SYTYCD: Top 20: Week 1

So You Think You Can Dance

So here we go people. Finally, the start of the real dancing competition. Sure it was hard to get into the Top 20, but there is where you prove yourself to the public. Forget the judges.. a lot of them get on my nerves! I am still miffed about the Natalie thing, but now I get to vote!!! I am so excited. I stopped everything (such as packing to go home this weekend) in order to watch this show. My son is on the other couch watching with me. Lets get this started!

So we have a taste as the Top 20 as they are introduced. There are quite a few contemporary dancers. I would have loved to see more mix of various concentrations.

*moving on* OK.. So they decide to show us how they got to the point and chose the Top 20. I thought this was why I watched the show for the past two weeks. You are wasting my time. A nice group routine would have been nice instead of this montage! UGH!!! This is so annoying. Watch they make me wait through a commercial break in order to see the first dance. This is why people watch the audition and Vegas rounds! If we wanted to see why people made it to the Top 20, we would tune in! Don’t make those who have seen it suffer! OK.. come on with the actual dancing please! It is wonderful that I can type when I am not looking at the keyboard.

And of course… there is a break! *goes to put in a load of clothes to wash*

So clothes are washing and load of cookies are in to bake and we are finally back for the first couple of the night.

Jeanine and Phillip
OK.. They get Tabitha and Napoleon.. so excited! I loved their routines last year. Phillip should be amazing in this. The rehearsal doesn’t look great, but let’s see how they do. No connection between them IMO. I know it is the first week, but at least fake it till you make it! Great dancing, but nothing more. She isn’t bad for a contemporary dancer trying out hip hop, but she is no Katie! *continues watching* I love the lift! Ending was sick! Let’s see what the judges have to say about them…

Adam — loved it.. “unfreakin’ real” was what he actually said.
Mary — her voice is annoying! she loved it as well. Second judge to say that Jeanine held her own.
Nigel — also glowing reviews…

Napoleon and Tabitha are amazing choreographers!

Asuka and Vitolio
You really didn’t see much about Vitolio during the first two weeks of the show, so being paired with Asuka that got a lot of screen time is great.
They have Broadway with Tyce, so with my fingers crossed we begin the routine. Disclaimer: I am a fan of Broadway. So from the start, I am NOT feeling it. I think it has more to do with the chemistry. I like Asuka, but Vitolio isn’t taking me there. I don’t feel their personality. They did the movements, but no real feeling. It was just like steps to the routine, but no character or personality.

Adam — As a result of placement on the show, it felt artificial. Clean. Nothing glowing…
Mary — Left feeling a little disappointed. Played it safe.
Nigel — Dancing was strong. Lines are beautiful.

So we have a break and look forward to a cha-cha coming up.. *goes to check on cookies*

Karla and Jonathan
Tony Meredith brings them the cha-cha. Let’s see how they bring it on as far as chemistry here because they need it for this dance. And please don’t beg for a scream from Mary. Spare me! So they begin, and I don’t like the strobe lights. As they dance, I don’t think he is manly enough for me. Maybe it is his age. He isn’t bringing it. I am not turned on or see the testosterone pulsing through the dance; however she is HOT!!! Hot ending though, and I wish he wouldn’t cheese so much… Give me sultry!!!

Adam — He thought it was really good. Lines were beautiful. Less like a boy and more like a man (I think not!)
Mary — And she screams. Nuff said!
Nigel — Another couple that slipped under the radar. Chemistry.. Exploded. Exciting, challenging, entertaining.. Blah blah blah!

*still waiting to be wowed* Am I asking for too much?? Commercial already?!?!

BOGO at payless! YES!! Oh and I can’t wait for Glee!!! I’m a gleek!

Randi and Evan
Unitard girl!!! Oh.. and I love Evan. Rooting for him HARD! Tyce is back, but he brings jazz. Sensuality!?! Hmmmmm… Can they pull this off? This will be interesting. I hope they bring it because I am rooting hard for him. Oh.. she is married and he is concerned for his safety! Poor baby.. just act and make it work! So they dance and I am loving it so far. I, also, love this is my song. Evan is kind of short, but he is making it work. I feel the connection and they perform an amazing lift. Evan is very strong. I see JAZZ HANDS! So far my favorite couple. They are going to get my vote!

Adam — Vertically challenged as a couple.. Danced like you were 8ft tall. Glowing reviews!
Mary — A Woooo.. Smoldering.. And then a scream.
Nigel —- Absolutely fantastic!

…another short break. They are worse than MTV!

Paris and Tony
I love Tony. He had me crying like crazy last week. They got a Tabitha and Napoleon. They have a hard and fast number and he has to go hard. Problem with this is that he does not do stank face at all!! At ALL!!! I am liking to so far. She is doing great. I like it so far! Not bad at all. I do wish it was a bit harder, but they made it do what it do!

Adam — Thought it was really good, but costumes distracting and a few other things.
Mary — Will this be memorable?  She doesn’t think it will be. (I disagree.. I will remember it long enough to vote)
Nigel — Agrees with Mary. His stank stank.

Sorry.. but I liked it enough to vote dammit

Caitlin and Jason
Two contemporary dancers here. I remember him in LA because the one sock thing stuck out. They got Bollywood. This is undoubtedly out of their range. So the choreographer, Nicole, is challenging them on their first week. Disclaimer: I love Bollywood so they better not mess it up for me! They start out with a lift?? Not bad at all! He is much better than she is for this; however, I do like their lines. Bonus points for the Slumdog song! I am really not feeling her. Could it be the lack of tan??? Her movements are not precise enough for me He is doing much better and stealing the show for me. End in a kiss… why?

Adam — You guys rock! (did we watch the same show? maybe it is my love of Bollywood) Jason’s handiwork superb.
Mary — Glad the Bollywood came to Hollywood.. and the scream. (Please stop!)
Nigel — Fantastic review as well.

I’m not sold..

Four more couples… and 52 minutes left on my clock. Fox Trot next, and we break… *checks out Twilight websites*

Janette and Brandon
Here comes Brandon, and he better bring it! They have the Fox Trot. OK so far, but not as “flowy” as I like. Lovely lift. He is very strong. I like the personality. Now I am feeling it. I can see it now, and it is totally believable. The ending was AWESOME! He is so strong!

Adam — Lovely. Worked together. So much character from Brandon. (I agree!)
Mary — (Please don’t scream… please..) And there she goes.
Nigel — Wonderful routine.

Will they get my vote??

Wade’s routine is up next… let’s see!

Ashley and Kupono
They pulled Wade Robson. They are crash test dummies which have jazz blades instead of jazz hands! LOLI love this. Wade is so sick! Twisted! Mental! But amazing!!! They are wonderful and complete the character. This routine is perfect for Kumono‘s style. They look amazing. Costumer are superb. Wake did not disappoint and I want more!

Adam — Technique exquisite. Good review. Wade is sick!
Mary — Marvelous. (I didn’t even notice that dog LOL)
Nigel — Good review as well. Taken into their world. Wade genius, etc, etc.

I loved it and they may get a vote. I am so torn!

Another break and we return. (I like that new show, Mental!)

Melissa and Ade
The naughty ballerina is up at bat! They pulled contemporary with Mandy Moore. First love here… blah! Ade seems attached to his hair pick. The liken it to the root of his superpower??? Ooooooooook LOL Wonderful so far! I am loving the emotion and how they connect. I also love this song! Lifts are great, and he is very strong. She has so much trust in him. I love the ending on this routine. So subtle, but so real! OK, maybe I like the first love thing! LOL

Adam — “That was so special”.. (the good special)
Mary — And she screams.. OH COME ON!!! Go training!
Nigel — Fantastic Top 20 this season. Well done tonight!

OK.. one more couple. Lets get on it!  Will they make us have to have a break… and yes they do!

Kayla and Max
They have the Samba. Now Kayla has Max, who is a ballroom dancer, so they better kill it. We have the sob story background for both of the dances, but let’s get on with it! Max is leading her through the training, but here we go… Max is hot! They are going to get a scream. I am sure of it! There is a lot of action, along with great movement. Her dress is distracting to me. Max is hot, but I don’t get it from her. I don’t feel a connection, but I hear a scream from Mary coming.

Adam — “It was so good” (rolls eyes) “Max, I’m assuming you were in the number. I was psyched for you.”
Mary — Nigel puts on the headphones! I love it! Hot Tamale train inductees.
Nigel — “That was truly sensational routine.”

As far as the bottom three, I can’t really decide, but I do have a bottom two:
Asuka and Vitiolio
Karla and Jonathan