So You Think You Can Dance: 10.26.09

This is a non-elimination show, the showcase the Top 20 in their own styles.  I read earlier today that Billy Bell dropped out due to an undisclosed illness, and hip-hopper Brandon Dumlao is in.  I don't know if Billy is in this show tonight, but presumably, he will be tomorrow night.

Cat is super shimmery and doing her disco ball best.  There's a new set and it's snazzy.

Welcome, Adam Shankman as permanent judge, and hello to Mary (may she not scream as much), and Nigel, along with an empty guest chair for Paula Abdul (whenever she might decided to stop by, says Nigel).  I think she is a better judge of dance, potentially, than of singing, so I hope she stops in every now and again.

First up, a Group Routine conceived by Wade and Amanda Robeson, choreographed by Wade.  It's set to Comanche, by The Revels.  I wish I knew the dancers names well enough to comment.  I thought that Phillip did a very good job.  Overall, I was super impressed.  No one brought any suckage.  The girls all looked gorgeous and the boys all looked spiffy.  It was set in a 30's club type setting, and it was wonderful.  Good job, crew!

Russell, Kevin Hunte, and Legacy (Hip Hop, choreographed by Tabitha & Napoleon, Beggin, by Madcon) This is an awesome routine.  The three of them are very different, but oh so talented.  There was an awesome part where Russell and Kevin did some breakdancing to make a bridge with their legs linked together, and Legacy did his thing under them.  It was awesome.  Nigel said it was super exciting to see the talent, and Mary screamed something or other. 

Nathan, Ariana, Jakob, and Channing (Contemporary, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, Crying by kd lang)  These four are also beatuiful.  Ariana did a leap off a chair that was grand.  These four fly.  It was beautifully done.  The ending was really nice. Bravo!  Mary claimed to be dizzy from the performance and shrieked some.  I really really really cannot stand her voice.  At all.  She shrieked something about Ariana's improvement and Nathan's piroettes, and Jakob's leaps, lines, and timing.  Channing didn't get a special shout out from her.

Peter, Bianca, and Phillip (Tap, choreographed by new choreographer Derick K. Grant, Take the A Train, by Ella Fitzgerald)  I love watching tap done well!  And these three really know how to do it well.  Fantastic.  I really enjoyed Bianca's bow tie necklace.  They all have really great personalities, too.  Yay for Tap on SYTYCD!  Nigel loves to see tap on the show, and sucked up to the new choreographer.  He warned the tappers that it's going to be tough for the season, and if they have tap as a style, the partners will not be expected to learn tapping for the routine, so it'll all be on the tappers.  We'll see how that works.

Mollee, Pauline, and Eleanore (Jazz, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, On a Cloud, by PPP)  Their tutus look like they were made with toilet paper, and I don't know how that's surpised to make them look sexy, but I was impressed with the dancing.  Mollee is going to have to do a lot to impress me, though, because she is so immature in her dancing and her look... Not my favorite routine of the night, I have to say.  I think they are talented dancers, though.  Adam agreed with me on the questionable nature of sexy tutus, but thought they sold it, and thought the dance was cute as a button.  He declared that Mollee just graduated from High School Musical.  I don't know about that.


Billy, Kathyrn, Noelle, and Victor (Contemporary, choreographed by Mandy Moore, Viva la Vida by Coldplay)  Guess that settles it.  This was pre-recorded.  I am ever so sad that Billy has dropped out, because he is wonderful.  The others are all great, too.  The dance was beautifully choreographed and was magical.  They got a little out of sync, but pretty good, overall.  Adam called it one of the most beautiful, relentless routines he's seen, and called it a work of art.

Karen, Ashleigh and Ryan (Latin, choreographed by Jason Gilkison, Everything I Can't Have by Robin Thicke)  I have to give it to Ryan for partnering with two women at the same time.  It was impressive.  The footwork was wonderful.  It was a great routine.  Love it.  Mary shrieked about three latin dancers.  I missed everything else she said.  My ears were bleeding.

I am excited for the partnering to start!!!  Any favorites from you so far?