I turn on the television and see last week’s episode on the screen. I’m later informed by Carla Correa that the first hour of the show is last week’s results show. The second of the hour of is new. Thank goodness!
The newest episode starts with the return of judge Adam Shankman. (He’s back from all his success directing Hairspray and Step Up 2 the Streets.)
Host Cat Deeley gets right down to business. Courtney and Mark are the first couple up. They dance a Viennese waltz choreographed by Jason Gilkison to “The Time of My Life” by David Cook. They appear to move really well together. He lifts her with ease to the pleasure of the audience. The routine ends in a tender embrace.
Adam says the top six are so strong. He says that the routine was good. He says Mark’s rise and fall was the best any guy has done during the season. “Overall, it was an absolutely beautiful performance, and America is going to absolutely love it.” Judge Mary Murphy says the lifts were effortless. “Mark, I fell like you really are growing week after week,” she says. “This number did it for me this week.” Judge Nigel Lythgoe says the routine was romantic. “You’ve started the evening really well,” he says. “Congratulations.”
Chelsie is the first solo of the evening. She dances to “When I Grow Up” by the Pussycat Dolls. She throws in a series of spins and ends with a split to the ground. This is a much better solo for her.
Twitch is next with his solo. He dances to “Midas Touch” by Midnight Star. He reveals a set of gold teeth. Then he puts on a pair of glasses. His moves are entertaining as usual. When he’s done, Cat puts on Twitch’s glasses and then tries on his teeth! OMG!!!!! I’m totally grossed out. How unsanitary!
Katee and Joshua are reunited with a contemporary piece choreographed by Tyce Diorio. They dance to “All By Myself” by Celine Dion (such a beautiful song). The stage is lit blue. Joshua does a huge leap over Katee. Then he picks her up with ease for a pretty lift. It is followed by him catching her in the air at the top of her leap. The rest of the routine is spectacular. When Celine hits her high notes, the two seem to go into overdrive. They are powerful, they are graceful, they are so good!
Adam gives a shout-out to Paula Abdul, who is in the audience. (She doesn’t look drunk tonight. Who knew?) Adam then says Katee and Joshua are among the most exciting couples to grace the stage. He calls the pair and Diorio “The Holly Trinity of So You Think You Can Dance.” He tells them that their routine was “awesome.” Mary is gushing over the routine. “This was so filled with passion, strength, the leaps, that leap catch,” she says. She predicts that both will end up in the finale. The three judges then give them a standing ovation. Nigel then gives choreographer Gillien Lynne a shout-out. He says Joshua is absolutely brilliant. “We don’t expect it from you,” he says. Nigel also praises Katee.
Chelsie and Twitch are next with a mambo choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. They dance to “Ahora Me Toca a Mi” by Victor Manuelle. Chelsie, as expected, is so strong. Her feet move so fast, it’s almost as if she’s moving in fast-forward mode. Twitch does a pretty good job keeping up with her.
Adam says Chelsie was an animal on the floor. He asks Twitch to be a little more animal. He says Twitch is a really good partner for Chelsie. Mary explains that the dance is extremely difficult. She praises Twitch for his ability to be on time with the count. She says Chelsie is a hot tamale. She says no one can touch Chelsie when it’s time to dance in the Latin style. “Twitch, I’m very proud of you tonight,” she adds. Nigel says her feet are fantastic. He says Twitch was slightly off. Overall, he praises the performance.
Katee is next with her solo. She dances to “Can’t Stop” by Maroon 5. She’s so full of energy. She moves perfectly with the music.
Joshua is next with his solo. He dances to “Like That” by Memphis Bleek. He throws in some huge jumps and a couple of dazzling tricks. There isn’t much dancing though.
Courtney and Mark are back with a jazz routine choreographed by Sonya Tayek. (She’s been one of my favorite choreographers this year.) They dance to “The Garden” by Mirah. There is some serious acting and passion demonstrated by the pair. It’s very intense. They do a good job.
Adam says the routine was good. “That was sick,” he says. “That was unbelievable.” Mary calls it a weird love story. “I love it,” she screams. Nigel says the routine worked for him. He also praises Courtney’s ability to adapt to any genre of dance. He calls the routine the highlight of the night. (High praise indeed!)
Katee and Joshua are next with a paso doble choreographed by Jason Gilkison. They dance to “Filet” from Le Reve. The pair start off strong. Midway through the routine the music changes, the tempo increases and the pair goes into overdrive. The crowd goes wild. They finish with Joshua dragging Katee across the dance floor like a matador dragging his cape. It is stunning.
Adam says Joshua is brilliant. He tells Katee that she will be so proud of herself when she watches the routine on television. Mary says “true magic” happens on the stage when they are together. Then she screams. Nigel says there were so many good things in the routine. He predicts that Joshua will steal the show if he continues to dance this way.
Courtney is next with her solo. She dances to “Rock Your Soul” by Elisa. She does a good job of balancing the dance and tricks.
Mark performs the final solo of the episode when he dances to “Bum Like You” by Robyn. Mark is so odd! He dances like a bird during most of his routine. It is still entertaining.
Chelsie and Twitch dance a hip-hop routine choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo to “Control” by The Vitamin String Quartet. They are essentially conductors battling for control of an orchestra. It’s highly entertaining watching them move to a classical version of the Janet Jackson hit.
Adam loves the routine. Mary says Twitch was absolutely outstanding. “Everything just clicked,” she says. Mary then praises Chelsie for keeping up with Twitch. Nigel says any of the top six could be in the top four during the finale.
