Our gal Lenni G. is back with the 411 on the dancers, the dancing, and the judges:
No venting this week for me, though the stage is still too big and glitzy.
Thought I'd change the review a bit this week by starting with the really good couples at the front and the rest after. Why would I do this - cuz our local cutie, Noelle, who danced last, was fan-freaking-tastic last night.
When it became clear that she and Russell were going last, I thought this might be a good sign and I was right! Dancing an African (Afro) jazz number from Sean Chessman, the couple got rave remarks from all three judges. As Mary said, it was "crazy good", full of "joy and spirit" and worthy of first-class tickets on the Hot Tamale Train.
Next best were Ashleigh and Jakob doing a Mandy Moore jazz routine which featured a cane as a prop. Ashleigh got huge props from all the judges and did she ever deserve them. I agree with Mary that this is a perfect partnership and just keeps getting better every week. And the choreography was totally brilliant.
My third place couple would be Karen and Kevin "doing the Hustle" from Maria Torres. Another great partnership earning first-class tickets on the HTT. And the end of the routine had some of the coolest elements I've seen in a long while.
Channing and Victor were probably the best of the rest doing a Stacey Tookee contemporary number about a toxic relationship. Adam and Mary loved the choreography and the quality of movement from this couple. Nigel sorta PMS'd, saying that since their regular styles are contemporary, it should have been good. He was not "carried away" and "expected so much more." Not sure what he meant since what I saw seemed like a lot, a whole lot.
Kathryn and Legacy did a Broadway routine from a new choreographer, Andy Blankenmueller - LHM, Andy needs to shorten up that name. I thought this dance looked more like jive than Broadway, and maybe that's because, as Mary said, Broadway is all about characters, choreography and chemistry. There really was a sort of disconnect between the two which blew out the elements of character and chemistry. And it seems obvious, at least to me, that the judges are in love with Hip Hop guy Legacy and not so much with Kathryn.
Pauline and Peter did the Quick Step choreographed by JT and Tomas. The judges thought it was a good performance but found it lacking in technique. And Peter's "Navy" uniform was a little bit Navy and a little bit Army. Will there be a dust up such as the one we had when Mia Michaels wore inappropriate military attire a couple years ago?
Li'l C's Hip Hop routine for Ellenore and my "eye candy" guy, Ryan, didn't get universal praise. Adam was mostly complimentary, Mary was half complimentary, calling Ellenore a "hot tamale" and Ryan "sluggish." Nigel let it all hang out, saying it was "not good at all" and that the style "did not suit either dancer. I wasn't blown away either but I sure do like looking at Ryan, even if he is sluggish.
I felt Mollee and Nathan came in last with a Salsa from Gustavo Vargas. The judges did not like these two doing the Salsa and I think I know why. Nathan and particularly Mollee are so cute and perky that a "sexified" Salsa is not going to suit them. As Adam said, they got a bad draw for dance style for this week.
So people, it's now our turn to decide who stays and who goes. I'm thinking if we vote technique, it will be Mollee and Nathan leaving; if we vote personality and charisma (or lack thereof), it's Pauline and Peter on the Bye Bye Train. Tune in tonight to see if my guesstimate is even close.
Assistant Features Editor Adrienne Johnson Martin would like to have her life turned into an animated cartoon.