So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance
Performance Finale Show
August 9, 2006







Seriously? We're only 6 days away from crowning a winner? Seriously? We're not going to see Cat, the kids, and Nigel's Chicklet Ross Glow In The Dark Teeth tonight? We have to wait a week and then when we get our fill - it's over? Basically too much to handle. It's like sticking your head out the window when your driving down the highway and you get too much air so you can't breathe at all. That's the feeling I have right now. You?

On to the show!

The introduction of our Top 4 Dancers America! Donyelle looks so happy again! She’s got a spring in her step (no more cement feet from her foot injury) and is playing with the camera and the crowd! It’s quite the sight folks; like a sunrise on a crisp autumn day. Everyone: awwwwww… actually all four look incredibly happy and excited to be where they are tonight! The group hug? Normally I wouldn’t go for it, but with these four… loving it!

Cat’s Outfit: Way glamourous and sparkly; Tussled hair for a star studded finale! I wonder if Kayne from Project Runway designed that glitterfest? Looks it no?

The Judges: Nigel, Howler Mary, and a freshly shorn Brian Freidman

First up: Travis and Heidi with a Disco routine by Doriana Sanchez. Heidi looks like a Dancing Queen with that hair flip and soft makeup. There were a couple moments when they looked like they were just doing steps but over all it was so 70s and cool. The acrobatics were incredible including that upside-down crane move at the end. I will freely admit that I think Heidi has stepped up her game incredibly and she has slowly and secretly crept into my Top 2. Don’t tell anyone.



“Shake Your Groove Thing” by Peaches & Herb


Cat’s got some sass! I loved her comeback to Nigel after his Disco Ball comment. Her banter with the contestants and the judges in my opinion has secured her a hosting gig in 2007! And I say Amen to that!

Benji and Donyelle arz wiz Jean Marc Generaux. Why is he back? WHY? The Viennese Waltz is a great great dance and the two of them really floated across the stage. Incredible movements and spins; wonderful outfits; and a great choice of music. The judges ripped the two of them apart but for Benji’s flat hair alone I give them kudos! Here’s what annoys me – these are not classically trained dancers so to criticize them for lack of training is ridonkulous. They gave the two of them these styles knowing they have no training so why give it to them if they are just going to hang them for the lack of perfection later? Let’s not forget that they only get 3 days to learn every routine. I think it was damn good and I absoloved seeing them back together again.



“I’ll Be” Edwin McCain



*Tour update: More dates added.
*Step Up premiere for the Top 4. Heidi’s ripped dress - oy. I would have died. I loved that Travis worked it out.


Heidi's Solo – again with the “I Like It” type music and style. Remember how I mentioned she had crept into my Top 2, I take it back. Sure she's grown immensely but she's starting to pull a Dmitry. Same ole same ole. At one point I paused on her mid-move and when I looked up it was horrific. Jon actually said: “She looks like she’s gonna shit…” It was bad. Freeze Frame is sometimes a television personalities worst friend.

“Rei Y Llora” by Celia Cruz (not available on iTunes)



Tranji’s Hip-Hop by Shane Sparks in a word… AMAZING! HYSTERICAL! PLAYFUL! We got crotch jumps, ass shakes, crotch to face flips, bare chests exposed. I swear if this isn’t gay porn I don’t know what is! I loved how incredibly self aware it was and how in your face obvious the moves and storyline was. The ending knock out looks dangerous as hell but I loved every second of it. Nigel’s “Closet Krumpers” Mary’s SCREAM Brian’s SCREAM and "DORKTASTIC" comment! Cat dropped her mic and walked away at all the screaming (again securing her hosting gig for next season)... Great routine.



“Gyrate” by Da Muzicianz feat. Mr. Collipark



Donyelle’s solo was a contemporary routine that was so refreshing and freeing! You really do forget that she’s a Hip-Hopper. She’s that good folks. I know some folks on the boards were hating on my girl Donyelle but come on, she really is a chameleon. And once again, the Donyelle we know and love is BACK IN ACTION!

“Human" by Dionne Faris (not available on iTunes)



Travis' Solo – well I’ll give it to him that he’s not in his polo and cargos. This week its cargos and a button down. Variety, that’s what he’s known for. HAHA! He did however take the time to pump the crowd up for a second and not kidding, I thought I maybe missed the performance. I actually hit rewind to see if I blinked. No, he was just gearing himself and the audience up for his high energy (and stunning) backflips, spins/squat (which seems all too possible on ice skates but humanly impossible without), and showmanship. He’s taken one from the Benji Schwimmer Book of Hamming It Up and I for one love it!

“Konstantine” by Something Corporate (not available on iTunes)



Heidelle or is it Donyie? Anyway, Heidi and Donyelle paired up for a Broadway routine by Tyce Diorio. Let’s hope its better than the last Broadway number (*cough* Cell Block Tango *cough*). Overall it was great to see the two girls paired up but something was off. They seemed rushed; the choice of putting them in the same outfit was not good. It's like putting the Petite section next to the Husky section in Sears... It wasn't flattering for either.



“Big Spender” from Sweet Charity



Benji’s solo had so much movement I didn’t know where it began and where it ended. There was a stage dive, a bad vest, and some hips a movin’ like the wind! The house, it was a rockin…



“The House Is A Rockin’” by Brian Setzer



Donyelle and Travis met up with Mia Michaels for a Blues Contemporary piece.
Favorite Moment of the pre-tape... Donyelle: “What the heck is a Blues Contemporary?” Again, the routine was amazing. The outfits were simply perfect. It’s so laxidasical, peaceful, playful, and joyful. I loved every second of it. They were like electrocuted scarecrows with the leaps and playful banter yet subdued and almost non-existent in their own personalities. Mia Michaels once again blows the other choreographers out of the water. I really love her work.



“Georgia On My Mind” Ray Charles



Benji and Cousin Heidi’s Salsa with Alex DaSilva. Um, what's with the borrowed car for a day? I so don't remember that promise. And do you really think Alex let those two clowns drive off in that sweet old school hot rod? No, they made it 30 feet down the studio lot drive and that was it. Camera's off. Get out of the car Benji and Cousin Heidi. Cool moment regardless. Their routine was what we all expected... a powerhouse and perfection for both. That Flip Split Lift - HELLO! And I'm not even gonna go into how incredible and how painful that back bend into a magicians lift must have been. WOW Cousin Heidi's got some power to her. The control alone - I... wow. I don't know what to say. Stunning.



“La Comay” by Sonora Carruseles



Time for the group routine by WADE ROBSON! I obviously had really high expections for this and really high hopes. I'm happy to report that it did not in any way shape or form disappoint! His best routine yet.

The opening catwalk portion. I almost wet myself. I have this sick fetish about high powered film and tv catwalk moments. If they're in slow motion with three bitches walking down a high school hallway - perfection. If its ANTM and Mercedes and Ms. House are slammin hoofs down the runway - perfection. I enjoy the use of the catwalk in any location. So to see My BF Travis Wall come out in a perfect power strut with just the right amount of attitude and charisma... it was almost too much to handle. See for yourself (video not working at the moment - give me a few to fix - okay so it's now only working for quicktime [sorry will get more universal later]).

As for the rest of them? I can't find a fault to speak of. Donyelle looked second best next to Travis in this routine. The two of them were the stand outs with Travis being the obvious winner of this whole competition (all I'm sayin')...

The song, really, when did JT turn into a woman or possibly Cher's animtronic "Do You Believeveveve" voice? There was no singing, there was no anything to the song but electronic noise and manipulation. Horrid song but you know what? Perfect for this perfect routine.

"Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake (not available on iTunes)


Overall, I'm in a deep depressive funk over this finale. I hope and pray that My BF Travis wins this competition next week but the power of the crowd pleasing Schwimmer is going to be hard to overcome. I think it was made very clear after last nights performances that Travis should win but America is often retarded (see Chris Daughtry's exit and then maybe think of voting out Tamyra Grey for a second example). Please let my 20 votes for Travis count for something. Don't let them be wasted votes America!

What did you think?

.

Get it while its still there kids...