The Sweet 16

Tonight we finally get to vote! I don’t know why I’m so excited about that though, since I don’t usually vote until the Top 8 or 10, but I’m excited nonetheless! I’m going to try a new format tonight, which hopefully will make it easier for my to type up and thus more bearable for the roomies so I don’t have to pause things and catch up between routines!

I have to say, I am not liking wardrobe’s choice for Cat tonight. As my lovely roomie Emily says, she looks like a lizard. I do like her rocking the Beyonce hair though! But enough about Cat, bring on the dancing!

Couple: Kevin and Karen

Style: Hustle, Maria Torres

Thoughts: Karen is supposed to be seducing Kevin. That shouldn’t be hard…the girl is hot. Not so much in that outfit though. They both look a little weird. This was not the best song choice either, and it didn’t give them anything to work with personality wise. They looked great dancing though, especially Kevin! Both of them were very graceful and partnered each other very well. I wish it was a little more fun, but they definitely danced it well.

Judges: Adam loved them and said he saw Kevin for the first time. Mary and Nigel loved them as well. More praise for Karen for bringing that “something extra”.

Couple: Jakob and Ashleigh

Style: Jazz, Mandy Moore

Thoughts: They’ll be dancing with a cane, and props always make for a good time, right? Great song, as usual Mandy! WOW, AMAZING CHOREOGRAPHY! The way they used the cane was so creative, and their movements were so sharp. I loved their musicality too! Jakob is a great dancer and an amazing partner. He continues to impress me and show me things I’ve never seen before every week! LOVE him.

Judges: Adam says Ashleigh belongs on this show, and that the choreographers keep finding new amazing ways for Jakob to jump! So true! Mary loved the partnership, and praised Ashleigh for getting better every week. Nigel compared to the standard of Mandy’s table dance from Season 3!

Couple: Pauline and Peter

Style: Quickstep, JT and Tomas

Thoughts: They’re with new choreographers JT and Thomas, and I like them already! Peter is a navy officer in love with Pauline the hula girl! This is too cute! My face hurts from smiling! Peter’s fast tapping feet made him look really good! They were both so in character and were totally into each other! Their lifts looked really effortless, probably because Pauline is so tiny!

Judges: Adam loved their performances, especially Peter. Mary said they pulled it off technically, even though their were some problems. Nigel said that he loved the performances and how the story made it accessible to the audience.

Couple: Kathryn and Legacy

Style: Broadway, Andy Blankenbuehler

Thoughts: Cute song choice! Kathryn is adorable and has so much energy. Legacy does the steps, but he does them like a hip hop dancer, kind of heavy on his feet. There were some really cool partnering moves in there, especially Legacy flipping over Kathyn’s back. It was very cute, but nothing too impressive.

Judges: Adam wanted Kathryn to be more angry and not as cute, but thought the dancing was fine. Mary said Kathryn got lost a little because Legacy has been growing so much. Nigel was a little disappointed with Kathryn and called her a bit childish, but he was uber impressed with Legacy and called him an inspiration to his choreographers.

Couple: Victor and Channing

Style: Contemporary, Stacey Tookey

Thoughts: The piece is about a couple going through a toxic relationship as their first dance, so it will be a good test as their first dance together. Channing really stood out in this for me, and I’m not sure why. Her floor work and turns were really beautiful and emotional. Victor danced beautifully as well though, and he is a great partner. It was a beautiful routine – I am loving Stacey’s style this season. It’s simple and beautiful and pure, and the great music doesn’t hurt either.

Judges: Adam thinks Victor is bringing out Channing’s sensitivity and loves the partnership. Mary thought the quality of movement was beautiful and light. Nigel thought it was good technically, but it didn’t touch him emotionally and he was expecting more.

Couple: Ellenore and Ryan

Style: Krump/ Hip Hop, Lil’ C

Thoughts: Initial thought – oh no. Second thought – this is going to be funny. Well, their outfits are ridiculous and the song is awful. They are out of sync and boring. Ryan looks like he’s trying too hard and Ellenore is just not into it. That is bottom 3 potential.

Judges: Adam thought Ryan was the most transformed dancer of the night?! I definitely disagree with that. He did give some critiques and said it wasn’t great, but it was good. Mary said it wasn’t great – kind of sluggish and not synchronized. Nigel didn’t think it was good at all. Thank goodness for Nigel, someone who tells it like it is! The style didn’t suit them and their personalities didn’t fit the style.

Couple: Mollee and Nathan

Style: Salsa, Gustavo Vargas

Thoughts: Wow this is starting out awful. They are completely out of sync and look really awkward. Molly looked hunched over the whole time, especially in her turns. The lifts were all completely awkward and they looked totally uncomfortable. Mollee looked she was trying to be sexy, but she did not succeed and it took away from her dancing. There was really nothing good about that routine. The tweens better not put someone better tonight in the bottom three for the sake of these two. They can dance their way to the Top 14, but they don’t deserve votes for that.

Judges: Adam said that all their weaknesses were exposed. Mary didn’t feel any of the salsa feel. Nigel said there wasn’t any chemistry between them.

Couple: Noelle and Russell

Style: Afro Jazz, Sean Cheesman

Thoughts: This should be good, since they’re closing out the show. It’s a princess and frog routine! Russell is shining in this routine! His is completely into his quirky character, and his movements are strong and energetic! I also just love his smile! She is a little too pretty and flowy for the style for me, but she was definitely good. It was just so much fun and joyful, and it was definitely a breath of fresh air!

Judges: Adam loved it and said they really captured the spirit of the dance. Mary said that Russell is not the prince but the king of Afro Jazz and put him on the hot tamale train! Nigel loved it and especially praised Russell for his character and lines.

My bottom three: Ryan and Ellenore, Mollee and Nathan, Channing and Victor (only because people might not connect with them)

I have to say, I definitely enjoyed seeing a lot of new choreographers tonight! Even though some of their routines didn't turn out that well (*cough* Salsa), I saw a great deal of potential for dances yet to come! So tomorrow marks this season’s first live results show, and hopefully there will not be another tragic elimination a la Bianca. Tomorrow also brings the return of Glee, so it should be a fabulous night on Fox! And with that to look forward to, I will say good night!