Trav's Thoughts

Welcome to encores and results!

So Debbie Reynolds was a guest judge for Wednesday's performances, and she kept saying she was going to take the dancers home because she enjoyed them so much and she needed more kids.  HA!  Let's hope she brought them all back for results!

I've got links to the performances here, and then I'll post the videos for the dances we decided we liked above the others.

Contemporary dancers Ryan and Ricky led off the show with a raw Jazz piece choreographed by Mandy Moore.

Contemporary dancers Caitlynn and Mitchell were outstanding in a haunting Contemporary piece choreographed by Stacey Tookey.



Jazz dancer Missy and B-Boy Wadi...she nailed her half but he struggled in a Cha Cha Cha choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereaux.

Ballroom dancer Iveta and Tapper Nick were entertaining in a Bollywood piece choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan.


Contemporary dancer Miranda and Hip Hop dancer Robert were excellent in a Hip Hop piece choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo, even with the  balance issue she had about half way through.



Contemporary dancer Clarice and Broadway dancer Jess were sweetly romantic in a Contemporary piece choreographed by Stacey Tookey.

Jazz dancer Jordan and Hip Hop dancer Tadd were classically elegant in a beautiful Viennese Waltz choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereaux.  This was a contender for dance of the night.



Contemporary dancer Melanie and Jazz dancer Marko stole the show for me again in an outstanding Jazz piece choreographed by Mandy Moore.  Watch for all the little performance details from Melanie that elevate her performance.  This was our choice for dance of the night.



Contemporary dancers Sasha and Alexander have a special chemistry in this beautiful Hip Hop story choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon.


Contemporary dancer Ashley and Hip Hop dancer Chris were terrific in an innovative Broadway piece choreographed by Spencer Liff.



Well done, one and all!  But 4 of those dancers are going home, 2 guys and 2 gals.  No reprieves this week.

Cat Deeley update:  I'm not liking the hair done up tight, but the over the shoulder form fitting red dress is a winner.

Top 20 group dance leading off the show is a fantastic hip hop choreographed by Dave Scott.

Results...Caitlynn and Mitchell are safe.  Sasha and Alexander are safe.  Miranda and Robert are safe.  Melanie and Marko are safe.  Jordan and Tadd are safe.  Ashley and Chris are safe.  Clarice and Jess are safe.

Bottom 3...Missy and Wadi, Iveta and Nick, Ryan and Ricky.

Solos

• Wadi:  As a B-boy trickster, he's terrific.  But he's not as versatile as the other dancers, or even the other hip hop guys.
• Missy:  I did not care for the design of that solo.  She's a better dancer than she showed there.
• Nick:  Tremendous tap dancer, and also proving to be versatile.  I think he still has a lot to offer.
• Iveta:  Ballroom dancers have a notoriously difficult time with solos.  This one was good, but again versatility is a concern.
• Ricky:  I think he and Ryan suffered from going first on Wednesday.  This was a powerful solo.
• Ryan:  I think she's the best of the gals in this group.  I thought she danced with abandon and just on the edge of control.

Tough choices.  I think it's between Nick and Ricky to stay for the guys.  I'd pick Ryan to stay for the gals. 

But you know I don't want to choose!

First the gals.  Nigel says the judges are unanimous.  He tells Missy that there is nothing in her dancing that he can fault.  He tells Iveta that she has graced the show with her talent.  He tells Ryan that her solo was not as good as she can do.

Ryan will stay.  That means Iveta and Missy are eliminated.

Iveta Lukosiute

Missy Morelli

Now the guys.  Nigel tells Wadi that he hasn't been given time yet to show what he can do, and doesn't think he gave us his best in the solo.  He tells Nick that he is going to be a star.  He tells Ricky that they've never seen him dance better than in his solo to stay in the competition.

Ricky will stay.  That means Nick and Wadi are eliminated.

Nick Young

Wadi Jones

I have to say that all 4 eliminated dancers were undone by the styles they chose out of the hat...Cha Cha Cha and Bollywood.  But this show is about versatility, and this group is so damn good...great dancers are going out every week.

Eliminations don't always go this way with partners out together, but this should serve the remaining dancers well as they have another week with the same partner.

Tune in next week, when the Top 16 will bring us more stunning performances and difficult choices for who we like as our favorite dancers. 

Happy weekend!