The Scottish Olympics aka The Top 4 Finale!!!

8/8/2008

Opening Comments: The Judges


Cat Deeley is hott!


Guest judging tonight is Emmy Nominated Contemporary Choreographer Mandy Moore. Also we have Mary Murphy and the "equally lovely" Nigel Lithgoe.

For the finale, Cat explains that everyone will be dancing with everyone else, even a Courtney-Katee and Twitch-Josh mixup.
Dancers: Courtney & Twitch


A Hip Hop by Tabether & Napolean to "Church" by T-Pain ft. Teddy Verseti



Julia loves Tabether. Hmm what is with Courtney's pants? They could have given Courtney a much better outfit in general. The dance was ok for us, but Mandy points out that Twitch was hysterical and Mary calls the number "a knock-out." This dance gets a WOOOOO from Mary. Courtney really put her all into this. Mandy more is cheerleadery and nice and thanks the dancers.
Dancers: Katee & Joshua


A Lyrical by Wade Robson to "Slow Dancing In A Burning Room" by John Mayer

Wade is back! He says that this routine is about love being hard work but its the best thing you'll ever fight for. Liz loves the intro where he tips Katee to either side. I love John Mayer. This routine is very Wade, reminiscent of the choreography the Lauren & Neil did last season. It was "from the heart and very honest," Mandy Moore said. It had a sweet ending but was very realistic. Omg during critiques Joshua looks sick =( he looks purple. Maybe one of the hospitalizations? Liz thinks so. Mary thinks it it magical when Katee and Josh get together. They did great.
Dancers: Katee & Courtney


A Broadway by Tastey Oreo to "The Trolly Song" by Rufus Wainwright

tbh we thought this was kind of lame. meh...ok so it's cute; why couldn't they have done something competitive and edgy like the boy's upcoming number? They should have had Sonya choreograph a "girl fight." We agree that Katee's extentions are excellent. Nigel gets way harsh, Ty. He tells Courtney that there is a lesson to be learned and that Katee does things better and Courtney should learn from it. Hmm Katee is modestly thinking, "Nigel shut uppp" lol. Courtney is tough.
Dancers: Joshua & Twitch


A Russian Style by Youri Nelzine to "Trepak- Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite"

Oh damn, get ready... Ok, here we have two "untrained" hip hop dancers flitting around to classical music in MC Hammer pants. It is GENIUS! The rivalry tape was genius...our fav part is when Joshua walks in front of Twitch during his camera time and Twitch says, "I hate him." lol! Jules loves the "Marry Me Twitch" sign in the audience. Twitch on the ground is fabulous and Joshua's toe touch things are freaking amazing!!!

They got a standing ovation from all judges. They are just so athletic. "Testosterone OD." Mary WOOOO's and Nigel busts out a "let's be honest" when he says he knew they would be good because it's russian street dance. UM no Nigel. That is a little more than that. Nigel is obsessed with bringing the world to this stage and Twitch and Joshua are just pawns in his bohemeth game. Josh's elevation is superb. Liz's favorite of the night.
Dancers: Twitch & Katee


A Foxtrot by Tony Meredith & Melannie to "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble

*side note: What Not To Wear did not help Melannie

Woo woo, Katee gets the boy finally! Liz loves this song btw. This is the best foxtrot ever forreal. We love the lift; it is flawless! Twitch is a great partner and looks like James Bond! woo woo! Mary compliments Twitch, telling him how darn "snappy" he is, and that he is "one cool gentleman" (giggling under our breath at Mary's choice of words). Cat Deeley is all over Twitch and his "Bond"-ness. Mary says, "Bravo, BRA VO!" to Katee and Nigel says she is "splendid." Twitch is apparently "too British" to Nigel in his dance- ummm??? whatev. I love it.
Dancers: Joshua & Courtney


A Jive by Jason Gilkinson to "The Dirty Boogie" by The Brian Setzer Orchestra

There is a lot in this dance. Mary says this is the fastest and hardest style, and Jason reveals that this is one of his most intense routines. We thought the ending stunts were really great. I don't like marroon for this. hmm. But honestly they are working so hard and there are some hard moves in here. I like all the swooping Courtney underneath and all over the place. It was a tough one. Nigel is disappointed with the "jive" aspects, but is not "trying to knock them," just wants to be honest. Nigel just says, "Be Better." They look tired after its all done. whew.
The Solos


Courtney danced a solo to "They Weren't There" by Missy Higgins. Julia says she looks good in yellow.

We find out that Courtney is from Long Island and her Dad will totally kick Nigel's ass. In her personal interview with Cat Deeley, Courtney says that she knows she is not the best dancer, but that the show isn't about being the best dancer. All she wants to do is grow. Courtney succeeds because she has a great outlook and support system. Her favorite dance is the Sonya Jazz from last week. p.s. Courtney has a boyfriend.

Twitch danced a solo to "It Was All In Your Mind" by Wade Robson (he writes music i guess, apparently)

We learn about Twitch's childhood...aww he wore glasses and got picked on! Aww he's so cute. We love his original first tryout solo. Twitch would have gone into the Navy had he not made the cut this year! Uh ohhh he admits that he totally had his eye out for Kherington and was hoping to get her as a partner. His favorite dance was the Viennese Waltz for Jean-Mark's daughter. He is very genuine and says all the right things. Twitch was amazing in that dance btw. Julia says he really brings it in his solo and brings very high energy.

side note: omg he is totally giving Cat a full on shoulder massage.

Katee danced to "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap.

For her favorite routine, Katee chose "No Air," hip hop by Tabether and Napolean because it was so emotional and her first time on stage. She had to put a lot into her partnership and her and Josh became close really fast. Katee says she does funny dance moves because....well, even she doesn't realize she's doing it. She never wants to be too serious that she cannot have fun.

And for all the Katee haters out there-- Katee has a great personality!! what the heck

Joshua danced a lapdance version of "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic lol

We find out that Joshua did not have a lot growing up and definately had his fair share of struggles. His crossroads came when he ditched football for dance. Aww Cat starts making fun of his crybaby tendencies. p.s. Liz loves it when he cries (tears of happiness of course). His favorite dance was the Samba with Katee because it was outside of his element and he loved the judges response to his hard work and tight pants. I think he liked it because he got to show off his "buns."

In Joshua's solo, Mandy says he has such charisma and knows how to hit. I mean comon he totally made Nigel blush! Mary brags about how she called it that he would be in the finale and Nigel says that Joshua has "set the standard for untrained dancers."
The Mia Dance Finale

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An ending dance performed by all four dancers to a Mia Michael's routine. Music: Hallelujah by Vitamin String Cortet.

Ok so literally, this dance is like "what is going on" but Liz likes it. No response from Julia. lol. I know. It's a cross between beautiful string music, scottish kilts, and the olympics. Who knows why they are wearing that attire? Only Mia. The lighting could have been better we needed some spotlights in there. But I loved it. Joshua does a gorilla move, and they are sprinting all over the place---jump-roping, lifting, running sheets across stage.

Like Nigel said, I don't quite "get" it but it works for me. It just shows empowerment and the song "Hallelujah" makes it that much better. It just looks like athleticism. p.s. I'm sure the girls were burning up in those long-sleeved up to their neck dresses. wtheck Mia? She mentions in studio time that she is going to really "dance them." I agree that all this plus practicing for tomorrow's finale is physical abuse for sure.

At the end they are bent over just out of breath and out of energy. They had just pulled their last strings for the night. And it was the bomb.


Sidenote: There is a girl in the audience at the end here that looks just like Julia. It's uncanny.

Conclusion

YES, it was true that two of the four top dancers were hospitalized over the weekend. And it's no wonder. Who knows what else they were practicing for tomorrow. This has been the most pressure finalists have ever had to face.

I love all the top four but admit to missing Chelsie =(

Looking forward to tomorrow's show. Liz thinks Katee will win. And Nigel is a freaky old bastard.