SYTYCD - S5 Top 20

Just to reiterate, I really didn't care for Cat Deeley when this show started, but she really has grown on me and I can't now imagine SYTYCD without her. Sure, you can almost rely on there being something puzzling or just downright awful about either her hair or her dress, you can also count on the genuine affection and support she shows to the contestants. "I have new babies!" she announces happily, in fact, as she introduces our top 20. And proving my ealier assertion wrong, both her 'do and dress are quite nice tonight. Did she always have the crystal/rhinestone-ringed microphone?

The top 20 do their little moments as they're introduced. Overall, while the girls are all obviously talented and skilled, it's the guys who really impress with their diversity and tricks. Brandon gets points and winces for that split. Only Asuka and Melissa stand out for the girls, being the "oddballs" in terms of dance style.

Joining Nigel and Mary on the judging panel tonight is the hardest working man in showbiz, Adam Shankman, who is currently balancing his SYTYCD commitments (which sadly don't include choreographing on S5, understandably) with producing three feature films simultaneously. This includes Step Up 3D, which would be an almost instant-thumbs-down from me, but apparently features former SYTYCD'ers Twitch, Katee, Joshua, Ivan & Cedric.

On to the couples.


Jeanine & Phillip: hip hop, Napoleon & Tabitha, a theme of "don't go to bed angry". Another awesome lyrical hip hop from the duo? YES. The two of them absolutely nail the sharp edges and soft lines, she does a great job keeping up and holding her own, and he partners her well.

Mary is orange, people, and it's worse with the blonde highlights. Oh, and for those feeling like getting even closer to the resident shrieker, she joins a number of the other judges on Twitter: @HOTtamaleTrain

Asuka & Vitolio: Broadway, Wade Robson, a silent film theme. Lots of trouble locking for them, naturally. It's very cute and altogether sharp and nice and clean, but there's not enough pop of huge personality that needs to come through in an upbeat character number like this.

Karla & Jonathan: Cha Cha, Tony Meredith (sans Melanie LaPatin?). They want sexy, and alas, he's more sweaty (an affliction with which I sympathize). Good, solid, clean and fast. Karla is on my list, mugging for the camera at every moment like Lacey Schwimmer. Overall, not a good enough connection.

Randi & Evan: jazz, Tyce Diorio, an intimate romantic piece. She's married, and neither has had to act lovey before. In performance, you wouldn't know it. They're awesome, squeezing out every bit of emotion. The number is subtle and calm (a little un-Tyce). Beautiful and strong.

Paris & Tony: hip hop, Napoleon & Tabitha, hard-hitting. Tony, more of a character dancer, is having trouble being aggressive. On the floor, there are some okay stops and sharpness, but it lacks a lot of the attack and punch the music wants. The overdone too-many-pieces costumes don't help.

Caitlin & Jason: Bollywood, Nakul Dev Mahajan. Intense, fast and super-hard choreography that kills them to learn precisely. They do fantastic, keeping the energy going full-speed all through. He hits the moves a little harder, but she's a little sharper. He looks surprised by the kiss at the end.

Janette & Brandon: Foxtrot, Louis van Amstel (YAY!), evoking Fred & Ginger. They start learning easy, but then it gets challenging. They do well, with a nice feel for the music. Both light up as they leave closed hold. The lifts are solid and a little scary.

Cat wants a reaction: "Give us an eyebrow, Mary!"
Mary overshares: "I can't, not since the Botox."

Ashley & Kupono: jazz, Wade, old crash-test dummy meets new (?). High concept (Wade's specialty) is sometimes a tough sell, but they do such a great job of selling and embodying their characters through movement even in the ridiculous get-ups is awesome. Technique shines through. Very impressive.

Melissa & Ade: contemporary, Mandy Moore, theme of first love. She's the oldest competitor at 29. Yikes. They refer to one tangled-up floor move as "dirty Twister". Great chemistry between them, wonderfully connected. The lifts are terrific, and they are really feeling it. Awww.

Kayla & Max: Samba, Louis. Louis has known Max since he was 14, and speaks to him in ballroom-ese, so that Louis can concentrate on teaching Kayla and Max can help her more. Smart. It's an awesome result. She's fantastic, and the whole thing is fun and well-connected. He has great focus and good expression.

Nigel is wearing some headphones that were part of Tony's costume earlier, but Mary yanks them off to scream. In fact, she does so much she makes herself hoarse. Not permanently, alas.

RESULTS SHOW

The opening group number starts out like homeless zombies, then lets the girls get glam for some reason. It's a tight, sharp and poorly-shot (by the cameras) hip hop routine from returning favorite Shane Sparks. One of the homeless zombies holds a sign that reads "Save the dancers, save the world." Frankly, I'd actually watch Heroes if it was about super-powered dancers.

A video package talks about the four steps to a good partnership and illustrates with "amusing" clips of the dancers: 1) respect boundaries, 2) communicate, 3) respect your partner and 4) share interests.

The featured dance guests are Miriam Laricci & Leonardo Barrionuevo performing an Argentine Tango. The Wife spots them as having appeared on the disappointing Superstars of Dance last year.

They go through the couples, showing clips and doing the usual rigmarole until we learn...

Bottom three: Paris & Tony, Asuka & Vitolio, Karla & Jonathan.

Solos: Paris (good, but not particularly inspired); Tony (a retro thing that's just okay); Asuka (the usual not-great ballroom solo, but flirty); Vitolio (nice and strong, very good); Karla (very by-the-numbers bit); Jonathan (good gymnastics, not much dancing).

Nigel tweeted: "So hard to eliminate two dancers, but we are unanimous."

Eliminated are: Paris Torres & Tony Belissimo

See you next week!