with

 and 

Note: Jen is away at Authors After Dark so she couldn’t participate in the finale. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be at AAD! And I apologize to you all, I’m too lazy to write the song info down (that was Jen’s specialty) but you can see the name of the song in each video.

TOP 4
Aired 8/10/11

For the final performance show, each dancer danced 5 times: with each contestant, once with an all-star and a solo. The judges joining Nigel and Mary Murphy were Katie Holmes and Kenny Ortega.

Melanie and Marko danced a disco routine by Doriana Sanchez. Um, can we say boring, not very good and terrible song choice?

Sasha and Mark Kanemura danced a Sonya Tayeh jazz routine. Who was seriously excited to hear that Sasha, Mark AND Sonya were working together??? *raises hand* That was a powerful trio, and I dare say this is one of the best performances of the season. The intensity, power and musicality of that routine was off the charts. Sasha laid the smackdown! And um, hellooooo Mark!

Tadd and Joshua Allen performed a Lil’C hip hop routine. I couldn’t take my eyes off Joshua! That fool was dirty gangsta! It’s truly part of his personality (check him out after the routine ends – he is still in that mode!) Tadd danced the routine well, but he just doesn’t have the grit and the rough tough to his personality.

Melanie and Robert Roldan danced a  contemporary routine by Stacey Tookey. Geeeez. Melanie’s emotion is palpable in every routine she performs. It’s quite a gift. This one was beautiful and believable.

Sasha and Marko danced a Spencer Liff Broadway routine. This was cute and fun, but nothing special. I enjoyed Marko’s acting, and thought Sasha looked gorgeous, but didn’t have the wow factor for me.

I was so angry when Melanie’s solo ended. Why did it have to end???!

Not too impressed with Marko’s solo, though I find him pretty incredible.

Sasha and Tadd performed a chacha choreographed by Mark Ballass. Terrible song. This was just….bad. I think it was mainly Tadd’s fault, but it was pretty ugly.

Marko and Lauren Froderman performed a contemporary routine by Tessandra Chavez. This one was a total tearjerker. Very powerful and believable. A pretty palpable and soulful routine, indeed.

This was my favorite Tadd solo! Has anyone been able to find the “Keep Tadd shirtless” website? Inquiring minds need to know! >:Þ

Melanie and Tadd danced a Ray Lippa jazz routine. I absolutely adored this routine. It was so entertaining. Melanie was phenom!

I was mad when Sasha’s solo ended too! I was so captivated.

Sasha and Melanie danced a really interesting Stacey Tookey contemporary routine. They portrayed two 1950′s housewives who felt trapped by life. Loved the statement is made, and I LOVED those dresses!

Marko and Tadd performed a gumboot stepping routine choreographed by Chuck Maldonado. It was cool to learn that stepping originated from South African miners. Who knew? This was a pretty horrible routine though. It was sloppy. The choreographer looked quite pissed afterward…

All in all, this was a semi-boring finale with some gems thrown in. Did anyone else catch Kenny Ortega mention a Dirty Dancing remake? Holy SMOKES. I flew off the couch, I was so excited! I would DIE if Melanie got the role of Baby! I think she is quite perfect.

SEASON 8 FINALE
Aired 8/11/11

I am going to count how many time Sonya was showcased in tonight’s finale, in case you were on the fence about how ridiculously amazing she is.

The finale opened up with a Sonya Tayeh group jazz dance performed by the top 20. Pretty wicked! Sonya #1

The judges got to pick their favorites, and some were my favorites too.

Mary Murphy picked the Tyce Diorio contemporary routine performed by Sasha and Kent Boyd. Yea, pretty phenom.

Nigel Lythgoe picked the Nappytabs routine performed by Melanie and Marko. Another fav.

Robin Antin’s favorite dance was a Mandy Moore jazz routine  performed by Tadd and Lauren Froderman .

Lil’C chose the Nappy Tabs woodpecker routine performed by Miranda and Robert.

Mary Murphy chose the Mandy Moore contemporary routine danced by Melanie and Neil Haskell. So beautiful. ♥

Jesse Tyler Ferguson asked to see the Sonya Tayeh contemporary routine performed by Marko and Allison Holker. Pretty fantastic.  Sonya #2

Tyce Diorio loves the Sonya Tayeh Top 10 girls Geisha routine. Definitely love this one! Sonya #3

Lil’C also liked the Chris and Ashley Spencer Liff Broadway routine, which I must admit I love to.

Nigel picked the awesomesauce Christopher Scott hip hop routine that was performed by Twitch and Sasha.

Sonya Tayeh loves the Christopher Scott top 10 guy group dance.

Mary Murphy loved the Travis Wall Melanie and Marko contemporary statue dance. Definitely a winner.

Nigel chose the last dance of the night. He asked to see the Sonya Tayeh jazz piece performed by Sasha and Melanie. SO much win. Sonya #4

RESULTS

4th place: Tadd Gadduang.
So proud of this guy, even if there were better dancers. His personality and ability to pick up other genres well really made him stand out.

3rd place: Marko Germar.
This guy’s passion for life is astounding. He will go far and touch many hearts.

And the winner of SYTYCD Season 8 is Melanie Moore!
I think most of knew from her audition that she was taking this title. She is a very talented performer with the ability to suck you in emotionally. I wish her the best and she better come back as an All-Star!

And I can’t forget to say something about Sasha. I will be honest in stating that I wanted Melanie to win but would not have been one bit upset if Sasha took it. She is one hell of a dancer and I agree with Nigel: She dances from her soul. Good luck to her! She better come back as an All-Star too!

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And that, my friends, concludes SYTYCD Saturdays for this season. I hope you enjoyed Jen and Smash’s commentary and video recaps.

Stay tuned this fall for WALKING DEAD WEDNESDAYS!

 

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