SYTYCD: Travis the Judge

I will get to Travis in a moment, but first things first: Cat walked out on the stage wearing vintage Gucci from the spring 2003 collection (Tom Ford, of course), and for those of you who think I dress like shit and know nothing about fashion, you can bite me because I bet none of you were able to ID that dress within 5 seconds. Years of buying Vogue has finally paid off, I say.

Next on the agenda: the guest judges. My initial thought on Carmen Electra: Why dear God is this woman here? My closing thought on Carmen Electra: Wait, I totally forgot she was there.

But Travis on the judging panel—angels in heaven wept…WEPT FOR JOY. Y’all know I love Travis, but just because his dancing and choreography are superb doesn’t mean a good judge he would make. However, he didn’t disappoint in that respect either. In fact, he was the best judge up there tonight—all season, actually—because he did what few judges seem to do anymore: critique the dancers. Maybe having once been a dancer on that stage, he knows exactly what the dancers need to hear: how to become an even better dancer.

One last thing about the judges: I may have to start keeping a Tan-O-Meter for Mary. I mean, this woman was the same color as her dress. WHICH WAS RED. I feel like you could contract a melanoma just brushing up against her backstage.

Anyway, the dancing tonight began with the top 7 guys in a routine by Justin Giles, a first-time choreographer on the show. The number possessed a subtle intensity and left me wanting to see more from Mr. Giles.

Marko and Melanie initiated the competition with a jazz routine by Ray Leeper, also new to SYTYCD and a heavy sweater. Dude, I can relate. So this was well-danced, and that is all I’ll say about that because now I need to write another Letter of Concern to the Costume Department. Dear Costume Department: What are you doing to our Dear Girl? You were only able to supply her with one stocking. Did you run out of stockings? And what was up with that skirt? No—let me answer that question for you: there was too much of it. Don’t do this to her next week or ever again. And don’t let these words fall on deaf ears or be read by one of your interns who will put this letter straightaway into the recycling bin.

Sasha and Alexander danced a hip-hop number by Shaun Evaristo, another new choreographer to the show. The question was whether Alexander could master swag: he could not. That along with the fact that there was no chemistry between our dancers didn’t help this number. This was not the best hip-hop choreography the show has seen, but had two very talented hip-hop dancers—say, Twitch and Comfort—taken this on, I might have felt differently.

Toni Redpath, a judge/choreographer I have yet to warm up to (for reasons not known but still very real in my soul, I imagine us as frenemies in real life), created a smooth waltz for Jordan and Tadd. It was a forgettable number and Jordan’s dress was unflattering. 

I wanted to see more from Justin after the guy’s group dance, and boy, did I ever! He choreographed a contemporary number for Clarice and Jess. This was really good. The story was about love coming to an end, and Justin incorporated staccato-like movements into the dance that made you feel the emotion of breaking hearts. Clarice and Jess really nailed this too. I agree with Travis: this was the best they have been so far.

Ashley and Chris danced a salsa by Liz Lira, who we can archive under NEW TO SYTYCD YET AGAIN TONIGHT. Sweet heavens this was bad. Chris’ face was very uncertain as were his moves. Jason and I felt a bit embarrassed for him. Luckily, Ashley’s navy blue dress was quite pretty. Take a note on that, Costume Department.

Ryan and Ricky were given a jazz number by Chucky whose last name I didn’t catch, but why would your last name matter when your first name is CHUCKY? Seriously? You are a grown man. It kind of disgusts me to say Chucky out loud and I even type that name with hesitation. Regardless, Chucky provided us with some unique choreography, which was also very well danced, although Ryan almost fell out of a turn at the end (sorry, I have to say something bad about her because she's one of those seemingly perfect people who I want to punch in the face merely because I am so far from perfect). The judges were reminded of Ramalama by Wade Robson, although Sexy Back (also by Wade) came to my mind first. (Both of these were from Season 2 and included Travis Wall—am I the only one who thinks the dancing was a lot more enjoyable back then, had a bit more life, made you smile a little more?)

Caitlynn and Mitchell got a Mandy Moore contemporary number paired with a Celine Dion song. Did this deserve a fist pump to the chest? Absolutely. It was superb. The lifts were beautiful. The judges stood up. Thank you Mandy Moore! This was by far the best performance of the night.

The top 7 girls finished the evening with a jazz routine by Ray Leeper. This I liked. It had a Chicago vibe to it and the ladies brought it.

In lieu of predictions for this week, I will share with you some news about next week: I will be away and unable to watch the show. But have no fear, the Guest Chroniclers will be here! Kate and Melissa—two of only three people in the world who I trust with the password to my Web site—are going to fill in for me. I’m looking forward to reading what they have to say once I return, and I’m sure my SYTYCD readers are looking forward to a refreshing perspective. I hope to bring one too when I come back.

Comments

[Kate]

"Chucky"?? NO NO NO
Celine Dion? YES YES YES

SO glad to have that last routine in what I think was otherwise an uninspiring night. Although YES YES YES to Travis Wall for giving the dancers actual concrete feedback! I love him!

Looking forward to next week chez the Chronicles!

[Michelle]

Jordan’s dress was unflattering. (YES.)

The top 7 girls finished the evening with a jazz routine by Ray Leeper. This I liked. It had a Chicago vibe to it and the ladies brought it. (I said the same thing!)