by Danae Young

 

This week on the premiere of America’s Best Dance Crew, Lil’ Mama and JC Chasez are back joined by the new judge Omarion along with host Mario Lopez.

 

Things are a little different this season; this episode is the first of three regional episodes. Fifteen crews were flown into California: five from the South, five from the East, and five from the West.

 

The South is up first to prove they deserve a spot in nationals on Feb. 18. The first crew of the five is Jungle Boogie representing Georgia. Omarion was impressed and especially liked the wrestling-looking movie but said it was a little clumsy. Lil’ Mama said it kind of got loose towards the end. JC Chasez loved the energy level.

 

Ghost from Texas is up second to represent for the dirty South. JC Chasez appreciated the amount of levels they used but said it was a little slow of a performance. Omarion felt like he has seen what they were doing before and suggested they really “push it.” Lil’ Mama said they need to take their technique to the next level.

 

Another Texas crew, X-Treme Motion, was up next. Lil’ Mama said their excitement caused them to come out of character a little. JC Chasez thought it was a fun routine that built up in the middle but the ending was too generic. Omarion enjoyed it (a little too much) but said they need to focus on their energy more.

 

Swagger Crew, also from Georgia, had to show the judges they really do have swagger and everything else it takes to make it to nationals. JC Chasez thought the first half was slow but said it went “to the sky” about halfway through the routine. Omarion said it looked like the movement was trained and he wants to feel more passion. Lil’ Mama told them the choreography needs to go perfectly with the music.

 

Royal Flush from Georgia was up to finish off the night. Lil’ Mama thought there was a lot going on and she wants to see more choreography. Omarion said the card idea at the end was corny and they could’ve come up with something more creative. JC Chasez actually really liked the routine and appreciated all they did up on stage.

 

After the judges saw what the South had to offer, they had a tough decision to make: Who goes to nationals?

 

They chose Swagger Crew and Jungle Boogie! The other three crews had to battle it out in the sudden death showdown. Only one more crew is going to be chosen for a spot in nationals. The all-girl crew X-Treme Motion really isn’t cutting it for me and Ghost is a little slow for this show. But, Royal Flush has been auditioning for the show every season, so now that they finally got to regionals, I think they deserve that spot in nationals.

 

But I’m not a judge so I guess my opinion doesn’t exactly matter! The third and final crew the judges chose was…Royal Flush! Looks like I could probably be a judge after all!

 

Watch the East and West crews show what they’re made of in the next two weeks of regionals on America's Best Dance Crew Thursday nights at 10/9c on MTV.

 

(image courtesy of MTV)

 

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