Are the DANCING WITH THE STARS Professionals Now More Famous Than Their "Celebrity" Partners?

A thought occurred to me over the past two weeks of watching Dancing with the Stars, as I found myself nervous that new pro Chelsie Hightower would be eliminated the first week out, and feeling for Lacey Schwimmer as she stood alone receiving comments without her partner Steve-O -- are the professional dancers on the show now more famous than their "celebrity" partners?

Think about it --

-Three of the pros (Chelsie, Lacey, and Dimitri Chapin) amassed sizable fanbases on So You Think You Can Dance (a show that gets a lot more viewers than Holly Madison' Girls Next Door).
-Edyta Sliwinska has been on eight cycles of the show
-Cheryl Burke has won twice and is a tabloid fixture
-Julianne Hough has a country CD and has been nominated for several awards
-Former champs Derek Hough and Mark Ballas have a new CD in stores
-Maksim Chmerkowskiy and Karinna Smirnoff are engaged, and constantly in the press

Now, this is not to say that some of this year's "stars" are, in fact, accomplished -- no one can take away Shawn Johnston's gold medal or Lil' Kim's notoriety or Laurence Taylor's football records. But in the Dancing with the Stars universe, there is no doubt that some of the pros have eclipsed their partners in terms of viewer affection.

Which begs the question -- is the playing field now stacked in favor of the pros who have their own fanbases? Lacey, Chelsie and Dimitri have fans who are used to voting for them -- does this, as a result, help Steve-O, Ty and Bridget? Will Julianne and Chuck last in the competition because of the audience's affection for Julianne? Will Denise Richards hang around because viewers can't get enough of Maks?

And does it even matter?

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Dancing with the Stars First Week Impressions: I Love Lance and Lacey!

The first two performance episodes of the new (and eagerly anticipated) season of Dancing with the Stars are now over and we've already lost one "celebrity" (see ya later Jeffrey Ross), which means it's just about time for me to give my impressions on the remaining dozen (one of whom will go home tonight).

Before I do that, however, I have to reiterate a theme that has recurred throughout the years I've been writing about this show..

I hate Samantha Harris!

Ok, I feel better now that I've gotten that out.

On to the contestants:

-Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer
Hands down my favorite couple of the season, though at this point it has very little to do with their dancing. I was a huge Lacey fan back on So You Think You Can Dance, where she came in 4th place, and Lance was both in 'nysnc and is the first openly gay contestant on the show. How can I not root for them? I'm a bit concerned for their longevity in the competition, however -- as much as I love Lacey, I'm not sure she's in tune with what the judges are looking for in these dances, and it could come back to bite them in the butt. Still -- for now, they've got my vote.

-Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo
Toni's sporting a crazy-eye thing that is buggin' me out a bit, but so far her moves have been pretty impressive. However -- does she have the stamina to keep up?

-Kim Khardashian and Mark Ballas
Aside from her, um, assets, I'm not quite sure what Kim is bringing to the dance floor -- except a hot partner! Unfortunately for Mark, however, I don't expect this couple to go much further than tonight.

-Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas
I know, I know, she's charming and hysterical -- but I'm just not enjoying her shake her geriatric groove thing. Call me ageist, but I hope she gets shown the door right quick.

-Misty May Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovsky
Maks compared Misty's legs to Stacey Kiebler, which I think is giving the volleyballer a bit more credit than she currently deserves. Still, there's no way these two won't be around in the Final Four.

-Brooke Burke and Derek Hough
I was sure Brooke would perform like the other models on this show -- ie, stiffly and without personality. What a revelation she's been, executing both dances with style and passion. Keep an eye on these two.

-Cody Linley and Julianne Hough
Julianne can, of course, do no wrong, and Cody is adorable and clearly respectful of the competition. These two may just be a force to be reckoned with.

-Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke
While this couple has been solid thus far, and Cheryl's choreography is always entertaining, they are performing exactly as I would have expected a track and field star to perform. Will the lack of surprise do them in?

-Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani
Susan -- eat a sandwich! I can't pay attention to your dancing because I'm too afraid you're going to break in half! And maybe lay of the plastic surgery a bit? Your face is lookin' a little rough.

-Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer
Ted is charming, and his dancing is not bad, but thus far he's a bit boring. He's going to have to show a bit more personality, and kiss up a little less, if he wants to go further in the competition.

-Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson
What a surprise this couple has turned out to be! Warren could not be more likable, and he flies around the dance floor in a way that seems completely antithetical to his size. I love 'em! (Though what did Kym do to her breasts??)

There they are -- my first impressions of the Dancing with the Stars Top 12. As I said above, I'm guessing either Kim Khardashian or Ted McGinley will get the boot tonight. Later this week I'll give my (very!) early thoughts on how I think the rest of the season will shake out.

Are Dancing with the Star's Cheryl Burke and Julianne Hough Snubbing SYTYCD's Lacey Schwimmer?

Drama in the reality TV dance world!

According to an item in today's New York Post Page Six, two-time Dancing with the Stars champions Cheryl Burke and Julianne Hough are snubbing former So You Think You Can Dance finalist and new Dancing with the Stars professional Lacey Schwimmer. Apparently the ladies are upset that Lacey was paired with Lance Bass, who is considered to be the most talented and highest profile star on the upcoming season.

While it's not hard to imagine Cheryl (who is paired with football star Maurice Greene) pulling a diva act, Julianne seems like a sweetheart, and she's got a burgeoning music career -- is she really that upset? Plus, she's got a young buck of her own -- Disney channel hearthrob Cody Linley.

I can't wait until this show premieres!

SYTYCD's Lacey Schwimmer Will Partner Lance Bass on Dancing with the Stars

This is a reality TV show marriage made in heaven!

Season 3 So You Think Can Dance finalist Lacey Schwimmer will partner former boy bander Lance Bass on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. Holla!

Lacey clearly has a fanbase from her SYTYCD stint -- will the combination of her and Lance's fans make them unbeatable? Guess we'll have to wait and see!

FULL LIST OF DANCING WITH THE STARS CELEBRITIES AND PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

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?

Twelve Best So You Think You Can Dance Performances of All Time (With Video!)

As we gear up for this year's Top 20, here's my list of the 12 best So You Think You Can Dance performances of all time. Click on any dance to watch the video and see my thoughts on why it made the cut.

And click here to read So You Think You Can Dance Top 20: Bring. It. On.

Viva la dance!

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Travis and Heidi's Contemporary at #1

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Benji and Heidi's Mambo at #2

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

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Ivan and Allison's Contemporary at #4

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Hok and Jaimie's Jazz at #5

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Neil and Sabra's Jazz at #6

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Nick and Melody's Broadway at #7

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances: Danny and Lacey's Samba at #8

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances of All Time: Ivan and Allison's Hip Hop at #9

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances of All Time: Danny and Anya's Viennese Waltz at #10

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances of All Time: Benji and Donyelle's Broadway at #11

Twelve Best SYTYCD Dances of All Time: Blake and Ashley's Salsa at #12

And The Best SYTYCD Group Dance of All Time Is...

See all of today's Idol Thoughts Headlines

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IDOL MADNESS: THE GAME

Reliving the So You Think You Can Dance Tour -- 20 Photos!

Back in October, four friends and I headed out to Long Island, NY to catch the So You Think You Can Dance tour. Danny and Neil and Lacey -- oh my!

While I personally thought this year's concert didn't live up to the sensational show last year's group put on, it was still a treat to see my favorite dances from the season -- Lacey and Kameron's Contemporary, Sabra and Neil's Table Dance, Hok and Jaimie's Bird Dance and much, much more.

My good pal Karen took some amazing photos at the concert, and, due to time constraints, I never got a chance to post them. So, despite the fact that the tour is now over, I thought I'd take this opportunity to post a few of the photos -- they're just too good not to display.

Enjoy!

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

12 Best SYTYCD Dances -- Danny and Lacey's Season 3 Samba at #8

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.

Time for #8 -- Danny and Lacey's Samba

Talk about chemistry and heat!

Danny and Lacey burned up the floor in this ridiculously sexy samba. The pairing was eagerly awaited -- both were siblings of Season 2's Top 2 contestants, and Travis' brother and Benji's sister most certainly did not disappoint. It's basically sex on stage! The dance was so hot, in fact, even Perez Hilton posted the video clip above on his website. When you've gotten Perez to pay attention to SYTYCD you know you've done something right!

Click for #9 -- Ivan and Allison's Season 2 Hip Hop

Click for #10 -- Danny and Anya's Season 3 Waltz

Click for #11 -- Benji and Donyelle's Season 2 Broadway

Click for #12 -- Blake and Ashley's Season 1 Salsa

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Click for Today's Top 10 Posts

Hats Off to Sabra Johnson, A Most Deserving SYTYCD Champion

Well, another season of So You Think You Can Dance bites the dust. As I wait for the realization that this season is really over to set in, I have to raise my glass and take my hat off (and any other mixed metaphor I can think of) to Sabra Johnson, a most deserving champion.

Yes, for most of the season I wanted Lacey to win, and in the past couple of weeks my allegiance had switched to Danny, but the truth of the matter is that Sabra personifies what this competition is all about. She wasn't the sibling of one of last year's most memorable contestants; she didn't have a dramatic backstory about a dying mother or a childhood accident; and she wasn't the loudest or flashiest contestant on the show.

Instead, Sabra danced, and she danced beautifully, with every single ounce of her being. She projected joy and passion and enthusiasm that never felt forced or fake. And she was versatile! Consider the styles she tackled: contemporary, cha cha, rumba, jazz, hip hop, quickstep, Broadway, and the list goes on.

So, hats off to ya, Sabra -- wear your title proudly.

Stay tuned for the Ten Best Moments of this Year's Finale

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Now For The Hard Part -- Who Is Going To Win SYTYCD?

Okay...

I've recapped and ranked last night's performances (click here)

I've given my Idol Thoughts endorsement (click here)

So what's next? Oh yeah -- figuring out who is actually going to take home the prize.

After much deliberation, here is how I think it is going to play out...

Fourth Place: Lacey Schwimmer
How could the girl who has never been in the Bottom 2 or 3 finish in only 4th place? Part of the problem may be that Lacey is too good, too consistent -- the audience may have started to take for granted that she was going to deliver excellence almost every performance. The other part of the problem is that Lacey's solos have been borderline terrible, and her final showing, the Lindy Hop, was an amateurish disaster. She would be a deserving winner, but I'm afraid she's going to have to settle for 4th place.

Third Place: Neil Haskell
Like Nigel said, Neil peaked at the right time, and if the screaming girls had their say, Neil would definitely be the champion. He's got a shot, but I think he's going to come up short -- gorgeous and talented as he may be, he doesn't have the technical chops of Danny or the joyful spirit of Sabra, so I'm guessing he's gonna miss out on a Top 2 finish.

Second Place: Sabra Johnson
Sabra is a true joy to watch, and everyone I know who watches this show absolutely adores her. If there is going to be a female winner this year, it will almost undoubtedly be her. However, I think she dropped the ball last night -- her solo and hip-hop were just-ok, and while she was great in both the jazz and cha cha, she didn't seem to sparkle like she has been the last week. Still, don't count the little spitfire out.

First Place: Danny Tidwell
Yes, I may be biased, since I also gave Danny the Idol Thoughts Endorsement, but I think he was so mind-bogglingly spectacular last night that he may just have propelled himself to victory. That solo!! I mean!! We all know the "best dancer" isn't the one who wins, but I think in this case he just might.

What do you think? Who's gonna win this thing?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Youtube Videos From Last Night's Show

Relive last night before tonight's winner is announced! C'mon, it's fun!

(Later this week I'm going to post youtube videos from memorable dances from the past two seasons -- get psyched!)

The Top 4 Finalists getting their Broadway on:



Danny and Neil showing us how the boys do it:



Danny and Lacey's breathtaking Viennese Waltz:



Lacey and Sabra's wacked out and wonderful Wade Robson routine:

Solo and Overall Rankings: Idol Thoughts Endorsement Goes To...

So, I've ranked the couples (click here), and now its time to look at the solos...

1. Danny
For the past few weeks now Danny has really stepped his solos up a notch, and as he bounded around the stage like a man with an incredible amount of unleashed passion, Danny literally took my breath away tonight. He is truly sensational.

2. Neil
Just a few weeks ago Neil's solos consisted of high jumps and crazy acrobatics -- impressive, certainly, but lacking a bit in the artistry department. No longer! He felt the music tonight, giving easily his best solo performance of the season.

3. Sabra
I feel like I've seen this solo from Sabra every week now for the past several weeks. That doesn't mean it's not good -- I'm just kind of over it.

4. Lacey
Even though this was better than her last two solos (which were painful), the girl just can't give good solo. Hey, she can't be good at everything!

And, finally, the overall rankings from last night:

1. Danny
2. Sabra
3. Lacey
4. Neil

Thus, based on last night's performances, as well as a result of taking a look at all of the previous week's rankings, Idol Thoughts is ready to make an endorsement for this year's So You Think You Can Dance champion. Please know, I have gone back and forth on this all week, and even during last night's show I had not yet figured out who I want to win.

But I know now.

Idol Thoughts endorses Danny Tidwell as the winner of this year's So You Think You Can Dance.

Yes, a couple of weeks ago I said Lacey should win. And yes, Neil is drop dead gorgeous and has improved tremendously. And yes, Sabra is nothing short of sensational in everything that she does.

But Danny is transcendent. He's graceful, he's nuanced, he's an artist, and he's hot! Sure, he doesn't have a personality perfectly suited for reality television -- who cares? To me he is hands down the best dancer on the show, and as such deserves to win.

Will he? That I'm not sure. Check back in a little bit for my prediction of who will actually take home the prize.

Finale fever is in the air!!

Click for SYTYCD Top 4 Rankings and Recap: Part 1

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

SYTYCD Top 4: Rankings and Recap

Well, that was a bit of a letdown.

Don't get me wrong -- there was some phenomenal dancing on last night's So You Think You Can Dance performance finale, and it is more unclear than ever who is going to win this thing. But still, I was hoping for more -- more excitement, more passion, more thrilling dance styles -- just more.

Let's discuss what we did get, though, as always in the form of rankings, first by couple, then by solo performance, and finally overall, which will lead to my official endorsement.

Here we go...

1. Lacey and Danny, Viennese Waltz
When the waltz is my favorite dance of the night, clearly the performers have done something right. This was amazing! These two glided around the stage, looking effortlessly elegant and transcendantly beautiful. I loved this routine.

2. Danny and Neil, Contemporary
I always love when the two boys dance together (Tranji, anyone?), and I was so excited to find out that my beloved Mia Michaels would be choreographing Danny and Neil's debut as a couple. This did not disappoint, with both boys going all-in on this athletic and character-driven number. I kinda wish there had been a bit more actual dancing, but it still worked for me. And then some.

3. Danny and Sabra, Cha Cha
These two were on fire! Between their fierce hip action and sharp movements, and chemistry (!), this was easily the hottest number of the night. Like the judges said, I wish we had a chance to see these two dance together more -- they made a great pair.

4. Lacey and Sabra, Jazz
Does Wade Robson have an animal fetish? Regardless, I enjoyed this number more than the judges did, but I have to agree that it didn't show off either girl to their very best. (The Season 1 Melody/Ashley combo, choreographed by Mia Michaels, is definitely the best girl/girl combo the show has ever had). I really gotta give it up to Lacey on this one -- the girl is a ballroom dancer, but you'd never know it from her stellar contemporary form. And Sabra was, as always, gorgeous.

5. Neil and Sabra, Hip Hop
Shane Sparks' routines have fallen short practically every time he has choreographed this season, and unfortunately this was no exception. It was boring! And neither Neil or Sabra really seemed like they were hitting the steps very hard or "in the pocket" of the music. Bummer.

6. Neil and Lacey, Lindy Hop
This was embarrassing. It's also unfortunate that it was their last performance of the season, because they looked like amateurs. While it's not entirely their fault (Lindy Hop, I gather, is a difficult dance to master), this was almost painful to watch.

Click for Solo and Overall Rankings and the Idol Thoughts endorsement

Ten Best Dances on This Year's SYTYCD

With less than 8 hours until the first part of this season's So You Think You Can Dance finale, I thought it might be a good time to reflect on some of the magnificent dances we've seen so far this season. Of course an exercise like this is subjective -- anyone whose been reading Idol Thoughts this summer knows I have a special affinity for Mia Michaels, so it should be no surprise her creations are prominently featured in this list. I'd love to know what y'all would rank as your favorite dances from the season.

Here's mine...

1. Lacey and Kameron, Contemporary (Top 20)

2. Lacey and Neil, Contemporary (Top 8)

3. Jaimie and Hok, Jazz (Top 18)

4. Sabra and Neil, Jazz (Top 6)

5. Lacey and Danny, Samba (Top 10)

6. Anya and Danny, Viennese Waltz (Top 18)

7. Lauren and Danny, Contemporary (Top 6)

8. Sabra and Dominic, Rumba (Top 16)

9. Sara and Pasha, Jazz (Top 12)

10. Pasha and Bette Midler (Top 16)

Honorable Mentions:

Jessi and Pasha, Jazz (Top 18)
Anya and Danny, Jive (Top 20)
Lauren and Neil, Hip Hop (Top 18)
Sabra and Pasha, Quickstep (Top 8)
Sara and Jesus, Jazz (Top 20)
Sabra and Dominic, Contemporary (Top 18)
Lacey and Pasha, Smooth Waltz (Top 6)
Sabra and Neil, Paso Doble (Top 6)
Lacey and Pasha, Hip Hop (Top 6)
Sabra and Pasha, Broadway (Top 8)

Thoughts?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

Ok, I Cried at SYTYCD -- Sue Me

I don't know what it was, maybe it was the fact that all of the hooting and hollering of the studio audience was absent, but when it was announced that Pasha Kovalev would not be a part of this year's Top 4 on So You Think You Can Dance, I cried.

I didn't weep, I didn't hurl myself around, but a tear dripped down my face. While I'm not surprised that the show elicited emotion in me (please, its been doing it all season!), I was taken aback that it was Pasha's ouster that caused the display of waterworks. I had predicted he would be the one to go, and I do think Neil and Danny will make for a more entertaining male component of the finale, but the guy's been so charming, so versatile, and shown so much talent all season long that I couldn't help but feel a tinge of genuine sadness.

Alas, I wasn't as sorry to see Lauren's name called -- despite stepping up her game big time in the past couple of weeks, she just couldn't hold a candle to the wonders that are Sabra and Lacey. Lauren is actually the season's biggest disappointment to me -- I thought this girl was going to dazzle, but she only rarely really hit it out of the ballpark.

Looking forward to the finale (less than 48 hours away!), I'm thrilled we have such an extremely talented and dynamic group. Just thinking about combos is exciting -- Neil and Lacey (who wow'ed in their Mia Michaels number), Neil and Sabra (whose Mandy Moore office dance was incredible), Danny and Lacey (who killed their samba a few weeks ago), and then the three couples who have yet to dance together -- contemporary wunderkinds Sabra and Danny; Lacey and Sabra; and Neil and Danny (mmmmmmm).

I literally can't wait!!

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

People Magazine Features SYTYCD's Top 6 Finalists

When People magazine does a spread on you, you know you've arrived!

Here are some pictures from this week's issue, which features and photos and interviews with the Top 6 dancers from So You Think You Can Dance. Enjoy!

SYTYCD's Season 1 Champ Shares His Thoughts on Last Night's Show

I love when people just throw caution to the wind and share their honest thoughts on the internet for all to see!

So You Think You Can Dance Season 1 champ Nick Lazzarini has posted a blog on myspace that lets us know, in no uncertain terms, what he thinks of this year's dancers. Let's just say he's a fan of Danny, and not so much of Lacey. Here is what he had to say...

"hmmmmm....so i just watched the show all the way through and i have some mixed thoughts. mandys piece was amazing. loved it but the rest of the show choreography wise didnt impress me. neither did the other dancers besides sabra and neil. i thought sabras solo was amazing and for the first time i really thought neil looked like an artist. i was so impressed with him. what was pasha doing???? hes such an amazing ballroom dancer and he came out and did comtemporary??? random right. he needs to stick to his thing which got him this far cuz hes brilliant at it. i like lauren but come on over jaimie??? its a shame shes not still here cuz then we would have a real competition with her danny and sabra!!! that wouldve been dope. alrighty here it comes... due to popular demand im going to post my thoughts on lacey. i honestly was disgusted by her solo tonight. her dress was completely up her butt, she was touching herself every 3 seconds, she ended straddled on the floor, and looked trashy. i understand that shes a "good" performer but lets call a spade a spade the only reason shes on the show is cuz shes benjis sister. sorry its true. there are way more talented girl ballroom dancers in the world and she just happens to be from the blessed family i guess. there i said it. hate me if u want but its my opinion and everyone is entitled to it. just like last year travis should have won over benji. i understand its about americas "favorite dancer" but as a dancer i look at whos best and thats DANNY FRIGGEN TIDWELL!!! ok enough of my babble. just had to share some thoughts ttyl peeps!"

Thoughts?

Click for more So You Think You Can Dance

SYTYCD Top 6 Part 2: Solo and Overall Rankings

Ok, I've ranked the partner performances, now it's on to the solos...

1. Danny
I hated his disco, but I gotta say -- his was my favorite solo of the season , hands down. It was gorgeous, soft vulnerable, perfectly in tune with the music. Loved it.

2. Lauren
Gotta give it up to the girl, she has pulled herself together since her first abysmal solo where she spent half her time walking onto the stage. This was fierce, and showed more actual emotion than she has all season.

3. Sabra
When she leaps this girl flies across the stage. I thought her solo tonight was lovely, but it didn't blow me away. When we can't see her face, and because she is so small, it's hard sometimes to read what kind of emotion she is bringing to the piece. Still, very well done.

4. Neil
He has certainly added a dimension to his solo performances that he didn't show off by just doing tricks earlier in the competition, but he just doesn't have the grace, or strength, of Danny, so he pales by comparison. Definitely not bad, just not spectacular.

5. Lacey
Somehow last season's Heidi managed to make solo performances work for her, but none of the female ballroom dancers have been able to manage the same feat this season. Unfortunately, Lacey fell flat again tonight -- if she doesn't step it up in her solos, she may miss out on a shot to win this thing.

6. Pasha
So Pasha has danced with Bette Midler, a B-girl, and now an actual mannequin? It screamed desperate, and was so distracting I couldn't watch his actual dancing. Bad move, Pasha.

Ok, now taking into account both couples performances and each individual's solo performance, here are my overall rankings:

1. Danny
Yes, he botched the disco, but he showed what he's really capable of in both Mia Michael's piece and his own solo. He is head and shoulders the best dancer in this competition-- the question is, does he have the personality, and the fanbase, to grab a victory?

2. Lauren
I'm as shocked as the next person that Lauren is so high on this list, especially because I've predicted she would be going home the last three weeks. But she brought her A game tonight in all three of her performances, possibly creating a challenge for a Lauren/Sabra finale. Could she pull of an upset and make it to the Top 4 based on the strength of her performances tonight?

3. Sabra
Sabra's star shines a little brighter each week, and while she may have plateaued a bit after several weeks of burning brighter than almost any other contestant, she still managed to stand out tonight. A Top 4 without Sabra would be a real shame.

4. Lacey
Last week she dazzled -- this week she fizzled a little. Not in her hip hop or waltz, where she was totally spot-on. Nope, it was her solo performance that disappointed tonight, and drops her below Sabra in the week's overall rankings. She could still end up winning the competition, but for the first time there's a real shot she might go home.

5. Pasha
Pasha's solo brought him down tonight, big time, but he stays out of the bottom spot thanks to the strength of his hip hop (loved it) and waltz (gorgeous). He's hands down the most versatile male ballroom dancer the show has ever had (eat your heart out Dimitri and Artem), and he could actually win this thing. But he's gonna have to figure out what to do when he's onstage by himself, because that mannequin ain't gonna cut it.

6. Neil
It kills me to see him here at the bottom, because he was really fantastic tonight in all three dances. And he's so freakin' cute!!!! But he's facing some stiff competition here, and unfortunately I don't think he quite cuts the mustard. The question is, will his ridiculously good looks propel him to the finals?

Check back tomorrow morning for my thoughts on who will be going home on Monday (!!) night.

Click here to read Part 1: Ranking the Partners' Performances

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So You Think You Can Dance Recap and Rankigs: Top 6

My god I love So You Think You Can Dance. And I am officially ready to say that I am enjoying this season better than I did this past season of American Idol. Yeah, I said it.

The thing is, this show makes me feel something. When I am tearing up at a Mia Michaels routine, or picking my jaw up off the floor after a surprisingly dazzling ballroom number, the performances tap into something in me as a viewer. I guess that is the power of dance, the way it leaves things open to interpretation, without imposing words on the feelings being embodied before us. We can feel what we want to feel, what these very talented kids, who we come to know and root for, make us feel.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesy! But so true!

Ok, back to the business at hand...tonight's Top 6. I mean!!!! They were so great, I really have no idea who is gonna win this thing. In fact, I'd say pretty much everyone except Lauren (who was spectacular tonight) has a legitimate shot at the crown. With that said, here are my rankings of the couples, followed by rankings of the solos.

1. Danny and Lauren - Contemporary (Mia Michaels)
Michaels has done it again. At this point I am clearly biased (see my post Mia Michaels is a Genius), but her choreography gets me every single time. And this time, she had two brilliant technical dancers interpreting her work, and they danced the hell out of this. The sheer beauty of their bodies was breathtaking. While I was glad to experience a dance that was about the thrills of falling in love (as opposed to the drama of losing love), I didn't quite buy the emotion from either one of them. They both still have work to do on becoming truly vulnerable, but overall the piece was magnificent.

2. Pasha and Lacey - Hip Hop (Dave)
Pasha is one funky Russian! He carried the heft of the actual dancing in this routine, and he was off the hook. I've been a fan of his from the start, and I'm not sure I've ever liked him as much as I did in this routine. Lacey had a deceptively difficult task, and she pulled it off -- and then some! Is there nothing this girl can't do? And how about her booty? I loved this routine start to finish.

3. Neil and Sabra - Jazz (Mandy Moore)
This was a fantastically clever routine that was extremely well executed by these two. The stakes felt high, and every intricate move was loaded with meaning. If I had one complaint it's that they did a little bit more dancing, but when they did break away from the table they were so exciting to watch I'm certainly not going to hold it against them.

4. Pasha and Lacey - Smooth Waltz
I always expect to hate the waltz, but when a couple dances it as beautifully as these two did tonight, I can't help but swoon. It was elegant, gorgeous, subtly sexy, with amazing lifts and lines. While it didn't quite live up to Anya and Danny's spellbinding Top 18 number, but it was just beautiful.

5. Neil and Sabra - Paso Doble
You can tell it was a good night of dancing because this was far better than a #5 performance. It had power, it had technique, and it had a final move that may be the best lift we've seen on the show this season. I felt it was a bit lacking in passion, and I didn't quite feel the chemistry between the two, but overall this was a very strong showing.

6. Danny and Lauren - Disco
I don't know what the judges are smoking, but I thought this performance kinda blew. And it wasn't Lauren's fault -- she looked amazing, like a disco princess, and she had pretty much the right energy for the number. Nope, it was Danny who brought it down for me -- he looked like a ballet dancer doing disco steps with a phony smile pasted on his face and no hop in his step. When Season 1 champ Nick Lazzarini danced disco, he was busting out of his pants. Danny -- not so much.

Click to continue reading Part 2: Solo and Overall Rankings