sytycd finale

Wednesday’s So You Think You Can Dance was the final performance before the finale.  Hands down it was the best show of the season.  But it should be since it’s the best of 11 dancers selected to be on the show.  If you don’t know by now who’s in the finale you’ve missed a great season of the best dance show on television.  However, the finalists are Kent, Lauren and Robert.  Each contestant danced four routines and a solo. At this point it doesn’t really matter who wins because these dancers are utterly fantastic and all deserve to be in the finale.

Let’s get started with the judging and talk about Cat’s dress.  I think this season Cat has been stuck in the 80s.  Last night’s dress was a black strange sequined lace mini (of course).  It seems her wardrobe choices are not as daring as last season.  I’ll grade this dress a C.  Uneventful.

Kent’s first dance was with All-Star Lauren on a Bollywood performance choreographed by Nakul.  It was good fun and energized.  A great way to start off the program.

Lauren’s first dance was with Twitch on a NappyTabs hip hop routine.  She can hit hard and make it look real and authentic.  The girl can dance anything.  Nigel said that she “transfixes us” with everything that she does.  I agree.  Mia said that she was consistent and doesn’t let the choreographer down.  She also said that she was the perfect balance of masculinity and femininity.  I agree.  Mia also gave Lauren the greatest compliment: that if she was still dancing that she would want to dance like Lauren.  Wow.  High praise from an important choreographer.  That will be impressive on her résumé.

Robert’s first dance was with Mark (one of my All-Star favorites) and choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  They danced to “Whip It” from Devo.  Who wouldn’t love that?  It was hard to see who was who because Robert and Mark look so similar and gorgeous together.  Cat said it was they were “two lovely elements of kooky bonkers on this stage in a handsome package.” Agreed, Cat, but that’s a lot of weird words. Whatever.

Robert and Lauren’s second dance was a Dee Caspary contemporary routine with a pillow.  It was beautiful and strong.  Up to this point in the show, it was certainly the best dance of the night, but I also think it was one of the better dances of the season.  That choreographer should be back next season en force.  Wow.  Mia and Adam gave some great love to Robert and Lauren.  (um yeah and Robert was shirtless and that’s enough to watch a few times.)

The next dance Kent and Lauren performed to a Mandy Moore’s idea of “It’s Hip to Be Square” (by Huey Lewis & The News).  It was kooky and cute.  I agree with Nigel that they weren’t challenged enough in the dance.  However, it was entertaining.

Then Kent and All-Star Allison did a contemporary piece from Stacey Tookey about upholding the ‘perfect couple’ status.  Kent actually carried a deeper character than I’ve seen him do before.  Adam Shankman declared him an artist.  He really got into the performance, which was good to FINALLY see from him.

Robert then danced with All-Star Kathryn (my favorite female All-Star) on a Spencer Liff jazz number.  I like what E! News writer Natalie Finn said, “And if Mad Men ever went musical, it would look something like the Broadway number Robert danced with Kathryn McCormick.” It was sexy, smooth and cool, which is appropriate because it was to the song “Cool” from West Side Story.  Awesome. Simply Awesome. And sexy.  And smooth.  And sexy.  Yeah, I liked that one.

Lauren then danced with Pasha (lucky Lauren) on a Tony and Melanie super sexy dance.  I don’ t know what the hell it was (certainly some sort of salsa) hot number.  Yowza.  It was very good and the judges were crazy about her.  Again, the girl is consistant and can handle whatever is thrown at her.

The show concluded with Kent and Robert doing some sort of crazy dance called Malevos.  Think crazy gangster Tango bad ass with boys.  Certainly appropriate for the final dance, two men mano a mono.  It could have been a bit tighter, but clearly a new and specialty dance that is uncommon.  Good, but not the best of the night.

Overall, there was very little to critique and I’m jumping into the love fest with the judges.  They are all winners and I’m sure their dancing careers will blast off after the tour is over.  I can’t pick a winner.  I personally want Robert to win because he’s beautiful and excellent.  However, I think Kent is America’s sweetheart and he did a great job last night.  Yet, my Jazzercise teacher had a very good point.  Lauren could win because it’s mostly women calling in to vote and the boy vote could be split.  I’d be happy either way.  They all are incredible.

Thank you SYTYCD for inspiring us all to dance more and bringing this incredible art form to our living rooms each week.  Cheers!