'Dance' boots two more finalists
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- June
- 20
Just like last week, “So You Think You Can Dance” dumped another couple, even though they had to dance for their lives separately.
But unlike last week, America got the Bottom Three couples right—and the judges sent home the wrong two.
I actually can’t believe I’m defending the elimination of Susie and Marquis, two finalists who I never thought were going to get very far in this contest anyway. There are just too many more personable, exciting dancers (Joshua, Will, Twitch, Kherington) whipping around on that stage.
Still, when you had to choose from the six who were in danger, combined with their individual performances last night, Susie and Marquis deserved to stick around for at least another week.
So let’s start with the three couples who got the fewest votes, all of whom I said were the ones who should be battling it out for survival:
• Chelsea and Thayne
• Marquis and Susie
• Chris and Comfort
All three couples definitely had lackluster performances, so it was great to see the shining stars from Wednesday move on easily to next week. (But what about that moment where we all thought Kourtni and Matt or Jessica and Will were in the Bottom 3? Except they were safe! For shame, you big meanie, Cat Deeley!)
One thing I thought was interesting about the show’s recap of the couples’ performances was how the judges’ comments about Chris and Comfort were carefully edited to focus only on Chris. Yes, they busted big-time on Chris—and rightly so—but if I recall correctly, they also gave Comfort a couple of well-deserved jabs for not hitting the number hard enough.
But do I think Comfort should have been the girl to go? Nope. That should have been Chelsea, hands down.
Chelsea has talent, no doubt, but was she “a firecracker” during her solo, as Cat Deeley called her? No way. Cat and the judges must have been asleep, because what I watched was a routine that was all over the place and boring to boot.
(And this could be said of any number of contestants who’ve danced solos so far, but why, oh why, would you choose a slow song to showcase your skills when you’ve got less than a minute to do so? Pump up the volume, kids!)
But the judges felt differently, telling Chelsea simply that she needed to step it up and whisking her off to safety.
So it came down to Susie and Comfort, and when given that choice, yes, I’d pick Comfort six days a week and Sunday.
Truly, though, it was Susie who really “danced for her life.” She chose a fun, upbeat song, she looked like she was having fun and she put those swivel hips back in business.
And I’ll take exception with the criteria the judges used to pick Comfort over Susie. Nigel said that Comfort hasn’t found her potential in this contest—but that she came alive during the opening Shane Sparks routine. And the girl did totally rock the house during that incredible number: She was up there killing it with three guys, not only holding her own but often besting their moves.
I’ll agree that the judges’ point is that you have to bring it EVERY time you’re on that stage, but doesn’t that diminish the importance of the solos a bit?
Long story short, the show set up a showdown between Susie and Comfort—which was no contest—when it really should have come down to Susie and Chelsea. In any case, Susie’s the one headed home.
As for the guys, what can I say except that it was totally unfair for Nigel to brand Marquis’ solo as being “all tricks.”
They’ve never had a problem with that before, and Marquis has shown that he’s got amazing lines and movement in his previous performances. So who can fault the guy for trying to show something different with a few somersaults? And that one where he flipped from a standing to sitting position was insane! I’m guessing the rest of the dancers are all scratching their heads, wondering what tactic to take in their solos from now on.
Basically, the man to go should have been either Thayne and Chris. They’re talented as can be, but to me, they’re also as vanilla as yogurt.
The most interesting thing about Thayne are his sideburns.
And according to the judges, Chris has been showing more personality? Come on, the boy is so generic he wore khaki shorts during his solo.
So if it were my call, I would have booted Chris—if only because he’s dragging Comfort down, and it would have been interesting to see her paired with Marquis. Though I can’t quite see him krumping either.
Ah, well. A fair elimination? Not exactly. But that’s entertainment, folks!
Until next week, when the Top 16 get down and dirty…and by the way, are any contestants starting to emerge as your favorites?
(Photos courtesy of FOX)
This entry was posted
on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 9:28 am by Heather Salerno.
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