids to dance and not just throw a bunch of tricks.
The Top 16 group number to open the results show is an odd piece choreographed by Mia Michaels. We didn't understand that dance, but it was very cool and innovative.
First three couples up...Chelsea T & Thayne are in the bottom three after a tough Quickstep. But Katee & Joshua are safe, as are Chelsie H & Mark.
Next three couples...Kherington & Twitch make it through and YAY! Courtney & Gev also advance. Comfort & Chris were given an intriguing African jazz concept, but it missed and they are in the bottom three.
One of the last two pairs is safe and the other is in the bottom three. Jessica & Will are safe, which puts Kourtni & Matt in the bottom three. That's probably because the routine for K&M was just a bit too quirky and not terribly engaging for an audience.
Ryan, Dominic, & Hok from past seasons return with their Crew and prove that hip hop dancing with tricks is great when combined with innovative choreography and a cohesive story.
Solos...
Chelsea T - talented and great personality, but not standing out
Thayne - technically outstanding, but something is missing
Comfort - fantastic breaker, but not versatile enough
Chris - very ordinary
Kourtni - on her own, she is exciting
Matt - wonderful lines and tremendous technique
As with last week, all three guys have similar skills. Chris is the weaker of the three technically, so we say he must go.
For the gals, hmmmmm. Both Chelsea and Kourtni are better technically, and Comfort's solo was just average. We'll say Comfort should go only because she's not as versatile as the other two.
So, we're just a little curious why an American Idol winner performed with a pre-recorded song track.
Here we go with the gals. Nigel tells Chelsea that it's the end of the road for her. We're a little surprised because we thought she deserved another week over Comfort.
Now the guys. Nigel tells Matt that his solo was brilliant and he is safe. Thayne is safe and will partner with Comfort next week, and Chris is out.
We think Chelsea and Chris are both excellent dancers. But they just didn't stand out from the rest...not with technical skill and not with personality.
Have a great weekend y'all!
Thanks for the final results... migraine kept me from watching til the end.
I missed the opening number.. dang! I Love Mia's work.
AS I said yesterday, I had to mute miss Jordin. Not surprised it was pre-recorded...