It’s one season later and not much has changed on the set of America’s Best Dance Crew — Lil Mama’s still super-sparkly, Mario’s still super-smiley, and the dance crews are still just plain super. Here’s a breakdown of the finalists before you go and vote for your favorite…
EAST COAST
1. Phresh Select from Philly, PA
Motto: Without love, who are we?
Strength: High energy
Handicap: Cockiness, according to casting director, Michelle McNulty
Judging Roundup: As JC Chasez said, they started the show off right, but I have to agree with Shane Sparks — these guys gotta pick it up, cuz what they brought has already been broughten b4…
2. Sass x7 from Rutgers, NJ
Motto: Girls just wanna have fun
Strength: They fulfill every boy’s high school fantasy
Handicap: All but one have boyfriends
Judging Roundup: Didn’t prove Shane wrong — he still thinks they’re a cheerleading team. Lil Mama agrees, but JC had the girls’ backs
3. Boogie Bots from Washington, DC
Motto: The sum is greater than its parts
Strength: Everybody loves robots!
Handicap: As casting choreographer Napoleon Dumo said, if they’re gonna dance like the JabbaWockeeZ, they “gotta step it up.”
Judging Roundup: Shane wants them to stay consistent if they make it to the show
OUSTED! Shhh! from North Bergen, NJ
The latin flavor was fun, but not as caliente as originally promised.
MIDWEST
4. A.S.I.I.D. (aka. And So It Is Done) from Detroit, MI
Motto: There’s no such thing as a handicap
Strength: Nice teamwork
Handicap: See above
Judging Roundup: A big thank you from Shane Sparks — he feels they were the first group to really bring it
5. Xtreme Dance Force from from Naperville, IL
Motto: Talent can be pretty (and from the suburbs)
Strength: Awesome technical skillz
Handicap: Look more like America’s Best Boy Band (Michelle McNulty said they “make faces like little pageant girls.”)
Judging Roundup: JC called them the “big underdogs” and Lil Mama asked, “It took a group of white boys to come and turn it up, huh?”
OUSTED! Full Effect from Chicago, IL
Jazz hands couldn’t save them from getting tossed.
The Dirty South and West Coast, after the jump!
SOUTH
6. SoReal Cru from Houston, TX
Motto: We’re bringing sexy back. Again.
Strength: SoSmoothe with the slow jam dancing
Handicap: Look is a little boooooring
Judging Roundup: Lil Mama was reminded of Kaba Modern and JC said they “freaked” the audience
7. Distorted X from Houston, TX
Motto: Guys make good accessories
Strength: Pussycat Dolls with backup dudes
Handicap: The Pussycat Dolls aren’t really amazing dancers
Judging Roundup: JC and Shane like their form. Lil Mama concentrated on their great formations
OUSTED! HIStory from Houston, TX
Ties don’t always make the man.
WEST COAST
8. Super Cr3w from Vegas, Baby
Motto: B boys are good guys
Strength: They got the breakin’ thing down
Handicap: Need to read up on other dance styles
Judging Roundup: JC liked that they introduced a different dance culture and Shane told them they better represent if they make the finals
9. Fanny Pak from Los Angeles, CA
Motto: Embrace the ’80s
Strength: Retro is a forward movement
Handicap: The whole fanny pack rap could get a little old… fast
Judging Roundup: Shane’s down with their originality and JC loves the quirky details
10. Supreme Soul from San Francisco, CA
Motto: Dance is a Varsity sport
Strength: They deliver
Handicap: JabbaWockeeZ’ top rivals, and America LOVES the Jabba’s
Judging Roundup: Hands down, they ripped it
OUSTED! Team Millennia from Fullerton, CA
Their families won the fight — these guys need to sign up for med school pronto.
Did the right crews make the cut? Got a favorite yet?
Don’t forget to check your ballot!