Wednesday night's So You Think You Can Dance was almost there -- it was the 99th episode, just one shy of the magical 100! Tonight the show will get there -- festive atmosphere abounding and Katie Holmes singing and dancing in her long promised and much touted Tyce Diorio-choreographed Judy Garland tribute!
But for one boy and girl finalist in the search for "America's Favorite Dancer," tonight will also mark the end of their journey and the end of their hopes for wearing the coveted crown.
Last night, on the eve of the 100th episode, SYTYCD celebrated with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres sitting with the panel of judges -- conveniently placed between chronic screamer Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe who generally claims that his ears ring from Murphy's high-pitched scrieks. DeGeneres never professed to have the specialized knowledge to aptly judge the contestants' dancing, but she appropriately complimented all dancers and often quipped, "I can do that" which garnered many hearty chuckles from the show's connections and the audience.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was an emotional performance by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi. Choreographed by Emmy-nominated Diorio, the beautiful and passionate representation of women living amidst the challenges of breast cancer left the judges struggling for words and choking back tears. Lythgoe slowly and thoughtfully spoke, "We just witnessed one of the most memorable routines on the show, and I cannot think of a better couple to have danced it. Ade, you gave Melissa strength. And Melissa, your maturity carried this routine off."
"I am privileged that I got to witness that," said DeGeneres. "It was the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen."
Murphy's response was equally complimentary, "You danced so beautifully. I don't think that I will ever forget the two of you -- the vertical lifts. Ade, you are a gentle giant. And Melissa, you flew into his arms -- you had full trust."
But the most emotional response was from Emmy nominated choreographer Mia Michaels who was wearing the hat of judge last night. Easily heralded as one of the show's most talented choreographers herself, Michaels, with tears streaming down her face, said that the dance was a "very important piece of work." She related her own thoughts and feelings on the struggles that breast cancer victims and those close to them face -- and the strength required in battling the disease.
And Michaels turned to Melissa and softly spoke, "Melissa, you are an angel. That was a perfect portrait. Thank you."
All other performances of the evening paled in comparison.
But to return to the opening of the dancing competition. Only eight dancers remain this week -- and expectations were obviously high.
The first couple to step onto the stage was Janette Manrara and Evan Kasprzak -- performing a Sonya Tayeh choreographed jazz routine. Nigel called pair "two little stars." And he added, "Evan, you are getting it, and Janette, you are absolutely wonderful." Murphy told the pair, "You did a good job. ... You were spot on." Michaels told Evan that he had made a step in the right direction, but then turned to Janette and said, "You have been my favorite this season."
The second time the pair stepped into the spotlight was to perform a Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin designed rumba. Lythgoe complimented the choreographers and then Janette for appearing smooth and sexy, but turned to Evan, "I don't think that there was anything passionate in your face. ... You needed to open your eyes more."
But the other judges disagreed and jumped to Evan's defense. DeGeneres said, "I love your face, Evan. Your face is so charming." Murphy defended, "Evan, you did a good job. You were there for her. You were on time, very well connected and I loved the lift." Then Murphy called Janette "a Little Hot Tamale!" And Michaels said that she loved what the couple brought to the stage.
Jeanine Mason and Brandon Bryant glided to a Hunter Johnson choreographed waltz that Lythgoe described as so slow that it was demanding and left him feeling, "I didn't get as much as I wanted from two of my favorite dancers. Murphy called the performance respectable, but added, "I wanted to be taken to a special place, and it didn't take me away."
For their second routine, the pair, in Rambo-like costumes, performed a Laurieann Gibson designed pop-jazz to "Battlefield." Lythgoe, after lamenting that nearly all contestant's first round of performances were less than he expected, told Jeanine and Brandon, "That is all I am asking for, performances like that." Murphy said their dance was "strong and powerful," and Michaels called it believable.
The third couple in the evening's line-up was Ade and Melissa. Their initial performance was a cha cha choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. Lythgoe said the routine was well done -- Murphy said it was a teeny bit below what she expected -- and Michaels told Ade it was his worst performance of the season, although she thought that Melissa danced well. But, of course, the pair's second dance of the evening became a hallmark moment for the show and for the couple.
The final couple in the line-up was Kayla Radomski and Jason Glover -- who first treated the audience to a jazzy Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio. Nigel said that their dance was the best of the first round. Murphy said the number was "fabulous" -- and after calling Jason suave, and then gave Kayla the first scream of the evening and a first-class ticket on the Hot Tamale Train. Michaels loved the piece -- and told Kayla that if she ever decides to give it a whirl, she "will take Broadway by a storm."
And their final routine was a Michael-Jackson type of hip-hop in which Jason played a monster and Kayla a zombie. Lythgoe expressed disappointment with the hip-hop routines of the season, and said that this one was "fantastic." DeGeneres laughed, "Keep dancing like that and someday you will have your own talk show." Murphy screamed, saying they had "hit it hard." And termed it one of her favorite of the pieces that the couple had performed on the show.
But for one boy and girl finalist in the search for "America's Favorite Dancer," tonight will also mark the end of their journey and the end of their hopes for wearing the coveted crown.
Last night, on the eve of the 100th episode, SYTYCD celebrated with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres sitting with the panel of judges -- conveniently placed between chronic screamer Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe who generally claims that his ears ring from Murphy's high-pitched scrieks. DeGeneres never professed to have the specialized knowledge to aptly judge the contestants' dancing, but she appropriately complimented all dancers and often quipped, "I can do that" which garnered many hearty chuckles from the show's connections and the audience.
Without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was an emotional performance by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi. Choreographed by Emmy-nominated Diorio, the beautiful and passionate representation of women living amidst the challenges of breast cancer left the judges struggling for words and choking back tears. Lythgoe slowly and thoughtfully spoke, "We just witnessed one of the most memorable routines on the show, and I cannot think of a better couple to have danced it. Ade, you gave Melissa strength. And Melissa, your maturity carried this routine off."
"I am privileged that I got to witness that," said DeGeneres. "It was the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen."
Murphy's response was equally complimentary, "You danced so beautifully. I don't think that I will ever forget the two of you -- the vertical lifts. Ade, you are a gentle giant. And Melissa, you flew into his arms -- you had full trust."
But the most emotional response was from Emmy nominated choreographer Mia Michaels who was wearing the hat of judge last night. Easily heralded as one of the show's most talented choreographers herself, Michaels, with tears streaming down her face, said that the dance was a "very important piece of work." She related her own thoughts and feelings on the struggles that breast cancer victims and those close to them face -- and the strength required in battling the disease.
And Michaels turned to Melissa and softly spoke, "Melissa, you are an angel. That was a perfect portrait. Thank you."
All other performances of the evening paled in comparison.
But to return to the opening of the dancing competition. Only eight dancers remain this week -- and expectations were obviously high.
The first couple to step onto the stage was Janette Manrara and Evan Kasprzak -- performing a Sonya Tayeh choreographed jazz routine. Nigel called pair "two little stars." And he added, "Evan, you are getting it, and Janette, you are absolutely wonderful." Murphy told the pair, "You did a good job. ... You were spot on." Michaels told Evan that he had made a step in the right direction, but then turned to Janette and said, "You have been my favorite this season."
The second time the pair stepped into the spotlight was to perform a Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin designed rumba. Lythgoe complimented the choreographers and then Janette for appearing smooth and sexy, but turned to Evan, "I don't think that there was anything passionate in your face. ... You needed to open your eyes more."
But the other judges disagreed and jumped to Evan's defense. DeGeneres said, "I love your face, Evan. Your face is so charming." Murphy defended, "Evan, you did a good job. You were there for her. You were on time, very well connected and I loved the lift." Then Murphy called Janette "a Little Hot Tamale!" And Michaels said that she loved what the couple brought to the stage.
Jeanine Mason and Brandon Bryant glided to a Hunter Johnson choreographed waltz that Lythgoe described as so slow that it was demanding and left him feeling, "I didn't get as much as I wanted from two of my favorite dancers. Murphy called the performance respectable, but added, "I wanted to be taken to a special place, and it didn't take me away."
For their second routine, the pair, in Rambo-like costumes, performed a Laurieann Gibson designed pop-jazz to "Battlefield." Lythgoe, after lamenting that nearly all contestant's first round of performances were less than he expected, told Jeanine and Brandon, "That is all I am asking for, performances like that." Murphy said their dance was "strong and powerful," and Michaels called it believable.
The third couple in the evening's line-up was Ade and Melissa. Their initial performance was a cha cha choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. Lythgoe said the routine was well done -- Murphy said it was a teeny bit below what she expected -- and Michaels told Ade it was his worst performance of the season, although she thought that Melissa danced well. But, of course, the pair's second dance of the evening became a hallmark moment for the show and for the couple.
The final couple in the line-up was Kayla Radomski and Jason Glover -- who first treated the audience to a jazzy Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio. Nigel said that their dance was the best of the first round. Murphy said the number was "fabulous" -- and after calling Jason suave, and then gave Kayla the first scream of the evening and a first-class ticket on the Hot Tamale Train. Michaels loved the piece -- and told Kayla that if she ever decides to give it a whirl, she "will take Broadway by a storm."
And their final routine was a Michael-Jackson type of hip-hop in which Jason played a monster and Kayla a zombie. Lythgoe expressed disappointment with the hip-hop routines of the season, and said that this one was "fantastic." DeGeneres laughed, "Keep dancing like that and someday you will have your own talk show." Murphy screamed, saying they had "hit it hard." And termed it one of her favorite of the pieces that the couple had performed on the show.
Tonight's 100th episode anniversary show will undoubedly be filled with big names, as well as lots of glitz and fanfare. But which dancers will be sent home -- seemed something that becomes harder and harder to decide. The one thing that would seem certain -- that Melissa and Ade will be safe. But with fans holding complete control now -- and voting often based on popularity as much as or more than performance, anything can truly happen tonight!
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