Fame or Famine

I missed the opening number, which means it will be the first thing I hunt for on YouTube today – Wade Robson! And I’ll make a slightly snarky comment that my jaw pretty much dropped when I saw what Mary Murphy was wearing. (Covering up hickeys or something? Come on, a keyhole decolletage?) Ahem. Enough of that. On to higher planes of thought.

Having heard Wade talk more this episode, I have to say I like him even more. "I look for dancers to be vulnerable and honest as humans." He really gets that it’s about connecting the audience with something bigger and better than yourself.

Dominic & Sabra (jive): This is the couple that I’m really going to be sad to see split up after this week. They had good chemistry and energy this week, though (and yes, the package at the beginning may have affected this perception) his lifts did look unsure and difficult, even the roll up (which, by the way, is NOT a very difficult lift – I speak from experience). But even Sabra looked a little too loose – like she was letting some lyrical creep into what should have been a sharp dance.

I was upset with Mary Murphy still making excuses for "lack of training". Let’s get on with it.

verdict: Possibly bottom 3

Hok & Jaime (Broadway): Is it me, or does this whole "crush" thing seem contrived? I like the tribute to Fosse, and the classic song was a bit of a difference from the usual techno-pop…but I didn’t like the dance much. There was very little connection between the two, and the choreographer really missed out on an opportunity to make things more interesting between them.

verdict: Bottom 3

Sara & Pasha (Jazz): I was prepared to hate this dance, the second I saw the costumes. I lived through the 80’s, and have no desire to return. But with these dancers – not only did it work, it thrived. Connection, interesting staging (the upstage/downstage unison parts), a really cool, tight lift with a perfectly timed ankle-flip – it was just good dancing. Plus, it was hot. My viewing partner, Betty Wantsme, said "This is one of my favorite numbers from this whole show – because it was sexy."

verdict: SAFE

Lauren & Neil (contemporary): A great piece, if they’d had more time to work on it. Some of the unison parts they were completely and totally together, and it worked wonderfully – but that simply made the parts where they lost the unison more garish. And as much as I love Mia and her choreography, I’m getting very tired of little violence-mimes in the choreography (see Wade’s piece from last week). I thought it was funny that two of the judges just "didn’t get it." What’s to get? It was a neat dance!

verdict: possibly bottom 3

Danny & Anya (foxtrot): I was prepared – like Wade – to rip on Danny for his lack of connection, since this is a dance that really needs connection. But dammit, he was great in this, too – big smile, and yes, he looked like (for the first time) he was not only showing off but also having fun. But there wasn’t very much actual foxtrot going on – what about that, judges? Or do amazing lateral leaps count as "expanding the form"? Danny and Anya also showed lifts the way they’re supposed to be: effortless.

Still don’t trust him. Yet. And Nigel, please stop trying to find clever dialogue. You’re an intelligent man; just talk to us, cut the cheesy comments.

verdict: Safe, safe, safe

Lacey & Kameron (hiphop): I found Wade’s comment to Lacey very interesting: "You look professional, but not personal." I wonder if she’s going to be able to get very personal. I understand she comes from a very conservative family, and yet she keeps being put in these blatantly sexual numbers – this one more than most. I must not understand hiphop, because I thought this totally was within the form, and did it well – but the judges panned it, while liking the last one (which I thought was barely hiphop at all). I think that Kameron did better than they gave him credit for, and should get extra credit for breaking the 4th wall and turning it into a trio at the end. Did you notice, by the way, the glare that Lacey threw in that poor girl’s direction?

verdict: Safe, because sex sells

There you have it. We’ll find out tonight if I’m right – if I can find a place to watch it. My cable is not hooked up yet (just moved) and my usual companions are out of town. What’s a poor blogger to do?

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