TV Review Pages

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

SYTYCD Season 4 - First Night of Live Dancing 6/11/08

Hip Hop Rules the Night On
So You Think You Can Dance
FOX Wednesday 8/7c 6/11/08

It is going to be another great season on SYTYCD, I don't know how the judges choose from these talented dancers. If you are not familiar with the format of the show, the U.S. public votes for the dance couple of their choice. The couple with the lowest votes must then dance for their lives in a solo format. The judges then choose who will leave the show.



Here is how the night played out:

First up were Raven (the oldest contestant at 28) and Jamie dancing a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha. It was sort of Hip Hop anyway, really more like Hip Hop meets High School Musical. It was soft, with no popping or hard hitting. There were some fun parts, at one point Raven pulled down Jamie's pants to around his ankles.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... will it be memorable, that's what we will see"
Mary Murphy - "... it was cotton candy, light and fluffy... I liked it"
Dan Karaty - "... it wasn't quite there"



Next up were Susie and Marquis dancing a Smooth Waltz choreographed by Hunter Johnson. The music was haunting, Dark Waltz by Haley Westenra. There was a very awkward lift that nearly stopped them, but it was a difficult dance. Susie looked strange with a beautiful light blue gown, white blond hair with hot pink highlights and black eyebrows. There lines and posture were great. Marquis looked like the perfect gentleman in full tuxedo.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... I noticed that you missed the lift, but I'm not sure anyone else will. It was very tough choreography to follow..."
Mary Murphy - "... you pulled it off... it was so difficult"
Dan Karaty - "... it was great"



Kourtni L. and Matt followed with a Mandy Moore routine, I'm not sure what genre of dance it was. They are a total of 12 feet of dancers (Matt is 6'3, Kourtni is 5'9), and they looked great together. The dance was kind of strange and did not highlight their talents.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... fun routine... Matt, you need to relax, it was like someone put a broomstick where the sun doesn't shine... relax"
Mary Murphy - "... great job... the lift and landing were heavy"
Dan Karaty - "... great choreography, great concept, so-so performance... you didn't attack it"



Chelsea T. and Thayne came out with the Cha Cha choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha. It was a very sexy performance, and I'm not a Cha Cha fan. Chelsea is just so full of pep and fun, she is easy to watch. Thayne managed to keep up.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... love that southern charm" (speaking of Chelsea)
Mary Murphy - "... two tickets on the Hot Tamale train!"
Dan Karaty - "... damn girl... Thayne, you managed to keep up with her"



Next up were Chelsie H. and Mark dancing a Mia Michaels Contemporary routine. This is what I was waiting for, Mia Michaels seems to outdo herself each season. This was a "what would Tim Burton's wedding be like" routine, Mia was dreadfully disappointed with Mark's dancing in rehearsals. It was an awesome performance, but Mark reminds me an awful lot of Hawk from last season of SYTYCD. He had a lot of bird like gesturing, like Hawk. It was very cool music, Beautiful by Me'Shell Ndegeocello.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... Mia Michaels, you have some weird relationships don't you"
Mary Murphy - "... unbelievable... if I had a hat, I'd take it off to you"
Dan Karaty - "... you tweaked, and you freaked, and you did everything that was asked of you"



Kherington and Twitch came out with a Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio. It was fantastic, full of Broadway style and flash. Both could take the stage in a show anytime they want. Twitch is so funny, he said they were coming together as Twitchington.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... very, very hot"
Mary Murphy - "... look at the ceiling, the sprinkler system is gonna come on"
Dan Karaty - "... I thought you both were great"



Comfort and Chris were up next dancing a Jive routine by Tony and Melanie. It was a good routine, though the ending was a bit weird. Comfort said after finishing, "I'm dancing in a bra and panties and beads!" She was really good considering she dislocated her shoulder during dress rehearsal (something we would have never known had Nigel not brought it up).
Nigel Lythgoe - " ... you set it on fire"
Mary Murphy - "... this girl has what it takes"
Dan Karaty - "... wonderful job... you have to find the chemistry together"



Katee and Joshua had the Hip Hop dance of the night. Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha, the concept was the night before he ships off to war. It was the most powerful performance of the night, and they were both feeling it. Some of the moves that Joshua has are unbelievable, and he makes it look so easy.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... really, really good... my favorite performance of the night"
Mary Murphy - "... you made it look effortless... I was not expecting this... it was tremendous"
Dan Karaty - "... you guys killed the unison part, that's not easy and you killed it... there is a reason you guys are on this stage"



Next up were Jessica and William with a Tango by Hunter Johnson. I thought it was really bad. The Tango should be passionate and hot, they both grinned ear to ear through it. It just seemed distracting. Surprisingly, the judges really enjoyed it, but I have to think this is because Will is Debbie Allen's protege. Jessica nearly fell off her shoes a couple of times.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... you looked professional"
Mary Murphy - "... it was strong, passionate, on fire..."
Dan Karaty - "... you played your part... hot like fire"



Courtney G. and Gev finished the night with a Disco dance choreographed by Doriana Sanchez. I thought it was good in a Saturday Night Fever sort of way. There were tons of lifts and all were done very well. Nigel did not agree.
Nigel Lythgoe - "... there wasn't the feel to it... it looked more like Disco Duck"
Mary Murphy - "... the Disco Queen is back... I loved it"
Dan Karaty - " ... I enjoyed that... not the best I've seen, but pretty good"



Well, that wraps up the first night on SYTYCD Season 4. It was a good first night and promises another great season.



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