What the Phelps – the Summer Olympics are over? Rio is a gorgeous country and we got to see Americans at their best (and not so best). There were triumphs and heartbreaks and I saw a fair amount of the trillions of events, thanks to the awesome channel that showed 5-6 events simultaneously. USA! USA! USA!
But now we are back to our futile attempt to throw shade on the tiny tots who are trying to capture our hearts (and the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer”). It’s the top 6 with all of the All-Stars dancing a very pretty, if a little haunting, group routine by Travis Wall. Everyone gets a chance to shine and it’s something I’d actually pay to watch.
So tonight the tots are going to have a little Cat Chat before their All-Star duet. Seems Kida has a crush on Tahani. He and Fik-Shun will dance hip hop to a Luther Brown choreographed piece. It was fun, they dance like contemporaries, not adult and kid. They both seem to be in the groove, and in the “pocket”. Cat adorably tries to dance. Nigel thinks they’re delivering and Paula notes the light and shade in the choreography – I wish she’d elaborate on what she meant by that. Maddie likes that there were no costumes and thinks they have swag and are “too cool for school”. Jason digs the vibe and makes a valid comment about how the routine didn’t have a lot of steps, which forced the dancers to have the personality and style.
Ca-ching with these 2
Tate does an impression of Kida zzzz. Her Mandy Moore contemporary routine with Kathryn is about sisterhood. Mandy Moore wants a multi-dimensional performance from the ladies. It is (of course) pretty flawless. They also don’t look like adult and kid. Standing O. Paula thanks Kathryn for helping Tate become a theatrical, lovely performer. Maddie agrees (yawn) Jason, wearing his best Hanes T-shirt, thought the performance was stunning. Nigel calls it sisterhood of the traveling dance. He wants Tate to dig down and find the level of emotion that Meryl Streep Kathryn possesses.
Tate’s leg is just a bit more extended
Prior to their solos the tots tell us what they want to be, if not a dancer. Ruby wants to be a filmmaker. Her solo is full of twists and turns. She’ll do well as a professional dancer.
Oh no! A romantic contemporary with baby bow tie JT and sweet Emma. This rehearsal package ought to be cringe-worthy and heavy on the giggles. It’s about young love. Travis is the choreographer and he seems good with the kids. The dancing is only ok (perhaps Emma held JT back?) but the lighting is really cool, it looks like everything is in B&W. They do look like kids dancing and the steps are very slow. Since the rose is the only colored item on the stage, your eye is drawn to it. At the end of the routine they held hands and noticed they were in color – meaning color came into their lives with love. I thought this was somehow the magic of TV but their makeup was all gray face paint and gray hair, which really added to the B&W effect. Jason said they brought color in their lives and thanks the genius that is Travis Wall. Nigel loves the concept but the dance itself didn’t work for him, especially following Tate and Kathryn. He thought it was too sweet. Paula thought the storytelling was beautiful but Emma needs to watch her feet.
Like the movie Pleasantville
Tahani wants to be a fashion designer. She does a hard-hitting hip hop solo that is her typical brand of cute swag.
Ruby and Paul have new choreographer from DWTS Mark Ballas and his mun (man bun). They are dancing the jive to a Little Richard song and are decked out in 1950’s garb. The routine is jazzy, with a little Broadway and some tap elements. Lots of foot flicks, and partner spins and small lifts. She’s a cute performer and they seem like a great match. The routine looked really fun and was fast moving. Lots of 50’s-era dance moves and was a party according to Jason. The energy is up, especially with the cool over the back through the legs move. Nigel feels the song choice amped up the energy and notes that Ruby is the happiest person he’s ever met. Paul agrees, her personality matches her movement and she lights up the studio. She’s the last of the ballroom auditioners and Maddie thinks she dances like an adult, really clean. She likes seeing her have fun and bring her goofiness into her routines.
I’ve never seen that type of wing tip on a ladies shoe
Tate wants to be a singer/songwriter. Her solo is off the hook, showing her amazing flexibility but in a cool, almost hip hop, jazzy sort of style. Different than her usual solos and she’s in a teal silk pantsuit. She’s the greatest and if she doesn’t win I hope she goes on to do well.
All-Stars Gaby, Jenna, Sasha and Kathryn perform in a really cool Mandy Moore contemporary group routine set to dramatic music. And yes, if you look at Kathryn she is always acting.
Where is Sonya Tayeh this season?
Kida and Tate are with Mark Ballas for a Paso Doble. Kida is a poor gypsy buskering on the side of the road and Tate is a gypsy trying to distract Kida. In rehearsal Tate says some movements are mature (read sexy) and they need to get over the awkwardness. And…nothing about the dance is sexy. They don’t have the greatest connection but I will admit Kida seem to be maturing each week. In the end gypsy Tate makes off with his money and all jidges (except Jason) are on their feet. Nigel is pleasantly surprised by how Kida took control of the rhythm and had raw strength. Paula likes how they did well in a different style. She tells Kida to point his toes. Maddie was excited to see them together again. They’re looking great outside their comfort zone. That is what Paula said. Maybe they don’t need 4 judges if they’re all going to say the same thing. Jason congratulates them.
She does this move in every dance but who wouldn’t? That is, if one could.
JT wants to be an athlete, He shows off his pogo sticking skills (I used to jump on those!) and has the other dancers counts his jumps: 505. Holy shit. His solo is to Michael Bublé’s smooth vocals and his jazzy moves are a little lot Magic Mike-ish. It was leaning towards sexy and I half expected him to rip his pants off. I’m unsure how to process this.
Emma (barely) plays the trombone, mostly b/c she likes the fart noises it makes. For her solo she is wearing a costume you’d see in any little girls pageant/competition. She’s a great tapper and cute as a button but that’s ’bout it.
What are your thoughts on Cat’s ‘do?
Ruby & Tahani have a Broadway routine choreographed by new guy Al Blackstone. Their characters are besties and are sad b/c Ruby is moving away. It’s a new dance style for both girls. The choreographers all seems to work well with the kids. No one is getting frustrated (at least not while the cameras are rolling). The routine starts with Ruby literally picking up a suitcase and the 2 girls waving good bye then they dance around in their bobbie-socks and Keds to a jazzy version of Stand By Me. I like Broadway routines – they’re always fun and a performance. It picks up in the middle with pirouettes but no major moves, lifts or gymnastics. I do like that there are a lot of “regular clothes” tonight such as a simple dress. Al warms Paula’s heart; the number was joyful and well executed. Maddie thought they kept the character throughout and loved it. Jason enjoyed it but this far into the competition he didn’t think it was the best of the night. Nigel agrees with Jason, that it will unmemorable later when it comes to the vote and they could have been pushed further.
Watch out Kathryn, this one can act too.
Comfort, Fik-Shun, Jonathan, Marco, Paul and Robert perform the 2nd All-Star group routine, a Luther Brown hip hop that has Comfort playing the bad ass boss.
The group routines are so cool – do the All-Stars go on tour as well?
Emma has been gluten-free for one day. She complements the stunning Cat so all is forgiven on the gluten thing. She and her lucky socks rehearse with Gaby and new choreographer Nick Young. They’re performing to the classic rock anthem “We Will Rock You” by Queen. Everyone keeps asking young Emma if she knows the song (she does) but come on, EVERYONE knows the song at least from movies, commercials or sporting events. Duh. The performance is ok, just some straight up tap, which I know is hard and I couldn’t do it. I’d like to see lifts, surely Gaby can lift the light Emma? They do some finishing of each other moves and everyone is on their feet. (Has there been less standing Os tonight or are they just not showing them anymore). Maddie goes 1st so she can’t agree with the previous comments. She likes how the choreographer added extra beats to the song and says Emma was right there with Gaby. Jason agrees. Nigel thinks Emma is a bit before the beat but he loves having tap each week on the show. Paula called it specTAPular. Groan.
The lighting on this show will rock you – into a seizure
Kida wants to be a sign language interpreter, which is impressive. He teaches Fik-Shun some phrases and his solo is full of the animation and popping moves that he is so good at. He’s a little dancing robot.
Baby Bowtie JT is his adorable self as he raps (poorly) in the hot seat with Cat. He and Robert will be choreographed by Al Blackstone in a Broadway routine set to the song “Mr. Bojangles”. During rehearsal Maddie notes the All-Stars are passing the torch onto the tots. In the routine Robert is dancing and JT comes up behind him and starts imitating his moves. They “shadow dance” then Robert flings JT around. I liked this routine and could also see this in a movie. They have a great dancing partnership: it’s definitely adult and child but it works. At the end Robert backs away into the shadows, sliding his hat to the dancing JT.
Passing the dance torch
It was a sweet story. Jason thought it was uniquely choreographed and JT was mature in the dance. Nigel thinks that this beautiful and ingenuous routine will live on after the show. Interestingly, his mentor was Sammy Davis, Jr. He thinks they are the best couple but it’s down to the kids and JT is heading for the top. Paula says it was precious and magical, and that the 2 of them are a gift to each other. They have changed each other’s lives and formed a relationship that will last forever. How sweet and I agree. Maddie also agrees (shocker).
Paula is looking good, per usual
Tahani was recognized at home during the break. She and Comfort will be with (another) new choreographer, Jamal Sims, for a hip hop routine. He sings the “Avenger scouts come out to play…” line from the horrible Warriors movie Mr. Lisa forced me to watch. The ladies will portray Girl Scouts go bad and they introduce (at least to me) the term “BANJI”, which means Be Authentic, Never Jeopardize your Individuality. A BANJI chick is strong and in control. I like it. They’re using bats as props. Oh, the song is called “BANJI” (by Sharaya J) so I wonder if the song was first to coin the term? The routine is fast with fancy footwork. They make it look easy and I love their outfits. This seems like a routine that could be in a dance movie. At one point the lyric is “ride you like a greyhound” and I think of toilets and crying babies. Uncle Nigel and the audience stand. He says we’ll never see Tahani lose her individuality. Paula thinks they’re fierce and loves the outfits. Maddie commends the use of props and says BANJI is the perfect word for them. Jason loves how Tahani switches it up (I think he meant her facials).
The New “It” Girl
Next week for the 250th episode Travis and Maddie will dance together, and the contestants will choreograph their own routine. Huh? Some people are great dancers but maybe can’t choreograph their way out of paper bag. And some choreographers have never danced.
Bottom 2: based on last week (2 weeks ago)’s votes Ruby is going home. The girl was born to be a dancer. Paul says she is a star and this is only the beginning. Her fave moment was everything. She’s thankful for the experience.
So, only 5 tots remain. I liked the Mr. Bojangles routine, Tate’s solo, and and all of the group routines. Have you heard of BANJI and if so, do you have it? Are you excited to see Travis Wall dance again? Will we see Kathryn (or Tahani) acting soon? Sound off in the comments below and thanks for reading.
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