They're dancing to "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire. Great movie by the way, if you haven't seen it. So here's the thing about this number; they were good and I wanted to love them, but their timing was off in parts, and they also were sloppy in parts. I think they started running out of steam toward the end. That said, I think this routine was TOUGH, and I did really like it a lot, I just wasn't blown away by it.

Very Nice

See? Half a beat behind.
Cat says they both look beautiful. I do love they way they do the make-up and costuming for the Bollywood numbers. Adam yells out, "You guys rocked!!" He talks about Jason's superb hand and foot work and says that he made it look like it was effortless. Mary is glad that Bollywood came to Hollywood. She is so witty, isn't she? She doesn't think they have anything to worry about.
Nigel thinks they were absolutely fantastic. But did you know that they had Bollywood on this show well before there was a Slumdog Millionaire? That's right. They probably got the idea for the movie from watching last year's Bollywood routine. FYI, Caitlin's crying by the end of the critique.
Who's up next? Janette and Brandon, that's who. Janette says she was scared to audition because she thought there would be a lot of people doing salsa. Maybe they decided to stay home and eat some salsa instead. Mmmmmmm. Salsa. She also tells us that she's Cuban, and what she does she learned at home; she didn't study it anywhere. That's pretty impressive.
I don't know what the fuck Brandon is saying. We see the clip of Mary crying after his audition and he says, "The fact that she did feel that emotion that I was portraying, it really excelled me." WHAAAAAT? Don't speak Brandon, just dance. He brings up that Lil C and Mia don't like him and says it really hit him hard but he's going to prove them wrong.
They will be dancing a fox trot choreographed by Louis van Amstel. Uh oh. This could be trouble. It's not quite as bad as getting the quickstep or a waltz, but they're in the danger zone.
Louis would like you imagine Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. That's the fox trot. So helpful, thanks. They quickly learn that it's not as easy as it looks. It seems like they were going strong in the beginning, but once Louis gave them "real" choreography, the fox trot was beating their butts.
Oh crap. They're dancing to Buble. Or as I call him, BOOBely. The song? "Come Fly With Me". BARF. Janette's dress looks like a strawberry milkshake.
They do a pretty good job. They have some lovely lifts, and the dancing is nice and smooth. They're selling it personality-wise too. I won't say it's phenomenal because it's not that, but they do a good job.

Now I have to go out and buy some strawberry Quik.
They do a serious of lifts at the end where he's just throwing and twirling her around and for a minute there I was convinced he was going to drop her. Brandon is really strong, but he seemed to be a little out of control there.
Adam says America is probably sad to Brandon dancing with clothes on. But he thinks it works.

Want a part in my new movie?
Adam was worried about them following a Bollywood number with the fox trot. But that worry was for nothing because he thought they were absolutely lovely. You know what? That's actually a good word to describe it. Thanks Adam! He also thought Brandon had great character and performance tonight which he hadn't seen from him in Vegas.
Cat says to Mary, "Give us an eyebrow and give us your verdict."

"I can't any more because of botox."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Did she mean to say that, or did it just slip out? That was awesome. Everyone loses it on that one.

Careful Janette! But Hee!
Mary can't believe she just said that! Me either. Whatever they spiked her drink with, they need to keep it coming. I love it. For that comment, I will forgive her for her screams this evening. But only for this evening.
Mary says Janette was Ginger Rogers out there. I think that's a little bit of a stretch. She praises her on her lines and the lifts, and calls Brandon a power house.
And then another Mary moment I love: "And Brandon, if nobody sees the talent that you are, they're just crazy!"

Suck on that Mia!
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Comments (31)
Ha!! I'm right there with you on Michael Buble . . . I always call him Michael Booby, ticks off my daughter when I do it.
1 of 31 | Posted by wornsey | Posted on June 13, 2009 6:37 PM
No matter that I disagree with you about Kayla, thank you for always getting the recaps out so soon. I'm used to waiting like, a week after the show aired. It's nice to have them so early.
2 of 31 | Posted by alex_w | Posted on June 13, 2009 7:08 PM
Your definition of "cute" verses "hot? PERFECT!!!!
Wade Robson is the most brilliant choreographer currently living. I'm so glad he's back again this year. I was also glad to see Louis Van Amstel (from DWTS) and the return of Shane Sparks to the fold (for the opening number on Results Night.) It's great to see such a wide range of talent. But I have to admit, I always think of Mandy Moore as a poor man's Mia. (Not exactly a compliment...)
Now...could we get Melissa some eyebrows?
3 of 31 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on June 13, 2009 7:24 PM
One last thing...I'll agree with you on Kayla and Max, to a point. If this same number had been performed in four or five weeks, it would not have been met with those gushing reviews...but for an opening week number with two people who haven't before met until they were paired up, and one of 'em hasn't worked with a partner before, it was impressive.
However I'm not ready to crown them king and queen yet.
4 of 31 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on June 13, 2009 7:33 PM
I do agree with you about Kayla! While I do think she's a great dancer, I just don't see her steaming ahead of the pack like they seem to. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Wade Robson routine!! But, my fave was definitely Melissa & Ade! Never would have guessed that either because I wasn't too crazy about Melissa throughout auditions & Vegas!
5 of 31 | Posted by brattygrl | Posted on June 13, 2009 7:46 PM
Oh, PottyMouth, I
I thought this was a great opening to the season... my favorites were Philip/Jeanine, Evan/Randi, and Kupono/Ashley, and Max/Kayla. I agreed with most of your accessments, including CUTE vs. HOT!!! Thank you for that!!!
6 of 31 | Posted by slumrville | Posted on June 13, 2009 8:19 PM
yay! the recaps here!
I agree with you on pretty much everything except...
For some reason I liked Tony and Paris's hiphop routine better upon rewatching than I did when I first watched (I thought the choreography and the dancers were bleh the first time around). I actually think (in hindsight) Jonathan and Karla deserved to go home based on the quality of the routine and their solos (not that Tony and Paris had great solos -- Tony basically did nothing in his!) But that said, out of the talented field that makes up this year's top 20, neither of them stood a chance either way. I hate to say it, but I don't think I'm going to miss them....
I also liked Kayla and Max's dance a lot. Not my fave of the night (I think Kupono's and Ashley's was first for me, followed by Randi and Evan.
For some reason (and don't get me wrong, I think he's awesome at what he does) Philip is not doing it for me. I just don't think he and Jeanine had any chemistry and I think he's going to flop once he has to branch out into other genres. Hopefully he proves me wrong.
I missed Jason and Caitlin's routine performance night but just watched on youtube. They actually did quite well with a complicated dance, but I think Jason definitely out-danced Caitlin. He just seemed more definite and specific in his movements for me. But then, I might be biased cause I think Caitlin's sister should have been picked over her. Something about her just doesn't do it for me -- and I wish she'd get rid of those darn bangs! (I know, has nothing to do with dance, but for some reason they annoy me *sigh*)
7 of 31 | Posted by Lizbot | Posted on June 13, 2009 8:40 PM
Oh, and I can't imagine any pair on this show topping the Danny/Lacey samba. That was near perfection!
8 of 31 | Posted by Lizbot | Posted on June 13, 2009 8:46 PM
Why when I press tab after typing my email address am I directed to the top of the page instead of to the comments box? That always happens at this site & it's weird to me.
Anyway, THANK YOU so much for the video of Danny and Lacey. It sparked a 30 minute detour to watch more videos of Danny. Fell in love with his dancing all over again. I wish I could get a video of Danny doing a zillion dances. Talent personified.
9 of 31 | Posted by NatPatBen | Posted on June 13, 2009 11:00 PM
Thank you so much for the Kaitlin/Meredith Baxter Birney comparison! I have been going crazy trying to figure out who I thought Kaitlin looked like; you nailed it.
And I definitely think Mary was drinking something spiked during the show, yes I do.
10 of 31 | Posted by blazergirl | Posted on June 13, 2009 11:14 PM
Random thoughts:
On the reason solos are called "dance for your life." It seems funny that they are so overly dramatic with this phrase, but "dance for your right to stay in the competition" just doesn't have the same ring to it. I've tried to come up with something better but couldn't, so I have to give them a pass on this one.
Why is it that after every performance the guy is sweating buckets and the girl is dry as desert air? I'd say this happens about 80 percent of the time. I notice it every season and it still amazes me. Are the girls wearing water sealer or something?
The audience stopped doing the 5 second countdown thing last season or even possibly the season before. It should have remained a thing of the past. I have to wonder if the producers encourage the audience to do that.
Mary is annoying and an embarrasment, and I'm so over her. If they would get rid of her the show would be so much better. In my opinion, So You Think You Can Dance Australia has the best judges. They're all sane and give good critique, except that the woman judge (can't remember her name) always asks the dancers, "how did that make you FEEL," "how did you FEEL about that?" Ugh! Drives me batty. No host compares to Cat though.
Speaking of Cat, I think she's becoming Americanized, because she said "judges" at least five times during the results show and pronounced it correctly every time (as opposed to her usual pronunciation, "jidges").
"I bet Mia's at home throwing shit at her TV right now." HaHaHa. I thought all of your observations about the routines were spot on, even about Kayla and Max. In general the judges seemed overly generous in their critiques. Maybe it's just the excitement of the first performance show.
One last note, I'm FEELING good about the top 17 (minus Jonathan, who won't be around after next week anyway).
PS. What the hell does TCO stand for?
11 of 31 | Posted by ohhhyeah | Posted on June 13, 2009 11:25 PM
Oh how I miss Danny... His samba with Lacey was my favorite still. I still can't find that version of that song though. The one on iTunes is a bit different.
My favorite of the night was Melissa/Ade, and Evan/Randi. Kupono/Ashley was cute too but just didn't grab me the way Wade Robson's previous work did. And I agree, not really feeling that samba. Just meh. I guess considering she's never done it before.. maybe. But I don't see them going far.
12 of 31 | Posted by chibby | Posted on June 14, 2009 12:08 AM
I didn't get the crash test dummy dance at all. It didn't "speak to me"; I just thought it was weird. But then again, I admittedly know nothing about dancing; I just like watching the show.
I was also trying to figure out who Caitlin reminded me of. For anyone who remembers the show Felicity, I decided it's the girl who played Noel's girlfriend Ruby. Caitlin looks just exactly like her, especially when she doesn't have bangs.
13 of 31 | Posted by princesspeapod | Posted on June 14, 2009 5:28 AM
Darling Pottymouth,
You are a recapping superwoman!!! Seriously, 3 a week on an ongoing basis...I hope Flipit's going to foot the bill for the inevitable carpel tunnel/cirrhosis problems.
Awesome recap. Since I know absolutely nothing about dance, it's really nice to read your explanations. Of course, my husband's a little now that you've got me hooked on this show : )
Hugs,
Yenta
14 of 31 | Posted by yentapatrol | Posted on June 14, 2009 5:58 AM
Nice observations, especially the "slip under the net" by Nigel. When he sdaid that, I said out loud "and who's fault is that Nigel?"
Janette and Brandon may have been good for all I know, but I was too distracted by the fact that the song was by Michael Buble. Ever since his appearance on American Idol, I haven't been able to stand him. Am I the only one who thinks he is overrated?
Loved the botox comment
I can't believe there was no comment on the ending of Wade's routine. That had me LMAO.
I understand that you like Ade, but seriously? No comment on the ridiculous hair pick? for shame...
I think I am in the minority here, but as far as favorite routines go, nothing came close to Phillip and Jeanine. I loved the parts with the sharp quick movements (to the drum beat possibly? IDK) The popping at the end was great too.
15 of 31 | Posted by tv freak | Posted on June 14, 2009 9:44 AM
tv freak, I agree with you on the best routine of the night. None other were nearly as entertaining and precise as that first one, IMO
ohhhyeah, maybe the men sweat more because they wear way more clothes than the women.
16 of 31 | Posted by NatPatBen | Posted on June 14, 2009 1:27 PM
I agree with you 100% about almost everything.
I too thought that the Bollywood dance was somewhat sloppy and I was very surprised that the judges loved it as much as they did.
Also, Paris' sickled feet was something that I noticed in her audition and it DROVE ME CRAZY! I couldn't figure out why nobody said anything to her.
I agree with you about Evan and Randi - they were awesome! Also, I also agree that Karla and Jonathan had no chemistry - I thought their dance was pretty boring, actually. And the samba, too. I don't like Kayla - I don't know why, but something about her just bugs me. But I also thought that the samba wasn't that great.
The only thing I disagree about was Ashley/Kupono's dance. Ashley also rubs me the wrong way, for whatever reason. I like Kupono and I LOVE Wade Robson, but I found it to be too weird. I didn't get into it like I have his past dances.
Thanks for a great recap, it's like you read my mind!
17 of 31 | Posted by georgiababe | Posted on June 14, 2009 1:49 PM
Also - I think Caitlin looks like Amy Smart. That is who I first thought of when I saw her.
18 of 31 | Posted by georgiababe | Posted on June 14, 2009 1:50 PM
I pretty much like everyone this season and have no clear favorite to win. Of course it is early yet, so time will tell.
Reading the recap and some of the comments makes me want to not vote since I obviously don't know anything about dance. I don't think Wade's number was pure genius, just annoying, although I think they danced it well.
I re-watched Lacey and Danny's samba and much prefer what Kayla and Max did.
I don't even know what a "serious of lifts" are that Janette and Brandon did.
Does this make me ineligible to vote since I obviously have no idea what I am looking at?
I did love at the beginning when Cat said she had new babies. I think they really are to her.
19 of 31 | Posted by razzbeth | Posted on June 14, 2009 2:09 PM
I, too, LOVED the crash test dummies routine! The fluidity of their movements was insane. I thought Kupono stayed in character the whole time too. I also loved seeing the Danny/Lacey samba again. Hands down the best routine ever on this show (well...maybe a tie with the Wade Robson zombie number).
20 of 31 | Posted by leslie_pcc | Posted on June 14, 2009 2:49 PM
Holy Shit!! You guys are on fire this week!
wornsey: Glad to know I’m not the only one that thinks he’s a boob!
alex_w: Aww, you’re welcome. Even if you’re a Kayla kool-aid drinker :P
cattyfan: I’ll give you that on Max and Kayla. Like I said, I thought they were good, I just didn’t think they deserved all the gushing and ooooing and aaahing.
brattygrl: I loved that number too! But I can’t pick a favorite. I have loves, likes and Tony and Paris.
slumrville: You’re so welcome. It seems I can’t help myself when it comes to that man.
Lizbot: I wasn’t crazy about it even after re-watching it, but I think they were way out of their league in this season’s group.
NatPatBen: I have NO idea. And…..Danny was always my favorite from that season. I thought he should have won hands down and never agreed with the judges that he was arrogant. Just because he wouldn’t pander to the audience when it came time for voting didn’t make him arrogant AT ALL. It was the one and only time I got really mad at Adam.
blazergirl: That stuff always drives me batty until I figure it out!
ohhhyeah: I’ve never seen SYTYCD Australia. I’ve only watched the US version. Uhhh, I have no idea what the hell TCO stands for “Total Crack Out” maybe?
chibby: Me too.
princesspeapod: That’s the beauty of dance – it’s so subjective. I’m glad you’re watching the show!
Yenta! I wonder what the life expectancy of a recapper’s liver actually is? Tell your husband dance is good for the soul. And then give him a lap dance. Tell him you learned it by watching the show. I bet he won’t complain again!
tv freak: Hahaha! I actually started to say something about the power of the pick but then got side tracked by Melissa’s age and Mandy juggling body parts. Recapper ADD.
georgiababe: Sickled feet always makes me nutso. Ashley acts gets on my nerves too – I get a total bitch vibe from her. But I loved that dance so much she actually didn’t bug me in it. Maybe it was the makeup, but I forgot it was her and just enjoyed the dancing.
razzbeth: Plenty of people think that Wade’s number is annoying and that Kayla and Max rocked it. You vote on what you like. And a series of lifts is when Brandon was picking Janette up, throwing her around and twirling her in the air one after the other.
I’m so excited that you all are excited about this season. The results show recap will be ready soon. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on that! You guys make my day!
SWAK, PottyMouth
21 of 31 | Posted by PottyMouth | Posted on June 14, 2009 2:49 PM
leslie_pcc: I think we were posting at the same time! I LOVE that zombie number!!
22 of 31 | Posted by PottyMouth | Posted on June 14, 2009 2:51 PM
I believe TCO stands for "The Chosen One", as in the one the producers et al have decided they want to win the show and will overhype if necessary. I've seen it used on a couple other forum sites. Most feel that Kayla is the TCO for this season.
23 of 31 | Posted by kimberino | Posted on June 14, 2009 11:21 PM
Thanks kimberino, that sounds right. I also saw it several times, but couldn't for the life of me come up with anything that made sense.
24 of 31 | Posted by ohhhyeah | Posted on June 15, 2009 1:47 AM
Potty Mouth, I believe you and I are going to hell, because I laughed out loud when I read your comment about mentally challenged people having dance-offs.
Also, I don't want to be too much of a hair splitter, but you don't feel nauseous. You feel nauseated.
I thought Philip and....his partner's routine was amazing...I haven't bothered to learn most people's names yet, but Kupono was amazing in the CTD routine. The concept of it annoyed me, but his dancing was unbelievable. I thought Ade and Naughty Ballerina were also excellent. I thought Baby Face boy and his partner were excellent to, as much as I hate Lady Gaga. My best friend likes her, ugh. It seems especially ridiculous because we are both musicians. Like, actually talented at music people. Liking her seems illogical, because she can't sing, or dress, and has built an ENTIRE (singing) CAREER on what her body looks like. Singing careers should be based on SINGING. Sorry, small digression there...
Great recap!
P.S. Why do you hate Paris? I don't even know who the hell she is...should I?
25 of 31 | Posted by Rock Star | Posted on June 15, 2009 6:40 AM
Rock Star: Oh yeah, I am definitely going to hell! I don't hate Paris, I just don't thinks she's that good. And her feet drive me crazy.
26 of 31 | Posted by PottyMouth | Posted on June 15, 2009 8:07 AM
I like Ade and Melissa but I don't he's strong enough to pull Melissa through hip hop. When the Richard Marx started I pictured 12 year old girls downloading it from iTunes thinking it was new. Is it wrong that every routine reminded me of Katie and Joshua- like thinking about No Air during the first hip hop.
27 of 31 | Posted by newcastlefan | Posted on June 15, 2009 9:15 AM
If Nigel continues to go on and on about how 'old' Melissa is...gah. It's not like a 29 year old is on death's door.
Although she might be if she sticks her finger in her mouth and bites her nail again. It is a annoying habit she needs to break NOW.
Same goes for you annoying camera man. Is it just me or does the camera work get worse every single season? I don't want to see a close up of so and so's face, I want to see the dance.
28 of 31 | Posted by Lifesabeach | Posted on June 15, 2009 9:54 AM
Rock Star-Lady Gaga actually is a succesful song writer. Just Dance was intended for The Pussycat Dolls, but she was told that no one could perform it like she could. So, it wasn't just her looks that got her there.
P.S. I'm not a Lady Gaga fan either. I love Just Dance, but she's overrated IMO.
29 of 31 | Posted by tv freak | Posted on June 15, 2009 4:12 PM
this show and you are awesome! couple more things: caitlin looks more like a cross between julie (mike's 1st girlfriend) from "growing pains" and the chick who played mozart's wife in "amadeus". anyone?
also, napoleon & tabitha SUCK! their routines were, hands down, the worst of the night. i groan every time i see them on the screen. first of all, they are cheesy as hell. B) they use the SAME damn moves all the time. oh, and do you have to work out every freakin marital problem on screen? jeez.
30 of 31 | Posted by mones | Posted on June 16, 2009 3:45 PM
newcastlefan: I think you’re right – Melissa could definitely be in trouble when/if they get a hip hop number.
Lifesabeach: Yeah, the finger biting needs to be retired. Immediately.
tv freak: I love Just Dance also, even though I’m no Gaga fan.
mones: Thanks so much! I think you’re pretty awesome yourself. Please tell me you’re recapping Glee this fall!
I think Napoleon and Tabitha need to be enjoyed in small doses. I don’t mind them when there are other hip hop choreographers (and Bleeding Love remains one of my favorite routines of all time), I just wish they’d bring back Shane.
Can’t wait for tonight!!
SWAK, PottyMouth
31 of 31 | Posted by PottyMouth | Posted on June 17, 2009 7:03 AM