Tuesday the 3rd

SYTYCD! D! D!

Opening: Props to Victor for making the standard pirouette interesting.

New Set: Bugs me. Too many lights - it makes me dizzy. And I miss the stairs.

Noelle and Russell: So the style is... tennis? Huh. It could've worked, actually, had Russell been paired with someone who could dance hip hop. OR play tennis. Noelle did not impress. Somewhere during Adam's judging Kat murmured something about "the comfort factor", and I think that was Freudian. Because it would have been fun to watch Comfort dance this one.

Jakob and Ashleigh: Viennese Waltz. I actually didn't mind her so much, and I was surprised that I didn't feel Jakob nailed it. Other than his split jete, the whole thing seemed too literal - too ACTUAL first wedding dance, rather than two professionals. I am looking forward to hearing Adam continue to dissect the choreography - it will be a welcome change from the choreo-butt-kissing that has been going on every other season.

Bianca and Victor: Broadway. She had me smiling within the first 15 seconds - girlfriend OWNED this one. And Victor? He tried. I wish they had had time to find him some sort of coach to lead him in a montage sequence so he could learn to be loose and less careful.

Nathan and Mollee: Bollywood. It was OK, but I was thinking to myself that I wish they hadn't put the 2 youngest dancers together bc I don't think they're going to GROW. It would have been more fun to see Mollee have to work with Ryan (ALL man), and for Nathan to dance with Karen (ALL woman). I will say the lift sequence at the end was pretty, and Nathan's pirouettes WERE awesome. (It's the night of entertaining pirouettes!)

Channing and Phillip: Samba. It felt very careful. They looked kinda terrified, and I think it's bc neither one of them trusted he was strong enough. And Nigel's comment about how the color of her dress suited her well? Reminded me of the time my friend came to school distraught bc she had hit a dog on the way there, and I said, "Well, at least you look great today - that's a really pretty skirt..." and she replied through her messy tears, "Yeah, I'm dressed to kill!"

Kevin and Karen: Hip Hop. I don't think anything actually HAPPENED in this one. It was dull. She outshone him again, but I think that's because there just wasn't a lot for Kevin to do.

Kathryn and Legacy: Contemporary. VERY nice. This was the best pairing of the night, and they both did a tremendous job. I am ready to ship them. I am thrilled to see Legacy can reach beyond hip hop, and that Kathryn is more than just a high-pitched squeak.

Peter and Pauline: Jazz. OMG I heart you Wade Robson. Dancing Starry Night on its own would have been enough, but making them characters FROM the painting? I am re-watching the intro, that's how awesome this idea is. And DAMN that f'ing backdrop, which was clever in principle but made them too hard to see. I think Peter was better, bc he had more drag in his feet and his movement, so it was more creepy. Pauline was pretty good, but she didn't mesh all that well with the piece.

Ellenore and Ryan: Argentine Tango. Oooh... Leonardo the choreographer is back... so hot. Ellenore dancing with the dress caught on her heel was indeed very impressive BUT... this felt too slow.

PREDICTION: Noelle, Pauline, Phillip, Victor.

RESULT: I have gone 3 for 4. Based on the critique, I'm not surprised they put Bianca in the bottom, but I don't think she belongs there.

OK, NEXT PREDICTION: Adios, Noelle and Phillip.

Noelle: Every contemporary girl solo ever, but the low split was nice, and she did seem to dance it like she meant it.

Victor: OK, I know I said it was a theme this evening, but that was a few too many pirouettes. He certainly does have an impressive amount of strength in his movement, though.

Bianca: I think she could have done more with Tootsee Roll - bc it's Tootsee Roll, for God's sake! Anyway, it was cute.

Phillip: Liked his intro, and it was a good tap solo. He'll continue to find work in tap, so good on ya, buddy, thanks for coming.

RESULT: Wait, what?? Bianca's going home? That's crap.

And Phillip? What a rotten week that kid's having. I am now impressed with his ability to show up and keep smiling, and really do wish him a great tap career. Poor thing.

Cat Deeley? Best host on any reality competition award. I have never seen anyone fight tears and be so beautiful and classy and sincere. She is my reality TV best friend.