Simple Man Entertainment

Welcome back to Simple Man Entertainment. As you know, we've been following the show, So You Think You Can Dance, and we are getting closer and closer to the top ten. Last night was Episode 10 and the top 16 dancers came out and put on quite a show. Thank goodness it was a better show than last week!!!

Before I get to the routines, let me mention that regular judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy were joined by Toni Basil, a well-known dancer, musician, video artist, choreographer, and actress. She will be awarded the 2009 Hip Hop International Living Legend of Hip Hop Award in August of this year.

Karla and Jonathan opened the show. They were dancing a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Dave Scott. Dancing to the song, "By My Side" by Jackass ft. Ne-Yo, I about groaned as I watched the routine. They weren't hitting it at all, they weren't together, and it was a bad start to the show. The judges agreed with me, with Nigel saying there was "no excitement" and that it felt like a "Sunday School picnic." He even bet that these two would end up in the bottom three, and I am definitely inclined to agree with him.

Next up were my least favorites on the show, Asuka and Vitolio. As you remember last week, I was hoping they would get cut, but for some reason America decided to show them some love. This week there were dancing a Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore, who called this routine "thrash, rocker, jazz." Dancing to the song "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar, I was really expecting them to hit this routine, but I didn't feel it was big enough, "rocker" enough, and the song outdid their dancing. In this case the judges and I didn't see eye to eye. They received high praise from Nigel who said it was "fantastic." Mary seemed to agree a bit more with me, calling it "not synchronized" and "a little shaky." Toni recommended that they not "Let technique get in the way of your emotions." Yes, this couple was a bit more connected, but still, they are not anywhere near my favorites.

Ade and Melissa were next, bringing a breath of fresh air. They were to perform a Rhumba choreographed by Tony Meredith. They danced to "Emotion" by Destiny's Child, and boy did they bring on emotion. This routine was so hot I thought the floor would melt. Sensual and earthy, they brought it with this dance. Nigel called Melissa the "sexiest girl up there" and jokingly praised Ade, saying, "What a differences Ade makes." Mary bequeathed it with her signature scream and said they were "so in tune." Toni threw a huge compliment towards the choreographers, telling Melissa and Ade "You were hot because they were hot" speaking of choreographer. Tony Meredith and his partner, who are also excellent dancers.

Out next with a Dave Scott Hip Hop routine were Brandon and Janette. Dave Scott mentioned that this was a "hip hop and rock" piece, and it definitely was! Dancing to "What a World" by Common, they really smacked this routine. They were hitting it, bringing the hip hop and the rock side to the dance. Perhaps even the best routine of the night. They got a lot of love from the judges. Nigel said it was "good stuff" and compared it a combination between "Jr. Allstars, 50-Cent, and Cher." Mary went on to say that they "really hit that" and gave them a huge scream, making their day.

After losing partners last week, Kayla and Kupono were partnered together, and for their first routine together, they had to dance a Viennese Waltz, choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux and his wife France. They danced to "Sweet Dreams for You" by Jewel. It was a lovely dance and the couple performed well together for their first time dancing with each other. The judges enjoyed it, with Nigel calling it "very elegant." Mary actually put them on the "hot tamale train" along with a scream loud enough to deafen Nigel and poor Toni. Toni felt they were "always in the moment," called Kayla "somethin' else," and said she "really loved this dance." High praise from the usually reserved Toni Basil.

Next up were another of my favorite couples, Evan and Randi. They were dancing a contemporary piece choreographed by Mia Michaels to "Koop Island Blues" by Koop ft. Ane Brun. The piece was interestingly choreographed around Randi's butt, which was hilarious, but it turned out to be a hot piece. They danced it well and had the attention and love of the audience. The judges loved it too, with Mary saying it was "one of the best numbers" and "terrific." Nigel felt it "will be remembered" and that it was "beautifully danced." Toni summed it up, calling their routine "phenomenal."

Jason and Caitlin were up next with a Paso Doble, choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux. This is a tough dance to perform, but I thought they pulled it off well. They danced it to O'Fortuna from Camina Burana. It was strong and perhaps better than I thought it would be. There were definitely some technical problems, but they were committed to the dance. "Mary called it "fearless" and Toni said they "lived with the music." Nigel felt they did an "exceptionally good job."

The last routine of the night was a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine, being danced by Phillip and Jeanine. They danced to an old tune, "Moses" from the Singing in the Rain original soundtrack. This was a cool piece. It was whimsical and unique. Phillip did a huge leap over the couch they used as a prop, which resulted in ripped pants. Nigel commented that Phillip "now knows what it feels like dancing with your ass hanging out of your trousers." However, Nigel felt that he needed "more" from Phillip. Mary felt that it was "so much fun" and said that Jeanine was "stellar." Toni felt that they did "better as a couple this week" and called the routine "adorable. I really like Phillip, so I hope he stays in this week and really is able to pick it up a notch next week.

At the end of the night, I felt the top three performances were done by Ade and Melissa, Brandon and Janette, and Evan and Randi. I really don’t think they will be in the bottom three, and I definitely hope America doesn't make a mistake here. Out of the other five couples, well I think it is anyone's guess, although I agree with Nigel that Jonathan and Karla will probably be there. Who will be joining them? I'm not sure. I guess we'll be finding out within a few hours.

Stayed tuned to Simple Man Entertainment. We'll be back in the morning to let you know who is going home. Until then, let me leave you with a thought about dance that really impressed me: "Great dancers are not great because of their technique. They are great because of their passion." ~ Unknown