Another fast paced show on this week’s So You Think You Can Dance as the final six dancers battle it out for the four spots on next week’s finale. As always, the show begins by saying good-bye to two of the dancers picked for elimination on last week’s episode. Elimination is tougher because all the dancers at this point deserve to win. They are the best of what’s left. Since this is a competition, not all of the dancers left now will be named winner. That is a title left for the best of the best.
This week we said good-bye to Melissa and Artem. Melissa chose to be on the show instead of going on a dance trip to China with sixty other dancers. In my opinion, she is one of the best girl dancers on the show. Artem has shone on stage week after week. He is known internationally as a ballroom dancer, and in this style he performed well. It is hard to see him sent home because he set the standard for the others when it came to the ballroom style.
The format of this week’s program changed once again. The selection process stayed, but judges' comments returned after each performance. Last week, the commentary by the judges had been saved to follow each couple’s second performance. This looks to have been done to fit the fourth couple into the new hour long broadcast which had previously been set each week at ninety minutes. A change also occurred with the solos at the end of the show. On this week’s show, the judges didn’t choose any bottom couples. All six dancers were up for America’s votes.
During the first set, Ashle and Blake followed an awesome hip hop performance by Kamilah and Jamile with a smooth waltz. Not the best style to follow a high energy performance, but these two did well. Nick and Melody followed with a hot and sexy Broadway performance. All three performances here were well done, and the judges, for the most part, agreed on this. Judge Dan Karaty commented on the smooth waltz style following hip hop which caused a minor eruption between the judges, but other than this all the judges scored the three couples well.
In the second set, the couples didn’t fair as well. Both Blake and Ashle and Kamilah and Jamile received negative critiques on their performances. The best couple of this set was definitely Nick and Melody. This couple came out and performed a high energy and fun disco performance. The other two couples had tougher ballroom type styles to work with - the Argentine tango and the American jive.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Julane
Okay, I'm a night owl so I get to be the first to weigh in. Regina, thanks for a terrific summary!
I did not always agree with the judges, but I do agree about Kamilah. She is beautiful, talented, emotional and motivated, but she did not do as well as the others this week and I do see the point about her "faking" the various styles. Melody surprised me--I was not all that crazy about her in the Broadway number (I guess hearing All That Jazz raises my expectations to the Fosse level) but she completely blew me away in the disco dance. However, Ashlé is definitely my favorite of the women; in my opinion she is far and away the most professional, skilled and also has the most charisma. I still think Melody relies too much on being sexy.
Very sad to see Artem go (but I would have been sad to see Jamile go too); I still think he could have nailed any style. I agree that we are likely to see a Blake-and-Nick dance-off (although it would not 100% surprise me if Nick went home, because people obviously adore Jamile). I thought Blake was simply incredible this week, and I had to rewind my tape to see his solo three times because I could hardly believe it. I think Blake and Ashlé are the best dancers. Will we end up with a best woman and a best man or just one best dancer? It should be the former but I'll bet it's the latter.
What a great show this week! Loved it. And BTW I really appreciated Nigel's thoughtful, informative comments, especially about the Argentinian Tango. I have seen Forever Tango on stage and I know just what he means.
2 - Gina
I'm not sure of what the final results will be. I think it is best dancer, but I agree it should be best female and best male, especially since we have four going for it. one out of four with both male and female dancers seems just a bit unfair to me. I really loved Melody's disco with Nick, and I agree that it could be Nick going home.
Something else I just realized. They didn't say that the vote had to be one girl and one boy this week. For all we know all three males could stay and only one girl stay. It seemed like a winner take all competition now, and they didn't say that they would go by females and males this week. Unless I missed that totally. They just said the top four left. That should make things interesting.
By the way, thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
3 - Mn-dancer
We had severe weather and we were not able to view the show.
If anyone has a tape of last nights show could I get a copy please?
4 - Kristin
Fun board, nice comments. It seems like Blake is the best dancer on the show, although not very appealing personally and not very attractive, which obviously makes a difference in dance -- he is not as nice to look at doing the moves. But his solo was amazing, no denying that. Jamile is getting too repetitive -- he never seems to change much in his solo presentations. I agree that Ashlé is a better dancer than Melody. Kamilah seems out of her league. Nick is very graceful -- he may have the most grace of all -- but I agree he may fall to the charm of Jamile (although NIck is charming, too). I predict the last four will be Blake, Jamile, Ashlé and Melody.
5 - Steven
What an exciting episode... Blake is by far the best of the male dancers - his solo blew my whole family away! I think Jamile's weak solos (weak-after-week):} will get him the boot. Kamilah's choice of an aerobics workout for her solo didn't do anything to convince me she has what it takes to make it big-time. I predict we will end up with Blake, Nick, Ashle, and Melody. I only wish that I could prove to them that I think I can dance better than all of them. (Just kidding!)
6 - Maggie-n-Jim
"This week we said good-bye to Melissa and Artem".
>>> Oh my GOODDD! I missed last night's episode b/c i stupidly watched LOST; Ms. Ding-dong mix-matched last night TV due to Corp America job/long commute. (and Reply did not flag me of a prior set show?!)
I CANNOT believe Artem is OFF???! Who was smoking crack with that decision?
Artem is classy, versatile, and graceful in both dance and projection of visual persona. He is so beyond in expetise against other dancers. Artem deserves the title over all existing Wanna-Bee-One-Style-Baby-Faced-Predictable-Dancers.
OK, I need a cocktail as I am having a Serious Cow.
Artem, if you get this message, a straight hot 40-ish local couple were voting 4 U ! I was a tap dancer Many Moons ago. Come to NYC or New Brunswick/NJ for a break!
Dammit -- life is a b*tch.
Maggie n Jim
7 - kristin
Your post made me laugh, Maggie n Jim. I agree Artem is a much more advanced dancer than Jamile, but Jamile is more appealing and I think that has a lot to do with it, fair or not. Artem is smarmy. But Jamile's solos are getting boring, I agree. I still think Nick will be voted off, but I am not sure.
8 - Kristin
Concerning Blake, I'm not sure what the premise of the show is; I don't know if the idea is to find amateurs and make them stars or what, but I know that Blake has worked as a professinal dancer. I think part of the idea is find dancers who haven't necesarily had that much training (ie Jamile) and give them a chance. I get this idea because of the comments of the English judge about the purpose of the show.
OK, I admit I am biased toward Jamile. But anyway, I was just wondering.
9 - Rachel
wow i completely disagree with the ones that are saying they think Nick Lazzarini is going to go home. Nick Lazzarini is the BEST dancer on that show. Not just the boys, but the girls too.His performances blow me away. I was very excited when he and melody got to dance because I knew they would do PERFECT. I was always hoping that they would dance together but Nick and Kamilah kept getting paired up 4 times! I am very impressed with Nick. At Jump he was an assitant with the choreographers Dee Caspary and Kim McSwain and when I would watch him dance I was amazed. When I first watched "So you think you can dance?" I saw Nick on the show and I freaked out and told my whole dance company that he was on it.Now we all watch him and we try to do the best that we can to keep him on the show.
Nick Lazzarini, you're gonna win!
10 - Courtney
I completely agree with the comment above me. Nick Lazzarini should win this show and he is going to win this show!
11 - Kathy
What was the song that Kamilah danced to on the Week 10 show(wednesday september 21,2005 show)?
12 - Julane
Kathy, Kamilah danced to 'Maniac' by Michael Sembello. She was doing an homage to Flashdance, an '80s film starring Jennifer Beals (and some wonderful stunt dancer for the more interesting moves). If you've never seen it and you're interested in dancing at all, you've got to see it! :)
13 - Kristin
Nick could be the best dancer. He could win. But I think he may be eliminated. Unfortunately viewers do not choose only on dancing ability, although Nick does have a nice personality, as well.
14 - Victoria
Again, I agree with most of what y'all have said! Nick is an incredible dancer, Blake is a great dancer but isn't he a pro already?, and I am broken-hearted that Artem is gone (especially before given the chance to hip-hop). Jamile over Artem? Puh-leez!
I wonder if Blake's attitude early-on will affect the votes in the end. Also, was anyone else impressed with the comments made by Ryan when he said good-bye? The guy has class!
I predict it will be Ashle', Melody, Blake, and Nick--or at least I sure hope it is. Jamile is by far the best at hip-hop and a joy to watch, but this contest is about versatility and ability to do all dances. I think this is where Kamilah and Jamile are lacking.
Oh, and Blake's individual performance at the end of the show? UNBELIEVABLE! Can't wait till next week.
Regina, what a great job you do summing it all up! Thanks.
15 - kristin
Re: Jamile is by far the best at hip-hop and a joy to watch, but this contest is about versatility and ability to do all dances. I think this is where Kamilah and Jamile are lacking.
You are correct. They are lacking. But I wonder whether if they had more training, they could do it. As far as we know, Jamile has never done any ballroom in his whole life. Are we voting for the best dancer (raw talent, maybe Blake, admitedly) or the best-trained dancer? I'm just asking, not saying for sure.
I think Blake has excellent control and boldness.
I think Nick is the most graceful and joyful.
I think Jamile is the most appealing and attractive to watch (as a dancer, not just that I mean his face is cute). He has nice shoulders that look good and make the dance look good, etc.
The women on the show are not as interesting, and I don't think it's because I'm a woman, I think just by chance they turned up not as interesting.
16 - Rachel
Nick's gonna win. he better win. i know he will and all of you that think he wont.. well yall all suck!
17 - Wootch
I'm not sure who is going to win but that doesn't mean w'all suck, Rachel. Come on.
Kristin, you must be gender biased. The final three woman are diverse and amazing. If anything, Blake and Nick are practically clones, albeit clones that deserve to win. Even the late Melissa, who I thought was going to be bland and invisible when she made the sixteen, impressed me as one of the best and most versatile. Kamilah is (still) the weakest female and it's time for her to go. Jamile is totally riding the voting system and has been thouroughly outclassed by the other dancers EVERY WEEK, yet he remains. Not sure if he'll ever go with his huge fan base, fair or not.
Melody and Ashlee jammed once again but where I thought Ashlee was better the week before, this time I gave Melody the edge. As I said above, Blake and Nick were just phenomenal. Blake pulled out all the stops for his solo, that's for sure. Those guys can DANCE!!!
Can't believe we're nearing the end!
18 - Gina
Thank you, Victoria! Can't wait for next Wednesday!
19 - kristin
It's just that I haven't seen any amazing moves from the women. Can anyone name an amazing move they have made? I've noticed that the camera pays more attention to the men, for example Nick, when he spins, than his partners.
20 - Wootch
“Amazing” is subjective. The guys are more physical by nature, and therefore perhaps more dynamic in their movements. Ashlee and Melissa have had some amazing moves (lifts, spins, slides, killer dips, etc.) with their partners and Kamilah is so statuesque and beautiful, believe me, my eyes have been (primarily) on them. For me, Melody steals focus every time she’s on. Great technique, hot body and that smile!!! If her patented “leg” move isn’t that interesting to Mia Michaels, well it is to me. Overused, yes, but always interesting. :) Nick’s spins get the attention from the cameras because I believe his turns are HIS trademark. He can turn like nobody’s business. Better than Blake.
I’ve said from the beginning that Blake is probably the best dancer on the entire show, and that may pan out, attitude aside. I prefer Nick though. I think the question of Blake’s professional work that has come up on this board is a moot point, as I believe several of these other dancers have had at least SOME paid gigs. The casting of this show has been excellent and as our discussion(s) indicate, there is something (and someone) for everyone! I’m going to go out on a limb and say that due to the demographics of the show (ie. there are way more female viewers) that the women will probably be gone soon. Blake and Nick are destined to duke it out and that’s probably the right call. They’re just too good.
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21 - brittany
i think nick is going to win
22 - Julane
Does anyone know what the format next week is going to be? I understand it is the finale, that two dancers will be eliminated at the beginning based on audience votes, and that four dancers will compete for the top spot. Will they be doing partner dances or all solos? Will the voting happen during the show? Will we find out the big winner right away somehow, or will that be announced later?
I guess we just have to go with the flow on this, but I am curious.
I know we all have our personal favorites (and many of us have had big disappointments) but at this point whoever wins is going to be an awesome dancer because everyone who remains is great. I think the tone of this discussion has for the most part been interesting, informative and mutually respectful, so let's keep it that way okay? :)
23 - k
hi,
i am so glad that i can comiserate with other fans!
so hopefully you will understnad the sadness i had this wednesday when severe MN weather (torando, hail and thunder storms) caused a huge POWER outage right at 7pm. . .. i could not watch nor tape this week's show.
if ANYONE has it taped, please email me- or if you have any ideas, know if it will play again contact me
thanks for understanding!
k
24 - Victoria
Wootch, I totally agree with your comments about Kamilah, Melissa, and Jamile. Also, your opinions of Melody's and Ashle's and Blake's performances were correct IMHO.
Going to last week's blog I see someone posted they heard Blake and Kamilah are voted out this coming week. How could that be---number 1 that the information is available before the show and number 2 that Blake would go and Jamile would stay?
Also, I think that it's gonna be 1 best male dancer and 1 best female dancer. Just a thought, don't know for sure. And if so, I predict Nick and Ashle. But it would be so cool to see Nick and Blake duke it out for 1st place (since I think ultimately the two guys are the best dancers). Again, just my opinion.
What do you guys think?
25 - kristin
RE: Going to last week's blog I see someone posted they heard Blake and Kamilah are voted out this coming week. How could that be---number 1 that the information is available before the show and number 2 that Blake would go and Jamile would stay?
Maybe voters are trying to punish Blake for his behavior earlier in the show. If that's the case, boy will he have learned a harsh lesson because he might very well have won otherwise -- his dancing is phenomenal. His poor social skills may have done him in, and that is part of being a dancer, as we have learned, because you have to deal so closely wih choreographers and partners. Maybe his arrogance is the reason why he is not already a very busy working dancer. It's a shame.
Jamile, on the other hand, seems to have good social skills, at least on the surface. This has worked massively in his favor. He hasn't said anything jerkish or rude to my knowledge, and he has an engaging smile.
It could be a lesson for anyone in life -- it's not always raw talent that gets you there. It's also how you relate to people.