So You Think You Can Dance? 4 Favorite Performances (pt. 1)

Yes, finally!

19. Chelsie & Joshua - Argentine Tango

I call this the old Hollywood version of an Argentine Tango. It would’ve ranked higher on my list had it been done with dancers that had a little bit more chemistry, but I like the pacing of this routine, and the dark smoky atmosphere, and just how the choreography is structured. Once again, Dimitry’s work impresses me; I can see why he’s working with different versions of SYTYCD around the world! He’s really, really good at this. And Chelsie executed this SO well! Her footwork….WOW!

18. Twitch and Kherington - Viennese Waltz

I can’t disagree with people who say the Australian version of this routine was superior, but ours was pretty darn good as well. Everything flowed so perfectly, just the way I like a waltz to be.

17. Thayne & Chelsea - Samba

We CAN’T forget about this fab Cha-cha from Thayne and Chelsea, which was the first smokin’ hot routine of S4! Man Chelsea had so much spunk, it’s a shame they let her go so quickly.

16. Twitch and Kherington - Contemporary

To me this routine looked like Mia was overworked that week and had to come up with something last minute, but there are still certain elements to it that I really like. Like the way Kherington slides on to the bed, and Twitch turns but she jumps out of the way. If you really watch the routine, the whole thing is just about him trying to catch her, wondering whether she’s really there or not. And I guess he gets his answer, which brings me to my favorite part….

….the moment where they just stop and look at each other. The connection between the two of them was so good here, and out of the whole season this is one of those moments that I remember. Overall, I’m still underwhelmed by Twitch’s versatility but he always plays his characters well.

15. Will & Courtney - Mambo

This is such an underrated routine, I bet it won’t be on many top 20 lists except mine, but it should be! It was fun and vibrant and a breath of fresh air with the lack of Latin this season. I really like Courtney doing Latin, and Will always looks like a jazz dancer trying to shake his hips when he does Latin routines but he did the best he could. He kinda looked like a stripper, too.

14. Mark & Chelsie - Broadway

Marksie is always so fun to watch! I’ll just give a little bit away here and admit that this is the only Broadway routine on my list this year. There were plenty of other good ones, but I got so sick of them this season! I wish they would go back to having only four or five of them each year; plus Tyce is so much better doing contemporary.

Enough whining, though.

How amazing did Chelsie look in that dress, with the jewels and the hair, and the makeup and….well, just everything! Seriously, so cut. And Mark in a tank top with suspenders and those little finger gloves? No complaints from me there! They not only looked great, but also danced well. Mark got some criticism, but he put the most pizazz into this routine out of the two,

13. Mark & Chelsie - Argentine Tango

I probably love this routine way more than I should. This is the moment that solidified Mark as my favorite in the competition. I had my eye on him from the moment he started that solo to Bohemian Rhapsody in Vegas, but for some reason I didn’t expect much to come from him. Oh me of little faith. He proved his versatility in this routine. Just the fact that the choreographers didn’t pull an Ivan and just have him stand there where Chelsie rubbed her legs all over him showed something. Look at that footwork! Look at those round kick thingies he does! Sorry, I don’t know what they’re called but they look cool.

Oh, and he was hot.

The judges criticized Chelsie for not having enough “passion” in this dance, but I like they way these two played it. Sweet innocent girl wanders into some dark, seedy club and ends up getting seduced by some dark, mysterious man. Can’t complain, that works.

12. Joshua & Katee - Bollywood

How can you not like this routine? It’s just pure fun.    Gotta love how the whole thing builds and gets faster and faster as it goes along.  Best moment for me is when Josh does his little dance with Katee in the background.

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11. Mark & Chelsie - “Beautiful”

The name of the song sums up this routine. The idea behind this is great, some people didn’t really get how the routine was supposed to be like Tim Burtons wedding. It didn’t need to be dark or creepy, it was just the idea of two quirky people hopelessly in love, and Mark especially played that part perfectly. My favorite moment is the shot above, where Chelsie takes him in her arms, SO sweet! And of course the subsequent rolling thing they did. Gotta give extra credit to Chelsie for being able to dance in that ridiculously huge wedding dress.

BONUS: Favorite Group Routines

5. Mia’s Top 5 Girls Routine - “Ave Maria”
It always surprises me that I don’t like this routine more, but it was still one of the best of the season. And here I go trying to pick Mia’s brain again…..watching this routine really makes me think of The Virgin Suicides for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s about that, or angels in purgatory, or maybe fallen angels. I love the part with the hand at the end, such a poignant moment. [Watch It]

4. Shane Spark’s Finale - “Boom”
I’m not a fan of Shane’s work but he deserves praise for two great group routines this season. And I loved “Elevator”, but this routine from the finale was even better! Comfort killed it with the booty dancing, and there was pretty creative stuff in there, like the part when Gev went under all of the girls feet. [View It]

3. Mandy Moore’s Top 3 - “The Rose”
So many people HATED this and I don’t blame them in the least bit. Still, I love it. Yes, it’s sappy but it’s simple, sweet and like one of the judges said, classy. I think it’s mainly Mark/Chelsie fans who loved this because it was absolutely the perfect way for them to go out. [Watch It]

2. Chuck Maldanado’s Top 5 - “Universal Mind Control”
The dancers dressed up like power rangers doing a cool hip hop routine; what’s not to love? [Watch It]

1. …….find out tomorrow! (But I think you already know what it is!)