So You Think You Can Dance: Top 18 Perform, Live Thoughts (Page 3/3)
Abbey Simmons
Abbey Simmons
Contributing Writer, BuddyTV

Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Wade Robson
Song: Little Green Bag


Wade's routine is about the discarded people from Van Gogh's first draft of Starry Night who've come back to haunt Van Gogh, seriously.
Whatever Wade is drinking, I would like a sip.

Screaming side note to the producers of So You Think You Can Dance: Okay, this set is getting ridiculous. I want to see the dancers, not a moving starry night.

Holy wow, I'm super impressed with Peter. Sure his movements aren't studied or trained and he dances a little tight, but he's going for it and he shows incredible character in his movement and face. I buy it 100% from him, whatever he is selling. Pauline is very precise in her movements and she finishes them with grandness. Pauline had great musicality in her movement and I finally feel we got to see her shine a bit. Ultimately, I'm much more impressed and enamored with the routine and P(squared), save the distracting set, than I expected. The couple embodied their characters and danced them well to boot. 

Judges Say:

Adam thinks the piece will be controversial (why?) but that both Pauline and Peter were 100% committed. Mary also thinks the piece will be controversial. (again why?) Mary agreed the characters were great and it was well danced, but doesn't think it will take them anywhere. Nigel thought the routine was unforgettable (see: controversial), as all Wade pieces are. Nigel thinks that Peter need to watch his shoulders, because he tightens up. Nigel thought that Pauline danced to her full potential for the first time.


Ellenore Scott and Ryan DiLello
Style: Argentine Tango
Choreographer: Miriam and Leonardo
Song: "Violentango" by Astor P


Obviously this pair's popularity has been realized, they've already been given the sweet spot.

Tonight's tango is going to be death defying, which they demonstrate with an insane lift in the first few moments of the dance. After that it gets a slow, though technically enthralling, start before I see the connection, chemistry, and charisma that made their  first routine so great. Ellenore suffers a major wardrobe malfunction when her heel gets caught in her dress, but she doesn't show it on her face or try to kick it off. What a fricking pro! The judges are going to love that. Flawless technique, but not a completely flawless tango. I guess I need a little less reserved passion, but these two are Top 10 all the way and remain my favorite pairing by far. Plus, if you weren't in love with Ellenore before this routine, as I was, you better be now. P.S. Fricking pro.

Judges Say:

They give the couple a standing ovation because of the wardrobe malfunction, saying they almost stopped the routine because of the heel in skirt issue. Adam thinks Ellenore should be sainted for handling the wardrobe malfunction and how she handled it. Mary agrees. Nigel says he doesn't think that people realize how hard the dance was, but thought that both Ellenore and Ryan were incredible. And that no one in the competition could have danced it so well.

My predictions for the Bottom Four:

Boys: Victor Smalley and Phillip Attmore
Boys: Channing Cooke and Noelle Marsh


The Judges Bottom Four:

Noelle Marsh, Phillip Attmore, Victor Smalley, and Bianca Revels

Not 100%, but not bad with the guesses. No big surprises or WTF moments either, unlike last week. Sadly, Noelle is basically a goner with how invested the show and fans are in Bianca.

Noelle Marsh:

This girl really needs to dance for her life, and she does. You can feel he emotion and passion in every move, unfortunately it's a lot of the same moves. She seemed to be in a dance trance, and I still don't think it will be enough to save her.

Victor Smalley:

Just a few words on this solo: you are not Brandon Bryant. Really that is all. Compared to the other contemporary male dancers we've seen this season (and last) Victor leaves me wanting something more.

Bianca Revels:


Bianca dances to "Tootsie Roll"-- really -- but she makes tapping look incredibly fun and full of personality. I think she's shown lots of potential this season, and it would be shocking if she was sent home tonight, especially after such an engaging and enjoyable solo. To the left! To the left!

Phillip Attmore
:

Phillip is doubtlessly an incredible tapper. One of the finest I have ever seen. And he's a real class act, I'm just not sure he's made for a show like So You Think You Can Dance. With Peter doing so well tonight, I'm certain the judges are thinking...do we really need two male tappers? 

My guess for the eliminated dancers?

Noelle Marsh and Phillip Attmore

The Eliminated Dancers Are:

It is not a unanimous decision tonight, but because she really danced for her life, Noelle will be staying. (Jaw Drops)

BIANCA REVELS is ELIMINATED

Are you fricking kidding me judges? That's a travesty. Noelle danced for her life and she's  talented, but she's not a star. Bianca on the other hand, just might be. And while the Top 16 may not need two male tap dancers, it also certainly doesn't need basically 8 female contemporary dancers.

Nigel says this decision upsets him more than he can really let anyone know, because both tappers will be going home.

PHILLIP ATTMORE IS ELIMINATED

Wow, I would have never ever guessed that the tapper to make it the furthest would be Peter Sabasino.

Phillip, the rest of the Top 18, Cat, and now me, are totally crying over this. Phillip shares what we've known, his father passed away a week ago and the Top 18 have been the saving grace -- half of them even came to his fathers funeral. Sadly, for most people, this human and touching story will be the most they ever connected with Phillip. It is a shame to see both Bianca and Phillip go.

I'm going to go and get my kleenex now. Join me again next week, when we control the eliminations, not the judges....to a degree.



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--Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer




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