the weather outside really is frightful
About a month ago I bought a pair of calf-height, shiny (fake) patent zip up boots made by Earth and felt guilty about spending the money on them. Today in the slush and rain and snow, I am ever so glad that I have warm, comfy and above all waterproof boots to wear!
Did I ever write about the show last week? I can't remember. At any rate, last night's show was pretty stellar, IMO. I even admired Mollee's solo. I don't think this whole vote for Ashleigh out of pity thing is really fair to any of the other dancers, but I don't know how else they could have handled it, except to boot her off immediately, and that wouldn't have been fair to her if she's expected to recover within a few days.
I agreed with Nigel that Ryan and Kathryn's disco fell flat. It looked like choreography. I didn't see what the judges saw in their cha cha, either--my attention wandered partway through it. I can agree that it was quite challenging and they executed it all, but again it looked like dancers doing choreography to me, not people dancing.
Jakob and Mollee were a pleasant surprise as a couple. He made her dance like a grown up. Her retro costuming in both numbers didn't hurt that impression either. The smooth waltz was really quite moving, and the Broadway was a lot of fun. They really were a well matched pair in their leaps and kicks.
Russell and the choreographers' assistants were *great*. This is the second show where Russell has had to dance with an experienced professional, which in some ways I think is a bigger challenge than dancing with a peer, especially for something like Bollywood with such a different style of movement. His hip hop was totally hot in its ridiculousness; a big part of that is his ability to throw himself into character. I expected him to do well with Bollywood because he is such a smart dancer, and I wasn't disappointed. Though unlike Nigel I did look at his partner because she was a lovely dancer. That ending pose was breathtaking.
Legacy and Eleanore were made to do that Mr. and Mrs. Smith routine together. It was so impressive. I remember last week I was disappointed with Legacy and Ashleigh's Prodigy routine, because that music to me calls for an air of recklessness and they were too thinky-thinky even as they were doing some physically amazing things. Legacy brought out the appearance of recklessness for Portishead! And I loved Alan Shankman's comment that Travis was at last a choreographer who understands how close dance is to murder. I did like their alien hip hop, but I also understood the judges' critiques. Tabitha and Napoleon did not do them any favors with that routine.
The solos were mostly strong. I did think Legacy looked a bit tired; I think he had to abort a couple of head spins there. And that phone thing came across as a gimmick, though the jokes about it were funny. I don't think Russell was supposed to have lost his shoe. In his place I think I would have kicked off the other one rather than struggle with putting it back on, or just ignored it since most of the rest of his routine was on the chair. But it wasn't a bad recovery as it was.
I voted for Jakob, Eleanore and Russell. I didn't realize the finale was coming up so quickly, next week I guess! I have no idea who will make it to the finals and who will win. I *think* Jakob and Russell will be safe for next week, given the studio audience responses to them, but who knows.
Can't believe it's only Wednesday...
.
Did I ever write about the show last week? I can't remember. At any rate, last night's show was pretty stellar, IMO. I even admired Mollee's solo. I don't think this whole vote for Ashleigh out of pity thing is really fair to any of the other dancers, but I don't know how else they could have handled it, except to boot her off immediately, and that wouldn't have been fair to her if she's expected to recover within a few days.
I agreed with Nigel that Ryan and Kathryn's disco fell flat. It looked like choreography. I didn't see what the judges saw in their cha cha, either--my attention wandered partway through it. I can agree that it was quite challenging and they executed it all, but again it looked like dancers doing choreography to me, not people dancing.
Jakob and Mollee were a pleasant surprise as a couple. He made her dance like a grown up. Her retro costuming in both numbers didn't hurt that impression either. The smooth waltz was really quite moving, and the Broadway was a lot of fun. They really were a well matched pair in their leaps and kicks.
Russell and the choreographers' assistants were *great*. This is the second show where Russell has had to dance with an experienced professional, which in some ways I think is a bigger challenge than dancing with a peer, especially for something like Bollywood with such a different style of movement. His hip hop was totally hot in its ridiculousness; a big part of that is his ability to throw himself into character. I expected him to do well with Bollywood because he is such a smart dancer, and I wasn't disappointed. Though unlike Nigel I did look at his partner because she was a lovely dancer. That ending pose was breathtaking.
Legacy and Eleanore were made to do that Mr. and Mrs. Smith routine together. It was so impressive. I remember last week I was disappointed with Legacy and Ashleigh's Prodigy routine, because that music to me calls for an air of recklessness and they were too thinky-thinky even as they were doing some physically amazing things. Legacy brought out the appearance of recklessness for Portishead! And I loved Alan Shankman's comment that Travis was at last a choreographer who understands how close dance is to murder. I did like their alien hip hop, but I also understood the judges' critiques. Tabitha and Napoleon did not do them any favors with that routine.
The solos were mostly strong. I did think Legacy looked a bit tired; I think he had to abort a couple of head spins there. And that phone thing came across as a gimmick, though the jokes about it were funny. I don't think Russell was supposed to have lost his shoe. In his place I think I would have kicked off the other one rather than struggle with putting it back on, or just ignored it since most of the rest of his routine was on the chair. But it wasn't a bad recovery as it was.
I voted for Jakob, Eleanore and Russell. I didn't realize the finale was coming up so quickly, next week I guess! I have no idea who will make it to the finals and who will win. I *think* Jakob and Russell will be safe for next week, given the studio audience responses to them, but who knows.
Can't believe it's only Wednesday...
.