Generally speaking and without fail, who won and who didn’t win is always the most controversial aspect of any contest. The word controversy is often abused however, and this contest just might be one of those times where it will be abused. Is it not a controversy if your favorite stepper couple didn’t win? No! Maybe it’s a disappointment but surely not a controversy. Is it a controversy that Tyk Myn won, yet again, in two categories? Not really. There were 8 separate judges, they were different from last year, they were mixed with new and old skool, and they picked this brother yet again.

What about the music? Is it controversial that the steppers were doubled up and the dancers didn’t get a chance to dance to their personal mixes. Well, it’s definitely a problem because it can surely ruin a routine, but I’m not sure it’s a controversy because every contestant had to experience this same issue. Now a controversy would be some steppers getting all of their music, while others got only a song. It’s a problem that some cd’s wouldn’t play and that others skipped mid performance because they wrote on the disc, but not a controversy.

So while many steppers will have their own opinions of the contest, which is totally fine by the way, let’s not attack the integrity of the contest the way we usually do by suggesting that the fix was in or that favoritism existed, or that there was some type of conspiracy against certain couples or dancers. I honestly believe that the judges tried to be fair and that they had no reason not to be. So let’s dig in.

Beginners Category

With all that I’ve said about the contest not being controversial, if there was any REAL controversy in this contest, it was in the beginners category. The winners Jay Williams and Ann Williams won hands down in the talent department. The question from many however was whether they were really beginners. One person that I talked to said that they danced against them in a contest two years ago. Whether this is true or not is still in the air. Pete Frazier is looking into this situation as we speak. Here’s the deal though. None of us have ever seen them dance before. It’s difficult to determine how long someone has been dancing and this also raises a question of whether you count time in class or not. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.

Personally I was impressed by the winning couple. I thought they did an excellent job and deserved to win based on their talent. I was also really impressed by Jamie Graham and Teneisha Austin, who had to be close in the running. Another bright spot in the beginners category this year were new steppers, Orlando “Magic” and Stephanie Frohworth.

Out-of-Town Category

First off, let me start by saying that the Out-of-Town category kicked Chicago’s ass this year in my opinion. I think the winners of this category are actually the winners of the entire contest. No disrespect to Tyk, Mike, or G. Porgie but the Out-of-Towners brought way more energy to their performance. To their credit however, they danced earlier, they didn’t have to share the stage, and everyone was still energized when they were on stage.

As for the contestants, it was extremely close between James Pacely and LaKeesha Anderson and Drewry Alexander and Sherri Gordon. Many felt that the decision should have been flip flopped, but others thought things went the way they should have. Personally, I thought it could go either way, but I think I gave a 1 point advantage to Drewry.

James and LaKeesha were awesome. They clearly had the most exciting performance of the entire night … hands down. Drewry was smooth and technical and he danced a flawless performance. Drewry has as Cheryl “Sugafoot” Powe said so eloquently, “A Few Extra Sprinkles.” Some of us are born with a natural gift and this youngster has it. Here is the deal. There are 5 categories that you have to touch and an exciting performance will get you a 9 or 10 in showmanship and potentially originality. They were dressed nice so that’s an 8 to 10 as well. Then you have footwork and synchronization. In these categories Drewry was stronger. They were both dressed well. So with that thought in mind, they tie in Appearance, James and LaKeesha win Originality and Showmanship. Drewry and Sherri win Synchronization and Footwork. At this point, it’s a tossup. Either couple could take it and somebody had to come in second. Both were awesome however, and both out-performed the original categories.

I would also like to make mention of Kammal Smith and Alan Hunter, who I also thought were in contention for some of the money. Kammal has come so far as a dancer. I remember him years ago looking stiff and robotic, but he is an awesome dancer now and provided a nice exciting dance.

Original 40 and Over Category

Look family, I’m not trying to disrespect anyone. To get on that stage and perform is hard … I’ve done it before and I know what goes into it. Even so, in my honest opinion, this category was boring, boring, boring.

The contest was dragging along until Royce Banks and Cheryl Powe danced. They were the first couple to make me sit up in my chair and pay attention. Everything was starting to look alike to me and Royce at least did something different. He tried to bring some excitement to the dance and I think 3rd place was the appropriate place for Royce and Cheryl.

I thought Darren and Tori did an awesome job as well. Yet again, when a contest is dragging along, anybody who tries something different or brings some excitement has a chance. That’s exactly what Darren and Tori did. I understand that Darren feels that he should have won however, and while I totally understand that perspective as a contestant, I don’t agree with him. Ken and Yvette definitely deserved to win hands down. They were so well in sync that it was amazing to watch. They were extremely controlled and regal in their presentation. They nailed every category IN MY OPINION and gave a flawless “original” style performance.

I think Professor John and Flo did well, but Flo messed up on the appearance side. I understand that she wants to be sexy, but your outfit should not distract one from the dance. Lawrence Parker and Annette McCullough also jammed, but I don’t think they beat any of the couples that won.

Walkers

I love the Walkers category, but this year it was boring as well. Magic Mike and Tina clearly won in my opinion with Devan “Iceman” Powe making a strong showing from the ATL. What happened to the creativity that Keith and Shareda put into their 2006 Loose Shoes walking performance? There are certain rules to walking that should not be violated, but things have to be spiced up some kind of way. Mike and Tina’s waltz type of Walking style during the last minute or so of their dance clearly earned them the victory.

Original New Skool Category

Okay … I’m getting a bit redundant here but um, this category was kinda boring as well. I mean, who am I to talk. I won’t compete at all anymore. Calling a performance that the contestants have worked months practicing on is kinda harsh, but no really dared to be different. It kinda felt like the music situation and the fact that they didn’t dance until like 1 in the morning really took the steam out of them. A number of couples danced like they just wanted to get it over with.

With that said, G. Porgie and Tee Tee’s 3rd place victory was questionable to many, but they had a number of strong points that might have influenced the judges. First off, G. Porgie takes pride in dressing for the contest and Tee Tee looked nice as well. Second, G. Porgie’s music killed it. I’m not sure how you account for music in the scoring department, but the “Gorgie Porgie Puddin’ Pie” mix certainly added to his performance. Then, for once, G. Porgie cut out all of the clowning and really tried this year. So although he wasn’t in my top 3, I did score him highly because he did an awesome job.

Let’s do Westside Mike and Tyk Myn together. First off, neither performed up to their ability, but the reality is, they were still better than many of the others. Westside Mike was definitely not at his best on Saturday night … that was clear and neither was Tyk. The fact that they were on the floor together however helped them big time. You could see them look at each other and go harder. Neither guy wanted to be out danced and what transpired was a footwork fiesta. Smoke on the other hand, didn’t perform up to his potential at all. He nearly dropped Rhonda on her face and that all but ruined his chances.

Swan and Sunshine and Carlos and Shareda danced well, but Swan and Sunshine were much better at Orbies and I’ve seen Carlos and Shareda better also. Feo and Candace did an awesome job and he had a great attitude after the contest. He came over, shook my hand and said, “I’ll be back next year.” As for Eric and Tina, they did a great job and were in contention for the money in my eyes. It does seem however, that Eric has listened to so much feedback that he’s confused. Some people are telling him that he’s doing too much Salsa and that he needs to be more original. Well, had he performed at the level he performed at last year, he would have clearly won this year. For some reason, he decided to tone it down, but for what? A stepper has pick their style and roll with it. Then there was Earl and Robin. Earl gets the most improved award. I've never seen them dance so well together before. Maybe Earl needs to take a knap on the couch before all of his dances. I though Earl and Robin should have earned third place. The last couple in this category that I have to mention is Mykel “Shorty Smooth” Farr and Vicki Henning. I was really impressed by how far this brother has come. His dance was smooth and elegant. I'm don't remember what my scores reflect, but I'd have to say that my top three looking back were 1st - Tyk & Margaret, 2nd - Eric & Tina, 3rd - Earl & Robin. But that means absolutely nothing because there were 8 judges who thought a little different and that's what really matters.

Trio Category

It was really close between TyK, Margaret, and Candace and Shareda, Tee Tee, and Robin. Many felt that it could go either way. I saw both of them make mistakes but there was a difference. On two occasions I saw Tyk Myn bump into Candace and Margaret, but he never stopped dancing, he never changed his expression, and he went on to execute some of the most amazing turns I’ve ever seen.

The girls were dressed beautifully to start off with. I mean they looked absolutely gorgeous. Most of their performance was a routine, but routines can win a contest so that was no big deal. Here is the big deal. Shareda, who I admire for her talent, can also be her own worst enemy. She is so competitive that she wears her frustration on her face. When they were coming through that last turn in the last 30 seconds or so of their dance and they missed hands, her facial expression and what seemed to be an expletive was clearly visible. Had she camouflaged her disappointment, they just might have won. Now one person is never at fault for a team loss, but Shareda is a “professional” dancer and professionals keep going. When Beyonce and Michelle Williams fell down on stage during separate performances, they got right up and got after it, never once showing a sign of embarrassment or frustration on their faces.

As for Kirk, Melanie, and Cheryl, they did damn good up until the end when someone had the not so good idea to add a skit into the performance. I couldn’t get enough of teasing Cheryl for their 30 second “Dreamgirls / Las Vegas Show Girls” routine at the end of their performance. What in the ……? I really want to thank my three buddies from Atlanta for 30 seconds of pure pleasure that I will rewind and laugh at over and over for years to come. Trust that I will be teasing you when I come to the big event you all are hosting in February.

Vote Result

Score: 10.0, Votes: 2