New Show Recap: SYTYCD “Top Six Perform, Two Go Home”

Fox Network, why must you always mess with my favorite shows and when they air? 

SYTYCD is on tonight, instead of tomorrow, and will be on Tuesday next week for the finale, as well. As such, so will this column.  We’ll talk about the finale (and the winners) next week on Thursday or Friday. But enough about the future, let’s talk about last Wednesday’s show. I’m switching up the format a little, instead of talking about all seventeen performances last week, we’re going to break things down by dancer.

Cat’s Dress

Cat was dressed as a tribute to your late grandmother’s sewing basket.  I looked all over online to try and find a picture, but no luck. Trust me when I say it was something.

The Guest Judge

Christina Applegate was back, and, like last time, she gushed a lot. Her hair was really pretty, though.

Tiffany

Tiffany has become quite the dark horse in this competition. I don’t think she’s ever been in danger. Considering I couldn’t tell her apart from Audrey until two weeks ago, this surprises me. She had a great night on Wednesday, though, so I can see how she’s gotten so far.  Tiffany danced a jive with season two’s Benji Shwimmer, who is delightful. Benji is the be-all and end-all of swing dance, which left all the judges nervous about Tiffany’s ability to keep up. They shouldn’t have worried, because she was fantastic. I found a video, but it may not last until publication. Fox is crafty about removing these.

Tiffany’s solo was pretty much indistinguishable from any other contemporary solo on this show. Nothing against her, she’s great at these solos, but since we’re close to the end of the season, my ability to stay awake during contemporary solos has dwindled.

For her dance with another finalist, she did a steamy Broadway number with Cyrus. She outshone him in performance, but he had the most personality of the two. I was not a fan of her costume, which was a mix of a Madame Alexander doll and a fluffy  60s nightie.

Witney

Witney has really grown on me, and I enjoyed all three of her performances on Wednesday. Her solo was half of a Paso Doble, which was a lot of fun to watch, and she sold it with everything she had. For her all-star dance, she did a jazz routine with last season’s Marko, wherein she played a runaway bride. It’s great, but it didn’t stand out among the other dances of the the night. In fact, I had to look up what she danced and who she danced it with because I couldn’t remember off the top of my head.

For her dance with a fellow contestant, she did a cha cha with Chehon. She was the clear pro in the number.

Eliana

Eliana had a great night. Her solo was electric, first of all, but I don’t think any of us are surprised. For her all-star number, she did a hip hop number with tWitch, and it was loads of fun. The judges didn’t love it, but their complaint was with the choreography, not with the dancers. I always feel a little bad when the judges call out the choreographers, it’s clearly not the dancers’ fault if one of the choreographers is having an off day. Her third dance was with Cole, to a Mia Michaels routine about rams and screaming. I did not love it, but, ironically, not because of the dancing, I thought the choreography was hokey as hell. The only anthropomorphized critter dance I’ve ever liked is Wade’s hummingbird routine from season four.

Cyrus

Cyrus performed a great solo, but, like the other dancers, it really wasn’t anything new or different than other solos he’s done. Still, the audience went nuts for it. He danced dubstep (today I learned: dubstep is not just a style of music) with Comfort. Comfort outdanced him, I think, since I know nothing about dubstep. He had a ton of heart, though. He paired up with Tiffany for the contestant only dance, and he seemed to have a lot of fun with it.

Cole

Cole’s solo was also a rehash of other solos he’s done, but I could watch him all day. His all-star partner was Melanie, and the routine was intense. He pointed out, during rehearsal, that he wanted America to see he was all about love and being nice this week, after playing bastards the past two weeks in a row. It was great, and tweaked some gender roles, with Melanie lifting Cole as often as he lifted her. I liked it. He was paired with Eliana for Mia’s screaming rams routine, and did as much with it as he could.

Chehon

All three remaining men have names that start with C, and I just noticed that. Chehon danced an amazing solo, like he does. He was paired with all-star Kathryn for a contemporary Tyce routine about turn-of-the-century immigrants who had their whole lives in a suitcase. It was really moving, and both dancers were just beautiful. He partnered with Witney for the cha cha, and he held his own, even though she was the stronger of the pair.

Axis Dance Studio

The guest dancers this week were from Axis Dance Studio, and they were phenomenal. Check it out:

The Results

Chehon and Tiffany were safe from the get go, leaving Eliana, Witney, Cole and Cyrus in danger. America decided (no judge input this time) to send Cole and Witney home. There was no voting this week, so next week I’m assuming the four remaining dancers will be judged on these performances, as well as the ones that will happen tonight. Any bets on who the America’s favorite pair will be? (I want it to be Eliana and Chehon, so I’m pretty sure Tiffany and Cyrus will actually win.)

See you next week in this same spot to talk about the final four and their final performances.