Aired: 7/6/11
We've said goodbye to two couples at once, and we've wooed our last woo. Now it's up to the Top 14 to continue last week's So You Think You Can Dance love-fest.
Host Cat Deeley welcomed everyone as the Top 7 couples shimmied onto the stage: Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto; Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly; Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime; Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang; Melanie Moore and Marko Germar; Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost; and Ashley Rich and Chris Koehl.
Cat then welcomed the evening's eye-popping judges: the gorgeous Carmen Electra; SYTYCD favorite and first time-judge Travis Wall; "Ballroom Beauty" Mary Murphy; and the not-as-gorgeous Nigel Lythgoe. Carmen talked about the dance styles she'd learned growing up, like ballet and modern, and also discussed working with Prince. Cat and the fans roared with approval and pride for Wall, who'd started with the So You Think You Can Dance family in Season 2 and has gone on to choreograph several of the show's memorable routines. Wall was so surprised at being a judge that he joked about having to change his pants after getting the call the previous night.
The Top 7 seven guys joined choreographer Justin Giles for Giles' first-ever SYTYCD routine, which the judges did not critique. Giles wanted the dancers to "man up" and show their stuff for its theme, the "seven stages of grief." Each dancer portrayed one stage: shock, anger, denial, depression, guilt, bargaining, and acceptance, while dancing to Damien Rice's "Prague."
Next, Cat reminded everyone to vote for their favorite performer as she introduced the theme of this week's "get to know your dancers" segment, which focused on the participants and their families. Marko, who came from a family of lawyers, had left his homeland, Guam. Melanie had auditioned in Atlanta, and her mother was shown crying at the good news. She had been dating her boyfriend, Mitchell (not the dancer), since high school, and he came last week just in time to see her and Marko share a passionate kiss. Melanie and Marko danced to a routine by show first-timer Ray Leeper. His piece told the story of a lovestruck couple from dueling families. Marko joked that last week he and Melanie had been kissing and now they were eloping, dancing to Lady Gaga's "Americano." Travis Wall thought the routine was an amazing way to start the show and gave a shout-out to Ray Leeper, from whom he'd been taking dancing lessons from since the age of nine. Travis thought that Marko was one of the strongest guys in the competition, especially since he had to be as good as Melanie, who is his favorite. Carmen thought that Melanie was great and came out like a bull. Mary stated that the couple had passion, and that they'd both dug deep into their characters. Nigel thought their techniques matched the performance and praised Leeper's choreography, marveling at how each dancer could captivate a crowd by just walking.
Next, Sasha had auditioned in Los Angeles with her sister Natalia, who herself had made it all the way to "the green mile" before being sent home, although she can be seen cheering Sasha on every week. Fellow L.A. auditioner Alexander had started dancing at the age of 17 after being inspired by his father, an actor in the '70s. Sasha and Alexander danced to a routine by Shaun Evaristo, another new-to-SYTYCD choreographer. Evaristo gave out the three rules for "Swag Camp": style, lingo, and attitude. The duo performed to Miguel's "To the Moon." Carmen couldn't keep her eyes off Sasha, telling her, "Damn, girl, you were popping so hard." Unfortunately, Mary couldn't see the swag, saying that she wasn't able to connect with the piece. Anticipating boos Nigel put his hands to his ears and stated that the routine was "Hip-Hop for Dummies." Travis was more along Carmen's wavelength; he thought Sasha was good.
Jordan, from Chino Hills, California, had been dancing since the third grade, and her family had dropped everything to help her (she has dedicated her performance to them). Salt Lake City native Tadd joked that he thought he was Caucasian because there weren't too many Filipinos where he lived. Jordan and Tadd took on a Toni Redpath Waltz, which told the tale of a mermaid (Jordan) attempting to seduce a boy (Tadd) with her singing. However, he resisted because hers was the kiss of death. The couple danced to the calming but haunting "Nocturne," by Secret Garden. Ballroom expert Mary Murphy gave a brief history of the Waltz and how scandalous it was for women in the 1800s. She thought the dance was dreamy and romantic, like a Waltz should be. Nigel thought Redpath's choreography was inventive and creative, and he praised Tadd's ability to execute a lot of maneuvers that the hip-hop dancer hadn't even heard of. Travis also felt that Tadd was doing a great job on the show overall, especially being a hip-hop dancer. Carmen admitted not knowing that much about the Waltz, but she liked the routine and thought it was beautiful.
Clarice's father complimented how well she has grown and how dance has complimented her. Jess, from Little Falls, New Jersey, spoke about coming from a long line of performers. Clarice and Jess danced the second Justin Giles routine of the evening. This one was about an intense and loving relationship that had come to an end. Both performers understood the connection they had to portray and did it to the tune of Celeste Lear's "Light Through the Branches." Travis called it his favorite Clarice-and-Jess routine of the season and said that the chemistry was honest. Nigel took the time to compliment Giles on the opening boys' routine and talked about how staccato his style was, but said that it still had the emotion, as did the couple's routine. Carmen felt the anger and the passion, and the love and hate. Mary complimented the couple's weekly growth and said that it was a partnership growing in the right direction.
Next, Ashley, whose mom teaches dance at the family church in Antioch, California, had auditioned in Oakland and was sent straight to Vegas. Chris hails from a huge Dallas, Texas, family and had tried out in Salt Lake City. Ashley and Chris tried their hand at a piece by Liz Lira, another first-time SYTYCD choreographer. According to Lira, the routine itself, set to Tito Puente's "Mambo Beat," was one of the toughest she's ever choreographed. Travis loved the lifts but felt that when the dancers broke away from each other, the chemistry wasn't there and that the routine didn't pop. Carmen thought salsa should be hot, sharp, and on fire, but she felt that the couple was hesitating. Mary reiterated that Ashley and Chris were the only couple to date to be on the Hot Tamale Train (back in week two), but that the routine wasn't hot enough, only simmering, although she did commend Chris' partnering work. Nigel also commented on the lifts and how amazing they were, but thought that the couple didn't have the right feel for the routine.
Ryan, who missed out on Season 7, talked about how Mia Michaels had found her and helped her career. She also got to dance a routine for the TV show, House. Among Ricky and his seafaring family's favorite activities are tubing and jet-skiing. The night of new SYTYCD choreographers continued as Ryan and Ricky performed a Chucky Klapow jazz routine. Set to David Bowie's "Fashion," the piece featured the pair as fashionable zombies at a fashion show from beyond the grave. Cat said that she'd noticed all four judges bopping their heads. Carmen thought the music choice was hot and wanted the couple to keep it up. Mary also liked the routine and thought that the dance was quirky - and quirky on the dance floor was hot. Nigel joked that he was the quirk in Mary's life then said that the "Zombie Zoolander" routine suited both dancers perfectly and reminded him of a Season 2 group number, "Ramalama (Bang Bang)." Travis said that they'd rocked "Ramalama" that year and that Ryan and Ricky had rocked this routine; he could see Ryan way past the Top 10.
Caitlynn had auditioned in Salt Lake City and talked about outdoor activities with her family. Mitchell, who had tried out in Atlanta, had lost his father when he was two, and he and his mother had been homeless until she found a job. Caitlynn and Mitchell wrapped the couples' performances as a loving couple in a Mandy Moore routine. The choreographer felt that the pair needed to show vulnerability and trust in order for the audience to believe they were in love. The final Top 7 duo danced to Celine Dion's "To Love You More" and received a standing ovation from both the judges and crowd. Mary called the number her favorite of the night, marveling at Mitchell's ability to support his partner despite injury and at how Caitlynn showed no gravity during her leaps. Nigel also mentioned the amazing lifts and agreed with Mary that it was the night's best routine. Travis praised Moore's breathtaking choreography and called Caitlynn a surprise of the season. Carmen said, "Dance is to be out of yourself … more powerful," and agreed with the other judges: routine of the night.
The Top 7 "beasts" then performed a Ray Leeper Jazz routine. Again, the judges were not critiquing the dance, which told the story of seven girlfriends determined to rid the world of evil men. Leeper spoke of the unity the girls must have for the routine. Cat suggested the boys run for their lives as the ladies danced to "My Discarded Men," by Eartha Kitt with Bronski Beat.
What did you think was the routine of the night? You'd better go vote for your favorite before they're gone.
