Finale!
The night kicks off with Tasty's "Brand New Day" routine from The Wiz, and all Top 20 dancers. Hi Top 20!! Hi hi it's so good to see y'all again! It's so high energy and fantastic! And then out comes Cat lookin' like a million damn bucks. Wow. Well done, honey.
Before the rest of the show kicks off, I am under the impression that Jeanine has become the front-runner to win the whole thing. Not my favorite, or my first choice, but I kind of get it. It's been the buzz on the Internets, and the crowd at the Kodak goes extra bananas when Cat says her name, if that's any indication.
Basically, I'm girding myself for a disappointing ending to a season that didn't grab me as much as past seasons have. Although, after the season montage, I still get a little choked up.
It's the dancing, y'all. I love it so much. I can't help it. No matter how I might feel about .... whatever. I still just love to watch these people dance their asses off. Just love it.
Adam Shankman's pick: Hip Hop to "Mad" by Ne-Yo, choreographed by Tabitha & Napoleon, danced by Phillip and Jeanine. Really? because I'm fast-forwarding this dumb dance. Also, I don't really believe this was Adam's pick. I mean, really??
Nigel Lythgoe's pick: Argentine Tango to "Libertango" from Forever Tango, choreographed by Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo, danced by Janette and Brandon. YES. I was riveted the whole time and clapped spontaneously when it was over, just like I did the first time. So awesome.
Debbie Allen's pick: Waltz to "Dreams are More Precious" by Enya,choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, danced by Asuka & Vitolio. It's pretty, I guess, it's just not sticking out in my memory, like at all. These two really seem to enjoy being back and dancing together again, though, which is nice or something.
Mary Murphy's pick: Contemporary to "If It Kills Me" by Jason Mraz, choreographed by Travis Wall, danced by Jeanine & Jason. I would have been surprised if they didn't take one more chance to show this, and give more props to Travis's choreography, which is lovely.
Mia Michaels' pick: Samba to "Jum Bah Day" by House of Gypsies, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, danced by Kayla & Max. Great number. Just as hot and flawless as I remember it the first time. Surprising pick by Mia, though.
Debbie's second pick: Salsa/Hip Hop fusion, or whatever, the Top 16 group number with all the water by Tabitha & Napoleon and Dmitry to "I Know you Want Me" by Pitbull. I have to say, I liked this much better than I did the first time around. Though I can think of at least two other group numbers I liked better.
Lil C's pick: Bollywood to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire, choreographed by Nakul Dev, danced by Caitlin & Jason. Great pick, high energy, awesome, great to see them again. Although Jason's kind of a mess--his vest stuck to his bracelet, then the cuff fell to the floor, and was that lipstick or blood all over his face by the end? Yikes!
First one to go: Kayla. Sigh. Like so many superior, brilliant dancers before her on this show, she proved that simply being a truly excellent, gorgeous dancer is not enough to win.
Adam's second pick: Contemporary "butt dance" to "Koop Island Blues" by Koop feat. Ane Brune, choreographed by Mia Michaels, danced by Randi & Evan. I would have been very surprised if this had not been picked by someone. And I still wish it was being danced by someone more earthy and less cute. C'est la vie.
Mary's second pick: Paso Doble to "Tetsujin" from The Matrix, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel, danced by Jeanine & Brandon. From last night. As in, the one we just saw. Which was great, but. We just saw it. Whatever. Fast forward.
Second one to go: Evan. And there he goes, finally. He looks really disappointed that he didn't win. Like he's thinking, "All those goats we sacrificed... for third??"
Nigel's second pick: Contemporary to "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles, choreographed by Mia Michaels, danced by Kayla & Kupono. Mia's addiction piece is just as intense, heartbreaking, and amazing as it was the first time we saw it.
I'd be crying again, if they didn't follow it up with teeny tiny adorable little hip hop boys. So stinkin' cute.
Tasty Oreo's pick: Disco to "Loving is Really My Game" by Brainstorm, choreographed by Doriana Sanchez, danced by Janette & Brandon. These two are so sensational. They did so many amazing numbers. Tasty could have picked Wade Robson's brilliant cartoony "Ruby Blue" routine, for example, and I would have loved him forever for it. But he picked a Doriana Sanchez disco routine. So I'm fast-forwarding.
Mia's second pick: Contemporary to "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell, choreographed by Tasty Oreo, danced by Melissa & Ade. Tyce's breast cancer piece. Just as gorgeous and touching as it was the first time we saw it. Now I AM crying, at least a little.
Thank God they decided to take this moment to do a little Chorus Line with six of the jidges dancing!! Debbie, Adam, Mary, Nigel, Mia and Tyce! I love it! But too short!! Jidges and choreographers should dance MORE on this show, I think. Don't you?
(Also, Mia should rock that bright red lipstick more often because it just works on her like a fabulous charm.)
And the winner is: Jeanine. I guess the buzz was right. It feels.... exactly like the rest of the season. Love the dancing, but not necessarily the people, or the results. And why is this interview going on for so long? Also, it seems like kind of a shame that the second place person doesn't get their own separate moment to shine. Also also, last year, they gave the top girl a separate prize, the first time ever they'd done that. They're not doing it for the top guy this year? No moment at all for Brandon, after all he did and went through this season? Really?
Ah well. Regardless. There you have it. No more dance program recap blogs. I need to get back to my other one.
Talk about pie or something.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
really difficult, highly entertaining, and perfectly executed
Performance Finale!
I'm not super excited about this whole Kodak Theater thing. I think it makes the sound weird, the lighting bad, and it also seems kind of hard to shoot the dancing properly. Which, if you can't get the dancing onto my TV, how do you expect to have a damn TV show about dancing? But Cat & the jidges really seem to think the fact that they're at the Kodak is the Best! Thing! Ever!
Wade's opening jock/cheerleader number might be my favorite thing he's ever done. It just tickled me to no end. Also, seeing him dance it in rehearsal just really makes me want to watch HIM dance, like, as much as possible.
Jeanine & Evan, Contemporary - The bio bit just shows how obnoxious they both are, and surely I am not the only one noticing this? The dancing is good, but to me it's a top 8 or 10 number, not a final four number. Can you tell how over them I am?
1. Brandon, solo - Weird shorts aside, I thought this was excellent. He danced like he was a tight ball of frenetic energy about to explode, with the flawless technique we've come to expect, packing his short time with what seemed like just as many moves as he could think of. I think I would have like to see that energy release more, by way of using a lot more of that ginormous stage. Otherwise, this guy is unstoppable.
Kayla & Brandon, Broadway - Well, the song is kind of dumb. But Tasty Oreo's choreography is senfrigginsational, and of course these two dance the shit out of it. THIS is what finale dancing should absolutely be: really difficult, highly entertaining, and perfectly executed.
2. Jeanine, solo - Girl. Spit out that dumb flower RIGHT NOW. I mean it young lady. I will not look at your dancing until you do. Spit it. Spiiiitttt itttt. Oh you're done? Well then. I just missed your whole damn solo 'cause you had to do it with that stupid effing flower in your mouth. I hope you're proud of yourself. GOD.
Brandon & Evan, Pop Jazz - I might not have realized it until just now, but I have always wanted to watch Brandon dance to Janet Jackson. And he is KILLIN' IT. Evan, dude, is not. In fact, it occurs to me, watching the two of them together, that Brandon is caring a lot more about nailing the routine than supporting Evan, and really competing. In fact, it also occurs to me that this might be the first TRUE dance competition I have seen thrown down this whole damn season. I had to wait for the finale for this?!? Although, again, at least I got to watch Brandon dance to Miss Jackson, if you're nasty. (Nigel: "Evan, there isn't a nasty bone in your body." Me: "Heh. Heh heh heh heh. Heh heh.")
Kayla & Jeanine, Contemporary - Mia's routine is totally riveting. I also really enjoy seeing these two dancing side by side, the dark brunette and pale blond making a striking pair. Of course, I like Kayla better, but I don't think that's why she kept drawing my eye. She finishes her lines better, her timing was perfect, and she never dropped character, where I felt like Jeanine was just wasn't as polished. The difference was not as obvious as the one between Brandon and Evan, but it was definitely there, resulting in an uneven routine, not because of its construction or anything else but the difference in talent.
3. Evan, solo - Sigh. It's adorable, it's slick, it's more of the same. I think, in fact, it's just like his initial audition piece, and Adam Shankman confirms that for me. Oh, Evan. It's time for you to be done on this show.
Kayla & Evan, Jive - Well, it's about damn time they got our Colorado girl into some damn cowboy boots. The number is really fun and high energy, and they do some cute things with the height difference, with Evan crawling between her legs and all. Where I thought Brandon just flat-out out-danced Evan, however, I thought here Kayla decided to try and keep the pairing at more the same level in order to make the partnership work, and it resulted in Evan just bringing her down a wee bit, and that's a damn shame.
And just as I'm thinking that I, and the judges, have really been harshing on Evan--justified, but still harsh--the crowd at the Kodak starts chanting his name. Because they are either blind or stupid. Seriously, I DO NOT GET IT. HE'S NOT THAT GOOD, PEOPLE.
4. Kayla, solo - Well, I wanted to see more either because she didn't get to the good stuff til the end or because I'm just a fan of hers. Adam Shankman prepares me, and the rest of her fans, for her not to win when he points out that she is one of the best dancers on the show, just like Travis, Danny, and Will. All of whom were, in fact, the best dancers of their seasons, and none of whom won. Very astute observation, Shanks.
Jeanine & Brandon, Paso Doble - YES. This Matrix-inspired number is FIERCE, honey. Brandon gets way, WAY into the floor with his movement, and he's sharp and aggressive and dancing like an animal. In black vinyl. Jeanine also attacks the routine with a commitment I really appreciate, although she's just not as good as Brandon who just kills it, again, some more. All that energy I was waiting to unleash in his solo just landed all over the stage, and it was awesome.
If it were me ranking them: Brandon, Kayla, Jeanine, Evan
How I think it'll play out: Brandon, Jeanine, Kayla, Evan
Unless that chanting for Evan was actually opening a portal to Hell, through which Evan's fans will sacrifice a field of goats in order to secure him extra votes. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. Poor goats.
I'm not super excited about this whole Kodak Theater thing. I think it makes the sound weird, the lighting bad, and it also seems kind of hard to shoot the dancing properly. Which, if you can't get the dancing onto my TV, how do you expect to have a damn TV show about dancing? But Cat & the jidges really seem to think the fact that they're at the Kodak is the Best! Thing! Ever!
Wade's opening jock/cheerleader number might be my favorite thing he's ever done. It just tickled me to no end. Also, seeing him dance it in rehearsal just really makes me want to watch HIM dance, like, as much as possible.
Jeanine & Evan, Contemporary - The bio bit just shows how obnoxious they both are, and surely I am not the only one noticing this? The dancing is good, but to me it's a top 8 or 10 number, not a final four number. Can you tell how over them I am?
1. Brandon, solo - Weird shorts aside, I thought this was excellent. He danced like he was a tight ball of frenetic energy about to explode, with the flawless technique we've come to expect, packing his short time with what seemed like just as many moves as he could think of. I think I would have like to see that energy release more, by way of using a lot more of that ginormous stage. Otherwise, this guy is unstoppable.
Kayla & Brandon, Broadway - Well, the song is kind of dumb. But Tasty Oreo's choreography is senfrigginsational, and of course these two dance the shit out of it. THIS is what finale dancing should absolutely be: really difficult, highly entertaining, and perfectly executed.
2. Jeanine, solo - Girl. Spit out that dumb flower RIGHT NOW. I mean it young lady. I will not look at your dancing until you do. Spit it. Spiiiitttt itttt. Oh you're done? Well then. I just missed your whole damn solo 'cause you had to do it with that stupid effing flower in your mouth. I hope you're proud of yourself. GOD.
Brandon & Evan, Pop Jazz - I might not have realized it until just now, but I have always wanted to watch Brandon dance to Janet Jackson. And he is KILLIN' IT. Evan, dude, is not. In fact, it occurs to me, watching the two of them together, that Brandon is caring a lot more about nailing the routine than supporting Evan, and really competing. In fact, it also occurs to me that this might be the first TRUE dance competition I have seen thrown down this whole damn season. I had to wait for the finale for this?!? Although, again, at least I got to watch Brandon dance to Miss Jackson, if you're nasty. (Nigel: "Evan, there isn't a nasty bone in your body." Me: "Heh. Heh heh heh heh. Heh heh.")
Kayla & Jeanine, Contemporary - Mia's routine is totally riveting. I also really enjoy seeing these two dancing side by side, the dark brunette and pale blond making a striking pair. Of course, I like Kayla better, but I don't think that's why she kept drawing my eye. She finishes her lines better, her timing was perfect, and she never dropped character, where I felt like Jeanine was just wasn't as polished. The difference was not as obvious as the one between Brandon and Evan, but it was definitely there, resulting in an uneven routine, not because of its construction or anything else but the difference in talent.
3. Evan, solo - Sigh. It's adorable, it's slick, it's more of the same. I think, in fact, it's just like his initial audition piece, and Adam Shankman confirms that for me. Oh, Evan. It's time for you to be done on this show.
Kayla & Evan, Jive - Well, it's about damn time they got our Colorado girl into some damn cowboy boots. The number is really fun and high energy, and they do some cute things with the height difference, with Evan crawling between her legs and all. Where I thought Brandon just flat-out out-danced Evan, however, I thought here Kayla decided to try and keep the pairing at more the same level in order to make the partnership work, and it resulted in Evan just bringing her down a wee bit, and that's a damn shame.
And just as I'm thinking that I, and the judges, have really been harshing on Evan--justified, but still harsh--the crowd at the Kodak starts chanting his name. Because they are either blind or stupid. Seriously, I DO NOT GET IT. HE'S NOT THAT GOOD, PEOPLE.
4. Kayla, solo - Well, I wanted to see more either because she didn't get to the good stuff til the end or because I'm just a fan of hers. Adam Shankman prepares me, and the rest of her fans, for her not to win when he points out that she is one of the best dancers on the show, just like Travis, Danny, and Will. All of whom were, in fact, the best dancers of their seasons, and none of whom won. Very astute observation, Shanks.
Jeanine & Brandon, Paso Doble - YES. This Matrix-inspired number is FIERCE, honey. Brandon gets way, WAY into the floor with his movement, and he's sharp and aggressive and dancing like an animal. In black vinyl. Jeanine also attacks the routine with a commitment I really appreciate, although she's just
If it were me ranking them: Brandon, Kayla, Jeanine, Evan
How I think it'll play out: Brandon, Jeanine, Kayla, Evan
Unless that chanting for Evan was actually opening a portal to Hell, through which Evan's fans will sacrifice a field of goats in order to secure him extra votes. I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. Poor goats.
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