Everyone had a collective sigh of relief when Cat announced that this week (so far) they were injury free.  Thank goodness.  However, there was a collective “What the…?” about Cat’s dress.  Because it was so totally 80s.  I was thinking that Pat Benatar was going to break out in “Love is a Battlefield” any minute with the dancers right behind her.  It was a one-shoulder, snake-skin patterned white and black mini dress.  She had an off kilter skinny belt, but could have easily had a few more to go all the way.  I’ll give the dress a C+.  Long, tall and leggy always looks good in a mini dress, but give me something more.

The first performance was Kent and All-Star Anya.  They did a hot little cha-cha choreographed by Jean-Marc and France.  It was pretty sexy and a great way to start the show.  The judges gave Kent some really good feedback on where to improve, but boy (literally) he sure has grown during this show.  He’s looking more like a man and less like the corn-fed kid that he his.

Robert was paired with Kathryn on a Stacey Tookey contemporary piece about a couple being separated because one is going to war.  The music was a very strange and an interesting interpretation of Heaven is a Place on Earth originally done by Belinda Carlisle.  Kathryn is always stunning and she doesn’t fall short here (or ever really).  Nigel complimented Robert on how he has matured during the competition.  It was a beautiful piece and very well done.

AdéChiké danced with Courtney on a Tyce Diorio jazz number to a fabulous Dizzy Gillespie song (“Manteca”).  I love jazz dancing and music.  It’s so freeing and just good.  So was this performance.  Almost all of the judges talked about AdéChiké’s need to loosen up (particularly his back) because he’s such a powerhouse, he sometimes lacks looseness, style and finesse particularly to this kind of dance and music.

José lucked out and got hip-hop number with Comfort.  The choreographers, I think, are new to this show and the dude looks like Matisyahu, but their names are Marty Kudelka & Dana Wilson.  Evidently they are a big deal because Mia give Matisyahu Marty great props on his smooth style.  How f’n lucky is José to get hip-hop?  I really think his picks have been rigged this season because some judges want him to go all the way.  I personally think it’s been past his time to go, but this is the week (it better be).  Something about tonight’s show’s music has my attention.  They are really picking some fabulous tunes.  This performance is to one of my all time favorites, “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding.  It had a funky, cool old-school vibe.  Something with José was missing.  According to the judges and Comfort (she turned him in!) it was his smoothness, swagger and sexiness (that’s right Adam, tell us about it girl).

Whoohoo! Some girl-on-girl action with Lauren and All-Star Allison.  They performed a Tyce Diorio Broadway number.  Lauren did just as good as Allison, which was great to see.  One of the judges said that she already performs like an All-Star.  The girl is solid, consistent and strong.

Billy partnered with Adé on a contemporary piece with Stacey Tookey.  The story was about a homeless guy (Billy) and a businessman (Adé) as they run into each other and realize that they are old friends.  This piece got a standing ovation from the judges, which made me watch it again.  It was very interesting to be sure.  The best performance of the night, I think.  Billy is an amazing dancer, but I don’t think he’s America’s favorite.

José and Kent did a Spencer (omg he’s so cute) Liff Broadway “who’s gonna get the girl” routine.  I LOVE this kind of music (“From This Moment On” from Kiss Me Kate).  Again, José just looks stiff, but he did a good job.  Kent could easily be on Broadway.  It’s a perfect fit for him.  LOVED the choreography, style and music.  Clearly this was my second favorite performance.

Lauren and AdéChiké were paired on a foxtrot number choreographed by Jean-Marc and France.  It was respectable, but didn’t make a wild impression on me.  The choreography was good, but the execution and connection was mild-mannered.

Robert and Billy attacked a Nakul choreographed Bollywood number.  Billy has so much flexibility in his hips that he makes “crouching” (for the lack of the correct term) look so easy.  It was powerful and strong for both of them.

Two contestants will go home on Thursday night since last week everyone got a bye with Billy’s injury.  If I were to rank the contestants from best to not as strong I’m thinking it would go:

1. Billy-I think he is the best dancer. However, I don’t think he has enough appeal for the people who would call in on this show.  He drinks way too many sodas in a day and it’s wrecking his smile.  Once a season someone hits the SYTYCD snag of “best dancer, but not America’s Favorite.”  That’s Billy this season.
2. Lauren-the last girl standing.  She’s got the chops, but I’m afraid this season is going to the boys.  She’ll absolutely be in the Top 3.
3. Robert-I think he’s wildly talented and if he wasn’t such a goofball spaz and he could up his sexy factor, he could really go all the way.  But alas, he just turned 20 and I don’t think he’s going to mature overnight.  I’d love to see him in a dark, smoky bar late one night where they play sultry music and people actually dance (oops sorry, lost my train of thought…)  Oh yeah, I’d love to see the kind of dancer he’ll be in his 30s.
4. Kent-could likely win the whole damn thing if he keeps it up.  If he could find somewhat of his mature self  in each kind of dance then he could really pull through.  His problem is that he is too corny and overly-dramatic (the faces that Mia corrects him on), but that may very well be his (literal) corn fed nature.  Two sides of the same coin.
5. AdéChické-he’s so awesome, but he’s focused so much on his excellence and power that he doesn’t know when or how to easily access or to settle into a style and bring the je ne sais quois relaxed finesse.  He has it; we saw it in the lyrical hip hop number with Comfort, but he can’t find that cool-chillness in the other styles.  I think it’s costing him his shot.
6. José-He’s already missed his bus stop.  He thinks that his sweet puppy dog eyes are going to save his ass.  He’s not that cute.  He’s a cool guy, has learned a lot, but clearly he is being out-danced.  Go home already.

For sure José is going home, but I’ve been saying that for weeks now.  I also think that AdéChiké would be next, but then again, I’ve been wrong for a while with these two.  My money is on the table and I’m letting it ride.  I look forward to next week’s performances and seeing if the contestants really amp it up.

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