crossover

Maybe the show won't use Allison that much in the pro ballroom numbers. In that way the ballroom routines can be performed like the "ballroom experts" want. I thought she did a good job with Jonathan. She does need to dial it down a bit. She's not competing.

Male ringers usually make the finals but they don't win. Female ringers normally win. Maybe that's why people aren't complaining much.

Val always has a potential finalist.

I agree. Nigel was touched. I was focused on depression because of Robin Williams. But people do make that decision for other reasons.

I like Chelsie and Lacey too but I wouldn't put them in the same category as Anya and Iveta when it comes to ballroom. I'd be happy if they got more of the Chelsie types and less of the Brooklyn types. The ballroom dancers should be accomplished in ballroom. Even I could see that Brooklyn wasn't polished enough during her audition. I was surprised that she was chosen. And let's face it, SYTYCD is becoming more SYTYCD contemporary. So in order to have competent ballroom dancers for the top 10, they need to be able to do contemporary and be able to fake hip hop,

OK. I agree that serious depression is beyond the love, comfort and understanding that a love one can provide. It's an illness. Just like some heart patients survive medical treatment, some do not. And, some heart patients don't seek medical attention in time. I see depression in the same way.

I saw Nigel's statement as including medical help for depression. I don't think he was trying to belittle the disease. I think he was trying to express that the person is not alone and not the only one with those kinds of feelings/thoughts. If I read your comment correctly, you are saying they are beyond the help that humans can provide. Is that correct? If so, I've never thought about it in that way.

I thought the hip hop routines were performed well. I enjoyed the balls and swing routines. I was surprised that Ricky performed so well in the cha cha, not as good as Rudy, but he should be proud. It looked like Ray was trying to channel Mark for his jazz routine (even with holding the pigtails) but for me, it was a flop. The foxtrot looked more like a broadway routine. The foxtrotty parts (smoothness, rise 'n fall, carriage etc) fell apart. The disco and other contemporary were ok. I had picked Ricky and Jessica right a way. I picked Valerie after being paired with Ricky. Wasn't too sure about Zack. But, Nigel's reaction after he hit bottom twice should've been a clue. He deserves it ( A.jazz, L. hip hop, jazz, paso doble, contemporary, broadway, hip hop, foxtrot). And, he came into the competition as the better tapper. I think Ricky deserves his slot as well. He's had the cha cha, waltz, bollywood, hip hop, jazz, broadway and 2 contemporaries. It's just that Nigel'em praised him for any little thing with no criticism. And, no he didn't deserve all the praise especially after the waltz and bollywood which were just passable. Valerie may not be as light as the contemporary dancers but she's performed well (2 contemporaries, samba, waltz, broadway, bollywood, 2 hip hops). Jessica just had support. She should've hit bottom after the WCS and her 1st jazz. She hit bottom after the foxtrot (which was really good and her only ballroom). Got a jazz for her hip hop routine, a carefully performed disco, and another jazz which was not choreographed or costumed well so not her fault, and 2 contemporaries which were great. I would like for Zack to win since he's the darkhorse. But, I'm not as invested in this F4. So I would be pleased with any one of them. They've all been challenged/have fan support.

I don't think we vote on next week's routines? So it really doesn't matter if it's a hot mess or not, except for Ricky. I'm sure he wants to perform well. It will probably be latin because he had the V.Waltz already. In this way if he wins, you can't say he didn't have latin and smooth. And, the show won't have to worry about him being voted off after a ballroom routine. Not saying he's going to win. Stranger things have happened on this show.

He said Victor. You probably don't remember him because he was S6, the fall season. I think he went out at top 12? I loved is tango with Karen and the jazz with Channing.

At least he got his style a lot. Brandon, also S5, only had 1 hip hop and 1 contemporary. And, he's a contemporary dancer. He didn't get his contemporary routine until top 6. He had 5 ballrooms, 2 discos, 2 broadways, 2 pop jazz and 1 jazz.. Thought that was cute too. Way to play the game Nick. I prefer Jake over the girl. And, I really liked the one with Lindsay and her mom.

I forgot that there are S2 people as well. The partnerships began (Benjelle phenom) and they were characters. Didn't .they break themselves into 2 groups? It seems like Travis' group even had a name. Dmitry was the partner killer who kept being saved (back when Mary took up for ballroom dancers). They also kept saving Ivan until he got a strong fanbase then he outlasted Allison. Mary made Donyelle cry because she said she didn't belong. Travis couldn't do ballroom until he got with Heidi. Benji never got a contemporary routine (never would happen now). Ryan didn't want Heidi for his partner. And, Travis' group lifted him at the end eventhough Benji won. Good Times!!! I liked the early season too but S2 as a whole was not versatile. But I see why S2 would be your favorite just like I see why some would prefer S3 or S5.

There were so many entertaining routines during S4. All of the top 10 dancers were great performers. They took each style seriously. They had great chemistry with the other because they seemed to love one another. Will is so often forgotten but he was great.. Most people say S3 or S5 was the best but for me, it was S4. S3 had the best technical dancers in their genre but only a few were versatile. And they were not a cohesive group. Nor were they as good at performing as S4. S5 had versatile dancers as well but this was the season that the show really started shaping their critiques and manipulation of styles from the start of the season. Before, they would pick a couple of dancers to put through the ringer and then save them. But in S5, they started having over the top critiques and routines for their favorites.

Always did like Top 10 week and I enjoyed all of the routines this time as well. Didn't understand the HARSH critique of Valerie. I thought this was the best she's done in contemp. Guess she's no longer needed. Didn't appreciate the extreme manipulation of giving Jessica a jazz routine for her hip hop. She was so terrible in hip hop during the auditions. I guess they couldn't risk her with real hip hop or even lyrical hip hop because they couldn't save her. Guess Travis was more concerned about the shadow than the feet? For what I could see, it looked lovely. If you don't already have a fanbase, lovely doesn't get you votes. Tanisha performed the best out of the girls. The problem is she did ballroom. Hopefully her fanbase will come through. The 3 hobbit boys did well (Emilio Ricky Rudy). Too bad about Emilio but that was his best dance of the season even though Jasmine outdanced him. And it was my favorite this week. The cha cha was a little slow for my taste. But Rudy moved the hips just enough to let us know he could and his feet looked good. I guess Mandy was going for another boogie shoes? It was a cute routine but didn't see anything so special out of Ricky that caused the judges to rave on? He can do anything? What about the waltz and bollywood? He did well but I thought LoFro outdanced him. Nigel went on and on about Casey but he got a forgettable broadway routine. And they gave him hip hop next week with Comfort. Really don't think they want him as F4. Zack got the Sonya "dramatic music" routine and he did really well especially knowing he was in the B2. It looks like Valerie is slated for B2 next week. They probably hope that Jacque is the 2nd but I think Tanisha will be there because she did ballroom. Jessica's fanbase saved her from the WCS. And if you don't think of this as hip hop, it was a good performance. So she'll probably be safe. They didn't stress the boys too much so I guess the voting is coming in like they want. I would say Ricky and Rudy are getting the votes which leaves Casey and Zack B2. If Valerie goes, so does Zack (tappers together).

I don't think Marcquet was meant to be the standout the last couple of weeks. I think they were trying to feature Jourdan but her mistake in the ballet routine sealed her fate. And you're right, Marcquet had to shine every week to have a chance. I'm sure he's use to that. He had no room for error with the voters or judges.

I hadn't heard this. They do take what the choreographers say to heart. I wonder why they kept featuring him in that group when they had a problem with him? Saw this from Misty. Now she can talk about Marcquet doing well? "Jessica, you were beautiful. I enjoyed you. Marcquet, I feel like you danced beautifully tonight." -@mistyonpointe

Emotional contemporaries (or contemporaries done to emotional songs) are the routines that get the most votes. That's why you will see the TPTB favorites get these routines. There are a lot of them during the first half because TPTB are trying to firm up the fanbases of their chosen ones before they branch out. And sometimes, they need to give them 2 or 3 to save them for the top 10. If it weren't for that, I am sure there would be more of a variety, even within contemporary.

I am surprised that people don't think TPTB has an invested interest in the contestants. Normally, they don't care about who wins (except in Sabra and Melanie's cases) but they care about who makes top 10 and who goes on tour. Why else would they manipulate the routines and critiques like they do? The last few seasons they even wanted control up until the top 6. I guess they were worried about the final 4 requirements. I would think they care about the winner this season because the prize is bwy. When Nick (S1) and Benji (S2) won, they turned down the New York and Vegas prize. I'm sure they don't want that to happen again. That's why ballroom contestants didn't have a chance but they do want a couple of ballroom routines on tour. They're just not flexible enough. Well Tanisha is but she's a contemp girl who can do ballroom. I think the main thing they worry about is a contestant being so liked that they can't manipulate them, like Evan and Cyrus. Then they put their backing behind the remaining contestants who are popular in the votes and HOPE. They can always ensure the ones they want make the top 10 via routines or just saving them--Jenna, MacKenzie, Kayla, Lauren, Danny etc. And, it looks like Serge for this season.

I think any dancer improves with time, not just ballroom. And I do think they worked hard to see that he hit B3. He didn't hit B3 after his latin ballroom but Serge did. Misty really started the criticism because she thought he was too serious in the interrogation routine (facials). Kinda like she pinged Stanley at first. But Marcquet didn't hit B3. The next week, there were these weird positions to start a lift from. So they went on and on about partnering issues. I guess they had to make sure it sank in. They must've gone overboard because Mary had to defend him. Had it been someone they were trying to save, they would've said something like 'I saw you had problems with the one lift but...' Once he hit B3, they had to cement their decision by giving him a standard ballroom routine to make sure he couldn't save himself. They had to justify saving Serge (who hit B3 twice) over him. So I think people were enjoying Marcquet until last week when they went on and on. He didn't pull the exciting/memorable choreography but people were enjoying him. I know I even enjoyed the foxtrot. But when they want you gone, it's over. It may take a while but they'll get you. For instance, Teddy and Casey are the B3 culprits for next week. Let's see if it works.

I saw one on the shoulder lift that I've seen a thousand times, even on DWTS. The rest were really pick ups (really just holds after she lifts). But he did them well. The only way I see him as toast is if Rudy, Ricky, Emilio or Zack is part of the B3. They tried to ensure that they wouldn't be. So, I think Casey and Teddy have been earmarked.

They had worked so hard last week to make sure Marcquet would be in the bottom. I think they were hoping this would save Serge since he really was awful last week. Then, I had heard earlier about a new hip hop choreographer. I began to think that Marcquet would get him so that he could save himself. Afterall, he'd had two routines that were tailored for his partner. I thought they would give him something that was tailored for him. Plus, Jessica hadn't had hip hop. But Serge ended in the bottom anyway. This was his second time (latin ballroom and hip hop) and he's like a member of their family. They had to justify saving him. So they gave him another emotional contemp that Carly could carry him through. Zack had no business being in the B3 boys and he's the only tapper. They were probably suppose to get the foxtrot (he and Rudy were the only boys without ballroom) but they couldn't risk him being in the bottom next week. SYTYCD viewers don't vote for foxtrots after a few weeks in (Danny and Anya). So he got another jazz. They couldn't risk giving Marcquet a hip hop routine because he'd be good at it and they had made up their minds to cut him. They had already made up their minds to cut Brooklyn. But they were hoping Casey wouldn't be good at it and would be in the B3 next week. Teddy and Emily were also marked for B3 next week by getting the Salsa. Bridget will probably be the other girl because of her fanbase. Nigel is making it so easy for us to see his plan. It really isn't fun anymore. It just makes you angry that they shield their favorites and throw others under the bus. And the guest judges eventually fall in line. For instance, Was Ricky and Valerie really good in the bollywood? No. The sloppiest bollywood they've ever had on the show. I hope he doesn't go to DWTS. I don't think he's strong enough in standard ballroom. Remember what a hard time they gave Lacey during her first season? His would be worse. I never got to really see him do hip hop on the show but I think this is the dance form for him.

Well. We'll have to agree to disagree. During the performance the lifts looked fine and not tentative--not perfect. During the practices they weren't fine and were tentative (the judges talk to the choreographers so they know). So they could use this in a negative way and they did. I will agree that he's not the best in contemporary movement and lifting. He only started dancing at 14 focusing in ballroom and branched out to hip hop. As such, I'm sure he was more concerned about the safety of Jourdan. At least, Jourdan never slipped like LoFro did with Pasha and he's a seasoned dancer. I guess you were talking about the connection for this week because Misty thought they were too into it last week? But like I always say, if it is someone you like, you see the chemistry. If you don't like them, you won't. I liked Marcquet and Jourdan. So I saw it. Forgot that you dissed the samba. That was one of my favorite routines that night. I could tell they were dancing the same routine. I could just tell the male part from the female part. Most times, the male fades into the background. I'm with Louis in that I was pleased that he stepped up to Malene.

I disagree. I think he was chosen as ballroom fodder. They really liked Nick (Mary went on and on about his feet) and Serge is like part of their family. He's not a seasoned ballroom dancer but he's good. I loved his audition and thought he was great in the samba. The last couple of weeks, he hasn't shone but the routines were designed for Jourdan. I just think they thought he would've hit B3 by now. So they did a 180 from last week in hopes that he will be in the bottom which would probably save Serge.

Well we know that Marcquet was the sacrificial lamb for the week. Mary went along with the narrative until they criticized his partnering skills (this week and last). Then she had to speak up for his partnering abilities. So I think he must be strong in this area because Mary is a team player. She never would've gone against them so verbally if he weren't good.

Really don't consider Jessica to be a partner killer. She was Rudy's partner when he left. But he was in the bottom because of his partnership with Tanisha. She was Stanley's partner when he left. But he was in the bottom because of his partnership with Malena. If anything, she'd be the partner of doom. If you get her as a partner, your time is probably up. Marcquet is a partner killer. A world class ballroom dancer ended in the bottom after a stellar ballroom performance. A ballerina ended in the bottom after a jazz routine that was tailored to her movements. But Marcquet is one of my favorite dancers this season. But then, so was Stanley. It just looks like they had a meeting this week and the results were to put Marcquet in the crosshairs. Emilio, Rickey, Rudy and Serge were not good in their routines but you would never know it listening to the judges. I didn't see their performance as being so great either. They just had great energetic routines.