Finale thoughts for the finale

After watching the show recap it looks like there were a lot of interesting performances tonight. It also looked like some of the best dances were with a contestant and an all star in their strongest style. Like Nigel mentioned in his last critique, this competition has become a story of two very talented girls. I think Melanie should win, but I think Sasha is going to get more votes. I find Melanie to be a tad stronger techinically and more hosistically artistic in her performances. Both of them are rediculously talented so I will be happy either way. Both ladies have been a part of the most memorable dances of the season. I look forward to seeing them come back in future seasons as all stars.

Tadd and Marko perform a Step routine by Chuck Maldonado

What was that? I thought I was watching an awkward male duo at a bad dance competition. I don't know if it was because you couldn't hear any of the step over the music or if they were just a hot mess. Either way... that was not good. They tried, but it fell short. There were several moments when they were not together during what should have been unison movement. What a sad ending to an awesome season.

Sasha and Melanie perform a Contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey

I loved Stacey Tookey's instrumental music choice. It brought a quiet serenity to the stage that contrasted dramatically with the concept of confinement. Sasha and Melanie are a dynamic duo. They are a force to be reckoned with. They both perform with such intent and commitment. It was beautiful to watch them get lost in the movement of the piece. I was particularly impressed by their ability to partner each other in small lifts and assists. Like Katie Holmes, I too loved the full-skirt, natural waist tank dresses for this piece. They mirrored the fashion of the 50s, but flowed with each movement. The traditional dress shape worked well with the white picket fences to set a scene that reflected the life of a traditional house wife.

Sasha's Solo

It looks like Sasha is playing to win and is trying to emphasize her artistic side. Great song choice by Rachel Yamagata. She used unusually skewed body lines to visually match the depressed sound of the augmented vocals. It was a solid 30 second performance.

Tadd and Melanie perform a Jazz piece by Ray Leeper

I was able to make it to a TV in time to catch the last half hour of the show!

The judges all loved this piece, but I was not a big fan. The music choice and choreography was a little too traditional-jazz for me. I think they both performed what they were given well. As one would expect, Melanie was the star of the piece.

The Finale Tonight

I will not be able to blog tonight during the first part of the finale, but I am excited to share my opinions of this final performance show so I have chosen to not secure a guest blogger and simply blog on Sunday instead. I hope you enojoy tonight's show!

The second guy in the finale is...

Tadd - As expected, Tadd secures a spot in the finale. Ricky is super talented so it is sad to see him go, but I would expect him to be picked up by a ballet company and molded into a prime principal!

Second lady in the finale is...

Sasha! Shocking. I am so surprised. I never saw that one coming! She definitely deserves a spot as well, especially after her captivating performance with Kent last night. Caitlynn has got to be disappointed but not surprised. Sasha and Melanie have been favorites for so long.

First guy in the finale is...

Marco - did you see his face before Kat read the results? He looked completely freaked out! Poor thing. He definitely deserves to be in the finale. I think he is the most talented guy left in the competition.

First lady in the finale is...

Melanie - no surprise there. Her 30 second solo from last night alone earned her the well deserved spot in the finale!

Kent and Lauren perform Collide by Travis Wall

Did you see that huge open mouth kiss at the end of the dance?!?! That was pretty HOT! I am guessing that they left last year's show on good terms.

It was awesome to see this Emmy nominated piece performed again. Beautiful! Kent and Lauren are so good.

The guys' solos

Tadd would be a beast in a yoga inversion class. His upper body strength is out of this world. I loved his entertaining and funky solo.

Marco loves some James Morrison... and he loves to improvise to James Morrison which was clear in his solo performance.

Ricky had the most intense solo of the bunch. I wish his costume was less pedestrian and more animalistic. I think his costume brought his solo down a notch or too :-(

The ladies' solos

Sasha's solo was much more interesting, artistic and unique tonight than last night. I think she stepped it up a notch after Melanie got so much attention for her solo last night.

Do you think that Caitlynn borrowed her sparkly bra from Jordan?

As usual, Melanie brought the most artistic solo.

Week 8 results show! Only 4 will remain for the finale!

The opening number by Justin Giles was really interesting. I was intrigued by the large rose that took center stage and enjoyed all of the intricate partnering work. Fabulous lighting and costuming as well.

My week 8 perdiction

I think it is pretty clear that Caitlynn will be the female dancer going home tomorrow. I expect Ricky to be the guy who is sent home, but I thought he was going to be sent home in previous weeks so he might have a strong enough fan base to put him in the finale. Either way, this is a Sasha and Melanie competition. I can't wait to see the finale next week!

Caitlynn and Marco perform a Jazz piece by Sonya

Awesome piece by Sonya!!!! It totally deserved the standing ovation. I loved the tribal essence that underscored the technical execution and brought intensity and weight to this heavy piece. I agree with Christina Applegate; this was Caitlynn's moment and I am glad she will be able to go out on such a high. She pulled it out and made it about the artistic intention instead of the movement. Marco was a solid foundation of grit and strength. I loved the airplane into the forward roll by the way and music choice. You can never go wrong with Florence + the Machine in my book.

Melanie and Tadd perform a Broadway piece by Spencer

I enjoyed this piece but I felt like it was all about Melanie. There was no equity between the two of them in terms of opportunities to perform. At the same time, Melanie is so amazing she can't help but pull the audience's attention. I can't blame Spencer for showcasing her skill.

Sasha and Ricky perform a Whacking piece by Kumari Suraj

This is the first time whacking has been showcased on this show. I don't know if it was super successful. They did a good job, but it looked like two moderately skilled dancers dancing within a box. The whole thing was too contained for me. I felt like they were holding back because of the unfamiliar style. I don't think this performance did them any favors.

Melanie's Solo

That was the best solo that I have seen on the show ever. She came out to win it with that performance. Take that Sasha! You can tell she is an artist from the inside out. It was creative choreography, unique music selection, innovative movement with inspired dynamics. She is a whole other level. She might be the next Travis Wall... amazing dancer/contestant turned into captivating choreographer. She deserved the standing ovation and then some. It was only 30 seconds but it was magical. Damn! I want to see the rest of the piece!

Marco's Solo

I loved the music choice. It really reflected his personality; serious, yet joyfully natural and moderately emotional. The choreography was decent and his performance was exactly what we have grown to expect from him.

In that respect... I think they make the contestants perform too many solos. They all become super repetitive and uninspiring. I would rather see 2 trios than 6 solos.

Caitlynn and *Pasha* perform a Samba by Dimitri

I had a hard time getting into this performance due to the song choice. The tempo was lagging and the music lacked development. As a result, I felt like the dancing was sluggish. According to Mary, Caitlynn's samba technique was on point and all of the judges loved it. Their main criticism was for her forced faces. I just found the piece to be a bit boring. I don't think it is going to earn her many votes.

Sasha's Solo

Good, but not as strong as her performance earlier tonight. Not as captivating. Not as technically impressive. Hmmmm...

Tadd's Solo

I love Tadd's eclectic music choices and his ability to bring such deliberate musicality to a discipline that is typically highly improvised. All that being said, this performance wasn't his best work.

Ricky and *Jaimie* perform a Contemporary piece by Dee Caspary

I was not a fan of the sticks. I don't think that they were necessary and I found them fairly distracting. I think the piece was beautiful otherwise. I particularly enjoyed the cool white back lighting. Ricky performed admirably with beautiful technique. Like Christina Applegate, I want him to extend his body energy farther and fully commit to the dynamics of the movement. He still has room to grow.

Caitlynn's Solo

Ok, Caitlynn has got to download some new music or buy a CD or something. This is her third solo to Katie Thompson and it is making her solos fall flat. Yes, she showcased her strengths but the performance lacked any sense of sophistication. Well, lets be honest... there is no way that she is going to beat out Sasha or Melanie to stay another week so I guess it doesn't really matter.

Tadd and *Ellenore* perform a Jazz piece by Sonya

There were some really cool moments, like Tadd's hand stand on the chair when he split his legs backwards, but this was way weird for me... and I am usually really into weird. I think Tadd did a good job with what he was given and tried to work through the non-traditional transitions and movement the best he could. It was strong... but weird. The bottom line is, if Tadd wasn't so good, he never could have pulled that piece off!

Ricky's Solo

This competition has aged Ricky about 5 years in about 5 weeks. His dancing is so much more mature lately. His solo was solid, but nothing to write home about.

Marco and *Janette* perform a Paso Doble by Dimitri

Woo hoo. Marco bared his chest and brought some serious masculine swagger tonight. I think he did an excellent job with this classically choreographed Paso Doble. His technique was strong, his character was on point and his chemistry with Janette was strong.

Sasha and *Kent* perform a Contemporary piece by Tyce

Damn! Chills. I got some serious chills. Where the hell did this come from? Tyce has pulled out some incredible contemporary choreography in recent weeks. I have adored this song since it was used in the movie Love and Basketball back in '99/'00. There is so much raw emotion in the music and Sasha and Kent took that rawness and tore it apart. I am in awe of Tyce's choreography and creative use of a simple wall. He brought height, depth and dynamics of whole new level with the use of this impenetrable wall. I love the symbolism of wall too and how it created contrast between the intimate and tense moments between them.

I am overwhelmed by Sasha's performance and inspired by her ability to bare her artistic soul. Kent was quite amazing as well. Christina Applegate said it perfectly. This performance was not able the technique, it was about the artistry. I will be shocked if Tyce doesn't get nominated for an Emmy for this piece of brilliance.

Melanie and *Twitch* perform a Hip Hip piece by Nappy Tabs

Melanie has gotten through this season without having to do much hip hop so it was a little weird to see her perform this discipline. Once I got past that, I started to enjoy her performance. I wasn't a fan of the music choice or concept. It didn't come together for me. In the end, Melanie was able to bring her usual heat to the stage and work through the difficult music composition.

Week 8 - The top 6 dancers perform!

I can't believe that the finale is next week! This season has gone too fast. Lil' C and Christina Applegate join the panel of judges tonight. I'm sure we will get some great comments from Lil' C. Apparently Christina has been dancing since she was 3. I can't wait to hear her view on things.

Jordan and Jess are going home

As predicted, Jordan and Jess are sent packing. It is not that either of them are bad dancers, the competition has just gotten so tough at this point that everyone left is incredible. I can't wait for next week!

After the solos...

I think Jordan and Jess should go home tonight. Frankly, I am sick of seeing Jordan throw her legs around and swing her hips. On the guy side of things, the judges love Tadd too much to send him home yet.

Week 7's bottom four dancers

Caitlynn and Jordan are the bottom 2 ladies... not surprising. It would be insane for Sasha or Melanie to be in the bottom.

Jess and Tadd are the bottom 2 guys... this is a surprise. I can't believe that Ricky was able to beat out Tadd. What?!?! I can't believe it.

Week 7 Results Show

I would like to apologize for blogging a bit late this evening.

The opening number by Tyce was outstandingly creative. The costuming and make-up created an intriguing turn-of-the-century circus-like vibe. The music choice was enchanting and unexpected. I was shocked to hear that it was Tyce's creative genius that created the piece because it was nothing like anything we have seen from him before. I loved his use of 3 ropes hanging from the ceiling to provide opportunities for the dancers to soar and defy gravity. Loved it!

My week 7 prediction

I think the bottom four will include Ricky, Jordan, Caitlynn and... I am not sure about the last spot. Performance wise I would put Jess in the last spot, but I think he has a really strong fan following that could pull him through. If Jess stays above the water who would fall below? Tadd? Marko? I don't want to loose either of them!

What do you think? Who do you have in your bottom 4?

Melanie and Sasha perform a Jazz piece by Sonya

From their faux-hawks to their finesse, the two of them are on FIRE!!!! Power and strength in every ounce of execution. Beautiful work by Sonya. As usual, her creativity astounds me.

My heart is breaking for Sasha's sister right now. She has got to be swimming in a sea of emotions feeling more than ever in the shadow of her sister's artistic perfection. So tough.

Jordan and Jess perform a Rhumba by Jason Gilkison

Interesting choice for Jordan to perform barefoot. I have never seen that in a ballroom piece before.

I agree with Nigel and Mary, there was a complete lack of chemistry. The backwards rotating arabesque lift was pretty cool though.

I agree with Gaga in regards to the interpretation of the music. I don't think the choreography reflected the conflict presented in the song... "Set Fire to the Rain."

Marko and Ricky perform a Nappy Tabs Hip Hip piece

Hmmm. Entertaining? Yes. Street? They tried. Marko and Ricky definitely had fun with the piece and did their best to bring a genuine hip hop style to the forefront, but what can you expect? They are not going to be street overnight.

Did anyone else catch Tabitha's facial expression at the end of the piece? The camera got a close-up of her clapping and her face looked seriously concerned about the judges' reaction.

Rough night for Ricky too. He might be in some trouble tomorrow.

I would like to apologize to Marko for spelling his name with a "c" instead of a "k" this season. It wasn't until tonight that I noticed the mistake. Oops!

Caitlynn and Tadd perform a classic Fox Trot by Jonathan Roberts

Tadd's port de bras really impressed me. His graceful, full-extended arm lines make him look like a well-trained dancer.

It was a nice piece, but that was about it; nice. There was nothing amazing, nothing horrible, just classic ballroom styling with Fred and Ginger grace.

This has been a rough night for Caitlynn. I don't think her hip hop or ballroom performance will earn her many votes this evening. Both of them lacked the memorable quality needed to keep this dancer-on-the-edge safe.

Marco and *Allison* perform a Contemporary piece by Sonya

I love how Sonya can create a piece with so many dynamics when the music has such a monotone nature to it. The juxtaposition of highly emotional movement over the static tones of the music created such beautiful dissonance and tension. Marco and Allison had a performance of a lifetime. Remarkable. Absolutely remarkable.

Tadd and *Lauren F* perform a Jazz piece by Mandy Moore

Hello folks and welcome to a dance about a hat. I felt super bad for Tadd when he lost his hat after getting smacked in the face early in the performance.

He did a great job with the style of the piece. His natural mojo melded nicely with the music and choreography intention. Outside of a handful of moments, Tadd's lack of classical technique was not obvious.

Jess and *Lauren G* perform a Nappy Tabs Lyrical Hip Hop

Interesting all-star choice for this piece. Lauren is primarily a jazz dancers, not a hip hop dancer... she definitely did a good job though, I am just surprised by the choice.

Jess did a great job working the rhythmic dynamics of the choreography. The judges think he abandoned his signature facial expressions, but I still saw some evidence of them. However, I wasn't distracted by them.

Nice high top sneakers BTW.

Ricky and *Anya* perform a Jive by Jason Gilkison

In the beginning of the piece I thought Ricky looked like a boy dancing with a woman, but as the piece progressed he really started to bring it. He had a rough time with a shoulder lift/flip in the middle there which was scary, but he didn't miss a beat. Great music choice by Jason Gilkison. It is hard not to enjoy a performance when Celine Dion is belting her heart out. He did OK, but this performance showed us that despite his incredible growth over the past few weeks Ricky is still a developing dancer.

Melanie and Neil perform a Contemporary piece by Mandy Moore

Wow. This is one of the best pieces I have seen from Mandy Moore. Of course, she had two OUTSTANDING dancers to work with which had to help. Melanie is just on a totally different level than the other dancers. She is OUTSTANDING. My jaw dropped when Melanie soared through the air into Neil's arms!!!! She flew at least 10 feet as if she was wonder woman. Neil is an OUTSTANDING dancer too and Melanie was not overshadowed by him at all. Melanie was the art and Neil was the canvas. A solid foundation to showcase beautiful artistry and remarkable technique.

Lady Gaga... "you are incredible. I would hire you tomorrow to dance on my tour."

Jordan and *Ade* perform a Jazz piece by Tyce

I hated the music choice. The choreography was OK considering the music choice. Overall, I was not a fan of the piece. There were some cool moments.

Yes, Jordan has amazing leg lines. We got it. Can we please move on? Can we please highlight some other strengths? I think Jordan did a good job with the piece all things considered. The judges glowed about her performance so maybe it is just me who was left cold.

Caitlynn and *Ivan* perform a Hip Hip piece by Marty Kudelka

It is nice to have Ivan back on the SYTYCD stage. He has some serious swagger.

I think Caitlynn did a respectable job. My problem with her performance came in her faces not her movement. Her faces look forced and contrived. I wish she was able to match her facial expressions to Ivan's more. Ivan brought so much maturity to the performance and his faces had a natural intensity behind them. Unfortunately, Ivan's strengths made Caitlynn's weaknesses look even more weak. I think Caitlynn looked like a very "green" dancer next to Ivan's well-seasoned performance.

Sasha and Pasha perform a Quick Step by Jonathan Roberts

Really awkward misstep during the final lift. Oops! Otherwise, Sasha continues to prove why she is a favored to win the whole thing. She brought her personal style and entertaining spirit to the piece which made the performance really enjoyable to watch. According to Mary Murphy, her technique was pretty impressive as well. Lady Gaga spat on Nigel's criticism of Sasha's stiff upper body saying that she enjoyed Sasha's interpretation of the choreography and saw the stiffness as an artistic choice. Take that Nigel!

Week 7 - The top 8 perform

Lady Gaga and Rob Marshall are the guest judges tonight. This should be interesting! Plus, new all stars come back tonight including Lauren and Neil!!!!

MItchell and Clarice are going home

I am sad to see both Mitchell and Clarice go home, but I think the judges had a really hard to decision to make this week. I probably would have chosen Clarice to stay over Jordan. Ricky has had such a transformation recently and I think the judges want him to have some more to time to grow. Mitchell is a great dancer, but his rough performance last night was enough to make them feel comfortable dismissing him this week.

Oh! I can't believe we are down to 8 dancers! Can't wait for next week :-)

What do you think? Did the judges get it right?

Week 6's bottom four dancers

Mitchell, Clarice, Ricky, and Jordan are the bottom four dancers.

I am surprised that Jess is safe, but I guess it is clear that he has a strong fan following. Ricky has always had trouble connecting with the audience so I am not shocked by his placement in the bottom. I think it is a shame because he is so talented. Clarice and Jordan have officially been highlighted as the less-favored girls.

Week 6 Results Show!

Fun opening number from Smokey Joe's Cafe choreographed by a new SYTYCD choreographer. I enjoyed the traditional Broadway styling in both movement and costuming. Two dancers go home tonight and only 4 dancers are going to be placed in the bottom.

My week 6 prediction

This is going to be tough. No one really bombed this week so it is going to come down to fan following.

Mitchell and Jess are my bottom two guys. I guess Clarice and Jordan are my bottom two ladies. Too tough to call though. Also... are they still going to get rid of one guy and one girl or are things changing with the eliminations too?

Clarice and *Robert* perform a Bollywood piece by Nakul

It is kind of funny to me that Robert is the closest option the show has to an authentic Bollywood dancer... no doubt that he did an outstanding job though!

Loved the piece. The two of them had solid energy and precision throughout the piece. Fun piece.

Marco's Solo to Gavin DeGraw's "More Than Anyone"

Two of my favorite things together... a live performance by Gavin DeGraw and a performance of natural artistry! Marco was spectacular in his solo. He attacked from the beginning and kept us interested with a comprehensive use of stage and body. I was surprised by his floating back walkover and elated by his higher-than-high leaps. Love him... oh and his knee lifts to Gavin's syncopated scat was to die for.

Ricky and *Allison* perform a Jazz piece by Tyce

Before this piece began I was scared that Ricky's age would prevent him from being able to hold his own next to the maturity of Allison but that was not the case at all. Tyce did an great job with the choreography of the piece. Way to bounce back after the lack lustre Fosse piece by earlier tonight.

Ricky was incredible in this piece. He drew on his classical technique and brought strength of character in order to dominate the stage. He attacked everything and his one arm lift when he grabbed Allison's leg while she laid on the floor and hoisted her to her feet was A-MA... wait for it... ZING!

Caitlynn's Solo to Florence and the Machine's "Cosmic Love"

Hmmmm... I love this song and I don't think her dancing matched the huge sound of the music. She tried to build the intensity but it didn't get there. She also fell out of her triple coupe turn at the end. Not impressed.

Melanie and Pasha perform a Viennese Waltz

Flashback to the late 90's with this Tina Arena music choice. I particularly enjoyed Melanie's costume. It had contemporary styling and lacked the usual cheesiness of ballroom dresses. I loved the flow of the skirt. This piece reminded me of two people floating on air, dancing on a cloud. The lifts were gorgeous and the flow of the phrases was elegantly mesmerizing. Melanie is definitely a favorite to win it all!

Tadd's solo

Impressive b-boy tricks and interesting music choice.

Jess and *Kathryn* perform a Contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey

Kathryn is every bit the dancer I always dreamed of being. She is absolutely breathtaking in her artistically emotional performance. Amazing choreography by Stacey Tookey. Every bit of emotional contemporary goodness that we have grown to love from her. I think Jess did well, but this performance was all about Kathryn. I wish Jess had as much presence in the piece as Kathryn. He was in Kathryn's shadow in my opinion.

Jordan's Solo to Lykke Li's "Tonight"

Oh shucks... Jordan covered up her own stomach for once! Tonight is a very special night. Good solo... nothing amazing.

Oh wait!!!

I loved their costumes too! They totally kept the 1976 pedestrian vibe going!!!

Sasha and *Twitch* perform a Hip Hop by Christopher Scott

The Aretha-like soul-full sound of Dorothy Moore's 1976 performance of Misty Blue became a tension filled and untraditional backdrop for this jaw dropping performance. Kudos to Christopher Scott for choosing music outside of the Hip Hop box and created a choreographic masterpiece. I loved the movement, dynamics and storyline...oh, and their performance! WOW! I don't know if there would be two better dancers for this piece. Sasha and Twitch took the heat from the previous tango and made a fire on the stage! Wow!

Mitchell's Solo to "This Time" by John Legend

Horrible costume choice. His shorts kept getting bunched up around his thighs which was really distracting. It was a solid solo filled with his signature jumps of high elevation.

Caitlynn and *Pasha* perform a Tango by Leonardo and Miriam

I loved the around the back swing lift that they did right at the end. The way Caitlynn's leg movements mimic-ed the rhythm of the music was really cool.

Caitlynn rocked this piece and totally held her own next to superstar Pasha. The whole piece appeared smooth, yet syncopated, difficult, yet effortless. There was a smultry heat underlying the performance which was undeniable. Ouch! That was hot!

Clarice's Solo

It is really nice to see Clarice perform a Jazz solo. It is a nice break from the numerous contemporary solos performed by the other contestants. She did a really great job and her musical and style choice should make her memorable among the rest.

Ricky's Solo

6 solid rotations into a carefully balanced suspension is pretty darn impressive. Whoo! Ricky had highlighted his musicality in his performance as well.

Mitchell and *Melody* perform a Broadway piece by Tyce

It is a little hard to not find this piece a little dated due to the recording. I have to agree 100% with Neil Patrick. The composition of this piece was disjointed and awkward. Mitchell and Melody tried to sell the piece by adding over-the-top cheese which broke the integrity of the Fosse style. I think Mitchell and Melody didn't understand the idiosyncrasies of the Fosse style and took it to the wrong place. The result, an over-baked, clumsy flop of a performance with some nicely executed jumps and turns.

Melanie's Solo to a cover of "You're the One That I Want"

I loved how carefully this was choreographed to emphasize the dynamics of the music. She is pretty darn amazing. Her ponche into the forward roll was hot! I am continuously dazzled my Melanie's artistry. I can't believe that she is a talented visual artist too! Crazy!

Tadd and *Comfort* perform a Hip Hop piece by Chuck Maldonado

I don't know how I feel about this piece. The two of them were not together during some of Busta's vocal section. It was just OK for me. I think Tadd has had more impressive performances in past weeks. Apparently, the judges disagree with me. They all loved him and thought he out-danced Comfort. Maybe I am missing something?

Jess's Solo

Damn! Jess pulled into a decuple after his straight leg foutes. At least, I think it was a decuple (10 turns.) It was hard to count accurately since the camera angle changed halfway through. I guess that is his response to Ricky's Octuple pull-in that got rave reviews during his solo last Thursday.

Classic Jess styling and entertaining piece. Besides his impressive pull-in... nothing else to write home about.

Jordan and *Brandon* perform a Contemporary piece by Dwight and Desmond

Great music choice! I love this live cut of Jessie J's "Who You Are." Really intense and beautiful choreographic interpretation of the music. I adored the phrasing.

Watching Brandon perform is like a dream. He is so dynamic in his artistry and strong in his movement. It is the perfect balance and sweet and salty. Yum!

Jordon was fantastic, but I am a little sick of seeing every choreographer highlight her beautiful legs. Yes, her legs are incredible, but I want to see her bust out with other some other memorable assets.

Sasha's Solo to Duffy's "Syrup and Honey"

That was a lot of really interesting floor work. Sasha definitely does an excellent job of combining strength with artistic and innovative contemporary choreography. I appreciate her solid classical technique too. Way to go Sasha! I hope your duet is just as strong.

Marco and *Chelsie* perform a Salsa by Jason Gilkison

Wow! Chelsie is one HOT allstar! She definitely made the dance. I think Marco did ok. He wasn't the focus of the piece but he was a solid partner (those lifts were incredible) and his salsa technique only looked a little awkward. All in all, I think it was respectable. I hope his solo is super memorable because dancing this early in the show makes it hard to get a good amount of votes.

Top 10 dancers perform!

I am back from a super relaxing vacation in Maui and can't wait for tonight's show! I am really excited to see them dance with the all stars. The best part of tonight's show is Neil Patrick Harris on the judging panel!!!!!! I adore him on How I Met Your Mother and think he rocked the Tony Awards as their host. I am sure he is going to be super entertaining tonight!

Special thanks go out to my awesome guest blogger from last week! Thanks Brian for keeping the blog going while I was away :-)

Top 10 results

Ryan and Alexander were sent home which leaves the top 10. They announced tonight the format for the top 10- Each week the contestants will perform a dance with a randomly drawn fellow contestant and then another dance with an all-star.

Thanks Brittany for letting me post my thoughts. I am curious to see if when you get back and watch the show on dvr that you share some of my opinions.

After the solos

It has to be Ryan going home. That solo was pretty bad. For the boys I'd say Mitchell or Alexander because Ricky was off the hook and by far the best of the 6.

random solo thought

I think Mitchell borrowed that outfit from Caitlynn...

Tap that... dance

I think i saw Melinda (from last year) in that tap dancing group. It was pretty fun to watch and they had some impressive footwork. The 6 different shoe colors kept me focused on their feet. During the dance I thought of another random thing about SYTYCD that annoys me. At times they try to work in a moving camera that swings around the dancers. In my opinion this rarely, if ever, adds any value. During a football game this kind of thing provides a unique look that provides additional insight as compared to the normal view. But when dancers are twisting, shaking, spinning, and doing all kinds of crazy things, I want a standard and steady camera to watch. Whenever they do that moving camera I do not have as good of a perspective on the dance and I can't always appreciate the moves. I feel like SYTYCD thinks this is a really cool feature, and I disagree.

Bottom 3 announced

Sasha/Alexander, Ryan/Ricky, and Caitlynn/Mitchell were in the bottom 3 couples. I will stick with my original guy pick and go with Alexander. Although he hasn't been in the bottom 3 yet, the other two guys are pretty tough competition. In terms of girls I think it will be Ryan, though I would not be that surprised if it were Sasha. I would be pretty surprised if Caitlynn went home and I consider her the safest of the 6.

Opening Number

I thought the opening dance was pretty fun. Started slow as they circled around Jordan's dress (perhaps an indication she is going home so they featured her?) Then it got more exciting and was kind of latin salsa pop-ish kind of thing. Two-thirds of the way through they paused and pump faked the ending, then moved into more of a hip hop dance which was equally as enjoyable. Now we get to hear about the Emmy nominations from Nigel... Also noteworthy in the group dance was how at one point Sasha and Jess (yes, if you were reading this for the first time you'd thing Jess was the girl) were matched up and she towered over him.

Top 10 Predictions

I really have no idea who is going home but I am leaning towards a bottom 3 of Alexander/Sasha, Jordan/Tadd, and Ryan/Ricky. Of those 6, I think Alexander and Jordan will get bounced tonight.

Final thoughts

Guest judge was very good. I could see getting tired of him for an entire season (a la Ellen on AI) but his humor worked tonight. I also totally agreed with his compliment of Cat when speaking about the Emmy award nominations. I watch kind of a lot of reality TV, and she definitely deserves to be nominated.

I think this could be the week they finally send home people who are not a couple. There is no risk in doing that since they will compete individually after this week. Check back tomorrow for results!

Rock and Roll Jive

The last dance was a rock and roll jive by Clarice and Jess. I thought they did a good job, but perhaps not as good as I was expecting as this was in Jess' wheelhouse. Clarice was impressive and did a great job. My problem with Jess was clear in this performance. He has good quick feet, even I can tell that. Therefore, he has to know that. Yet when Nigel complimented his kicks he put on a big surprised face. What is surprising about that- enough with the faces guy. Just dance. Another semi-related question that I though of during the rehearsal was regarding wardrobe. Do all dancers wear v-neck t-shirts? I ask because I have never seen a dancer wearing a normal style t-shirt.

Contemporary Melarco

Choreographed by Dee C, M&M did a great job on the lightbulb routine. I feel like 'real dancers' (aka not me) will enjoy that one more than I did. I appreciated the number and thought they did a great job with it. But from time to time I find myself, during a contemporary dance, thinking that the dancers look like they are just smoothly flailing around. I realize that is a form a dance, it just crossed the abstract line for me at times. I am not hating on this routine or any others; i did like it. I just didn't love it more than the previous two routines.

New favorite dance

That cha cha held the top spot for exactly 1 routine, until it was topped by Travis Wall's second dance of the night which was performed by Caitlynn and Mitchell. Caitlynn looked super hot and the dancing was too. The dance had a lot of fun tricks that seemed difficult and were executed to perfection. I was positive Nigel would say something creepy about Caitlynn, and he only half came through making a joke about himself being creepy as opposed to actually saying what was on his mind.

Ask Cha Cha

That was my favorite dance of the night. Ricky and Ryan were sporting the best costumes so far and rocked a super fast cha cha by Louis. I knew it was going to be good the second I heard Enrique. Although I am not normally a fan, I thought the judges were too harsh on Ryan, who did a pretty good job. It is strange because normally I do not like her performances and the judges do, while tonight seems to be the opposite. Mitchell from ModFam continues to entertain and is doing a solid job as a guest judge.

Spencer is now 1-2

In their second routine, Taddan didn't do so well. Jordan continued to lead the world in number of times she went into the spread eagle position. The dance was ok, but kind of all over the place and not particularly enjoyable. I get annoyed when the judges (as Nigel did) criticize they style of the dance. He said they should have been more quirky. But I attribute that to the choreographer, not the dancers. I always thought they are instructed and taught by the choreographer. I think if it was supposed to be quirky, then Spencer would have instructed them to be that way. It was Spencer's dance, and Nigel blamed the dancers for doing what they were taught to do. Bah.

Alexasha- or is it Sashander?

Performing a Tyce D number, these guys really worked the pole. I thought the number had good musicality. Ok, I admit that I don't know what that means. But what I mean is that the dance moves were really tied to the music and felt appropriate with the song. I don't often feel that way, so high five to the dancers and choreographer. I am pretty sure the number ended with a fall (or the most unusual and least smooth move ever) by Sasha.

Clarice and Jess

I liked the music, which i assume was a cover version of Bruno Mars. I also really liked the dance. It was a fun sort of jazzy (maybe I say that because Jess was dancing) hip hop piece by Chris Scott. These are probably my second and third favorite dancers. Clarice seems to always impress me, especially when she is outside her comfort zone, and Jess always nails it. The problem that I have with Jess is that I find him quite annoying. I don't enjoy his facial expressions or gestures while the judges talk, or the sounds he made in the behind the scenes clip tonight. However, I have not seen a style that he has not been able to perform really well.

Melanie and Marco in an American Tango

This Tango by Louis got strong reviews by the judges. That should come as no surprise as they two are very strong every week. I enjoyed the dance, though I didn't love it. As opposed to the dance, the part that I will remember most is that they had their hair styled exactly the same way.

Caitlynn and Mitchell in the congo

Caitlynn is my favorite contestant this season, but this wasn't her best performance. Her and Mitchell did the Christopher Scott dance, but for me they weren't hitting it hard enough and the timing was off on a few key moves. I did enjoy that the guest judge Jessie made a comment about not "getting" the story. In the preview we were told a story but I didn't really see how that related o the dance.

Ryan and Ricky stroll down Broadway

R&R performed a Spencer Liff number that was pretty boring. 30 seconds into the dance I still felt like they hadn't started, and then nothing really changed the rest of the way. It sort of seemed like my wife and I could do this dance if we practiced for a week. The good thing is that they executed the moves and did not mess up. No firepower, but no bombs either. And on another bright note, it was the best that Ryan has looked this season.

Jordan and Tadd, Travis style

The second this dance started, my wife said "finally, her stomach is covered up." And she is right. Not sure if other people notice, but Jordan wears a sportsbra just about every second she is on the show. Anyways, I was not disappointed with the dance, but I didn't love it as much as the judges did. It is kind of annoying to a guy like me when they rave on and on about the choreographer. I know Travis is really good, that is not news to me. And on the flip side they never seem to really blame the choreographer when things go really badly. I really liked a ninja-like spinning flip that Tadd did, and it was nice work by T-Wall to utilize his skills. I guess for me expectations are high whenever Travis is in charge. Jordan and Tadd will benefit from that more than their dancing.

Sasha and Alexander, 2 matadors?

First my wife wanted me to point out that she likes Cat's dress. Also, there are 4 judges on the panel tonight, Nigel, Mary, Sonya and Mitchell (Jessie Ferguson) from Modern Family.

The opening number was a pasa doble (sp?) from Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin. Instead of your normal matador/cape routine this was more like a ballroom breakdance fight. They were mostly synchronized but did some partnering. I felt like the dance was ok, but I kept thinking to myself that Sasha was leading the dance, or that she would win in any sort of fight. It was capped off when Sasha kissed Alexander and awkwardly got lipstick on his teeth. eee

Substitute Blogger

With tonight's show just moments away, I though I would start by telling you a little about myself. I began dancing seriously about 15 years ago in a friends basement. Only months later I was on stage being filmed in a memorable duet. I have traveled to several countries. I have rehearsed with some of Brittany's friends and performed moves they had never seen. I also danced at Brittany's wedding. I should probably mention that the basement dancing was a spoof on a scene from dirty dancing...and that i was wearing a wig and playing the role of Baby. It also might be relevant that I was being filmed on stage as part of a talent show and that my travels out of the country were vacations unrelated to dance. But the joy I felt rehearsing for and performing at Brittany's wedding was real. I always figured Brittany, as an experienced dancer and judge, could see my passion for dance that night. That suspicion was confirmed earlier this week when she asked me to be the guest blogger and fill in for her while she auditions for the next season of American Idol.

Ashley and Chris go home tonight

As expected, Ashley and Chris go home tonight. The two of them just weren't as strong as the other contestants this week.

I will be on vacation next week and am hoping to secure a guest blogger so check-in next week to see who it is. Will last year's guest blogger make a repeat appearance? We shall see...

Florence and the Machine

I am a huge Florence and the Machine fan and Cosmic Love is one of my favorite songs however, Florence did not sound so hot performing live. Talk about pitch issues! I guess her producers did some serious voice corrections in the studio for her recordings. A friend of mine just saw them open for U2 when they came to Baltimore and said he was disappointed in their live performance as well. Sadness... it is like discovering the wizard behind the curtain is just a normal person.

My prediction

Chris better be going home tonight for the guys. After the way he messed up the guys' group number last night he doesn't deserve to stay.

What a hilarious music choice by Tadd. How many hip hop dancers do you know that like to perform to Gloria Estefan?

The girls are a toss up. Personally, I think Ashley should go home but the judges could be disappointed in Ryan after falling out of her turn and could send her home. They could be sick of Jordan's bra tops and send her home. Who knows. They have made some surprising decisions in the past.

Week 4's Bottom Three Couples

Ashley and Chris - not surprising. Their salsa was awkward and cheesy.

Jordan and Tadd - As I thought, their waltz was forgotten among the other strong dances. I think Tadd probably has a solid fan following, but Jordan is flying under the radar a bit. Either way, their fan base did not do enough to keep them safe despite their solid performance.

Ryan and Ricky - Surprisingly Sasha and Alexander are safe and Ryan and Ricky drop to the bottom after their strong zombie-inspired jazz performance.

Week 4 Results Show!

Fun opening Bollywood number by the 13 contestants... yes, I said 13. Did anyone notice that there was one guy missing? I didn't see Chris dancing. I wonder if he is injured.

My week 4 prediction

Sasha and Alexander - Alexander killed this one for the two of them thanks for his lack of hip hop prowess.

Ashley and Chris - The bland salsa will definitely send them to the bottom.

Picking the last couple is tough. I think Marco and Melanie could be in jeopardy since they performed so early in the show but I am going to go with...

Jordan and Tadd - I don't think their waltz is going to be remembered after so many great contemporary/jazz pieces tonight.

Post who you think will be in the bottom. Do you agree with my predictions?

The girls perform a Jazz piece by Ray Leeper

What an awesome, super clean piece. The subtle intensity of the stylized movement and continuous formation changes created a captivating dynamic. The girls are just so darn strong. Every body angle was perfectly aligned in each body hinge. That is not easy to accomplish.

Caitlynn and Mitchell perform a Contemporary piece by Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore breaks through the 80's and into the 90's with this beautiful piece of contemporary choreography to Celine Dion. That was my favorite Mandy Moore piece ever. Not to mention, I can always take a good Celine Dion moment.

The lifts were numerous, but they were seamlessly integrated the movement in order to maintain a feeling of continuous airy flow. There were no tricks in this piece, just art. The piece was beautiful. Just beautiful. Caitlynn and Mitchell drew on their technical strength in order to execute this highly demanding piece. On an emotional level, their performance was on point as well. They should be SAFE this week after that standing ovation performance!

Ryan and Ricky perform a Jazz piece by Chucky Klapow

Really Ryan? Falling out of a triple turn is not ok. You are too good for that. As I watched the footage back I noticed that Ryan's supporting foot was turned in when she prepped for her turn... that alone will mess with your ability to find your center.

Putting that aside, I think the two of them totally got the freaky, thriller vibe that was brought into this choreography. As a result, they sold the piece and prevented it from becoming cheesy or cliche.

Costuming had a field day creating these two tacky masterpieces!

Tonight has turned into a night of new choreographers. It is nice to have some variation on the stage, but I am missing our classic master choreographers like Mia Michaels and Wade Robson!

Ashley and Chris perform a Salsa routine by Liz Lira

Chris had a couple Ben Stiller/Along Came Polly moments in this piece. I found myself laughing through most of their awkward performance. The was a lack of "hotness" and too much "cheese." They tried real hard, but they will be going home this week. Again, this reinforces the fact that Chris should have gone home last week!

Clarice and Jess perform a Contemporary piece by Justin Giles

Interesting choreographic merge of hip hop syncopation with contemporary intention. Justin clearly has a unique artistic vision. I am excited to have him join the show and I can't wait to see more of his work.

I was fascinated how the two of them brought so many dynamics to a piece of music typified by monotony. The consistent beats of the music turned into dramatic tension as a result of their strength of character and interaction. This piece will definitely be a stand out for the evening. Beautiful work.

Jordan and Tadd perform a Waltz by Toni Redpath

Again, I am impressed by Tadd and his ability to transform himself from a hip hop baller to a graceful gentleman ballroomer. He held a strong frame throughout and brought beauty to his performance with his arms. Jordan was strong and beautiful as usual. I am adoring Travis' very detailed constructive criticism. His eye is finding any element that could be improved and he is pushing the dancers to get there. I agree with his comment that there could have been greater continuity in their performance. Despite the flow, there were too many choppy moments.

On a side note... What is up with Jordan's need to always wear an itsy bitsy bra top to dance in?!?! I mean, she wore a floor length skirt and a bra top to ballroom rehearsal. Who does that? Is anyone else bothered by her (lack of) wardrobe?

Sasha and Alexander perform a Hip Hop piece by Shaun Evaristo

Sasha rocked it and Alexander sunk it. Alexander executed the choreography precisely but lacked any kind of hip hop style. I think he tried, I just think he couldn't get rid of his temptation to point his toes and act preppy.

On another note... I can't believe that Alexander didn't start dancing until he was 17! Talk about having natural talent. Please note; these results are not typical for people who start dancing at age 17.

Melanie and Marco perform a Jazz piece by Ray Leeper

Interesting blast-from-the-past choreographer choice by using Ray Leeper. Ray for me is a bit 90's in his choreographic style with his infusion of classic jazz technique with some racy stylized movement.

There is no doubt that Melanie and Marco are both beasts. They brought heat and technique to the stage.

The boys perform a Contemporary piece by Justin Giles

Wow on a couple accounts.

1. Choreography was awesome and emotionally intense.
2. I loved the way they used individual spot lights in order to create a feeling of isolation and separation for each dancer.
3. I loved the creative use of costume accessories to illustrate the tension they were feeling. Cool effect with the hat, suspenders and hood.
4. What the heck is up with Chris! He totally messed up the whole beginning unison section. He was beyond off... he was in his own world. They should have gotten rid of him last week! I bet Nigel is regretting his decision now that Chris ruined the piece!!!! Hot mess!

Top 14 dancers perform!

The top 14 dancers perform tonight. Carmen Electra and Travis Wall join the judging panel tonight. I am excited to hear both of their opinions!

Miranda and Robert are going home

What!?!?!?!?!? I am shocked that they are sending Miranda home. What the heck are they thinking???? Did they see her solo? The musicality and technique was beyond compare. What more do they want?

Robert will be joining his partner and heading home tonight. I am not as surprised about this decision.

I wonder if they made a solid decision about Robert and just wanted to keep the couples together so that is what made them send Miranda home.

Well, my bottom three prediction was accurate this week, but I totally got the individual selection wrong!

My prediction

I am torn on this one. I think Miranda and Mitchell are safe. I am debating between the other 4.

Ok... I am going to go with Caitlynn and Chris.

Week 3's Bottom Three Couples

Ashley and Chris - As expected, Sonya's creative music choice left the viewers cold and the two of them were short on votes.

Miranda and Robert - Before they did the recap from last night, could you remember their dance? Yeah... me either.

Caitlynn and Mitchell - Unfortunately, their samba was not strong enough to earn them votes.

Seeing any of these girls go home tonight is going to be hard. All three of them are super strong and talented dancers.

Week 3 Results Show!

The opening number to a song from The Incredibles soundtrack was pretty cool. It had a Broadway/secret agent vibe. I enjoyed all of the partnering work, but I don't know if the movement was big enough for the larger than life musical composition.

My Week 3 Predictions

I think these couples had a tough night:

Caitlynn and Mitchell - I don't think their Samba will be remembered

Miranda and Robert - I have already forgotten about their Broadway

I think Ashely and Chris could be in jeopardy thanks to Sonya's creative music choice so I will give them the third slot.

The second group performs a Contemporary piece by Dee

I love how Dee started with a contemporary folk song, took it back hundreds of years through concept and costuming but brought forward tons of integrity. The movement not only illustrated the twisted and dark story but also capitalized on the ladies' classical technique. Really cool group number.

Jordan and Tadd perform a Hip Hip piece by Nappy Tabs

Um, this is a family show Nappy Tabs. I don't know how I feel about this concept. Sure, let's glorify drunken hook ups. That sounds like a great idea. I am glad that we are sending a solid message to our young teens that are watching.

I thought Jordan and Tadd did a great job selling the storyline and rocking the choreography, but I still question the appropriateness of the concept considering the venue. I guess I have become an old, conservative woman.

Oh, and Cat... C does not work for sensible. Just an FYI.

Ryan and Ricky perform a Contemporary piece by Sonya

Wow. That was awesome. I am not sure where to start.

The creative use of the unraveling costume element was AMAZING! I loved the way it was pushed, pulled, twisted, thrown and dropped to illustrate the tension-filed connection between them.

The emotion entrenched in the movement and the execution of the movement made me speechless. The two of them danced with the maturity, strength and technique of dancers twice their age. Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. It made me completely forget that this was a competition.

Clarice and Jess perform a Fox Trot by Jean Marc

I really enjoyed Jean Marc's interpretation of this classic Sinatra tune. I felt like I was transferred to a club in the mid 60's. As mentioned by Nigel, Clarice's dress is a costume masterpiece of shine and sparkle. The two of them glided straight into my heart with their performances. Jess caught the spirit of Sinatra in every movement and Clarice was captivating with her port de bras.

Ashley and Chris perform a Jazz piece by Sonya

It was pretty subtle, bud did anyone notice Ashley's mile high extensions?!?!

I was not a big fan of Sonya's choreography and music choice. I am not seeing the connection between the character inspiration and movement. The music was very repetitive and somewhat monotonous. The movement was interesting but there was a lack of connection between the movement and the intention for me.

I think Ashley and Chris executed what they were given well, but I was missing the artistry... not their fault though.

Melanie and Marco perform a Lyrical Hip Hop by Nappy Tabs

Woah! That was one super unexpected and passionate kiss there!

I agree with Lil' C; Melanie and Marco are a powerhouse couple. The two of them are amazing regardless of the dance style. They did an excellent job of establishing the characters at the beginning and building on that foundation throughout the piece. The chemistry and technique were undeniable. Beautiful stuff.

Um... Nigel kisses Mary... Kristen kisses Lil' C... Cat feels very uncomfortable. Woah!

Miranda and Robert perform a Broadway piece by Tyce

Miranda's opening slow develope was luscious!

Horrible music choice by Tyce. I found the tapping throughout the uptempo section to be majorly distracting. The two of them did well, but it could have been sharper and the dynamic changes could have had more tension.

I don't mean to be rude, but Mary Murphy looks like the King Kong sitting next to super tiny Kristen Chenoweth.

Caitlynn and Mitchell perform a Samba by Jean Marc

Um... Mitchell had some serious body rolls and hip swivels going on. My only complaint with him was his broken wrists. They looked a little feminine to me. Caitlynn was totally overshadowed by Mitchell. She was good, but she did not command the stage the way Mitchell did. Unfortunately, I think that this hot performance is going to be forgotten. It is falling too early in the show and although impressive, is not going to be a fan favorite.

Sasha and Alexander perform a Contemporary piece by Dee Caspary

Sasha is definitely getting hooked up. It is only week 3 and this is the second time that she has gotten to do contemporary!

Dee put together a stunning piece of choreography to start the show. I loved his use the piano as both a prop and piece of scenery. I gasped when Alexander pulled Sasha across and off the top of the piano. However, the intensity broke for me when Sasha missed her footing the next time she approached the piano. I think Alexander placed her down from the lift awkwardly and she was not able to get her feet placed correctly. She recovered well, but it was enough to break the spirit of the piece for me. I can't believe none of the judges mentioned this misstep in their critiques.

Sasha's elevation in her leaps is pretty breathtaking and Alexander's body lines are impressive as well.

First group performs a Broadway piece by Tyce

A new twist to SYTYCD emerges as the contestants are split into two groups of 8 to perform some small group numbers.

This was one of Tyce's more interesting pieces choreographically. I enjoyed his continuous formation changes and creative use of the saloon chairs. I am super excited about the show doing more small group pieces throughout the season!

Although all of the dancers did a good job with this piece, it was not as clean as I would have expected. Sasha stood out to me among the group, but I am not sure if that is because added her own flair with drew my eye or if her timing was a slightly bit off from the rest of the group.

Top 16 dancers perform!

The top 16 dancers perform and Kristen Chenoweth joins the judges panel tonight!

Iveta, Missy, Wadi and Nick are going home

Ok... I was hoping that they would keep both Ryan and Missy, but they stuck to their word and only kept one girl. As a result, Missy and Iveta are going home tonight.

As predicted, Ricky was able to save himself thanks to an incredible solo. Another tap dancer bites the dust and poor Wadi ends up going home before he really has a chance to grow and shine.

My week 2 prediction

For the guys I think Ricky will be saved. Technically he is just insane and I don't think Wadi or Nick can touch him.

For the ladies I think Iveta should go home, but the judges might choose to keep her simply because she is the only ballroom dancer in the competition. I really hope they don't get rid of Missy or Ryan... they are both so talented!!!

Bottom Three Couples

Missy and Wadi were the first couple to join the bottom. I am afraid that Wadi's awkward performance is responsible for their lack of votes.

Iveta and Nick landed in the bottom as well. I guess their Bollywood performance was not strong enough... or maybe their fan base is weak?

Ryan and Ricky were the last couple to join the bottom. I was scared this was going to happen. It is really hard to dance first on the show and be remembered. Not to mentioned, their Mandy Moore choreography didn't give them much to work with.

Week 2 Results Show!

The opening piece choreographed by Dave Scott and performed to Nina Simone was incredible. I loved the way Dave played with tempo and rhythm in the movement. The variations between double time and slow motion made the story and choreography so interesting and unexpected. I also adored the use of their derby hats to hide their faces during transitions. Super cleaver concept and awesome execution by the top 20 dancers.

Oh... I also loved the use of lighting. The series of defined spots really enhanced the formations!

Week 2 prediction

I think the bottom couples could be...

Ryan and Ricky - they danced first and their performance wasn't very memorable, but I think Ryan has a fan following so they might be ok.

Missy and Wadi - Wadi might have killed this one for the two of them.

Iveta and Nick - They performed well, but do either of them have a solid set of fans? I guess we will see.

Melanie and Marco - I hope they aren't in the bottom because losing either of them would make me cry, but their piece did not give them a chance to make a real impact on the viewers.

Ashley and Chris perform a Broadway piece by Spencer

I thought Spencer did an excellent job of using every element of a set of prison bars in order to create a piece with solid variation and dynamic. I have always loved this song from Cry Baby and absolutely adored how Spencer was able to turn it into a creative piece of musical theater choreography.

I think the characters played to the dancers' strengths and allowed each of them to showcase their talent. They did an excellent job!

Sasha and Alexander perform a Hip Hop piece by Nappy Tabs

Ok, so I have an issue with the costuming. I found the WWII throwback uniform for Alexander distracting. Why couldn't they put him in fatigues? My only issue with Sasha's costume was that it didn't match their choice for Alexander.

I appreciated Nappy Tabs' interpretation of this song and how they represented so many complicated feelings in their choreography.

I think Sasha and Alexander performed the characters with respect and integrity. It was a strong and emotional performance.

Melanie and Marco perform a Broadway piece by Mandy Moore

Many people may not know this, but this past February Mandy Moore's work was featured in a highly selective showcase for up and coming Broadway choreographers. Fellow SYTYCD choreographer Mia Michaels participated in the same showcase in 2003. Despite these accolades, I am not a fan of her choreography. I found this piece to be boring and awkward.

Melanie and Marco did the best they could with what they were given, but I don't think they had a chance to showcase their true talents with this choreography. I am scared that this performance will not keep them safe which really frustrates me because they are both AMAZING dancers!

Jordan and Tadd perform a Viennese Waltz by Jean Marc

That was absolutely gorgeous. I genuinely enjoyed both the music choice and the choreography. It was intimate, but not cheesy. I am shocked by Tadd's chameleon-like performance. Hey just warped from a b-boy into a ballroom dancer. Did you see his body frame and arms? If he is able to execute contemporary at the same level he could be a hard one to beat. Jordan's performance was strong as well and her ponche was stunning. However, I saw her lost character during transitions which was a bit of a disappointment.

Clarice and Jess perform a Contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey

Stunning. Clarice's leg lines are phenomenal. She is so short, yet her lines look like she is 6 foot tall. The piece was choreographed to showcase Clarice's assets and made Jess a complementing accessory to her strength. Although all of their partnering was intricate and inventive, my favorite part of the piece was when they broke apart to perform a series of unison movement with some floor work. The fierceness of this section left me wanting more.

Miranda and Robert perform a Hip Hop piece by Nappy Tabs

Miranda really impressed me in this piece. I thought she looked fairly authentic in her execution of the style. Robert looked good too. Their chemistry definitely helped them pull off this piece that channeled bird behaviors. The choreography was pretty standard Nappy Tabs (strange story line, robotic rhythmic elements, throw back styling,) but still solid and interesting.

I think their performance was definitely strong enough to keep them safe this week.

Iveta and Nick perform a Bollywood piece by Nakul Dev Mahajan

I think they both did a good job with it. Their movement was precise. They kept their energy up throughout the piece and they did an excellent job articulating the style for the first time.

Overall, an entertaining performance.

Missy and Wadi perform a Cha Cha by Jean Marc

Missy was pulling enough faces for 3 people. I can break this down pretty quickly...

- Missy was serving enough "hot sauce" for both of them. According to Mary, Missy's cha cha technique was on point.
- Wadi was trying really hard, but looked awkward and unsure.
- The choreography was a bit slow moving and was trying to be something that it wasn't... however that could have been the result of their lack of chemistry.

This is not going to help them stay for another week. I am definitely nervous for them.

Caitlynn and Mitchell perform a Contemporary piece by Stacey Tookey

Beautiful choreography by Stacey Tookey and awesome song choice. I recently choreographed a duo to this captivating song by Adele (one of my favorite musical artists!) It is interesting to watch someone else's choreographic interpretation of a song you have worked with.

I loved the use of the white and black arm chairs as both a prop study as well as a symbolic medium. Stacey did an excellent job of interweaving unexpected transitions throughout the piece.

Both Caitlynn and Mitchell danced this emotional piece with lyrical nuance and tension filled dynamics. I could feel the push and pull of tangled emotions in their subtly powerful movement. Angst vs. need. Pain vs. comfort. I loved the contrasts! Not too mention, did you see Mitchell's body lines in his leap?

My only complaint is the way they spliced the music. I found the edit to be clumsy and counterproductive. They tried to created resolution too quickly and randomly brought together phrases without ample musical transition.

Ryan and Ricky perform a Jazz piece by Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore sure does love the 80s music so this classic Robert Palmer hit was not a surprising song choice. I was not very impressed by the choreography. I found it to be fairly predictable "Mandy." I wanted more surprises and innovative movement.

Ryan and Ricky both executed the movement well, but I would expect that other dances later in the show will overshadow. Frankly, I have already forgotten that they even danced...

Week 2 - The top 20 dancers perform... again!

Debbie Reynolds is a part of the judging panel tonight!

All of the dancers were introduced as couples so it looks like they will be keeping their partners from week 1 for another week.

NO ONE GOES HOME THIS WEEK!!!!

They have NEVER done this before. All 20 dancers will stay in the competition for another week. Instead, they will send 2 couples home next week.

I am shocked but I completely understand. Every girl up there is ridiculously strong. I don't want to see any of them go either. I think there is some room to take out a guy or two, but I am not disappointed with their decision to let us watch everyone for another week.

Twist?!?!

I am not sure why they would ask Mitchell to dance again except if they wanted to see if their performance was choreographed or improvised and after watching him again it was clear that it was completely improvised. Interesting.

The judges must have questions or issues that are coming from things that are not visible to me.

So, who will go home tonight?

First, can someone please check Jordan's closet to see if she owns any tops that are not bedazzled bras?

Clarice was the weakest female in my opinion. Despite her fabulous ponche, her solo lacked substance and her performance last night was disappointing.

Tadd had the weakest male solo and his performance last night in the Afro Jazz piece lacked the smoothness of a trained dancer.

Mitchell is soooo safe. Did you see that turning jete leap? OMG, it was stunning!

Miranda's solo was fabulously artistic. Gold stars to her for picking a great song and seamlessly integrating tricks with integrity.

The Bottom Three Couples

Miranda and Robert - surprising; they were adorable in their 60s inspired quick step. I guess this is the result of getting ballroom.

Jordan and Tadd - also surprising; although Tadd was a little underwhelming, the piece overall was pretty strong. Were they forgotten because they went during the beginning?

Clarice and Jess - I was not particularly impressed by this piece, but the judges practically fell heads over heels for Jess' performance which I thought would bring them enough votes to be safe. Obviously... I was wrong. (Choke) That is hard to admit.

Mitchell - Due to his injury he will have to dance for his life. Reasonable considering he didn't perform last night.

Week 1 Results Show! Opening Number by Sonya

The opening number started off strong and was very interesting. When I saw the canes I thought it might be a Wade Robson piece, but when the music started and movement began I knew it was Sonya's work. I was a bit disappointed by the middle of the piece. The choreography took on a slower tempo and the dynamic was lost until the full group came back together at the end.

There were some really cool moments, but I don't think that Sonya was able to reach her full potential with this piece. I will commend her on her concept and styling though.

Prediction

I think Ryan and Ricky, Iveta and Nick, and Ashley and Chris are all at risk of being in the bottom. Of course, Caitlynn and Mitchell will be in the bottom due to his injury.

I will be interested to hear if they will be keeping these partners for a few weeks or if they will get different partners every week. The show has done both in the past.

Iveta is a ringer!

Iveta has won a world championship in every one of the 10 ballroom styles and was the first American to do so. Ummm... I am guessing that it was her hip hop performances that prevented her from making it into the top 20 during previous seasons.

Either way, $10 says that she becomes an expert on Dancing With the Stars next year!

Iveta and Nick perform a Quick Step by Jason Gilkenson

So, just by happenstance the one ballroom dancers got a ballroom routine. Shocking.

I am not really sure what to say about this one. It was good. Nothing amazing in my opinion, but I have no clue how technically hard this piece was.

Ashley and Chris perform a Hip Hip piece by Christopher Scott

Ashley totally kicked Chris' butt and this piece was in Chris' strongest style. Chris missed the downbeat when the choreography kicked in at the beginning which resulted in the two of them being a bit off.

As Chris mentioned in the reflection, this style was definitely foreign to him. He lacked energy in his movement and just came off as a lack luster dancer.

Not impressed. Eh... Ashley did well though.

Drooling

I am still drooling over the last piece. I am sorry. That was just unforgettable. I want more... I might have to rewind and watch it again... about 25 million times!

Melanie and Marco perform a Contemporary piece by Travis Wall

Marco is my "pre-season" boy and Melanie has stood out to me since the audition episodes... combine that with Travis' choreography and you get some pretty high expectations for this performance. Well, this performance not only exceeded by super high expectations... it smashed them to pieces!

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!

Travis Wall is a GENIUS! That was such an artistic interpretation to that song.

Melanie and Marco were the perfect dancers for this piece. They have the strength and technique of Greek Gods and it was exemplified in every moment of this dynamic piece of contemporary yumminess.

What the heck was that stunt during the musical/lighting transition? I have no clue what happened or who did what but it left me speechless.

Well... nothing will be able to compare after that. I really just feel sorry for the dancers that still have to perform.

Missy and Wadi perform a jazz piece by Sean Cheesman

I loved the use of the framed boxes at the beginning of the piece. I just wish that they went back to them throughout the piece so that they did not just become the random set piece in the background. Overall, the choreography was super inventive. I just wish that they used the boxes more in the middle of the piece to give them purpose for being there.

I think Missy rocked this piece. Her lines were flawless and her power was exemplified.

Wadi did well, but had some issues due to his lack of classical technique. He stilled rocked out as a reliable partner.

Together, they had some wonderful moments and some icky moments that lacked synchronization.

Miranda and Robert perform a Jive by Jason

Woooo!

I love the 60's retro inspired costumes and how they were able to naturally mimic the checkerboard pattern on both her dress and his sweater vest.

I would like to commend Jason on choosing this Bruno Mars song for the piece. This was a great example of how to make a ballroom piece resonate with viewers as much as a jazz or contemporary piece.

I think they both did an excellent job communicating the story and executing the choreography. They were just adorable.

Have I mentioned how much I loved their costumes? The silver framed glasses on Robert were a nice touch. This piece will be remembered, no doubt.

Caitlynn and Mitchell perform a Jazz piece by Sonya

Mitchell injured his elbow so Robert from season 7 toke his place.

Really unique and captivating music choice by Sonya. The high pitched tones of the vocalist created a creepy feel which was contrasted by the electronic rhythms. Both of which complimented Sonya's powerful choreography.

Caitlynn's extensions are beautiful! Her technical training is so evident in her movement. She did an excellent job executing the intricate choreography, enhancing the character with her strength, and bringing lyrical nuance to a syncopated dance.

Ryan and Ricky perfrom a Lyrical Hip Hop by Christopher Scott

I'm worried. Ryan came into tonight as one of my "pre-season" favorites and I don't know if that performance was strong enough to be memorable. Eeeeeek!

They both executed the rhythmic choreography with precision, but the characterizations were inconsistent and confusing. They performed fine, but it is not going to stick in people's minds. They both better hope that they have enough of a fan base to pull them through... or that someone bombs later in the show!

Clarice and Jess perform a Broadway piece by Tyce

I am starting to think that the show has rigged the dance selections for each couple. I mean, a jazz dancer got Afro Jazz, followed by 2 contemporary dancers dancing contemporary and now a Broadway dancer gets Broadway... this can't be all coincidental.

Jess was clearly in his element and was excellent. Hello, he has already been on Broadway 3 times!

Clarice showed off her beautiful lines in the jumps and kicks, but she couldn't match Jess' characterization.

Sasha and Alexander perform a Contemporary piece by TRAVIS WALL

Wow SYTYCD... thank you for not making us wait very long to see a Travis Wall routine!

So, let me break this down:
-Music choice: Lyrical, yet powerful and unexpected... loved it

-Choreography: Like I even need to say anything... fabulous as always; inventive, original, musically inspired, dynamic, genius.

-Sasha: Beautiful characterization, effortless tricks, strong technique

-Alexander: Gorgeous lines, classical technique, but not quite as dynamic as Sasha

Jordan and Tadd perform an African Jazz piece

I loved the tattoo inspired costuming paired with the primary red highlights in their hair. I think that added a cool modern touch to the traditional dance form.

Jordan looked pretty hard core in her performance which reflected strength and precision. I was super impressed by Tadd. I never would have guessed that he had no classical training. However, if you looked close you could notice some slightly funky transitions. Overall, Tadd came out and made a strong impression during week 1.

New Season! Top 20 perform

I am super excited for this season to start. There appears to be more contemporary and jazz dancers this season. I hope that means that they will be doing more contemporary and jazz dances during the season!