Usually, I write the recap while watching an episode for the first time. This week, however, I watched it on Friday because I knew I wouldn't be able to write the recap until today and I hate spoilers. Why am I telling you this, you wonder? Well, because I was really really angry (trust me, that word doesn't do my emotions any justice but I'm trying to work around the censors here) and hey, look, 5 days later and I'm still raging like a bull.

This sucks worse than Poreotix winning last year. That was a travesty but this episode tops that. MTV/Randy/whomever need to make some changes. I'm stunned this show is gaining viewers. I may not know a lot about dancing but I *do* know a popularity contest when I see one and ABDC is clearly one of them and it sucks because those who deserve the accolades are left behind. There have been a few the past seasons but I'll just name one : Fanny Pak. Should have been in the final but weren't. Wrong!

Anyway! I should just get on with things before I say too much and ruin it for those of you who haven't watched the episode. So here we go.

even this doesn't make me feel better

Follow up:

As per usual, the episode kicks off with a group performance. Which would have kicked ass (can I say that?) if it hadn't been for Iconic Boyz who were clearly completely out of their element. But I aM mE (henceforth to be known as IME) and Phunk Phenomenon (henceforth to be known as PP) were awesome.

Mario is up on stage with the three remaining crews and will now reveal the crew that will definitely be in the final and that crew is ... Iconic Boyz. When I first watched this and heard their name, I hit my head on my desk so hard that I was left with a bruise. I kid you not. It's still a bit sore actually. Woe is me ;-)

I shouldn't be surprised but well, I guess I had more faith in voters than they deserve. The Boyz can dance and they're cute but they are nowhere near the level IME and PP have been giving us. And it's just wrong, WRONG, that those two crews have to battle it out against each other for a place in the final because they both should have been there. This sucks!

Today's episode is all about Kanye West and each crew must incorporate three dance styles into their routine : the dougie, the boogaloo and some isos. Clearly this was just a lame attempt to shove some more Poreotix down my throat. Yep, still bitter ;-)

the end?

This could potentially be America's Best Dance Crew this season. Can you see how ridiculous that would be? That routine was all over the place. It looked like they didn't even know what they were doing. It was sloppy and out of sync and very elementary abc again. Didn't like this one bit. I do wanna say a big thank you to MTV for something. Remember a few weeks ago I said it freaked me out seeing older women going all nutso about these little dudes? Turns out they're the moms. Oops.

Over to the judges. When is one of them going to make the wee kiddies cry? I have a bet riding on this!

D-Trix says they had some good moments in there and that they did good for never having done it before. He tells them the best part was the dougie part which they did on the floor. He also points out the superman stunt as it shows they listened because they framed it so nicely and tells them to keep up the good work.

Lil' Mama starts of by saying lots of people ask her if she's going for Iconic Boyz because they're young and cute and she says she's going for them because they're young, cute and talented. She says they're opening the door for kids their age and giving inspiration to young kids all over the world. She says they were challenged a little tonight because they had to groove but that they worked it. She says they made a stamp on this show and a mark for the youth all over the world.

JC says it was an entertaining performance but doesn't think it was their best. Understatement of the year. He says that now that they're going on to the final, they have a chance to really blow people away with their next performance. He says their first section was sloppy but they cleaned up a bit when they got to the second section. The stuntwork was nice and he likes the fact that they are pushing each other but he tells them not to lose their cleanliness because that's what makes them strong. He says they need to use their personality and their cleanliness and blow people away because this is their chance to be America's best dance crew. In other words, this wasn't good enough and you have to do much better. Or did I get that wrong?

Obviously they were told to be nice.

Let's just move on to the real dancing and the battle of the bottom two. The coin toss has decided that Phunk Phenomenon gets to go first.

Same songs, same challenges. In case you got confused in the last ten or so minutes, MTV nicely repeats it for you. Time filler, anyone?

pretty much the only time they stood still so I could take a cap

One word : AWESOME! This crew has rocked my socks off since the first episode. Again, they came out with such energy and positivity and gave it more than a 100%! They were clean and powerful and didn't put a foot wrong. The stunts were amazing and they even threw in a tiny bit of story telling that fit the lyrics of the songs perfectly. People are really going to say Iconic Boyz is better than this crew? Come ON!

Lil' Mama says they are truly one of the underdogs from this season and that they bring a lot of energy to the show. She says they killed every section. She congratules them on coming this far and wishes them the best.

JC says that was a fantastic performance. He says we're so close to the finish line and he feels like this crew just threw some nitro into their tank. He says everyone had a shining moment in this performance and they gave us the theater, the stunts and the choreography. He says this performance had everything and they put their hat in the ring and they made a strong case for themselves tonight. He liked it ;-)

D-Trix says this routine had zero downtime and they did a tremendous job. He said more but dude needs to slow down and articulate better. Sheesh ;-)

Last but not least, IME. In case you forgot, same songs, same challenges, demonstrated by Poreotix. Seriously? What is this? A show for dummies? WE GET IT ALREADY!

apologies for the worst screencap ever

It's no surprise to anyone when I say I'm not a fan of this crew and after all these performances and episodes, I still can't quite figure out why. I don't know what it is that other people are seeing that I'm quite clearly missing. I thought PP's performance was better than this one. What I DO love about IME is that throughout everything, every routine, every challenge that was thrown at them, they remained true to themselves and to their style. The IME footprint is clearly visible in everything they've done and I respect that. They just don't do it for me. To each their own.

The crowd goes wild and JC says it's a very, very rightfully deserved response. He says these two crews battling it out in the bottom are blowing his mind right now.

which comes with a handy demonstration

He says this is so much fun. Clearly he forgot he's supposed to send one of these crews home which isn't fun at all. He says he couldn't have asked for anything more. He says their pictures are so unique and the creativity they apply to everything is outstanding. He says nothing they do is expected and that's so unique and so special. He says he's so excited about this battle now and tells them "well done", effectively forcing himself to stop talking because he could go on for days! ;-)

D-Trix says it's so amazing that he's literally speechless. Great! Let's move on to Lil' Mama then! Oh, no, he changed his mind. He says dance is all about taking something and making it yours and every move that was on the floor tonight was I aM mE. He says they murdered the isos part and it couldn't have been better. He says this is the end and you're supposed to be all out of tricks but they're not. He says he can't talk about the moments because they brainbanged him.

Lil' Mama says she agrees with the other two judges because this crew defines daring and original and they have originality for days. She sees IME as a very confident and self-confident group that inspires the youth not to be afraid to be themselves. She says that no matter what happens tonight, they are all champions to somebody.

Time for the judges to make the most unfair decision of the season.

clearly JC's notes are the only ones that matter

And the crew that will be back next week to face off against Iconic Boyz is ... I aM mE. I knew that was going to happen. It was always crystal clear that they would be in the final.

Mario tells Phunk Phenomenon they were phenomenal. You're probably wondering why I'm talking about PP's goodbye when I've never done that before. Well, I'll tell you. While it's obvious that they are disappointed, this could very well be the first time I see a crew who has to leave where nobody is actually crying. I know, it's the weird things I notice apparently.

Crew member Chris says they had two goals when they came on the show. One was to raise awareness for "Hip Hop for Hope" and to shine a light onto something not a lot of people knew about and the second one was to fulfill their father's dream. They've completed all of that so they've won and all the rest has just been a bonus. And now Beebo starts crying and my whole point of doing this falls to pieces. *laughs* Chris says this whole experience has been a blessing and he'll never forget it for the rest of his life.

Huge respect from the judges as PP leaves the stage.

PP sign, blowing kisses, fistpump

And then! PP dudes start taking off their shirts. Of course I had to include a cap of that ;-)

yummy

Which then led to this hilarious Mama facial expression.

bahahahaha

Darn, we're not finished yet. Iconic Boyz and I aM mE will perform again in an attempt to win over the voters. The last dance challenge, as it's called, gives each crew total freedom in deciding on the outfits, the music and the routine.

Iconic Boyz' concept is based on being normal kids from New Jersey that now find themselves in Hollywood and they want to make the audience feel like they've watched superstars walking down the red carpet. You know, like Nsync did, with Celebrity ;-)

I got nothing

I'm not kidding. I really got nothing. Anyone remember Quest Crew's last dance challenge? Now THAT is what brings in the voters.

Quickly moving on to I aM mE and they will use this challenge to showcase their individuality.

I M E

Need I remind you all again of the fact that I'm not a fan of this crew? But, wait! This was awesome! And once again, it had IME written all over it. Very creative piece and to include all those elements was an amazing touch. It just proves somehow that the strength of the crew lies in their individuality. Great job!

Logic says IME should be this season's winner. I don't know what the voters are doing though and the Boyz going through to the final first obviously means they have a huge fanbase out there. I guess we'll see.

I don't really care anymore to be honest. I don't even want to watch the final anymore. This is worse than last season.

On Thursday there will apparently be some kind of filler episode. The final airs on Sunday right before some MTV awards show. Be aware if you wander around the internet that the final is NOT live! It's been pre-recorded. So if you don't want to be spoiled before it airs, be careful. Til next time!