So You Think You Can Dance is struggling for ratings this year with it way under the magic million mark. Is this because of the new night it is showing on a Wednesday night? I think it does fit better in the Sunday night spot. Or maybe people are getting sick of the genre. The US version of the show here bombed last time it was shown, and they have not even bothered showing hte latest season.

Unfortunately Ten’s second channel is a sport one.

A few thoughts on tonight’s episode:

• Robbie and Ivy’s Debbie Ellis routine was great it will be interesting to see how they go next week with different partners;
• The Mary Poppins routine was perfect for Heath because he was able to really camp it up, conversely I was a fan of Jessica’s but she is losing me, she is just not hitting any new heights;
• And if you didn’t know Matt Lee will be starring in Mary Poppins later on in the year you do now;
• Renee and Phillipe’s hip hop routine song, was set to Wade Robson’s music, is there anything that guy cannot do?
• Can we just talk about Jess’s tattoo down her left side – is this something she is going to regret in 10 year’s time? By the way I am not sure Jess is connecting with the audience if she makes top ten it will be interesting to see if she gets votes;
• Carly was ordinary in the salsa with Kieran and needs to keep her mouth shut when she dances;
• I get the feeling Matt will be gone if he lands in the bottom three;
• Move over Tania Zaetta, Ivy is coming to Mumbai, it was perfect for her, I wondered if that was a bit rigged that her and Robbie got that genre;
• Underwhelmed by Heath and Jessica’s sloppy hip hop, did Nacho Pop choreograph it or is off still flipping burgers somewhere?
• I really liked Jess in the Gabrielle Climi routine.  I thought there were some partnerwork issues, but that could  have been Nick being tentative after his injury in rehearsal;
• The pinochhio routine is going to take put Keiran and Carly into the bottom three, that choreographer Yianni needs to be sacked, but then Bonnie thought it was the best routine of the night – Go Figure;
• Pasha and Anya are still here in Australia +2, Phillipe having his shirt buttoned up -1. By the way why has noone interviewed Anya and Pasha?
• The Square Divison routine was well danced but just not exciting enough.

Bottom Three prediction: Carly and Keiran, Heath and Jessica; Renee and Phillipe.

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These are a bit late but here are the exit interviews from the first four dancers eliminated.

Go Who Mag to see what Mikheala and Gaz have to say. Unfortunately Gaz picked Grace to win but she was eliminated the week after him.

And here is an interview with Ilona and Will who were first dancers to be eliminated. Will still won’t reveal who he is engaged to. Apparently they are a lead in another show, but not a dancer. Does anyone want to take a wild guess? I have no idea.

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Did Kelley Abbey get a leave pass from the judging panel tonight? Very unusual that a guest judge only on the panel for the performance show. Maybe she was caught up in Fame rehearsals. By the way are tickets on sale for the show yet?

Also have Natalie Bassingthwaighte’s boobs double in size since she has become pregnant? Wow.

It was no surprise that Don and Issi, and Phillipe and Renee were in the bottom three. I was slightly surprised by Matt and Jessie, as I thought their routine was pretty good. But as a reader (akris)  of this site noted under last night’s blog post, that jazz routines in weird costumes never do very good. Well they were spot on.

I think Phillipe’s solo was pretty underwhelming and in a stronger bottom three would have put him at risk of elimination. Matt’s was definitely the best. Don tried but I had seen a lot of those moves before.

The girls were much stronger. Jessie was amazing, Renee was great, and Issi’s was original but a bit too cutsie.

No surprise Issi and Don were eliminated. I feel sorry for Don, I got the feeling he never got started in the competition as he never really clicked with Issi and you knew an elimination was inevitable once they both hit the bottom three. Considering he auditioned three times, and was probably one of the strongest B Boys the competition has had his elimination was a bit sad.

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The producers and judges were not very happy with the Australia voters last week, as they have changed the format, you can now vote from the beginning of the show. Australian Idol tried that last year, I am not sure if it had an impact on who stayed and who went.

Just a few thoughts on the show:

• I think Issi is sucking the Mojo out Don, metaphorically speaking – I think it is time for them to go;
• Robbie was amazing in the routine even though with the moustache he reminded me of Prince, and Ivy was a little Sheila E.  Ivy now she has flicked Gaz and stopped gabbing so much is looking like a major threat;
• Jessica and Heath were good, but I am a bit over the the depressing plots of the contemporary routines;
• Keiran and Carly also did a good contemporary routine, but I think Carly over dances;
• I really loved Matt and Jessica’s routine, I guess Matt’s ankle must be getting better as he put a lot of weight through it;
• I thought Phillipe and Renee’s waltz was boring and looked  a little awkward;
• Jess outdanced Nick in their old school hip hop routine, but he looked low on energy compared to her;
• Again I thought Jason Coleman took a swipe at Adam Williams about the Chicago routine, is there some history there?

Bottom three predictions – Issi and Don, Heath and Jessica, and Renee and Phillipe.

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“Vote for the dancing Australia,” moaned Matt Lee down the camera obviously not happy with who landed in the bottom three couples. “I think we are going to have to go backstage to discuss this,” he continued. What? Don’t you judge it on the solos? Clearly Australia had just wrecked the story the judges thought was going to play out tonight. 

I was surprised that  Carly and Kieran were in the bottom three, but  Grace and Nick, and Jess and Doug I wasn’t.

I know the judges raved about Grace and Nick’s hip hop routine, but I found it flat and dull. Jess and Doug just have not popped yet, they should, but maybe they just lack chemistry. Issi and Don should have been there but obviously they have a lot of fans out there.

And Jason Coleman gave the viewer another lecture at the end of the show about voting for the best dancers, but really the show has always been about voting for Australia’s favourite dancer. Now some years that will mean the best dancer will win, other years it won’t. Deal with it.

However I think the judges eliminated the wrong girl. I thought Carly should have gone. I thought her solo was more rhythmic gymnastics then dancing. And Grace’s I really enjoyed. I think Grace has more depth to her dancing than Carly. Also I think Kieran and Grace would have made a great partnership.

With the boys I thought Doug was the logical choice, for three weeks in a row he has been pretty weak with the lifts and has not stood out. Also I thought his solo was more athletic than dancing. However I found him very likeable.

Now if Don could give Issi an extra hard squeeze on the ribs Grace might be able to come back in the competition.

The third contract was announced tonight it will be a role in the musical Hairspray. David Atkins is to be the director and Jason Coleman the choreographer. The prizes this year are fabulous.

Unfortunately for Ten the ratings are not as good as they were when it was screening on Sunday nights. However with Adam Lambert, the American Idol runner-up on the show tonight, that could pull in a few more viewers. And in unsurprising news Adam announced he will be performing at Mardi Gras.  Hope he has a ball.

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Love her or loath her, Mary Murphy adds a positive energy to the judging panel on So You Think You Can Dance Australia her comic timing is great and she knows how to break a tense moment as she did when Carly was having a meltdown.

Natalie Bassingthwaite looked smoking hot tonight, and fulfilled the hosting role really well by keeping things rolling along nicely.

Again tonight showed if you get the good choreographers you are going to have a better opportunity to shine.

Nick and Grace – Hip Hop by  Tiana Canterbury – Rhianna -Rude Boy

Both of these dancers have hip hop in their dancing past, so they both danced well, but I just hated the routine. Yes I know I have hip hop issues, but maybe Australia just does not have that many good hip choreographers, as it always seems to be a bit unsophisticated ie  bit hip hop 101. However the judges loved it.

Jason told Grace he liked his hip hop to be a bit more of an effortless, but he thought it was a great routine.

Matt Lee thought Grace hit how it should have been hit. And he thought Nick was comfortable.

Mary Murphy put both of them on the hot tamale train. WTF?

Kieran and Carly – Walz  by Aric & Marsha – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Hushaby Mountain

Do you really want to be doing ballroom the week Mary Murphy noted ballroom specialist is on the show? Now I think the waltz can be a bit of deathtrap for the unweary, butI thought it was enjoyable helped by an interesting song choice. How good lookng were the choreographers? Marsha looked like a European starlet.

Mary would have like to have seen more from Carly, but liked Keiran.

Matt Lee thought Kieran was the one to watch in the competition.

Jason Coleman wants her to open up her shoulders, but he upset her when he asked her how she felt about her shoe becoming caught in the skirt. But I think she was upset about being the weak link in the routine. He also said that he did not think that Kieran would be as good in the competition as he is. Hellooooo I predicted he would go top four from the beginning.

Jess and Doug – Jazz by Adam Williams – LadyHawke Delirium

This pair should be a strong partnership as they are both professional dancers. And this week they were better, but they still  are not getting me to pick up the phone. I agree with Jason’s view that he thought it was an improvement but he still thinks they are part way there. I really get the feeling that Jason Coleman does not particularly like Adam Williams? Normally he acknowledges the choreographer particularly if the routine is good, but he did not. I am unsure whether it is professional or personal.

Phillipe and Renee – Contemporary by Debbie Ellis – Selena Cross Silence

A couple of weeks ago I had written a blog post on another site titled I Don’t Want To Be A Cougar.  Phillipe I lied. My favourite routine of the night. Phillipe made those lifts look effortless, I am really starting think he is going to go a lot further than I thought he was going to. And I am not just saying that because he was not wearing a shirt.

Mary Murphy thougth it was powerful routine, and thought Renee can really dance. Mary’s head was also turned by the six pack and thought he was a star.

Jessica and Heath – Tango by Trent and Gordana – Muse – Undisclosed Desires

I did not think this routine was as bad as the judges said it was. Some of the lifts were abit clunky, but I did not find it unenjoyble.  However someone should have raised the issu of Heath’s peroxide mullet, that definitely deserves a bottom three position.

Mary Murphy said she did not believe the chemistry between them.  She thought it was not that great.

Jason Coleman thought they did an OK job.  Matt Lee required more fire in the routine.

Matt and Jessie – Hip Hop by Travers Ross – Xavier Rudd Fortune Teller

All I could think of his how are they going to get Jessie’s dreds out. Also Jessie is an amazing dancer. Matt was not aas good as her but still OK.  I really liked this hip hop routine, but it was called an earthy hip hop, so it was more a jazz number.

Jason hated the routine, and thought he had no idea what it meant. Really without being told in the pre-performance package what the ”plot” of the routine is would we ever know what story they are telling. He also did not think it was accessible to the audience. However the other judges did like it.

Don and Issi – Contemporary by Sarah Boulter – Led Zepplin – Stairway to Heavan

Apparently Issi’s ribs are not great and the routine needed to be altered so Don did not have to do the lifts where his hands were around her ribcage. With all the alterations to the choreography I think this did not make Sarah Boulter’s routine quite so outstanding as they usually are. I suspect if Issi lands bottom three she will be sent home, the same probably for Don.

Matt Lee thought it fell short particularly Don as his eyes were on his feet.

Mary thought it showed Don’s weaknesses. She did like watching Issi dance and thought she was angel like.

Jason did not follow the story of the routine.

Robbie and Ivy – Jazz by Juliet Verne – Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

I think Robbie is loving dancing with Ivy, he was not unkind about Mikhaela, however you could tell he was relieved to have a change.

I really loved this routine I thought Ivy popped in it. She looked great in the blonde wig. They danced really well together. Robbie struggled a little bit on one of the lifts, but it was not as clunky as some of the other lifts going around tonight. Great news for Robbie fans.

Jason thought it was different, intense and memorable. One of the best routines of the night, along with Renee and Phillipe.

My bottom three predictions – Grace and Nick, Don and Issi, and Heath and Jessica.

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Mary Murphy really does have the best job in the world. She gets to fly around and be a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance franchises around the world.

Mary is known for her loud scream and putting people on her hot tamale train. Yes she is nice, but she is not afraid to tell the truth if she thinks the routine sucks.

Adam Lambert will also be singing on an episode of the show, I don’t think it will be tomorrow’s night one,  if so he will be a tad jet lagged. The go this year with the special guest performers is pre-recording them.

So You Think You Can Dance Australia is on Channel Ten tonight at 8.00pm.

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HELLLOOOOO the gorgeous Pascha from the US So You Think You Can Dance is in Sydney dancing with Jason Gilkison’s Burn The Floor. Where is he staying, as I need to stalk him.

Speaking of the Gilkison, he is offering one of the new choice of contracts to join Burn The Floor for the 35 week tour of the United States.  I bet the winner takes that prize. Far more exciting then hanging out in Adelaide. No offence to my Adelaide readers.

Yet again there was a shock in the bottom three of Heath and Jessica who had done a nice contemporary routine. Maybe Jessica’s self doubt affected the voters and they were ambivalent about voting for her. Or maybe people didn’t care for the Anthony Ikin routine.

Matt must of been happy that he was safe as he would have been unable to do a solo and would have been turfed. I am very suprised Issi and Don were not in the bottom three, as that Foxtrot was very ordinary.

The Nacho Plop curse struck again with Mikhaela and Robbie in the bottom three with their lacklustre boogaloo routine. I see they are sending him on a roadtrip again, the dancers will be happy about that.

And Gaz and Ivy also hit the bottom three for their superhero hip-hop routine. Maybe the it was the hex of the new choreographers hitting as Alvin DeCastro was also a first timer.

All the men’s solo were amazing, I actually pity the judges.

I thought Jessica’s solo really cute, and she did a great job considering it is hard to shine in solo’s as a ballroom dancer.

Mikhaela’s solo was really ordinary and confirmed for me that she should not have made the top 20. But I think Ivy was lucky that Mikhaela’s was bottom three otherwise it would have been her walking the plank as her solo was not fabulous. It was no surprise Mikhaela was eliminated.

I was not surprised Gaz was eliminated. He was devastated, it was like in his mind this was last chance saloon for him. But he should not panic, as Matt’s foot may not come good and he may have to come back into the competition. Also the men are so strong this year.

Just realised Robbie’s new partner is Ivy – Oh Vey!  Also Mary Murphy is going to be a special guest judge next – she always brings some life to the judging panel.

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Now we know that Natalie Bassingthwaite is pregnant she is back wearing the slinky dresses. She is looking good, and I hope that once the pregnancy is over that she continues to steerclear of the botox.

Jason Gilkison was special guest judge on the panel tonight, and it was revealed he had been on the judging panel of the US version of the show. This must have been the season that Ten did not screen over here.

Gaz and Ivy – Hip Hop – choreographed by Alvin DeCastro – Down  Jay Sean

Both of them are injured so maybe that is why there were not many tricks and lifts. However as hip hop routines go I thought it was OK. Ivy I thought was perfect in her student/cheerleader type part, and Gaz was in his genre so looked comfortable. Not memorable, however I hope they give the choreographer Alvin another go with two dancers that are not injured as it will be interesting to see what he would come up with.

Jason Coleman thought it was cute, and he got into the story line. He told Gaz that when he is in the unison moments to “sit slightly back and feel her more, feel the energy of her dancing.” I have no idea what he meant by that.

Matt Lee thought the unison in the chorus let them down as they were both out. Thought it was a cute performance. He thought the finesse was missing from Ivy in her hip hop style.

Jason Gilkison thought the concept was great. He thought the casting was perfect for the choreography.

Issi and Don – Foxtrot – Carmelo Pizzino – Haven’t Met You Yet - Michael Buble

Issi is about the only dancer ever grateful to pull out ballroom, as she has a rib injury and said she needed something less vigorous otherwise she may have had to pull out of the show. Ilona will be gritting her teeth when she hears that.

It was a good performance by them both, but the dancing was lightweight. That could have been the choreography. Though I don’t think this pair is gelling.

Matt Lee thought unison was an issue, and said Don again sits ahead of the beat. Thought they did a great job at attempting the foxtrot.

Jason Gilkison thought it was pretty good, and he thought Fred Astaire would be pretty proud of it.

Jason Coleman liked Don’s  performance over Issi’s.

Heath and Jessica – Contemporary – Choreographed by Paul White and Anthony Ikin – Last Request -Paolo Nutini

Anthony Ikin who was in season one put in a gymnastic move in the routine which had Jessica in tears in the rehearsal, but I was so busy watching Heath I must have missed her doing it. Nice routine, a bit generic contemporary but I will be interested to see more of their choreography to see if it evolves.

Matt Lee thought the lifting was much better this week. Matt thought Heath needs to stretch his feet a bit, and suggested picking up a flannel with his feet in the shower. I wonder how many wannabe dancers will be doing that in the shower tomorrow.

I have to be honest I was so busy looking at Heath’s amazing muscle definition (not in a pervy way) that I did not notice the feet.

Jason Gilkison thought Jessica’s weekly meltdown was part of her process. He thought they did a great job.

Jason Coleman turned into  a life coach and told Jessica you need to feel worthy as she was not doing her or her partner any good. He loved Heath.

Matt and Jessie – Jazz – Choreographed by Project Moda – Starstrukk 3OH!3 feat. Katy Perry

Jessie’s confidence has been rocked by being in the bottom three with tears. This girl is the best dancer in the competition and I have no idea why they were bottom three last week. I really liked this routine. I thought she totally rocked it. Matt was overshadowed by her but he did not do anything wrong. It was high energy. Maybe this pair is getting an anti-Shire backlash.

Jason G said Matt was the entertainer in the competition but he needs more finesse. He thought Jessie was amazing.

Jason Coleman thought the unison was fantastic.

Matt Lee liked the high intensity of the routine. He also thought it could have been to Jessie’s advantage that she was in the bottom three last week, as Australia got to see her amazing solo. I tend to agree. People who are her fans will be voting for them this week.

Robbie and Mikheala – Hip Hop choreographed by Nacho Pop – Push It - Leon Haywood

I thought Nacho Pop was being sent on another MacDonald’s road trip, if not can he be. I thought this was one of his better routines, helped by a cracker of a song, but sometimes his routines are a bit too cool for school. Mikheala who was in her genre could have done more, and Robbie was fine but maybe overdanced.

Jason Coleman explained to the layperson at home that the bugaloo is under and does not pop like a Shane Sparks routine. He thought there was not enough pop from Mikhaela, and not enough unison.

Matt Lee thinks it is hard for people that don’t specialise in boogaloo to wow are crowd. He thought it had no pop. He also said that it looked like Mikheala was not into this.

Jasons Gilkison thinks the pairing has no chemistry.

Maybe Robbie needs to land in the bottom three so Mikhael gets eliminated and he gets a new partner.

Grace and Nick- Contemporary choreographed by Juliette Verne Pretty Wings Maxwell

 A lovely routine , which  did evoke the emotions that Juliette Verne was wanting of loss, resilience, acceptance and hope.

Matt Lee thought it was a heavy burden the story they had to portray and he thought they did a good job.

Jason Gilkison thought the pairing of Nick and Grace had the potential to be a power couple.

Kieran and Carly – Broadway Jazz choreographed by Cameron Mitchell The Tennis Song City Angels

I totally bought into this routine. It was like watching a old movie. Kieran was perfect as the geeky tennis player. This guy is the dark horse to win the competition.

Jason G thought it was fabulously choreographed. He loved it and he thought Keiran was fantastic.

Jason Coleman thought Carly overdanced.

Renee and Phillippe – Pasa Doble by Leanne Bampton – Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Another Pasa Doble for Phillipe next week please, he was steamy all they way through it. I am a bit over Renee’s lack of self-esteem about her looks. For God sake you are not ugly. Loved the choice of music, loved the dancing and loved the choreography.

Jason G  said he was drawn to Phillipe and told him it was a fantastic effort. He thought Renee did a great job but could do a little bit more.

Jason C thought the intensity died after the first 20 seconds, but came back towards the end.

Matt Lee thought the performance was a bit under.

Doug and Jess – Lyrical Contemporary by Amy Delves – Fireflies  Owlcity

The routine was well choreographed, but there were just to many little mistakes in it to think it was fantastic.And considering they are both professional dancers I expected more. I think most of the mistakes were Dougs as they were around the lifts. I am still trying to work out how good a dancer Jess is, I keep on waiting for that one performance that turns me into a fan.

Jason Coleman gave away a producer’s trick and said they always finish with the best routine of the night. He did not think this was the case. He saw every grip, and every grip change. He thought it was laboured and not lyrical. He thought it was underrehearsed. Jason thought the it was a big ask to do all those lifts for such a new couple.

Bonnie Lythgoe thought the routine was great.

Matt Lee thought the lifts were difficult.

Jason G thinks Doug is one of the better dancers in the competition, but we have not seen it on the stage.

My bottom three predictions – Robbie and Mikhaela, Issi and Don, and Ivy and Gaz.

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Exciting times for So You Think You Can Dance Australia host Natalie Bassingthwaite, with news she is pregnant with her first child.

Here is a link to an exerpt in Ok Mag, but you will need to buy the mag for the full enchilada.

I hope it goes well for her.

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