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?

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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!!

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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

Spoilers for this Week's SYTYCD Top 6

After a short sabbatical, Idol Thoughts is back, and our first post of the week is...SPOILERS!!!

Don't read 'em if you want to be surprised!!

1) Pasha and Lacey
Hip hop
Smooth Waltz

2) Danny and Lauren
Contemporary (Mia Michaels!)
Disco

3) Sabra and Neil
Jazz
Paso Doble

Thoughts???

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.

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Mia Michaels is a Genius and Lacey Schwimmer Should Win So You Think You Can Dance

Full recap to come, but I gotta say...

Mia Michaels' genius knows no boundaries. She is almost single-handedly responsibile for my newly discovered love of dance, by creating pieces that allow real and honest emotion to come through on the stage, in a way that is different from music or theater. I didn't know I could love her more than I already did after season 1's finale dance for Melody and Ashley, last year's park dance with Travis and Heidi, and the number she created earlier this season for Lacey and Kameron. But then she went and upped the ante. I love her. I love her. I love her.

Yeah, I'm a little obsessed. Sue me.

And while I'm at it, Lacey Schwimmer should win So You Think You Can Dance. She is ridiculously versatile, she can be both sexy and funny, and she has been a part of two of the season's best dances (tonight and Mia Michaels' Top 20 piece for her and Kameron). Sabra is amazing, Danny is a ridiculously gorgeous dancer, and Pasha and Sara have proven to be remarkably versatile, but Lacey is what this competition is all about. And she's done something her brother Benji was never asked to do -- conquer contemporary. Benji was the king of the ballroom, and surprisingly adept at hip hop, but Lacey is so good in every style that it's easy to lose sight of what her background actually is.

I will remain open to Sabra or Danny perhaps sneaking into my winner's circle, but right now I'm on Team Lacey. All the way.

Full recap, rankings, and predictions of who is going home to come...

Spoilers for This Week's SYTYCD - Top 8

We're getting down to the nitty gritty now on So You Think You Can Dance, with the Top 8 each performing two dances this week.

SPOILERS -- if you want to be surprised, stop reading now.

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

Danny and Sara:
Argentine Tango
Hip Hop

Dominic and Lauren:
Krump
Rumba

Lacey and Neil:
Latin Jazz
Contemporary (by Mia Michaels!)

Pasha and Sabra:
Broadway
Quickstep

A few thoughts:

-This is the second time both Lacey and Neil will have gotten to work with Mia -- an unfair advantage?
-This is also the second time Dominic will be tackling the rumba
-Pasha should be able to nail the quickstep, but how will he take to the razzle-dazzle of Broadway?
-Danny and Sara should be an interesting pairing -- he's got tons of techinical experience, and she's got practically none.

Thoughts?

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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.

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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?

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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