"So You Think You Can Dance" 2009, Top 6: You can't tie down talent

July 29, 2009 at 10:05pm

Lil C was back on the panel. Talk about a bad omen. And sure enough it was - for me - the worst performance episode of the season. There were some solid, even enjoyable numbers - including one fabulous disco routine. But as a group I just find myself less and less invested in these dancers as we go on. How did that happen? Shouldn't I be MORE excited about these guys? At this point there's only one person left that I want to win this show, and I'm not at all convinced that she's going to survive past tomorrow night. Sigh.

We kicked off with the guys getting a group routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. She referred to it as Willy Wonka-esque, so I had high hopes, since I love the original movie. (The Johnny Depp remake...not so much.) It was to "True Romance" by She Wants Romance. I loved it. It was very strong, lots of staccato movements. Very jazz a la Sonya. The guys were together throughout, and they all got a chance to show off. Lil C completely shat all over Evan by saying that he's always wanted to see Brandon and Ade in a routine together (um, they've been in all the group numbers together, no?). And then he "commended" Evan for not getting swallowed by the "dominating excellence" of Ade and Brandon. FUCK. YOU. LIL C. You condescending piece of shit. That was nothing but thinly veiled attack. Nigel made up for it, somewhat, by saying that Evan was attempting things he never had before, and said that the routine was of a standard they could not have done in years past. That's an interesting point, although I'm not sure I agree.

Jeanine picked Ade and his pick (so much hate), and they got a samba by Louis Van Amstel to "LoveGame" by Lady Gaga. Loved the costuming; Jeanine looked absolutely fierce. And she was quite seductive, swinging that feathered ass all over the stage. Her caboose did not stop moving the entire song. Ade did well, I guess; I couldn't stop looking at Jeanine. Mary was not a fan; she took Ade to task for lacking fluidity in his held roll (and boy, you could see it in the playback). Lil C sexually harassed Jeanine, and then babbled - something about universes and explosions of excellence. He actually used the term "frolicking." Dear god. Nigel had praise for Jeanine, and went much easier on Ade than Mary did.

Solo: Kayla to "You Found Me" by the Fray. It was a much more dynamic solo than we've seen from her the past few weeks. I am very worried that Kayla will be eliminated this week - she's really the ONLY person I want to win this season - and while she started strong, it petered out a bit toward the end. Kayla! Please don't go anywhere! Nobody else would be a satisfying winner!

Melissa picked Evan, and they got a Broadway number by Tyce DiOrio to "Get Me to the Church On Time" from "My Fair Lady." Evan was a groom who overslept. Melissa was the bride trying to get him ready. Eh. Evan was leaping all over that damned stage. Tyce definitely gave Evan more to do; was Melissa even there? The two of them fell off sync toward the end. Evan mugged the crap out of the routine, but that's Broadway for you. There was a lot of energy, but the steps seemed uninspired to me. Lil C again slammed Evan, saying he expected more from him in his own style. He said that Evan performed the routine well, but Evan wasn't "shooting for excellence." Will someone call out Lil C for his obvious prejudice against Evan? Nigel once again defended the poor kid, saying that while the routine wasn't technically demanding, it did require a lot of personality, and Evan did well.

Solo: Ade to "18^th Floor Balcony" by Blue October. It looked like every other solo he's ever done. After a quick trick in the front, he does a jump backward, then lots of sharp movements. Nothing we haven't seen before.

Kayla picked Brandon, and they pulled a contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey to "All I Want' by Ahn Trio. Kayla was a mistress and Brandon was the married man she was seeing, and couldn't leave. They're probably the two strongest dancers on the show. And the two of them had AMAZING lines throughout. It was very passionate. It was a strong number, with a lot of big moves from both dancers. Kayla was beautiful, Brandon was totally in control - well executed. Lil C called it "beyond intense and beyond amazing." Mary clarified that Brandon has been on the hot tamale train the whole time, with first-class tickets, and she said Kayla was perfection.

Solo: Melissa to "I Put a Spell on You" by Nina Simone. Lots of point work and very seductive. But ultimately pretty low-key.

Jeanine and Ade's second number was a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine to "Move" by MIMS. They played a couple of friends who got evicted from their apartment, and used moving boxes as props. It was totally unbelievable. Jeanine really seemed to struggle early in the routine. Ade didn't hit it as hard as I was expecting. It got better toward the middle, when Jeanine did this cool jump rope-type move between Ade's legs. But I wasn't a fan overall. Lil C was overly effusive in his praise. He said Ade had a "dirty groove" - bullshit. He kept talking about how "dirty" Ade was, and how he dragged Jeanine down into the dirt with him. Anybody have ANY idea what he was saying? Mary loved it. Nigel said "They got down." What? There was nothing down or gritty about that number in the least. Ugh.

Solo: Brandon to "O'Fortuna" - it's the same number, and I think the same solo, he did during his audition that the judges loved. I thought it was just a series of tricks with absolutely no connection to the music whatsoever. Sure there's a ton of energy and ability there, but zero musicality. Nigel said it was one of the best solos they've ever seen on the show. Please. Go back and watch S3! You go watch those solos! None of the solos this year have captivated me. Not one.

Melissa and Evan got the quickstep for their second number, choreographed by Louis Van Amstel to "As Long as I'm Singin'" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Evan was more vivacious than he's been in weeks. They had a nice flow and bop, TONS of fancy footwork that I thought they mostly executed very well. Most fun quickstep I've ever seen on this show, and it looked extremely difficult. Lil C once again made a nasty comment about Evan "dancing bigger" than he ever has on the show. He then picked on Evan for not executing his retractions properly. And then he said Melissa just looked "fabulous." FUCK OFF! God, he is the worst. Mary said that the routine started out good, but by the end it had fallen apart a bit, in terms of technique. I can see that. Nigel said it wasn't one of the best routines of the night. That might actually help both dancers, if their audience thinks they're in trouble.

Solo: Jeanine to "Feedback" by Janet Jackson. I'm not really sure what to say about the solo. Not a lot there. Lots of hair flipping. She sure is pretty.

Solo: Evan to "Lady is a Tramp" by Sammy Davis Jr. His solo was the best of the night to me. Lots of energy, lots of tricks; that's what a solo should be.

Kayla and Brandon wrapped up with a disco number by Doriana Sanchez to "Dance" by Sylvester. FABULOUS! I just loved it. There was so much going on, so much goddamned fun. Kayla was shaking it like you wouldn't believe. Brandon was flipping and throwing and carrying here all over that stage. Brandon threw Kayla into a deathdrop, and then Kayla threw Brandon into one! HOTNESS! More blathering from Lil C. Seeing music! Seeing music with your ears! There is no darkness! KILL ME NOW, SHOW! JUST KILL ME NOW! I have never seen anyone talk so much shit on a television show before. How is he anything but a joke? Mary addressed Brandon's total bullshit comment earlier in the package that he has self-esteem issues. Maybe there is in fact someone with more bullshit on this show; you do not dance around stage in nothing but your underwear in front of millions of people if you have self-esteem issues.

Top 3 girls doing a Sonya Tayeh number to "Kick It" by Nina Martine. The girls were superheroes. I love superheroes, so I wanted to love this. I ended up liking it alright. There was something really 80s about the piece. There were things I thought were cool, but I was overall ambivalent about it. It seemed to go on forever. I liked the boys' number better. Here's a nugget of brilliance from Lil C: "I thought you danced it amazingly, but I need more than amazing right now." Dear Show: What does this idiot need to do get permanently pulled off the panel? I ask you. Seriously. What a buffoon. Mary pointed out that Kayla stood out (I agree, although I noticed Jeanine too; Melissa might as well have been invisible). Nigel gave a shout out to Jeanine's amazing tits. But does he need more than amazing, like Lil C?

Predictions: Kayla and Brandon were flawless, and certainly deserve to be in F4. I thought Ade had a pretty weak week, and would love to see him go home. But I think Evan's lukewarm performances the past few weeks are going to catch up with him, although Lil C's obvious hate toward him might actually empower his sizable voting bloc. I think Melissa is in trouble; she is shrinking away, and I barely paid any attention to her this week. My viewing party thinks that Jeanine actually has a shot to win this competition, and should Kayla go home (sob!), I think that's a very real possibility. Which is strange to me. I like her, but taking the whole thing? I just don't think that's right. � � � �

Comments for ""So You Think You Can Dance" 2009, Top 6: You can't tie down talent" (15)

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DaHarder said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 12:21am

Great Review! I, too, fail to understand what it is that that Lil C person brings to the show - He's a complete idiot, and offers nothing but biased/uniformed jibberish. Evan did extrmemly well tonight, as did a few of others, though admittedly I (also) found him to be the strongest solo of the night. Your comments regarding Brandon were spot on, as he is a brilliant technical dancer, but... too often there's very little substance, though I have a strong feeling that he might take it all this season.

dawn said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 12:41am

Are you kidding? Brandon's solo was anything but boring. The choregraphy was perfect for the music that was chosen. I thought the solo was flawless as was his body!

Lisa said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 1:13am

OMG THANK YOU for pointing out the OBVIOUS about Lil C's idiocy (yes Miriam Webster's definition of "extreme mental retardation")! I wonder WHY WHY WHY have they allowed him to sit on the panel. It has been clear since the auditions that he is not an ideal judge...I mean really, how many times has someone commented on how they "don't really understand/know what he just said"? My friend just commented on how "he is an embarrassment to black people" (ok she's black too so let's not start a color debate). I agree that his obvious "disapproval" of Evan is so ridiculous. My friends and I have decided....Lil C is higher than a kite, because normal people make sense...and he just doesn't.

Cathy said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 5:43am

Oh Eric...I totally agree with you. Lil C is beyond annoying....obviously prejudiced, intolerably rude about it and all under the 'guise' of someone who is eloquent. God help the world if there is anybody out there who is impressed by this man.

Loved the Boys #, the first dance by Brandon and Kayla...

I have no idea how this will go. I want Kayla to win. I dont; really care about anybody either tho. Weakest this week: Ade...possibly Evan. And I think: Jeanine..altho Melissa and her little girlness and toe shoes is getting annoying!

Tommy said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 9:17am

I hate Lil C as much as just about everyone...But him picking out Evan the way he did in that first group number, then complaining that he didn't do enough in his broadway routine (Broadway is his genre right?) made me sooooo happy. As Max said last week - GTFO Evan.

Aside from that...I thought the entire night was pretty lack-luster, and noticed myself surfing the internet during the show, because nobody seemed to captivate me.

Oh well.

Kim said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 9:32am

The show ended for me when Jeanette was voted off! She had it all, personality+talent=star. so we settle for second best , Kayla, but it is a far second best.
She is the only one that I feel has any presence left on the stage, also I think she is the only one left that is hungry enough for it, the other five seem so complacent.
The whole show this year has been a little flat. I have not had as many PVR moments this season, routines that I had to go back and re watch over and over. Brandon and Jeanette to Wade's burglar routine was the highlight for me.
Looking forward to seeing if SYTYCD Canada will be an improvement.

Max said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 9:33am

Bye Evan. Bye Melissa. I feel like the only person this week that truly it kicked up a notch was Kayla. Her legs go on forever! My favorite routine was definitely the girls super hero number. It was a lot of fun and their costumes were awesome.

Every time Lil C would talk, I would just go to YouTube and find something to watch there and not pay any attention to him. He truly has the "extreme mental retardation".

One thing I keep saying to my self is where is this seasons Joshua? -- A dancer that comes out every single week and just tears it up on the dance floor. I really don't have strong feelings for any of these dancers, I just know Evan has no business being with those other dancers.

Paul said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 10:22am

Lil C what a joke! My family sat back cringing on every word. What a disgrace to television that it has achieved an all time low. Lil C you are Little C for Chump the man who dances Krump. You make no sense at all.

So you think you can Dance was a good show but this year it is falling flat at the end. With Nigel explaining that "you can't restrain natural beauty", a plug about Jeanine's partially exposed well endowed breasts some dangling loops of cloth were trying to hold back and the incessant Mary screaming, and the blathering incoherent and totally annoying Lil C the show is in a large decline. (Funny I did not notice Jeannie's breasts until Nigel made that comment. I must have been looking at Melissa too much)
At this point I can expect the finally will be watched by less viewers as last year, although they may claim the highest number of votes...since we the viewers can not prove it.
I wish Katlyn (spelling?) was still on the show. She brought class to the show like Kayla is still displaying.

Get rid of LIL C permanently. Having each dancer having to listen to that barrage of worthless babble is just too painful to watch and having the host Kat say she just loves him is even more disturbing.

Kathy said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 10:39am

Couldn't agree more, Eric. I have to say this has been the most dull, lackluster season of this show possibly ever. Even S1 was better (and that season practically put me to sleep).

Lil C is the worst thing to happen to this show. I'm always annoyed by him, but he really pissed me off last night -- especially his blatant attacks on Evan (more on him in a second). For all it's worth though, it's wildly entertaining watching the dancers try to hold their smiles will they attempt to listen to/decipher Lil C's unintelligible babble. Anybody else notice how Lil C, thank God, hasn't choreographed a SINGLE routine this season? I have a feeling that Nigel and the team had a contract with him for this season, but are finally seeing through his bullshit and will be getting rid of him next season (*fingers crossed*).

Now, I love Evan. I think he's a great dancer and adorable as hell. BUT I have to agree with some of the folks here: he shouldn't still be in the competition. I've wanted to defend him all summer, but he has been one note the whole time: comic, fun, Broadway guy. Granted, he's very good at it, but in this competition, that's just not enough.

That being said, plus the fact that Evan IS still here, I'd much rather see him in the F4 over Ade. The fact that Ade's still here is such a joke to me. He's a clumsy dancer with a weighty style, a dopey grin and a redonkulous-looking pick. The only reason he made it to the Top 10 was because of Melissa. She carried his ass the whole way through. I'm completely baffled as to why he's still here. Can't. Stand. Him.

Although the Top 10 guys on the whole were some of the weakest we've seen in this competition ever. Oh how I long for the days of S3 & S4 ... times when I was actually sad to see the dancers go, even some of the early eliminations (Hok, Jesus, Anya in S3; Rayven, Chelsea T. and Kourtni L in S4). I couldn't any be less invested in this competition right now.

I have to agree with Kim about the girls. Janette was a fierce dancer and I loved her little spitfire personality. I was shocked to see her go home. I would have liked to see her in the F4 with Kayla, who I think could be in trouble tonight. I would echo everyone else's sentiments about her -- she's the best the show's got left. Unfortunately, I don't think America has latched onto her as much as I have.

At this point, I've almost given up on the season. Let's just toast to S6 and pray that it's better than this one.

Scott said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 5:41pm

I loved Evan. I am so tired of the judges shittting on him every week. He deserves to be in the final 4. No question about it.

Brenda said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 9:54pm

Brandon better win this year. He is an amazing dancer--Don't you think? I would like to say that I don't know who they think they are fooling, but it's obvious that Cat is Nigel's daughter. Did anyone catch that? Look at the eyes and nose. Trust me, they are related and I need the prize for letting the CAT out of the bag. Where's my check? GO BRANDON!

sandra said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 10:03pm

I can't believe all this whining about Lil C. I'm not crazy about him either but he critiqued Evan fairly. Evan is not that great. Just because you like him doesn't mean he's a great dancer. And some of you have the audacity to play the race card and say he's prejudice. Shame on you. I guess whites are now crying racism now when a white person is critiqued. Funny, none of you mention the fact that Lil C criticized Brandon viciously, along with Mia, when the top 20 was picked. Brandon was viciously criticized by Mia who was forced to eat her words when Brandon became the superstar of the season. Evan will win because there are enough idiots out there who want to see an old fashioned, not very talented hoofer win.

Eric said on Jul. 30, 2009 at 10:30pm

Sandra, I don't think ANYONE was playing the race card when they said that Lil C was being prejudiced against Evan. Using the term "prejudice" doesn't automatically connote anything to do with race. Lil C was CLEARLY gunning for Evan -- he didn't have a good thing to say about the kid the entire night, while he was offering glowing praise for every other dancer. That's bullshit. I'm not saying Evan's the best dancer, or that he's flawless. But Lil C didn't even give him a chance. That's prejudiced, any way you cut it, and it has nothing to do with skin color.

Cathy said on Jul. 31, 2009 at 10:06am

Sandra: Absolutely...I said Lil C was prejudiced because for some reason he dislikes Evan and I think he unfairly criticizes him beyond what is expected of him a Judge.

His, (Lil C) comments about he didn't think Evan could even stand on stage whilst those strong, dancers: Ade and Brandon were on, was definitely Racial.

Kathy said on Jul. 31, 2009 at 11:45am

On another note, Evan isn't a hoofer. His brother, Ryan, is. A hoofer is a tap dancer, particularly one with a "close to the floor" style.

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