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rabid1stWatched the first round of competition tonight and have some initial impressions.
Melanie and Chevon - Ballroom. Her style and she certainly gave it the old college try. But I am worried if this is one of the two best routines of the night. They usually open and close with the best pair. But this isn't very good at all. I like both of these dancers, but they are a poor fit as a couple. He has such stiff hips. Mary tells us it is his feet turned in that cause that. I hope it is so simple and isn't just that he is too tight to move effectively outside his own style.
Tiffany and George - Contemporary. So, I'm listening to Sonja describe the dance and she prattled off the contemporary dance cliche of "They love one another so much they become one (or birds or fire or whatever)"...which is only matched by the other one of "they can no longer stay together"...and I started to groan and moan about how dull this all is. And then, George and Tiffany just lit up the screen. I adored George, especially. Such beautiful extension and grace and emotional sincerity. Nigel said they were small dancers, but they looked big on stage.
Janaya and Brandon - Lyrical Hip-Hop. I almost didn't recognize it as hip-hop. Betrayal and addiction. Okay. Suitably dramatic subject matter. And, technically the dancers were pretty good. But the whole routine lacked emotional depth. Janaya seemed more present in it than Brandon, perhaps because, as Nigel suggested, the choreographers were trying to "hide" lack of ability.
Alexa and Daniel - Jazz. A ballet dancer and a fast routine. And it was fast. He had a bobble in partnering, which is odd. Ballet dancers should be able to lift and partner well. He is more flexible in his back and hips than Chevon. They are slammed for their performance, but I think it is because they were doing too much. They were not remarkably fast, but they were all over the place. I think Nigel had a slight critique for the choreographer, which is rare for this show. They routinely praise ridiculous, lackluster and self-indulgent choreography. So, I was surprised to hear that Nigel didn't care for this routine, even though I agree with him.
Amber and Nick - Ballroom. Here's a couple that makes me truly happy that I can vote for a single dancer this year. I like Amber and I can't stand Nick. It isn't really his fault. He strikes me as smarmy and this could be a completely erroneous impression. I just find his mugging for the camera off-putting. Amber did have some foot problems, shoe troubles as Mary Murphy figured it. But her extensions were lovely and I still like her. So, there is my first vote of the night.
And I suppose I am going to vote for George. But who else is going to get a vote from me?
Amelia and Will - Hip-hop again. They are stray cats. I love it. Will thinks he is Simba and I used to pretend that I was Simba...so...we should get along. This is a good pairing. I can see getting sick of Amelia, but I'm not there, yet. I didn't think this was hip-hop. It was more of a jazz number, as Nigel also noted. And I didn't care for the ass in the air bit, even though it was true to a feline character in heat. Still, overall, I liked this couple and could see voting for them.
Janeele and Darian - African Jazz. A really solid routine this time. And amazingly flexible Janeele is showcased here. I love how well she moves in the long extensions, too. I think I have another vote in the works.
Eliana and Cyrus - Broadway. Like most suggestible people, I love Cyrus from the start. He does seem to exude joy. I loved Twitch, because Twitch had a phenomenal talent, as well as a big personality. I'm not sure Cyrus is that talented, but he is very likable. And Eliana is also very likable. I enjoyed this routine a lot. And I don't generally like Broadway.
Audrey & Matthew - Contemporary. The Titanic love story. Travis choreographing. And this is not as schmaltzy as it sounds. In fact, Matthew becomes my favorite guy during this routine as he is the only one that is actually coming across with masculine energy. I do like Travis' work and so does Nigel. A definite vote for me for both of these dancers.
Lindsey and Cole - Pasa Doble - This dance suits Cole's "Martial Arts" style. I find his hips too stiff but the judges are foaming over with praise for it all. It was entertaining and intense. I can't say I thought it was the greatest thing ever, but I did enjoy it.
So...on the votes...I think my favorite couples are #02 and #09. For me the girls are far stronger than the boys this year. Only Matthew stands out for me. Though I will throw a vote toward Cyrus and one for George, too. I can't decide if I want to support Cole. I know he could be descended from Ninjas or whatever it was, but he comes across as a complete ass. Again, like Nick's mugging, this could be an impression that is quite shallow on my part, so I hate to commit to it this early on in the process.
What did you all think? Am I the only one still watching this show? Hello?
Melanie and Chevon - Ballroom. Her style and she certainly gave it the old college try. But I am worried if this is one of the two best routines of the night. They usually open and close with the best pair. But this isn't very good at all. I like both of these dancers, but they are a poor fit as a couple. He has such stiff hips. Mary tells us it is his feet turned in that cause that. I hope it is so simple and isn't just that he is too tight to move effectively outside his own style.
Tiffany and George - Contemporary. So, I'm listening to Sonja describe the dance and she prattled off the contemporary dance cliche of "They love one another so much they become one (or birds or fire or whatever)"...which is only matched by the other one of "they can no longer stay together"...and I started to groan and moan about how dull this all is. And then, George and Tiffany just lit up the screen. I adored George, especially. Such beautiful extension and grace and emotional sincerity. Nigel said they were small dancers, but they looked big on stage.
Janaya and Brandon - Lyrical Hip-Hop. I almost didn't recognize it as hip-hop. Betrayal and addiction. Okay. Suitably dramatic subject matter. And, technically the dancers were pretty good. But the whole routine lacked emotional depth. Janaya seemed more present in it than Brandon, perhaps because, as Nigel suggested, the choreographers were trying to "hide" lack of ability.
Alexa and Daniel - Jazz. A ballet dancer and a fast routine. And it was fast. He had a bobble in partnering, which is odd. Ballet dancers should be able to lift and partner well. He is more flexible in his back and hips than Chevon. They are slammed for their performance, but I think it is because they were doing too much. They were not remarkably fast, but they were all over the place. I think Nigel had a slight critique for the choreographer, which is rare for this show. They routinely praise ridiculous, lackluster and self-indulgent choreography. So, I was surprised to hear that Nigel didn't care for this routine, even though I agree with him.
Amber and Nick - Ballroom. Here's a couple that makes me truly happy that I can vote for a single dancer this year. I like Amber and I can't stand Nick. It isn't really his fault. He strikes me as smarmy and this could be a completely erroneous impression. I just find his mugging for the camera off-putting. Amber did have some foot problems, shoe troubles as Mary Murphy figured it. But her extensions were lovely and I still like her. So, there is my first vote of the night.
And I suppose I am going to vote for George. But who else is going to get a vote from me?
Amelia and Will - Hip-hop again. They are stray cats. I love it. Will thinks he is Simba and I used to pretend that I was Simba...so...we should get along. This is a good pairing. I can see getting sick of Amelia, but I'm not there, yet. I didn't think this was hip-hop. It was more of a jazz number, as Nigel also noted. And I didn't care for the ass in the air bit, even though it was true to a feline character in heat. Still, overall, I liked this couple and could see voting for them.
Janeele and Darian - African Jazz. A really solid routine this time. And amazingly flexible Janeele is showcased here. I love how well she moves in the long extensions, too. I think I have another vote in the works.
Eliana and Cyrus - Broadway. Like most suggestible people, I love Cyrus from the start. He does seem to exude joy. I loved Twitch, because Twitch had a phenomenal talent, as well as a big personality. I'm not sure Cyrus is that talented, but he is very likable. And Eliana is also very likable. I enjoyed this routine a lot. And I don't generally like Broadway.
Audrey & Matthew - Contemporary. The Titanic love story. Travis choreographing. And this is not as schmaltzy as it sounds. In fact, Matthew becomes my favorite guy during this routine as he is the only one that is actually coming across with masculine energy. I do like Travis' work and so does Nigel. A definite vote for me for both of these dancers.
Lindsey and Cole - Pasa Doble - This dance suits Cole's "Martial Arts" style. I find his hips too stiff but the judges are foaming over with praise for it all. It was entertaining and intense. I can't say I thought it was the greatest thing ever, but I did enjoy it.
So...on the votes...I think my favorite couples are #02 and #09. For me the girls are far stronger than the boys this year. Only Matthew stands out for me. Though I will throw a vote toward Cyrus and one for George, too. I can't decide if I want to support Cole. I know he could be descended from Ninjas or whatever it was, but he comes across as a complete ass. Again, like Nick's mugging, this could be an impression that is quite shallow on my part, so I hate to commit to it this early on in the process.
What did you all think? Am I the only one still watching this show? Hello?
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(no subject)
Date: 2012-07-12 02:31 am (UTC)Whitney & Cheon: Latin Dance - Well, they got through it. His hip action needs a LOT of work. She was better than him. 6/10.
Tiffany & George: Contemporary - I liked this. This is his gig. I don't know about her, though. It didn't feel as light as Sonya intimated, but it wasn't heavy. 7/10
Janaya & Brandon: Contemporary Hip-Hop - She needs to hit the moves harder. The moves need to appear more organic, but they looked choreographed. The emotion didn't really shine through for me. :( 6/10
Alexa & Daniel: Jazz - Cool dance. Lots of intricate partnering that didn't feel forced (aside from the first lift). I really liked this! 8/10
Amber & Nick: Viennese Waltz - She needs to work on her footwork. He was excellent, as expected. A decent effort. 7/10
Amelia & Will: Character Hip-Hop- Interesting dance! Both out of their genres, I feel they danced it well. Tons of chemistry and character. 7/10. I doubt I'll be giving anyone an 8 tonight. I'm trying to be a tough judge and reserve 8 and above for exceptional dances. [LOL I LIED]
Janelle & Dareian: Tribal? - I don't know the proper technique or expectations of this style of dance, so I can only comment of the performance. It was all right. I wasn't blown away. There seemed to be some sloppy dancing in there. 6/10
Eliana & Cyrus: Broadway - They need to look at one another more. Their dance moves were rather dead on. Good on Cyrus for retaining choreography! Also, the ballerina wasn't to up (dancers know what I mean). 7/10
Audrey & Matthew: Contemporary - Titanic? Really, Travis? I forgive you because of your use of The Righteous Brothers. LOVE, LOVE the choreography. Excellent execution of Travis's vision! Palpable chemistry. 8/10 [I have since downgraded this to a 7/10 in my head - my excuse is that I was caught up in the music]
Lindsay & Cole: Paso Doble - I love the drama of this paso. I also like the choreography. Cole is really bringing it. One of the best pasos I've seen on the show. 8/10
(no subject)
Date: 2012-07-12 03:16 am (UTC)I agree that it was good on Cyrus to retain the choreography. We should not forget how useless most street dancers are in the first couple of weeks. And I didn't feel he was being babied too much, he popped his feet into the air...no shuffling about for him. I would still just call Nick a decent effort in total, rather than excellent.
And I LOLed that you, too, had a cringe over the Titanic. It crossed my mind that there might be some sort of Titanic tie-in for Fox on that one. But The Righteous Brothers do make up for it somewhat. Definitely my favorite piece of the night, I think.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-07-14 06:12 am (UTC)I really liked Sonya and Travis's routines and thought the Love Cats routine was clever though how one can say it's hip hop with any seriousness is beyond me. The jazz routine just came off as so awkward to me. I'm neither for nor against Alexa but did notice that without obnoxiously dark roots and red lipstick she is amazing gorgeous, like beyond the usual gorgeousness, quite the stunner.
I'm going to guess that Amber and the unfortunate hip hop chick will end up getting the boot with Alexa being the other girl in the bottom. Judges will save Alexa, but even though Amber was quite good the waltz can be such a snooze. The unfortunate hip hop boy will most likely leave along with probably the waltz guy. I think Daniel will be in the bottom too. I wouldn't say this result would be undeserving; however, I have no idea which dancers may have weird cult followings so who knows. I do fear George may get lost in there and I adored him.