Top 12
Creative title for the blog post, huh? That should give you an idea of how streamline I’m going these days in order to get through this month of dog sitting, script writing & revisions, play readings, and of course the upcoming “Jury Duty”…… and I think there might be a trip to Baja in there somewhere too.
But never too busy for a little FDL, a little mutha-larking television.
Man, I’ll say this, if you’re an FDLer in medium to good standing right now, AND you also happened to foresee the brilliance of Janette and put her in your top 4… you’re gonna be hard to beat. You are going to be flat out. hard. to. beat!
So right now, @raelee, a dominant competitor so far, is our sole leader. But R, I have to say, with that early placement of Janette it looks like you may have some rough waters ahead. @passingprozac, well played… you’ve got a card that’s looking mighty strong.
My thoughts on last night’s show: Brandon and Janette… amazing and invincible. Kayla and Kopono’s contemporary dance was one of the coolest pieces of choreography I’ve ever seen.
BUT I do think Kayla is going to find it hard in the weeks to come. She’s an amazing dancer for sure, but as a personality, I think she comes across as a little too shy and nervous… particularly when the camera demands that she speak.
Ade’s solo was crazy. I mean, that flip he did looked straight out of the Matrix. Now, I do agree with Tyce. He needed to work more yesterday. His partnering is so solid, that sometimes it really does look like he’s phoning it in. BUT I don’t agree that’s what put them in the bottom. And I think Melissa knows that. In fact, I think the “I told you so” look from Melissa when they found out, was her guilt for falling at the end of the Disco number. It wasn’t a terrible fall… but unfortunately, at this point in the competition, I think it does effect how people will vote.
Anyway, here it is… our current SYTYCD-FDL standings.

Rae on 10 Jul 2009 at 4:07 am #
I know, my house of cards is about to fall to pieces. I think all of my Top 4 will be lucky if they get that far. I never saw Janette coming and I was sure the judges would to side against Brandon based on comments they made early on in the process.
Oh well, it was always a crapshoot anyway so I’ll enjoy the high life while I can!
Reneemarie on 10 Jul 2009 at 8:35 am #
I didn’t “get” the speech that Nigel gave at the elimination….first he basically says that they decide who goes home BEFORE they dance their solo and then he says that he doesn’t see these two as a “star” and kicks off Caitlin and Phillip (who solo was the best of the guys)….Now maybe I can see that for Caitlin but Phillip? I think his dancing definitely shines a bit brighter than Jason’s. GRRR….I’m just bitter I guess b/c I picked Jason to go. I agree with you KINDA about Janette….but I do feel as though she has been pretty lucky with what dances she has had to do. Has she had to do anything wacky?
John Cabrera on 10 Jul 2009 at 5:06 pm #
Reneemarie, I agree, his logic was off. To be honest, I wish that guy would just come out and say it… “I, Nigel Lithgow, along with a few producers you never see, decide who goes and who stays… I’m open to the possibility that a solo might change MY mind at the last minute… but it has never happened, and because of how intricately planned a show like this has to be… it probably never will. I hire some of these other dance authorities like Mia and Tyce to help me in my decision, but at the end of the day, it is. MY. DECISION. If ever you hear me say, ‘We are not unanimous.’ that is because earlier that day one of these dance authorities advised me on a dancer that I have ended up… deciding against.”
That being said… I think it was the right choice. Phillip wasn’t very good at any other style of dance than his own. Janette on the other hand has proven above average to stellar in every dance she’s done. That includes the Wade piece from the other night, which I thought was really wacky…… unless by wacky you mean ridiculous, like the stuff Caitlin and Jason were asked to dance… or the Russian folk dance…. although, I would bet if Brandon and Janette had done that number it would have been amazing too. For one, the choreographers would have done much more with them, since they have much more facility.
John Cabrera on 10 Jul 2009 at 5:13 pm #
Yeah, I assumed Brandon would be in the bottom once by this point. I actually agreed with Mia during the auditions. I think her way of pointing it out was mean spirited, but I know where her annoyance was coming from. He just seemed so blandly good. Dancing to Carmina Burana, this kind of chipper-dipper personality, and everything just coming to him naturally.
I actually think Janette’s spunky personality has done something to his personality. And that’s the real surprise with him.
With her it’s just… wow. I think she has the chance of winning this entire competition. It’s exciting to be honest.
chadrullman on 10 Jul 2009 at 7:10 pm #
I wanted Jason to go, until I saw his solo. He did very well and looked like he was fighting. Phillip should have gone last week, so I didn’t mind seeing him go. He is awesome at doing his thing, but has sucked or struggled with everything else. Good guy, but not good enough a dancer for this deep in the game.
Ade’s solo was exciting and unique, and I love him in the partner dances. He’s really the only one that is a strong, powerful leading man. He’s easily my favorite at this point.
I don’t think Ade/Melissa or Jason/Caitlin belonged below Evan/Randi. That samba number was weeeeeeeeak and their hip-hop routine was ‘yawn’. He’s a good Broadway-style solo dancer, but I just can’t buy him as a leading man. Sucks to say, but he’s too short and goofy lookin’. Ouch.
Come to think about it, All the hip-hop numbers this season have been pretty lame. Past seasons have been much better. Anyone else notice that?
John Cabrera on 10 Jul 2009 at 7:34 pm #
Chad, I could not agree with you more on your hip hop assessment. Although I think the best one this season was Brandon and Janette… just cause it was different I guess. But you’re right. Past seasons hip hop has been sensational. Not at all this season. Nappy Tabs are/is talented, but I guess I like my hip hop a little less concept that what they keep bringing.
As for Evan, I actually think he straddles the line between goofy and ordinary. I so wanted his brother in the competition. Now that guy is goofy lookin’… but in an amazing, star sort of way. And I think he may have that extra bit of fire that I just don’t see in Evan. Is it just me, or does Evan always look a little stoned?
Jules on 11 Jul 2009 at 11:04 am #
*sigh* I love Evan. he’s a little goofy, yes, maybe that’s why I like him so much. haha. not sure he looks stoned, but he’s definitely pretty laid-back, which I find endearing! especially in this stressful of an environment.
also, he’s adorable. hahaha.
I am LOVING watching the relationships develop. this dynamic is so fascinating- each week the pressure is mounting but the dancers are simultaneously getting to know each other better and feeling more comfortable in that aspect…
when the dancers stop being eliminated in pairs, do they still dance in partners, or do they do individual dances??
didn’t see either show this week, & last week I only saw the results show! where are my priorities??!
one thing I wish about this show is that the choreographers had some sort of stake in their dances, as well… sometimes I feel like it’s not fair for the dancers, it seems like they’re held accountable for the choreographers’ decisions, you know?
xoxo
Melissa on 14 Jul 2009 at 8:40 pm #
The difference between Jason’s Abercrombie solo (was that last week? When he wore the plaid shirt and cargo shorts?) and this one was remarkable. This one was awesome. I was impressed. And I was impressed with Ade, too. I wasn’t sad to see Caitlin go. I really liked her in the auditions, but for some reason in most of her dances this season she hasn’t seemed very believable to me. Or as Mary might say, I wasn’t buying what she was selling, no I wasn’t.
Looking back at my picks, I can’t believe I had Phillip as #1. But I am brand new to SYTYCD this season. And I have no formal training in dance fantasy leagues.