'So You Think You Can Dance': Whose game is it anyway? (Answer: anyone's)

I was certain last night would be the preamble to Courtney Galiano and Mark Kanemura's farewell, as I had them pegged as the next couple to be voted off "So You Think You Can Dance," but who knew?  They made a great pair and helped create a highly entertaining Wednesday night installment that proved that this show is still anybody's game. It also helped that the show was a streamlined one hour, as opposed to its usual two-hour length.  Let's break it down:

Mark and Courtney: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed their Viennese Waltz. There was something about them, the routine, the music (yes, yes, we get it, David Cook, "American Idol"), even the clothes made the dance seem very contemporary.  And they made a good-looking pair. I was surprised that the judges liked it as much as I did.  Later they performed a jazz dance by Sonya Tayeh. I couldn't quite understand the story she was trying to tell, but I dig any dance in which Mark gets to lurch around and do his crazy-eyes thing. It was a good night for the two of them (although I still never really get what Mark's up to in his solos).

Joshua Allen and Katee Shean: You would have thought that Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt had gotten back together, the audience's excitement for this couple's reunion was so high. And for good reason! I don't think any other couple on the show ever matched these two for chemistry, consistency and excitement. I needed to watch their Tice Diorio romantic contemporary dance twice, and it gave me goosebumps both times. Everything about Katee and Josh is effortless, from the way Katee flies through the air to the way Joshua catches her. I wasn't quite feeling their Paso Doble as much (I think partially because the music was so odd) but the judges pointed out what did work about it, which was helpful. Mary Murphy predicted that they'd be in the finale, so while it's hard to pick who should be eliminated tonight, it would definitely be one of the bigger upsets if it was this pair. 

Chelsie Hightower and Twitch Boss: The judges nailed it when they said that it was all Chelsie, all the time during their mambo. Twitch looked a little bit behind on it -- and while it's not his medium, it's conceivable that, say, Joshua could have handled it with a bit more expertise. Chelsie was a red whirling dervish up there. I thought the story of their hip-hop routine seemed a little ridiculous -- two mad conductors fighting for a baton?  But it turned out to be very cute, I have to say (in some ways it looked more like a Broadway routine), and was a great piece for performers.  This I'd say is the one place where both Chelsie and Katee have Courtney beat -- she's not necessarily deficient but those two just sell their characters so much harder.

Cat Deeley:  Girlfriend was wearing some crazy shoes tonight (I didn't get a good look at them but I know fellow blogger Stephanie Lysaght did), but who cares about that when she took a grill from Twitch's mouth and put it in her own? Even though she looked ridiculous in them and his aviator rims, she's never been more beautiful. What other host on TV would do such a thing? Oprah wouldn't even have an intern do that. Cat, you are a mensch.

Sadly, tonight I will be on the road and not able to track tonight's episode, which perhaps is a good thing, since it will be a suitable tough cut, but I know that Stephanie will take care of it most ably.  Here's looking forward to the finale, whoever's in it!

-- Claire Zulkey

Comments

[Adrianne]

Last night's performances were the absolute best! Kudos to the choreographers who bring out the talent in these dancers. I too am glad they shorten it to one hour, but some of those routines were worth watching twice! I'm not young, but I do rememeber what it was like to absoutely LOVE dancing!

[oakmonster]

I LOVE Katee & Josh routine too. I think they should be kept alive. Twitch was a little off and that's a little scary. As much as I like Mark & Courtney, I don't know if Courtney is going to hang on tomorrow. As for Mark, well, let's see if Island Love comes through for him again.

And my god, is there anybody who can keep up with Chelsie in her element? I mean, seriously. That girl needs her own Vegas show! And yes, I echo Mia's sentiment and still wants to stab her for being so fricking gorgeous.

Oh, and one last note. Katee only did the arm swoop thing one and a half time during her solo and Courtney did none! Somebody's reading this blog. ;-)

[david]

streaming the show down to an hour is key in being fair. sitting down for two hours just seems like it would mean some teams aren't going to get as much attention as viewers start to wander after the first 30 minutes or so because they know that there is another hour and a half left.

[dance fan]

I'm sorry but the taste level on this show is like. . . .several fathoms deep in the LA tar pits! I haven't been able to bear watching even one dance all the way through. this is a tacky show!

why was there no support for "step it up and dance"? bravo managed the promotion of that show so poorly that in spite of its superior quality/entertainment value I would guess that's the reason...

this show should be called "masturbatory frenzy, who can do it?"

[Stephanie Lysaght]

Hey Claire!

I'm so glad you agree about the sheer magnificence of Katee and Joshua's romantic contemporary dance - I wish it had gone on another five minutes.

Now, down to business. Cat's shoes were these crazy stilettos with huge gauzy flowers on the back. They were pretty fun and flirty up there, but her dress was tres blah.

[dancing fool]

"I don't think any other couple on the show ever matched these two for chemistry, consistency and excitement. "

I disagree with this comment.

Benjelle aka Benji and Donyelle from season 2.

And I think they surpassed Katee and Joshua.

[SafeTinspector]

Claire, right-on with Cat.
Did she go buddhist and get enlightened during the season break? She has been so incredible as a host/presenter/human being this year. Was she like this last year? Help me out, I can't remember her being an actual Angel on Earth in seasons 2 and 3...

From personally absorbing the perspiration of each and every dancer. to getting on her hands and knees to help someone with their shoes to offering comfort to dancers after judge-abuse to fearlessly mouthing Twitch's grill, she just seems wonderful...
I wish she were my older sister. Which is wierd since she's probably younger than me and 100% more British.

[SafeTinspector]

dancing tool, I always felt Benji was in lover with Donyelle but that she wasn't all that into him.

Plus, she couldn't hold a candle to any of the top ten girls from this season as far as dancing ability is concerned.

Although, if I remember correctly, that may have been due to a tricky foot injury she'd been suffering from throughout her last few weeks on the show.

[N.C.C.]

I have never really been a fan of So you think you can dance...I only caught 2 episodes last season and really, really suffered through this season. I'm a music lover and use to be a good dancer. I'm somewhat seasoned and laid back now and the dance styles these days are weird looking. Mary Murphy is loud and obnoxious....sounding like a "fingernails on a chalkboard!" I'll finish this season but I won't be watching next season. I'm sure I can find something else to do for an hour or two?