Episode 10: Mary Finally Screams ... and it Isn't Too Bad

This is another crammed episode. After two dancers (Artem and Melissa) are eliminated, each of the remaining six couples dances twice and every dancer dances a solo. The judges (Nigel, Mia, Mary, and Dan) are once again commenting on every dance, but we still don't get any rehearsal packages. I never thought I'd say this, but I really miss the rehearsal packages. First of all, that's the only way, as a rule, that we get to find out who choreographed the dances. Most of the choreographers from Season 1 don't stick around, but it still seems only fair that they get acknowledged. Second, I like learning what kind of story is behind the dance, and what kind of stylistic elements to look for. It gives me some sense of what to watch for.

So going down the line of couples: Kamilah and Jamile dance two dances that are, at best, mediocre. I had trouble making myself watch their hip hop, which looked like it had come out of a can. They did get a standing ovation from the audience, though, so that is just my personal opinion. Their second dance is a sloppy jive. Mia told them it felt a little amateurish, and no one in the audience booed her. If there is one thing I have learned from watching SYTYCD, it is this: if the audience fails to boo a negative comment, those dancers are in real big trouble.

Ashlé and Blake perform a smooth waltz and an Argentine tango. It seems a little unfair that they got two ballroom dances, but they are both versatile enough they should be able to handle it. The smooth waltz is great, but the tango is one of the worst I've seen. This is not the fault of the (unnamed) choreographer, who did a great job. I love the Argentine tango's crispness, but the only word to describe the footwork in this performance is "floppy." The audience does boo when the judges give negative feedback, but it's a bit of a delayed reaction, as if the audience had to remind itself "oh, yeah, our job is to be uncritical cheerleaders."

Last up are Melody and Nick, and they prove they are the dancers to beat. Their first dance is Broadway, to Ute Lemper's version of All That Jazz from Chicago. It's my favorite version of a classic song, so I was pretty psyched up, but these dances are all so short that the entire middle section of the song is edited out. It's quite good, although it has a long way to go before it's great, but compared to the rest of the dancing in the show it's amazing. Which may be why it has the honor of receiving the first scream Mary ever gives - and the scream was a short "woooooo!" It wasn't grating at all! What is this craziness? And why oh why could we not stay within normal decibel range in subsequent seasons? Nick and Melody's second dance is a disco, which is notable for its high energy, insane lifts, and hideously trippy costumes. They don't announce the choreographer, but if it's not Doriana Sanchez I'd … well, it doesn't matter what I'd do, because it's obviously Doriana Sanchez.

And that's it, other than some straightforward solos. Next up: the finale!!

Where Are They Now?

Melissa Vella (now Melissa Vella Salcedo):

Since SYTYCD, Melissa has gone on to tour with Toni Braxton and has performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She is currently assistant choreographer and dance ensemble director for the Villanova Dance Company at Villanova University, which is just outside of Philadelphia.

Artem Chigvintsev:

Our first in a long line of male Russian ballroom dancers has gone on to great things. He’s toured with Burn the Floor and been a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, the UK’s version of Dancing with the Stars. The first season he was on that show, he and his partner (Kara Tointon) won. He’s also had a tumultuous personal life. He auditioned for SYTYCD with his wife, Giselle Peacock, but that marriage ended during his time on the show (and boy, is she bitter about it). He then dated Carrie Ann Inaba (one of the judges on Dancing with the Stars), and as far as I can tell, he has been dating the aforementioned Kara Tointon ever since they were on Strictly Come Dancing together.