Grrl TV - Shows with Women in Mind

COUPLE #1
Chelsea Traille & Thayne Jasperson

Chelsea and Thayne, spectacular last week during their Cha-Cha number, performed a dull Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore. The judges all thought Moore’s concept was great and the dancers didn’t execute it well enough, while I though the exact opposite, namely that the dancers did the best they could with what little they were given. Since I don’t believe the dancers were at fault, I wouldn’t put them in the Bottom Three.

COUPLE #2
Chelsie Hightower & Mark Kanemura

Chelsie and Mark performed an Argentine Tango choreographed by Alex Da Silva. As with the first performance, I saw an entirely different routine than the judges did. They gushed about and praised the couple to high heaven for their sensuality and brilliance, but I was left unimpressed. Although I agree that Mark at least tried to show a little personality, the dancing was unbelievably bland for the most part, thanks largely to Chelsie, making the couple a nice candidate for the Bottom Three in my book.

COUPLE #3
Jessica King & William Wingfield

Jessica and William, in the Bottom Three last week, tackled a hip-hop routine choreographed by Olisa Thompson and Cecily Bradley. Mia and Mary called Jessica on her cheerleader-like and powder-puffy demeanor, while Nigel thought that both dancers were good considering hip-hop isn’t their normal style.

As far as I’m concerned, if the execution had been any softer, it would’ve melted. It initially seemed that Will would be able to step up, but after mere seconds, I started fantasizing about how good the number would look if authentic poppers were executing the moves and hitting them sharply. The final presentation was okay enough to keep the pair out of the Bottom Three, but I won’t be surprised if they end up there anyway.

COUPLE #4
Kourtni Lind & Matt Dorame

Kourtni and Matt, also in the Bottom Three last week, took on a Foxtrot number created by my favorite choreographer based on personality alone, the utterly lovable and always amusing Jean-Marc Genereux. Mia thought the pair, distinguished by their relatively great height, looked like Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain, although Mary felt the performance was more of a mixed bag, with some technical strengths but poor footwork. Nigel had a few minor complaints, as well, regarding breathing properly and avoiding pulling faces.

I thought the performance was just okay. It was pretty and seemed very in-sync, but Kourtni appeared to be holding back, as if she’s afraid she’ll look awkward instead of graceful if she gets into it because she’s tall. From one very tall girl to another: get over that right now; height is an asset, not a fault, even in dancing.

COUPLE #5
Courtney Galiano & Gev Manoukian

Courtney and Gev performed a Contemporary routine choreographed by Mandy Moore. Mary and Nigel thought both dancers were great, and they were also clearly impressed by hip-hopper Gev’s efforts. Contemporary master Mia, on the other hand, was “so proud” of Gev but felt Courtney needs more purity in her organic movement. I know what that last part means, but I wonder how many viewers do — thanks Mia!

It was clear to me that Moore choreographed the routine so Courtney would have to do 90 percent of the work. That’s a common and wise tactic used to downplay a partner’s weaknesses, but I’m surprised the judges didn’t harp on it the way they’ve done in the past. I guess a new day dawns on SYTYCD, fortunately for Gev, and all in all, the routine was nice enough to keep them out of the Bottom Three.

COUPLE #6
Katee Shean & Joshua Allen

Finally, the couple to beat arrives! Don’t be surprised that they’re also my favorite couple. Katee and Joshua brought the roof down with a Broadway number choreographed by Tyce DiOrio. It’s saying a lot that I think the couple rocked, despite choreography I consider blah.

The judges thought different about DiOrio, of course. They agreed that Katee and Joshua are super bad, and they felt DiOrio’s work was, too. The pair also gets my vote for ugliest costumes of the night; still, they better not end up in the Bottom Three.

COUPLE #7
Susie Garcia & Marquis Cunningham

I felt bad for Susie and Marquis, who did a Salsa routine choreographed by Alex Da Silva, because they both should have been infinitely better. It’s not clear why they weren’t, either, although I think Susie was just intimidated by Da Silva’s phenomenal choreography — I would have loved to have seen him dance it himself with his partner the way it was supposed to be danced.

All three judges agreed for the same reasons: bigger expectations since Salsa is supposedly Susie’s specialty, lack of fire, and just too many mistakes in general. As a result of the disappointment in the face of such great potential, I would pick these two for the Bottom Three.

COUPLE #8
Kherington Payne & Stephen “Twitch” Boss

Kherington and Twitch’s Viennese Waltz was arguably the performance of the night, not only because they nailed it, but also because of the routine’s sentimental value to choreographer Jean-Marc Genereux. He created the number especially for his daughter, who suffers from an ailment that has left her severely disabled. According to Genereux, she loves to watch dancing, however, and she reacts when she sees something she likes.

Mia wasted a little time complaining about Kherington’s continual smiling throughout the number — which I understand because the girl has a million-watt smile, and she likes to shine it on high at all times. Otherwise, the performance was about as close to perfect as the night saw.

COUPLE #9
Comfort Fedoke & Chris Jarosz

This was another big disappointment, simply because I really like both Comfort and Chris, who attempted a Krump routine choreographed by Lil’ C. Since Comfort is a hip-hopper, she had no excuse for doing less than spectacular.

Chris did have a plausible one, though, because some people just aren’t made for that style of dancing — and, no, it doesn’t have anything to do with being white these days, as the number of outstanding non-black hip-hop dancers should make immediately clear. The stereotype that white guys can’t dance that kind of dancing stopped applying a looong time ago.

It also doesn’t help that I like Krumping about as much as I like waltzing, which means almost never. The judges more or less saw things my way, and while I wouldn’t want my other favorite couple to wind up in the Bottom Three, it wouldn’t shock me at all if that’s what happens.

Round Two Top Pick - Katee & Joshua

Round Two Top Pick - Kherington & Twitch