What a feeling!
We kicked off the evening with a Shane Sparks routine to Wade Robson’s music. It’s OK, Shane; we know you’re jealous of The Robson. Subtlety has never been your trademark. Initially, it was very ballet meets The Matrix. But was I the only one thinking the punk ballerina theme was so Vera Wang Fall 2007? Sabra blew all the other dancers away -- literally (interesting choreography). Do I detect foreshadowing?
This week, Jessi and Pasha, Cedric and Faina and Shauna and Jimmy weren’t safe.
(A quick aside: During announcing that Lacey and Kameron were safe, she called him Karen. Ha!)
Jessi started off the night and just was not impressive. Her solo was flat and unchoreographed. She must have figured she’d be safe this week. After all, the judges had loved her and Pasha’s routine. But since Mia Michaels loved it, America must have not, as once again her approval became the kiss of death for the popular vote.
Pasha danced like a rock star, and sort of pulled a Stanislav on his solo. It’s so hard for people used to dancing with partners to do solos, and vice versa, but watching him was fun. At least he didn’t pull a cheesy rip-open-the-shirt move. His showmanship should win him the chance to stay.
Shauna had a great solo that was very reminiscent of her original audition. She’s kind of like the Kelly Clarkson of the competition. She’s not stick skin, she’s slightly unorthodox in her practice, but that’s kind of why you heart her in the first place. When asked how she felt about her performance, she replied that she “left her heart out there on the floor.” And Nigel agreed! Immediately he told her that’s exactly what she did, and that she would be staying and could rejoin the others in the back. I’ve never seen that happen before, so that’s just fantastic! Team Shauna!
Jimmy danced at a sub-par level for his usual achievement. He actually seemed to be grasping for choreography out there on the floor. I was shocked. But he said to the judges that he out his heart and seemed to say snippets of what the judges had claimed that wanted in a solo performance, even if it didn’t seem he had done just that. He didn’t receive Shauna’s fate and was instead sent to the back to sweat it out until eliminations.
Faina did a Dirty Dancing homage that wasn’t wowsers, but certainly more entertaining than what Jessi did. She’ll probably lose points for lack of originality, but you feel for the girl. Every week, Cedric gets harped on for letting her down. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see her dance with a trained partner?
Last but not least was Cedric. He just ebbs and flows so naturally -- how is that possible? It’s not off-base, but instead oddly, inspiringly beautiful. Yet, since he was saved last week for his uniqueness over the classical training of Pretty Ricky, it seems this is his time. He seems to know it, too. When asked how he feels about staying or leaving, he responds, “I’m at peace either way” to scattered audience applause. The question of the day is, was he better than Jimmy?
So all the dancers may be stressed, but as Cat exalted, don’t forget ladies and gentlemen, an amazing performance by Daddy Yankee is coming up! Is just doesn’t fit…the stress and the random musical performance. It really jars the natural progression of the episode. Since Cat actually dressed like a normal person tonight, it fell to Daddy Yankee to pick up the evening's sparkle quota duties.
Who’s going home this week?
First up were the girls. After being told this was a unanimous decision, Nigel told Jessi she would have to improve dramatically because she was below the level of many of the other dancers. Wait, that sounded almost like he was saying she was staying…wait, she is! Perhaps it was Faina’s lack of originality, but Nigel said they couldn’t keep her around any longer if she wasn’t individually well-rounded. Yikes! It really seems to scream that Cedric is toast. Burnt toast. Too burnt to be used for croutons toast.
It wasn’t until the boys’ eliminations that Nigel got on his soapbox. He wanted to stress that this verdict was NOT unanimous. Pasha was told he’d have to improve individually, but was spared. Tonight’s eliminations really boiled down to uniqueness vs. talent. Last week, he said, uniqueness won out and sent Mia’s favorite dancer home. Perhaps she was still fighting for Ricky, but Mia felt the uniqueness should stay and the talent should go home. This week, Mary felt the talent should stay and the uniqueness should go.
Crap. Cedric is screwed. Nigel has never liked him.
Suddenly, he says Jimmy is leaving! Uniqueness had won out. Next week Cedric will be paired with Shauna. I never really liked you, Nigel tells Cedric, but if you lose another partner, I will not be voting for you. Double yikes!
Poor Jimmy. He looks like someone crushed his soul as they played his performance montage.
We’re down to 16. Only time will tell what happens next week!
Confessional Time: Next week I’ve decided to try my hand at going back to dancing. I’m slightly petrified. OK, forget the slightly, because I am utterly terrified to physically put myself out there in front of normal people, much less actual dancers. You see, in fifth grade, my mother made me choose between dancing and horseback riding, saying I could only keep doing one or the other. I chose the horses. Sabra was on to something when she said that watching others dance made you just want to join in. When I watch the show, it feels like I’m back in high school, staring at the Homecoming Queen and wondering why I’m not pretty enough to be up there on the podium, too. I’ll be sure to let you know how it all works out!
