SYTYCD FANS SEND RANDI AND KUPONO HOME

Thursday evenings are heartbreaking -- because dancers who have entertained for weeks and even begun to feel like family are sent home. This week, it was Randi Evans and Kupono Aweau who were eliminated from the competition.

In a change of format, the judges no longer have the final say of which boy and girl is eliminated based on their season-long performance and a solo dance. Instead, that decision is completely the hands of fans.

This week the SYTYCD evening began with a contemporary presentation to Janet Jackson's "So Much Betta." Wearing Japanese-style costumes in dramatic blacks, reds and whites, the dancers consumed the stage with movements that were crisp, deliberate and electrifying. There was power, strength and -- oh, such flair! Front-row tickets to the most popular professional dance shows in New York or Hollywood could not provide better entertainment!

But the pleasure became strained with the reality that two popular dancers would bid a final farewell to their fans -- and their dancing shoes would no longer add life to the show's dancing stage.

Host Cat Deeley first called the five remaining girls -- Jeanine Mason, Melissa Sandvig, Kayla Radomski, Randi Evans and Janette Manrara. One by one, she issued the fans' verdicts. Jeanette, who had performed a hip-hop routine with Ade, was safe. Randi, who danced a paso doble with Cupono, was in danger. Jeanine, who performed a contemporary dance with Jason, -- and Kayla, who hip-hopped with Evan, were both safe. But Melissa's Broadway routine with Brandon left her as the second girl in danger of leaving the show.

For the boys, it was the same procedure. Jason and Evan were safe. But Kupono was not. Ade also was safe. But Brandon had been voted into the Bottom Two.

The four "in danger" dancers repeated their solo performances of the night before, but the fans' had already spoken with their votes -- so the solos would not impact the final outcome. It was simply another chance to showcase their talents, hoping that it would not be their last on the show.

Judge Mary Murphy told Randi, "Every week you do something fabulous. If you make it through to next week, you need to take chances." To Kupono, she said, "You are such a great dancer. ... Bring power and strength next week."

Choreographer and judge Debbie Allen advised Melissa, "I think America got spoiled. You need to go to another level, need to give more." And then Murphy spoke to Ade, saying, "This young man is a star! I don't know what to tell you to do differently."

After a lively performance by Black Eyed Peas, the moment had come to send two dancers home. Deeley stood with Randi and Melissa -- and announced that the girl with the lowest number of votes was Randi. "You have been fabulous," Deeley exclaimed as they viewed video highlight of Randi's weeks on the show.



Next Deeley faced the two "in danger" boys, Kupono and Ade -- and announced that it was Kupono with the fewest votes.

"They (Kupono and Randi) have been wonderful on the show," enthused Deeley. "Randi and Kupono, they will be so missed."

The show was over. Ten dancing contestants were narrowed to eight. And next week it will happen all over again.

As judge Nigel Lythgow has often remarked, the dancers in the competition this year are probably the most talented in the history of the show. Every dancer is truly "brilliant." There is no shame for a dancer in being sent home -- because every dancer topped thousands of other dancers to make it this far. They are the cream of the crop.

Only one dancer can ultimately wear the So You Think You Can Dance crown, but all of these dancers are winners. Quite likely, SYTYCD has created the foundation and springboard -- and the best is yet to come!

Randi and Kupono -- see you on tour!

SYTYCD CROWNS TWO 'STARS'

With So You Think You Can Dance contestants already whittled down to the Top Ten, dancers pulled out all stops as they whirled, twirled, dipped and soared on the popular show this week. Despite this being perhaps the most talented crop of young dancers ever, the Mary Murphy Meter dial nearly blew off the top of the meter for one couple – Jeanine Mason, 19, of Pinecrest, Florida and her new partner, Jason Glover, 21, from Fresno California.

Mason and Glover performed a Travis Wall choreographed contemporary dance to “If It Kills Me.” Mason, prior to the dance, described it as an interpretation of best friends in a situation where the girl wants to be more than best friends, but realizes that they are not ready for that yet.

Neither the audience nor viewers were kept waiting to learn the judges’ assessment of the dance because as quickly as it ended, all three judges were on their feet giving the pair a hearty, passionate standing ovation! This third dance of the evening was clearly a best-of-the-season and perhaps even best-ever performance -- and by the show's end it had easily outdistanced the other performances in judges' praise.

Judge Nigel Lythgoe was almost giddy over the choreography, and then added that the performance was "fabulous, only made better by the people who danced it.” Lythgoe complimented, "Jeanine, that was beautiful. Jason, that was fabulous. Both of you have become stars tonight!"

Next it was Mary Murphy’s turn, but there was only silence as the usually loquacious judge was speechless. Lythgoe, generally the recipient of the full volume of Murphy’s shrill screams, took full advantage of that silence by joking, “Mary is lost for words. Do this same routine every week!”

But Murphy quickly found her voice and volume and shrieked, “You two are stars! Yes, you are. I am so proud of you. I just loved it. Jason, you've a puppy dog face, but don't let anyone under-estimate your power. And Jeanine, you have not missed a step. You keep shining brighter and brighter. You are a star!”

The names of dancers in second place, based on the Mary Murphy Scream Meter, seems almost too close to call, but in the end the edge must be given to Melissa Sandvig, 29, and Brandon Bryant, 19, who grooved to Aquarius from the musical Hair, choreographed by Tyce DiOrio.

The pair’s performance was a trip down memory lane – back to the hippie counter-culture 1960’s when young girl’s wore rings of daisies in their hair and the hand signal for Peace was the sign of the times.

The judges, obviously with fond recollections of the era, joked a bit and then turned to the business at hand.

Lythgoe marveled at the authenticity of the routine – and remarked, “Melissa, I loved the way your ballet was used, and Brandon, I loved that you used your gymnastics.”

Murphy honored the pair with one of her famous screams – and said that the performance “was unbelievable. It was groovy.”

Several “sock it to me” remarks were exchanged by the judges, proof that they indeed did recall the era -- and then it was back to business again.

Missing second place on the Scream Machine Meter by the slimmest of margins were Janette Manrara, 25, and Ade Obayomi, 20, who performed to “Love Sex Magic" with Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo as choreographers. Lythgoe told the couple, “You’ve got funk.” And Murphy screamed, “That was funky. It sure was a lot of fun.”

Raising some doubts as to this exact placement of this couple on the Scream Machine ratings, Murphy termed Janette “a spicy hot tamale." This was not a ticket on the imaginary Hot Tamale Train, but definately a strong kudo for Manrara.

Ranking fourth on the Mary Murphy Meter was the first pair to dance, Kayla Radomski, 18, and Evan Kasprzak, 21. Their Viennese waltz to "Kiss From A Rose", choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin, raised a bit of concern pre-dance because of the lifts -- Radomski being the tallest girl in the competition and Kasprzak being the shortest boy. But, while the judges' comments could have been stronger, the routine was fine -- and one wonders if the dance and comments suffered because of couples' difference in size.

Lythgoe, said that the pair looked "fabulous -- the lifts and everything working so beautifully." And he added, "Kayla, I love your lines."

But Murphy came down harder on the pair, saying that at this stage of the game it was about "power, pleasure and pain." She told Kasprzak that she watched his turns with "no movement and power." And she said, "This was not good enough." But toward the end of her comments she offered some praise, saying, "Evan, when you lifted her, it was as if you were six feet tall. You have a class about you." And she told Radomski, "You never disappoint anyone."

Suffering the severest responses from the judges were the final couple of the evening, Randi Evans, 23, and Kupono Aweau, 23, who danced a Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin choreographed paso doble.

Lythgoe remarked that the choreography was strong and passionate, but that he was "not sure that the dancing was as good as the choreography." He told Cupono, "You lost me." And he told Randi that he thought that her wig was a mistake because "some of the chemistry was lost. It just didn't work as a couple."

Murphy was not much kinder with her assessment, "I didn't believe the wig, the dancing or the chemistry." She said that it was all about "going for it" -- and opined that moving on in the competition was going to take a level called "extraordinary."

Third judge Debbie Allen, who had given complimentary ratings to all other couples, concurred, "It is hard not to agree. You needed more time, but we don't have more time."

From this point on in the competition, it is completely up to the fans to decide which boy and girl will receive the lowest number of votes and will head home. The judges will only offer their analysis, but it is up to fans to decide which dancers they like best.

There were new pairings this week -- some that worked well, and others that found dancers struggling to become comfortable with each other.

The first number of the show was actually a Nakul Dev Mahajan choreographed Bollywood number in which all of the girls excelled. It was hailed by all three judges, Lythgoe calling it "incredible" -- Murphy saying that she could see any of the five girls in the final -- and Allen proclaiming, "You are the best five ladies we have ever had!"



And the show ended with the five boys performing a Jeffrey Page choreographed African dance. The dancing was exceptional, but there was a comical element too -- Evan, clearly the palest of the dancers, appeared a bit out of place. But he pulled this off beautifully. Following the routine, Lythgoe laughed to Kasprzak, "Evan, you looked like a dancing milkshake." It was clear that Lythgoe meant a vanilla milkshake. Murphy applauded the dancers and remarked, "Evan, how cute. This clearly is not your genre, but you held your own."

Each of the competitors performed solo routines, but none of the routines separated any of the dancers from the crowd. Perhaps the only solo that might have been meaningful was Kasprzak's -- which seemed to erase any criticism from his couples performance. He clearly looked like a new Gene Kelly!

SYTYCD ELIMINATED CONTESTANT IS STILL A HOMETOWN HERO

Annapolis, MD folks took a special interest in SYTYCD this season. As one of their own, Caitlin Kinney, 21, danced into the hearts of tv viewers on the popular television show, this coastal community celebrated the success of the girl who had always owned the hearts of her hometown family and friends.

It was with special pride that they watched their “girl-next-door” perform elegant ballroom and lively dance routines. Downtown stores were a gathering place for locals who held viewing parties. And even Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer hosted a party for Kinney at City Dock.

These folks watched, rooted for and voted for Kinney. They hoped that she would be crowned "So You Think You Can Dance Champion." So, of course, they were disappointed when "their girl" was eliminated this past week. Still, they say they are so proud of the talent that took her all the way to the top dozen contestants -- and proud that she represented herself and Annapolis with style and grace.

On Kinney’s Facebook page, her very family, friends and fans have left messages -- echoing what Annapolis folks have been saying in their living rooms and in shops downtown.

“Caitlin, it’s so great to see such talent in the family!,” wrote one obvious family member. “Keep dancing your heart out.”

“Caitlin – Beautiful grace under enormous pressure,” wrote another lady in support. “We were honored to watch your lovely performances, and we hope to see you on stage somewhere soon.”

And then there was a message addressing Kinney’s elimination from SYTYCD competition this past week. “Caitlin, I’m sooooo bummed you didn’t make it! … I’m so excited you still get to go on tour, but we all know YOU should have won, without question!”

While the show’s fans voted Kinney and her partner, Jason Glover, into the Bottom Three, and the show’s judges eliminated her from the Bottom Three girls, judge Nigel Lythgoe hailed Kinney’s talent when he said that all of the dancers that week, including those being sent home, were “brilliant.”

In fact, Lythgoe said that the level of talent has been so high this season that the audience has appreciated the talents of all of the dancers -- and no one dancer has emerged as a “star”, shining in the eyes of fans above all others.

Acknowledging this, the show took the exceptional step of adding the two dancers eliminated dancers to the Top Ten roster of contestants who will be hitting the road for the SYTYCD fall tour.

But once Kinney’s name was announced as the girl to go home, she displayed her trade-mark grace. Obviously disappointed, she still managed a smile and said, “It’s been everything I could have hoped for and so much more, which is just wonderful.”

Kinney had actually started the SYTYCD process with her younger sister, Megan. The two girls, who were introduced to dancing at C&C Dance Company in Bowie, became the first “sister pair” highlighted by the show when they were both made it through to “Las Vegas Week.” Each sister was the other sister’s biggest supporter. But in the end Megan was cut and Caitlin was invited to perform as one of the Top Twenty contestants.

Kinney, who graduated from Baltimore School for the Arts in 2005 and was an apprentice at North Carolina Dance Theatre for two years, began studying acrobatic dance at the age of 13 and added ballet two years later.

When asked what she would do when her obligations with SYTYCD end, Kinney told a Baltimore Sun reporter that she was unsure. "Most of my training is in ballet," she explained. "But I don't have a traditional body for classical ballet. I'm not stick thin, and I have a very muscular build. I'm happy now with the way my body it, but boy, it takes a long time for any woman to say that. I'm not quite sure yet in what style as a dancer I fit best. That's why I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance. Never again will I have the opportunity to learn all these different styles compressed into one summer."

Kinney also confided that as children, she and her sisters had dreamed of opening a cominbation dance/acting studio and health clinic. "I honestly think that's one of my long-term goals, but it's down the roadd. I don't want to open a studio before I have knowledge to impart."

Wherever Kinney's dreams take her, there is one thing for certain. She will continue to dance. She will do herself proud. And she will have the support and pride of the people of Annapolis behind her.