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OMG! AN OPENING NUMBER! I totally forgot that these are usually a reality show talent competition staple. But it confuses me so! America’s Best Dance Crew aims to be more “street,” more “urban” – getting the groups together for an opening number and then throwing a Broadway Challenge at them, I believe it’s the furthest from “street” you can actually get. But then again, look at, say, Broadway’s A Chorus Line – the only thing those kids wanted to do was dance. So maybe the two styles aren’t so different after all…

Ugh. Yes, this “Hard Knock Life” opening number did win me over. Even if it did feel a bit wrong. Eek – I bet former Dance Crew “Iconic” is kicking themselves right now. This week’s challenge was made for them. ANYways, on to the dancing!

Part 1 – Status Quo

Song: Hairspray’s “You Can’t Stop The Beat”

Ok – if this is what this week’s episode is gonna be, it’s going to be interesting. I just have to accept the fact that it’s going to be a bit cheesier than usual, eventhough I’m not fully convinced that these Broadway stylings will work with all these groups. But nonetheless, it’s definitely brought out a different, more fun and colourful side of Status Quo. They were up-beat, fully playing to the audience, and the rubberband chairs were cool, along with that fancy across-the-stage headstand. Overall, I dug this and their energy was infectious.

Judges?

Lil Mama: “Y’all are always impressive – just don’t ever forget that you’re fighting. However, y’all really brought Broadway to the streets. When y’all did that thing with the chairs – rubberband trick – that was crazy. Thank you for being creative.”
Shane: “Great job, great job. What I liked about it is y’all stayed true to your stuff, y’all did the Broadway but y’all didn’t lose yourselves. Y’all smashed it. This was one of the good ones.”
JC: “The character with you guys is always great. The other thing I want to talk about is the flip sequence a la Status Quo was amazing. The only thing I’m a little worried about is the floor work was your task this week – and you played it easy. I would’ve liked to have seen you push it a little bit more.”

Side note 1: What’s with JC’s scarf and hair and expressive hands this week? I hate to say it, but he’s looking a little bit, um, fey. His own personal tribute to Broadway perhaps…?

Side note 2: What’s with Mario Lopez tonight? He’s so giddy: He’s all over those damn rubberband chairs like a kid in a toy store, getting all fresh with Lil Mama, and diggin’ Status Quo’s Jamal’s wig a little too much. One too many latte’s perhaps…?

Part 2 – JabbaWockeeZ

Song: Chicago’s “All That Jazz”

JabbaWockeeZ once again prove how cute and clever they can be. They took the Broadway theatrics and ran with it – playing out various scenes, miming moving cars and jazz instruments, and showing their sense of humour – yet still managing to look cool. (Also, I’m digging the outfits – you can never go wrong with a hip shirt/vest combo). My money is on them.

JC: “You know what? It was very Broadway. The only thing for me is, the song was tough cause it was a little slow, but it did speed up at the end and I don’t feel you guys really punished it at the end.”
Lil Mama: “I just want to say that this is like “street” and I can definitely say that whaetver it is that y’all do, y’all take it, and y’all bring it to the ‘hood. Y’all kept y’all bounce. You could feel the spirit of jazz, but y’all kept it ‘hood.”
Shane: “First of all the piece was sick. The way y’all turned into the band – that’s some creative stuff right there. Ya’ll did the Charleston, we used to call it the Kid n’ Play. It was remarkable. Broadway is the future of hip hop right now and we are on our way.”

Part 3 – Kaba Modern

Song: Grease’s “You’re The One That I Want”

Kaba Modern continues to do something remarkable: be minimalist with their intricate moves, yet manage to be entertaining and high-energy at the same time. We saw it last week with their futuristic “Thriller” redux and now we see it again with their Broadway routine. Yes, the jump off the stage at the end was a bit cheeseball, but this team is always a joy to watch. I’m now curious to see a full production of Grease – choreographed by the stylish Kaba Modern.

Part 4 – BreakSk8

Song: Dreamgirls’ “One Night Only”

Oh ABDC, you had me worried for a second. As one BreakSk8 member astutely mentioned, “Dreamgirls isn’t something you give to a group of five guys.” I concur. But they pulled it off. Not as good as last week’s “Beat It” but definitely strong. With their full-body worms, their odd diva homage, and that impressive backflip ending, you can’t say they didn’t put up a fight to stay in this competition. I bet they are going home this week, but to quote the sassy Mario Lopez, they “did their thang.” Snap!

JC: “Kaba Modern – It was cool. I think what you guys did really well is you understood the concept of Grease. It was a girl-guy love story back and forth so you were in each other’s faces. That was smart. And ladies, there are three of you left. You girls are the last three girls so congratulations on getting here.”
Shane: “BreakSk8 – Ok, look, fellas – if this was a regular dance show, y’all woulda killed it, but the fact that you had to add the Broadway to it I kind of was confused a little bit cause I didn’t see a lot of it. I wanted to see a little bit more. Overall it was good, but it wasn’t what I wanted from y’all fellas–”
JC: “–I thought the dancing was amazing though, you guys danced really well–”
Shane: “–yeah that was good, but it was a Task, and I needed to see that.”
Lil Mama: “For both groups I’m going to have to agree with both JC and Shane – this is your weakest area, mixing it with Broadway. Take this show to your last breath. Take this show and take advantage. Everything that they give you, don’t take it as, ‘Oh they hate us, they are trying to get rid of us’ – don’t think of it like that. Think of it as, ‘They’re trying to help you grow,’ cause you are dancers. Grow everyday.”

Man – those judges. Talk talk talk cutting each other off blah blah blah – JUST KICK SOMEONE OFF ALREADY! – but no! Wait! I actually like both of these bottom 2 crews! Grrrr… I hate lose-lose situations.

And the losers of this particular situation are… BreakSk8. Boooo! But yay! I do think Kaba Modern is overall the deserving team to stay, so justice has been served!

So check ya’ later, BreakSk8. You brought a different flavour to the competition and you will be missed.

Next week: The Final Three!

Previous Recaps:
Episode 5
Episode 4
Episode 3
Episode 2

Posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 11:17 am by Kat and is filed under America's Best Dance Crew, We <3 TV.

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