So You Think You Can Dance: The Recap

Guest blogger Lenni G. keeps watching...

So, what had 2 quintets, 5 duos and 10 singles?

That would be the SYTYCD show Wednesday night. A truly busy, busy evening and a big, big challenge for the Top 10 dancers. I'm totally exhausted and all I had to do was take notes, lots and lots of notes.

Judge's panel included the regulars, Mary and Nigel, as well as Debbie Allen, one of my personal favs and Claire Huxtable's sister. Debbie made the statement that, "at this point, America will be voting for their favorite and it may not necessarily be the person with the most talent". How true, how true - fan bases are huge for shows like this (think Taylor Hicks on "American Idol") and can really create huge upsets with their voting. That said, let's move on to the "really, really big show" (think Ed Sullivan).

The girls' group started the evening with a Bollywood routine. Nigel "understated" that, "These are the most beautiful girls working together that we've ever had," Mary found the five "absolutely stunning," and Debbie called it, "an amazing cultural fusion." Debbie really has total command of "dancespeak" and I love her for it.

First couples' dance with all new partners featured the tallest girl and the shortest guy, Kayla and Evan - no luck in that draw, was there? And, can you believe it was a Viennese Waltz?? Nigel noticed immediately that the two appeared to be the same height. And, they were, thanks to Kayla's flat shoes and Evan's heels. Mary, the ballroom expert, was a bit bummed, particularly by Evan who "showed no power" and had glunky footwork. As for Debbie, she told Evan, "You handled your big woman, baby" which I am going to interpret as a good thing.

First solo of the evening had Brandon doing a routine with very strong moves that fit the music perfectly.

That was followed by what I knew had to be inevitable - the shortest girl and the tallest guy, Janette and Ade, doing a "NappyTabs" Hip Hop routine. Loved the premise of the choreography - Ade playing the funk doctor using his magic hair pick to hypnotize Janette into doing the funk with him. Nigel immediately declared that he "needed the pick" and went totally funky on us. Mary finally told him to "cut the crap" and called the dance pure entertainment. That was followed by the comments of the season from Debbie - "These children wore me out. I missed the libretto, honey - was that a pimp with a comb?" Debbie, you so rock!

Next came two more solos - Randi who did lots of spinning and falling to the stage, and Kupono who had a cool costume.

We were then treated to a contemporary dance choreographed by Travis Wall, a former competitor on SYTYCD. New team of Jeanine and Jason knocked it way out of the park not only with their dancing, but by keeping the heart chain in play the whole time. Nigel gave props to Travis and told Jeanine she finally had a partner who could keep up with her. (Sorry Phillip but I told you so.) And shockingly, Mary was at a loss for words!! She did finally manage her primal scream which she dedicated to "Conan" (O'Brien, I assume). Debbie gave Travis a brilliant for his choreography and told Jeanine to "sew that dress back up and let Jason tear it again." Fabulous, totally fabulous.

Next, three more solos - Melissa with a flowing ballet, Evan, in a tuxedo, doing a fantastic Broadway routine, and Kayla who, like Randi, did lots of spinning and falling to the stage.

Back to couples again with Randi and Kupono doing a Paso Doble choreographed by Tony and Melanie. Judges were unanimous about this one which I felt was the weakest performance of the evening. As Mary said, both dancers fell below the challenge presented to them. They did not work well as a couple and she (and I) did not believe the whole thing. If you really want to see how a Pasa should look and sound, go to YouTube and find the one Gilles and Cheryl did on "Dancing with the Stars." After watching that, I recommend you stand in front of your AC for several minutes.

Next, three more solos - Ade doing a huge finishing flip, Jeanine painting "pretty pictures" (dancespeak for nice, really nice), and Jason with a quirky, fun routine.

Melissa and Brandon were the final couple of the evening doing a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine. The music was "Aquarius" and of course that's from the iconic "Hair." Nigel praised the fantastic choreography and said it sure brought back memories of old times. Debbie called it "seamless, a joy to watch," and felt both dancers were brilliant. I'm with Mary here - it was "Groovy, baby."

Final solo of the evening was from Floridian, Janette, otherwise known as the "Salsa Queen." Best coordinated solo of the evening to me with SQ wearing the Miami Dolphins colors shaking what God gave her to "This is Miami."

FINAL, really, FINAL dance (number 17 of 17) was for the five boys doing an African number. Agree with Nigel that the kids "worked their asses off" on this one and that Evan did, in fact, "look like a dancing milkshake." Mary adored the energy and felt that the dancing milkshake really did hold his own - and, being cute and self-deprecating didn't hurt him either. Most importantly, Debbie gave the whole thing a "Bravo." Way to go, guys!

Results tonight at 9 - Bye Bye Train for Randi?, Kupono?