SYTYCD Top 6
Ok, this is basically impossible because there’s very little difference between them (and though I like Mark, I think this would be an even harder decision if Will were still around) but here’s my ranking of the top six:
Guys: Girls:
1. Joshua 1. Chelsie
2. Twitch 2. Courtney
3. Mark 3. Katee
I think Katee may be technically slightly better than Courtney, but I like watching Courtney more, so I went with my gut. The reality is that I will be happy with any of these dancers being in the final four.
July 31, 2008 in Pop Culture, Television |
I thought Twitch’s Mambo was the weakest dance last night, but even the “weakest” was good. I’m thinking it’ll come down to Chelsie & Joshua.
Joshua & Katee were clearly the strongest last night.
Comment by gabby — July 31, 2008 @ 8:08 am
There is something about Mark when he dances that is just really hot. Sorry, had to be said.
Same with Joshua. Rowr…
Twitch is awesome because he seems so natural when he dances. His solos always seem like a real performance, too, whereas everyone else seems to just do whatever. The contemporary dancers’ solos are so boring.
It’s really anybody’s game this year, but I still want Chelsie to win.
Comment by Susan M — July 31, 2008 @ 8:39 am
I’ll give Mark props. He was at his best last night. I was very surprised how well he did. Sadly for Mark everyone else danced fantastic as well. A pretty solid evening. It was going to be one of those nights where the ones who screw up go home.
I’ve no idea how the voting will go.
Twitch’s Mambo was the weakest, but that was way out of his zone as well as the judges pointed out. I was surprised that they didn’t show the landing he screwed up on the replay though.
With regard to the solos my wife and I were talking about that. Both of us think the solos this year have been among the weakest even if the choreographed dancing has been amazingly strong. Very weird. Perhaps they are just taking so long on the dances? (They only have 5 hours to learn each choreographed dance plus private rehearsal time - Twitch really lucked out having Chelsea for that Mambo to help him.)
I still want Joshua to win. I’m really looking forward to next week to see what dances they give everyone. I hope Chelsea does well though. I thought her solo last night, despite starting off weak, was among her best.
Comment by Clark — July 31, 2008 @ 8:46 am
That hip-hop routine was my least favorite of the dances last night; I also disliked Chelsie’s solo, but understand her specialty is not conducive to solos.
I am rooting for Joshua and Katee, but they are all fun to watch at this point.
Comment by ESO — July 31, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Funnily one of the dances I really disliked was Mark’s Jazz number and Joshua’s Pasp Doble. Not that they were bad but they just didn’t do anything for me. Interestingly Twitch’s solo and his hip hop were my favorites of the evening with Chelsie’s solo being my second favorite. (Interestingly since I think most her solos have been either lackluster or appeared pretty blatant borrowing from prior seasons - whether intentional or not)
Comment by Clark — July 31, 2008 @ 9:10 am
To add what is amazing to me is how well and solid everyone is doing in styles completely outside their experience and comfort zone. For a hip hop guy with no training to do that Paso Doble or Mambo with 5 hours of formal prep was pretty amazing. Ditto with Mark’s Viennese Waltz.
Comment by Clark — July 31, 2008 @ 9:12 am
After what happened last week, I would not be at all surprised to see Mark beat out Twitch again tonight. He has a very strong following and after his strong performances last night he could easily end up in the final four.
Comment by MCQ — July 31, 2008 @ 10:30 am
I’m afraid that you might be right about Mark tonight. Although it is a very solid, deserving top 6, Mark really needs to to home tonight. His solos have always shown him to be a much weaker dancer than the others, and that difference was glaring last night.
Comment by shazbraz — July 31, 2008 @ 11:36 am
Yeah, if it was up to me, Mark and Courtney would be on their way home. But, what I want so rarely happens! Last week’s fiasco being a great example. Honestly though, Mark really shouldn’t be in the top 4.
Comment by Jody — July 31, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Clark, I’m surprised that Joshua’s Paso didn’t do anything for you. I thought he was going to destroy the dance floor. I’m not trying to convince you, of course.
I was watching Mark and Courtney do their waltz and at first I couldn’t enjoy it because Mark was in it—I kept waiting for him to be too stiff, or look awkward, etc. At some point I stepped back and said, “Wait, he’s really nailing this thing!” After that I was able to really enjoy it. Mark was surprisingly good last night.
That said, I think that Katee and Joshua—and Joshua in particular—stole the show last night. Their contemporary was among the most beautiful dances on the show (all seasons).
Comment by BrianJ — July 31, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
On another note, does anyone “get” Sonya’s (spelling?) choreography? It’s different, for sure, but it does nothing for me. I wish Wade Robinson would do more this season.
Comment by BrianJ — July 31, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
I like Sonya’s choreography, but I didn’t think that dance last night was all that great. I loved the one she did earlier in the season with the tall guy and the Uma-look alike girl (sorry, names are not my strong point!).
I agree the Katee and Joshua contemporary last night was beyond amazing.
Comment by shazbraz — July 31, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Yeah, where’s Wade?
Comment by MCQ — July 31, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
I think Wade did one group dance early this season. That’s it. This would be a fun vote: favorite choreographer.
shazbraz: I’m not baiting you, but what do you like about Sonya’s stuff?
Clark: thinking more about the Paso, I wonder if the music played a part in you not liking it. I loved the dance but found the music very distracting. At one point I turned the volume down so I could enjoy the dance. I really like it when the ballroom dances are danced to non-standard pieces, but that particular piece was a “piece” of….
Comment by BrianJ — July 31, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
I LOVED the Paso. I normally hate the Paso Doble, so that is amazing right off the bat! I’m just amazed at how GOOD Joshua is. Who knew he’d be my favorite?
And their contemporary was insane.
Comment by gabby — July 31, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
He’s been my favorite for some time. And normally I like the Paso Doble but this time it just didn’t work for me. But don’t get me wrong. Had it been done a few weeks ago I’d have been praising it non-stop. However last night’s performances were just so solid that it didn’t stand out. Ditto for me Mark’s Jazz number. It was a great performance - especially by Mark who’s great with performances. But compared to everything else that night it just didn’t nab me. (Partially due to the choreography for me - the neo-wave 80’s retread doesn’t do it for me)
I don’t think it was the music though. I actually kind of dug the different music. (Ditto for Chelsea’s hip hop) To me it was more I just didn’t buy Joshua in that role. Perhaps it was partially his physique which just didn’t fit the dance.
BTW - one thing I’ve really liked this week is their using new choreographers. Some I’ve really dug.
Comment by Clark — July 31, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
Wow. Ok, now I’m mad Chelsie’s gone, but I guess it’s my own fault because I forgot to vote last night.
Comment by MCQ — July 31, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
With the women it was going to be Courtney or Chelsea. It wasn’t clear who it would be. On the men I thought it would be Mark but thought it might have been Twitch. It really could have gone anyway though.
I think it’ll be Joshua though who wins.
Comment by Clark — July 31, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
Tough break for Chelsie, but the three girls are all really good. I can’t think of a bad performance from any of them. And while I think Katee and Chelsie are better dancers, I just like watching Courtney more.
The way I see it, everything Twitch did well, Joshua would also have done well, and where Twitch faltered, Joshua would still have one well.
Comment by BrianJ — August 1, 2008 @ 12:26 am
Hm. I assumed it would be Twitch & Courtney (one “shocking” one not). Instead it was Mark & Chelsie. So much for a Chelsie win! I’m ok with that. I’m now completely convinced Joshua will win.
I’m really excited for a Joshua / Twitch hiphop next week. So excited.
Comment by gabby — August 1, 2008 @ 7:10 am
Courtney’s Jazz number connected with a lot of people. I really dug Chealse’s hip hop routine but I guess it wasn’t enough.
I’m pretty convinced Joshua will will although Katee is a dark horse. But then I thought Joshua would win around week 1.
Comment by Clark — August 1, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Katee is a dark horse? Haha.
Comment by Susan M — August 1, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Yeah, probably not the best word choice. She’s #2 solid but what I meant she may still be the winner.
Comment by Clark — August 1, 2008 @ 11:59 am
I am glad it was Joshua + Twitch who made it to the finals. I think it is fun that the least trained have done so well.
I wonder if Chelsie’s odd attitude did her in? It certainly wasn’t for lack of praise! But have you noticed she has seemed very underwhelmed by the experience in her clips? I suppose it was a way of coping for her–being so young–just a bit “too cool for school” kind of thing that is immaturity. Anyway–I am sure she will do well. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Dancing with the Stars snap her up to replace their other Utah blond who moved on to solo fame.
Courtney has always come across to me as sunshine and gratitude–that is very attractive.
Comment by ESO — August 1, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
ESO: every time Chelsie dances a Latin number my wife says, “I’ll bet she gets picked up by Dancing with the Stars.” How funny that you thought the same thing!
Comment by BrianJ — August 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
She’ll end up with a career somewhere I suspect.
I can see some not liking her personality though. As I said though I think Courtney’s solid performances Wednesday night put her up. They were quirky and memorable. Still I suspect it could have gone either way. (I’d love to know the actual votes)
Comment by Clark — August 1, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
I’d also like to see the votes. All we have are some ballpark ideas: 11 million people voted this week; each dancer received at least 1 million votes; so, who did the other 5 million go to?
Comment by BrianJ — August 1, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Joshua?
Comment by gabby — August 1, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Brian J — To answer your question re: Sonya’s choreography-
Most styles of dance focus on technique (ballet, ballroom) or entertainment (jazz, broadway). Contemporary dance is really about the exploration of emotion and how to portray that emotion to your audience. Certainly a contemporary dancer should be technically good and entertaining if they want us to watch them, but that is not the real root of what contemporary dance is all about.
I like Sonya as a choreographer because I think she is very good at portraying that emotion in her pieces without beating you over the head with a story. The piece that Gev and Chelsie did (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4IWze5QEfI) had a backstory to it, but you didn’t need to know it in order to get that emotion from watching it. Same with the one that Matt and Kourtni did (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX7Yujz6Kj8) To enjoy that I don’t need to know that they are supposed to be cartoon characters, I get the definite feel from watching it that it is playful and flirtatious and quirky (as a side note, Sonya’s choreography is truly quirky. They keep calling Mark quirky which he is in personality, but his dancing isn’t quirky, its just inexperienced and silly.) They didn’t need to wear make up or masks or have props to evoke that feeling; it’s there in the choreography. Contrast that to a piece like the Frankenstein’s Bride piece that Courtney and Josh did a few weeks ago; it is all story and props. There is no emotion there and no exploration; just a clear cut story. I’m not saying that’s bad, I liked that dance, but to choreograph raw emotion and do it well is more difficult to do and when it is done right, I think it is always beautiful.
Also, I think the movements she uses are very simple –not simple as in easy to do, but simple as in clean. It gives her pieces a really fresh feeling.
I also think she picks interesting music and then she choreographs it well.
Having said all of that, I wouldn’t say that she is my favorite choreographers, but I have just loved that she offers something totally different in her style than anything we’ve seen on the show before.
Comment by shazbraz — August 1, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
Wow, I forgot that she did that one with Gev and Chelsie. That was a beautiful dance—one of my favorites this season. I could only remember the dances with Matt/Kourtni and Mark/Courtney—I didn’t like those at all. I know what you mean about Contemporary dance exploring emotion more than technique or story; I just didn’t feel any emotion in those other two dances by Sonya. Thanks for explaining your “side” though—perhaps it will give me more appreciation of her work when I see it next.
Comment by BrianJ — August 3, 2008 @ 4:09 pm