Post by uptowndragon on May 14, 2007 16:53:40 GMT 7
Rentak Sejuta Weekly Review (Episode 6 - Top 18)
This is were it all happens every week.
Noor treating an injury to her knee just hours before the start of Episode 6.
Brancy getting in some last minute practice
Petite Juliana showing us her Bling Blings.
The first thing I realized about Episode 6 is the format has been modified slightly from the original series. In the US version, the contestants are paired with different people every week (depending on the draw), but apparently the local version retains the existing pairing until someone gets eliminated. Only the contestants who saw their partners eliminated will be paired together as a new couple. However, they all still pick their dance types from a draw.
This only a part of the 60 strong supporters for Jimmy
This modification was adapted, apparently because it was felt that the dancers did not have enough time each week to gel with new partners, thus making it difficult for them to establish a better working relationship with each other. By maintaining the existing partnership each week, they would be able to fully focus on the choreography, without worrying about re-establishing chemistry. Unfortunately new partnerships resulting from eliminations will still have to go through the bonding process again.
There are pros and cons to this new adaptation, but I personally am willing to give it a chance and will comment later about it. Unfortunately, the viewers may be a little disappointed with the same pairing each week and would be more interested in knowing how they would fare with different partners. The good news is that some couples took advantage of the situation and came out with more fluid performances and improved their standings. But this was not true for all.
Even the Pinkies (Daniel MI2 Fan Club members) decided to check out what all the fuss was about
Eileen form 8TV showing her Project Runway skills on the SYTYCD tee.
Last week¡¦s high flyers Brancy & Sean came crashing quickly down to earth, when their less than scintillating demonstration did not go down too well with all 3 judges, resulting in the surprise expulsion of Sean from the competition. Although less articulate than the week before, and void of any emotional connection with Sean, Brancy still managed to showcase her clockwork precision. Unfortunately Sean, who is among the better dancers in the competition, was too focused in keeping time with the rhythm and did not display the required sharpness and charisma required for the selected style. The heat was simply missing from his performance, in fact, both theirs. Another thing that was weak was the minimal choreography which did not excite anybody.
On the other hand, new pairing Jo & Jimmy made the crowd go wild with their inspiring and well orchestrated routine. It was quite evident that they will be one of the couples to watch out for and may be closer to the title than most.
Noor & Alam, maintained their maturing partnership, with another heartwarming performance that was full of energy and uncompromising focus, even if Alam did not display the ruggedness of a bullfighter and looked a little out of place. The loveable couple is clearly among the favorites, and looks likely to deliver the goods each week, irregardless of Alam¡¦s lack of formal training.
The other crowd favourite, Nikki & Yuz also continued to deliver decent performances, with Yuz clearly showing that his schooling as a dancer has not been wasted. Streetwise Nikki expanded her dimensions as well with a more emotive display this week, which made the entire routine more soothing and enjoyable.
I was also pleased to see the rise of Vish from the bottom of the barrel. As luck would have it, he had an opportunity to improve on his salsa, and did not disappoint with a much more technical, cohesive and confident delivery. But he does have to thank his excellent partner Orange who made up for any of his shortcomings with a sizzling and sultry display that complimented him. This is definitely one colorful couple, and there is certainly plenty of chemistry between the two of them to carry them through. Most impressive is their dedication and uncompromising work rate.
Becky is simply an amazing dancer. Bold, energetic, expressive, technically sound and precise, all the key attributes of a professional dancer. But all this comes with the grounding of formal training and years of experience at competitive levels. Dennis does not have any studio experience, but this obviously has not deterred him from bringing it on. What he lacks in skill, he makes up with loads of charisma, and his signature cheekiness. But is it enough for him to take him to the top? Although, their jaunt this week was fun and cheery, with Becky clearly showing her caliber, Dennis¡¦ performance was a little too cartoonish for my liking. He really needs to wise up and start focusing on getting more technically sober, than to continue to rely on his naughtiness to carry him through. After a while, the viewers will get bored with the antics, and loose interest. Need more substance from him.
Dennis' "Fan" Club???
I thought it was nice touch to change the typical upbeat hip hop routines with one that was more subtle and slower. The change of pace from the usual pulsating beats, afforded both Sue & Isaac, the space to explore a more lyrical expression, with a very energetic and flowing performance that seemed to come from deeper within. Granted it was not perfect but it was sincere. And Sue looked absolutely ravishing this week, which probably gave her a lot more confidence to go for it.
The weakest dancers this week were clearly Davina & Firul, and, Alice & Chris. Understandably Davina¡¦s lack of training puts her at a clear disadvantage, as her execution of her routines is weak and shapeless, as evidenced in their hip hop workout this week. But what is unforgiving, is the well trained Firul struggling to keep up. Most of his execution seemed half hearted and imprecise. Not what I would have expected from someone of his stature. I was quite surprised that he was not in the bottom 4 instead of Sean this week. Perhaps working with a weaker dancer like Davina may have dampened his spirit. I hope he will be more secure with a stronger dancer like Brancy next week and come out surging with a more eloquent and technically demanding showcase.
Alice was a lot better this week but I still sense that she is finding it difficult to shake of her ballet roots. Although robodancer Chris executes his moves reasonably well but he hardly resonates with charisma and is not at all emotive. Perhaps he has evolved too much into a robot. There is zero chemistry between the two, at least on the dance floor, as far as I can see, and as guest judge Tiara Jacquelina accurately voiced out, they are only going through the choreographed motions well without having established a partnership.
In the end it was not surprising to see Chris, Alice & Davina in the bottom 4 this week, but it was a real shocker to see Sean there. But it was no surprise that Sean was eliminated, as he had failed to establish stable fan support from the very start. It doesn¡¦t matter how talented the contestants are but the key to winning any viewer voting contests involves establishing a connection with the voting public and building a fan base. And this involves constant lobbying from the contestants, their friends and their families. There is a also a danger of them being eliminated by strategic sabotage, should fans of other contestants perceive them to be a threat to their favorites in the competition, and decide to eliminate them by collectively voting for the weaker contestant. This is the reality of it, and depending on their raw talent alone is not gonna cut it.
Whatever the case, this week¡¥s show was a bigger blast, with most of the contestants raising their game. It also demonstrated that nothing could be taken for granted, as even the best can easily falter and be shown the exit. The fans have been exceptionally brilliant with their vociferous support. But I was disappointed to see that some contestants didn¡¦t seem to have much fan support, even from family & friends. I implore families who have been less supportive, to do their bit, and help the cause of their children who are doing their very best to improve their lives. Don¡¦t ignore them because they have not followed the path that you wanted them to take instead.
The gang from Rentak Sejuta posing with the Pinkies (Daniel MI2 Fan Club)
Had a chance to meet up with an old friend, I'm still me but she's a Datin Seri now.
This week¡¦s ranking:
1.Jo & Jimmy
2.Alam & Noor
3.Nikki & Yuz
4.Becky & Dennis
5.Orange & Vish
6.Sue & Isaac
7.Brancy & Sean
8.Alice & Chris
9.Davina & Firul
This is were it all happens every week.
Noor treating an injury to her knee just hours before the start of Episode 6.
Brancy getting in some last minute practice
Petite Juliana showing us her Bling Blings.
The first thing I realized about Episode 6 is the format has been modified slightly from the original series. In the US version, the contestants are paired with different people every week (depending on the draw), but apparently the local version retains the existing pairing until someone gets eliminated. Only the contestants who saw their partners eliminated will be paired together as a new couple. However, they all still pick their dance types from a draw.
This only a part of the 60 strong supporters for Jimmy
This modification was adapted, apparently because it was felt that the dancers did not have enough time each week to gel with new partners, thus making it difficult for them to establish a better working relationship with each other. By maintaining the existing partnership each week, they would be able to fully focus on the choreography, without worrying about re-establishing chemistry. Unfortunately new partnerships resulting from eliminations will still have to go through the bonding process again.
There are pros and cons to this new adaptation, but I personally am willing to give it a chance and will comment later about it. Unfortunately, the viewers may be a little disappointed with the same pairing each week and would be more interested in knowing how they would fare with different partners. The good news is that some couples took advantage of the situation and came out with more fluid performances and improved their standings. But this was not true for all.
Even the Pinkies (Daniel MI2 Fan Club members) decided to check out what all the fuss was about
Eileen form 8TV showing her Project Runway skills on the SYTYCD tee.
Last week¡¦s high flyers Brancy & Sean came crashing quickly down to earth, when their less than scintillating demonstration did not go down too well with all 3 judges, resulting in the surprise expulsion of Sean from the competition. Although less articulate than the week before, and void of any emotional connection with Sean, Brancy still managed to showcase her clockwork precision. Unfortunately Sean, who is among the better dancers in the competition, was too focused in keeping time with the rhythm and did not display the required sharpness and charisma required for the selected style. The heat was simply missing from his performance, in fact, both theirs. Another thing that was weak was the minimal choreography which did not excite anybody.
On the other hand, new pairing Jo & Jimmy made the crowd go wild with their inspiring and well orchestrated routine. It was quite evident that they will be one of the couples to watch out for and may be closer to the title than most.
Noor & Alam, maintained their maturing partnership, with another heartwarming performance that was full of energy and uncompromising focus, even if Alam did not display the ruggedness of a bullfighter and looked a little out of place. The loveable couple is clearly among the favorites, and looks likely to deliver the goods each week, irregardless of Alam¡¦s lack of formal training.
The other crowd favourite, Nikki & Yuz also continued to deliver decent performances, with Yuz clearly showing that his schooling as a dancer has not been wasted. Streetwise Nikki expanded her dimensions as well with a more emotive display this week, which made the entire routine more soothing and enjoyable.
I was also pleased to see the rise of Vish from the bottom of the barrel. As luck would have it, he had an opportunity to improve on his salsa, and did not disappoint with a much more technical, cohesive and confident delivery. But he does have to thank his excellent partner Orange who made up for any of his shortcomings with a sizzling and sultry display that complimented him. This is definitely one colorful couple, and there is certainly plenty of chemistry between the two of them to carry them through. Most impressive is their dedication and uncompromising work rate.
Becky is simply an amazing dancer. Bold, energetic, expressive, technically sound and precise, all the key attributes of a professional dancer. But all this comes with the grounding of formal training and years of experience at competitive levels. Dennis does not have any studio experience, but this obviously has not deterred him from bringing it on. What he lacks in skill, he makes up with loads of charisma, and his signature cheekiness. But is it enough for him to take him to the top? Although, their jaunt this week was fun and cheery, with Becky clearly showing her caliber, Dennis¡¦ performance was a little too cartoonish for my liking. He really needs to wise up and start focusing on getting more technically sober, than to continue to rely on his naughtiness to carry him through. After a while, the viewers will get bored with the antics, and loose interest. Need more substance from him.
Dennis' "Fan" Club???
I thought it was nice touch to change the typical upbeat hip hop routines with one that was more subtle and slower. The change of pace from the usual pulsating beats, afforded both Sue & Isaac, the space to explore a more lyrical expression, with a very energetic and flowing performance that seemed to come from deeper within. Granted it was not perfect but it was sincere. And Sue looked absolutely ravishing this week, which probably gave her a lot more confidence to go for it.
The weakest dancers this week were clearly Davina & Firul, and, Alice & Chris. Understandably Davina¡¦s lack of training puts her at a clear disadvantage, as her execution of her routines is weak and shapeless, as evidenced in their hip hop workout this week. But what is unforgiving, is the well trained Firul struggling to keep up. Most of his execution seemed half hearted and imprecise. Not what I would have expected from someone of his stature. I was quite surprised that he was not in the bottom 4 instead of Sean this week. Perhaps working with a weaker dancer like Davina may have dampened his spirit. I hope he will be more secure with a stronger dancer like Brancy next week and come out surging with a more eloquent and technically demanding showcase.
Alice was a lot better this week but I still sense that she is finding it difficult to shake of her ballet roots. Although robodancer Chris executes his moves reasonably well but he hardly resonates with charisma and is not at all emotive. Perhaps he has evolved too much into a robot. There is zero chemistry between the two, at least on the dance floor, as far as I can see, and as guest judge Tiara Jacquelina accurately voiced out, they are only going through the choreographed motions well without having established a partnership.
In the end it was not surprising to see Chris, Alice & Davina in the bottom 4 this week, but it was a real shocker to see Sean there. But it was no surprise that Sean was eliminated, as he had failed to establish stable fan support from the very start. It doesn¡¦t matter how talented the contestants are but the key to winning any viewer voting contests involves establishing a connection with the voting public and building a fan base. And this involves constant lobbying from the contestants, their friends and their families. There is a also a danger of them being eliminated by strategic sabotage, should fans of other contestants perceive them to be a threat to their favorites in the competition, and decide to eliminate them by collectively voting for the weaker contestant. This is the reality of it, and depending on their raw talent alone is not gonna cut it.
Whatever the case, this week¡¥s show was a bigger blast, with most of the contestants raising their game. It also demonstrated that nothing could be taken for granted, as even the best can easily falter and be shown the exit. The fans have been exceptionally brilliant with their vociferous support. But I was disappointed to see that some contestants didn¡¦t seem to have much fan support, even from family & friends. I implore families who have been less supportive, to do their bit, and help the cause of their children who are doing their very best to improve their lives. Don¡¦t ignore them because they have not followed the path that you wanted them to take instead.
The gang from Rentak Sejuta posing with the Pinkies (Daniel MI2 Fan Club)
Had a chance to meet up with an old friend, I'm still me but she's a Datin Seri now.
This week¡¦s ranking:
1.Jo & Jimmy
2.Alam & Noor
3.Nikki & Yuz
4.Becky & Dennis
5.Orange & Vish
6.Sue & Isaac
7.Brancy & Sean
8.Alice & Chris
9.Davina & Firul