SYTYCD Top 8 - Rankings and Recap

You may have seen my post from last night about the genius of Mia Michaels, which also included my personal endorsement for who should win this year's competition. But that certainly doesn't tell the whole story of last night's show...there were also nonsensical and long-winded ramblings from guest judge Adam Shenkman, a kiss between Lauren and Dominic, and tears from Nigel and Mary.

Here, as always, are my rankings for the evening's performances.

1. Neil and Lacey, Contemporary
I said most of what there is to say about this here. Absolutely brilliant.

2. Sabra and Pasha, Broadway
Such energy! It was a great song to dance to, and these two more than met the tone set by the pulsing music, performing with a showmanship I didn't know either possessed. It seems Sabra can do just about anything, and Pasha's versatility is truly remarkable.

3. Sabra and Pasha, Quickstep
Yep, they had the 1-2 punch last night, with not one but two high energy numbers. They flew around the stage during this one, with Sabra seeming at times like she was floating. Loved it.

4. Lacey and Neil, Latin Jazz
When jazz combines with the Latin styles, magic can happen (think Heidi and Ryan's African Rumba last season). This number didn't have quite the spunk of previous jazz hybrid triumphs, but it was well performed by the pair (not to mention Neil's body is out of control). I think the judges (or "jidges," as Kat might say) were spot-on in suggesting that Lacey performs out to the audience, while Neil was very focused on her. It's one of the only things she needs to work on.

5. Sara and Danny, Argentine Tango
Ivan and Allison tore up the Argentine Tango last season, making the viewer believe they were really playing this sexy cat-and-mouse game with each other. Sara and Danny, on the other hand, looked gorgeous, and Danny's spins are undeniably thrilling, but there was no heat and no fire.

6. Lauren and D-Trix, Rumba
Okay, let's get the dancing out of the way -- I'd give it a solid "B," but it was nowhere near as hot as D-Trix's earlier rumba with Sabra. But now let's get to the real juice -- the kiss. My take is that the kiss was not planned or rehearsed, and that Dominic threw it in at the last moment. It was so awkward, because it seemed like Lauren was slightly caught off guard by it, and didn't know if she should kiss him back. They are both hot, but I don't need to see them making out -- they are already wearing skimpy outfits and grinding up on each other, let's leave a little bit to the imagination.

7. Sara and Danny, Hip Hop
Embarrassing. Maybe it was the costumes, but I couldn't take this dance seriously. Sorry Shane.
8. Lauren and D-Trix, Krump
Also embarrassing. There was no power, and no synchronicity, in this performance.

Here are my individual rankings:
1. Lacey
2. Sabra
3. Pasha
4. Neil
5. Danny
6. Sara
7. Lauren
8. Dominic

Check back in a little bit for my predictions as to who will go home.

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance, including Mia Michaels is a Genius

Rankings and Recap for SYTYCD's Top 10

Ok, I'm gonna come out and say it -- last night's So You Think You Can Dance was weird.

Maybe it was the fact that the partners were all switched up, or maybe it was the shortened routines (was it just me, or did they each seem like they were at most 1 minue long?), or perhaps it was the fact that each of the dancers had to dance the exact same solo, but something about the whole exercise last night felt a bit rushed and disjointed.

Having said that, let's get to the rankings:

1. Sabra and Kameron
Wow, the judges really aren't that into Kameron, are they? I thought this was a beautiful routine, and I thought it was well executed by both partners. Easily my favorite of the night.

2. Sara and Neil
Disco is never my favorite style, and I think it usually comes off as cheesy and amateurish, but Sara and Neil committed to it so completely I couldn't help but be charmed. Is there a style Sara can't do?

3. Lacey and Danny
With this being Lacey's specialty, and Danny being, well, Danny, I expected to be blown away by this samba, but the disjointed choreography prevented me from getting into it as much as I might have liked to. However, these kids did provide some heat, so I'll give them that.

4. Lauren and Pasha
There was nothing wrong with this performance -- it just didn't seem to go anywhere. Pasha continues to surprise me with his versatility, and Lauren definitely stepped it up a notch, but it's hard for me to imagine this routine had people running to their phones.

5. Jaimie and D-Trix
Was that a Viennese Waltz or a Paso Doble? Whichever it was, it wasn't very good.

As for the solos, which all blended into one another in my eyes, I'd give top honors to Danny, Lauren, Sabra and Kameron, with D-Trix and Pasha definitely showing their limitations.

Overall, here's my individual rankings:
1. Sabra
2. Danny
3. Lacey
4. Sara
5. Kameron
6. Neil
7. Pasha
8. Lauren
9. Jaimie
10. D-Trix

Check back soon for my thoughts on who will go home tonight.

Spoilers For This Week's SYTYCD Top 10

You know the drill...if you want to be surprised, STOP READING NOW!

This is the week where they change up the partners on So You Think You Can Dance, so we'll get the chance to see who has been coasting on the strength of their partner, and who has what it takes to survive in this cuthroat competition.

Here are the partners and dance styles for this week's show:

Lauren and Pasha — Hip-Hop
Sabra and Kameron — Contemporary
Lacey and Danny — Samba
Jaimie and Dominic — Viennese Waltz
Sara and Neil — Disco

In addition, each of the dancers will be performing a solo to “Waiting For the World To Change,” choreographed by Wade Robson.

Thoughts?

So You Think You Can Dance Recap and Rankings: Top 14

So You Think You Can Dance, how I have missed thee.

Guest judging tonight is Hairspray choreographer and director Adam Shenkman, who, like Debbie Allen before him, has a lot to say. That"s the thing about these choreographers and directos -- they like to tell people what they think about what they are doing. Mary, on the oher hand, has completely lost her mind. A silent scream that can be heard in Tokyo? Okay, honey, time to take the pills.

On to the performances, listed in the order of favorite-to-least-favorite.

1. Dominic and Sabra
After their disastrous disco the first week, who knew I would be loving these two so much. This dance was hot, and so sharply executed that I literally sighed at the end of it. D-Trix looked mighty fine in those red pants, and his moves were extraordinary -- he looked like he was ready for a music video. And Sabra matched him every step of the way, never betraying the fact that she's not a hip hop girl at heart. Loved it.

2. Neil and Lauren
It seems as though "jazz" is being used as a catch-all to mean whatever the hell the choreographer wants it to mean. As long as the choreographer is Wade Robson, I'm cool with that. These two had a lot to prove this week, since they've only given one halfway decent performance, and last episode saw them fall to the Bottom 3. They delivered this week big time,fully committing to their characters and showing some real chemistry. I thought this was the best they've been so far, and they showed they deserve to be here.

3. Lacey and Kameron
These two entertain every single time, but I'm starting to think that has a little more to do with Lacey than it does with Kameron -- she really pops, in a way that he doesn't. Having said that, he is adorable, and he never lets her down as a partner. But all in all I loved this performance, which is a bit surprising considering disco is never my favorite style. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Kameron has to dance with a different partner -- perhaps Lacey's star is just a bit too bright for him, and when he get out of her shadow he'll really shine.

4. Danny and Anya
I would have thought these two dancing a contemporary routine would have easily topped my list this week, but as Adam Shenkman was trying to explain, there is something about Danny's demeanor that prevents he and Anya from really connecting and bringing true passion to the dance floor. Lacey and Kameron would have eaten this routine up, while Danny looked like a sensational dancer going through the motions, and Anya looked like a woman alone on the stage. It was beautiful on the surface, but it had no depth. If they keep this up, they're in trouble.

5. Hok and Jaimie
Even though I think Jaimie is dumb as a box of nails, I found her quite entertaining during her intro clip, as she hemmed and hawed over whether there was something going on between her and Hok (did anyone else notice the little kiss she gave him after their performance?). Yes, Hok was out of his element, but he was present and engaged, and I give him a lot of credit. And Jaimie was gorgeous -- the second episode in a row that has been the case. I guess I'm gonna have to reconsider my stance on this one.

6. Pasha and Sara
Honestly Benji? Get a job. I'm a little over seeing you on the show every week. And can I just say how pissed I am that Heidi was not acknowledged during the whole segment (except briefly by Kat at the end). I realize she didn't win the contest, but she did come in 4th place, and the viewers probably remember her. Just rude. Anyways, I didn't like this performance. Maybe it's because the only people I've ever seen do West Coast Swing are Benji, Heidi, and Lacey, and these two didn't look anything like them. Whatever the reason, it seemed rushed and awkward to me, and quite frankly I can't understand how the judges got so worked about it. Sorry Benji, not my thing.

7. Cedric and Shauna
I think the judges are trying to use reverse psychology with the viewers, because what I saw was absolutely horrible. I was starting to like Shauna after her Mia Michaels performance, but she brought her game down to Cedric's level tonight, and that's not a good thing. I mean, it looked like the final performance in a local amateur class. Yes, by the end they had stepped it up a little, but the whole thing left me disappointed in Shauna and just blatantly annoyed that Cedric is still in the competition. Please, America, do the right thing and send this boy home...or at least to Debbie Allen's dance academy.

Individual Rankings:
1. Dominic
2. Neil
3. Lacey
4. Sabra
5. Lauren
6. Jaimie
7. Kameron
8. Anya
9. Danny
10. Hok
11. Pasha
12. Sara
13. Shauna
14. Cedric

Check back tomorrow morning for my thoughts on who will go home.

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance.

Spoilers for Tomorrow's So You Think You Can Dance - Top 14

Is anyone else experiencing So You Think You Can Dance withdrawl? I'm not okay with this 2 week break!

Luckily, our favorite dancers are back tomorrow night for some action.

SPOILERS -- Don't read if you want to be surprised!

Here are the dance styles that will be performed...

1. Lacey and Kameron — Hustle
2. Shauna and Cedric — Mambo
3. Anya and Danny — Contemporary
4. Sara and Pasha — West Coast Swing (choreographed by Benji Schwimmer!)
5. Sabra and Dominic — Hip-Hop
6. Jaimie and Hok — Waltz
7. Lauren and Neil — Jazz (choreographed by Wade Robson)

In addition, Hairspray director Adam Shenkman will be a guest judge, and will choreograph a group number for Thursday's show to the film's "You Can't Stop the Beat." Hilary Duff will also perform on Thursday's show.

Several interesting things here, including Benji's debut as a choreographer, Jaimie and Hok attempting the waltz (that should be interesting), Lacey and Kameron bringing their off-screen hustle to the stage, Danny getting to perform in his own style, and D-Trix getting to tackle hip hop. Personally, I'm most looking forward to Lauren and Neil -- if they can't bring it this week, in a number choreographed by Wade Robson, then there is no hope for these two, no matter how pretty they are.

Your thoughts?

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So You Think You Can Dance Recap and Rankings: Top 16

Another evening of great dancing on So You Think You Can Dance, with some drama thrown in on the side. Gotta love Wednesday nights!

Debbie Allen is on the panel tonight, and she's got lots to say. No seriously, a lot to say. Is it just me, or did the woman go on and on? No matter, really, since (a) she was in Fame , (b) she was pretty entertaining, and (c) she even offered Cedric a scholarship to her dance academy (although something tells me he reamed Nigel out for prompting her to do so on the commercial break).

As a side note, I kind of love the judging panel on this show. Choreographers are used to having to explain what works and what doesn't work, so there is an eloquence that is completely lacking on American Idol. So bravo, Nigel, loopy (but remarkably coherent) Mary, and the rest of the gang.

As for the drama -- Jessi Peralta has been rushed to the hospital, and Nigel, in a weird, sinister way, reports that her EKG was not normal. Oh yeah, and if she isn't better in 24 hours she's cut from the competition. This is the dance world, people -- no time for feelings.

Here's my rankings and comments...check back tomorrow morning for my prediction of who will go home.

1. Pasha and the old fat lady
Ok, to be fair, she's probably not fat, she just seems rotund compared to the Barbie dolls on this show. But enough about her -- how about that Pasha? Ooh baby, baby. He was clearly in his element here, and was sexy as all get out. I was never really into Dimitri last year (the European ballroom archetype), but I am most definitely into Pasha. And I hope Jessi is better by tomorrow -- as much as she is not my favorite, this would be a pretty shitty way to leave the competition.

2. D-Trix and Sabra
Ok, I am officially on the Dominic bandwagon. That rumba was hot! And D-Trix looked mighty fine filling out those tight pants, I must say. I can't figure out what to make of Sabra -- I love her when she is dancing, but I can't connect to her when she's not. Regardless, this rumba hit all the right spots.

3. Hok and Jaimie
Last week these two were my least favorite couple -- tonight, they blew me away. Shows what a different style of dance and a fierce choreographer can do. Wade Robson said he wanted to create his own kind of ballet, and he did -- it was pretty genius. Hok was spellbinding, and Jaimie, who is probably my least favorite in the competition, was, I must admit, beautiful to watch. Can Wade just choreograph all the dances?

4. Shauna and Cedric
Actually, Wade can choreograph half of the dances and Mia Michaels can choreograph the other other half. Loyal Idol Thoughts readers know I am kind of obsessed with Mia Michaels (I even signed up for her mailing list at miamichaels.com), so any dance she has created I am most likely going to love. And she did not disappoint tonight, bringing a beautiful story of goodbyes to the stage. Shauna was luminous (I even had visions of last season's Allison while she was dancing), but Cedric once again dropped the ball. He was emotionally moving (his crying moment was quite nice), but he just didn't match the energy and level of technical prowess Shauna was bringing to the stage. All in all, though, a beautiful piece.

5. Lacey and Kameron
Quickstep is boring. Yeah, I said it. However, for a quickstep, this performance was surprsingly enteraining. Both Lacey and Kam looked especially dashing tonight, and I am starting to think that while Danny and Anya may have the most technical prowess, these two are the most versatile -- they haven't faulted yet.

6. Sara and Jesus
I expected Sara to excel at this style, but Chuy was a very nice surprise. I bought him as a crumper, and I enjoyed this performance. I'm worried that because they performed first in the evening they may get lost in the shuffle, though, and find themselves dancing for their lives tomorrow night.

7. Anya and Danny
Last week's number one couple took a dive this week, finishing just outside of last place. What happened? They weren't bad, per se, they just were completely un-believable as a hip hop pair. Danny's dancing was beautiful, but I didn't buy for a second that they weren't a contemporary and Latin dancer attemting hip hop. I don't think they are in danger of going home, but I also think they've shown they are fallible.

8. Neil and Lauren
I want to love them so bad -- Neil is absolutely adorable, and Lauren clearly has tons of potential. So why haven't they dazzled me yet? Neil showed signs of life last week during hip hop, but this tango, while technically well-danced, was far from sexy. And it wasn't for lack of trying -- they were making the faces, but the soul of the dance wasn't there. They need some contemporary, so they can show what they can do. Otherwise, I'm afraid they might not last.

Individual Rankings:
1. Pasha
2. Dominic
3. Hok
4. Shauna
5. Sabra
6. Jaimie
7. Lacey
8. Jesus
9. Kameron
10. Sara
11. Danny
12. Lauren
13. Neil
14. Anya
15. Cedric

SPOILERS: Dance Styles For So You Think You Can Dance Top 16

You know the drill -- if you want to be surprised, stop reading now!

Here are the dance styles for tomorrow's Top 16 show:

1. Jesus & Sara: Krump
2. Cedric & Shauna: Contemporary
3. Kameron & Lacey: Quickstep
4. Danny & Anya: Hip-Hop
5. Dominic & Sabra: Rumba
6. Neil & Lauren: Tango
7. Hok & Jaimie: Jazz
8. Pasha & Jessi: Cha Cha

Thoughts?

SPOILERS: Dance Styles for This Week's SYTYCD

You know the drill -- if you want to be surprised about the dance styles for this week's So You Think You Can Dance...

STOP READING NOW!

Here they are:

Neil and Lauren — Hip-Hop
Pasha and Jessi — Jazz
Hok and Jaimie — Samba
D-Trix and Sabra — Contemporary
Cedric and Faina — Foxtrot
Kameron and Lacey — Broadway
Danny and Anya — Viennese Waltz
Jimmy and Shauna — Hip-Hop
Jesús and Sara — Paso Doble

There should definitely be some challenges for the contestants this week, namely Pasha performing jazz, D-Trix attempting contemporary, and Jesus and Sara taking on the paso doble.

It'll be nice to see Neil and Lauren try and redeem themselves with hip hop after their dismal salsa showing last week, Lacey and Kameron should have no problem with Broadway, and I'm betting Hok will actually take pretty well to the samba.

What do you guys think? Anything jump out at you as a potential masterpiece or a disaster-waiting-to-happen?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Spoilers for Tonight's So You Think You Can Dance

The pairings for tonight's Top 20 episode of So You Think You Can Dance, along with the styles of dance that will be performed, have leaked online.

STOP READING IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED

Anya & Danny — Jive
Pasha & Jessi — Smooth Waltz
Neil & Lauren — Club Salsa
Chuy & Sara — Pop Jazz
Cedric & Faina — Hip Hop
Jaimie & Hok — Hip Hop
Sabra & D-trix — Disco
Shauna & Jimmy — Broadway
Lacey & Kameron — Contemporary
Ashlee & Ricky — Argentine Tango

Apparently, the choreography of Shane Sparks, Wade Robson, Mia Michaels (love her!), and Tyce Diorio are all featured, among others.

A few thoughts:

-Ballroom dancers Anya and Pasha both chose ballroom styles, which bodes well for them. Fellow ballroom-ers Faina and Lacey, however, could be in a bit of trouble -- Faina will have to tackle hip hop, and Lacey will have to attempt the one style of dance her brother Benji never did -- contemporary. Should be interesting.

-Hok certainly lucked out selecting hip hop, while D-Trix should be able to apply his funky style to disco. I think b-girl Sara should do alright with pop jazz, as well.

-I'm looking forward to Neil and Lauren's club salsa -- they seem like a well-matched couple, and the dancing could be hot.

What do you think of the pairings? Styles? Who do you think will be the first couple to tank?

Click to read more on So You Think You Can Dance (including my thoughts on this season's Top 20)

*Thanks Rickey.org for the info