Step It Up and Dance - Finale - "Too Much About Miguel"

Recap written by our Darling Joy.

David asked me to send him a recap of Shut Up & Dance, which is daunting since no one writes as engagingly and hilariously as our Dust Bunny Leader (DBL). That’s just one of the many reasons we love him. Anyway, here goes.

Last time I said I couldn’t quit Cody and Mochi, which turned out to be prophetic, didn’t it? I just wish I could have been right about the finalists of Top Chef, but it didn’t happen. 91% of us are still upset. What’s wrong with that 9%? Redneck lesbies?

This time on SU&D, Cody reflects on the criticism he got last week about being “snobby” which he took issue with and “cold” which he warmed up to. He said it was tough and he felt beat up but will have to give more. Nick cooked breakfast for all of them. Ah yes, a man who cooks! My unrealized dream.

Elizabeth and Jerry met them in the studio where Jerry will work with each of them for 30 minutes. They are ecstatic!

Nick wants to be that guy ready for competition and not be “that guy that people were like dude why didn’t he get his act together – he had time.” He leapt and danced; then Jerry asked him to tell him about the story, which is about someone making a guy dance. (Aha, the kryptonite theme is alive and well) Jerry helped Nick let the humor come through since that’s his thing. Nick is happy.

Mochi is doing “an Asian-themed dance about the Samurai warrior ritual-like sparring session with self” in what looks like a pair of blue cotton panties similar to men’s jockeys. This might be what inspired Jerry to ask what she was going to wear. He sounded almost like Tim Gunn then. Jerry nixed the kimono that someone from The Lion King gave her to wear. They decided there was a place in the dance where she could remove it and look like the true warrior she is. OK, I could see that, but I hope she doesn’t wear those blue tighties.

Fugly Miguel thinks he’s Superman? Right. “This solo is my forte! Choreography is my forte!” He is so full of it. If Superman had pranced like that, he’d have been with LOUIS Lane. At one time, Jerry said Fugly’s pointing would never be completely straight. No commentary necessary here.

Cute Cody is technically perfect and brilliant, and Jerry gave suggestions that helped and made Cody want to work with him in the near future. Cody believes that he connects with this music and will show emotion. I believe many will want to connect with Cody and will also show emotion.

Surprise! An opening number has been added! Keith and Sharon Young created a choreography to Fergie’s “Labels or Love” from Sex and the City – four friends, fashion, music, the joy of living in New York, according to Keith. They’ll be judged on their solo performance and this new dance. Nick said they are in Grand Finale Purgatory. Mochi decided Keith and Sharon were so positive that it was “just what we needed.” Nick still bitches about it. He does not like surprises.

OMG, Fugly broke it down for us and assigned characters to each of them from SATC, and I quote. “Mochi is Miranda, especially with THAT haircut. Cody is totally Charlotte because he’s so like prim and proper and like I’m Canadian like we do nothing wrong. Nick is totally Samantha, like a male slut, right?” And of course he thinks he is Carrie and says, “I’m all curly hair. Fashion forward. Never has a man. I AM Carrie Bradshaw!” She had many men. And don’t even try to compare your hair to SJP’s! [ed. comment: Fugly Betty DOES have that horse-face thing going for him – DD]

As a punishment for being grandiose, Superman came down from a jump wrong and hurt his ankle. Cody taped it for him and said he needs to go to the hospital. Cody has obviously suffered and knows how to tape. Later, a humbled Miguel hobbled back on crutches to the apartment. The doctor told him to stay off of it for a week. Nick has no idea what will happen to their partnering part in the new dance. “I guess I’ll have to go solo. Oh, Geez!” Man up, Nick. We don’t like Fugly, but it isn’t always about you.

Ah, the dilemma of Fugly Miguel! To dance and possibly ruin his career or to stay off of it and lose the competition when he might not win the $100K anyway. You think? He and Jerry have a heart-to-heart with hugs and tears. Very sweet.

Nick still has his eye focused on the prize but won’t let it consume him. Mochi still has those reddish streaks in her hair. Miguel needs shampoo. Cody and Nick give Miguel a pep talk if you can call it that. Cody said it depends on his “comfortability” with it (most of us just say comfort), and Nick said if M falls down and goes boom, they’ll keep on dancing and leave his ass on the stage. Have we seen this side of Nick before? He might be one of those bitter Americans Obama mentioned but for different reasons.

OMG! Mary Murphy, that woman with all the teeth who is a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, is in the audience! I hope she doesn’t laugh. Have you heard it? Cackling doesn’t even come close to describing it.

Jerry announced another surprise! Nick said if it’s a twist, he’s going to clothesline Jerry’s ass. But no! It’s their families. Hugs and kisses all around. Fugly is beside himself! He resembles his mama (same teeth) and will risk dancing on his strained ankle. Ever compassionate, Miguel thinks of how the other dancers, who do not dance as well as he does, would feel knowing they won without him in the competition. Obviously, his newly-discovered humility was instantaneous. Miguel is definitely getting too much attention in this episode and upstaging the others in the same way you have to look at a wreck when you drive by one.

Performance time! Big introduction! Many of the original dancetestants are in the audience along with other dancers and choreographers. Judges are the regulars, Vincent and Nancy, along with Keith Young and “music sensation and hit maker” Akon, who introduced his new protégée Colby O’Donis. The winner of the group dance will be featured in Colby’s new video Akon is producing. I have no idea who they are, but they’re getting publicity.

The group dance was great, and the audience was given an intermission and dancetestants sent upstage while the judges discussed. Keith thought they all did well but that Mochi ruled the roost. Akon said that Mochi worked the guys, and Colby agreed that she was the center of attention which is very good in a male singer’s video. They think she’s hot. Foreshadowing? Yep! Akon picked Mochi. We could see that coming.

In her final performance, Mochi did her Samurai dance. She’s wearing what looks like an indigo one-piece swimsuit and loses the kimono at the right time. Even I could tell it was a powerful performance. Miguel dances like his ankle doesn’t hurt. (cortisone shot?) I’m not seeing Superman in his performance, but it is really good. Ack! As if looking at Fugly weren’t bad enough, the cameras went to that toothy choreographer. I will be sick. Cody dances amazingly again and was more emotional, I guess. He looked at the audience a few times and smiled and looked pensive once. They said last week several close people to him have died and there was more tragedy I can’t remember. Wow! Nick came out like gangbusters and rocked it. He seemed happy and enthusiastic. Cody’s and Mochi’s dances were my faves. Papi Michael turned around in his seat searching for you, David. [ed. comment: I saw that part! – DD]

The judges were thrilled with all of them and let them have last words. Miguel thanked them for helping him become a stronger man and dancer. Mochi wanted to take us on a journey, claim her own destiny, and left her heart on the stage. Cody told them how hard it was to hear their criticism last week, but Nancy said she was glad he was pissed off because otherwise they might not have seen what he did tonight on the stage. Nick was glad he got his love of dancing back. I’m glad this season is over.

The judges discussed among themselves. Vincent thought Cody’s almost perfect technique has been a handicap because he wanted to know what else is there. Nancy thought he was strong and fired up. Vincent said Miguel is a monster which he means in the best way. What is that exactly? Ah, the freedom to show his passion and radiate. Yeah, radiate. They compared Nick to Gene Kelly and Nancy described him as one of her favorite dorks. Vincent said Mochi is like an exotic bird who told a story with power, grace, and elegance. They loved it.

Cody won! Why? Because he showed passion, jubilation, and an explosive technique. Cody has a cute girlfriend he kissed many times until he looked down and saw his mark on the stage and had a moment. Partly because the mark was shaped like a T, he thought about his best friend and dad’s partner Tulah (sounded like that) who passed away. Now I’m curious. Vincent has a point. Cody said somehow it helped him feel OK with what had happened. Then he said that even though we don’t want to show emotions at the time that it’s best to get them out, and dancing is his way to do it. I guess I should start dancing.

Thanks SO MUCH to Joy for this GREAT recap. Please feel free to discuss the show in the comments. And PLEASE thank Joy for her efforts!

P.S. - Laura K. (from BPR) met Oscar, Cody, Mochi, and Nick at the A-List awards! She said they were VERY, VERY, nice - and gladly posed for pictures. And Bravo should know that they SWORE up and down to her that they had NO idea who the winner was. So unless they filmed FOUR separate endings, those dancers are also pretty good actors!

Love ya Joy...Love ya Laura...Love your hair!!!!

XOXO