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So You Think You Can Dance Season 8: Finale Performance Recap

Posted on 08/10/2011 by Lindsay in So You Think You Can Dance

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So You Think You Can Dance Season 8

 

by Lindsay Strouse

 

It's down to Melanie, Marko, Sasha and Tadd as the final four left standing on So You Think You Can Dance. I have a feeling it's going to be a girl's year (aka Year of the Beast), but hey, you never know with dancers as sensational as these. Helping us out for the evening on the judging panel are Kenny Ortega and Katie Holmes.

 

So without further adieu, here's how our Final Four did on their last night competing on that Hollywood stage:

 

Dancers: Melanie and Marko
Style: Disco
Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez
Song: "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer
This season's favorite couple is back in action and they danced like they never left each other's side. I was expecting the judges to love them, but Mary and Nigel thought several of their lifts were shaky and that they looked uncomfortable in the style. Luckily, they'll both be dancing a couple more times tonight to remind America just how amazing they are.

 

Dancers: Sasha and Mark (all-star)
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh
Song: "Raise Your Weapon" by Deadmau5
Sonya dedicated this piece as an "Ode to Sasha" to exemplify her extraordinary quality of overcoming each obstacle in her life with integrity and grace. Sasha was so strong and powerful in this dance, and she paired perfectly with all-star Mark. She got a scream from Mary and was complimented on dancing every bit as mature and seasoned as her all-star partner. There's a reason Sasha has been called a warrior princess and this is why.

 

Dancers: Tadd and Joshua (all-star)
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Lil' C
Song: "Hustle Hard" by Ace Hood
In the words of Lil' C, that was BUCK. So on point, so hard-hitting, so in sync, so much swag filling the stage. Josh is a difficult hip-hop dancer to keep up with, but Tadd managed to stay right on the same level as our seasoned vet. It's fitting that their song was called "Hustle Hard," for I believe Tadd has been one of the hardest working contestants this season. Even with his "sweetie pie" persona, Tadd pulled it out tonight.

 

Dancers: Melanie and Robert (all-star)
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: "Sacrifice" by Sinead O'Connor
How sad to watch a story of unrequited love when Robert is the one on the other end (looking just as good as ever). They worked together to dance a classically beautiful piece, and it truly was lovely. Each judge talked about that special quality Melanie possesses that made her stand out from her very first audition. P.S. Did anyone else see that rock on her left hand?! Hmm...

 

Dancers: Sasha and Marko
Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Spencer Liff
Song: "Whatever Lola Wants" by Ella Fitzgerald
What a classic. Sasha and Marko were absolutely adorable together and looked like they were having so much fun. Kenny complimented the transformations both dancers are able to accomplish so easily and Katie second his thoughts. The judges didn't even recognize Marko when he first came out - that's how well he got into character. Nigel seems to be the Debby Downer of the night and wasn't blown away by their style.

 

Dancer: Melanie
Song: "Song for Viola" by Peter Bradley Adams

 

Dancer: Marko
Song: "The Fear You Won't Fall" by Joshua Radin

 

Dancers: Sasha and Tadd
Style: Cha cha
Choreographer: Mark Ballas
Song: "Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx
Though they looked fierce and definitely worked hard, this piece had quite a few issues that were hard to miss. Mary was the first to mention how many style and technical issues they shared, and though Sasha fared a bit better than Tadd, both were clearly struggling. Hopefully their previous and future performances tonight will be enough to get America to pick up the phone.

 

Dancers: Marko and Lauren (all-star)
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Tessandra Chavez
Song: "Shirk" by Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Truly breathtaking choreography - I wish we had the opportunity to see more choreography from Tessandra this season. Marko and Lauren danced with such sincere and raw emotion, it only complimented their unbelievable dance technique. The great thing about Marko is that he really does just "live it" up on that stage, and it's so clear to see he does not take one moment of it for granted.

 

Dancer: Tadd
Song: "Mamma Knows Best" by Jessie J

 

Dancers: Tadd and Melanie
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Ray Leeper
Song: "Show Me What You're Working With" by Sista Monica
This whole dance was one big ploy to see Tadd take his clothes off...not that I think anyone was complaining. Nigel has been clear about how he hasn't been too impressed with tonight's finale, but this piece brought it to life for him. They both completely got into character and brought so much fun to the stage. Kenny notes Melanie's mesmerizing presence before she even starts dancing and thought her chemistry with Tadd was spot on.

 

Dancer: Sasha
Song: "Be Be Your Love" by Rachael Yamagata

 

Dancers: Sasha and Melanie
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: "Heart Asks Pleasure First" by Ahn Trio
This piece is certainly on the other end of the spectrum from their last duet together, but equally as strong in my opinion. They utilize Stacey Tookey's incredible choreography to tell the tale of two suppressed housewives of the 1950s. It's always exciting to watch Sasha and Melanie dance together, for they play off each other's strengths to create one magnificent performance.

 

Dancers: Marko and Tadd
Style: Stepping
Choreographer: Chuck Maldonado
Song: "B.O.B" by Outkast
Not the best way to end the night for me, but also not the easiest style to master. This piece definitely involved a great deal of athleticism and required a lot of effort to stay in unison. Instead of praising their effort, Nigel repeated his initial opinion that a girl will win this competition...ouch. Well, I still love you Marko and Tadd!

 

 

So who do you think is in it to win it? My vote goes to Sasha. Make sure to find out tomorrow night on So You Think You Can Dance at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

 

Follow Lindsay on Twitter @LindsayStrouse


  


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