As our last 70 dancers collaborated overnight on group chorey, some rose to new heights while others fought, many faltered, and the foolish chose to vent their frustration on the judges. By Episode’s end, 50 faced the daunting prospect of mastering Jason Gilkison’s African Samba to make Wed night’s Final Top 20. The first major climax of Season 2 is in sight.
Highlights of Top 100 Week Part 2 were commanding performances from Loredo, born-again lady Lamb, and hot ballerina Talia. Stephen clashed with Damien, series favourite Christian hung on by the skin of his teeth, and we saw the last of Omar, Drumstick and dyslexic Renee. Carlo won’t match sister Demi this year, while Max’s brother Sisqo would still be with us – if only he’d just kept his big mouth shut.
Aching for Gianne, glued to Gemma
The second phase of Top 100 Week kicked off with more dancers facing the 3rd dance challenge of Sarah Bolter’s chorey. Brazilian Gianne looked like she’d come to the end of the road when Jason said “I don’t know how to say this … “, but he was teasing. “I a-a-ache for you”, he said. “You’re doing such a good job." Bonnie told ballerina Gemma, “I couldn’t take my eyes off you”. She wasn’t the only one.
Carlo sent back to school
Demi’s brother, Carlo, had reached a similar stage last year and Jason Coleman wanted to know what technical classes he’d done since then. None, said Carlo. “You just answered why I’m sending you home”, said Jason. Carlo said he came back this year to make it clear that he wasn’t just Demi’s brother. How could he have hoped to do that without lifting his game technically?
Sisqo blows it big time
The most sensational moment of Top 100 Week Part 2 was Sisqo seizing defeat from the jaws of victory.
Matt asked him a simple question – had he done enough to go through? Sisqo said, “Oh, yeah” just a little too arrogantly. Any doubt? Not at all, said Sisqo, continuing down a dangerous path. Nigel wanted to know what classes he’d done since last year. Sisqo said he taught classes six nights a week. Had he taken any? A couple. This is where things went seriously wrong for Sisqo.
Jason Coleman, who had the famous confrontation with Sisqo’s sister, Max, in the Sydney auditions of Ep 1, took up the line of questioning. “Twice?”, he asked.
“Yeah, twice, maybe twice, don’t say ‘twice’” – and here Sisqo mimicked Jason. Oh, dear. The other dancers – including sister Max – cringed. This was so not smart.
“See how far that gets you”, said Jason.
Nigel continued to question Sisqo, in a very calm manner, to find out what he had been doing to develop himself but Sisqo kept butting in and eventually the show’s creator exploded: “Shut up and listen!!! That’s your problem – you don’t listen.”
Jason then dropped the bombshell. The panel had brought Sisqo up to tell him that he was going through but now Jason thought there should be an opportunity for a re-vote. How would each of them vote now? Bonnie? Yes. Matt? Yes. Nigel? It had been a yes, now it was a no. Sarah? Sorry, said choregrapher, Sarah Bolter. I’m a no as well now. Which left Jason. No, he said. “You’re going home, mate. Thanks for coming.”
In the history of So You Think You Can Dance, can you think of any competitor who has blown their chances so spectacularly? If you can – or if you think that Sisqo was unfairly treated - let us know in the Comments below.
Group Chorey Challenge
As the dancers were still coming to grips with the drama that had just unfolded, they now had to get their heads around their next dance challenge – and it was a doozey. Split into 12 groups, they had to choose a track and choreograph their own routine – overnight. In the morning, they would be dancing to stay in the competition.
BJ and Emmanuel shine
Even though they’d been up until 4am rehearsing, the first group up totally nailed it. Season 2 veteran BJ cleverly chose to use the classically trained members of the group to frame resident Hip Hopper Emmanuel and it worked a treat. Matt said the routine had structure, while Nigel said it had “intelligence”. Big brownie points to BJ and Emmanuel.
Omar messes up
Previously homeless Omar had only been dancing for a year, and here it showed. He took a lead hand in the chorey that Nigel said was “horrible” and Jason described as “messy”. Jamie regretted not taking control but she, Charlie and Gianne would survive. However, someone had to take the fall, and unfortunately that meant farewell Omar.
Renee’s left right out
Chronic dyslexic Renee won hearts when she told us how she’d fought to overcome what is a huge disability for a dancer. But we won’t get the chance to get better acquainted. Nigel said she had “overperformed” in her group’s routine and this was the end of the road.
Loredo makes his mark
There are several reasons why Loredo leaves a lasting impression but here he established himself among the top tier of the competition by donning a top hat and totally commanding his bevy of female dancers. Lamb also stepped out from her Hip Hop persona by donning a sexy red dress and high heels. “I’m a lady”, she said. “You look hot”, said Jason more pointedly.
Big performance from Ben
Classically trained Ben had been criticised by Jason for an audition that was “stuck to the ground”. Here he choreographed a performance for his group that lifted off the Carriagework's roof. Suddenly he looked like a player but Leigh-Anne had also advanced her standing by displaying what Nigel said was a rare “maturity”.
Christian’s brush with mortality
The general consensus from the forums has been that Christian was the outstanding dancer of the auditions. Having worked with Mia Michaels, he should have found the Top 100 a walk in the park but here he almost took a bullet. Their routine was so busy, Matt was “waiting for the kitchen sink to come along”. Aston would pay the ultimate price but Christian, Sammy, Jesse and Kat had all stared death in the face.
David steps it up, Talia stands out
Hilton’s brother, David, won few friends in the last episode with his swaggering attitude but the bollocking seemed to have the desired effect. Bonnie felt he’d really “knuckled down” and he wasn’t going home. Unfortunately, Jay was. The big story in this group however was the totally mesmerising performance of 18-year old ballerina, Talia. “A standout”, said Matt. “You were hot”. Jason added, “Ballet dancers aren’t meant to be able to kick like that”.
Gabe gets nervous
The group containing Gemma, Amy, Gabe and Eli had been up until 5.30am rehearsing their routine but the judges felt they’d done a great job. Nigel singled out Amy, saying she had "something special up there". Eli too had done "really well". They were all going through but it wasn’t all good news for one-time wall-puncher Gabe. Nigel said that he felt there was a “nervous” barrier between them – which will be making Gabe very nervous indeed. Can he overcome this to make the finals?
Drumstick beats a reluctant retreat
With three highly accomplished dancers in Heath, Ash-Leigh and Chanelle, this group should have had a rails run into the next round. But they failed to accommodate their lone Hip Hopper in Drumstick and the lack of cohesion left the judges cold. Strangely, the price would be paid by the guy they left behind. Drumstick is gone. Does that seem fair to you? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Stephen clashes with Damien
One of the characters who shone like a star in the Sydney auditions was Stephen – who described his dance style as “freaky deaky”. He’s a big personality and when you put him in a hotel room with fellow alpha male, Damien – in a physically drained and sleep-deprived state – sparks will fly. Ultimately, Damien conceded and allowed Stephen the run of the roost. Would he live to regret it?
Not this time. The judges singled Damien out for special praise and he said that everything went well after he “shut up and took a back seat”. Damien had just been doubting himself, said Stephen. They all went through but there are likely to be lingering tensions.
The Samba Challenge some are bound to fail
We were now down to 50 dancers. How would they decide who deserved to go all the way? The challenge that would separate the wannabes from the finalists was going to be the African Samba routine that was choreographed by Jason Gilkison – and danced so memorably by Henry and Vanessa in Season 1.
Stephen said it was the hardest routine yet, the ballroom novices Charlie and Penny looked entirely clueless, while Christian and Gianne had to make a late change of partners because of a massive height difference. How could they hope to survive this and make the finals?
Next up – Green Mile walk to decide our Top 20
We’re nearly there. Thousands started the journey, and soon only 40 will remain to have their fate determined at the end of the already legendary Green Mile. What awaits them? A cruel no, or a ticket to their dreams? Watch Wednesday night’s Green Mile episode to find out. TEN. Wed. 7.30pm.
Have your say!
Was Sisqo a goose or hard done by? Should Drumstick have taken the fall for his group’s failure? Are you sorry to see Renee go? Who floated your boat and who do you hope will sink without trace? Let us know in the comments below.
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