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Last night was an epic SYTYCD, with each couple performing two routines. Last night it was also clear who the judges favor, who they are gunning for, and I even detected a bit of strategy on their part, namely: Send a message to fans that they would never boot Will, so please PLEASE put him in the Bottom 3, so they can boot Jessica.
And I have the same plea.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. What exactly went down in fron of the judges, Nigel, Mary (who now exclusively wears disco-ball-clothing) and hip-hop choreographers Napolean & Tabitha (does anyone else hear really really want to see them actually dance?)
Couple #1: Will & Jessica
Will & Jessica kicked off the evening with a Jive. This started slow as ever, with Will once again effortlessly outshining Jessica by being sharp and full of focused energy and Jessica being clompy and probably steadfastly on the beat...which made her seem behind the beat, because Will has the gift of breathless anticipation in his moves. I mean, I feel sorry for her too the way they heap him with praise and go so far as to say out loud that she is dragging him down, but the truth hurts, you know? And at this point I think the judges are desperate for them to land in the Bottom 3, so they can see Will dance with someone else.
Their second dance was a "lyrical jazz" routine...whatever the hell lyrical jazz is compared to, say contemporary. Anyone care to educate me...sometimes I really think they just make these designations up, don't you? Personally I was enjoying the eye candy on last night's show. Will and particularly Twitch were put on full display in all their six-packed wonder, and I was not complaining. They actually should have called this style "lyrical jazz sex", because it was rated R. I will say it's the best jessica has ever ever been, so props to her for stepping it up a notch. I just wish they'd all stop critiquing her self-confidence and critique her actual dancing!
Bottom line: Like I said, I can see what the judges want. I'm just not sure the voters are willing to oblige. I would. I would totally oblige.
Couple #2: Comfort & Thayne
Their first number was a Broadway number from West Side Story. I think this was the most I've ever liked Thayne, mostly because he had to look all serious and couldn't bust out his cheesy smile. Comfort did her best but seemed a bit uncomfortable. Mostly, I think it's a tough situation to have someone out there trying to re-choreograph iconic Jerome Robbins Broadway numbers set to thrilling Leonard Bernstein music. both of these numbers, in their original form, were examples of what Robbins did best: Choreograph for men. Robbins had a way of creating choreography that was utterly masculine and tremendously exciting. Good thing, since Bernstein's music is muscular and full of explosive moments. Did this new Broadway choreographer (Andy) capture the essence of Bernstein's music or pay proper homage to Robbins' original masterworks? Not by a long shot. There were amazing, percussive musical moments accompanied by smooth, swift and not particularly powerful movements. Turning this into a dance about sexual tension may have been a tiny reason they weren't hitting the levels and intensity the judges were looking for. This number is about life and death kind of tension, not sexual tension. In the original musical Riff and Bernardo have just died, and the gang...really a bunch of barely-post-pubescent high school tough guys...don't know how to deal with what they have just seen. Did you get any of that drama from this routine? Didn't think so. Does highlight a downfall of this show: They spend so much time dancing in heterosexual couples, and 90% of the routines end up being about the "couple." There are other things to move one to dance in life, you know?
Their second dance was the Smooth Waltz. Thing is: at some point the judges are right that we have to stop talking about Comfort's "potential." This has many moments of elegance, including a surprising level of grace and flexibility and extension from Comfort, but I'm not sure it had the sweeping overall flow and fluidity that would have made it a totally winning routine. And Thayne was just there. Which is, I guess, normal for this style, but it was too much of not enough for my taste.
Bottom line: The judges clearly want them in the Bottom 3, and
