Live Blogging SYTYCD’s Top 14 (with post game comments)
Okay, so we’re doing this again. If you want to comment on anything I say, just leave a comment below. I’ll reply to you in the live blog itself if I can.
UPDATE: Everything in bold below was put in after the live blog.
- Okay, getting ready for some of the good stuff
- Ashleigh: I wore the red pants last week, you HAVE to wear the yellow shirt tonight.
- This was during the opening group introductions. Ashleigh toned it down this week… only to have husband sporting a bright yellow, open, sleeveless button up.
- Cat’s hair is okay. You can’t flick a quarter off of it, tho.
- I mean, Cat looked good, I won’t deny. But it was a little safe. Or unsafe if she was riding a motorcycle (joke only makes sense if you saw her hair last week).
- wow… embarrassing photos. Not really.
- This little bit about their childhood photos was so tame. All I could think about were some of the humiliating shots of me that exist out in the world.
- I have to admit, I was running kind of behind on this live blog. But I’m caught up now.
- I was working on my blog all day yesterday, trying to figure out how it was getting daily spam links injected into the pages. I lost track of time and started this live blog minutes before the show. Took me about 10 minutes before I had my cut and paste flow.
- Dang.
- This was in response to the opening of the Hip Hop number. And I think it was in regards to Ashleigh’s performance, which I thought was rock solid.
- What???!!!!!
- This was for the same number. It was less of a surprised “what?!” and more of a “can I get a whut whut?!”
- God I loved that. I wouldn’t totally classify it as hip hop though. That was a lot of contemporary.
- Nappy T, sometimes straddle the line between contemporary, pop, and hip hop, and last night, I’d say pop was definitely winning.
- It’s true, she may be my favorite.
- Ashleigh. She is working her way to the top for me.
- I loved the way she switched in and out of dance and character. It was shockingly good, I thought.
- Am I the only one who thought this? I haven’t heard much about it.
- Ouch. Broadway… not too broad.
- That piece was miserable. And judging from the bonus picks of The Lark this week, most of you felt the same.
- Did he just try to nab a kiss there at the end and totally got shot down?!

- Pervy, Nigel.
- What does Karen’s hotness have anything to do with how she danced that piece? I mean, sure she’s hot. It’s just odd to include it in a negative critique.
- You can classify that guy as a hip hop dancer all you want, but Kevin has worn ballet shoes in his life.
- More than once.
- Maybe even pointe shoes.
- There’s nothing wrong with it. But seriously, the way Kevin dances in anything that isn’t Hip Hop looks like ballet. Anyone else observe this?
- Doesn’t the music going into the dancers’ back-stories sound like the theme to Rocky?
- I totally understand why the producers fought to keep Noelle on the show. She’s got facility, down.
- I’m really impressed by Noelle’s skills. I think the producers knew she would be disliked by fans early on because of what was perceived as unfair treatment. So perhaps they’ve worked to get her to a point on the show where her dancing outshines her past. For me, that point was this episode.
- Russel’s pirouette was good. Thoughts?
- Meaning… thoughts on whether Russel has more legit training than Krump? I say, no doubt about it.
- It was a good piece.
- But having Russel and Noelle dance this again is no coincidence. This is the first time a couple has gotten Fox Trot twice this early in the competition. Again, I say it’s to dispel the bad audience vibes over the Week 1 debacle.
- And Noelle really is clawing her way out of an appeal hole for me. I’m starting to like her a lot. Definitely admire her fight.
- I wish there was an app for making me a sandwich right now.
- An iPhone commercial came on at the break. I was hungry. But I had to wait til after the show, cause I didn’t prepare.
- Channing seems to get very nervous on cam. She loses her charisma.
- She seems like such an outgoing person. Definitely painted that way in Vegas. Are they editing her differently now? Or is the pressure of the show getting to her?
- I wish I could do Victor’s glasses.
- I would look like an insect if I wore those.
- Most distracting prop in the show’s history.
- Set piece, I mean.
- What’s up with all the distracting set pieces, backdrops, video displays, and lighting explosions, this year? In the past it was about dance. And even then, we had to try to see past choreography that was hurting a good performance… or elevating a bad one. Now we have to do the same thing with a giant bird cage on stage.
- That didn’t make a lick of sense to me, what Nigel just said.
- He said something about how Victor was growing but that he wasn’t growing as a dancer. Does he mean he’s actually noticed Victor getting taller?
- I like Channing’s hair.
- Now, her hair was rock solid. You can safely work in a mineshaft with that doo.
- Totally. I couldn’t get into that Bobby McF song either.
- That song was way too distracting for my taste. And I like Bobby McFerrin a lot.
- Hey Kathryn.
- What? I’m just saying hello.
- Uh oh, is this gonna be Oh Fortuna again?
- It wasn’t thankfully. But how many competition Dobles have used Carmina Burana, you think?
- This is good.
- DEATH DROPS!!
- I love me some Drops. Especially done like it’s hot.
- There’s Adam’s pervy remark that Rae was talking about.
- This was regarding a comment by Rae below and an overall pervy mood to last night’s panel of judges (if you include Kevin’s kiss attempt, maybe to the whole evening)… culminating, of course, in Nigel’s “I’d like to meet you in a dark alley” remark. But you can’t fault Adam too much here. Legacy looked good in that piece.
- Oh come on. Those two are in the top 10 already. Who are you trying to kid, Nigel?
- Nigel was saying something like, he has a feeling they’re going to make it into the top 10… in regards to Legacy and Kathryn. He has a feeling. One of the executive producers, has a feeling.
- Okay, I’m starting to drop my conspiracy theory surrounding Legacy. I’m starting to really believe this guy is transforming on the show.
- And you know how much I love my conspiracy theories. But I really do get a sense this guy is as good as he is because of insane work ethic and practice. Combine that with someone who clearly picks up movement quickly, and it’s possible he really is “growing” as they say. Although I do find it hard to believe someone who played soccer growing up (who was working towards pro) wouldn’t have a strong endurance as Adam remarked. Conspiracy theory coming back.
- Why was Nigel just whispering?
- Did you guys notice that? There was a point in the Doofy Feet ad where Nigel was explaining something, and all of a suddenly he started whispering. Eh. Whatever.
- I still wish it was called the “Awesome Feet” foundation or something similar.
- Little known fact: there’s a VHS tape of me back in Miami as a mouse in The Nutcracker.
- I was recruited to be in a few of my sister’s dance school ‘s productions. The random mouse, towns person. I think it may be when I first got bitten by the stage bug.
- That’s gonna be a tough fight Ryan.
- Ryan said he’s gonna fight to keep himself out of the bottom. It’s good they got a Travis routine, I’ll say that much.
- That was good. Was it good enough to keep them out of the bottom? Not sure. I mean audiences do like their Travis.
- I completely agree with Nigel’s critique of Ellenore. I really do have a difficult time seeing who she really is. She really is a remarkable dancer.
- She has a ton of facility. No doubt. Very creative. But I’m waiting to see the real Ellenore. It seems like we’re getting this sort of “quirky” facade in all her backstage clips. If she could be as transparent as Mollee, I think she’d be the girl to beat this season.
- Huh?
- I think this was in regards to Mary’s “tall clouds” comment.
- I don’t know, I thought it was an odd choice for his flannel shirt to be open on a bare chest. It should have been a T-Shirt, right? I know that has little to do with the dance or choreo.
- What is it with that guy and open shirts? Young women don’t find that Dolph Lundgren thing attractive, do they? And the 20-50 demographic don’t need to see it to know it’s there. Unless he’s trying to prove to America that he doesn’t have a third nipple. Button up, dude.
- The kiddie versions?
- Cat introduced us to their back-stories by saying it was time to meet their kiddie versions. Aren’t the kiddie versions of Nathan and Mollee the same as their current versions?
- “You’re not doin it son!”
- That was a funny moment when the choreographer scolded Nathan.
- I was expecting a lot more out of that choreo.
- I’m not saying it was poor choreo by any means. I just expected it to be more complex and physical based on what we saw in the backstage clip.
- It sounds like we’re hearing something about Nathan’s work ethic here. Something we don’t see. Sounds like they’re saying that behind the scenes he’s a slacker.
- I know some of you thought he was being hard on Nathan, but I wouldn’t say his dancing has blown me away at all yet. And if what Nigel and Adam are talking about is a lack of effort he’s putting into his work… then I don’t think they’re being hard on him at all. They mentioned earlier how impressed they were by Ellenore’s and Legacy’s work ethic. And here they seem to be saying, “dude, the fans are keeping you alive because of your looks. But you aren’t working for any of it. You’re a great dancer. Imagine how amazing you would be if you actually worked the way some of these other dancers are.”
- I think the producers are resigning to the fact that these two are going nowhere.
- Mollee and Nathan. I mean, they’re not going home. And they need them for ratings.
- What I meant by this is, I think the producers realize there’s nothing they can do to get rid of these dancers. That it’s very likely one, if not both of them will be in the top four… stealing that title away from a more deserving dancer. So at this point, their best strategy is to make them as deserving of the placement as possible. You know what I mean?
- Kevin better get that solo ready.
- Oh you know what? Kevin, just go out and have fun tonight!
- Live blog complete.

Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:09 pm #
Ha, I knew you wouldn’t be wowed by her hair. I did like her silver dress tho, she just looked softer this week… Last week she actually looked a little mean.
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:15 pm #
You didn’t comment on that first couple’s dance… Were you as blown away by Ashleigh as the judges?
PS: I wish Safari on the iPhone had the same “pull down to refresh” feature as Tweetie 2.0.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:15 pm #
Ashleigh & Jakob: Didn’t like the routine that much (it was okay), but it did prove to me just how great of a dancer Jakob is!
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:18 pm #
Damn, ignore that comment. I forgot how long it took to get to their actual dance tonight.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:28 pm #
Um… Karen & Kevin: That was terrible! That routine didn’t do them justice.
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:30 pm #
Based on how they talked about the Broadway in the rehearsal segment, I expected a vastly different routine than we got.
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:31 pm #
Seriously, Nigel is so pervy. I get SO sick of it.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:31 pm #
Ashleigh & Jakob: JP, I’ll have to watch it again then. It didn’t wow me, but it was good… both showed great ability!
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:36 pm #
Oh, hi, Vanalam! Just told Jules (glitterbubbles) I thought it was only JP, Rae and me here… She’s going to try to join us soon!
JP:
# You can classify that guy as a hip hop dancer if you want, but Kevin has worn ballet shoes in his life.
# More than once.
# Maybe even pointe shoes.
LOL!!
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:39 pm #
Nigel must be rubbing off on Adam because there’s a point tonight where he gets a little pervy too. I don’t think it’s necessary for the judges to be commenting on hoe hot they think the dancers look.
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:45 pm #
That’s probably one of the most fun foxtrots I can remember on the show. I just love Russel. He’s my favorite, and Noelle’s growing on me.
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:49 pm #
Completely agree, Rae, about the judges commenting on looks. Not that the dancers don’t often look great, but that’s not what the judges should be spending their time commenting on (especially when it gets into the pervy zone).
John Cabrera on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:50 pm #
Van, I don’t have much of a problem commenting on their looks, it’s just strange cause of his age… but is mostly just flat-out an unfair thing to bring up in a critique.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 8:54 pm #
Channing & Victor: They didn’t have much musically to dance to. It was kind of weird. But, I still liked the dance.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:01 pm #
Channing’s hair is pulled back in a similar fashion of Cat’s the week you liked it! It kind of reminds me of some of the ’60s hairdos, a little retro… just add frosted pastel makeup, hoop earrings, maybe some go-go boots with any kind of skirt or short dress, and I’ll think ’60s – which is cool!
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:03 pm #
gah, I have only caught bits of all of the dances. Karen and Kevin didn’t do so great. :/ JP, Ashleigh is your fave? is that who was dancing then? I really liked Channing tonight.
so glad the judges aren’t as grumpy as last week, that was really hard to watch. xoxo
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:06 pm #
haha! Legacy started dancing because he was bribed and money hungry! Not sure I’d admit that, if it was me, lol.
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:06 pm #
Russell and Noelle are adorable. awww, Kathryn is so cute! and I don’t know what it is about Legacy, but I love him! xoxoxo
John Cabrera on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:07 pm #
Jules, you don’t know what it is about Legacy?! Umm, how about… very charismatic, very good looking, very good dancer?
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:08 pm #
whoa, Legacy. put some clothes on.
I want Kathryn’s skirt. ooh, that bit seemed a little… clumsy? :S
xoxoxo
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:10 pm #
Kathryn & Legacy: ha! It was a little corny – mostly Legacy’s face at the end. I’m sorry to anyone who liked it. Also thought it was distracting (not in a good way) that Legacy was shirtless. But, they danced well… and that’s what counts, right?
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:12 pm #
You have a point, John. I guess I wouldn’t mind it as much if it weren’t often lopsided (girls looks being commented on more than the guys).
So, now I’ll comment a little bit on a guy (just to be fair
. HOO! Hot Latin man doing a hot Latin dance. I think I need to catch my breath a little bit. When this season started, I really didn’t think Legacy would last that long, but even if it messes up my score, I’m really glad he’s still around (and not just because I like looking at him). He’s growing so much and I think he and Kathryn have one of the best partnerships of the season (if not the best).
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:13 pm #
I think I might be suffering from some whiplash regarding the judges’ comments on this couple from last week to this week. Also, is it wrong of me to immediately jump on Adam’s comment about a married couple in the Top 10? They haven’t pointed out the married thing much at all lately so I was doubting my initial impression that it was a “story” the producers wanted to milk for awhile.
John Cabrera on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:16 pm #
Caryl, Rae, I think I liked that first hip hop piece more than the judges did actually. I thought it was great.
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:16 pm #
hahaha, could be, could be. can I admit that the fact that he started dancing because of money is a bit of a turn off? but I guess that’s a motivating factor for some people. I think he’s still my favorite.
xoxoxo
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:20 pm #
Hmm, my last comment may be out of order, eh? Sorry! Can’t remember the exact dancing order since I’m already done watching!
Off-topic (and therefore not to be addressed now or even here perhaps), JP, do you prefer trade paperbacks? I ask as I once again see your comics pic as my header. It’s the Runaways trades that made me wonder, mostly because I ended getting the hardcover version instead but kinda wish I had the paperbacks when I want to re-read them. /off-topic
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:22 pm #
did I miss your conspiracy theory?? I’m not remembering it. xoxoxo
John Cabrera on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:23 pm #
Rae, I have a lot to say about Runaways trades, after the show I’ll write more.
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:33 pm #
(awesome, thanks! you know how self-conscious/ridiculous I am about what I write.
)
dammit, Ryan, why can’t you wear shirts buttoned?? it’s just annoying, not sexy. (to me, at least)
that was pretty, though. the choreographer is a baby!! what is he, 12? adorable. xoxoxo
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:34 pm #
Ellenore & Ryan: Much better from last week, and Ellenore connected better to Ryan, this time, too. Still didn’t wow me, but hopefully it saved them, because they are good dancers.
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:34 pm #
JP, I think we have to see that tape. I don’t care how long it takes, that is now an internet necessity. ♥ xoxoxo
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:36 pm #
Is Travis the new Mia? He’s certainly on his way. Love his choreography.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:39 pm #
Ellenore & Ryan: Why is Mary SO emotional over their dance? Now Adam is joining in with the excitement. Yes, they did well… and possibly saved their asses from being kicked off, but was it all that? Am I missing something?? I thought it was really good, but not anything to make people watch!! I’ll say it again, maybe I just don’t understand dance well enough *sigh*
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:40 pm #
whoa, is it me, or are the judges gushing a little much over Ryan and Ellenore? I mean, I guess I shouldn’t complain. I like it better when they’re nicer than when they’re harsh. xoxoxo
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:46 pm #
in full agreement with your shirt comment, JP. xoxoxo
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:47 pm #
awww, Mollee and Nathan are so cute, it’s unbelievable. I hope they deserve to stay out of the bottom this week, because I don’t see America letting them get down there. xoxoxo
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:49 pm #
Mollee makes me feel old.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:51 pm #
Just realizing I’m sounding too negative with all my comments.
Mollee & Nathan: Expected much more, from the clip before. Yes, they did better, but I almost feel they’ve reached their plateaus. It doesn’t seem like they’re growing anymore.
What did I say about the negative commenting??!! Maybe it’s just me. Sorry.
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:53 pm #
I didn’t think Mollee & Nathan’s piece was that great, but maybe it was a fault of the choreography. There didn’t seem to be that much to it. They danced it okay though.
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:56 pm #
ha! I love to see that I’m not the only one thinking these things, Caryl!
ugh, Nigel. enough already. that was a creepy comment re: running into the choreographer. note to Nigel, it might be funny once or twice, but do it enough and it’s just concerning.
xoxo
Vanalam on 17 Nov 2009 at 9:57 pm #
Just figured out who Nathan reminds me of, actor Dante Basco who was Rufio in Hook.
Caryl on 17 Nov 2009 at 10:02 pm #
I kind of have to agree with the judges about who’s going home. I’m still going to take my time to think it through, tho, before deciding to choose them as my bonus picks!
Anyway… It was fun again! I wouldn’t enjoy watching the show as much! Thanks, JP, for doing this!!
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 10:04 pm #
yeah, Karen and Kevin are in the bottom. :/ xoxoxo
Jules on 17 Nov 2009 at 10:06 pm #
definitely more fun to watch the show this way! thanks, guys! ♥ xoxoxo
Rae on 17 Nov 2009 at 10:08 pm #
Do they switch partners this week? Or do we still have one more week w/the same partners?
John Cabrera on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:16 pm #
Rae, the dancers start switching partners at “Top 10 performs”. Tonight was Top 14.
And no worries about the Runaways comment being off topic. The liveblog had a comment about an Apple commercial. Anyway, yeah, I think I like trades more for most titles. That’s just because individual issues tend to pile up here… unless I have a major addiction to the comic, which is rare these days. But I also like the bendability (<-?) of a paperback over hardcover. I also really love that digest form for Runaways. I think it fits the storytelling well. It feels more youthful or something. Like reading an Archie comic. Actually, during the Vaughan run I got so addicted that I needed the monthly fix. But after he put it down, and Joss started that steampunk thing, I lost interest. I'm still collecting the individuals, but I'm so far behind. Pretty soon, I'm just going to sit down, catch up on it all, and then go back to the digest style trades.
sorano916 on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:29 pm #
I gotta ask… isn’t this the second or third time that Nathan and Mollie are last to perform? Also, I hate the fact that I know this but that Lady Gaga was played during Gossip Girl this week… how fitting.
kelseroo on 17 Nov 2009 at 11:55 pm #
I think Nigel is too mean to Nathan. I think his harsh criticism was deserved last week, but this week? Just lay off the poor kid Nigel! Also Vanalam, I have been calling Nathan Rufio also:-) Totally looks like him.
k8mclin on 18 Nov 2009 at 12:49 am #
Ryan and Ellenore got the first rewind/re-watch this season, so they are safe. Loved the hip hop too. And Legacy is my BF. So….am I really stuck hating on Kev and Karen AGAIN??? Yes. I am. Will sleep on bonus picks…..Shankman is right: it finally got good tonight.
Rae on 18 Nov 2009 at 7:37 am #
Thanks, John, I always get that part confused. Was trying to remember how long the judges like to eliminate a couple rather than individuals.
I agree on individual issues piling up. I just moved my bookcases into (mostly) one room and I have a huge pile of comics on the top because I have no good place on the shelf to place them. I think that’s why I do like the hardcover collections, they look nice on my bookshelves. But as I was looking at your graphic I was thinking about how I’d like to re-read Runaways and I’d much prefer picking up the trades to do that than dragging out the big hardcover book. It is definitely the bendability factor. And I agree about the digest form for Runaways. I got into it later so it was really during Joss’ run that I was buying the individual issues and it just didn’t flow as well as it did when I was reading in digest form. And that was with me actually liking Joss’ stuff. At some point I just stopped keeping up with them but talking about it makes me want to go get the trades and get caught up.
Caryl on 18 Nov 2009 at 7:36 pm #
“That didn’t make a lick of sense to me, what Nigel just said. * He said something about how Victor was growing but that he wasn’t growing as a dancer. Does he mean he’s actually noticed Victor getting taller?”
I was wondering last night what Nigel said… reading your explanation tonight; your question, really funny!
And I get what you’re saying about Mollee and Nathan, not going anywhere, so producers best strategy is making them deserving of placement.