'America's Best Dance Crew': Beat Freaks are awesome, and the top 3

A battle as old as time played out through the prism of "Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" as the "guys vs. girls" challenge was enacted.  Guys have won the first two seasons, with women getting as far as second and third in mixed crews (So Real Cru, Kaba Modern, Fanny Pak), and all-girls crews not even sniffing the top three.

Well, that's about to change.  But first, the group dance.

In the audience, we got to watch it twice.  The girls together vs. the guys.  The Strikers All Stars were a bit more crisp than Quest Crew, and Fly Khicks also stood out more than Beat Freaks. It's interesting that the two crews no one thinks have a chance are the best two in this group number, definitely playing to the crowd with the sexy dancing.  Beat Freaks and Quest Crew are great squads, but often also rely on spectacular individual performances.  Too bad that this didn't count.  On to the battles!

So, Beat Freaks and Quest Crew were voted to continue on by the home-viewing audience, which is no surprise if you've followed the show this season.  For the third time in a row, Fly Khicks was in the bottom two.  And for the first time, Strikers All Stars was in the bottom two.

We'll start with Quest Crew.  I actually liked their poker performance last week, but this topped that.  Dancing to Chris Brown's "Forever," the crew also had to incorporate some of his moves.  They ripped it.  With high-flying, synchronized flips and choreography that used the whole stage, the crew infused their performance with a fun silliness that is an extension of their personality.  It worked well for them and they solidified their position as one of the top two crews this season.  The judges agreed.

The other top crew, though, may have put a stranglehold on No. 1 as Beat Freaks put the crowd into a frenzy with their performance to Katy Perry's "Hot and Cold." Their flawlessly in sync robot in the lead set the whole tone.   Even when Lil Mama asked them to play it back, it looked even better in slo mo -- each move done at the same time!  Awesome!  And I didn't even get to the, as JC Chasez called it, "half-hour head spin" by Shorty that ended their routine.  Shane was out of his mind: "I can't even breathe right now cause y'all are killing me!  Y'all just ripped the stage.  Totally. Ripped. The. Stage!"

From the highs of those, to the lows of the bottom two.  First up was Strikers All Stars, dancing to Daddy Yankee (not ideal).  I always thought they had a chance if they stayed clean.  They didn't.  One lapse in concentration and a few missed steps, and Strikers' routine was ruined.  They still came hard with precision once everyone came back together, but it was too late, and the door was opened for Fly Khicks.

All they had to do was perform adequately with no big mistakes, and Fly Khicks did. Rihanna's "Pon de Replay" was perfect for the Miami girls and they twisted through the music with good formations and dance hall moves.  They moved on to the top three despite being the only crew to ever face three straight eliminations.

Hated to see Strikers go, but I asked them about stepping and their stay on "ABDC."

Did the music trip up Strikers? A bit, but not really.  These are pretty much the finals, so you can't mess up -- especially with Fly Khicks.  They are battlers.  Strikers said "No weapon formed against us shall prosper," while Fly Khicks said "America watch out, and Strikers watch out."  Love the Bible, but those girls were ready to go.

And they'd better be ready for next week, too.  They'll no doubt have to battle the creative Quest Crew, which might be a bit too much for them.  Beat Freaks had the audience stomping in the bleachers and screaming as the judges tried to speak, so there should be no way they'd be on the bottom.

Also have to mention that this was a big reunion show, too.  Members of Super Cr3w, Fanny Pak, Fysh and Chicks and A.S.I.I.D. were backstage and in the crowd.  Michael Clarke Duncan, Justin Chon from "Twilight," and an amazing 7-year-old break dancer named Jalen Testerman also made cameo appearances.

-- Jevon Phillips

Comments

[ABDC Disappoints]

Fly Khicks did not deserve to move on. They still dance like cheerleaders and their moves were not even in sync. In the replay, you could see that several of the dancers were not together. While Strikers had their misstep last night, they have consistently been better than the Miami girls. Fly Khicks moves are unoriginal and uninspired at best. It was a travesty having them stay and Strikers being eliminated. To be honest, I think Fly Khicks moved on simply because they wanted 2 girl crews to make it to the top. But the show is America's Best Dance Crew, not America's Trying to be Politically Correct.

[RagingLunatic]

SO damn true ABDC Disappoints. Took the words RIGHT out of my mouth.

Anybody watching the show could see that the Strikers were head and shoulders above the Fly Khicks-- they simply ust want a girl crew to win , thats all.

[Blah]

Last night was definitely the most disappointed i've been. Even moreso than Status Quo getting an easy free pass to the final episode on season 1 (that seemed very suspect.)

I know this is just an MTV show that I watch every Thursday after spending a long day at work - but that kid who had the gaffe in Strikers' routine will be feeling that mistake for a long time, and i really feel for him.

viewers have CLEARLY stated that THEY DON'T WANT FLY KHICKS.

Strikers, Dynamic Edition and, to a lesser extent, Ringmasters were all consistently better than Fly Khicks have been.

Viewers want to see the best crews fighting against one another as the competition nears it's end - and we haven't been getting that with Fly Khicks constantly in the mix.

Next week seems so predictable. If Fly Khicks beats either Quest Crew or Beat Freaks it definitely won't be getting my ratings anymore.

I don't get it, I don't understand it, and I'm starting to wonder if this show is run a bit like "21" was back in the day....

[Elizabeth]

I thought this was America's Best Dance Crew, not who can look cuter on stage. Beat Freaks cannot be touched, real talk. The only thing that keeps Fly Khicks on there is their looks, because they are definitely not talented. Strikers had it going on and now they are gone. That's some BS.

[ladyfire]

That was disappointing. Fly Khicks should've gone home. Seriously what was MTV thinking. My hope goes out that Quest is save next week and FK goes home. If Quest Goes home and it ends up being an all girl crew battle, then I'm boycotting ABDC with the fans.

[mike]

strikers lost because they made many mistakes that night. you can't make mistakes at this point.

[tashia]

i don't think that they want two girl teams to go against each other i just think the two guys prefer seeing pole dancing from the dance crew fly kicks. what they do is not dancing its stripping with there clothes on

[ellie]

cant nobody hate on beat freaks they rockk!!!!

[abdcbeatfreaks.com]

i love the beat freaks...

[Thump]

I never cared 2 much 4 dancin until I seen da Beatfreakz on ABDC3. Unlike alot of ABDC alumni, Beatfreaz r tru artist. Extrordinary artist actually. Ima 30 yr old man that seen week 2 when they were dancin 2 Weebie's "Independent", and started crying. I asked myself "am i really cryin cuz ova dance routine?". I cried on week 5 and 6 too, but I love all of them (even their Triathalon Challenge). They got my heart (and yes I like girls, lol!). Cant wait 4 them 2 perform back in LA. Long live da Beatfreakz!!!