Hi there, if you stopped in for the weekly Bachelor recap, or some American Idol gossip…or any other bit of pop culture gossip and a cup of coffee, please know that we have moved over to Karina’s main blog Candid Karina.  Please come on over, you’ll still get all the gossip, snarkiness and celeb-reality obsession over there…just a little bit more as well.

Come on over!

Is American Idol.  It’s back ladies and gents.  The music, the judges, Ryan Seacrest, the vote for the worst websites, the awful auditions, and even a little bit of fantastic talent (we hope)…American Idol is here again.

And I, for one, am looking forward to it.

As with last year, I will be blogging episode recaps each week.  Giving you my top picks, my choices to go home, which voices give me chills, and which ones just gives me the creeps.

But, tonight, for the next week or two, it’s all about the audition process, and as we’ve come to know and love (hate) this process, all the freaks, geeks and those who really shouldn’t have, will show up for their chance at stardom.

These audition shows used to be my favorite when the show first started.  In fact, in the beginning, I would actually only watch the first few audition episodes, and then stop watching the show.  But then it stopped being so funny, and started just being annoying.  There is no way these people actually think they’re any good.  There is no way they’d ever be allowed to even enter the same room as Randy, Paula and Simon if it wasn’t for the shock value, the supposed humor, and the sheer force of embarrassing them.  And I’m sort of sick of it.  It’s all staged and fake at this point, and I no longer find it all that funny.  And I’m not really all that sure I can take Simon’s eye rolling for another season.

But, now and again they actually share with us a few truly talented souls, and it is for these that I watch the auditions, for the glimpse of talent.  Yeah, I know, I’m obviously not in sync with the rest of America…you’re only realizing that now?

Anyway, I won’t be blogging the audition shows…but I will be back to blog once they hit Hollywood.

Until then, lets all sit back, relax, and try to not cringe too much at the auditions.  OH yeah, and lets get to know this new judge they’ve been talking about nonstop.

It’s the second episode, and there are 15 girls left.  Tonight Jason will send someone else home.  But first, he needs to get to know the girls a little bit.

First it’s a pool party and all the girls are hanging out, when Jason stops by for a visit.  A little getting to know this one and that one and then Jason gets a rose to hand out to te one girl he wants to have his first one on one date with that night.

He chooses Jillian, the hotdog girl.  I like her.  She’s cute, and she’s sweet and a little dorky, but not phony or too barbie”ish” as some of the other girls come across.  She just seems real and down to earth, which is sort of fitting for for Jason, no?  On their solo date they are treated to an intimate performance by Robin Thicke…nice.

While they are out on their date, Melissa gets a note from Jason letting her know they have a one on one date the next day.

But, back to the date…I’m wondering, how awkard is it for Robin Thicke to be singing his heart out while Jason and Jillian are making out mere feet away from him and paying zero attention to him?  Awkward??

So, the next morning Melissa heads out for her solo date with Jason.  Her first date in 3 years, she tells us.  I like Melissa too.  She is also cute and fun, and also seems pretty down to earth, although maybe a bit more high strung than Jillian.

While their date is going on, another envelope shows up at the house for the girls.  This one lets a group of ladies know they’ll be going on a group date with Jason.  A few of the ladies will not be going, however, on a date at all, it seems.

Back to the date and we find Jason and Melissa making out on the beach.  And then the two of them get to go for a ride on a goodyear blimp.  That’s pretty damn cool.

Now, about all the making out…seriously…these guys must just LOVE being the bachelor, because, hello?    Yeah…but how awkward is it to be one of the girls?  I’m really thinking there’s just no way I could ever do this show.

And then it’s time for the group date.  The girls are taken by Jason on a shopping trip, to pick out an outfit for their date.  And then they are all hanging out poolside and getting to know one another.  There is some drama, some kissing, some more kissing…and a bit more drama, backstabbing and scheming.  These girls are in it to win it, that’s for sure.

Jason has a rose to hand out on this date, and he chooses Molly.

And then after he drops the girls off at home, Raquel sneaks into his limo to attempt a sneaky conversation with him.  UH…this is definitely going to be my favorite word for this show…AWKWARD.  Did she just say that she wants someone who will love her to death, meaning that if she dies, she wants him to love her so much that he’ll never want to remarry?  Wow…okay.

Then it is the night of the rose ceremony, and Jason has a chance to chat with some of the girls, including some of the girls who haven’t yet had a chance for one on one time with him. 

Three girls will be going home tonight, so he has a decision to make.

So, Shannon the dental hygienist still freaks me out.  She’s weird, slightly annoying and well…I don’t really like her for him, to be honest.

Then it’s on to Stephanie, the widowed mom.  She’s sweet, and I think she has the right intentions, and I like her…I’m just not loving the eyebrows.  Okay, I know, I’m sorry.  But…really?

Jason also has another chat with Nikki, the one who seems most concerned that some of the girls are on the show for all the wrong reasons.  I’m still not sure if I fall on the plus or negative side about her.  I don’t know whether I like her or not…I’m still forming an opinion.

And then a shocker…Lisa tells Jason that she has to leave because her grandmother is terminally ill and she’s decided to go home to be with her family at this time.  I gotta give the girl credit, because odds are against her in this house anyway, and family is family.

Jason then sits down to chat with the other mother, Megan.  But she is interrupted by Molly, who actually already has a rose.  I actually don’t like Megan, she rubs me the wrong way, but at the same time, I have to agree with her that it was pretty selfish of Molly to do that.  This also leads to a bit more drama between the girls, a bit of that she said she said crazyness.  Fun to watch, but some of these girls are definitely not mature enough to be here to find “love and marriage”.

Erica comes down really hard on Megan, making her out to be the “bad guy” in the situation about the Molly situation, but again, as much as I don’t like Megan, Erica just came out looking like a catty bitch.  Two of them that could go home as far as I’m concerned.

Now because Lisa chose to go home on her own, there are only two girls who will not get roses tonight.  So who will they be?

Jillian, Melissa and Molly are already safe.  Jason’s first rose of the night goes to Megan, drawing an eye roll and dirty looks form Erica.  The next one goest to Nikki, who is growing on me (and also, by the way, totally reminds me of Sandra Bullock).  And then it’s Lauren, who I think is too high maintenance for Jason, and then Naomi.  Stephanie is next, followed by Kerri.  Natalie gets the next rose, and Shannon the one after that.  And then there was one…the final rose of the night goes to…Erica.

That means Raquel and…well damn, I don’t even know the name of the other girl…Sharon, the teacher who quit her job to come on the show, are going home tonight.

And that’s the show tonight. Now there are 12.  What drama is in store for next week?  OOH, this will be a fun season to watch, but I’m sure glad I’m not living in that hen house!

Well, here it is, the Season Premiere of the newest edition of The Bachelor, and the first one I will watch.  In case you missed it, I got sucked into The Bachelorette last season because an old college buddy of mine was one of the Bachelors on there.  He didn’t make it very far, but by then, I was hooked.

However, when the show ended and that silly silly girl didn’t choose Jason, that should have been the end of watching these silly dating shows for me.  Except, I knew Jason would no doubt be picked as the next Bachelor.  In fact, I said, and I quote: Well, at least we know for sure who the next Bachelor will be, don’t we?  (Click on the link if you want to read my recap of that last episode) Yep, I called it.  For the record, I knew it wouldn’t work out with her and Jesse, she definitely made the wrong choice, but hey, it all happens for a reason right?

And, as I fell madly in television love with Jason during that season, I, of course, HAD to tune in tonight.  Yes, I know I”m just setting myself up for heartbreak, because yes, I know he’s already found true love on this show, so of course he won’t be calling me, but well…that’s how much I love him, I want him to be happy and find love.  See?  So unselfish of me.

Right, yeah, okay…moving on.  It’s time for the show to begin.  Jason needs to meet his 25 Bachelorettes and begin the search for his true love.  But can we just say how HOT this man has gotten since last season?  I mean he was always cute, and sweet and loveable, but damn, he’s HOT now.  LOVE.  Also love that he brought his son along with him on the show.  How great is that?

So first we take a quick peak at all the girls.  and uh…well, it’ll be an interesting season, that’s for sure. 

But then it truly begins.  The ladies arrive and introduce themselves to him one by one… I’m not going to go through them all, because well, that’s just a bit much, even Jason has to send 10 women home tonight, so we’ll just focus on the 15 that stay behind.

But, once they introduce themselves, it’s time for the “casual” getting to know you stage.  Shannon, the dental hygienest freaked him out, I think, with her stalkerish “I know everything about you” thing.

Dominique, could get annoying REALLY quick..

Sharon, the teacher who quit her job, kind of freaked me out.  I’m not sure about Jason, but me, yes.  Is that wrong?

Love Jillian’s “hot dog test”…too funny.  Love that Jason is a mustard guy too.

And then it’s time for Jason’s first task of the night, the first impression rose shows up.  The one that guarantees one of the ladies a free pass to the next time.  SO, the competition really heats up, as the girls vie for that rose.

Renee, the “vision board” chick is a little uh…out there. I mean, hey, whatever works, but…hmmm

So, the birthday girl things she’s getting the first impression rose, but instead he’s got cake for her.  psyche!

And then Chris shows up with a twist!  A ballot box, for the ladies to cast a vote as to the first lady they want to send home, right away.  OOH, the first vote and Jason doesn’t even get a vote.  Interesting.

The claws reallycome out here…Some true colors are shown here.  Jackie should have stopped drinking after maybe the first glass.  She’s sort of a sloppy, loud, obnoxious drunk. 

And then Jason takes the first impression rose and gives it to Nikki.  Was it the breasts?  It was, wasn’t it?  I’m bad, aren’t I?

And then Chris is back to announce the ballot votes.  Three women receive the majority of the votes, they are: Jackie, Erica and finally, the one receiving the most votes is Meghan.  But here’s the twist, she gets a rose, she is not going home.

How about them apples?

And then it is finally, officially time for Jason to make his decision and to begin the first rose ceremony.  Who will stay, and who will go? 

The first rose goes to Lauren, the birthday girl.  Next up is Kerri, then Naomi, Natalie and Molly.  Raquel is next, followed by Stephanie, Melissa and Jillian.  Then the camera pans through the girls and I realize there are a handful of them that didn’t even get any screen time tonight…guess we know they’re going home.  His next pick is Shannon, followed by Lisa, Sharon, the girl who quit her job to come meet him, and finally, the last rose goes to Erica.

And that’s it, the rest of the girls are going home.  Not really surprised by some of the choices, a little more by others, but it’s early yet, no real opinions have been formed just yet on any of them.  Well, most of them…vison board girl?  Yeah…right.  Jackie the wedding consultant should really have laid off the liquor.

Watching the previews for the season, it’s definitely going to be an interesting season…yes indeed.  Whoa, there’s a lot of emotion and drama and HELLO? Deanna comes back?  WHAT?

I for one am looking forward to seeing what happens.  What do you think?  Do you have any favorites yet?  Anyone you just don’t like?

Please dish!  Well, it’s well past my bedtime now so I am done for tonight.  Catch you next week.

Happy 2009 Everyone!

With a new year here, I figured there was no time like the present to re-open Café Karina.  Things got a little crazy toward the end of 2008, leaving the Café unstaffed and therefore closed for the season, but we are back and ready to serve you.

Come on in, have a seat, let’s get you some coffee and some pop culture, shall we?

What’ll it be?  I’ll show you a quick menu, but please note that we have daily specials, unexpected surprises and now and again, a special house blend.

Starting Monday, January 5^th (THAT’S TONIGHT) we’ll be serving up a weekly dose of The Bachelor Recaps.  Shortly thereafter, on January 13^th, we’ll begin American Idol recaps as well.

And because there is just so much more on television starting this month that we JUST must discuss, we’ll give you a “Best and Worst of the Week” round-up as well.

But that’s just the TV menu folks.  We’ve got music, we’ve got books, we’ve got movies and we can’t forget about the celebrities themselves.

We’ll pry into Karina’s very own MP3 Player and find out what she’s listening to, from new releases to the obscure or classic hits she just can’t get enough of.

If our ticket hounds are successful, we’ll have a few concert reviews in store for you as well.

Over in the quiet section of the Café, there will be periodic book reviews and suggestions for you bibliophiles.

And every once in a while a celebrity strolls into the Café with a story so juicy we just can’t let it go unnoticed.  We don’t indulge in celebrity gossip here at the Café very often, but now and again, we know you want to know.

So, stay awhile, we think you’ll like it here.

Yours truly,

Karina   

When I was 13 years old I fell in love with a boy from Boston.  For the next 5 years or so I would follow him and his four friends in all they did.  The boy was Donnie Wahlberg, his friends were Jordan, Joey, Jonathan and Danny…collectively, they were The New Kids on the Block.  At that time my walls were wallpapered with their faces, my two cousins and I started a “fan club” out of my bedroom, and we would exchange letters and photographs with hundreds of girls all over the world.  In each we would profess our love and adoration of the five hardest working guys in showbiz.  It was not easy to be a “Blockhead” in those days.  The New Kids were not taken seriously by the music industry or by mainstream media, and they were certainly the butt of many teen boys’ jokes.  To be a New Kids fan was to be constantly defending yourself, and your boys.  But it was probably because of that constant abuse that New Kids on the Block fans are a breed to be reckoned with.

15 years ago, it all came to an end.  An unsatisfactory and some would say all too abrupt end.  The New Kids disbanded, went their separate ways, and talk of a reunion was always immediately shot down.  But like a volcano waiting to erupt, the New Kids fan base didn’t die, it just went into hibernation.  As fans, we kept following the careers of our boys, Joey’s turn at Broadway, Jordan’s solo album, Donnie’s success in movies and television…we never stopped following our boys from Boston.

And then it was announced…The New Kids WOULD be reuniting, releasing a new album and going on tour.  The volcano erupted.  The fans came crawling back out of the woodwork en masse.  Major concert arenas sold out immediately, the album shot to number one on the pop charts its first week of release, the fansites popped back up, and 30 something year old women, married and with kids, updated their freebie lists.  The boys were back, and so were we.

Friday night, September 26, 2008, the boys returned to Boston for their first performance in their hometown in 15 years.  Performing to a sold out crowd of 13,000 plus mostly female fans, at the Garden, they were home again.

And this 30something year old, along with the rest of the ladies in the crowd, was on her feet, screaming at the top of her lungs, feeling like she was a 13 year old star-struck little girl all over again.  We were ready.  And the boys…now men…delivered.

With a combination of their old hits, and some of the new songs, they delivered a non-stop performance for a solid 2 ½ hours.  Whether bringing fans back to the good old days with songs like Please Don’t Go Girl, Tonight, Favorite Girl and Covergirl, or introducing a sexier, dirtier side with new hits like Grown Man and Dirty Dancing, they did not disappoint.  For a bunch of men in their late 30’s, who were all rumored to be suffering ill effects of a pretty nasty flu that night, they evoked nothing but professionalism and energy.  They gave the audience a bit of the throwback dance moves in “The Right Stuff” and “Step By Step”, and incorporated a whole new catalogue of choreography throughout.  Joey McIntyre showed off the skills learned during his stint on Dancing With The Stars, and Jordan Knight shared one of his solo hits with the screaming fans.  Danny Wood, 39, took to the stage in a break dancing routine that made him look 19 all over again, and Donnie Wahlberg never lost his mischievous grin the whole night through, except for the moment when he found himself at a loss for words and choked up at the response he received from his home town, which he deemed “This beautiful city”.

The looks on the fans faces as they exited the arena said it all.  The boys are back, and better than ever.  And this girl?  I fell in love with a  boy from Boston all over again.

If you have followed this blog (or Candid Karina) at all, then you know that I am a huge New Kids on The Block fan, and am unashamed to admit it.

A while back I blogged my excitement at their announced reunion tour and new cd to be realeased, but I’ve been sort of quiet about any follow up.  The reason for this is simply because well…I’ve been pretty much quiet blogging here at all all summer long. 

But should that make you think I haven’t followed this reunion very closely, let me set the record straight.  I have watched every interview and television special in the last few months.  I have visited their website on several different occasions.  I did go out and buy their new CD the day it was released, and yes, I do like it. AND yes, I bought tickets to their concert.

I have not sold my belongings to travel around the country following their tour.  I have not gone out and bought a t-shirt, and I can’t bring back out my old memorabilia, because, unfortunately, most of it died in a flood in 2005.  I did not camp out in New York City for the big Today show (but I was in town that day), and I really have no interest in stalking the boys at every visit in town.

I realize I’m in my 30’s and some semblance of control is therefore required.  In all honesty, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the youthful and silly feelings this reunion has brought out in me, and my friends and I are having a blast both reminiscing and planning our night out to the concert.  But that’s where it ends for me.  Most days I’m still a mature adult, who is enjoying the fun this is bringing, but at the end of the day, my feet are still firmly planted in reality. 

Except for tonight.  Because tonight, ladies and gents, is THE night.  Tonight, along with my friends BFF, M&M and The Cat, I am going to see the boys in concert, in their hometown, my college town, Boston, MA.

Tonight, I (along with my friends) will unabashedly act like star struck 13 year olds, all the while hoping our hoochie momma outfits will score us some attention so we can sneak our way backstage.  Tonight, all the rules of maturity and adulthood are firmly thrown out the window, and we indulge our inner teenie bopper aka groupie mentallity. 

TONIGHT, for one night, I get to fantasize all over again about how Donnie Wahlberg is going to see me from the stage, and fall madly deeply in love with me and want to marry me and have babies with me.  Just for tonight.

Tomorrow, well…tomorrow I upload the pictures to my computer and give you a concert review, and let my self slowly drift back down from the clouds, to reality.

But tonight?  OH MAN, you don’t want to stand in my way tonight…

Photo credit: NKOTB.com

So, tonight is the night when we find out who wins the title of America’’s Favorite Dancer. 

But first, there are two hours of pre-announcement performances, stalling, and fun.  Honestly, I actually really enjoy the “stalling” part of this show, because it just means I get to see more dancing.

There are videos showing us highlights of the season, a group performance with the top 20 (fantastic), an announcement that the winner will get a dance role in the upcoming Step Up 3D movie (which I personally cannot wait to see), and some of the judges favorite performances being performed yet again.

Not that it matters, but the following sequence of events is not exactly in the order it happened on the show (except for the results).

There was Katee and Joshua’s Bollywood performance (Fun), and Courtney and Gev’s Rumba (HOT), Comfort and Twitch’s Hip Hop routine to Chris Brown’s Forever (loved it), and Mark and Chelsie’s “hip hop” piece to Bleeding Love (one of my favorites this season).  There was also Katee and Will’s contemporary piece to Imagine…which, let me tell you, just reminded me of how much Will really is the most amazing dancer out there.  And of the fact that Katee really deserves to be in this top four.  And also, Courtney and Mark’s freaky dance choreographed by Sonja…such a freaky, but great piece. 

Then there was the battle between Philip Chbeeb and Robert Murane, two poppers who made the cuts to Vegas, but both didn’t make it to the top 20 (one had pneumonia and couldn’t go to Vegas, the other, to the shock of everyone, dropped out of the competition voluntarily in Vegas).    KICK ASS battle!  These two really need to go on tour together, seriously.  But, the judges were actually voting to see who won this battle…and the winner was…Robert by a landslide.  Still…both of them are fantastic at what they do.

There was also a surprise performance by Dmitri and Mary Murphy herself (one of the judges). 

But eventually it would be time for the first round of results…someone would find out they were NOT the winner…and that first person was: Courtney.  I have to share here that her dad standing up in the audience and saying “that’s my baby” made me cry real tears.

But folks, we still have an hour of show to go at this point.  Let’s enjoy some more performances, shall we?

First up, the top 5 guys, doing the “Five Guys Named Moe” routine.  I loved this one, it was silly, and goofy, and fun, but also really showcased their talents.

Then a guest performance by the cast of Chris Angel “Believe”, a Cirque Du Soleil show, choreographed by Wade Robson.  UH…yeah, weird.  And yet, I couln’t peel my eyes of the screen…it was hypnotizing. 

And again, it was time for anothe dancer to find out their time on the show was up…the next dancer elimated was…Katee.  Shouts of shock in the studio, understandably so, as Katee is an amazing dancer, but only one dancer can win it all, and I’ve got to tell you, I knew all along one of the guys would take it this year.  America loves the “growth” factor that two untrained hip-hop dancers can be this amazing.  Plus, there’s also the fact that let’s be honest, we know it’s mostly women and gay men voting for this show…not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s a factor, trust you me.  But Katee does not go home empty handed, this year they are awarding a prize to both the top boy and the top girl, so Katee goes home with $50k.  Not a bad take, no?  Good for her, she totally deserves it.

Then there was a performance by students from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, including…is that Nigel Lythgoe?  Yes it is…doing a little tap number himself…pretty good too.  How about that?

Then it was probably my favorite routine of the season (maybe second favorite, I think my favorite was the one with the bed actually), the Twitch and Katie, Mia Michaels choreographed piece with “the door”.  I LOVED this routine.

And then the Jonas Brothers did their thing…which, okay, I’ll admit it, I fast forwarded through it…sorry, don’t hate me, they’re just not for me.

Then Twitch and Kherrington with the beautiful Viennese Waltz took my breath away once again.

And the final routine of the night is the “No Air” performance by Tabitha and Napoleon with Katee and Joshua, another of my favorites. 

The truth is, watching this episode I’m reminded of just how amazing this entire season was…fantastic amazing performance, after fantastic amazing performance.

Before the final results, we are treated to a performance by some of the “best” of So You Think You Can Dance dancers from previous years.  What a fun treat that was.

But it was time for the stalling to end (as much fun as this particular brand of stalling was), and to find out who the winner would be.  Joshua or Twitch?

So, let’s get right to the point…And the winner is…

Joshua!

Well earned without a doubt!!!  He really has been the most amazing, most improved, most consistent dancer throughout the season. 

And there you have it.  I’m going to see if I can finagle some tickets to the tour…see you next season!

Well, this is it…the Final Four perform tonight.  The finale performance show is usually my favorite episode of the season because the performances are usually insanely good.  Will today be just as good as we’ve gotten used to?  Can Katee, Courtney, Twitch and Joshua deliver?

Let’s get to it and see.

The first couple is Courtney and Twitch, with a Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine.  I don’t know…it was alright, it was a fun routine, and they were full of energy, but…something was lacking for me.  I really loved how they got into character, especially Twitch, he’s so good at taking on these characters, but I wasn’t blown away. 

After a very sweet interview with Cat and Courtney, Courtney does her final solo.  I always love her solos, and think she puts so much of herself into them.  Beautiful.

Then it was time for Joshua and Katee to join together again and tackle a Wade Robson contemporary piece.  This one, however, blew me away.  Wow, what a beautiful fantastic amazing performance.  It was just beautiful.  I’m only sad that there can’t be two winners, because I really think these two deserve to win it as a couple.  They are so perfect together.

And then it was time for Katee and Courtney to dance together for the first time ever, doing a Tyce Diorio Broadway routine.  Very cute routine.  It definitely had that Broadway feel to it.  But I think that’s where my problem with it lies…I’m really not a fan of Broadway routines.  There was nothing exceptional about it…it was fun and cute…and kind of boring…eh

Then it was time for Twitch’s interview and retrospective.  I have to tell you, I couldn’t do these interviews justice, so I’m just glazing over them, but these four kids are all amazing not just with their dancing, but with their personalities too. 

And then Twitch takes on his fnal solo, and KILLS IT. He’s so good.

 The next routine is Joshua and Twitch’s partnering debut, with a Russian…uh…yeah, I’m not really sure what it was called…we’ll call it a battle instead.    This was a great fun routine too.  I enjoyed the battle, got a total kick out of the big balloon pants, and was blown away by all the tricks and flips, and things.  GREAT routine.

Katee’s interview and retrospective was next, followed by her solo.  Her solos I also always love as well.  She’s fantastic.

Halfway through the show and Twitch and Katee are up next with a FoxTrot.  Very steamy and beautiful.  I don’t know about the “technical” stuff when it comes to a FoxTrot, but it was a really romantic and well dance piece.  I loved it.  Twitch really blew me away doing this particular ballroom dance.  Very impressed.  And Katee?  Well, she’s just fantastic.

The final solo of the night, of the season, in fact, is Joshua’s…after his interview piece, of course.  The routine was so great he even lost his shoe.  Loved it.

The last couple’s routine is Joshua and Courtney’s doing a Jive.  It was a pretty intense, fast, crazy routine.  I am exhausted just watching it.  Crazy good.  These kids are crazy good.  But I did see the “issues” that Nigel pointed out, it wasn’t perfect…but it was still amazing to watch.

And the final dance of the competition puts all four of the finalists together doing a Mia Michaels contemporary piece.  Okay, I totally and completely did not get this piece.  It was strange and…I didn’t love it.  There were some really cool tricks in there, and they really are fantastic dancers, but the choreography itself?  I didn’t get it.  At ALL.

That said, I really think that these four dancers are amazing, and to be honest with you, I don’t really care who wins this season, becasue they are all worthy of the title.  Tomorrow we shall who walks away with it.

Tonight we find out the results, and which four dancers will make it to the finale next week.  But first, we are treated to a beautiful performance by the top six to one of my all time favorite songs, Bette Middler’s “The Rose”.  Beautiful.

It’s almost results time, but first the judges take some time to address the dancers, give them a bit of a pep talk, some reality, and some fantastic praise.  And then we get to see one more solo from each of them.  They all do a great job, of course.

Then we get a great treat with a little bitty thing (a kid about 6 years old) doing some breakdancing.  How cute was he?  And he was good too.

And then it’s time to get down to business.  Starting with the girls, Katee is safe.  Then to the boys, and Joshua is safe.

Then it’s some weird, creepy, and not really good performance by Lady GaGa…uh?  Yeah, right, whatever…I’ll admit it, I gave it about 10 seconds and then hit the fast forward button.

And finally, we get to find out the results.  Back to the girls, and Courtney is safe…Chelsie is going home.  It’s how I would have voted, to be honest, looking back over her highlight tape, I realize that toward the end she lost it for me, but she was one of my favorites for the better part of this competition…she’s fantastic.

And then it’s time for the boys to find out their fate.  And Twitch has made the finale.  Mark is going home.  Once again, how I would have voted, although Mark is a fantastic dancer as well.

And that’s it folks…next week is the finale already.  I can hardly wait, because the performance episode is always JAM packed with fantastic amazing choreography and performances.  See you then!