So You Think You Can Dance 3: Ranking The Top 8
By Jacob D.
July 27, 2007
This week on So You Think You Can Dance, the top ten danced for the first time as the top ten. Each person picked a random partner for a pairs' routine and then danced a solo choreographed by Wade Robson. Here's who danced what with whom:
Lauren & Pasha- hip hop
Sabra & Kameron- contemporary
Lacey & Danny- samba
Jaimie & Dominic- viennese waltz
Sara & Neil- disco
Everyone, but Pasha, Kameron, and Dominic seemed to get good marks in the pairs' routines. Pasha was called out for seeming out of his league, Kameron for not breaking through, and Dominic for his hammy acting and lack of technique. Meanwhile, female dancers Lauren, Lacey, and particularly Sabra continued to rise in the ranks. As for the solos, with everyone dancing the same, who could really stand out? The judges loved Lauren, Sabra, Kameron, Lacey, and Danny's takes, but were not impressed with the others.
Personally, I thought the ten similar solos were tedious. It was interesting at first, ok around the third time, boring around the fifth, and ridiculous afterwards. I know it was supposed to be inspiring and put forth a message, but all I could think was, "Oh heck, there goes that John Mayer routine again." If we have time for solos, why not let everyone do their own solo? And if we must have a theme, let them choreograph it their own way and tell a story. I think that's a better way of seeing who is in tune with the feeling of dance and can stand out.
Getting back to the show, we know what the judges think, but what did America think? This was the first time we were voting for individual dancers so it'll be interesting to see who we're really favoring. On results night, the bottom four were pulled out. Cat Deeley started with the top five girls and we found out that Jaimie and Lauren were in danger. As for the top give guys, Dominic and Kameron could not escape the vote. After the bottom four danced their solos, Jaimie and Kameron were sent home with the least amount of votes. I'm not surprised about either, but I love Kameron and will miss him.
By the way, I adore Mika and have his CD, but "Love Today" is his most annoying song. Couldn't he perform "Grace Kelly" or even "Lollipop?" Better yet, send him over to America's Got Talent so he can sing "Big Girl, You Are Beautiful" with The Glamazons.
Lacey
Current Ranking: 1 - Previous Ranking: 1
Lacey is a firecracker who gives the dances her all, she has tons of fans, the judges continue to bow at her feet, and she is the only dancer left who has yet to be in the bottom group. How could I not keep Lacey in first? Whether she can ride this to the finale like Benji did, who also was never in the bottom group, remains to be seen, but she's working on it.
Sabra
Current Ranking: 2 - Previous Ranking: 10
Throughout the whole first half of the competition, I wasn't sure if Sabra made a real impact. This week, however, was all about Sabra! I don't know whether she was biding her time or if the audience really did favor her over or equal to Dominic, but she exploded this week. Her solo was fantastic, her contemporary was fantastic, the judges are star struck, and for the first time Sabra really commanded the stage. The judges were drooling in their seats as they lapped everything she gave with Mia even calling Sabra her favorite. The audience responded in kind and kept Sabra away from the bottom group. Now all she needs to do is take this momentum and run with it!
Neil
Current Ranking: 3 - Previous Ranking: 9
Neil continues to bug me with this overbearing, "Look how goofy/funny/cool/dorky I am!" routine. However, I can't deny his talent. I was as impressed as the judges with that first flip in his disco routine with Sara. His solos continue to leave me cold as he also seems to be trying too hard to prove something with all these tricks and leaps and not enough actual dancing. Still, he can dance and he seems to be very popular. Neil won't be in any real danger any time soon.
Sara
Current Ranking: 4 - Previous Ranking: 3
I was surprised this week because I thought Sara would be in the bottom group. She's not as out there, exuberant as the other girls and didn't receive as much praise, but I can see now I shouldn't have worried. I love Sara and her versatility is fantastic. No matter what she does, she seems to take to it like an old pro. This chameleon mode will be what keeps her going. Love ya Sara!
Pasha
Current Ranking: 5 - Previous Ranking: 5
Pasha was safe this week and has so far been in the bottom group only once, but I still don't feel like he's a big contender. The russian males have also never challenged for the title and Pasha has weaker presence than Artem or Dmitry from previous seasons. He's someone who needs to work on stepping things up.
Danny
Current Ranking: 6 - Previous Ranking: 8
I don't know why or how, but I found myself liking Danny this week. Not a lot, but more than previous weeks. His technique really is something to behold and transcends boundaries. I adored his samba with Lacey and it was my second favorite routine of the whole season. His solo was lovely and Mia even said he has what it takes to go down in history. All that's left is to work on chipping down that wall he has up and he'll be a true star. For now, the audience liked him enough to keep him safe. Good work Danny.
Lauren
Current Ranking: 7 - Previous Ranking: 6
It was a bit of a zero sum week for Lauren. The judges adored her and were not shy with their praise, but she ended up in the bottom group. This week, I'll call it in favor of stiff competition plus rising stakes and not unpopularity, but if it keeps happening, then maybe Lauren isn't the one to win. This was her third time after all.
Dominic
Current Ranking: 8 - Previous Ranking: 2
Dominic does embody what this competition is about, but there are still thing he can learn. For instance, being too hammy can work against you. We know you have a personality, now let's see you sharpen your technique. Hip hop dancers, with the exception of Jamile in season one, haven't been known to challenge for the title, so you've got some work to do.
Jaimie
Eliminated: Week Six
Jaimie was the sixth girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kameron
Eliminated: Week Six
Kameron was the sixth guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hok
Eliminated: Week Five
Hok was the fifth guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anya
Eliminated: Week Five
Anya was the fifth girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cedric
Eliminated: Week Four
Cedric was the fourth guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shauna
Eliminated: Week Four
Shauna was the fourth girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jessi
Eliminated: Week Three
Jessi was the third girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jesus
Eliminated: Week Three
Jesus was the third guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jimmy
Eliminated: Week Two
Jimmy was the second guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faina
Eliminated: Week Two
Faina was the second girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ricky
Eliminated: Week One
Ricky was the first guy eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashlee
Eliminated: Week One
Ashlee was the first girl eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance 3.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacob D. is a twenty-something native of Austin Tx who spends his time
listening to music, posting on Austin based messageboards, playing
video games, and watching TV. Jacob also enjoys reading Shonen Jump,
Garfield and Calvin & Hobbes strips, playing Texas Hold 'em, drawing
cartoon chickens, and tending to his neopets. Though shy in real
life, he loves to sound off on his favorite shows and enjoys
interacting with other fans.
You can contact Jacob at Jacob@RealityTVCalendar.com
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