SYTYCD: Week 4 Videos

I know you must be tired of my SYTYCD posts, but this is the best kind of SYTYCD post: videos (or, the ones I could find, at least)!

Ashleigh and Jakob (Hip Hop):

Ryan and Ellenore (Contemporary):

Channing and Victor (Jazz):

SYTYCD: Week 4 Results Show

*Spoiler Alert*

Wednesday's results show opened with a stunning group routine choreographed by Wade and Amanda Robson. The group dances are always some of my favorite routines of SYTYCD, and they're always performed flawlessly...even with crazy Robson routines (Insert Wade's "Ramalama" routine here.) Too bad the group dances don't save any of the dancers.

As predicted, the first couple placed in the bottom three was Karen and Kevin. Couple number two: Channing and Victor (slightly disappointing because I loved their blackbird routine, but understandable considering Channing's lack of confidence and personality.)

I was worried that Mollee and Nathan would be safe, once again. But when it came down to Legacy/Kathryn and Mollee/Nathan, it was no surprise that Mollee and Nathan ended up in the bottom three.

Last week, Nigel said that none of the bottom dancers proved themselves in their solos. This week, he said that some of them did. Mollee, in particular proved to Nigel that she can "dane like a woman" and "no longer shows an immaturity."

Nigel told Channing that she has great technique, but her personality isn't there. Karen, on the other hand, is a performer and a star, and that's what saved her (and I'm hoping she starts bringing it again after her weak couple routine and solo.)

As for the guys, Nigel said that Nathan learned his lesson after last week and proved what a good dancer he is in his solo.

Victor's solo was also strong, but full of piorettes, which Nigel said the judges know he can do. "This is not America's favorite pioretter," Nigel said, jokingly, before telling him not to depend on that next time.

Nigel said Kevin is growing just by doing the routines that he does as they are always out of his genre. However, he also feels that Kevin is not growing enough.

So, SYTYCD said goodbye to Channing and Kevin this week, which means we'll see a new partnership between Victor and Karen (perhaps Victor will bring Karen back?)

What's in store for week 5? Now that it's down to the Top 12, couples will start performing two routines each (Hmm...I thought that didn't start till the Top 10? But ok).

SYTYCD: Week 4

After last week's weak performances, I'm glad to say that last night almost all of the dancers proved, once again, why they deserve to be here.

The show kicked off with an amazing Nap and Tabs Hip Hop routine performed by Ashleigh and Jakob. Napoleon's and Tabitha's hip hop routines are usually easier to take on than, say, a Shane Sparks or Lil C routine. But Ashleigh and Jakob's sharp, hard hitting movements showed that the pair probably could have taken on a harder hip hop routine. Not only was their dancing perfect, but they really got into the passion of their characters. Mary Murphy said it all: "How tight, how down, how hard-hitting, and how believable your passion was in that dance."

As Jakob continues to grow and grow, the judges are sure that he will have a place in the Top 10. As for Ashleigh, Adam said he was one of the judges that didn't believe in her...well, he takes it back now, saying, "Your sense of hit and rebound and your total commitment to this type of movement was so gripping." Definitely one of my favorite pieces of the night. (And Ashleigh remains my favorite female dancer this season.)

Who else gave a stunning performance?

• Noelle and Russell (Foxtrot) - This was actually the first genre the couple pulled out of the hat, but it was the first time they danced the foxtrot together (Noelle had an injury that week, so Russell performed the routine with the choreographer.) The couple looked very sophisticated performing this routine (and they looked like they had a lot of fun too - "The key thing to underline in that piece was 'joy,'" said Adam.) Nigel said that Russell significantly improved since his first foxtrot performance and that Noelle makes herself known next to a star like Russell.
• Channing and Victor (Jazz) - Amazing routine by Tyce Diorio. Killer performance (as blackbirds) by Channing and Victor. The couple continues to show their blossoming chemistry, and Channing showed more confidence than usual in this piece. Nigel even said that this was the first week where Channing looked like she actually enjoyed herself. "Consequently," he said, "I enjoyed your performance." Adam added to that saying the she is finding her way into the show, and "If you keep growing, using this as your springboard, you'll do great."
• Kathryn and Legacy (Paso Doble) - I'm a huge fan of the Paso Doble; its intensity in passion (in the choreography and the music.) Did Kathryn and Legacy bring that intensity? Yes! Kathryn definitely made up for her weak performance last week, bringing out that vixen that Nigel had been looking for. Nigel said that she brought the intensity and passion tonight as well as the maturity she didn't show last week. Basically, "Kathryn, you killed it." (Nicely said, Adam.) As for Legacy, "Your passion, hunger, and need for knowledge is what's going to push you into the Top 10," Nigel said.
• Ellenore and Ryan (Contemporary) - This was my second favorite after Ashleigh's and Jakob's. (And yes, it's partly because it was choreographed by SYTYCD veteran Travis Wall and was danced to one of my top five favorite songs: "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" by Stars.) Ellenore's and Ryan's contemporary routine was the judges' favorite of the night, and according to Nigel, the couple "cemented their place again this week" with this performance.
  

So who gave a...not so stunning performance?

I am deeply saddened to say that Karen and Kevin did not bring it, as usual, with their Broadway routine. I'm also sad to say that I was bored. (Yes, I was bored watching Karen and Kevin, two of my favorite dancers on the show!) Nigel said that this style requires humor and personality, which Karen didn't bring to the piece...but she brought more than Kevin. He also said that their usual chemistry just wasn't there. However, though Mary said it was disappointing, she also said that it's just a bump in the road. (On another light note, Adam pointed out, "It was amazing that Kevin was at least able to get through the piece."

And finally, Mollee's and Nathan's pop jazz routine didn't do much for me either. (Ok, I'm pretty sure this has a lot to do with the fact that I don't like this couple.) The pair did do much better this week. Mary thought the pair gave an intense performance, and Adam said their sync "was beautiful"...but he hopes they find more "nuance" to their chemistry so the audience falls for more than their cuteness (you know, like, their dancing, performance, technique...what the show is ACTUALLY about?) Mary said Mollee was sharp. Nigel said it's her commitment and passion that's going to take her far in her career. As for Nathan, "You have got to grow," Nigel said. He said that Nathan has the potential to be one of "the best dancers on this series" (Um...sorry, Nigel, I know you're the professional, but...no. And I'm not just saying that because I don't like him. Seriously.), but he's worried Nathan's immaturity might be his downfall.

Well, I completely forgot to vote, but I would have voted for every couple except Karen/Kevin and Mollee/Nathan.

Who do I think will be in the bottom three? Honestly, I can't make that prediction this week. The only couple I know for sure will be in the bottom are Karen and Kevin (unfortunately.) The judges said the same. Beyond that, I'm clueless. It's definitely getting to that point in the season where they're all getting so good, it's tough to place anyone in the bottom three.

Watch the results episode tonight at 7 p.m. to find out which couple will be leaving the competition.

(And hopefully, I can get some videos up this week. I found some last week, but they were deleted by Youtube the next day, so I couldn't post them.)

SEU Book Reading: "Woodsburner" by John Pipkin

John Pipkin, former Executive Director of the Writers' League of Texas, will read from his first novel, "Woodsburner," Tuesday, November 17, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Edward's University.

"Woodsburner" combines history with fiction, recounting Henry David Thoreau's accidental setting on fire 300 acres of woods at Walden Pond and describing the consequences of the fire through four different characters. The novel also describes how each of these characters' lives are effected by the fire, which becomes a character itself.

Pipkin's novel won the 2009 First Novel Prize from the Center of Fiction and received great reviews from The New York Times and the Washington Post. "Woodsburner" is certainly not just worth reading, but is worth hearing an exerpt of through the author. (And if you like what you hear, copies of "Woodsburner" are being sold at the St. Edward's University book store.)

During his time at the Writers' League of Texas, Pipkin ran workshops for authors on writing a book proposal and getting a literary agent. He is also a former writing professor who worked for Pearson Publishing creating standardized tests. Anyone who is interested in writing or publishing (Um...ME!) should come hear Pipkin read this afternoon as he will also answer your questions about not only his book but careers in writing and publishing.

The reading will be held in Mabee Ballroom C in Ragsdale. Pipkin will also be in the school's bookstore to sign copies of "Woodsburner."

SEU Event: Woodwardstock

The Digital Media Consortium and the Digital Media students of St. Edward's University present "Woodwardstock," a benefit concert for the Sunshine Kids charity.

The concert (sponsored by Gatti's Pizza, Soco Lofts, and Greystar South Congress) will be held on November 18 from 6 to 11 p.m. on the Main Building lawn. The music lineup includes Meggan Carney, Focus Group, Hour Band, Phranchyze, Ryan Harkrider, Zeale 32, and the Dandy Lions.

Other entertainment will include wrestling and Sorin Oak Reel screenings (from Nov. 13's Sorin Oak Reel Festival).

"Woodwardstock" is a free event, but donations for the Sunshine kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer, are welcome and will be accepted by cash or check.

Come out to St. Edward's on Wednesday for a night of music, wrestling, and film, all in support of the Sunshine Kids. (And don't forget to bring donations! Any amount counts!)

SYTYCD: Week 3 Results Show

*Spoiler Alert* (In case you haven't gotten around to watching it yet.)

Tuesday night, I predicted that the bottom three couples would be Ellenore/Ryan, Pauline/Peter, and Molly/Nathan.

Well, I got two out of three. During Wednesday night's elimination episode, Karen and Kevin were placed in the bottom three over Molly and Nathan.

Seriously?! Come on, SYTYCD viewers.

This is the only aspect of viewer-voting reality shows that I despise, which is why I don't watch them (minus SYTYCD cause I love dance, and the winner always ends up being someone who is the best dancer): Viewers vote based on popularity and "good looks" rather than personality AND, most importantly, dance technique.

Nigel Lythgoe said that viewers only kept Nathan and Molly safe because young girls think Nathan is cute (Really...? He looks like he's fourteen and acts like he's twelve...which I guess is attractive when you're preteen?) not because he's a good dancer. THANK YOU, NIGEL!

It looks like Nigel is getting tough about the whole popularity thing this year, and I love it. Usually the judges always seem to accept that that's how the voting goes. But I think Nigel is getting as annoyed as I am that amazing dancers get placed in the bottom three because viewers choose looks over how well couples danced.

So the six dancers performed their solos. Sure, it was nice to see them dance in their own styles, but nothing stood out. Nigel even said tht no one gave a decent enough performance to stay in the competition. (He also told the crowd to "shut up" when they booed him for saying that. Love you, Nigel.)

Yes, he does seem a little tougher than usual, but you can't really blame him since, like he said, with two seasons being back to back for the first time, the season five dancers/performances are still fresh on their minds. And, according to the judges, season five had the best group of dancers so far...until this season. Which is another reason he's upset. The judges keep raving about how good the dancers are this season, and they don't seem to be proving themselves (some of them).

So who got eliminated? My guess was that it would be Ellenore and Peter. I was half right. Pauline and Peter were eliminated from the competition. (By the way, did anyone else find how Nigel broke this to Pauline amusing?: "We're going to let you leave the competition." He was just a ball of anger last night.)

Hopefully, the remaining dancers (and SYTYCD viewers) learn from last night. Though I have a feeling that viewers are going to keep Molly and Nathan in the competition because they're going to continue to do poorly, and the judges are going to be honest about it, and viewers are going to feel bad and "prove the judges wrong" by voting for them. (Yes, I dislike these two dancers that much...and also, it's true.)

Luckily, the judges have the final say on who goes home, which gives them a chance to make sure the best dancers are in the Top 10.

SYTYCD: Week 3

It's week three, and America finally gets to start voting for their favorite dancers. There were a lot of great performances tonight, but I think it's quite clear which couples will end up in the bottom three.

Before I get into that, my favorite dance of the night was Noelle's and Russell's Afro-Jazz. "Do you hear it? Do you hear it coming?" Yes, Mary Murphy put krumper Russell on the hot tamale train with this piece and crowned him "king of Afro-Jazz." Noelle also surprised the judges in this piece, as she was able to keep up with Russell and the quick choreography.

My second favorite piece was Ashleigh's and Jakob's jazz routine. It's always fun to see dancers work with props in their performances, and this was one of those pieces. The prop? A cane. And the couple definitely conquered that cane as Ashleigh hoped they would. As judge Adam Shankman put it, "a matured and studied but fiery performance."

Other memorable performances (and couples I voted for):

• Karen's and Kevin's Hustle: Though hip-hopper Kevin had a wee bit of trouble in this way-out-of-his-element genre, he pulled it off...as did Karen, which pretty much goes without saying. (Yes, we LOVE Karen.)
• Kathryn's and Legacy's Broadway: Ok, so if we were voting for individuals, I would have not voted for Kathryn. I agree with Shankman: the performance was adorable, but I'm not sure that's what it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be sassy - a "vixen" - but Nigel Lythgoe said Kathryn seemed childish in this performance. However, she will be saved by her partner, Legacy, who was praised by all the judges for his continuing growth and always surprising ability to take on any genre thrown at him (all of which, so far, have been out of his "b-boy" element.)
• Channing's and Victor's Contemporary - This new couple (both their partners were kicked off last week) are definitely a good fit, and they're chemistry showed. Though the fact that they were both in their element probably helped with that. Murphy said it "didn't take [her] to a level where it touched [her] soul," (usually contemporary pieces on this show do take you to that level). Lythgoe didn't get carried away emotionally either, but he said the technique was good. Personally, I didn't feel as emotionally effected as I have with other contemporary pieces (enter last season's "addiction" piece choreographed by Mia Michaels and performed by Kayla and Kupono...and Jeanine's and Jason's Travis Wall contemporary piece last season...and Travis's - same one - and Heidi's bench routine in season 2, also choreographed by Michaels...ok I'm done), but this dance almost took me there, which is good enough.

So who did I not vote for?

• Peter and Pauline (Quick Step) - It was cute. It was fun. The performance/story was good. But the actual dancing? Eh, it was ok. They "pulled it off" according to Murphy, but the technique was far from perfect. However, Lythgoe said that their great performance and personalities will make people pick up the phone for them anyway (well, not me.)
• Ryan and Ellenore (Hip-Hop): As soon as I heard that this was a Lil C routine (and then, when I heard the music), I thought, this needs to be hard and dirty and buuuck. Was it? No. The perfomance was...ok. But I really wish I could have seen a couple with a hip-hop dancer in it perform this piece. Ryan and Ellenore would have been better off with a Nap and Tabs piece, which is usually a safe hip-hop routine for non-hip-hop dancers to get. But, you can't help what you draw out of the hat, can you?
• Molly and Nathan (Salsa) - This was pretty much tragic. And I'm not saying that because I don't like this couple (No, I don't. They're too young. Yes, there have been other 18-year-olds on the show, but these two are too young maturity-wise.) I was hoping so badly to be impressed, after their Bollywood performance last week. But I was not. They were stiff. They looked awkward. There was no energy, no technique, no performance. They, particularly Molly, looked like teens trying to be cool and sexy at prom...which makes sense considering what I said before.

I think Ryan, Ellenore, Molly, and Nathan will for sure be in the bottom three couples, and the judges agreed. And I'm throwing in Peter and Pauline as well because I haven't been impressed with either of them so far.

Watch the elimination episode Wednesday November 11 at 8 p.m. to see which couple will leave the competition.

And look for videos of this week's best performances later in the week!