BWW Recap: SYTYCD Eliminates Four, Announces All-Stars! Full Results & Pictures!
By: Matt Tamanini Jul. 31, 2014
I was all kinds of conflicted coming into tonight's "So You Think You Can Dance." At the end of the episode, we were going to have to lose four dancers to get to the Top-10. Now, I am all for getting straight to the Top-10 dancers partnering with the All-Stars, but the prospect of dropping four was a little scary. At this point in the season, there were still a number of really talented individuals that haven't seemed to catch on yet, and I was afraid that with four cuts that someone really I really liked was going to go home tonight, without ever getting a chance to show his or her stuff. Unfortunately, I was right. So much of this show comes down to what genres and choreographers you get when, and two of the dancers eliminated tonight I think have gotten tough draws during the live shows.
For the first time since this season's live episodes began, we got a guest judge other than Misty Copeland, as Tony-nominee and Emmy-winner Christina Applegate made her return. Though Misty was one of the most technically proficient judges the show has ever had, she seemed to ruffle the feathers of some fans that thought she was a bit too tough, especially on the girls. So, it was nice that the always passionate and lively Christina was there to bring some warm and fuzzy back to the third chair.
Alright, feel free to add your thoughts of each performance to the comments below, or send them directly to me on Twitter @BWWMatt. "Ok, now it's time to boogey down........"
Top-14 Performance
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Genre: Contemporary
Song: "Last Moment" by Christophe Filippiy
Three-Word Review: Gorgeous Greek Gods
Safe in order of announcement
Bridget Whitman
Emilio Dosal
Jacque LeWarne
Ricky Ubeda
Tanisha Belnap
Rudy Abreu
Valerie Rockey
Zack Everhart
In danger and dancing solos at the end of the night
Jessica Richens
Emily James
Teddy Coffey
Serge Onik
Carly Blaney
Casey Askew
Bridget Whitman and Emilio Dosal
Choreographer: Ray Leeper
Genre: Jazz
Song: "Long Road to Hell" by Avicii
Three-Word Review: Luke-warm as Hell
I really wanted to get into this routine. The costumes were cool, and the opening section was exciting, but it seemed like as the number progressed, Bridget and Emilio lost the edge that it would seem emissaries of the Devil should have. They lost sync a couple of times, and Bridget didn't seem to be committing to the quick movements as much as her partner. There also seemed to be much more walking and posing than actual dancing. After a really cool group number this was a let down from a duo that I have generally liked.
Tanisha Belnap and Rudy Abreu
Choreographer: Mandy Moore
Genre: Contemporary
Song: "Seduces Me" by Celine Dion
Three-Word Review: Hotter than Hell
For much of the season, this couple has gotten by on Tanisha's skill and Rudy's personality, however this week showed that they both have an incredible all around dance-game. In addition to the cool tricks that Mandy threw in, Rudy showed some major strength with an extended overhead lift and Tanisha seemed to almost float across the stage. While Rudy might be heating things up off-stage with Jacque, when he and Tanisha are on-stage there isn't a sexier couple on the show, I'm sorry that this is the last time we will see them together.
Solo Performance: Serge Onik
Three-Word Review: Fast, but Off-Balance?
Jacque LeWarne and Zack Everhart
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Généreux
Genre: Pasodoble
Song: "Dragula" by Rob Zombie
Three-Word Review: Semi Toothless Paso
I bought both of these two as ballroom dancers, they seemed to be able to pull off carriage and footwork fine. However, I felt like some of the tricks were a little too slow to be completely impactful; although Jean-Marc did give them a couple of really cool spinning lifts. Perhaps it was because they were in an unfamiliar genre, but they both seemed to be dancing far more than performing; really concentrating on the steps. Obviously to succeed on SYTYCD you have to be able to both, so since both are in the Top-10, they will have a chance to do that, I just didn't see it this week.
Solo Performance: Carly Blaney
Three-Word Review: Too Much Walking
Emily James and Teddy Coffey
Choreographer: Tony-Winner Warren Carlyle
Genre: Broadway
Song: "From This Moment On" from "Kiss Me Kate (Original Soundtrack)"
Three-Word Review: Disappointing Broadway Representation
I don't really know why, but despite the outrageous talent that moves from SYTYCD to the Broadway stage every year, the Broadway numbers on the show never seem to connect. Perhaps it shows who difficult and unique Broadway dancing is, or perhaps it is because so much of the style is based on a larger story, or group presentation, but I am always nervous when they announce a Broadway number, even when it is created by a guy as talented as Warren Carlyle. These two never seemed to be on the same page, and though there were a few moments when they looked fantastic (I still am a big Emily fan), it just never seemed to come together.
Solo Performance: Casey Askew
Three-Word Review: Spins for Days
Solo Performance: Emily James
Three-Word Review: Unfortunately Not Enough
Jessica Richens and Casey Askew
Choreographer: Travis Wall
Genre: Contemporary
Song: "Like Real People Do" by Hozier
Three-Word Review: Choreography Really Matters
This routine shows how important genre and choreographer are on this show. Both of these two have been saddled with new partners and being in danger week after week, despite being two of my early favorites. With both being in the bottom tonight, this is the beautiful type of routine that could make the difference at the end of the episode. Throughout the entire number, their movements were sharp and their emotions were specific. If this routine means that they both end up staying for at least another week, I'd be ok with that.
Solo Performance: Teddy Coffey
Three-Word Review: Broadwayier than Broadway
Carly Blaney and Serge Onik
Choreographer: Jean-Marc Généreux
Genre: Quickstep
Song: "A Cool Cat In Town" by Tape Five featuring Brenda Boykin
Three-Word Review: Not So Dreaded
Generally the Quickstep is a really tough style for dancers from other genres, but for me, these two seemed to nail it as much as they could. The close-ups showed just how fast (and in sync) their feet were moving. I quite enjoyed the routine, but I do think that it was an unlucky draw for two dancers in danger. As I said about Jessica and Casey, the genre and choreographer a couple gets each week really matters, and while this was a pretty strong routine, none of the more technical genres will be able to resonate with the judges like a contemporary routine.
Solo Performance: Jessica Richens
Three-Word Review: Bringing Sexy Back
Valerie Rockey and Ricky Ubeda
Choreographers: Chris "Pharside" Jennings and Krystal "Phoenix" Meraz
Genre: Hip Hop
Song: "Turn Down For What" by DJ Snack and Lil John
Three-Word Review: Playing Hip Hop
This couple is clearly the judges' favorite, and they have earned it thus far, but I felt like they might have overpraised this one a bit. Yes, the "leg-waive in side split" was cool, and there were a few other tricks I'd never seen before, but I didn't see the "buckness" that Mary mentioned. It seemed like two kids "playing Hip Hop." A few times this season I have noticed that Valarie has seemed apprehensive. Whether it was tapping up and down stairs, or falling into Ricky's waiting arms, it looks like she doesn't trust herself/her partner/the choreography. Also, I still have no idea what "Turn Down For What" actually means. So, while it wasn't my favorite routine they have done, it was still strong enough to keep them safe for a while.
Top-7 Girls Group Performance
Choreographer: Mandy Moore
Genre: Contemporary
Song: "My Immortal" by Evanescence
Seven-Word Review: Powerful, Beautiful, Inspiring. Wanna marry a dancer!
Dance Crew Performance
Academy of Villains
Song: "What Are You Waiting For?" by Gwen Steffani
Three-Word Review: Hip-Hop Mirror Game
This was a really cool routine and showed what a large group of super talented of dancers can do when they work and train together. That is the one thing that SYTYCD has never attempted; while the group numbers are great, and generally always in the contemporary wheelhouse of most dancers, that is a week-to-week thing, with members being eliminated after each routine. So, I am enjoying the addition of the dance crews. It was also cool to see them create a Hip Hop version of the old Marx Brothers' mirror trick from "Duck Soup."
Top-7 Guys Group Performance
Choreographer: Travis Wall
Genre: Contemporary
Song: "Wave" by Beck
Seven-Word Review: No idea what it meant, but AWESOME!
Christina Applegate Quote of the Year: "Your boobs are showing. You might want to pull up your tube-top."
Eliminated This Week
Emily James
Teddy Coffey
Serge Onik
Carly Blaney
Bridget Whitman and All-Star Brandon
Emilio Dosal and All-Star Jasmine
Jacque LeWarne and All-Star Chehon
Ricky Ubeda and All-Star Lauren
Tanisha Belnap and All-Star Ryan
Rudy Abreu and All-Star Jenna
Valerie Rockey and All-Star Ade
Zack Everhart and All-Star Amy
Jessica Richens (Saved) and All-Star tWitch
Casey Askew (Saved) and All-Star Kathryn
Should be In Danger
Since they haven't explained how eliminations will happen moving forward with only one winner, I am just going to select the four that I think should be in danger.
Zack Everhart
Jacque LeWarne
Valerie Rockey
Bridget Whitman
Should be Eliminated
For the same reasons above, I am going to select the two that I think should be eliminated, gender notwithstanding.
Jacque LeWarne
Bridget Whitman
Jessica Richens and Casey Askew
Ok, what did you think of tonight's eliminations? Which All-stars are you most excited about? Let me know what you think in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt.
Photo Credit: Adam Rose | FOX
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