This week saw some of season 11’s best routines, some of which were reminiscent of some all-time favorite SYTYCD routines.
Partner Routines
Valerie and Ricky
Valerie and Ricky got the first Bollywood routine of the season. Bollywood is notoriously difficult, because it’s intricate and non-stop until the end. These two were the perfect season 11 pair to take it on, because they’ve got energy coming out their ears. Valerie was worried about having to be sexy (and she really only managed to be even more adorable), but unlike her character in the dance, Nigel didn’t think either of them would be saying, “Okay, bye!” this week.
Bridget and Emilio
Bridget and Emilio drew the lucky card this week, getting a Travis Wall contemporary routine. The routine was about removing the past from your memory so you can continue to grow. Contemporary dancer Bridget was in her comfort zone, but hip-hopper Emilio was definitely not. However, he completely rose to the occasion with some excellent partnering, and even pointed his toes! It was a haunting routine, and very reminiscent of Mia Michael’s Addiction routine.
Tanisha and Rudy
Tanisha and Rudy took on a super sexy Dave Scott hip-hop routine to Usher’s “Good Kisser,” and if there’s anything anyone will remember about this routine, it will be Tanisha’s outfit, because HOLY CRAP, it was barely clothes. But they both looked hot, and had chemistry for days. The ladies love Rudy, as demonstrated by the continuous screams from the audience, so he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. However, their dancing was amazing, Tanisha’s best yet.
Jessica and Marcquet
Jessica and Marcquet both lost their partners last week, so their first dance as a couple was a Dmitri Chaplin smooth foxtrot. Marcquet was a cold businessman, and Jessica was a sexy, flirty, sparkly seductress. They danced to Nina Simone’s “I Put A Spell On You,” but unfortunately did NOT put a spell on the judges. Jessica did okay, though they haven’t been impressed with her since her top 20 routine, but pretty much no one had anything good to say about poor Marcquet.
Carly and Serge
Carly and Serge tackled a Mandy Moore contemporary routine to ‘90s gem “Foolish Games” by Jewel. In this scenario, Carly was into Serge, but Serge was just a jerk in a cowlneck giving her the runaround. They both danced beautifully and tenderly, and the judges had raves for Carly, and named Serge the most-improved dancer of the season. Their last move was ridiculous, and everyone’s thighs hurt in sympathy for Carly’s.
Emily and Teddy
Emily and Teddy took on a super-tricky salsa routine from Jonathan and Oksana. They were both outside of their comfort zones, and while Teddy looked very comfortable, Emily was much less so. She recovered from a slip at the beginning, and managed to hold it together, but come to find out she dislocated her shoulder in rehearsals earlier today, and they were still nervous about that. Taking that into account, they did a wonderful job.
Jacque and Zack
Jacque and Zack were blessed with a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine this week. They played a couple that had a fling in the past, and decide to rekindle their flame for one more night. It was a very sexy routine, the most sex we’ve seen from either of them. And since we’re throwing back to excellent routines from seasons past, this one was reminiscent of Sonya’s Garden routine. Unfortunately, the judges weren’t as thrilled with Zack and Jacque as they were with Mark and Courtney.
Brooklyn and Casey
Ballroom dancer Brooklyn and contemporary dancer Casey had to bring out their inner wildebeest with a hard-hitting hip-hop routine from new-to-SYTYCD choreographer Wildebeest. They worked in rehearsals to get low and hit it hard, but what resulted was one of the most adorable hip-hop routines we’ve ever seen. They nailed the moves, but they didn’t have the hard-hitting, low-riding swag necessary to pull it off.
Group Routines
Top 16
The top 16 dancers kicked off the show with a Mandy Moore contemporary routine to Annie Lennox’s “Take Me To The River.” And to the river they went, as they all looked somewhat moist. There was some great partnering in this routine, as the dancers were paired off to dance-baptize each other. They all did a beautiful job, and it was a great contemporary routine.
Team Sonya
Brooklyn, Casey, Emily, Emilio, Tanisha, Serge, Zack, and Valerie all came together for an incredible Sonya Tayeh routine. They were Sonya’s village of broken people, and they each had to connect with their most vulnerable side, as well as each other. Dancing to Sonya’s musical soulmate: Bjork, and literally cracking at the seams, the group did an incredible job. Each dancer had his or her time to shine, but Tanisha’s scream in mid-air really stood out.
Team Travis
Travis Wall created another Emmy-quality routine for Bridget, Marcquet, Carly, Rudy, Jacque, Ricky, Jessica, and Teddy. They portrayed outlaws trying to escape the city: running, climbing, and destroying everything in their path. This routine had a lot of partnering, and a lot of lifts. But most importantly, it had Ricky Ubeda working some guyliner. One Republic’s “Love Runs Out” had just the right stomping beat for the intensity of Travis’s routine, and Nigel was already counting the Emmys SYTYCD should win next month.
Guest Performance
Lucy Hale previously won American Juniors in the SYTYCD studio, and she was back to perform her new single “Lie A Little Better,” off her new album Road Between. It was a catchy tune, and it’s nice to actually hear some country music on SYTYCD. Lucy looked adorable, of course, in a great fringed dress, and she sounded good too.
Eliminations
At the top of the show, Nigel announced the top six dancers after last week’s votes: Bridget, Marcquet, Brooklyn, Serge, Tanisha, and Zack. For the most part, all of the endangered dancers did an excellent job this week, but in the end, the judges chose to stick with America’s votes, and sent Marcquet and Brooklyn home. Ironically, ballroom dancers Marcquet and Brooklyn actually came in as a pair, and have made it this far in the competition together.
The top 14 dancers will perform next Wednesday, July 30 at 8 p.m. on Fox.