Jason and Kayla’s Zombie Routine from Shane Sparks

Seeing that I’ve been Left 4 Dead pretty consistently from its launch until Violet’s birth, I had a chuckle to this routine—though there were moments that were still disturbing. The makeup department gets props for Jason’s face and also Kayla’s black-streaks-under-her-eyes trick.

Ade and Melissa’s Breast Cancer Routine by Tyce DiOrio

To anyone who loved and cared for someone sick. Speechless.

My Top 4 Dancers

For the gals, I’m hoping for Janette and Jeanine. Janette nailed it tonight for me with her solo. Not only it was a slow song, she showcased her growth by incorporating contemporary and latin dance styles. Jeanine is a great actress as well as dancer. Her dancing evokes emotion and incredibly engaging.

Brandon and Ade are my bets for the guys, however, I get the feeling that Jason might beat out Ade. Evan is a cool guy, but he’s not versatile enough to be a finalist for me.

Jason and Jeanine’s Contemporary Routine by Travis Wall

Jason has never really interested me, but Jeanine has been a star all along. This number was exquisite in execution and choreography. There were a few parts that were very provocative, but it strikes emotionally.

I loved the necklace toss back and forth, Jeanine’s clothesline arm, Jeanine pounding the necklace back at Jason, clothes ripping— all harmoniously to the lyrics of the music.

Ade and Janette’s Funk from Napolean and Tabitha

A fun routine to watch and probably to dance. The funk style suits Ade quite well, whereas Janette looked a little stiff a few times. All in all, a fun routine.

Kupono and Randi Exit the Stage

Kupono has had some memorable routines, namely crash dummies and addiction, but I’m not sad to see him leave. He still felt weaker compared to the other dancers. However, I was surprised that Ade was the second one in danger instead of Evan.

Randi’s departure is sad though. Her only misstep so far was this week’s Paso Doble routine and I wonder if her wig made it harder to remember her. She was a great dancer and I enjoyed her bubbly personality.

I’m not surprised at who went home this week. Although I’m saddened that Caitlin didn’t make the top ten, she was the obvious choice among Jeanine and Melissa. She never met my expectations, both in her routines and her solos.

I was surprised but in agreement afterward that Phillip was cut as well. He’s amazing at what he does and hip hop. That’s about it, he’s not able to do the rest. Considering the show’s heritage with last season’s winner being a-popper-who-could-do-it-all, Phillip is not quite up to snuff. Still like the fella though.

The top twelve gave strong performances overall. Here were the few that really stood out.

Kupono and Kayla in Mia Michaels’ Contemporary about Addiction

I enjoy the routines that tell a story—even more when it’s deep and meaningful. Mia Michaels tapped into a very sad and painful topic with this routine. I think it’s one of her best and wouldn’t be surprised if she won an award for it.

From the hand on Kayla’s face, keeping her from reaching up, Kupono’s sneer, and false tenderness, I had chills of the empathetic kind for those enslaved by addictions that destroy not only the addicts life—but all their loved ones.

Phillip and Jeanine in a Jive

Jeanine stole the show on this routine. Phillip survived, but Jeanine’s flirtatious spirit kept the routine engaging.

Brandon and Janette’s Argentine Tango

I don’t think Janette is as sexy as Chelsie Hightower from last season in her tangos, but she and Brandon did a great job on this Argentine Tango. Brandon looked a little stiff but Janette embodied the attitude. I give credit to the choreography for making it look like social dancing with a few well timed tricks.

Top 10 Predictions

So now, we have the top ten dancers. From the guys, I don’t think Jason will last long. He’s too much of a “pretty boy” and has not done anything amazing. I recognized him from last season and while I was glad he tried again, nothing I’ve seen so far leads me to believe he has what it takes.

Evan has not been reviewed well lately. He does the routines “good enough” but it might only be good enough to get him voted off sooner.

Between the last three guys, I think Brandon and Ade will be the final male leads.

As for the ladies, Melissa stands a chance to make the top four. She has done each style superbly. I can also see Jeanine making the top four.

Kayla, Randi, and Janette is a tough call. Janette has also been a very strong contender, but I don’t think she will be creative enough in her solos to beat Jeanine.

Kayla lacks star power in her solos as well. She’s the judges favorite—as was Will from the last season, but he wasn’t America’s favorite.

Randi, she might be in the top 4. She’s got great looks and personality, but she’ll need to nail her routines in the top 10 before she can get pass the others.

Ade and Melissa’s Pas de Deux

This piece was beautiful through and through. I enjoyed the classical music and the ballet to paint the music’s mood. It’s almost rigged that Ade and Melissa get the pas de deux, but I wouldn’t want any other couple doing it.

Phillip and Jeanine’s Hip Hop

A strong hip hop routine with a chain prop hit hard and fast. I give props to them to making through the entire routine without the chain tripping them up or tangling. I’m glad for Phillip that he got hip hop this week, but I’m starting to think he might not make it outside of hip hop.

Brandon and Janette’s Cha Cha

Surprisingly strong in technique and performance. Though I’m not invested in either of these two dancers, kudos to them for a very entertaining and sharp cha cha.

Vitolio and Karla’s Quick Step – The Surprise of the Week

Before the commercial break, they announced that Vitolio and Karla would be ending the show with the show’s dance of death: the quickstep. I cringed at the thought. I’ve lost hope for Vitolio, he’s not interesting enough for me and he hasn’t been able to hold up to the show’s standards. In a new partnership with Karla, I assumed doom for their quickstep.

However, with one quick slick costume change early in the routine, the whole outlook of the dance took a turn for the better and their quickstep actually held up quite well.

And Then There Were Twelve

I’m not surprised at Vitolio and Karla being voted off. Neither of them have really captured the hearts of America and they’ve been in the bottom 3 too many weeks. I’m very surprised that Jason and Caitlin didn’t get into the bottom three since they had such a weird routine.

Phillip’s solo was a bit off, but worth keeping him in. Jeanine has been growing on me, she has a quiet strength to her like Ade. It was sad seeing Kayla cry, but she needs to get her solo together if she wants to survive another round in the bottom three.

Ade and Melissa’s Rumba

Ade and Melissa continue to surprise and impress me. While I wasn’t fans at first, they are coming out quite strong. So far, they’ve hit the mark on all the routines they’ve been given. This week’s rumba continues their streak.

Evan and Randi’s Contemporary “Butt” Dance

Evan and Randi are another couple that work hard and they’ve had some great routines. This week’s Mia Michael’s routine was pretty simple and it worked for me. I thought it was a fun routine.

Kupono and Kayla’s Viennese Waltz

I agree with the judges that many of Kupono’s movements are too feminine for my liking, but he and Kayla did a beautiful waltz. Kayla stole the routine with her smile and lines. I’m not a huge fan of Kayla, but she was the highlight of this routine.

I tried twittering during the show to capture my thoughts, but I don’t think I’ll be doing it again. I found myself typing instead of paying attention to the routine in progress. While it was nice to recap my impressions before voting, I was less engaged in the couples on screen while they were dancing.

In the end, I voted for Kupono and Ashley because Ashley put on a great hip hop performance, they both weren’t in an outlandish costumes, and Ashley looked comfortable dancing. I’m glad Ashley never gave up and finally made it to the top 20 after 3 rejections. I’m curious as to where she was dismissed in the previous years.

Phillip, love your popping and locking, but your tango was comedic to watch. Hope you stay in the competitions after tomorrow night mate!

Kupono and Ashley’s Hip Hop

Here were the top 5 routines of the evening for me.

1. Phillip and Jeanine (Hip Hop)

I love Napolean and Tabitha’s choreography. I’m glad the first show had at least one number from N&T. Their routines tell great stories, entertain, and have emotional impact.

Adam’s critique intrigued me as he complimented Phillip as being very generous to his partners. It’s a quality I highly admire, and Phillip is definitely my favorite male competitor.

2. Evan and Randi (Jazz)

I wasn’t sold on Evan’s broadway style—but I liked Evan’s personality from the auditions so I was very happy to see him do well.

His routine with Randi was very romantic. And Evan’s style adapted well. I liked how Evan had a look of adoration rather than lust, especially since Randi is married. I do wonder how her marriage is adjusting to her dancing intimately with other men on national television. And why wasn’t her husband in the audience?

3. Kupono and Ashley (Jazz)

A very quirky routine, almost as bizarre as some of Mia Michael’s. The dancers surprised me at how well they got into character. They reminded me of Tim Burton stop-motion characters in Corpse Bride. My favorite part was the ending, which was bittersweet as the two crash dummies skip joyfully to their crash.

4. Ade and Melissa (Contemporary)

To be honest, I’m not a fan of the “Naughty Ballerina” image Melissa is milking, but this routine was powerful and beautiful. I initially chuckled at the song choice since I think Mandy Moore has a tendency for 80′s music it seems. However, it also is one of my dad’s favorite English songs.

5. Jason and Caitlin (Bollywood)

This one doesn’t quite have the energy of last year’s bollywood routine with Josh and Katee, but I’m a Caitlin fan. I’ll give them props for doing bollywood on the first week and doing it well.

No More Paris

I’m not sad that they cut Tony after the first week but I will miss Paris. I think she has a great personality and I really enjoyed her broken doll audition dance. I understand the show’s need to keep Asuka for dance style variety, but I wished they kept Paris.

Being that it’s Thursday, now, and we’ve said good bye to two dancers, I’m sad to see that Paris got cut. I really liked her audition piece, and she seems like a neat person to get to know. I agree with David that she is more interesting as a dancer and person than Asuka, but I also think her solo tonight wasn’t super strong. Bummer. Her partner, Tony, was also cut. He was alright – a fun entertainer, but not strong in dance compared to the others. I sort of wanted to see how much he would grow on the show, but I guess we won’t get that chance. Bummer.

On a side note, there’s one person I’m really sad wasn’t in the top 20; not because he wasn’t good enough (he is amazing!) but because he was bound to his contract with the Miami City Ballet Company – Alex Wong.

Here’s some of my favorites from opening night. Some of the routines are more of a tie for me, but here’s my general ranking.

Kupono and Ashley (Jazz)

I liked the Crash Test Dummies routine the best because the dancers and the costumes and the strange music created another world that I felt I was sucked into. I felt intrigued, mystified, lost into that world. Kupono and Ashley performed flawlessly.

Phillip and Jeanine (Hip Hop)

I liked Tabitha and Napolean’s portrayal of a couple frustrated with each other but determined to work it out so they don’t go to bed mad at each other. The story itself wasn’t really full of “wow factor” but I enjoyed that Philip moves crazy-amazingly, and that he’s generous to his partner.

Ade and Melissa (Contemporary)

Melissa is lovely to watch and Ade did a good job of being strong for her. It was very enjoyable the whole way through.

Evan and Randi (Jazz)

Evan is a classy dancer. I enjoyed his and Randi’s steamy routine inspite of my discomfort at her being married, and doing all this romantic dancing with someone other than hubby. But what an honorable guy to be partnered with – Evan. That’s my impression anyway.

Max and Kayla (Samba)

I’m super impressed at the power of Max in Latin. I’d really like to see him and Janette do some Latin together. That would be awesome. Kayla did a nice job considering she’s not ballroom.

Jason and Caitlin (Bollywood)

The Bollywood routine was nice. I almost wanted more use of floor with more leaping rather than the pulsing walks – albeit cool hand, arm, leg, feet choreography! Caitlin is strong and fun to watch.

Brandon and Janette (Fox Trot)

I liked the fox trot with the swan lift that lifted even higher off Brandon’s shoulders and flew around. Awesome. Usually this dance is the “kiss of death” for couples, but Brandon and Janette looked polished and confident – comfortable to watch versus anxious of whether or not they could pull it off.

We have found ourselves talking a lot about the routines and inspired by dance while we’re off the dance floor through SYTYCD. We figured we might as well share our thoughts on our blog this year for season 5 in hopes to get other people excited as well! Stay tuned for our thoughts on the top 20 routines!