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?