LXD @ The Oscars!

So Adam Shankman, one of the judges of my beloved So You Think You Can Dance, was one of the producers the the Academy Awards that aired last night. for the presentation of the Best Score category in which they always play a clip of each nominee, this year they had a dance medley to go along with the music. The dancers included several SYTYCD alum, (Kathryn and Jakob from last season, Kayla from the season before... also Harry Shum (who plays 'Other Asian' on Glee and has been a longtime member of LXD) was involved in the choreography) It felt a little off to be a part of the swanky, black-tie Oscars, but it was an enjoyable performance to watch, none-the-less. I especially like the choreography for Up. ('LXD' stands for, League of Extraordinary Dancers ;)

lxd @ Yahoo! Video

SYTYCD SEASON 6: Finale Pt. II

And the winner is!!!!!...... Oh.

I'm not gonna lie, I am a little surprised and a little disappointed. At first the order was going exactly as I would have chosen it myself, so I was feeling really great about it...

6th Place- Ryan
5th Place- Ashleigh
4th Place- Ellenore

...and then things began to go askew...

3rd Place- Kathryn - BOO! (And not the 'Surprise!' kind of boo, the 'Lame!!' kind of boo) Kathryn, honey, how did my 40 votes for you last night not put you solidly into 2nd?!

...Okay, it's cool, it's fine, it's all about Jakob now ... and then...

2nd Place- Jakob - WHAT!?! Sigh. I'm still kind of reeling over this.

Don't get me wrong, congratulations to Russell. I have liked him all season, and definitely wanted him in the Finale and in the Top 4, but I did NOT think he deserved the win. (Also, I have to say, I am a little confused and thrown off by the fact that he got sooo injured (how/when did that happen?) that he couldn't dance his numbers tonight and they had to show video clips instead and he was crying and couldn't walk unassisted and then when they announced him the winner he was jumping all over and seemed totally fine... ummm, adrenaline rush?) Also, Russell has seemed super gracious this whole season, but when they announced him winner he didn't seem humble AT ALL- I was almost as disappointed by that as by the fact that he won it over Jakob and Kathryn.

Other than the little upset of, oh, the wrong person winning, it was a pretty nice Finale ;P The judges picked great numbers from the season to see again, and it was nice that Ashleigh & Ryan finally got to dance a Latin Ballroom piece together, one that they choreographed themselves. Very fun. J Lo is right back to her ol' J Lo self. Super cheesy opening to her song, but it was some fun choreography by NappyTabs (plus her backup dancers were girls from this and previous seasons of the show). She seemed to be the only musical performer tonight (the others being Leona Lewis, Adam Lambert & Mary J Blige) that didn't sing live. I get that she was dancing at the same time, but it just sounded so obviously lip-synced. She looked absolutely gorgeous though.

So, definitely not pleased with the results, but then I remembered that fabulous night a few months ago when Jeanine, the one I had rooted for from the start, won the show, and that made me happy. That also got me starting to think ahead to next season, and here is why:

Back in the tryouts and the original Top 20 of this season, I fell in love with dancer Billy Bell. Jeanine, who is best friends with Jakob, is also good friends with Billy. If you recall during one of the Vegas weeks, Billy was the one that got smacked really hard in the nose during a rehearsal for a ballroom number, never got to rehearse it with the music, and then was still the best one out there when they had to perform it. I was so bummed when Billy got really sick Top 20 week and had to back out of the competition. Now I am sort of thinking it was for the best because he and Jakob are such similar dancers that I wouldn't have liked to have to pick between them. Now Billy can come back and dominate Season 7.

So, since I sadly cannot leave you on a joyful note about the results of Season 6, I will leave you instead with a combination of the lingering joy I feel for Season 5, along with the hopeful joy I feel for the potential of Season 7. Here are the two dancers that represent that joy, Jeanine and Billy, dancing a number they choreographed together:

SYTYCD SEASON 6- TOP 6: Finale Pt. I

So it was a completely crazy night, only an hour long but they crammed in 9 routines. At least they didn't have to dance solos tonight. Those poor kids and the insane costume changes they have to go through! Better not be shy in that group ;) All the girls danced with all the boys, and Kathryn ended up with the ideal styles to suit each of her partners- I couldn't have picked it better for her. Here was the order of the night:

Ryan & Kathryn: Samba – (Choreographer Jason Gilkison) - This Australian ballroom choreographer just started working with the show last season, and I have really been loving him! Ballroom was always pretty to me, but nothing special, but Jason is so creative and has really made me appreciate the potential for originality in Ballroom the same way that NappyTabs made me realize the storytelling possibilities of Hip Hop. Aaah thank you choreography masters of SYTYCD, you have taught me so much ;P

Jakob & Ellenore: Broadway – (Choreographer Tyce Diorio) - This was a great final piece for the two of them because they are both so theatrical. Tyce always does great stuff. Super sassy.

Russell & Ashleigh: Lyrical Jazz – (Choreographer Sonya Tayeh) - This was nice, but ended up being forgettable for me when up against the routines of a similar style we saw tonight. Sonya is one of my favorite choreographers but this was a little tamer than her norm. Russell really can dance anything it seems, and its nice that we got to see these two dance together since Ashleigh's injury prevented that last week.

Ryan & Ellenore: Jazz – (Choreographer Garry Stewart) - I actually thought this choreography was really cool and super unique (great for Ellenore) but it felt a little slow and I agreed with Nigel that though the dance was supposed to be robotic, it left it feeling too cold.

Jakob & Ashleigh: Foxtrot – (Choreographer Jean Marc Generaux) - This was a nice final routine for these two. They were always a beautiful partnership. Not one of the more memorable routines of the night overall though.

Russell & Ellenore: Paso Doble – (Choreographer Jason Gilkison) - This was nothing special for me. Not as good as the Paso Doble that Kathryn & Legacy did earlier this season, and none of the Paso Doble's this season were as good as some from previous years (Like Jeanine & Brandon last season). Ellenore was beautiful though and Russell was a strong partner.

Jakob & Kathryn: Contemporary – (Choreographers Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden) - They FINALLY got to dance together and they miraculously got a contemporary routine and them together was all I hoped it would be and more! Cheesy and cliche, but true. I'm not familiar with these choreographers, but this piece was just stunning. Why couldn't these two have just danced together from the beginning?! They compliment each other so ideally. Sigh. At least I got to see them dance together once. Best of the night, and not just because these two are my favorites. This piece just perfectly represents exactly why they have been my favorites.

Ryan & Ashleigh: Contemporary – (Choreographer Travis Wall) - This was very lovely and very, very sweet to watch, them being married in real life and all, and finally getting to dance together on the show. Getting Contemporary right after the perfection of the Kathryn/Jakob Contemporary seemed a little unfair though. This was a tender piece for them to get to do together, but since they are both Latin Ballroom dancers its really to bad we didn't get to see them dance something together in that style to finish out the show.

Russell & Kathryn: Hip Hop – (Choreographers Napolean and Tabitha D’Umo) - Ummm, awesome. NappyTabs, you totally just made up for your lame one last week. As Lil C, our occasional gues choreographer and guest judge would say, "That was buck."

So there you have it.

I think this picture is adorable. I love me my Jeanine who won last season and I love that she is great friends with Jakob. I am still guessing Jakob for the win, but I would be equally thrilled if either Jakob OR Kathryn won. Russell would my third choice, but I really want it to be Jakob or Kathryn. Too bad the top girl and top guy can't both win. I think it does count as something to be in 2nd Place though. We will just have to see how the finale unfolds tonight- as last week showed us, you really never know what might happen. Its different this season because it is the Top 6 in the finale instead of the Top 4, so I feel like they got gypped a week.

On a side note about the crazy judges:

1- Most obnoxious judge of the night was Nigel, and I'll tell you why: two different times Nigel talked about how Kathryn has been his 'favorite girl for weeks now"- what?! Umm, yeah, she has been consistently amazing and she SHOULD be your favorite girl, but you have never given any indication that she has been your fave. Why haven't you given her more love? I feel like you are maybe backpedaling now that your wondergirl Mollee is gone. Hmmm.

2- Most overly weepy judge of the night, surprisingly not Adam, but Mary. Yes its true, some of the pieces were choke-you-up worthy, but it was like once she got going (which was as early as the 2nd routine mind you) she just couldn't stop the rest of the night. A very sentimental gal.

3- Favorite judge of the night was, as usual, Adam, but this evening in particular for saying that the show should be called, "The Rise of Kathryn." Right on, brother. Right on.

SYTYCD SEASON 6- TOP 8: The Follow-Up

Oh my gosh, what a shocking night! First of all, I was soooo happy that Kathryn was totally safe, but then I was completely surprised that Ashleigh was save too despite not even performing (good for her!) I was happy to see Mollee in the bottom, but with it between her and Ellenore I thought for sure it would be Ellenore out cause Mollee has had this incomprehensible huge following all season, and I was super sad, cause Ellenore has been my second favorite girl. But it ended up Mollee gone! You may be surprised to hear it, but this pleases me ;P

I wasn't really surprised about Legacy and Ryan being the two guys in the bottom, but I was pretty astounded that it was Legacy out this week and not Ryan. I thought Legacy deserved to stay more, but I guess the sentimental in me thinks its nice that the married couple gets to be together in the Finale next week.

Guess it didn't really matter about all these bottom people anyway though, cause face it, Jakob is winning the whole shebang next week ;)

Here's my faves, Kathryn & Jakob! Please oh please get to dance together next week!!

SYTYCD SEASON 6- TOP 8

Okay, so, the layout of the week was:

Kathryn & Ryan: Disco & Cha Cha- Man I was a little worried for Kathryn at first because Ryan is my least favorite boy and those are not the two best styles for a Contemporary dancer to prove herself, but she's great, so they both worked out ;) Disco is definitely not my favorite style, but it was a very fun routine and they looked like they were having fun too. Cha Cha was perfect to have Ryan for a partner since his style is Latin Ballroom, and Kathryn did awesome, with great praise from the judges, I was happy to see.

(This video shows both their routines)


Mollee & Jakob: Viennese Waltz & Broadway- I loved the choreography in their first number but their second was just okay. I adore Jakob as always, but I still am just not getting how over the moon the judges are about Mollee. Yeah she did a good job in both, but they absolutely rave about her every time and I just don't get it. I think she is a fantastic dancer but I just don't feel like she has a ton of performance charisma or grace. She is very athletic and always gets the steps right, but I am never drawn to watching her. Whenever she dances to great choreography the whole time I am thinking, 'I wish I could have seen Kathryn dance that piece, or Jeanine, or Kayla, or Katee, or Sabra...' I don't NOT like her, I just don't get the big deal. I still think Jakob is for sure winning the whole thing, and I am good with that. He is incredible.





Ellenore & Legacy: Contemporary & Hip Hop- This was a very fun pairing because they are both so quirky. Their first routine was a-maz-ing. It was choreographed by Travis Wall, so of course it was. The timing was super tricky and they pulled it off beautifully. Their second routine I was disappointed with. At first I thought they had hit routine gold for the night with a Travis Wall Contemporary and then a Tabitha & Napoleon Hip Hop, but it just didn't happen. I typically love NappyTab routines, but this one fell flat. It was trying to be super funky but was really just kind of anticlimactic. Love them both though, and I hope they are safe.





Ashleigh & Russell: Hip Hop & Bollywood- this particular couple had some issues though, because the day before the performances Ashleigh pulled her right arm out really bad during rehearsal and couldn't perform on the show, so she was in the clips of the rehearsals, but for the performances Russell had to dance with the assistants of his respective choreographers. Poor guy. This is not the first time he has had to do this- back in like, Top 18 week or something his partner was Noelle and she was injured for the week and he had to perform with someone random. He was really, really great in both numbers, but it is definitely distracting to see a dancer you know dancing up there with a stranger. I feel bad for Ashlee because of course this is going to hurt the voting for her and there is nothing she can do about it. Its down to the wire though now anyway, and honestly, since I am fully aware that Mollee is going nowhere, Ashleigh was already my bottom girl, injury or not.





Just hoping Kathryn makes it through to next week and will be paired with Jakob!

SYTYCD SEASON 6- TOP 10: The Follow-Up

Gah!! I was NOT happy about Kathryn being in the bottom two. As much as I like Ashleigh, I really thought she would be in the bottom with Noelle. I definitely agree with Noelle getting voted off though. As for the boys, I am not sad at all about Nathan getting voted off, but I was a little surprised because I presumed he had a bigger following than that. I thought of those two it would have been Ryan, but alright, lets let the marrieds be together another week ;) Please let Kathryn have an awesome week next week! Maybe/hopefully/please, oh, please let her get Jakob as a partner. PS, Love the use of Billy Joel in the opening group number!

SYTYCD SEASON 6- TOP 10

Here's my two cents cause I'm such a dance expert: K, so first off, I have officially decided that my favorite girl is Kathryn. I worry about her getting votes though because she isn't as prominent of a personality and that can lead to flying under the radar, but I think she consistently steals the show from her partners and just has a captivating presence and really looks like she means what she is dancing. I think it hurt her that they didn't showcase her right from the tryouts like they did with, say, Mollee. Kathryn is sort of the Kayla of last year for me- consistently amazing, but not as noticeable because she is such a serene personality. When she gets on that dance floor though, wow. Love her. Favorite guy since the beginning has been Jakob, no question. Even without the fact that he is BF with my beloved Jeanine from last season, though it doesn't hurt, he is adorable and completely incredible. If I had to guess right now I would say Jakob is going to win the whole thing. Love him. I cannot wait to see Kathryn & Jakob dance together.

So the dances and partnerships of the week were as follows:

Ryan & Noelle- Hip Hop & Waltz: The Hip Hop was fun and I agree with the judges that Noelle finally seemed a little more adult instead of just her normal cutesy in this number. Don't get me wrong, I like her, but I think she is the weakest of the girl dancers left. I had a good laugh after the Waltz when Nigel made the comment about them seeming like a Disney prince and princess because that is exactly what Ash and I were sitting and talking about during the dance. With that blue silky shirt and his chest bulging dramatically and his perfectly parted and slicked hair, Ryan looked like he should be playing Prince Eric (or perhaps Gaston?) at Disney.

Ashleigh & Legacy- Contemporary & Hip Hop: The first one I really liked. It was creative and entertaining. The lacking of the second routine was totally not their fault, it was the weak choreography and the cheesy/dramatic costumes. Over-the-top costumes can work, but only if the routine is playful or satirical, like the crash test dummies with Ashley & Kupono last season, or the zombie group routine in season two. I found myself rolling my eyes at this one. I though Ashleigh held her own, but I think this new partnership is showing how much Kathryn carried Legacy.





Kathryn & Nathan- Broadway & Rumba: Broadway can often fall flat, and this coming from a declared show tunes fanatic, but they aced it. So good to see Nathan with someone new, though I still think he is overrated. The judges, except for token judge #3 Adam Shankman, thank you Adam, were hard on the Rumba. I completely agree that Nathan had no passion, but come on people, Kathryn absolutely smoldered in this routine. I felt like, though he dances beautifully, Nathan was really just there to showcase Kathryn in both of these numbers. (Do I sound partial? ;)





Ellenore & Jakob- Quickstep & Contemporary: She is soooo likable and he is soooo amazingly bendy. They had a great night. There is no way either of them is in the bottom. Quickstep is not my favorite, but they looked fabulous and did a good job. Their Contemporary was my favorite number of the night. Sonya is quickly becoming my favorite choreographer with Mia gone.





Mollee & Russell- Lyrical Jazz & Jive: Though I thought both of these were great choreography and very well danced, I didn't quite get how over the moon the judges were about this couple and their amazing chemistry. I didn't feel it. I just can't get myself to take Mollee seriously for some reason, even though I will happily acknowledge that she is a very athletic dancer and seems very sweet, and I actually really like Russell, but I was a little surprised by just how fanatical the judges were about them. I wish I could jump on the Mollee bandwagon with everyone else, but just can't quite. I enjoyed both of the numbers but I didn't feel the numbers. If that makes sense ;)

(I couldn't find the Jive)

I actually didn't agree with a lot of the judging tonight and I think its because this is the first week the judges don't get any real say in who gets voted out, so they have to speak up for their favorites while they have any pull. I'm thinking that tonight the girl voted off will be either Noelle or Ashleigh and the guy voted off will be either Ryan or Legacy.

SYYCD Season 6!

So the Top 10 dancers were picked this week on Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance. I am not completely invested in anyone yet, though I do definitely have some favorites. I think it is just too close to last season since we didn't have to wait a whole year this time, and Jeanine and Kayla and Brandon and Jason and the rest of the Season 5 bunch are all still fresh in my mind. That being said, I am hopeful about several people and there have already been some amazing dance routines. (For me, so far, there has only been one dismissal by the judges that I definitely did NOT agree with, which was Channing.) This week is the official Top 10 week when things will start to get really serious. Top 10 is a big deal for these reasons: 1- They are the ones who get to go on the tour at the end; 2- They will start switching around partners and so if someone was being carried by their partner that will really show, particularly since the voting will become for individuals instead of for partnerships; 4- It means there are only four weeks left until the Finale.

Here are the Top 10:

Guys: Jakob, Russell, Legacy, Ryan, Nathan

Girls: Kathryn, Ellenore, Ashleigh, Noelle, Mollee

The Finale is the last 4 standing, and though I don't have an official Finale prediction at this point, the 4 dancers that I am currently most rooting for are Jakob & Russell of the guys and Kathryn & Ellenore of the girls. The only people left that I really DON'T want to see in the Finale though are Nathan & Mollee, cause they are sweet and all, but I am over it. Here are my favorite routines that have happened this season so far, from the Top 20 down- they are my favorite for various reasons all leading to this: I would want to watch them again. (Now this may seem like a lot of favorites, but mind you its only 17 of the 52 or so dances we have seen in the last 5 weeks):

Top 20 Group- Jazz


Kathryn & Legacy- Hip Hop (Top 20 Week)


Ellenore & Ryan- Argentine Tango (Top 18 Week)


Kathryn & Legacy- Contemporary (Top 18 Week)


Ashleigh & Jakob- Pop Jazz (Top 16 Week)


Channing & Victor- Contemporary (Top 16 Week)


Noelle & Russell- Afro Jazz (Top 16 Week)


Ashleigh & Jakob- Hip Hop (Top 14 Week)


Channing & Victor- Jazz (Top 14 Week)


Ellenore & Ryan- Contemporary (Top 14 Week)


Kathryn & Legacy- Paso Doble (Top 14 Week)


Ashleigh & Jakob- Lyrical Jazz (Top 12 Week)


Kathryn & Legacy- Jazz (Top 12 Week)


Ellenore & Ryan- Broadway (Top 12 Week)


Ashleigh & Jakob- Cha Cha (Top 12 Week)


Kathryn & Legacy- Viennese Waltz (Top 12)


Noelle & Russell- Contemporary (Top 12)

SYTYCD: SEASON 5- FINALE PART TWO

Well, the results are in, and this is how I feel about it:

YAY, congratulations Jeanine!

Kayla was great but didn't have as much charisma, Evan, the sweetheart, just wouldn't have deserved it, and Brandon I just never totally warmed up to. This year I was sadly just mostly indifferent about the guys, unlike last year with the wonderful Joshua and Twitch or the year before with the amazing Danny and Neil. I am pleased. Also, as ridiculous and as I felt at the time, now that my girl Jeanine won, I feel justified in giving in and calling like twenty times for her ;) It's gratifying to have the person I wanted to win the most and have loved since the beginning actually win. It is so embarrassing how nervous I was watching and waiting! I was watching at my friend Kirsten's house on their beautiful flat screen with their wonderful DVR that allowed us to skip commercials and some of the shows wasting time nonsense. Also, Kirst seemed to have quite a laugh taking those pictures of me after. I'm not really sure why... (Elisabeth, I'm sure you can appreciate them, my leaping friend :)

They spent most of the show with encore performances of the judges favorite routines from the season- all of my favorites of those I have already posted. It was fun to see everyone back and to see the dances on a new stage and from new angles, but as my friend Jess would say, oh my hannah! - they do drag it out!

Since they are switching the time slot for the show to the fall, it will be fun because the new season is starting in just five weeks (on Wednesday, September 9th, just before the Glee premiere, double yay!) I guess that is sort of a rip off for Jeanine because she will only get to be America's Favorite Dancer for like four months instead of a year. Also, torn feelings about the change because I will miss it in the summer- I dabble in The Bachelorette a bit, but SYTYCD is the only summertime show I really consistently watch. I guess I could try getting a life next summer with the 3-4 extra hours of free time I will now have each week ;) Well, I'll be back with more SYTYCD posts with Season 6 in a couple months!

SYTYCD: SEASON 5- FINALE PART ONE

Wow, snazzy new set at the Kodak Theatre. Also, I'm glad it was Adam Shankman (director & choreographer of the Hairspray movie) back as the guest judge, I love that guy. He is almost always excited about every routine. Jazz hands!


Top 4 Group Routine- Pop Jazz

By Wade Robson: Two football jocks hitting on two cheerleaders who turn out to be more than they can handle- entertaining.

Jeanine & Evan- Jazz

By Sonya Tayeh: Guy is trying to keep his girl but she really doesn't care about the relationship anymore- very lively and fun and Jeanine stole the show (that's my girl!)

Solo- Brandon: Brandon's voice sounds like Mickael Jackson. Also, his neck is the same fatness as his head. Can you see that I don't really know why I don't like him more and am trying to justify it with pettiness? He is such a beautiful dancer I wish I could connect with his personality more. The judges just adore him though.

Kayla & Brandon- Broadway

By Tyce Diorio: To the song Bye Bye Love from All that Jazz. Super sassy number and technically Kayla & Brandon are both flawless as usual, but even though there were a couple of impressively challenging moves, I wasn't quite as captivated as I expected to be. The judges raved.

Solo- Jeanine: I have always really liked Jeanine's solos. They are more soft spoken than, say, Brandon's whose are all loud music and athletic brilliance, but I always find hers so creative and she just has personality coming out her ears. I also loved seeing Travis Wall giving her a standing ovation and I loved and totally agreed with the judges critiques of her. (Do I sound partial?)

Brandon & Evan- Pop Jazz

By Laurieann Gibson: The theme is literally that the boys are in a battle to win this. (Danced to Janet Jackson's Nasty, no less). The boys-only dances are always entertaining for how athletic they are. Good not great. Poor Evan, he really is too sweet to play nasty. And though it was true, eeeew, I did NOT like Brandon's face up there as he was trying to hide his smugness while the judges were telling Evan that Brandon out-danced him.

Jeanine & Kayla- Contemporary

By Mia Michaels: Theme is they are on a journey and every step they shed a layer of what they have been through (literally tearing pieces off of their multi-layered skirts). I really loved it- gorgeous and powerful. PS, Nigel! Quit leering at Jeanine like you leered at Courtney last year, and Anya the year before!

Solo- Evan: He really is adorable (Too adorable? ;) and it is amazing that he is a Broadway dancer in the Finale. His solos are so fun and sentimental in their ode to old musicals, but he only has so many moves and his solos are all too similar. I hope he doesn't get a bunch of sympathy votes.

Kayla & Evan- Jive

By Tony & Melanie: Wow, its to country music! That doesn't happen much on this show. Some very impressive moves, but Evan is just too short for Kayla and his footwork wasn't fast enough for me (since I have so much expertise in these matters ;). Kayla looked awesome.

Solo- Kayla: I do think that if she had been showing her personality more this whole season little miss White Lightning could have been a shoe-in. She really is so good and so consistent, but she doesn't always have the right charisma. Brandon and Jeanine were definitely the stand-out solos of the night.

Jeanine & Brandon- Paso Doble

By Louis Van Amstel: At first I was super nervous about the risky choice of this style for the finale because it can often be the kiss of death, but ... Oh. My. Intense. Fast-paced. High-energy. Smokin'. Hotness. It is soooo coming down to Brandon or Jeanine. Yet again, Nigel! Why are such a perv?!

I hate how they ask the judges who they think will win (though I totally love the host Cat, haha!) I'm such a doofus (even a bigger one than I originally thought since I just used the word doofus)- I totally broke down and voted for the first time this season. It's the finale! It took me a couple of hours to even get past the busy signal, which pleases me. The way they do the finale is they announce the bottom person, then wait awhile and announce the next bottom person, and then its just the last two standing when they announce the winner in the very end. Who I think it should be is Evan first, then Kayla, then Brandon and then Jeanine takes the win. Evan has such a following though, and people love to sympathy vote, so, we'll see!

SYTYCD: SEASON 5- GROUP ROUTINES

Here are the group dances from this season:

Top 20


Top 18

Top 16


Top 14


Top 12


Top 5 Guys


Top 5 Girls


Top 8- 1


Top 8 - 2


Top 6

SYTYCD: SEASON 5- FAVORITE COUPLE ROUTINES (PRE-TOP 8)

I didn't start blogging Season 5 of SYTYCD until it was the Top 8 because there were just too many names and too many dances, but now that it is finale week, here is a refresher of my favorite dances that I haven't already posted- from the Top 20 down to the Top 10:

Ashley & Kupono- Jazz

(I am not usually a huge fan of numbers that are too off-the-wall or have too much face makeup because I find it distracting and think it takes away from the movement, but I was totally captivated by this crash test dummy routine. Choreographed by the brilliantly eccentric Wade Robson)

Janette & Brandon- Argentine Tango

Janette & Brandon- Disco

Janette & Brandon- Jazz

(Another playful Wade Robson piece- they are bandits and I love some of the 60s-esque movements)

Jeanine & Jason- Contemporary

(I love this- choreographed by Travis Wall, the 1st runner up from season 2. The premise is two friends who, at first fearfully, take that next step to becoming more)

Jeanine & Philip- Hip Hop I

(I love this routine as well. It was in Top 20 week and this was when Jeanine first became my favorite girl. I was always indifferent about hip hop until last year when choreographers Tabitha & Napoleon joined the show. They always tell great stories with their dances. The theme of this one is: never go to bed angry)

Jeanine & Philip- Hip Hop II

(Another Tab/Nap routine, theme: ball and chain- you may grumble, but do you really want out?)

Kayla & Maxim- Samba

Kayla & Kupono- Contemporary I

Kayla & Kupono- Contemporary II

(If I had to pick one single favorite routine of the season this one would probably be it. Choreographed by the genius that is Mia Michaels and so well danced and acted, the theme is that he is an addiction that won't let her go)

Melissa & Ade- Contemporary

Melissa & Ade- Rumba

Melissa & Ade- Pas de Deux

(Melissa is the first ballet-style-only contestant they have ever had on the show, and this is the only full-on ballet routine they have ever done)

Randi & Evan- Jazz

(I really enjoyed this piece in the Top 20 week and it made me love Evan right off the bat. I'm still not so sure that he should be in the Top 4 though)

Randi & Evan- Contemporary

Randi & Evan- Hip Hop

Good luck this week to Brandon, Jeanine, Evan & Kayla! (But mostly Jeanine ;)

*To view videos from the Top 8 and Top 6 weeks, click on the SYTYCD label at the bottom of this post. *

SYTYCD: SEASON 5 - TOP 6- The Follow-Up

And the Top 4 to in the Finale next week are . . . as suspected, Jeanine, Evan, Kayla & Brandon! Not surprised, just a little bummed about Ade, but hey, my girls are in! Sorry this is a little belated- I have been out of town and I didn't actually even get to watch this episode. The group number that they did at the beginning was a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine:

They also had the performers from last season come back and dance the numbers that were just nominated for Emmy's this year- I posted the original dances last week and if you click on the SYTYCD link at the bottom of this post you can go to them, or you can see all of the encore dances here. Finale this week!

SYTYCD: SEASON 5 - TOP 6

Guest judge this week: Lil' C. Ummm, I find him extremely entertaining, but (or maybe because?) half the time I have no idea what he is talking about. He isn't exactly in wacky Paula territory, but he just gets too metaphorical for his own good sometimes. ;)

Dances of the night:

One of the regular choreographers, Sonya, did a routine for the Top 3 Guys:

Sonya also did a routine for the Top 3 Girls. The theme for the girls dance was Super Heroes: Kayla= Storm, Jeanine= Wonder Woman, Melissa= Buttercup (from Powerpuff Girls, hahaha!) Check out their belts with the first letters of their names on them and their makeup that looks like masks. Sa-weet:

Jeanine & Ade had a Samba routine and then this Hip Hop routine by Tabatha & Napoleon who I love, they are soooo creative (Theme: Friends getting evicted from their apartment):

Melissa & Evan had a Broadway routine and a Quickstep routine- both good, but neither blew me away:

Kayla & Brandon had two great routines, Contemporary (Theme: She knows she needs to leave her lover but she can't) and then Disco:

Next week is the Season 5 Finale and the four I hope will be in the finale are: Jeanine, Ade, Kayla and Brandon. Though I think it should be Ade, I am guessing that Evan will end up in the finale because he has had such a great following this whole season. Don't get me wrong, I do love his charm and his unique style and heaven knows I am a huge fan of Broadway, but for what this show is I think Ade deserves it a little more. I think he has been underrated a lot of the season. I love Melissa as well and it is impressive that she has gotten this far as a the first full on ballerina that the show has ever had, but again, Jeanine and Kayla deserve it more. I would be thrilled for either of those two girls to win. I have loved Jeanine since the beginning and Kayla is always perfect and I think the girls in general have been stronger than the boys this year overall. In the four seasons that the show has been on a girl has only one once- Sabra in Season 3:

So I think it will be Melissa & Ade out this week, though of course it could be another shocker like last week!

SYTYCD: Season 5: Top 8- The Follow-Up

Wow! I was way off, but pleased about, well, half of it. I love that you can never tell what is going to happen with this dang show and that one night and one amazing routine, after consistently being in the bottom, can totally turn it around. That beautiful number last night completely saved Melissa and Ade, and I am thrilled about it because I have been prepping myself all day for both of them potentially leaving! They weren't even in the bottom two. Also, holy cow, Janette and Brandon in the bottom for the first time and Janette out! I did not see it coming at all because they are both so good and because neither had been in the bottom ever. They are awesome dancers, but I have never totally warmed up to either of them personality wise, especially Brandon. Janette is such an amazing dancer, but as my TBFF (T for text) Elisabeth and I were just saying, she always seemed somewhat disconnected emotionally. This is the search for "America's favorite dancer," after all, not necessarily the very best. Brandon is so good as well, but I would have rather seen him go that Jason who is so sweet. Brandon just seems so cocky to me. Anyways, it is nice to still have Evan around, but I will be upset if he wins the whole thing. As we learned tonight though, you can't always tell!

Then & Now:

It was the big 100th episode and it was so good to see so many of my favorite dancers from the past seasons in the audience! Also, they had some of the dancers return to re-perform three Emmy award winning numbers from Season 2 and 3:

Jaime & Hok- Season 3

Heidi & Travis- Season 2

Top 10 Group Dance- Season 2

Just six dancers left and two weeks til the finale! Gaaaaah!

SYTYCD: Season 5: Top 8

So You Think You Can Dance (dance, dance...)

I didn't start blogging about this until now because it was just too many good numbers and too many names to keep track of. Now we are at Top 8 week though, and then next week will be Top 6, and then it will be the Finale! At some point I will probably post some of my favorite routines from the past few weeks though. As for now, however, let's talk Top 8. Favorite routines of the night:

Melissa & Ade - Contemporary: A Tyce Diorio # inspired by his friends battle with cancer. Beautiful.

Jeanine & Brandon - Pop-Jazz: She's my favorite girl and he, though not my favorite personality of the guys, is the best male dancer this season.

Kayla & Jason - Hip Hop: A Shane Sparks # "featuring Jason as a murderous monster and Kayla as his endangered zombie mistress." Campy, theatrical, fun.

Vote-Off Predictions:

It is always so tough when it gets to this point because there are only four girls and four guys left and they are all sooooo good. I don't really bother voting personally until it gets to the finale, so I can't be a hypocrite and get TOO mad about people I like getting voted off anyway. This prediction isn't necesarily who I think will get voted off this week, its more who I think probably should.

Evan & Melissa

I love them both. Evan is so adorable and I love his old Hollywood style, but I just don't think he is quite edgy enough to pull off multiple genres quite like they should be pulled off. He has prioven himmself a strong partner, despite his height, but he just isn't funky enough. All of the past winners are people who make every style look easy and flawless, and he doesn't quite pull that off. He does have a huge following and has from the beginning though, so he could very easily be safe. Melissa I thought was kind of an odd personality at first but her eccentricity has really grown on me and she has been consistent in all her routines despite being the first full on ballerina they have ever had on the show. She had that amazing, emotional number with Ade this week, and I can't think of why she should get voted off... until I think of the three other girls that are still in it and how all three of them deserve to stay just a little bit more.

So there's my two cents. Feel free to disagree! We'll find out tonight. It should be a really good show as its the 100th episode and they are bringing back some of the old dancers from previous seasons to dance numbers from the show that have won Emmy's. Its perfect timing because the Emmy noms were just announced last week and three numbers from last year were nominated or choreography:

1- Mia Michaels Contemporary routine with Katee & Twitch:

2- Tabitha & Napoleon Hip Hop routine with Chelsie & Mark:

3- Dimitri (one of the contestants from Season 2) Tango routine with Chelsie & Joshua:

All great numbers. All great dancers. All great choreographers. All on my iPod for my immediate viewing pleasure.

Dancing in My Heart, Sigh

Dance, Definition One: To move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, esp. to the accompaniment of music

Dance, Definition Two: Hayley's biggest fear

Okay, probably not the biggest, but its definitely up there. The thought of having to do it makes my eyes bulge and I have avoided it as best as I could my entire life. I love dance- I respect it and admire it and truly wish that I was good at it. Believe me, I own both of the box sets of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies and you don't watch those for the plot, you watch them for the dancing-

And I have a mad no-longer-living-actor crush on the amazing Gene Kelly-

I constantly have some tune or another on my mind and find myself head bobbing and foot tapping and I am an avid player of drums on my steering wheel and feel inclined to dance often. When it comes to having to do it while other people could potentially see me, however, it's not happening. The minute I feel like someone might see me or I get asked to join in on dancing, whatever rhythm I may somewhere posses, 'vanishes like a fart in the wind.' (Excuse the crassness, but it is a quote from an Academy award nominated movie, after all, which would have won if not for Forrest Gump coming out the same year. But I digress ... ;) Though dancing is something that I cannot (and will not) do, I love watching it. I love going to recitals and ballets and I LOVE the show So You Think You Can Dance. It is seriously ridiculous how talented these kids are. (Yes, I feel old enough now to refer to them as 'kids.' Sad.)

I will be coming back to SYTYCD later, but as for me, I think I had better just let the wonderful Jane Monheit and Michael Buble' take the floor and explain how I feel-