"So You Think You Can Dance": A rising star falls

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It’s sort of funny that after the strong emotions following Wednesday night’s performance show, all the dances and controversial feedback didn’t really make any difference on the week’s elimination. Well, not “funny,” really. Ironic, maybe, but moreover, the results are a bummer.  

It felt like Thursday’s show wanted to deliver some redemption, positive vibes and good news in response to some bitter emotions following Wednesday night’s show, starting off with a beautiful, somewhat melancholy and eerie group dance that seemed to take place in heaven, with Ade presiding as head angel.

After that soft, white soothing performance, Nigel delivered the good news about the Emmy nominations bestowed upon the show and Adam Shankman as producer of the Oscars. To add more feel-goodery to the mix, Nigel mentioned that he will be working with Eleanor Holmes Norton to help pass a bill to set July 31 as National Dance day, which may or may not include a congressional flash mob, which is the first flash mob I would actually like to see (instead of deleting when it’s sent to me as a forward).  Dance heals us, not drives us apart!   

Sadly though there was business to do still tonight, and Cat announced who would be joining Alex Wong in the bottom three, as Alex was automatically down there because of his performance-preventing injury. I was surprised that the first dancer she brought out, Billy, was up for elimination. I thought Billy danced fine last night: I actually was more taken with Katee, his replacement partner, than anything else (I miss her) but I didn’t predict he’d be in danger. I think Adam’s advice to him, to just forget that he’s in a competition and dance the way he truly wants to, is good, because for some reason whenever Billy dances “seriously” I always think of Adam crying the first time he was on the show, and I think I’m ready to see Billy get loose.

I think the show’s most passionate fans just stood up for their favorites last night, as Robert was rescued from the bottom three even though it seemed like that was a spot where he was spending a lot of time. The audience certainly stood up for Adechike with both their votes and comments last night. I personally prefer Ashley (who joined Billy in the bottom three) to Adechike and I know in terms of last night’s performance, Mia did too, but she took a moment to address Adechike, saying she knew she came off as harsh and insensitive last night, and explained that it was because she felt frustrated that the dancer’s light was dimming. I know some of you questioned Mia’s sensitivity, but after having watched her over many seasons I don’t think she has anything driving her except wanting to see the dancers perform their best, and if that passion comes out in rough ways sometimes, that’s just how she is.  Remember the tough love she gave Brandon?  I think it pays off, and from a television critic perspective I prefer the kick-in-the-butt approach instead of the endless soothing pablum that we’ve seen from TV judges like Paula Abdul.  I like a tough lady, even if she’s a little harsh at times.

If that didn’t make you feel better, watching Anya and Pasha set the dance floor on fire should have. I like Anya better as a brunette, but that’s my only critique of these two. They’re total ballroom professionals, nothing else to say about it. I think Pasha’s the most fun to watch when he dances with Anya. After that we saw a performance from the Broadway show “In the Heights,” plus a performance from Natasha Bedingfield featuring the All-Stars dancing backup, looking smart in suits and ties (yes, even the girls. It’s nice to see a reminder that women can dance fierce backup sometimes without dressing like showgirls).

Billy and Ashley danced for their lives, but this was a bit of a red herring when it was revealed that Alex is having surgery for his lacerated Achilles tendon. It’s likely that he’ll return to dancing but not at least for three months, which means that he’s out of the competition (although welcome back for next year). Of course this is a very tough break for Alex and to a lesser extent for the viewers, as last week in his hip-hop routine with tWitch he gave us a taste of how he could really blossom in other genres, potentially establishing himself as one of the fans’ (and not just judges’) favorites.

As sad as Alex and the judges seemed, no one appeared more upset than his fellow contestants, especially Kent, Jose and Billy.  Despite the bad news it was a very touching moment, closing off a rather unusual, sad episode.  Next week let’s all regroup and just have a good time.

.—Claire Zulkey

Adechike Torbert ® and Mala Tejwani (L). Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX        

Comments

[Gary Shaw]

Nice write-up Claire.
Yes, sad news about Alex. Very interesting how the Universe plays with our destiny. As far as Adechike, Mia Michaels was simply a b*** last night towards him. Her comment "I wish Alex was here right now" made matters even worse and uglier. All of the judges in fact have picked on him unfairly for weeks now. I'm not even a big fan of his but was so angered by their mistreatment and belittling of him, I felt compelled to do...

On my fb wall:
Gary Shaw, who's never voted for anyone/anything on TV before, voted for 'So You Think You Can Dance' contestant AdéChiké tonight in sheer protest of the judges who week after week yield unfair criticisms towards him while remaining generous and positive to other dancers on much similar levels.

And as far as the judges wide-eyed astonishment regarding Robert in the bottom 3 all the times that's an easy call:

Well, there's also another dancer called Robert who's truly an amazing dancer with great looks but is always in the bottom 3. I say it's because of his "look at me, ain't I cute" conceitedness and lack of humility that's costing him the votes. It sure isn't his dancing.

I agree with you Gary. Just got finished watching (worked last night so had to DVR it). They were really bashing the guy (he must have pissed someone off). I noticed an air of conceit in Robert as well. He's a beautiful dancer, and in my opinion manly handsome, while the others are boyishly cute. We will find out their fate tonight!

In closing, I'm glad Adechike is still in the game, at least for another week.
-Gary

[Tom Cat]

Someone should introduce the word "TACT " TO Mia . Her apology was marred when she made excuses for her verbal attack on Adechike . She is mean spirited and any so called constructive criticism gets lost in the delivery .

[gloria]

You did not mention MIA's fantastic dance-carg. for the dancers to Stings "When We Dance". It was sooooooo wonderful!!! I LOVED IT!!! CAT D. still gets ON MY NERVES! Does she have to HUG and KISS everyone, even the singer guests!!!

[Fabrisse]

That wasn't "tough love" she gave to Brandon. She was upset that he was picked at all. She was also rude beyond belief to Danny. I'm sorry, but her reactions are borderline racist.

[linda truesdell]

Mia was beyond rude and hurtful. She should not be a judge at any level. Her apology had no meaning, the damage was done. The other judges will give the contestants honest and constructive criticism without cutting them to the quick like Mia does. It isn't fair to the contestants to be compared to another as Mia commented that Jose has heart, that was down right mean. Each one of the contestants has talents, gifts, that are unique to them as individuals and they all have heart! I never have posted comments before but felt driven to do so after Mias arrogance; this is not the first time she has done this.

[David]

Thank you for mentioning Katee. She always been my all-time favorite dancer on the show. She has a stunning, seemingly effortless ability to completely inhabit anything she does. But more than that, she has this almost magical ability to bring out the very best in whoever she's partnered with. It's amazing, actually. If I'm a contestant, I'd be begging to be partnered with her.

[S]

Yeah I remember the "tough love" she gave Brandon. She told him he annoyed the f*** out of her. Not buying her apology to AdeChike at all.

[Grace]

The tragedy of Alex being gone is sad, but it's more important that he recovers than continues on the show. An injury like that is probably better off with proper rest and rehab even if he didn't require surgery. I'm not sure why they insisted on Adechike going on with those split jumps even after what had happened. That seemed unnecessary and dangerous to me.

As for Mia's apology... I don't know what to say. I haven't watched earlier seasons so I don't know how she treated contestants before, but to me last night's comments seemed mean spirited, and giving "tough love" doesn't necessarily have to entail vicious comments directed towards the "heart" of the dancer, without any proper follow up or constructive explanation. I don't really buy the apology, but I'm glad she did it anyway, it's better than nothing. The problem with showbiz is that we don't know if it was ordered to her by Fox or executives or if she just felt bad watching it back. The most important part is whether or not Adechike buys it and moves on from it. Hopefully she apologized to him off air, but I'm not holding my breath over it.

[Jae]

Mia is horrible as a judge and needs to go back to choreography. And I think she IS racist, not borderline. She has a problem with black males. Of course her apology was not sincere. But unlike Paula Abdul she at least made one. Still this is sad. I appreciated Mia as a choreographer but this season is making me really dislike her..

[Claire Zulkey]

I'd like to clarify that regarding Mia and Brandon, I felt that after their friction, they came together to be a strong choreographer/dancer team.

I can certainly see how Mia's comments towards Adechike (and Brandon) rubbed people the wrong way. It's hard to know someone's true intentions based on a few minutes of on-air dialogue: we don't know if, for instance, Mia and Adechike talked further off-air.

I am a fan of Mia's as a judge and choreographer so am inclined to try to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I do see where those who think she has a problem with certain contestants may be coming from.

Thanks for reading, as always!