I hope everyone is having fun in the sun. It’s SYTYCD time again so let’s get to it: the 8 remaining tots and 10 All Stars are dressed as toys for a Phoenix and Pharside group routine. It’s funky and cute, with interesting level changes and excellent synchronization (hard to achieve with a group). Tahani, Comfort and Kathryn were stand-outs for me, but I couldn’t recognize a few of them with the makeup. Jonathan (I think) was dancing in what looked like a one-armed Woody from Toy Story costume, the arm was hanging limp so maybe his real arm was tucked in a sling under his outfit. It was weird and he ducked off stage for this part:
Toys for tots
Tonight the tots will dance with each other and with their All Star. No filler interviews or movie shilling – tonight it’s all about the dancing! Emma and Gaby have a tap routine choreographed by Anthony Morigerato, who won an Emmy for last year’s tap routine with Gaby. Dancing to a really cool, 1940’s sounding remake of “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Puppini Sisters, the girls are bathed in individual spotlights to showcase their pirouettes, spins and quick taps. It was good but standing O good? The jidges have been giving those out way too easily all season. Nigel likes that there were no gimmicks such as slides or boxes, just tap technique. Paula knows Emma is primed to be a TV star. Maddie has nothing new to say (per usual). Jason thinks Emma is focused and he is happy for her.
Obligatory Cat pic
Tahani and Comfort have a Nappytabs emotional piece where their dad/husband has left and they are dealing with it on either side of a wall. The routine is similar to others we have seen on this show, which shouldn’t take away from its awesomeness. The camera shows both of them in their respective rooms with a wall in between them. They bang their fists on the wall and mirror each other’s moves until Comfort comes around and dances with her “daughter” in some well-synchronized moves. Standing O (duh). Cat has chills. Paula appreciates the music selection and the brilliance of the execution. It was her fave performance of Tahani’s and they are a perfect pairing. Maddie thinks she is bringing it to a new level each week. Jason likes the vulnerable side of this hip hop routine and agrees it was her best performance. Nigel tells her she is one of his favorites and she is in happy tears.
I can understand the dance’s story if you make it super obvious
Saturday was Nat’l Dance Day – there’s Adam Shankman – miss him! Ruby and Paul are performing our 1st Paso Doble of the season, choreographed by Jean Marc Genereux. Ruby giggles a lot in rehearsals (I wonder if she has a crush on her partner). Finally some lifts as the routine opens with Paul holding Ruby above his head. They’re dressed for a night out in Sherwood Forest. The music is intense and instrumental, heavy on the drums. Lots of spins and partner work with a few lifts sprinkled in. Standing O. Maddie thinks Ruby is coming back from being in the bottom 2 last week. Jason loves their lines and calls the routine visually stunning. Nigel thinks it was one of Paul’s best routine and he has Ruby to think for that. Paula likes how Ruby handled the aggressive routine with control.
Finally some lifts
I like seeing the tots in new pairings. Jordan and Jake have a hip hop Phoenix and Pharside number, and they’ll be battling it out, dressed like toy soldiers. They bust out some fairly easy moves, including a kinda cool move when they form a human chain and roll around. Cute but nothing special. Jason thought it was fun and liked the “forward dive roll, connected” move that I liked (after all, it was the only semi-interesting part of the routine). Nigel tries to be cool using words like “fresh” and “dope”. He wants Jake to get a stank face.
Like toy soldiers
Emma Slater and Sasha Farber from DWTS are back to choreograph Tahani and JT. This cha cha starts off with them doing a one-handed cartwheel and holding hands. That’s a new move to me. Of course she has to lean down to dance with tiny Baby Bowtie. Her faces are a bit exaggerated and it looks like a kid’s talent show routine. Also, I never saw a cha cha with standing back handsprings. Actually, I only saw one cha cha move: the roll your arms in front of your chest move. All in all it was cheesy and (shockingly) no standing O. The routine didn’t deserve one but the way they stand up for everyone I’m surprised the kids aren’t bawling. Nigel tells them neither have the basic skills and pulls out a 25-cent word in telling JT to tuck his derrière. Paula enjoyed watching them and Maddie agrees they need more practice. Jason is proud. Zzz
Extra cheese
Sean Cheeseman has tailored a contemporary routine to his father’s illness for Jordan and Sasha. Amazing Grace plays, acapella, while the girls walk toward a fan covered in sheer white sheets. Lots of reaches, pulls and floor moves. You can’t see their age difference while dancing. The ending has a great move where Jordan sat on Sasha’s back as Sasha slowly spun around on her knees. Paula thought it was beautiful and sends her love to Sean. Maddie thought this showcased her talent. Jason congratulates her for amazing execution, especially with acapella, and no other music to aid you. Interesting. He also thought it felt like it was one being (especially the end pose). Nigel thinks they complement each other. Sasha is proud of her partner.
I hope some of these pairings keep dancing together after this show
Jake, Jenna and Jive. Jean Marc is back. Jenna is Jakey’s football coach in this jazzy, Broadway-style routine. I think Jenna would be awesome on B’Way, she is always spot on. The routine is set to fast music and is cute. No outstanding moves, maybe except for the connected cartwheel that looked awkward due to their height difference. Maddie and Jason think he is growing. Nigel thinks this is where he shines. Paula is proud.
Can I go out and play now, (pin-up) mommy?
Sean Cheesman is back with a Broadway routine for Tate and Emma. There is a slight height difference between these two, who are acting tough since they’re in detention. Jazzy high cymbal nightclub music and use of props makes this a routine you’d see on the Great White Way. Entertaining and danced well. I barely noticed the height difference. Tate does a leg extension half-turn on top of a desk which must be kinda hard. Both girls give cute facials (even Emma, who is sometimes over the top). Jason didn’t think it was their best, outside of their element. Nigel appreciated that Tate wasn’t given the ballet turns (déboulé) the other choreographers give her. Paula thought they had fun and the routine could have been out of a movie like School of Rock (totally!) Maddie likes their versatility.
Future Weekend Update Anchors
Mandy Moore reminds us a lot of crazy things are happening in the world and let’s look to each other for acceptance and support. She wants emotion from Kida and Ruby. He is way outside his comfort zone for this contemporary routine. They dance to yet another remake of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (this one by Shawn McDonald), and this version is gorgeous: slow and kind of haunting. He’s in jeans and she’s in a simple dress as they roll on the floor and do the reach into the air and spins that are found in these routines. I am pleasantly surprised at Kida and how well he is doing. He is holding his own and then some. Standing O and he is crying. Neat fact: we’re told the lyrics to this song were written on the side of a freeway and almost didn’t make the movie (is that true?) Nigel thinks Kida is a joy for this competition and wants him to use his breath in the routine. Paula didn’t think of it as young children but dancers (agreed) She is impressed and proud of Kida. Ruby takes her breath away each week. Jason thinks the fact that Kida is crying shows he gets it, emotionally, however his toes were not pointed for the entire routine like Ruby’s were.
The Mockingjay pin in dance form
All Stars in Tasty Oreo group routine. It is snowing on stage and everyone in dressed in white with cool silver makeup and hair. It’s a kind of strange but very beautiful contemporary number. I know some of you all don’t like him but I do (mostly).
Mandy Moore gets Robert and his sidekick JT for a jazz number set to “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin (I had no idea that was sung by Ne-Yo). Right right off the bat there are lifts and flips. JT is so small they make it look effortless and fun. I’m liking this pairing way more than I thought I would. This could also be on the stage or in a movie. Robert does a pirouette with JT on his shoulder. He is the greatest. Standing O. Paula thought the routine was fun, smart and charismatic. Someone could watch it if they were in a bad mood. She calls it “Broadway worthy”. Maddie thought JT was great and they always wow her. Jason notes JT is in his element (jazz is his style) and last week’s routine received 20 million views (wowza). Nigel wants JT to check out the dancing of Shirley Temple Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
These two need a buddy comedy, stat
Kida and Fik-Shun are assigned new choreographer Misha Gabriel. Their characters are bees that are funkier than the rest of the hive. Dressed literally like bees, wings and all, their routine has hard-hitting arm motions and some animation. Fik-Shun assists Kida into a front flip. The routine is fun but not worthy of the standing O it receives. Maddie drones on that it was so good and calls out the front flip. They are “all the buzz” GROAN. Jason notes they danced their antennas off. Nigel: UnBEElievable. It’s going to be the real buzz of social media. Paula tells him to buzz off. Nigel and Paula agree Kida had a great night.
This guy BEE crazy
Tate + Kathryn + Travis Wall + Contemporary = Gonna be awesome. Even though Tate is young, Travis has choreographed the most complex piece of the season for them: Tate resents Kathryn for giving her away. They later meet and want to love each other but can’t. Momma Kathryn is crying even during rehearsals, Tate has to draw from something she has never experienced before. Writhing on floor, emotional reaches and grabs. There is a part where Tate “yells” at her birth mother, then Kathryn grabs at her daughter, pleadingly. I’ve never seen (silent) yelling in a dance piece and it totally worked. Kathryn is an excellent actress, and this was some intense story-telling. At one point Tate lifts Kathryn, which I liked seeing. Just 2 strong female dancers in a stunning routine – you forget she is a child. Standing O. Jason thanks Travis and commends Tate for emoting during this deep piece. He says it wouldn’t have been the same without Kathryn and I totally agree. Nigel thanks Sara Bareilles, who performed this song (“She Used To Be Mine”) acoustically on the piano specifically for this show. Wow, that’s cool. I saw her and she’s great. He tells us that some artists clear the use of their music for the show because of the awesome routines by the likes of Travis. I bet that is true, the 1st time I heard “Bleeding Love” was on this show. Nigel says what we already know: Kathryn is one of the best actresses in the show. Paula tongue-bathes Travis: “…the depth of his storytelling and the artistic choices he makes bring the messages to life inspires the dancers.” Tate has become an emotionally connected exquisite dancer and Kathryn is a gifted actress that needs to be celebrated. Maddie says it was the best routine of the competition and she’s proud of her friend.
Watch out, Meryl Streep
Jordan and Jake are bottom 2 and are both leaving. I was surprised about Jordan and I’ll miss her.
Were you surprised with Jordan’s ousting? Will we still get to see Jenna dance? Do you have a favorite tot pairing? Do you prefer the slower, more emotional routines or the jazzy, fast ones? Did anyone dance during Nat’l Dance Day? Sound off in the comments below and thanks for reading.
Want more TrashTalk? Follow us on Twitter for updates of recaps as they publish, like us on Facebook for a daily update, watch our TV parody vids on YouTube, or for funny TV pics, heart us on Instagram, and get the occasional gif on Tumblr!