We first learn the bottom 6 - Jenna, Mariah, Makenzie, Curtis, BluPrint and Alan. Everyone basically predicted the men because it was so blatant last week, but Makenzie again? Seriously? It'll look bad if she falls to the bottom again and they save her again, but honestly, she's one of the two or three top talented girls in this competition and this is getting super ridiculous. They all dance for their lives after a lengthy declaration from Nigel. Alan's was dramatically impressive, but not sure how much actual ballroom technique was in that. He just basically whipped around that silky cape for the last ten seconds, and Curtis's tap routine was nothing special. BluPrint actually had the best solo, I think. Jenna's immediately saved and does not have to dance for her life.
1. Alexis and Nico - Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin
JIVE
Why do they keep placing ballroom numbers as the openers? Forget about the quickstep being the kiss of death, it's pulling a ballroom that's not a paso or an argentine tango as the show opener. Despite everything, this is the first performance that I was actually super impressed with on Nico's part, who's showing himself to be a really versatile dancer. Alexis kept up, but even in her grey shimmery dress she couldn't outshine Nico.
2. Jenna and Tucker - Travis Wall
CONTEMPORARY
Travis is really pulling out the big guns this season with creative numbers, and this was no exception. Tucker has a way of making everything look so flawless and effortless, and Jenna was incredible as her puppet-y character. Both will probably go super far. A couple prop issues with the puppet elastics, but they are obviously very polished performers and just kept dancing it beautifully.
3. Mariah and BluPrint - Brian Friedman
JAZZ
What a totally strange routine. The premise was sort of interesting, but Brian Friedman must have totally ran out of choreography ideas about halfway through. The first half was energizing with the music, and the two hit the moves correctly, but then I wondered if the two like last-minute decided to do the next half of the routine at half-time. Why would you choreograph such slow moves to such fast music with no transition in between? And poor Mariah probably couldn't even see with the 7 pounds of fake eyelashes they glued on her.
4. Malece and Alan - Dave Scott
HIP HOP
First of all, let's talk about what a strange pairing this is. Alan probably literally weighs like two and a half times Malece's weight. Just the physics of their partnering doesn't match, because Malece has already done half the choreography because she can basically fly she's so light and weightless, while Alan has to put in like three times the effort just to keep up with her. I know this was just a pairing made out of convenience after last week's eliminations, but I just feel bad for the both of them. The choreography was refreshing and I generally really liked this routine. Okay, sorry, one last snarky observation - I think they spent like 98% of the costume budget on Malece's outfit and then hobbled together Alan's out of bits and pieces from the back of the costume department. Honestly, Alan's top looked like it was sewed out of the sort of felt kids use for crafts, and they probably just hauled those dumb harlem pants out from some other routine.
5. Hayley and Curtis - Dee Caspary
CONTEMPORARY
I absolutely adore Dee's work - his lightbulb piece for Melanie and Marko in season 8 was pure magic. Unfortunately, he didn't get as magical a couple this time. Hayley was gorgeous in this piece, as to be expected because of her background, but I just cannot even understand what Curtis is still doing there. He's exceptionally talented, but when you get mixed in with 15 other world-class dancers it's hard to stand out. His feet were garishly flexed (unless it was a part of the choreo, which could be), his shoulders were absolutely raised too high, and he just doesn't have the confidence or the charisma to pull off a strong partnering stunt. The sushi date thing was adorable, though.
6. Amy and Fik-Shun - Tyce Diorio
JAZZ
One of my hands-down favourite Tyce pieces, along with his wall piece with Sasha Mallory and Kent Boyd. Amy and FikShun proved once again they can basically pull anything off, and that they're well on their way to the Top 4. Not much else to say. One of my favourites of the night.
Oh, LOL, just an insert to Nigel's Most Irrelevant Remark of the Night; "Fik-Shun, I wouldn't be surprised if Will and Kate named their baby after you!"
7. Makenzie and Paul - Dave Scott
HIP HOP
Holy ahsdjasldlashshdajdhj. Paul Karmiryan, your hips are absolute magic. I'm just please waiting for some godly person to make a GIF of some of those hip moves he did. I know everybody loves Amy and Fik-Shun, and I love them too, I promise, but Makenzie and Paul just have that extra dose of chemistry. For heaven's sake, it was flawless and tight from start to finish and the only thing that ruined this perfect moment was Nigel's dumb comment about how this was really 20s and not 30s, but who cares? This couple can basically do anything, and are fantastic at making each other look good while playing themselves up as well. Hands down best of the night.
8. Jasmine and Aaron - Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin
QUICKSTEP
WILL THEY STOP WITH THE "KISS OF DEATH QUICKSTEP" GIG ALREADY? Honestly, we have all heard 1780347830243940 times how hard quickstep is, just show us the routine... Anyways, Jasmine and Aaron are definitely the most charismatic on the show, and although their routine was not technically perfect, they just looked like they were having a lot of fun, and voters love that.
Oh, I should probably talk about Carly Rae Jepsen guest judging, but honestly, there's not much to say. I love Carly Rae because she was my favourite on Canadian Idol when she placed 3rd (her cover of "Georgia On My Mind" is so stunning), but they really have no place putting Carly Rae in charge of judging something she has no experience in (as far as we know). I suppose there's the aspect that these sort of media-stars (Erin Andrews etc.) can judge the entertainment factor and speak for the rest of the non-dancing audience, but there's only so much they can say when they don't have the background to properly critique the routines.
I completely disagreed with their sending home of BluPrint - I think he has had way way more growth on the program than Curtis - but I suppose his time was coming in Nigel et al's eyes anyways. Mariah gets sent home to no one's surprise after Makenzie's routine tonight.
My partner rankings tonight;
1. Makenzie and Paul (NO MORE COMMENT ALTHOUGH I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS ONE MORE HOLY ASHDJSDJLJIP)
2. Amy and Fik-Shun
3. Jenna and Tucker
4. Jasmine and Aaron
5. Malece and Alan
6. Hayley and Curtis
7. Mariah and BluPrint (BOTH ELIMINATED)
8. Alexis and Nico
Bottom predictions; I really hope they start with doing the Bottom 4 next week... But I added a third guy and girl just in case they don't...
GUYS
1. Curtis
2. Alan
POSSIBLE 3. Nico, if his fanbase doesn't hold strong enough for him through his jive tonight.
GIRLS
1. Alexis
2. Hayley
POSSIBLE 3. Jasmine
Alright, I'm going to go watch the Paul/Makenzie routine again.
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