'So You Think You Can Dance': Russell Ferguson, your table is ready

Now is the time I can finally admit this: For me, Russell Ferguson had never really popped this season the way I had wanted him to. I think the first time we met him, we all could tell that he was something special: a krumper who could take on different genres like it was nothing. But I was waiting for him to really light up the stage, and while he had done a good job before, he never blew me away.

Tonight he finally brought it.

I loved the old-school Shane Sparks hip-hop routine he danced (sans Ashleigh Di Lello, who was injured). You could tell from the very start that this was going to be his dance; he brought a swagger to the performance that he never showed before. It was easily my favorite hip-hop routine of the season. It was nice just to see the genre be itself, without a bunch of story and gimmick. Then, he took on Bollywood and you'd think he'd done it all the time. Judge Adam Shankman summed up what was so great about it by saying that Russell blew joy out of every pore during his performance. Let's not forget his solo, too: The Santa routine was too cute and too cool to resist. Yay Russell!

It was a strong episode too aside from Russell. Kathryn McCormick and Ryan Di Lello formed a solid partnership. Like Nigel Lythgoe, I didn't adore their disco routine quite as much as I wanted to, but their cha cha cha was extremely sexy. Kathryn is really starting to dance like she wants to win this show. Who would have thought she was the little squeaky-voiced crier at the beginning of the season? Kathryn had the other solo of the evening that made me take notice: I loved her moves but especially noticed the poise she maintained throughout it, her head held high.

Mollee Gray and Jakob Karr got a Viennese waltz from Jason Gilkison that I think most waltzers on the show wish they'd receive. He made it contemporary with Mollee's non-costumey skirt and the choreography (like Jakob gripping Mollee by the wrists). She looked light as air. And while they're not my favorite partnership to date, it was undeniably beautiful. They also shined with a Joey Dowling Broadway routine. It looked, for lack of a better word, professional. I could have seen them on a Broadway stage, easy.

Legacy Perez and Ellenore Scott got everyone going with a sexy and dangerous contemporary routine from Travis Wall that recalled "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." It was tough and dramatic and Ellenore especially got into the character. It was one of the most exciting performances of the evening. However I completely agreed with the judges that their second dance, a Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo hip-hop routine, fell flat. The moves weren't up to the level of the rest of the episode, and it was overhyped as well: I was promised something incredibly quirky and bizarre and didn't get much of that. The annoying speaking in alien voices didn't help either. Also unnecessary? The "special remixes" of the songs the contestants danced to.

The contestants at this point I'd have the easiest time letting go are Mollee, Jakob and Ashleigh, not because I dislike any of them but just because I haven't gotten to the point where I root for them as people and as well as dancers. We'll see if Ryan helped save his wife tonight with a heartfelt plea for callers to vote for her. Part of me thinks that might have helped him more than her, but I'm not complaining.

-- Claire Zulkey

Photo: (back row, from left) Ellenore Scott, Legacy Perez, Mollee Gray, Jakob Karr and Russell Ferguson. (front row, from left) Ryan Di Lello, Kathryn McCormick and Ashleigh Di Lello. Credit: Mathieu Young / Fox

Comments

[Kristal]

I did not see that spark that you did in Russell. For me, I've been rooting for him from the beginning, but I think not having his partner really hurt his performances. I think he could be going home this week, and not because he's the weakest dancer. It's just that every one is so even now, that it's the luck of the draw on the dances and partnerships that make it or break it. For more of my thoughts, check out my blog: http://toointerestingfortwitter.blogspot.com/2009/12/so-you-think-you-can-dance-top-8.html

[jtbwriter]

I have to disagree about who should go....much as I like Ryan, he doesn't catch the eye with every move the way Russell, Jakob and Legacy do. And I just can't stand Ellenore and that cutesy one-note solo/solos she always does-isn't there another solo she could do? It seems as if she just changes the music and adds a static move or two. I'm hoping for Mollee/Ashleigh and Jakob/Legacy in the finals-but if Russell makes it, it would still be the best SYTYCD final ever!

[Carol]

Russell has stood against incredible odds. He's lost two partners and...last week I was cussing a green streak because that lyrical dance might as well have been "The Mollee Show." I waited all week for THIS? Who cares about HER when she's dancing with HIM? Choreographer Takes Idiot Pill. The boy's biggest job, bigger than matching his wits against thousands of bucks in dance lessons propping up other contestants, has been smiling through an utterly frustrating series of klutzy moves and judgment blunders committed by others. He will come out of this with the patience of Job. If Hollywood finds one more way to foof on the poor boy's head, maybe he can apply for sainthood.

[Ben]

You mean Russell has dropped and injured two partners. He sucks. I can't stand how every time he dances they claim how never had a training when he was studied dance for years at a great magnet school.

[Victor]

I am rooting for Russell as the favorite dancer. The judges should be reminding everyone he hasn't been formally trained. He is a Krumper and is dancing the Cha Cha and Bollywood as if he was trained in those genres. He has performed every dance brilliantly. He also has a great personality. Sometimes the judges have to teach the contestants to bring out their personality. Not with Russell. And what's more is that when he dances in his style he has that thug, mean look on him. But that is far from his personality. he is a great partner with his strength and determination to dance as choregraphed. He is humble. He is always improving yet being consistent. He is my vote to win it all.
Jakob is a great dancer and looks professional but there is just something there that doesn't endear him to me. I hate his facial expressions when getting critiqued.
For the girls, I would vote for Kathryn. She is smoldering hot and a fantastic dancer

[Linda Franklin]

I was extremely happy that Russell won. He brought his A game to every performance. For me it was truly a pleasure watching him perform.
He had excitement, charm, and most of all respect. His smile was too die for! Congratulations Russell Ferguson.

[ash]

I really wanted Jakob to win. He was formally trained and just absolutely beautiful. Russell was great for someone who had no training or so I thought.. However, he did have training and went to UARTS with a friend of mine for a brief time.. We were lied to. He has had training. I dont understand how any dancer this season could have beat Jakob.. They werent half as good as he was.