"So You Think You Can Dance" 2009: Paris is burning

June 11, 2009 at 10:15pm

Missed the opening number, which was apparently a Shane Sparks joint (interesting, since I thought he'd jumped the ship to "America's Best Dance Crew") to Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow." I have it on good authority that it kind of sucked.

After a meet-the-couples montage we got straight to the results. First three couples: Max and Kayla, Evan and Randi, and Phillip and Jeanine. To me they were the strongest three couples of the first night, so I was glad to see them all safe. At this point I'd say they're the clear front-runners in this competition, and very few of the other couples have a prayer at touching them.

Next four couples: Jason and Caitlin, Ade and Melissa, Kupono and Ashley, and Tony and Paris. And Tony and Paris landed in the bottom. Surprising! I expected him to get through for a while based on his screaming teen vote, and the fact that he was in the Bottom 3 on Week 1 threw me for a bit of a loop. I'm glad Ade and Melissa and Jason and Caitlin escaped unscathed, but I have to say I'm like Kupono less and less. His interviews last night were super annoying. And what was with the gold stole?

Last three couples: Asuka and Vitolio, Brandon and Jeanette, and Jonathan and Karla. Any of them could have been in trouble based on Wednesday night, and only Brandon and Jeanette were safe, which is probably correct, if only because Jeanette totally saved that number. While leaving the stage Brandon did an ill-advised groin shake to the audience. That's...not helping your case any, friend.

So up for elim: Asuka|Vitolio, Tony|Paris, Jonathan|Karla. Tough call. I considered Tony and Karla are the weakest dancers of the six, but I didn't think the show could afford to lose one of its TWO hip-hoppers. And since we have the contemporary glut this year, Vitolio and Karla or Paris were the most expendable.

While the Bottom 6 prepared for their solos we got treated to a tango by two ballroom experts whose names I didn't catch. The woman was magnificent, the guy didn't do a thing for me. He looked like a skankier version of Steven Seagal. She oozed sex. He looked perpetually surprised. Odd pair.

Solos: Paris' solo was dull and pretty elementary - it was freshman dance at a college level, and her extensions were dreadful. Tony: where was the dancing? He performed basic hip-hop, and didn't even do that particularly well. He's got good rhythm, but compared to the hip-hoppers we've had on this show in the past? You've got to be KIDDING me. Asuka: That is how you dance for your goddamned life. And it's hard for ballroom girls to dance solo, since they're all about partnering. Good on her. Vitolio blew it out as soon as he stepped on stage. It was an exceptional solo that showed strength, grace, control, passion - everything. Karla's solo was as uninspired as Paris'; it felt like she didn't know what she was doing ahead of time, which is verboten on this show. Jonathan decided to break out the tumbling for his solo. Again, tough for ballroom guys to solo, so I feel like he did everything he could, and it was more impressive than Tony, but still weak compared to the rest of the competition. My guess: Paris and Tony were getting the cut.

Then Sean Kingston came on. I won't even get into it, except to say that I'm disturbed that THIS is a pop star. He has no charisma and dressed like Fat Albert. And his hoochie dancers? Nasty. I don't care what you say, Sean Kingston, I will not put my hands up.

Judges were unanimous in their decision with the girls. The judges thought Karla was very good - I must have watched a different solo - and she was safe. She won't stick around for long. When Nigel tried to say that they try to make sure that they have all of the various styles represented, it was clear that Paris was fucked. And indeed, she got cut. It's the right decision. I was not a fan of Paris from the get-go, but I thought she did well in that hip-hop number last night; Tony dragged her down. But we do have WAY too many contempo girls this year. One down, like three more to go.

Judges were unanimous in their decision for the guys, too. They didn't think any of the guys danced well. Really? I thought Vitolio was great. Nigel said that Vitolio wasn't showing his personality. I guess that's probably true. He's safe. They gave Tony shit for his solo, saying that it was a lot of moving around the stage and not much else. Bingo. Tony got cut. That is amazing; I never expected him t go so early. I feel like he got as far as he did based mostly on personality, with very little talent to back it up.

So for me that was a good start to the season! The two most lackluster dancers get sent home first. Of the remaining bottom feeders, Jonathan is in trouble unless he really brings it next week, but he's totally hamstrung by having awful Karla as a partner. I fear for him. I think Vitolio and Asuka can do better with a competent choreographer (read: not Tyce). � � � �

Comments for ""So You Think You Can Dance" 2009: Paris is burning" (12)

City Newspaper is not responsible for the content of these reviews. City Newspaper reserves the right to remove reviews at their discretion.

Bob said on Jun. 11, 2009 at 10:32pm

Boy oh boy. What a good night for me. Two of the dancers I liked the least got sent home. Buh-bye Paris. I'm thinking the Jay Leno paternity test results should be back in the lab any day now. That chin!

I thought I was going to go through this season hating on Paris. Now that is shot, so I'm moving right on to Brandon. After his booty shake tonight, I have had it. I think he is terrible. Technically unmatched, but his personality is awful.

Note: Did anyone else notice the HUGE hole in the crotch of the Sean Kingston dancer's bright pink pants?

Susan said on Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:17pm

I have to say, I really did like Paris, but I will let her go. I have to disagree on one point of the author here, though--I think, although I don't know if either of them will win, that the best performance last night went to Ade and Melissa, which I totally wasn't expecting, as I thought maybe Melissa wouldn't be able to get out of ballet. I was completely wrong. Their performance was what people pay hundreds of dollars to see--leagues above everyone else, and possibly too much for this show, which seems to be more about giving "amateur" dancers the chance to make it big. Those two are not amateurs. Their performance was completely effortless and so subtle, and I think that made it a but underrated, because it wasn't as flashy as some of the others. But it was definitely by far the best. I hope they make it far, because I want to see more of them!!!

Kathy said on Jun. 11, 2009 at 11:31pm

I was surprised to see Tony & Paris in the bottom three, but I'm thrilled they went home -- especially Tony. He was a mediocre street performer at best. No way he belonged in the Top 20.

Jonathan and Karla are going to have to pull of some serious shit if they are gonna make it past next week. So are Asuka and Vitolio for that matter, but I feel like they can do it. Beyond that though, it's tough to call, at least based on yesterday's performances. It's a pretty strong pack this year.

I was thoroughly disappointed with Brandon's crotch shaking. Didn't he say he wanted to prove Mia wrong? Not the way to go about it, buddy.

Lisa said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 12:52am

YES! I noticed the hole in the pants and wondered if anyone else did too. I happy to see that Jason made it through!

Cathy said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 8:51am

Timer set. Drink poured. Pen and paper nearby.(memory isn't what it used to be) Watched up until that PATHETIC Sean Kingston performance (happy to say I didn't notice the hole...but that might have made it slightly more interesting.) and the F phone rang! Next week I am turning it off.

I saw Asuka dance and totally agree that she danced for her Life. (very good) Tony and Paris were perfect choices to go. Johnathan and Karla are in big trouble. Love the top 3. I missed the pelvic thrust of Brandon. Was it the ballerina who was burping....is she insane? (such a beautiful dancer too)

Trace said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 12:22pm

I loved this show last season- but have to say the quality of the dancers this year has gone WAY downhill. Of the six that danced for their lives- I'd say four performances were outright terrible- they never should have made the top 20. Last year they had so much talent- where did it all go???

Michelle said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 1:26pm

I've been waiting for this all year and my hopes have not been dashed! Tony really should have listened to daddy and gone for that athletic scholarship. My interpretive dance (read: when I dance around my house to the beat of my own drum! lol) has more personality and skill than his excuse for the dance of his life...and that's really sad! My question remains: how did he make it on the show to begin with? ...also, he should fire his stylist. It was just silly. Pelvic thrust - he's gone next.

America got it right. Buh-bye, Tony and Paris.

Eric said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 1:58pm

Have to respectfully disagree with you, Trace. I think this year's crop on the whole is infinitely more talented than last season. If you recall the first performance episode of 2008, most of the couples BOMBED. I remember walking away totally chagrined, and worried about the remainder of the season.

Of course, by the time we got to the Top 10 or so, things had improved remarkably -- but even that included dancers like Gev and Comfort, neither of whom were particularly strong. When you factor in early-elimination chaff like Jamie, Rayven, Susie, Chris, Matt, and Marquis, in my opinion, Season 4 featured the worst overall crop of dancers this show has ever had. (Which is not to take away from Joshua, Katee, Courtney, Chelsie, or William, who are some of the best the show has produced.)

This season I think we have a number of potential stars on our hands, especially the women. I'm very eager to see what Kayla, Jeanine, Randi, Caitlin, Janette, and Melissa do next. As for the guys, I have my eye on Evan, Jason, Phillip, Brandon, and maybe Ade. I think it's a much deeper field this time around, even with the overwhelming number of contemporary dancers.

Bernie said on Jun. 12, 2009 at 11:00pm

Happy with who got the boot. I flipped the channel once Sean Kingston started and came back when it ended. :)

Bob said on Jun. 13, 2009 at 7:07am

Kathy: You are so right on with your comments. Please continue to comment in the future,

Dear Kayla Radomski,
You looked really cute on Thursday night. The hair wasn't nearly as offensive.
Love, Bob

Matt D. said on Jun. 14, 2009 at 1:55am

Cat said that Sean Kingston is a teenage star? The way he hobbled around the stage, I started to think he was in his 80's! And I don't know who to blame for how small his head looked -- he was a Violet Beauregarde-proportioned hip-hop strawberry. Oh, and the performance was atrocious too.

Otherwise, I totally agree with Kathy -- happy all around, but I personally enjoyed the opening group dance.

Kathy said on Jun. 14, 2009 at 12:21pm

Bernie - I flipped channels too. Doesn't sound like we missed much.

Bob - Thanks! Will do. I've been a big fan of the show since I was introduced to it in Season 3. And I totally agree with you about Kayla's hair. She's a fierce little dancer though.

Respond on Your Blog

If you have a City Account you can not only post comments, but you can also respond to articles in your own City Blog. It's just another way to make your voice heard.