Tonight's episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" on FOX network will bring the 10 remaining finalist together to compete.Five male dancers and five female dancers will be paired up, and each couple will compete against the other four couples.
Beginning this week several changes take place. First, America determines which dancers will be leaving the show rather than just who falls in the bottom three. The show's judges are now taken out of the decision making process. Second, they lose their regular partners and, both the person they partner with and the dance they will perform, will be chosen randomly out of a hat. Third, they stand on their own. America will vote for their favorite dancer rather than their favorite couple.
The reason the Top 10 is such a magical number, aside from the fact that they're that much closer to winning, is the fact that they will perform in the show that will tour America after the season is over.
Each dancer performs two dances with their partner and a self-choreographed solo. This should be very interesting.
The first couple out of the gate are Noelle and Ryan. They are performing a hip hop routine choreographed by Tabitha and Napolean Dubo. This looks like a little office romance is taking place. I was just about ready to give up on Noelle, but she did a fantastic lyrical routine last week, and did a great job on this routine. Her and Ryan had great chemistry. She just looked better dancing with Ryan. It's unbelievable how much better dancers look with different partners. Both dancers did a good job on this routine. Will it be memorable enough for voters to vote for them, maybe not. The night is still young, this was definitely a respectable showing. Noelle-9 Ryan-9
Their second routine of the night is a smooth Waltz. They have great chemistry in this dance. Their movement is fluid and beautiful. They both had great upper body carriage and Ryan's partnering skills really showed in this particular number. Noelle-10 Ryan-10
The 2nd couple is Ashleigh and Legacy. This was choreographed by Gary Stewart. It was very difficult and it requires a lot of effort. It looked like they were both really struggling from the very beginning. It didn't flow, it was extremely choppy and nonsensical. That was partially the fault of the dancers, but also the choreographer. The dancers did dig in deep and get through the dance the best they could. The ending of the dance, with Legacy doing a head stand was very unique, but the routine as a whole wasn't enjoyable for me. Ashleigh-8 Legacy-8
I like this second routine much better than their 1st routine of the night. This is a hip hop vampire themed routine that was well performed by both dancers. Their characters were fun and interesting. There were times when they weren't together and should have been better synchronized. The choreography could have been more demanding but their performance of that choreography was respectable. Ashleigh-9 Legacy-9
Molly will be the first solo of the night. Interestingly enough, we have 3 Utahns in the TOP 10! Molly auditioned in Las Angeles, but she grew up in Utah. Since I'm from Utah, I'm very proud of that fact. The solos are choreographed by the dancers themselves, so they're being judged on dancing and choreography. Molly is a very dynamic performer, but she is also a very young performer, so she has not reached her full potential yet. Her solo was executed well, but not memorable. Molly-8
Russell performed the 2nd Solo of the night. This young man is so talented. He can choreograph and perform in an exciting dynamic manner. He has so many tricks and movement that has not been seen before. Russell-10
Katherine and Nathan are dancing a Broadway routine. Wow this routine takes me back to the days of Fred Estaire andThe took the song "Choreography" from one of my favorite movies "White Christmas" with Danny Kaye. Katherine can do no wrong. This girl can dance. I would not have expected Nathan to do as well as he did. He was great. Maybe Katherine rubbed off on him. Katherine-10 Nathan-9
The 2nd routine of the night is a Rumba. Katherine is so very good. She is also bringing out the best in Nathan. He is dancing with so much feeling and charisma. Wow, I liked this routine and both dancers had terrific chemistry. Katherine-9 Nathan-8
Noelle's solo was okay, but not memorable. Noelle is very good at balance, spins, and flexibility. Her leaps are a little heavy. Her choreography is respectable and she has a refreshing look that makes you want to watch her. There is no wow factor tonight however. Noelle-8
Ellenore and Jakob are dancing the Quickstep for their first routine. This is a good couple even though Ellenore is just as tall, maybe even taller than Jakob. That being said, they did a good job. I don't think I've ever seen both the male and female do running jete's together let alone two in a row. They moved across the floor with a lot of fluidity. Both dancers had great upper body carriage and their feet weren't having any difficulties eithe
Ellenore-10 Jakob-10
Their second routine was a contemporary routine very different from their Quickstep. Jakob surprises me every time he comes out on the floor. The man can do anything. Their chemistry was phenomenal. Ellenore's movement wasn't as full at times as Jakob's but I don't know if it's fair to compare anyone to Jakob. She was fantastic! Ellenore-10 Jakob-10
Ryan's solo is very dynamic. There are no huge leaps or any hard spins, but it was dynamic and powerful which is what Ryan is very good at. Ryan's problem, like every other ballroom dancer that has had to perform solos on this show, is that without a partner, they're a little lost. Ryan is making a courageous attempt to overcome that, but he still has problems with repetitious footwork and tricks in his solos. Ryan is the 2nd Utahn in the TOP 10! Ryan-8
Katherine's Solo was well choreographed. She is beautiful to watch. She is joyous in her movement. Her choreography was fluid and refreshing. Katherine-9
Mollee and Russell are dancing a lyrical routine. The first lift of the routine was extremely good. Russell is a very strong dancer and Mollee is light on her feet and you can tell that she trusts him implicitly which allows her to dance full out. I'm not sure she had that kind of trust with Nathan. This was a good pairing. The routine was well choreographed and the pairing of this couple was tremendous. Mollee-10 Russell-10
The 2nd dance of the night is the Jive. Mollee should have been a little more comfortable with this routine than Russell, but I don't believe she was. Russell looked like he had been dancing the Jive for a very long time. This is a good couple and they both did a good job. Mollee-8 Russell-9
Nathan's solo is, so far, the best choreographed solo of the night. He can spin, leap, and dance passionately. What a performer. It's hard to believe he started out as a hip hop dancer because he can execute contemporary movement beautifully. Nathan-10
Ellenore's solo is a quirky unique routine with strong movement and fun intricate movement that leaves you wanting more. Ellenore-10
Legacy's solo defies gravity and every form of balance known to man. He isn't as unique as Russell, but his movement and tricks are extremely hard and well executed. He could work on the choreography side of it to ensure a better sense of movement with the music. Legacy-9
Ashleigh's solo is pretty much ballroom done without a partner, but she did some intricate footwork that is not easy and she can surely shake it. She's very good, but has the same problems, from a choreography perspective, with repetition. Ashleigh is our 3rd Utahn in the top 10. Ashleigh-8
Jakob's solo was the most perfect solo of the night. He has balance like he's nailed to the floor, but his leaps are like he defies gravity. He unbelievable. Jakob-10
Score Totals For The Night
18-year old, Noelle (contemporary) 1st Dance-9 2nd Dance- 10 Solo-8 Total-27
19-year old, Russell (krumper) 1st Dance-10 2nd Dance-9 Solo-10 Total-29
27-year-old Ashleigh (ballroom) 1st Dance-8 2nd Dance-9 Solo-8 Total-25
18-year-old, Jakob (contemporary) 1st Dance-10 2nd Dance-10 Solo-10 Total-30
19-year old Ellenore (Jazz) 1st Dance-10 2nd Dance-10 Solo-10 Total-30
18-year-old Katherine (contemporary) 1st Dance-10 2nd Dance-9 Solo-9 Total-28
18-year-old Legacy (Hip Hop) 1st Dance-8 2nd Dance-9 Solo-9 Total-26
18-year-old, Mollee (Jazz) 1st Dance-10 2nd Dance-8 Solo-8 Total-26
18-year-old, Nathan (Contemporary) 1st Dance-9 2nd Dance-8 Solo-10 Total-27
Favorites of the Night
My three favorite routines of the night are Sonya's Contemporary danced by Ellenore and Jakob, Mollee and Russell's Lyrical and Katherine and Nathan's Broadway routine.
My Ranking of the female dancers for tonight are:
Ellenore, Katherine, Noelle, Mollee, Ashleigh
My Ranking of the male dancers for tonight are:
Jakob, Russell, Ryan and Nathan tied, Legacy
America votes tonight and we'll post the names of the one male dancer and the one female dancer who are eliminated from the show after the results show airs tomorrow night.
The Bottom 2 Female Dancers are: Katherine and Noelle
The Bottom 2 Male Dancers are: Ryan and Nathan
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