Simple Man Entertainment

I tell ya it seems that the fewer dancers there are on this show the more things that happen and more writing because of it. However I think that is to be expected since more is asked of those in the Top 10 than in the previous Top 20. I also think that in this case more is good, because we get to see more of what these talented dancers can do. One more thing to say is that last nights show was certainly no disappointment.

Last nights show certainly started off with a bang and a routine choreographed by show rookie Travis Wall. To say the least his latest routine was a total success and blew the roof off of the studio and raised everyone’s expectations for the show as well. All of the judges really liked the routine including guest judge comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Unfortunately the first part of the show was impossibly slow.

The first couple to dance was Evan and Janette who danced a Jazz routine choreographed by Sonya to the song “move by CSS. I thought that the routine was danced extremely well and all of the judges were really impressed too. Nigel said that they were little stars and Mia Michaels the other guest judged stated that Janette was her favorite. Mary thought the routine was a little rough though. Ellen thought that they were hard hitting and amazing.

The next routine was performed by Brandon and Jeanine. The routine they danced was a Waltz choreographed by Hunter Johnson to the song “May it Be” by Haley Westenra. This routine had a graceful and beautiful vibe, but the music was incredibly slow and I think that this made it hard for the dancers to really shine. Mary thought that the dancers did a respectable job, while Nigel and Mia both had their problems with it. Ellen said that they were fantastic.

Routine #3 was danced by reunited couple Ade and Melissa. Their routine was a Cha Cha choreographed by Tony and Melanie who are excellent choreographers. The music was great but I couldn’t pronounce the name of the tune if my life depended on it, but it was very Latin and very hot. Nigel and Ellen both liked the routine Nigel saying it was very good and hot while Ellen said that they nailed it. Mia and Mary were not so impressed and Mia even went so far as to say that this was Ade’s worst performance on the show.

The first half of the show ended with a Broadway routine performed by Jason and Kayla and choreographed by Tyce Diorio to the tune Mr. Monotony by Kim Criswell. As usual Tyce’s number was excellently choreographed and also very well performed by Jason and Kayla. All of the judges seemed to be on the same page with this one saying everything from it was beautiful to watch, a fabulous number, to I love the piece. This was a great way to end the first half of the show.

The second half of the show started off with a Rhumba choreographed by Tony and Melanie. Evan and Janette danced the routine to “Heartless” by Kris Allen. I thought that they both performed this routine very well, although I must admit that I have always found it hard to picture Evan as a sexy dancer and the Rhumba is a sexy routine. However I think that they pulled it off and all of the judges were in agreement with me for a change. Nigel also said that this is a hard style to get votes with, which is true.

Brandon and Jeanine’s next routine was a Pop/Jazz routine choreographed by Laurieann Gibson to the tune “Battlefield” by Jordan Sparks. This was definitely their best routine of the night as far as I was concerned. Brandon and Jeanine really hit it hard and nailed it. All of the judges really liked it as well. Nigel said that the night had been flat until then. Mary thought the routine was strong, powerful, and dynamic. Mia’s response ended simply with wow. Ellen liked it too saying it was unbelievable.

Ade and Melissa’s second routine was contemporary choreographed by Tyce Diorio and the music was “This Woman’s Work” by Maxwell. To say the least this routine had to be the most powerful routine of the night if not the entire season. This incredible piece was about a woman’s struggle with breast cancer and her friends struggle to help her fight it. This routine touched everyone in the studio so profoundly that at the end of the routine there was almost complete silence. The judges all said this piece was the most powerful of the night.

The final routine of the night was a Shane Sparks Hip Hop routine danced to the song “They’re Everywhere” by Izza Kizza and danced by Jason and Kayla. I am not a big fan of Shane Sparks, but I have to agree with Mia that this was his best routine ever on the show. Nigel enjoyed the routine and said it felt like it was Michael Jackson inspired. Mary and Ellen both enjoyed the routine also Mary said it was pure entertainment and Ellen threatened them with their own talk show.

As regards these eight dancers solo’s I have to say that they were all performed very well. I do have to say though that this was the first solo that I have seen Kayla perform where I thought she really laid it all on the line. I also really respected the way Evan recovered from his slip up with a hat that he used as a prop in his solo. However I remind all of you readers that these eight are the best of this season and their solos should be performed well and that we shouldn’t expect anything less from them.

Well that’s all for now my friends and I hope that you have all enjoyed this blog and the videos. I am dedicating this one to the cause of Breast Cancer tonight because it is an important and deadly disease and should be addressed and not just in the dance either. Simple Man Entertainment will be back with the results from last nights contest tomorrow so have an awesome evening and CIAO4NOW!!!!!