SYTYCD: Is Jessica This Year's Kameron?

Love her or hate her, So You Think You Can Dance contestant Jessica King is certainly giving us something to talk about this year. Partnered with Will Wingfield, easily among the Top 5 guys in the competion, Jessica has received harsh criticism from the judges and ire from the fans. In fact, my significant other just the other night tried to convince me that she was this year's Cedric, that notorious SYTYCD buzzkill.

My vote, however, is that she's this year's Kameron -- with a caveat. Here's why: just like Kameron, she's surviving based on the strength of her partner. If America was to vote for individual dancers at this point in the competition, I'd wager she'd be gone in a flash. Like Kameron last year, she is getting by week-to-week because America is head over heels in love with Will (and his abs).

There's one big difference between Jessica and Kameron, however -- Kameron brought something to the table. Sure, he didn't have the star presence or versatility of his partner Lacey Schwimmer, but he was there for her every step of the way. Think of their Top 20 dance -- if he hadn't been solidly there to catch her, she couldn't have hurled herself into his arms the way she did.

Jessica, on the other hand, brings to the table...well...I'm not quite sure.

Another difference -- Kameron made Lacey look better. His strength and consistency and connection to his partner allowed Lacey to shine. Jessica, on the other hand, makes Will look worse. Would he have ever lost his balance in his disco routine a few weeks back if Jessica had been able to stay on two feet? Probably not. She holds him back, whereas Kameron allowed Lacey to soar.

So -- not exactly a historical debate a la David Cook vs. David Archuleta, but that's my $.02 on Jessica's connection to SYTYCD past.

Thoughts?

12 Best SYTYCD Dances: Lacey and Kameron's Season 3 Contemporary at #3

Ok, I admit it...I miss So You Think You Can Dance. I know, I know, it's been almost three weeks since Sabra Johnson was named this year's champ, but I can't get those kids and their fancy footwork out of my head!

So, to satisfy my SYTYCD cravings, I thought I would take a look over the next week or so at the 12 Best SYTYCD Dances of All Time, including a youtube video when available. Like all best-of lists, these choices are subjective, so please feel free to post comments and let me know what you think.

Mia Michaels is a miracle worker, and in this dance from Season 3's first performance episode, she did it again, transforming Lacey Schwimmer from the cheesy, annoying younger sister she had appeared to be during the audition episodes, into a sexy, emotional woman. Of course, it became clear over the course of the season that there wasn't much Lacey couldn't do, but she was simply magnificent in this performance, flinging herself around the stage with total abandon. And even though Lacey was clearly the star of the number, cutie Kameron was there for her every single step of the way. The dance had tension, heartbreak, intimacy -- and I loved every second of it.

To see #'s 12 through 4, click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Click for Today's Top 10 Posts

Who is Going Home Tonight on SYTYCD?

This is the week on So You Think You Can Dance when we see who has been coasting by on their previous partner's popularity (say that 3 times fast!), and who truly has a sizable fanbase of their own. Should be interesting!

I'm not entirely sure how they are going to identify who is going home, or if they will call out a Bottom 3, but here is who I think is most in danger this evening:

Eliminated Girl: Lauren Gotleib
I'm guessing Sabra and Lacey are both safe -- both were great last night, and both seem to have a lot of fans. I'm also thinking Sara's dynamic disco performance will be enough to keep her around another week.

Which leaves Jaimie and Lauren. While Lauren probably gave a better overall performance last night, Jaimie has been stronger throughout the competition, and is more clearly in danger after her disastrous Viennese Waltz with D-Trix, and as we all know from American Idol, when the viewers smell danger they start dialing -- a lot. Because of this, I'm predicting Lauren will be the one to go.

Eliminated Boy: Danny Tidwell
Pasha -- safe. He's charming and people love him.

D-Trix -- one bad week won't be enough to get him eliminated.

Neil -- the audience clearly loves him, and his disco further cemented his appeal. He's safe.

Which leaves Kameron and Danny. Clearly the judges would like to see Kameron given the boot, but his emotional solo, and the look on his face when the judges praised his solo, may be enough to save him. Could Danny, easily the most talented dancer on the show, be given the boot tonight? The show will be less because of it, but I think he's going to be the one sent packin'.

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

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?

Who is Going Home Tonight on So You Think You Can Dance?

I'm doing things a little backwards this morning -- look for my SYTYCD Recap and Rankings a bit later this afternoon.

But for now, let's look at who is likely to get the boot at this crucial point in the competition, just before the Top 10, which is the group that will get to go on the national tour. With such a talented group this year it's a shame that two will miss out on the fun -- who's it gonna be?

Bottom 3 Couples
Hok and Jaimie
Danny and Anya
Pasha and Sara

This is tricky, and, after batting 100% in my predictions last week, I'm less sure than I've been all season in my picks this week. One thing I do feel confident in -- Lacey and Kameron will be safe, and Hok and Jaimie are the most likely to have to dance for their lives tonight. I think it's possible Neil and Lauren could replace either Danny/Anya or Pasha/Sara, but the fact that they danced a number choreographed by the beloved Mia Michaels may keep them out of the bottom. Danny and Anya were stunning (my favorites of the night), but after two straight weeks in the Bottom 3, will they be able to rejuvenate their audience support?

Eliminated Boy: Hok

I love him, the audience loves him, and it'll be a damn shame if he doesn't get to tour, but Hok is clearly the weakest male contestant left in the competition. I think the judges would actually prefer to get rid of Kameron, but since it's unlikely he and Lacey will be put in the Bottom 3, expect to say goodbye to the very entertaining B-boy.

Eliminated Girl: Sara

I'd probably send Lauren packing if I had the chance, but if Mia Michaels stunning work keeps her out of danger, Sara's lack of technical training is likely to be her downfall. Her only saving grace would be Anya flubbing another solo routine, or Lauren slipping into the Bottom 3.

What do you think? Who is most in danger of going home tonight?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance, and check back in a little bit for my rankings and recap from last night's show

Spoilers: So You Think You Can Dance Top 12 Dance Styles

Once again, I've come across the dance styles for this week's So You Think You Can Dance. If you want to be surprised, STOP READING NOW!

Here we go...

1. Dominic & Sabra - Jive (Tony Meredith)
2. Hok & Jaimie - Broadway (Tyce Diorio)
3. Pasha & Sara - Jazz (Mandy Moore)
4. Neil & Lauren - Contemporary (Mia Michaels)
5. Danny & Anya - Foxtrot (Tony Meredith)
6. Kameron & Lacey - Hip-Hop (Dan Karaty)

Initial thoughts:
-D-Trix and Sabra could be in for a challenge, but they've proven they can connect and deliver, so I definitely wouldn't count them out
-Hok and Jaimie should be able to pull of a Broadway routine -- Hok is certainly theatrical enough
-Pasha and Sara will get through this, but it ain't gonna be pretty
-Neil and Lauren + Mia Michaels should be a match made in heaven. Here's hoping it turns out that way
-Danny and Anya have triumphed with ballroom styles in the past, I think this will be a chance for them to return to their former glory
-Kameron and Lacey might not have the edge to be able to pull this off -- it'l be interesting to see how the competition's most versatile couple does

Your thoughts?

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Who is in Danger This Week on So You Think You Can Dance?

We're down to the Top 12 on So You Think You Can Dance, which means there is just one more week where the judges get to decide who stays and who goes, before America takes over the reins completely. What will happen during this crucial week?

Even more so than on American Idol, the style of dance that the contestants choose can dictate whether they stay or go. Performing a Mia Michaels or a Wade Robson piece, for example, is almost a sure-fire way to stick around, while having to dance the waltz could very easily lead to a trip to the Bottom 3. Thus, making predictions is a difficult exercise...but I'm gonna try and do it anyways!

The couples left in the competition are:
Lacey/Kameron
Anya/Danny
Jaimie/Hok
Lauren/Neil
Sara/Pasha
Sabra/D-Trix

The only one of these couples to never spend time in the Bottom 3 is Lacey and Kameron, so I'm guessing the audience will continue to shower them with love and they will cruise on into the Top 10. Ditto Sabra and D-Trix, who have put up two stellar performances in a row, and seem to be gaining momentum weekly. I'm also thinking Danny and Anya will make it through this week -- two straight Bottom 3 appearances doesn't bode well, but if they choose a style that let's them shine, their natural gifts should allow them to be just fine.

Which would leave Jaimie/Hok, Lauren/Neil, and Sara/Pasha as the Bottom 3 couples. If this turns out to be the case, who would be most in danger of getting the boot?

If history proves to be an accurate guide, the judges will take this final opportunity to determine who is the most versatile and promising individuals. As such, expect Jaimie to be given a spot in the Top 10, leaving Lauren and Sara to battle it out for the final girl's spot. Lauren's last solo was far from impressive, but I think she'll step it up a notch and show enough technical proficiency to merit moving forward, meaning B-girl Sara, who has admirably risen to every challenge thrown at her all season, will be the one to leave.

As for the boys, it's a little more unclear. Hok is clearly the least trained dancer, but he's also arguably the most charismatic fellow left in the competition. Pasha is great at what he does, and has had moments of genius in other styles, but his solo is likely to be underwhelming. And then there's Neil, adorable Neil, who can do all sorts of crazy tricks, but is too inconsistent in his partner dances to be considered a shoo-in. While I think the judges would probably like to send Kameron packing, the fact that he is unlikely to have to "dance for his life" means the decision will be between these three young men, and I'm thinking Neil is most in danger of getting the boot.

What do you think -- who is most in danger of being eliminated this week?

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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?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance's Lacey and Kameron Are a Couple!

Well, they certainly have generated heat on the dance floor (especially in that hot Mia Michaels routine), and now Kristin Veitch from EOnline reports that Lacey Schwimmer and Kameron Bink have taken their partnership off the floor as well!

Yes, Lacey and Kameron are a couple. Thoughts?

Kristin also reveals that last season choreographer Shane Sparks and contestant Jessica were "working on some moves" as well. Hmmmm, very interesting...

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

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?

So You Think You Can Dance Recap: Top 18

First, some random thoughts that entered through my mind during the first 5 minutes of So You Think You Can Dance:

-Ya know, Cat Deeley is really growing on me. I'd put her at #3 behind Seacrest and Probst on the list of best reality show hosts. Yeah, I said it, Phil Keoghan -- what are you gonna do about it?

-Yay, Mia Michaels is on the judging panel! Boo, that means no Mia Michaels choreography! But, Yay Mia's brutally honest, unfiltered, brilliant thoughts!

-Really? Their "inspiration for dancing"? Gag me.

Okay, on to the performances...

All in all, it was a pretty fantastic night of dancing, with last week's top teams (Lacey/Kameron and Anya/Danny) repeating their previous successes, and a couple performances that were marked improvements over former showings (D-Trix/Sabra, Neil/Lauren). A couple teams stumbled, but most were so good that it was fairly difficult to rank the performances.

Difficult, but not impossible. Here goes...

1. Anya and Danny (Viennese Waltz)
These two literally took my breath away tonight. Independently they are brilliant -- together they are magical. Okay, that was really dramatic, I admit, but seriously, they were dazzling tonight, especially considering they were dancing a style that could be a real snooze. I would not be surprised if these were the last two standing 8 weeks from now. I can't wait to see what they do next.

2. D-Trix and Sabra (Contemporary)
This performance really surprised me on a couple of different levels -- I wasn't confident D-Trix was going to be able to handle a style that didn't call for him spinning around on his head, and I had sort of written Sabra off as a boring dance-girl. But there was serious emotion in this performance, a real connection between the two dancers, and some really moving moments. Sabra is no longer ignore-able, and I don't think we can call D-Trix a one-trick pony any longer.

3. Lacey and Kameron (Broadway)
I definitely have goodwill left over from last week's sensational Mia Michaels creation, and it's true, Kameron is providing some stiff competition for Neil as my SYTYCD boyfriend (in the tradition, of course, of Travis and Nick Lazzarini), but I loved this performance start-to-finish. I thought it had plenty of pizzazz, and some really sharp movement, and it was totally in the spirit of Fosse's Chicago. Lacey surprised me yet again, showing a sexy side I didn't think she had in her, and Kameron's slow-mo backflip made me gasp out loud. I'm definitely a fan.

Oh and by the way, who knew Lacey had abs like that?

4. Pasha and Jessi (Jazz)
I forgot to include Pasha on the list with Neil and Kameron -- he's getting more adorable by the week. And it certainly helps that he danced his ass of tonight, entertainingly throwing himself into Tyce's wacky choreography, which I loved every second of. Jessi was really good, too -- the second week in a row that has been the case. I still can't say I'm completely in her corner, though -- there's something about her that just bugs me, I'm not sure what it is. But let's just say I am firmly in Pasha's corner.

5. Neil and Lauren (Hip Hop)
Lauren disappointed me a bit (I wish she had hit her moves just a little bit harder), but Neil blew me away, really embracing the role of the hip-hopper, and pulling off the moves with aplomb. I agree with Mia, I almost wish Lauren wasn't even there so I could just watch Neil -- he was that skillful and entertaining. I know Lauren has it in her, I just don't think we've seen it yet. But Neil definitely did not disappoint.

6. Chuy and Sara (Paso Doble)
So, I agree with the judges the the music threw off the dance. But still. Sara is a b-girl, and she ripped it up in the paso doble. Okay, sure, Faina or Anya probably could have danced it way better, but she really held her own, and she was committed through and through. I really respect her, and I hope she sticks around for awhile. And Chuy was awesome! Strong, masculine, sexy -- he had it all.

7. Shauna and Jimmy (Hip Hop)
This is probably my least favorite couple of the night, but I can't fault the performance itself -- it was, as Nigel said, fun, and, to be truthful, more skillful than the two pairs in the numbers 8 and 9 positions. Problem is, I just don't care that much about either Shauna or Jimmy, in part, of course, because we don't know anything about them (unlike, say, Hok, who has had easily 30 minutes of screentime over the last two years). But, having said that, they haven't yet done anything to stand out or endear themselves to the audience. Their dancing was fine...so what?

8. Faina and Cedric (Fox Trot)
There's a reason why I put this pair in the #8 spot and not in last, and it can be summed up in one word: Faina. She was absolutely dazzling tonight -- gorgeous, sensual, playful, elegant. I loved her. Of course, she was dancing with Cedric, who was awkward, uptight, and uncomfortable to watch. Not exactly a match made in heaven.

9. Hok and Jaimie (Samba)
I love Hok -- I think he's charming and spirited, and he's a surprisingly good dancer for a b-boy'er. But this dance tonight was a hot mess. I can't pinpoint exactly what didn't work, but on the whole, it just was a bust. And is it just me, or does Jaimie come off as a little vapid to you? I love Hok, and I admire his effort, but Jaimie strikes me as a kind of soulless dancer. Definitely my least favorite of the night.

Individual Rankings:
1. Danny 2. Anya 3. Faina 4. Neil 5. Pasha 6. Lacey 7. D-Trix 8. Sabra 9. Chuy 10. Kameron 11. Jessi 12. Sara 13. Lauren 14. Shauna 15. Jimmy 16. Hok 17. Jaimie 18. Cedric

What do you think of this list? Does it resemble yours?

Check back tomorrow morning for my prediction of who will be going home.

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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?

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SYTYCD Top 20 Recap: Nice Way to Start

My goodness, I love So You Think You Can Dance. We went an entire season on American Idol with only a handful of goosebump-inducing moments, and already we've had one spine-tingly sensation on SYTYCD. Idol came first, so it will always have my loyalty, but I gotta say, I forget to miss it when I'm watching these kids do their thing.

And what a way to start the show -- great performances, glimpses of Travis, Benji, Ivan, et al. in the audience, and choreography from all the old faves, like Mia Michaels (more on this fierce b*tch later), Wade Robson, Shane Sparks, Tyce Diorio and more. Love it, love it, love it!

Here are my thoughts on last night's performances:

The Excellent
Lacey and Kameron
When Mia Michaels choreographed Heidi and Travis last season in "Calling You," it was sheer magic. And she's done it again, transforming Lacey from a cheesy, annoying younger sister into a sexy, emotional woman. It's also clear that vulnerability suits her -- she looked way prettier than she has any of the other times she has been shown. The way she flung herself around the stage was remarkable, and even though Lacey was clearly the star of the number, cutie Kameron was there for her every step of the way. The dance had tension, heartbreak, intimacy -- I loved every second of it.

Danny and Anya
I could have done without Danny's pants, and I did see a little bit of his cockiness peering through, but the energy and intricacy these two brought to their jive was remarkable. The footwork was spot-on (and fast!), and both (especially Anya) displayed oodles of personality. I expect we'll be seeing quite a bit more of these two in the upcoming weeks.

The Very Good
Chuy and Sara
Wade Robson's choreography is almost as genius as Mia's (I said almost), and Chuy and Sara handled the nuances with aplomb. I really like both of these two -- they are committed, and seem like they'll be able to handle most styles. Well done.

Pasha and Jessi
The smooth waltz is probably my least favorite of all the dance styles they do on this show, but these two really did bring an elegance and floating quality to the performance that made it extremely watchable. Pasha is a pro (I love his and Anya's work ethic), and though I don't want to like Jessi, I can't help it -- I do!

The So-So
D-Trix and Sabra
Dan Karaty was right -- Season 1 champ Nick Lazarrini was definitely the king of disco. I admire D-Trix' dedication to mastering other styles of choreography, and the performance was far from a nighmare, but it was totally lacking the fun and exciting energy that a disco dance should inspire.

Lauren and Neil
I wanted to love this so bad, as Lauren seems like she's got mad skills and Neil is a cutie-and-a-half. However, it just wasn't that great -- Lauren showed her age, and Neil did seem a bit cheerleader-esque. Club salsa is a hard style to start with, though...give them time (and the chance to work with Mia Michaels), and I think these kids might be able to create some magic.

Jamie and Hok
Hok was hot. Jaimie...well, she was certainly trying hard!

The Pretty Bad
Ashlee and Ricky
Ricky definitely has talent, and when it comes time for him to perform contemporary, he'll probably hit it out of the box. But this was just painful -- reminiscent, in some ways, of Ivan and Allison's trainwreck of a first dance last season. Luckily Ivan was given another shot to show what he can do, and ended up making it to the Top 6 -- hopefully Ricky will get the same chance.

Faina and Cedric
I really though Faina was gonna sail through the first few weeks of the competition, but her hesitant, slightly awkward performance last night has made me re-think that. And frankly, I don't see what the big deal is about Cedric -- yeah, his style has a unique fluidity, but I keep getting distracted by his freakishly long legs. One of my least favorite performances of the night.

Shauna and Jimmy
Tyce has created Broadway choreographic masterpieces in the past (Season 1's "Steam Heat" and Season 2's "You Can't Stop the Beat" spring to mind), but this piece seemed wrong right from the start. The costumes were terrible, and the dancing wasn't much better (although Jimmy did seem slightly stronger than Shauna). I don't expect either of these two to last for much longer.

So there it is...stay tuned for my prediction as to who will get the boot tonight.

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