‘So You Think You Can Dance’: Mary Murphy’s out of control, yes she is!!!

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I am worried about Mary Murphy’s mental health. I’m sure she’s a nice lady, but this season in particular Mary seems to grab onto a particular annoying catchphrase that in previous seasons she had only employed to a certain extent, but now she seems pathologically unable to let go. Tonight it was ‘Yes you did!’/’No you didn’t!’ repeated after each comment she made about everyone. Mary, please get help.

While Mary did actually have a few things to shout about tonight, the episode didn’t get off to a great start. Karla Garcia and Jonathan Platero performed a Dave Scott-choreographed hip-hop dance, and it was clear before they even hit the stage that Jonathan was going to have a hard time with it. Karla could definitely pull off a smooth criminal character, but Jonathan didn’t have an inner gangster: he lacked the groove and funk, as guest judge Toni Basil put it (‘groove,’ ‘funk,’ ‘street’ and ‘ghetto’ being some of her favorite words). Nigel seemed practically angry about the performance, which was a pity because I think Karla actually did a good job and it was clear she was upset by the vehemence of the criticism. Then again, Nigel just had neck surgery so maybe he was crabby.

Next, Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune performed a Mandy Moore jazz dance. I was definitely feeling Asuka and Vitolio start to come together as a couple, especially as he comforted her as she began to feel overwhelmed, but I just didn’t get the dance. According to the judges, the dancers and choreographer did a great job, but between the jazzercise-type costumes, the Pat Benatar music and the ‘fresh rocker jazz’ moves, I wasn’t sure what I was looking at. Nigel loved it, although Mary didn’t think the pair were quite as great as they were last week.

Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi danced a Tony Meredith rumba, and I must say, for a senior citizen, Melissa looked amazing in her dress. I thought she and Ade made a sexy pair onstage although to my eyes the rumba lacked a little crispness, which was understandable since neither are ballroom dancers. However the judges seemed to overlook the weaknesses as they mostly focused on the emotion and sensual chemistry between the pair. All said, I thought they did a good job for being out of their depth somewhat, but it wasn’t a transcendent performance.

Dave choreographed a second hip-hop piece tonight, this time with Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant playing a rocker and hip-hop dancer, respectively. Throughout the evening, I should mention, the dancers were discussing what they’d do if they weren’t onstage, and while Brandon discussed his dreams of being a set and lighting designer, Janette admitted that she has experience in banking and could be a loan officer. Brandon acted like Janette had the craziest idea ever with her interest in finance, which I thought was funny. Anyway, their dance was enjoyable, although based on tonight’s performances I wasn’t loving Dave’s choreography. His idea of Janette’s ‘rocking’ was basically her showing devil horns and sticking her tongue out constantly. However, Brandon showed off his hip-hop chops much to the judges’ delight, so that will work in his favor. I actually find myself preferring Janette over Brandon in this couple, maybe because she seems to be the dark horse of the pair.

Our first new pair of the season, Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau, performed a Jean-Marc Généreux Viennese Waltz. The Viennese Waltz can be the bete noir of ‘SYTYCD’ performers, but Kayle and Kupono were lovely together. I didn’t feel moved by the performance, which is fine, except that Mary put the pair on the hot tamale train, yes she did. Tony Basil also, like all the other judges, fell all over Kayla. Kayla is clearly the judges’ favorite, but still not mine (yet, anyway).

Mia Michaels choreographed a contemporary dance for Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak. For Mia, the dance had a relatively simple story, IE a guy who’s ga-ga for a va-va-va-voom girl, but in Michaels style, there was something slightly dark about the performance that I really enjoyed: Evan’s character was slightly creepy and Randi danced the line between a dominant and submissive character. It’s a testament to Randi and Evan that the judges praised their dancing over Mia’s choreography, and they predicted it would be more well-remembered than some of the other dances.

Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover then danced a paso doble as choreographed by Jean-Marc and France Généreux, who are one of my favorite couples. The duo really pulled off the drama of the dance, especially with operatic music and ‘Star Wars’ meets ‘Gladiator’ costumes, and were obviously really into their characters. I agreed with Nigel that Jason perhaps performed a bit too much to the audience and not enough to Caitlin, but overall it was a fun, slightly over-the-top performance. I like Jason and Caitlin, although between this dance and the Bollywood, and the lukewarm reception their hip-hop routine got, I wonder if they face a challenge with more contemporary, down-to-earth styles.

Finally, Jeanine Mason and Phillip Chbeeb performed a Tyce DiOrio Broadway dance that involved a very dramatic jump, the long way, over a couch and lots of fun flying feathers. It was a very fun way to end the evening, although Nigel was right in saying that while Jeanine brought tons of personality to the routine, Phillip will have to step it up. I can see potential problems down the way for Phillip as the pool gets narrowed.

All in all it was a more enjoyable night than last week, yes it was. I hate to say it, but I like it when the couples are broken up and mixed up, so I wouldn’t mind if those eliminated tomorrow night are from two different couples.

-- Claire Zulkey

(art: FOX)