Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 2 Episode 1 - Crew Choice Challenge

Here's Teldon's Rewatch Review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 2's Crew's Choice Challenge. Thanks Teldon!

-----------------------------------------------

SAFE CREWS :

SoReal Cru dancing to "Entourage" by Omarion featuring 50 Cent
What I liked- Again, nice and clean choreo with nice formations.  The highlight was the glide section.
What I did not like- Numerous timing small timing errors.  Hard to see on the first viewing.  The thing I disliked the most was when they walked to positions.
Improvement over the audition- Not so much.  It felt like the same type of routine and I am not getting a sense of personality from their dancing.  Kinda like back up dancers.

Supreme Soul dancing to "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" by Busta Rhymes
What I liked- I liked the fact this was an understated performance.  It gave nice contrast to their more powerful audition piece.
What I did not like- Very minor timing issues and it was a boring routine.
Improvement over the audition- This showed they are contenders and have versatility.

Xtreme Dance Force dancing to "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil Mama featuring T-Pain and Chris Brown
What I liked- When it was over.
What I did not like- Oh dear lord that was a train wreck.  One guy completely lost the entire time, tricks that were beyond boring and out of place and high school level difficulty of the choreo.
Improvement over the audition- None whatsoever.  Also their video from their hometown only reinforced their metrosexuality.  You boys just got a punch on your man card.

A.S.I.I.D. dancing to "Whatever U Like" by Nicole Scherzinger featuring T.I
What I liked- Thank god!!  Finally an amazing performance!  I love the fact they still can move as two halves and click into a whole unit instantly.  I must admit I was a little turned on when the girls treated the guys like dogs.
What I did not like- It was sloppy in most parts.  Whether it was a timing issue or a formation issue there was always a mistake.
Improvement over the audition- A bit more energy from their audition set.  They really need to work on cleaning it up.

Boogie Bots dancing to "More Bounce To The Ounce" by Zapp & Roger
What I liked- They showed they can do fundamentals of b boying very well.  Most of the stunts they added in at the beginning and middle made sense.
What I did not like- Towards the end they started to get into Status Quo territory with too much stunts.  Also they were sloppy through the routine.
Improvement over the audition- They gave some better power moves but stuck mainly to the fundamentals.  They lost some of their cohesion from the auditions.

Super Cr3w dancing to "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown
What I liked- The fact they actually danced this time around.  The opening was well thought out and risky in the fact you had most of your crew off stage. The funk levels displayed made what is an old song seem new.  All stunts this time fit well into the routine and not tacked on.
What I did not like- Just some timing and formation errors.
Improvement over the audition- Big improvement all around.  I would say most improved crew so far of the night.  This crew's biggest problem is balancing the big power moves and stunts with good and clean dancing.

Phresh Select dancing to "Motownphilly" by Boyz II Men
What I liked- Another good intro done by another b boy crew.  Really good lines and levels.  Great framing again on the stunt work.  The hat trick section was sick.
What I did not like- The fact they went after Super Cr3w.  That stole some of this routine's thunder.  Had some formation and timing errors in the middle.
Improvement over the audition- Very minor.  They turned up the energy and cleaned up just a bit but it was hard to notice it at first.

Sass x7 dancing to "Damaged" by Danity Kane
What I liked- This is maybe the second cleanest performance all night.  The floor work was nicely done and was the framing for the pirouettes.
What I did not like- While this is a much better piece then a few other crews tonight I have to take away points for extremely simple choreo.  The flip towards the end of the beginning did not help either.
Improvement over the audition- A lot cleaner then the previous routine.  They showed a bit more confidence this week.  They just need to loosen up.
----------------------------------
THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right?  BULL***!!!!!  Seriously you let the varsity girls get a free pass and you put two of the strongest crews in the bottom? THIS is the reason we have sudden death rounds.  I am tired of all the whiners bitching that so and so crew in whatever season didn't get a chance because we could not vote for them.  The reason we have sudden death is to get rid of people that cant adapt to the show or give enough of a showcase the first time around or it lets a "bad" crew redeem themselves by getting more stage time.

Fanny Pak dancing to "Speakerphone" by Kylie Minogue
What I liked- The way they set up everything in their routine.  The moves they did let them set up a scene easily and then suddenly transition into another scene. The levitation trick out of nowhere was a nice surprise.
What I did not like- It seemed like they were still holding back this week.
Improvement over the audition- They definitely brought showmanship this episode.  They really do think out their routines week to week.

Distorted X dancing to "Oops (Oh My)" by Tweet featuring Missy Elliott
What I liked- This was a nicely controlled routine.  It was slutty with dancers being fully clothed.  It kinda reminded me of a Burlesque style routine in the fact it was sexy without really showing anything. It was well thought out from beginning to end.
What I did not like- Formation and timing errors in the middle and end hurt this performance.
Improvement over the audition- Slight.  The creativity, drive and passion is there but the sloppiness remains.

Did the judges get it right?  Yes they did.  Again we had two top notch performances but Fanny Pak delivered a better package all around.
-------------------------------------------------
Thoughts on the eliminated crew- It always sucks when a strong team gets sent home way to early.  Distorted X could have been an easy top 4 contender.  There was no excuse for them to be in the bottom this week.

Thoughts on the episode as a whole- Overall if it weren't for a few routines this night I would have been bored.  Most of these crews must step it up if they want to have a shot at it.

Rankings based on tonight's performances-
1.  Fanny Pak (+1)
2.  Super Cr3w (+3)
3.  Distorted X (-1)
4.  A.S.I.I.D. (-)
5.  Phresh Select (+4)
6.  SoReal Cru (+1)
7.  Boogie Bots (-1)
8.  Supreme Soul (-7)
9.  Sass X 7 (+1)
10. Xtreme Dance Force (-2)

Power Rankings (based on average of scores)
1.  Fanny Pak (9.5)
2.  Distorted X (8)
3.  Super Cr3w (7.5)
4.  A.S.I.I.D. (7)
5.  Supreme Soul (6.5)
6.  Boogie Bots (4.5)
6.  SoReal Cru (4.5)
8.  Phresh Select (4)
9.  Xtreme Dance Force (2)
10. Sass X 7 (1.5)
 -----------------------------------
Teldon's Season Two Grade-A All American Bull**** Counter: 2
Lil Mama Season Two Bring it Counter:0

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 2 Audition show

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Field report on the Houston ABDC auditions - the experience inside the auditions studio

There wasn't much time to go around and mingle due to the production team making everyone stand in a certain area before and after they auditioned. During the audition process crews were called to do a mini photo shoot, a couple of crew shots, and about 5 solo shots. I was told that the pictures were going onto a website later on, and also the audition videos, so we shall see. After a crew received callbacks they were rushed across the street to do an interview in front of the cameras. Crews only had until 5:30 to practice their callback piece. The callback challenge was to choreograph to Lil' Wayne's 6ft 7ft and incorporate his vibe and personality into the dance, in only 24 hours. The song was send out Friday night around 8:30 leaving crews only Saturday to learn and perfect the dance. After a crew finished their callback challenge and exited the building, crews were again interviewed about their experience. Also Andrew Baterina stopped by and talked with a few crews.   

The guy who was judging and making all the decisions on if a crew was moving forward or not came out and spoke from time to time during the initial audition process. Told everyone that if they messed up it was fine, they would get another chance. They were looking for crews who took the advice of the judges and changed it right then and there. The guy was very laid back, and cool. After he talked with my crew, and asked us what did we each do, he asked a couple of us to sing "America's Best Dance Crew" on the spot and make up a song. Personality was a HUGE factor in which crews moved forward to callbacks, and perfection was the dominate factor during the callback challenge. 


Click here to return to the first page. Thanks again Art!

Del reports about the Houston ABDC Auditions: I.aM.mE, STAK'd, Second 2 None, Mad Skillz, Finesse, Collizion Crew

Del attended the early parts of the Houston auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 and talked to many of the auditioning crews. Thanks for the report and the videos Del!
 
All in all my short experience at the South Auditions was very enjoyable. I wish I could've stayed a little longer and maybe gotten a word with more crews, but hopefully I've provided enough info for everyone. Good luck to all the crews mentioned and everyone else that went out to audition in Houston! Hopefully the South represents well this season on ABDC. Here's what I can tell you about those that the Houston crews met:

STAK'D: Group of really fun people with eccentric personalities. The one thing I could tell from talking to them is that they truly do love to dance. They might be all fun and games when it comes to the talk, but when asked about how serious they are about what they do it's all 100% heart. Don't mistake them for being too hokey or a crew that can't bring out some fire, because I think that's their X factor. The element of surprise!

Second 2 None: Now here's a crew that has auditioned before with generally positive feedback, but when asked about it they stressed that this time they're the real deal. Biggest thing coming from them is that their last audition was kind of subdued by a certain member or two not quite being up to the task. This time around they've got their true lineup with someone that (most readers would be surprised to find out) has been a huge help due to the new rules regarding the auditions. Before anyone says it, they're not pulling a gimmick and they were as fearless as ever going into the audition room. Either way, I think they've got a great shot at going somewhere this year (and that goes for ABDC and the scene in general), but we'll have to wait and see

Mad Skillz: Very very confident crew here lol. They're one of those crews that you can tell lives up to the "southern swag" that so many groups down south advertise. A lot of confidence coming from them and they promised to stay true to themselves and the south when trying out for the show (citing a few southern crews from ABDC "imitating" once they got near the big stage). They've got a nice style, but since I didn't get to see much from them we'll just have to wait and see how all of that translates to their ABDC efforts.
 
The youngest member of Mad Skillz even challenged Pacman during the group freestyle session. Yeah, he straight up got in Pacman's face and laid down the gauntlet. Of course, Pacman then proceeded to utterly destroy any and every dancer within a 50 mile radius, but you've got to admire the courage of the kid.

Finesse: An all male group with a pack of twins nestled in. These guys were probably the first crew at the auditions (there at at least 7am before anyone had arrived), practicing their set for hours on end until it was time for everyone else to roll in. I must say that they did have some nice moves and from the small freestyle session they gave me they all definitely have something different to bring to the table. With that being said, they all appear to be pretty young so the experience factor might not quite be there yet. I could see the pressure of this year's hard look at the south getting to them a little bit, but I have hope that they'll prove that point wrong.

Collizion Crew: Another all male crew! Very fun group of guys that told me that their foundation was popping, but everyone in the group knows their own tricks of the trade. There's a lot of variety between them (including a bone-breaking member), but they all have that main style to fall back on. Even with the 3 crews from Season 5 setting a standard on the show, Collizion wasn't hesitant to say that they're the best crew in Atlanta and that they'll take the title home for the south. Their confidence has me anxious to see what they were able to do in the audition room, but we'll just have to wait and see if they make the cut.

I.aM.Me Crew: Last but certainly not least, there's IME. There's really nothing extra I can say about them (because, let's face it, we all know who they are), but I'll still try my best. Coming off the heels of Pacman's SYTYCD run, he said that this was the best thing that could've happened for them all. The crew came at a perfect time and I honestly couldn't agree more. When you see this crew you get the sense that they're a family (especially with them cracking on Emilio all the time). Once the casting people got the crews to freestyle all eyes were on the I.aM.Me members whenever they even took a step toward the circle. Looking at them all I don't think that I can spot a weak link in the chain and that's probably their greatest strength. With so much spotlight on them it seems as if everyone's going to be looking for a fault, but all of them are adamant in their claims of being 6 traits to one identity.


Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Del!

 

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Finale!

Here's Teldon's Rewatch review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Finale. Thanks Teldon!

THE GROUP PERFORMANCES:

THE WEST: JabbaWockeeZ, Kaba Modern, and Fysh N Chicks dancing to "Tell Me When To Go" by E-40 featuring Keak Da Sneak
How did they do? All three crews showed why they were the top crews with this performance.  You could never really tell that this was three different crews dancing together.  They managed to make it look like they had all been dancing together for years.  They were able to take a low key remix and make it pop and have energy.

THE SOUTH: Live In Color and Enigma Dance Kru dancing to "Get Low" by Lil Jon and The Eastside Boys
How did they do?  Another great performance.  Plenty of high energy dance moves that had a wonderful raw vibe.  Unlike the previous performance it did feel like these were two different crews
dancing together but it did not feel awkward in the least and gave a nice contrast.  The stunts added in the beginning and at the end were framed well and felt like they belonged.

THE EAST:Status Quo and ICONic dancing to "Phenomenon" by LL Cool J
How did they do?  They told the best story all night and had the best remix.  Crew solos were a bit longer then the other two performances but the fact the other crew that was not dancing but
doing their part to act as window dressing to the story in the background was a stroke of genius.

THE MIDWEST: Breaksk8 and Femme 5 dancing to "Pop, Lock & Drop It" by Huey
How did they do? I wasn't sure what to expect about this mash up but they killed it.  For two different crews to do so well together is always a treat.  This was the only piece that had the same number of men and women and they played that to their best advantage with the interactions between each other.

Overall, these performances still outshine most of the other finales from my memory.  While some seasons had one performance that was better over all then these, the skill level shown tonight from these nine will be hard to top as a collective.  Also I found it great that there were truly no really bad crews this season.  Sure some may have stumbled at times but they all showed tonight why they were picked for the show in the first place.

THE FINAL TWO
JabbaWockeeZ and Status Quo performing Stomp the Yard
How did they do? I honestly did not like this.  It is one thing to give a challenge to blend a different style in with your moves.  It is another to make you dance a completely different style then what you normally do. The master mix they were using just highlighted each time they where out of step and seemed to throw them off.  Both crews were sloppy throughout the entire performance.  Hopefully in other finales they will not repeat this mistake...

THE FINAL CUT
Did America get it right? Thank god yes.  While I know we all would have preferred a Kaba vs Jaba finale I am glad the Wockeez won it.

Victory Dance: JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "Stronger" by Kanye West
Great set that really showed how excited they were.  The fact they (and SQ) had about an hour to come up with is, is amazing.  In addition loved the fact they danced without the masks.

Feelings of the season so far:Honestly, this season still holds up well to newer and more exciting seasons.  Like I said before there were no truly bad crews this season.  The fog of memory and emotions I felt at the time of the first airing of this season clouded my judgement on them all. Like most reality talent competitions some crews did last longer then they should have and I think some crews cut earlier truly could have shined if they stayed.  Overall it sets the bar the other seasons that come after it.  With that said please come back and I will see you all for Season Two!

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon -- we're looking forward to looking back at Season 2 and beyond with you!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 7 - Evolution of Hip Hop Challenge

Here's Teldon's rewatch of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Evolution of Hip Hop Challenge. Thanks Teldon!
------------------------------------------
Unlike the past episodes all three crews must dance to the same songs in an extended master mix session and incorporate the associated style with the song, when it plays.

EVOLUTION OF HIP HOP SONG LIST AND STYLE LIST:
--"Funkytown" by Lipps Inc, Dance Style: Locking
--"It's Like That" by Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins, Dance Style: Popping
--"It's Just Begun" by Jimmy Castor, Style: Breaking
--"Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa, Style: New Jack Swing
--"Bye Bye Bye" by 'N Sync, Style: Pop
--"Get Buck in Here" by DJ Felli Fel, Style: New School/Krump
------------------------------------------
SAFE CREW
 
Status Quo
What I liked- The raw passion these guys have shined through in the performance.  In addition, everyone got a turn being in the center stage and the focus of attention.  For once no unnecessary stunts!
What I did not like- Their sloppy monster apparently visited them the night before and not only scared them, but raped them.  So many timing and formation errors it really took away from the performance as a whole.
How well did they handle the challenge- They did ok.  You could tell they were trying and not all of them were on the same level when it came to each style.  Over all just above meh.
 
BOTTOM TWO

Did the audience/producers get it right? Let's face it, at this point the behind the scene manipulation was obvious.  Even in other seasons when we have had two OMG amazing crews (Quest/BFs and Poreo/BP) the vote was never split that bad to where the weakest crew left was suddenly safe.  With that said, Status did actually grow as a crew but they were nowhere near the level of either Kaba or Jaba.
----------------------------------
Jabbawockeez
What I liked- The opening was just visually the best one done all season.  The fact they manage to make every style flow easily into one another helped as well.  One thing I did notice that
no one did all season was they used asymmetrical framing and formations to highlight each of the dancers in each song.
What I did not like- The ending.  By now you know I am not a fan of overlong long stunts.  Yes it did get the crowd worked up but it really felt out of place.
How well did they handle the challenge- Honestly the whole challenge seemed tailor made for them.  If they really had any trouble with a certain style they did not show it.

Kaba Modern
What I liked- The theme of the boys vs girls in it was done well.  I liked how the girls stepped up and did the masculine parts and the how the guys took to the feminine parts.  They had great formation changes as well that set up the next parts of their routine to great effect.
What I did not like- Looks like the sloppy monster was still feeling frisky after visiting SQ.  While they were not off count as bad as SQ it was noticeable.
How well did they handle the challenge-  Like Jaba they had no trouble and I think they highlighted each style just a bit better.

Did the judges get it right? I always say an elimination should be based on that week's performance and that your past is just that and should not factor in.  The judges were right in moving Jaba forward.  While they did have the best top three performance, Kaba did amazing in their performance.  If SQ would have been in the bottom they would have been shown the door.

My thoughts on the eliminated crew-  Well you all put up a helluva performance throughout the entire season.  Each routine was done well and had creativity and passion.  I am proud of the work you did week to week and I am glad to call my season one-pony.
--------------------------------------------
Rankings based on tonight's top three performance
1. Jabbawockeez (+2)
2. Kaba Modern (-)
3. Status Quo (-2)

Power rankings (based on an average score)
1. Kaba Modern (7.25) eliminated
1. Jabawockeez (7.25)
3. Fysh N Chicks (5.75) 5th place
4. Status Quo (5.4)
5. Live in Color (5,25) 6th place
6. Break Sk8 (4.9) 4th place
7. ICONic (4) 7th place
8. Femme 5 (2.75) 8th place
9. Enigma Dance Cru (1.9) 9th place
---------------------------------------------
THE FINAL TWO

Status Quo performing to an original set "Jack in the Box"
How well did this performance represent them as a crew-  Personally this routine nailed them.  Talented but unsure how to use that talent.  They had a few good moments but the entire concept was just poorly thought out. If they had took a bit more time to actually polish this they could have had something nice.
My thoughts on the crew as whole form throughout the season- Overall they got lucky.  At best they should have been gone three weeks ago.  While they did show improvement in some areas they keep degrading in others.

Jabawockeez performing to an original set "Red Pill"
How well did this performance represent them as a crew-  This routine showed why these guys made it to the top two.  It highlighted everyone of their strengths and the concept behind the crew.
My thoughts on the crew as whole form throughout the season- I was a doubter at first but now a believer.  The judges said it best when they said they set the bar for the talent level future crews will be measured by.

  Jabbawockeez no question.  As a whole they did not really screw up like Status did throughout the season.  Besides they have the whole package not just a few tricks to help them out.

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again, Teldon -- looking forward to the finale post!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 6 - Broadway Remixed Challenge

Here's Teldon's review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Broadway Remixed Challenge. Thanks Teldon!

GROUP NUMBER

All four crews dancing to a hip-hop remix of Annie's "It's the Hard Knock Life."
What I liked-  The opening in the crew garage was perfect!  It captured the spirit of the musical and let all four crews get some face time while showing their personalities.
The transition to the stage also fit in well with the song as well.  Again good energy and spirit.  Out of the four crews in the routine, I think Status Quo best captured the carefree attitude of the musical's heroine.
What I didn't like- Once everyone was on stage is when it came apart for me.  The camera made it hard to really focus on anything.  It also seemed that Kabba and Status did not really
get that much face time on stage as well.
-----------------------------------------------------------
On with the show!

SAFE CREWS

Status Quo dancing to "You Can't Stop the Beat" from the musical Hairspray
What I liked-  Honestly, I liked the whole thing.  It was playful, it was well thought out compared to their past performances and they managed to have fun with a feminine performance
and make it look masculine.  The best part was the piece with the chairs.
What I did not like- some timing issues and some formation issues were the only major things wrong with it.  While it was a good performance, it could have had a bit more energy.
Did they do justice to Broadway? for an amateur piece yes.  While no where near the skill level of the source material they did extremely well.
Overall performance for the season- This is an improvement and shows that they can step it up this late in the game.  They really do well when E knock steps back and lets the other
members of the crew take center stage.  Also I heart Jamal!

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "All That Jazz" from the musical Chicago
What I liked- An imaginative re working of the musical.  Good use of minimal props to help create a scene mad this one stand out.
What I did not like- While I can see the intense eye to detail in this one for some reason I just did not like it.  They were sloppy quite a few times which is so unlike them.
Did they do justice to Broadway? Yes they did by reworking it to fit their style.  However, it didn't feel like it hard any personality.
Overall performance for the season- A minor stumble but they are first and foremost showmen and they showcased that.

THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right? Half way.  Kaba had no business in the bottom what so ever and we all know I felt Break Sk8 should have gone home the week before.

Kaba Modern dancing to "You're the One That I Want" from the musical Grease
What I liked- The fact they turned took that god awful remix and managed to make an amazing routine.  Like the other two crews before them tonight they managed to merge the musical with their style
What I did not like- The remix, it was just too weird for me.  Also, it did feel a bit disjointed at times to me.
Did they do justice to Broadway? Very much so.  Though out of the four crews it seemed like they got the perfect song and musical tonight.
Overall performance for the season- Last time I said they had been on an even curve all season.  Tonight they stepped it up.

BreakSk8 dancing to "One Night Only" from the musical Dreamgirls
What I liked- They cleaned up their moves extremely well this week.  They showed some new moves and for once it did not feel like I was watching the same performance only with different music. They really did rise to the challenge this week with their interpretation.
What I did not like- When the one dancer went off stage for almost 20 seconds.  In a do or die moment you don't hide anyone like that.  Also the stunt at the end
really was not needed.
Did they do justice to Broadway?  To a degree. While they did AMAZING dancing tonight, there just was not that much of the Broadway routine in it.
They got the spirit of the musical in there but not the dancing. Though out of the four they got award for most outside their comfort zone.
Overall performance for the season- Why couldn't they dance like this two weeks ago?  Great improvement but is it too little too late?

Did the judges get it right? Honestly I would not have wanted to be on the judging panel that night.  In fact all four routines tonight were just amazing and everyone truly shined.  With that said I do agree with the judges. Break Sk8 honestly did fail at the challenge tonight.
----------------------------------------------------
Thoughts on the eliminated crew
While I have been mercilessly ruthless with them, I still love their moves.  With a prop like they use to dance with, the degree of difficultly is always higher.  Good jobs guys.
----------------------------------------------------
My rankings based off tonight's performances
1. Status Quo (+3)
2. Kaba Modern (+1)
3. Jabbawockeez (-2)
4. Break Sk8 (+1)

Power rankings (based on an average score)
1. Kaba Modern (7.1)
2. Jabawockeez (7)
3. Fysh N Chicks (5.9) 5th place
4. Live in Color (5.4) 6th place
5. Status Quo (5.3)
6. Break Sk8 (4.7) Eliminated
7. ICONic (4.1) 7th place
8. Femme 5 (3) 8th place
9. Enigma Dance Cru (2) 9th place

*Unofficial Lil Mama Bring it counter-4


Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 5 - Thriller Challenge

This is Teldon's Rewatch Review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Thriller Challenge. Thanks Teldon!
------------------------------------
SAFE CREWS

Status Quo dancing to "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson
What I liked- I hate to do this, this late in the game because I always try to find something I liked in the performance.  However, there really was nothing I liked.
What I did not like- My main complaint.  Unnecessary stunts, they were out of place and looked tacked on.  The sloppy factor was back and even bigger then before.  E-Knock was completely lost for around 15 or so seconds in the middle.  In addition transitions for the beginning, middle and end just weren't there.  It really did feel like three bad performances tacked together at the last moment.
Did they do justice to the song?  No they did not.  The only thing they started was a pile of crap.  Not a good way to start the show.
Overall performance for the season- I think at this point the pressure had gotten to them and it is showing.  While they rebounded the previous episode, problems that should have been addressed and corrected just keep appearing.  Honestly, there is no reason for them to be safe week after week.  This was the point I was starting to suspect behind the scenes manipulation of the show.

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" by Michael Jackson
What I liked- The fact they made the coats seem like a part of their body.  Silky smooth moves and transitions helped make this one of the best performances of the season.
What I did not like- Nothing to really dislike only caught a minor timing error when I was on my third play back.
Did they do justice to the song?  hells yes.  They seamlessly blended their style in with the signature moves of Michael.
Overall performance for the season-  Is it just me or does it seem that since ICONic was eliminated that the wockezz have put in more showmanship?  It really does add to their routines and makes for a better experience.

Kaba Modern dancing "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
What I liked-  The fact they had the balls to do one of the most treasured dance songs in a completely different way.  Again they brought out something new for us with the finger tutting section and added some more levels for us.
What I did not like- While I loved the routine, throughout the routine it seemed like at least one person was off count for a second.  That type of mistake should not be happening now.
Did they do justice to the song?  Yes they did.  Like Jabba, they meshed Micheal's style with their own and made it look natural.
Overall performance for the season-  They have consistently set a high bar for themselves week after week.  The only problem is they seem to stay on the same level week after week with no major improvements.
 
THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right? Hard to tell.  Break Sk8 defiantly deserved to be in the bottom but Fysh gave a world class performance the week before.  I think they got put there again because America was unsure how they would do again or perhaps the producers wanted some drama.

Fysh N Chicks dancing to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
What I liked-  This was perhaps the most unique performances of the night.  They started off with a nice performance piece at the beginning and then went on to make a memorable performance.  Great framing work through highlighted Taeko when she soloed and great transitions help make it shine as well.
What I did not like- Just a few timing errors.
Did they do justice to the song?  Very much so.  They ran into a problem any all boy or all girl crew has when they have to do a set based on the opposite gender's moves.  They took Michael's move and were able to make them feminine and masculine at the same time.  In addition, they not only improved the moon walk segments they evolved them as well.
Overall performance for the season- The confidence issues I noticed a few weeks ago are a thing of the past now.  These ladies have come to win it and it shows in their work.

BreakSk8 dancing to "Beat It" by Michael Jackson
What I liked- As with Status Quo on this episode I really could not find anything I liked.
What I did not like-  First off they took to long to get started.  Once they did they went into a solo section that was both to long and bad.  Many sloppy timing issues, formation errors and weak dancing really hurt this performance.
Did they do justice to the song?  As MJ's most break through song, no they didn't.
Overall performance for the season-  While they have given sexy and fun performances in the past they just keep getting worse.  They really should not be that sloppy this late in the game.

Did the Judges get it right? This is the first of what is to become many bulls**t eliminations throughout the show.  Maybe when the episode first aired almost two years ago it made sense to keep as many regions as possible in the game.  However it set a poor standard.  Even the crowd was booing this decision and I agree with them.
----------------------------------------
THOUGHTS ON THE ELIMINATED CREW

Honestly, with the growth Fysh n Chicks showed up to their elimination they should have been in the top three and I think they could have surprised us and made top two.  The West clearly dominated this season and they did not deserve to get cut.  Great job ladies! Your dance shoes would take a while to be filled!
----------------------------------------------------------
My rankings based off tonight's performances
1. Jabawockeez (+4)
2. Fysh n Chicks (-1)
3. Kaba Modern (-1)
4. Status Quo (-)
5. break sk8 (+1)

Power rankings (based on an average score)
1. Kaba Modern (7)
2. Jabbawockeez (6.83)
3. Fysh n Chicks (5.7) eliminated
4. Status Quo (4.17)
5. Break Sk8 (3.7)
6. Live in color n/a
7. ICONic n/a
8. Femme 5 n/a
9. Enigma Dance Cru n/a

Unofficial Lil Mama Bring it counter-4

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 4 - Movie Character Challenge

Here's Teldon's Rewatch review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Movie Character Challenge. Thanks Teldon!
---------------------------------------

THE SAFE CREWS

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent featuring Justin Timberlake
Characters: Thieves
What I liked- This routine had great moments.  The two members camouflaged to the wall was smart and innovative.  Another great part was the transition and formation to the ending. 
What I did not like- Normally I love a good slow routine but it felt out of place here.  It seemed like they took to long to set up their story and they took to long getting to where they needed to be.
How well did they do the challenge? it was handled OK but it could have been better.
Overall performance for the season- This was a stumble for them.  Since week one we have been seeing great routines from them.  This was just good.

Kaba Modern dancing to "Sensual Seduction" by Snoop Dogg    
Characters: Geek Boys & Popular Girls
What I liked- They set their story up very well and was easy to follow.  I liked that throughout the routine every member got a solo section.  In addition the partners section was fun and flirty.
What I did not like- Minor timing and staging errors in the beginning.
How well did they do the challenge? It felt like I was watching a classic 80s teen film, albeit a 90 second one.
Overall performance for the season- They still continue to shine and I love the fact they can break parts of their routine up and half their crew do one set while the other members do another set.

Status Quo dancing to "Hey Baby (Jump Off)" by Bow Wow and Omarion    
Characters: Tuners
What I liked- Great use of the set.  They took the props given to them and made it enhance the story.  The middle section of the routine showed they can do clean choreo.
What I did not like- The stunts.  This week they felt out of place and very forced.  There is a time and place for flips and tricks and this routine would have been better without them.
How well did they do the challenge?  Like I said before they really used the stage props thoughtfully and worked them all into their routine.
Overall performance for the season- They are beginning to become good dancers and they finally let a few other members besides E-knock do something.  However, their reliance on tricks is getting predicable and boring.

BreakSk8 dancing to "What Is It" by Baby Bash featuring Sean Kingston    
Characters: Basketballers
What I liked- The story they presented was their strong part.  They handled the additional props well.
What I did not like- Everything else.  Timing issues and it felt like they were walking into formation.
How well did they do the challenge?  good story, bad dancing.
Overall performance for the season- Another slip down the ladder.  The one trick pony they are becoming may have broke a leg.
-----------------------------------
THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right? Yes.  As much as I did not want Live in Color in the bottom, they have had a month to clean it up and still they can not.  Fysh N Chick's weak performance the week before was a gimme for who would be in the bottom.

Fysh N Chicks     "Maneater" by Nelly Furtado    
Characters: Business Women on town
What I liked- Hands down they told the best story of the night.  Nothing was out of place and they brought back their strong moves and formations that had been missing since the auditions.  The tap dancing solo segment was a nice touch as well.
What I did not like- The fact you have to watch it at least twice to catch all the little things they did.
How well did they do the challenge?  They owned the stage and the characters.  Like Kaba they made you feel like you were watching a movie.
Overall performance for the season-  Thank god they finally found their confidence again.  These ladies are strong, fierce and amazing dancers.  Though I think to much damage has been done for the to recover.

Live In Color dancing to "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)" by Outkast    
Characters: Vampires & Damsels in Distress
What I liked- The really got into character more then any other crew tonight.  The choreo was clean and hard hitting as well.  The fact they added athletics when they hardly ever do them and did them well enhanced the over all performance.
What I did not like- It took a bit to long to set the story up.
How well did they do the challenge?  While they did their characters really well, they just focused on the vampire part too quickly.  The damsels in distress part was rushed and didn't add anything to the performance.
Overall performance for the season-  Finally they got clean and had no mistakes.  They showed they can add elements into their choreo they are not comfortable with and make it look natural.

Did the judges get it right? Yes they did.  While both the bottom two's performances were some of the best of the night, Fysh n Chicks had the better over all package tonight.
----------------------------------------------------------
Thoughts on the eliminated crew-  All in all they were one of the better crews to grace the stage.  They stayed true to themselves and showed improvement week after week.  It sucks they are gone but like Femme 5 they went out a super strong performance.
-------------------------------------------------------
My rankings based off tonight's performances
1. Fysh n Chicks
2. Kaba Modern
3. Live in Color
4. Status Quo
5. Jabbawockeez
6. Break S8

Power rankings (based on an average score)
1. Kaba Modern (7)
2. Jabbawockees (6.4)
3. Live in Color (6.2) eliminated
4. Fysh n Chicks (5.2)
5. Status Quo (3.8)
6. Break S8 (3.4)
7. ICONic n/a
8. Femme 5 n/a
9. Enigma Dance Kru n/a

Unoffical Lil Mama Bring it counter-4

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 3 - Dance Craze Challenge

Here's Teldon's Rewatch review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1's Dance Craze Challenge:

THE 'SAFE' CREWS:

Live In Color dancing to "2 Step" by Unk
Challenge: Crew must exchange clothing in their dance.
What I liked- They were the first crew that moved into a formation at the beginning of their routine.  It was visually a nice change of pace.  The first part of the routine had a nice horizontal formation and blended well into their extra challenge.  It was also a nice change for their signature booty shakin to be down in the middle of the routine.
What I did not like- The individual sloppiness from the previous week was back along with group sloppiness.  While I applaud them for getting out their comfort zone with the three mini performances, they took away from the routine.
How well did they do the challenge?  The dance move they got was incorporated well into their style.  They should have KISSed (Keep It Simple Stupid) the clothes exchange part.  The jackets were changed without a problem but the hat part failed.
Overall performance for the season- I keep seeing improvements in their dancing each week with their creativity but the mistakes they make with timing is starting to get annoying.

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "Lean wit It, Rock wit It" by Dem Franchize Boyz
Challenge: Crew must create an illusion that defies gravity.
What I liked- The second half of the routine was where they cam alive.  The transitions to the quick b boy solo was placed well and made sense to the over all routine.  Again they showed us more from their bag of styles.
What I did not like- the first half of the routine was a bit slow and did lose me.  They had a few noticeable timing errors in the first half as well but nothing that major.
How well did they do the challenge?  The dance move part was just OK but when I saw the first set of lifts I thought they were taking the easy way out of doing their extra challenge.  When they did the illision at the end, that was when it all came together.  Extremely well thought out and creative.
Overall performance for the season- again they are showing why they are a top contender and still they add more to what they are showing us.

BreakSk8 dancing to "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid     
Challenge: Crew must stay physically connected in a section of the Cupid Shuffle.
What I liked- The mini solos towards the middle showcased the talents of the crew as a whole and was well done.  This time around stunts were added in a more thoughtful manner and worked well.
What I did not like- Oh lord.  The Sloppy Monster not only visited them, it slapped them upside the head.  Through the whole thing at least one person was out of sync with everyone else.
How well did they do the challenge? They did OK on it.  While their legs did the moves well and together, their torsos were all over the place.  The centipede past was well done though.
Overall performance for the season- It starting to show they do not have much more to offer.  While they keep improving on their style each week, each performance is starting to give me a bit of deja vu. DING DING!!!*

Kaba Modern dancing to "G-Slide (Tour Bus)" by Lil Mama     
Challenge" Crew must partner up and perform a lift.
What I liked- Overall there was nothing wrong with it.  It truly shined it in the middle and end.  The parts where the boys and the girls split up and danced differently from one another was a stroke of genius.  Then to top it off they had a small boys vs girls battle thrown in.
What I did not like- Timing issues in the beginning.
How well did they do the challenge?  They made it look easy and like they always have done it.  With that though they did take the easy way out and they could have held it for a second or two more.
Overall performance for the season- So far this crew keep coming out with well thought out routines.  You can tell they take this whole thing seriously.

Fysh N Chicks dancing to "It's Goin Down" by Yung Joc     
Challenge: Crew must perform some of the steps in reverse.
What I liked- The beginning started off well and and showed their strong style.  The solo part was unexpected and did add a nice bit of flare to the routine
What I did not like- The rewind portion was a mess.  They were out of their element for it and it showed.  Also poor use of props and they added nothing to the routine.
How well did they do the challenge?  The actual dance move part was done well and when it was reversed.  The rest of the reverse was poor though.
Overall performance for the season-  They keep showing they are a crew of strong dancers but so far they keep failing to imprint anything on me. *DING! DING!
-----------------------------------------------------
THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right? To a degree they did.  Status did need to be in the bottom for a wake up call.  However, ICONic had no business being in the bottom based on last week's routine.

Status Quo dancing to "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em     
Challenge: Crew must perform a portion of the dance upside down.
What I liked- The beginning was bloody amazing.  I never would have thought this crew could pull off something like that.  The human jump rope stunt was a nice addition as well.
What I did not like- The rest of the routine was awful.  There were countless formation errors, too many timing errors, and a few of them looked out of place.
How well did they do the challenge?  The dance step they had to do was done OK but doing it upside down they way they did was creative.  However, timing errors killed any impact it had.
 
ICONic dancing to "Chicken Noodle Soup" by DJ Webstar     
Challenge: Crew must perform a portion of the dance on their backs.
What I liked- They did pick the right time to open up their bag of tricks.  The second half of the routine was surprisingly well thought out and showed great versatility.
What I did not like- While the first half was creative they were on the floor way to long.  With out the cameras we could not have seen what they were doing.  Whatever creativity they showed was wiped away because of it.
How well did they do the challenge?  Where as I thought KM did not do enough for their challenge, ICONic took it to the extreme.  They spent way to much time on the ground.
 
Did the judges get it right? I feel dirty for saying this but, yes they did.  While they were both routines were not that great, SQ proved that if you get a hungry team against the wall they will come out ahead.  I think ICONic felt they were not going to be put in the bottom and played it safe.  Hopefully this is enough of a wake up call to all the crews to let them know that even when you are on or near the top you can't hold back.
-------------------------------------------------
My thoughts on the eliminated crew
ICONic, ICONic, ICONic, you are a great crew.  Up until this point you showcased some amazing talent.  Poor judgment is what ultimately killed them.  Please keep up the great work you all do for your community and keep dancing your hearts out!
--------------------------------------------------
My rankings based off tonight's performances
1. Jabbawockeez (+1)
2. Live in Color (-1)
3. Kaba Modern (+4)
4. Fysh N Chicks (+2)
5. Break Sk8 (-)
6. Status Quo (+1)
7. ICONic (-3)

Power rankings (based on an average score)
1. Jabbawockeez (6.75)
2. Kaba Modern (6.75)
3. Live in Color (6)
4. ICONic (5) eliminated
5. Fysh n Chicks (4.25)
6. Break Sk8 (4)
7. Status Quo (3.25)
8. Femme 5 (8th place)
9. Enigma Dance Kru (9th place)


Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 2 - Video Star Challenge

Here's Teldon's rewatch/review of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1, Episode 2:
---------------------------------------------
THE CREWS NOT FACING ELIMINATION:
 
Kaba Modern dancing to "Wall to Wall" by Chris Brown
What I liked-  The last third of the performance was the best part.  They added in their trademark isos and made it look easy.
What I did not like-  As clean as they normally are, at least one person seemed like they were off beat.  In most of their formations one person was a step or two out of place.  It might be just me but they felt like they were just not into this performance as they were the previous episodes.
How well did they do the Challenge?  They did a passable job.  As I said earlier the timing problems were really noticeable in the mirror segment where they had to match the video.
Overall performance throughout the season-  This was a stumble for them.  When they were taken out their comfort zone they do good work but it doesn't match up to what they have shown us they can do.

Live In Color dancing to "Hey Mama" by Black Eyed Peas
What I liked- It was a nice change of pace for them to dance just a hair slower.  Tempo changes to the song were unexpected but they handled them like pros and the transition into them were seamless.  Also, their attempt at telling a story in the beginning was a nice change of pace for them.  It was well thought out and fun.  Finally, the fake ending was just genius.
What I did not like- The only thing that messed this up from being a perfect routine for me was formation errors.
How well did they do the Challenge?  Extremely well.  They matched up their part to the video and added their own elements to it.
Overall performance throughout the season-  This showed that they can add some polish to a raw and hard hitting style.  They kept true to themselves and showed us something new.
**As a note to add to what JC said to the crew, I will address the whole "booty shake" in the season three reviews.

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "Ice Box" by Omarion
What I liked- All in all a solid and well thought out routine.  I loved the fact they added some theatrics to their routine.
What I did not like- A little to low key and low energy for my tastes but that is just finding something to pick at.
How well did they do the Challenge?  They made it look easy.  They made it look like the video had come to life and most importantly they built on a good set presented by the artist and made it better.
**Though so far it seems like some groups are getting handed a get out of jail free card and some a go directly to jail card in terms of difficulty.
Overall performance throughout the season-  I am starting to notice that they are telling a story each week.  I may not be able to get the whole story each week but the fact they are doing that speaks volumes for their talent.  I do get the impression they are holding back alot at this point though.

BreakSk8 dancing to "Get Up" by Ciara featuring Chamillionaire
What I liked-  OK these boys CAN dance.  I liked the fact they could be sexy and strong at the same time and not over do it.  Transitions were handled smoothly and cleanly.
What I did not like-  The last third of the routine was unnecessary fan service that felt completely out of place and drug the whole performance down.  Only other thing was a few minor formation errors.
How well did they do the Challenge?  Like KM before them they were pulled out their comfort zone.  They handled it well and most importantly they made it their own.
   Mini rant- I know this is a trend in all seasons when an all male crew is given feminine moves to do and they ALWAYS complain about it.  Look guys (and this applies to all the dancers in all seasons)
you should be secure enough in your manhood to be able to bitch it up a bit.  The female dancers on the show have to butch it up all the time.  It will not make you gay to dance a bit feminine.  The only thing that will make you gay is if you already are gay.
Overall performance throughout the season- Each week they keep adding a bit more to their routines.  The major problems I had with them in the beginning are slowly getting worked at.

ICONic dancing to "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown featuring T-Pain
What I liked- In the beginning of the routine where they hid the sisters behind two of the men.  These ladies matched their moves perfectly to others and you did not see them until the reveal.  While on the subject of the sisters it was nice to see that they could hold their own when left to their own devices.  The crew as a whole gave very good levels as well.
What I did not like-  I want to say a formation error or two but I re-watched 5 that part five times and still cant tell if it was the camera or not.  Overall a good routine but not enough energy.  In addition, I am glad the sisters got to show off their athletic side but it really was not that strong.
How well did they do the Challenge?  They proved they could do hard core hip hop.  No glaring screw ups during the mirror segment.
Overall performance throughout the season-  They keep doing well by giving strong performances but so far there is no real variety in their acts.  They need to add some OMPH! to their sets.

Status Quo dancing to "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
What I liked- OMG loved the retro vibe and style these guys did at the beginning!  The part in the middle were they did the classic "one guy lost" part helped add to the routine overall. They thought out and made a good beginning and middle to the routine.
What I did not like-  The stunts seemed out of place this time around.  I felt they took away from the routine as a whole.  As much as I liked the "one guy lost" in the middle he was trying to hide the fact that the big guy dancer behind him, really was lost during that part.  As before they were sloppy through out the whole routine with numerous formation errors.  Finally the ending part of the routine was completely out of place and not needed at all.
How well did they do the Challenge?  As someone who remembers when Hammer was THE **** back in the day they did do his style justice.  Bravo!
Overall performance throughout the season-  They seem to wear their heart on their sleeves and that does affect them.  Also, it seems like for every step in the right direction, they take two backwards.  I know they have athletic members in their crew but they really need to think about when they should add those parts and not just do them becuase they are cool.
----------------------------------------
THE BOTTOM TWO

Did America get it right from the week before? Yes they did.  As much as I like these two crews they should have been the bottom the week before when the judges had the say so.  I am glad America caught it as well and made them fight for their lives.

Fysh N Chicks dancing to "Freakum Dress" by Beyoncé
What I liked-  Hands down they were the first crew to own their opening that night.  They showed they could be fierce and sexy no matter what they danced in.
What I did not like-  Half way through the performance you could feel how uncomfortable they were with the heels and the outfits.  This caused many formation errors and timing issues.
How well did they do the Challenge? as above they showed they could do it even though they did not like it.
Overall performance throughout the season- It feels like they are falling further and further behind the other crews at this point.  They are all over their map when it comes to their style and I think
they are losing their confidence they had at the beginning.

Femme 5 dancing to "Hollaback Girl" by Gwen Stefani
What I liked- Again another crew that killed the opening.  Throughout the whole performance they clever formations and formation changes.  They stepped up their game over the last two weeks.
What I did not like- I only caught this in later viewings but some of the girls missed their marks or moves.  It seemed crazy that the principle dancer moved off to the side and another girl was given the stage.
How well did they do the Challenge? very well.  I felt like I was watching a Gwen performance
Overall performance throughout the season- They brought back there strong vibe they had at the beginning.  They showed they could stand on even ground with the rest of teh crews.

Did the judges get it right? No.  While Femme 5 did make a few more mistakes, I really had to look for them.  FnC's errors were more noticable.  In addtion F5's routine was more entertaing in my opinion. Maybe the judges took the dancing in heels into account a bit more.  Who knows.
----------------------------------------
Thoughts on the eliminated crew: Femme 5 had lots of potential to become a much better crew.  Overall they were just finding who they were as a group and I think they could have made top five easy.  Good job ladies!  If you got to go, go like you did.  With one of the best performances of the night.

My rankings for this performance:
1. Live in Color (+4)
2. Jabbawockeez (-)
3. Femme 5 (+6)
4. ICONic (+2)
5. Break S8 (-2)
6. Fysh n Chicks (+2)
7. Kaba Modern (-6)
8. Status Quo (-3)

Power Rankings (based on average score for all shows to date)
1. Kaba Modern (6.7)
2. Jabbawockeez (6.3)
2. ICONic (6.3)
4. Live in Color (5.3)
5. Break Sk8 (4.3)
5. Femme 5 (4.3) (eliminated)
5. Fysh n Chicks (4.3)
8. Status Quo (3)
9. Enigma Dance Kru (9th place) 

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon for the rewatches!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 1 - The Battle Begins

Here's Teldon's Rewatch review of ABDC1 First episode: The Battle Begins. Thanks Teldon!
-----------------------------------------

GROUP ONE

Live in Color dancing to "Watch them Roll" by Sean Paul
What I liked- They focused on what they were weak on and that was better togetherness.  The energy was a bit more contained and put to better use this time around.  The highlight was when the young lady did her lean back and did not fall.
What I did not like- Timing was off again but not as noticeable as before.  At times it did seem the girls were a bit lost.  While everyone was showcased at some point I feel like it was poorly done but that could be due to bad camera angles and I will give them the benefit of the doubt this time.
Improvements over the audition- Though still not where they could be they are cleaning it up and putting their energy to better use.  If they work on their transitions a bit more I think they have a shot.

JabbaWockeeZ dancing to "Apologize" by Timbaland featuring One Republic
What I liked- The fact that they took that song and made such a strong piece to it and still kept to their hip hop roots speaks volumes of their talent.  The illusion they did at the beginning was a great way to start everything and throughout the performance they set up each portion wonderfully.  They seamlessly flowed from the slower tempo to the mid tempo beat like they it was nothing.
What I did not like- Only a few minor placement errors.  One of the dancers was off in the over head shot and when they went to the mirror part of the routine in the middle they were a bit to close for a second or two.
Improvements over the audition- Unlike their audition piece I could follow this one easily.  They worked as a seamless unit and it was a joy to watch.

Fysh n Chicks dancing to "Whine Up" by Kat DeLuna featuring Elephant Man
What I liked- They showed a bit more versatility this week with some formation changes. The end piece was the strongest part of the routine.
What I did not like- The sloppiness that plagued them in the auditions was back and much worse.  While they did show new moves the piece felt very amateurish and not polished at all.
Improvements over the audition- None.  What they did add was not enough to help them out.  It seems like nerves got the better of them.  From what they showed the week before, they are better then this.
Did they get it right? No.  While Live in Color had definite improvements, Jabba had the better over all routine.
--------------------------------------------------   
GROUP TWO 
 
Status Quo dancing to "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark
What I liked- The entire performance was highly entertaining.  They used the zombie theme they chose well.  Thier opening number and closing set highlighted the fact they can dance well together.  They incorporated their stunts into their routine without a hitch as well.
What I did not like- Again they were sloppy and off on a few parts.  This would be to a lack of formal training and when the big guy messes up it is very easy to notice.  While not bad the middle part dragged the performance down a bit.
Improvements over the audition- This time around they decided to focus more on thier dancing and less on the tricks they did use.  However, they blended in what stunts they used better then they did the week before.  You could tell they had been putting some work into their dancing.

Femme 5 dancing to "Do It Well" by Jennifer Lopez
What I liked- The beginning and end parts were their strongest parts.  They did clean up their formation better then last week which did help.  In addition, they did hit their moves harder.
What I did not like- They lost their sense of self in this routine.  They tried adding moves in that just were not them.  This hurt them when one of the ladies fell.  The entire middle part drug down the entire performance.
Improvements over the audition- Slight improvements to formations did make a difference. However they did not play to their strengths and that is gonna cost them in the long run.

Enigma Dance Kru dancing to "I'm So Hood" by DJ Khaled
What I liked- Overall a clean performance.  The one girl stepped her game up and actually contributed to the rest of the crew.
What I did not like- While clean it felt shaky in the middle.  The raw and controlled energy they had was not there any more.  To me this felt like a safe routine.
Improvements over the audition- Besides the one girl stepping her game up not much.  Overall I think the drama before the show hurt them badly.  It seemed as if their leader had gotten a big head and was taking his frustrations out on others.
Did they get it right? Yes, out of the three crews SQ did the best.  Both F5 and Enigma lost their sense of selves and that hurt them.
---------------------------------------------
GROUP THREE

ICONic dancing to "Cyclone" by Baby Bash featuring T-Pain
What I liked- Very good use of props and it was voluntary prop use as well.  As before they stayed true to themselves and kept it clean and fun.
What I did not like- While they used the props well, they used them to much.  This routine didn't have the degree of difficulty we saw from them before.
Improvements over the audition- Honestly they stayed about the same.  They still continued to use all the stage and had great formation changes.   When it was time to switch it up they did it easily.  The props both helped and hurt them.

BreakSk8 dancing to "Get It Shawty" by Lloyd
What I liked- This was the first sexy performance of the night.  The opening where they glided onto stage was just yummy.  They showed us that they were more then just tricks through out the routine.  They framed the one guy very well for his solo and kept up a good pace through out the whole thing with a slow song.
What I did not like- Extremely minor timing issue went they all went down to the ground.  The routine slowed down just a hair to much in the middle but they picked it up at the end.
Improvements over the audition- A complete 180 from the week before.  They showed everyone they belonged on the show.  Their style of dance is not easy.  However, most crews that rely on tricks will take the easy route and focus on the showy and flashy power moves.

Kaba Modern dancing to "Technologic" by Daft Punk
What I liked- What can I say?  It is not often you see a group move that well together.  Controlled power in the first half of teh routine and the you had hounds released in a frantic and well thought out second half.
What I did not like- Only thing I can say is even though I know in my head it was the same length as everyone else, it somehow felt to short.  I wanted more.
Improvements over the audition- The only thing I can say they improved upon was their energy.  It was a great piece.
Did they get it right? Yes.  Out of the three groups of three, this one as a whole was the best.  Out of the three crews that performed KM did better then they did.
--------------------------------------- 
SHOWDOWN
Did they get it right? No.  While Enigma and ICONic did not give as good they did in the audition rounds, I felt that Fysh and Femme 5 were the weakest that night.
Note: For the first of the sudden death eliminations this one is unique in the fact that they had a live performer.  I can honestly see why they never did it again.  Flo Rider's back up dancer took away from what should have been Enigma and ICONic's stage, not his.  The format that they switch to in later seasons while not perfect works much better then this.  The only thing I do miss from this style was the interaction between the crews.  Now with that mini rant out the way on to the battle itself.

Enigma- Brought a good energy to the battle.  The crew worked well together and framed each other well.  However, sitting out two members behind the other four was a poor decision on their part.  You could have set up for a trick with them in formation.  All in all much better then the performance they gave earlier.
ICONic- Was sloppy coming out the gate.  I really could not tell what they were going for in that battle.  The girls did a move I was not expecting but they were out of step.  All in all a hot mess.
 
Overall it was an interesting battle but with screwed up camera angles we cant fairly judge what the hell really happened.  All to often it was on the singer or his dancer when it should have been on the crews themselves.  Shots focused on the judges table were unnecessary as well.

Did they get it right? God after all this time I can't believe I am saying this.  No, they did not.  While Enigma committed the sin of sitting folks out, ICONic was just plain bad out there.  Again, I am gonna chalk this up to unholy cameras and us not getting to see the whole thing.

**Note it was when I was watching the next episode they showed a better angle at what ICONic was doing and they were making a car in motion.  Like I said I am chalking this up to horrid camera angles and we did not get to see what really happened.  Though I am gonna stick to what I said earlier and give it to Enigma.
--------------------------------------------
THOUGHTS ON THE ELIMINATED CREW.
Looking back they did have potential.  Could they have won this shindig?  No.  But they could have continued to get better and deserved better then they got.  Granted I think their leader was the one who ultimately screwed them over and the judges just plain did not want to deal with.  We will never know.  If any of the crew members of Enigma are reading this I will say this to you.  I am sorry for the bad things I said about you in the past.  I can see why you were selected for the show and that you were a good crew.

My rankings based on this episode.
1. Kaba Modern (+1)                
2. jabbawockeez (+5)
3. Break Sk8 (+6)
4. Staus Quo (+2)
5. Live in Color (+3)
6. ICONic (-5)
7. Enigma Dance Cru (-3)
8. Fysh N Chicks (-5)
9. Femme 5 (-4)

Power rankings  (based on average score)
1. Kaba Modern (8.5)
2. ICONic (6.5)
3. Jabbawockeez (5.5)
4. Status Quo (5.0)
5. Enigma Dance Kru (4.5) (eliminated)
5. Fysh N Chicks (4.5)
5. Live in Color (4.5)
8. Break Sk8 (4.0)
9. Femme 5 (3.0)

Click here to return to the first page and to leave comments. Thanks again Teldon!