The Vegas call back episode is one of the most exciting to watch at the start of the season of So You Think You Can Dance. You see who can endure the choreography, you see who can’t. A few favorites you remember from the tons who auditioned, the ones who really stand out in your mind, get the axe.
Here’s what worked (or otherwise) for me this chapter:
- As much as I enjoyed the Dragon House crew, I really wondered if they could muster through the choreography rounds. But lone DH boy Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer is doing his best to keep up with moves he’s not used to and wow the judges with pops and stutter steps of his own. The dude won’t give up, is genuinely amazed he’s gotten as far as he has and is showing heart in putting moves on that are not of his making. And that’s what I really enjoy about him. Based on his heart alone, I want to see Cyrus advance next week into the Top 20. He’s definitely a favorite of mine. (I’ve included his Atlanta audition below to show you why I like this guy. But, with this episode, my appreciation of him went way beyond the audition.)
- Tyce DiOrio said exactly what I was thinking: I’m done with Alexa Anderson. Yes, she can move, but the heart just doesn’t seem to be there. All through the two hours, each time she appeared, I mumbled to myself “Cut her, already and be done with it.” But it was to little avail. The judges just keep saving her. But it was never unanimous. Debbie Allen’s muttered comment that she could win the competition is the farthest thing from the truth. That won’t happen. I watched her Broadway performance and thought it appeared sloppy and not on par with her fellow competitors, nowhere near them. Not according to Nigel and Company. They praised her. My jaw was on the floor when they did.
- Another favorite for me — who reminds me of last year’s winner Melanie Moore — is Amelia Lowe. Holy crap can this girl move and contort. She is an excellent, fantastic, amazing dancer. Absolutely she’s a favorite of mine. I’m calling her out as a definite member of the Top 20. Watching her in all her solos, I couldn’t help but think choreographer an SYTYCD judge Sonya Tayeh would like to put a routine together featuring Amelia. Sure enough, Sonya called just that thing out to us this episode.
- I asked previously of Janelle Issis: “What else can she do?” Guess I know now, huh? She can Broadway … she can contemporary … she can hip hop … she can knock’em dead with her solo. (That was a given.) I questioned her abilities, thinking she might just be a one trick pony. I’m happy to eat crow.
Four days in Vegas. 181 contestants get whittled down to 35, 15 of which will get cut next week when the Top 20 are announced.
Exciting stuff.
Photo Credit: freshtronic.com
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Man, that was a rough episode. Seems like most of the people they built up during the auditions for us to love and root for got cut! I was shocked when they cut Aubrey after praising her for her choreography during the group round. She should have fought like some of the other did to dance for her life. And was it necessary to cut those guys at the end? Why not let them do their solos if they were so great? I’m going to have to pick a whole new group of favorites to root for to get through to the top twenty!
*POST AUTHOR*
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From the first time I saw her, I dug Amelia Lowe. (I wasn’t necessarily fond of the black and white silent clip they did on her introduction during the auditions, but that’s a fleeting piece that will be buried and forgotten.) I’d like to see her advance far, far into the season and I really do think she has the chance to take the top spot.
One person I would have liked to have seen advance was the white bread country boy who hip hopped. He had some skills, self-taught ones, which usually goes to show you there’s more to professional training than one might think.
Cyrus Spencer just impressed the hell out of me this episode. The dude just wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was a very pleasant surprise to see him in the running for the Top 20.
Amelia reminds me of Isabella Rossellini. I like her too. I’m glad they gave her a second chance. And Cyrus is also amazing, and I think they rewarded him for not quitting. But, yeah, the hip hop country boy was another of those shocking ones that they focused on and then cut. It’s heart-wrenching. I felt so bad for Aubrey, because I thought she did really well in the ballroom round. I felt bad for the girl that got kicked in the head too. That totally screwed her in the group number. Top 20 is going to be a nail biter!