Trav's Thoughts

And cue music. Welcome to



Viewer's remorse.

I write my commentary during the performances and polish it up in editing after the show. So what you get are my initial impressions, with a bit of input from Pam and my pals Anndi and Julie who often "watch" with me in yahoo chat. Most of the time my impressions stand.

But this morning I got to wondering. Did I get it "right"? By right, I mean did I see what I wanted to see instead of what was really in front of me? Was I honest with myself, and therefore with you, as I typed out my impressions?

For the first time since I started sharing my thoughts on this show, I must report that I don't know if I was honest last night.

So I shall link to all 7 dances and you may view and be the judge for yourself if you have the time and interest.

I quoted Nigel suggesting that the Cha Cha Cha from Janette and Brandon was championship caliber. I did not dispute the statement, so you may have thought my silence was tacit agreement. It was not. I enjoyed the dance, but there were flaws. I think I was honest in my initial impression here. The problem was that I saw the proper stiff legs for Brandon, but missed the fact that he never loosened his core and consequently never rolled his body in classic Cha Cha Cha style. I quote Anndi, who said "I would have liked Brandon's body roll to be a Big Kahuna wave rather than a kiddie pool one." Janette, however, threw a professional caliber performance. Click here.

I said that I didn't connect with the story in Sonya's choreography for Kayla and Kupono. I also said that it didn't matter for me, because I enjoyed the dance. That holds true. This dance for me was about movement and I liked it even better the second and third time around. They both dance with such fearlessness and emotion. They really are wonderful together. Click here.

Here's where the honesty train may have jumped the tracks. I want Randi and Evan to be great. Did I see what I wanted them to be, or did I see how they really danced? HA! LOVED IT! I'm not going to sweat whether I can't pick out the issues the judges had with the fists and wrists. The dance made me smile. It entertained me. 'Nuff said. Click here.

I like Caitlin and Jason, but I did not like what they were given to dance. Here's where I really think I let my dislike of the choreography color my judgment of the dancers. OK. There was nothing wrong with the dancing. I stand by my opinion that they were let down by choreography and costuming. Click here.

Well, now I have to take back the amazing comment I had for Jeanine and Phillip. There were places where the popping and locking were really outstanding. But then the chain got in the way and messed with the flow. And there were a couple of times when it looked like they were just trying to get the dang thing out of the way so they could dance. I didn't like it on second viewing as well as I convinced myself I liked it on Wednesday. I will say that it's time a Contemporary or Jazz routine pops out of the hat so Jeanine can dance closer to her own style. Click here.

I thought the Pas de Deux from Melissa and Ade was stunning at first watch. I am not unaware of the issues Ade had with his feet. And some of his body positions were not classic. He danced this as a contemporary dancer and I don't think less of him for it. Melissa was indeed stunning. I enjoyed the dance...it was lovely. Click here.

I enjoyed the Quickstep from Karla and Vitolio equally as well the second time through. I'll stand by my commentary from Wednesday on this one. Click here.

Thanks for indulging me in my little exercise. I think I got it "right" by my own standards. I know enough about technique to spot some trouble, but not so much that it fusses with my ability to enjoy entertaining dances. And that's as it should be, because we're searching for America's Favorite dancer now.

We'll get on with the results now.

Ahhhhhh...we have LEGSES! Yessss precious!

The group number is to Brand New Day from The Wiz choreographed by Tyce Diorio. I hated the direction on that piece. Too many quick changes on the camera angles and not enough focus on the dancing. Dangit!

Randi and Evan are safe. Janette and Brandon are safe. Melissa and Ade are safe. Caitlin and Jason are safe.

Karla and Vitolio are in danger. Kayla and Kupono are in danger. Jeanine and Phillip are in danger.

Patricia Hachey and Desmond Richardson from Complexions Contemporary Ballet dance a beautiful contemporary/lyrical/ballet demonstration, choreographed by Dwight Rhoden. If you watch Desmond, you can see the body lines that Ade fell a little bit short on Wednesday.

Solos:

Karla - very nice
Vitolio - excellent
Kayla - excellent
Kupono - ok
Jeanine - beautiful
Phillip - tremendous

This is not really an easy selection.

Kelly Clarkson in the house! Finally a musical interlude I can enjoy. And she sang it live, because she can.

Gals first. This decision is unanimous. Nigel tells Jeanine that her solo was the strongest and brilliant, and she is safe. He says that Kayla is one of the favorites of the judges and choreographers, but that her solo was static and not from the heart. He says that Karla is a very good dancer, but that she hasn't quite captured the star quality. Kayla will stay, and Karla is out.



Now the guys. This decision is also unanimous. Nigel tells Phillip that he is unique and superb at what he does, although this solo was a bit desperate and he has some work to do, but he will remain. He tells Vitolio that he presents brilliantly with great presence, but he doesn't deliver in the dancing. He says Kupono had a weak solo and he needs to bring more passion. Kupono will stay, and Vitolio is out.



Well, Quickstep indeed was the kiss of death again even though Karla and Vitolio danced very well. But I suspect that we'll be saying that from this point forward. There are no easy outs in the remaining dancers.

Oh...have you been missing Friday Feets at all? I do have some pictures from a car show we went to a couple weeks ago. I just haven't had time to get a post together. Maybe next week.

Have a great weekend gang!