SYTYCD Recap – Top 18

Last night was the second round of voting night for the new season of So You Think You Can Dance. The Top 18 took the stage as 9 couples. This week’s judges were Lil’ C, Mary Murphy, and Nigel Lythgoe.

I’m packing and getting ready to leave on vacation a bit later today. Unfortunately, that means I didn’t have time to find video clips of last night’s performances & links to the choreographers like I did last week. Sorry!

Here is my recap of last night’s show:

Couple 1: Randi and Evan
Music: “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles
Dance Style: Ballroom – Jive
Choreography: Louis Van Amstel

Well, if their goal was to show the audience they were having fun, they succeeded. I LOVED when Evan jumped over Randi. That was awesome! The little ass grabs were cute, too. Lack of chemistry is definitely not a problem with this couple. It may not have been the most technically perfect Jive ever, but it was FUN! *ding* ;)

Couple 2: Melissa and Ade
Music: 24 Hours by Terry Poison (Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix)
Dance Style: Jazz
Choreography: Sonya Tayeh

As soon as I heard Sonya’s premise of the dance, I figured Melissa would have have no problem playing a high-maintenance girl given how much she liked to remind us she was a ballerina in the audition rounds. I’m not sure I thought of her in that light watching the dance, but I did enjoy it. Sonya’s choreography was awesome, as usual, and Melissa & Ade did a great job with it.

Couple 3: Caitlin and Jason
Music: “Missin You” by Trey Songz
Dance Style: Hip-hop
Choreography: Shane Sparks

As soon as I heard Shane Sparks would be choregraphing their dance, I was psyched. Shane Sparks is probably my favorite hip-hop choreographer, and I’m so glad he’s back on SYTYCD this year! Personally, I thought Jason was absolutely amazing! For me though, Caitlin was just OK, although that reverse flip thing she did was unbelievable! All in all though, I just didn’t think she was hitting things quite hard enough. Even though it was a softer style of hip-hop, she was too soft and didn’t really come across as hip-hop to me. Not sure if they’ll make the cut this week with that performance.

Couple 4: Janette and Brandon
Music: “Loving is Really My Game” by Brainstorm
Dance Style: Disco
Choreography: Doriana Sanchez

I <3 disco! Perhaps it's because of my age, but I just love fun & funky disco music, and this dance did not disappoint! OMG that leg-split lift of Janette's was caaa-raaaaa-zyyyyyyyy! I'm still amazed how high she lifted her legs in that split. Then, no sooner than I had recovered from that, Brandon did his full layout backflip! This couple is absolutely amazing and are definitely giving everyone else a run for the money!! I have to say that I was completely :lol: at Lil' C's commentary on their dance.

Couple 5: Asuka and Vitolio
Music: “Dreams are More Precious” by Enya
Dance Style: Waltz
Choreography: Louis Van Amstel

I usually feel sorry for couples when they draw the waltz because it’s not a dance style that generally excites people. However, I loved this waltz! I actually got goosebumps a couple of times watching them dance. Even though they performed immediately after the high-energy disco of Janette & Brandon, this couple completely captivated my attention and I was mesmerized watching their performance. The dance was graceful, elegant, and beautiful to watch.

Couple 6: Kayla and Max
Music: “Hot Like Wow” by Nadia Oh
Dance Style: Pop Jazz
Choreography: Brian Friedman

Well, the song title completely sums up this dance. Hot Like Wow!! Max and Kayla definitely brought it again this week. Lil’ C was on a roll still when providing his commentary on Max. I don’t know what was up with him, but he was saying silly ass stuff all night. Then, to top that, he said absolutely nothing about Kayla other than implying he hope she screws up in the future so he’ll have something to say to her. WTF?! Along with Janette & Brandon, this is definitely a couple to watch!

Couple 7: Karla and Jonathan
Music: “Falling Slowly” by The Frames
Dance Style: Contemporary
Choreography: Stacey Tookey

This was our first time seeing Canadian choreographer Stacey Tookey on SYTYCD. I definitely didn’t care for this performance as much as the judges clearly did. I loved Stacey’s choreography, but wasn’t really moved by the performance of the dancers. For me, it was just OK and nothing really that special. I fear they will find themselves in the bottom three again. Personally, I would love to see this dance performed by Katie & Joshua from last season!

Couple 8: Jeanine and Phillip
Music: “Violento (Up Mix)” by Bailango!
Dance Style: Tango
Choreography: Tony Meredith

This was another just OK dance for me. They did OK, but there just wasn’t the “heat” between them that I expect for a tango. I did love when Mary called Lil’ C on the carpet over the bent knees comment! Will they be in the bottom three? They should be, but will America’s love of Phillip keep them safe? I think it might.

Couple 9: Ashley and Kupono
Music: “Imma Be” by The Black Eyed Peas
Dance Style: Hip-hop
Choreography: Shane Sparks

Yeah, this dance was bad, and it had nothing to do with the choreography. Shane, as always, had some very creative choreography going in this dance, but it just wasn’t executed very well. They didn’t hit things hard like they should, and they weren’t synchronized. They absolutely should be in the bottom three.

Well, that’s my recap of all the dances from last night. Here are my predictions for the bottom three couples: Ashley & Kupono, Caitlin & Jason, and Jeanine & Phillip. If America’s love for Phillip does keep them safe, then I think Karla & Jonathan will find themselves in the bottom three instead.

Until next time …