by Lindsay Strouse

 

So You Think You Can Dance returned this week for a performance show from our Top 18 dancers. Once again, Paula’s seat is left cold and empty to the judges’ dismay (alright guys, I think it’s about time to give up). However, we get a bit of good news when producer Nigel Lythgoe announces favorite Billy Bell will return for next year’s Top 100 in Vegas Week, along with eliminated contest Brandon Dumlao.

Because of the World Series, tonight’s show was another 2-for-1, with the judges eliminating two contestants at the end of the show. Don’t worry, America, we’ll be choosing our favorites starting next week. To help us choose our favorites, we learned a little about each dancer, from Russell’s beautiful singing voice to Pauline’s obsession over sneakers.

More importantly, here’s how the dances went down:

 

Dancers: Russell Ferguson and Noelle Marsh
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Jamal Sims
Song: “Move Shake Drop Remix” by DJ Laz, feat. Casely, Pitbull, Flo-Rida, Diaz Brothers, PoBoy
The two started the night off with a hard hitting hip hop routine, tennis rackets and all. After getting used to working with props, the couple were able to bang out a great routine full of playful interaction and in sync dancing. Apparently, the judges and I don’t always agree. All three felt Russell and Noelle fell short and were getting swallowed up in the choreography. However, I do have to admit it seemed like they were losing a little of that extra “punch” at the end. But let’s think about the reality hear—Noelle JUST got in a car accident…that girl worked it out.

 

Dancers: Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Karr
Style: Vietnamese Waltz
Choreographer: Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin
Song: “At Last” by Etta James
I love Jakob and the judges love Ashleigh—it’s a match made in heaven. Both dancers have grown tremendously as each week goes by. Their talent isn’t the only thing growing either. If this dance isn’t the definition of passion, I don’t know what is. I don’t know how many husbands like to see their wives kissing other men, but it was still H-O-T. The only criticism I have to say of these two is that Ashleigh’s Latin Ballroom background sometimes gets in the way of extending all her lines. Adam Shankman criticizes Tony and Melanie’s choreography instead of the dancers by saying it didn’t fit exactly to the style. I don’t know what he’s talking about, because I loved it.

 

Dancers: Bianca Revels and Victor Smalley
Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: “Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something” from The Color Purple
I don’t know much about church dancing, but I don’t think this was it. The number created so many opportunities to just let your body go, and neither dancer took advantage of it. In fact, Victor just looked like a fish out of water. Although they danced the piece well, it had no soul. The judges made a good point of being able to tell the story on stage and fully understanding the concept, which I don’t think either dancer did.

 

Dancers: Nathan Trasoras and Mollee Gray
Style: Bollywood
Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Song: “Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah” by Jodhaa Akbar
These two had a lot to live up to if you consider previous Bollywood numbers performed in recent years. Did they match up? I’d say so. The execution and placement of their hands and fingers was spot on and Nathan’s control is unbelievable. They just kept getting better as the dance went on. As for our little baby Mollee—she has finally come into her own! The amount she has matured as a dancer is unbelievable and just makes  her that more mesmorizing to watch. I have a feeling this dream team will go far.

 

Dancers: Channing Cooke and Phillip Attmore
Style: Samba
Choreographer: Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin
Song: “Marcuta Funk”
This dance was full of isolations, syncopation and body movement…and lifts. Lots and lots of lifts. First of all, I would like to point out that I think the costume designers are playing a game to see who can make a costume out of the least material. I mean, I know we’re in a recession and all, but I think they can afford to cover a little more of Channing’s body. I guess the amount of clothing on her body equaled the amount of success the couple at Samba (hint: not a lot). It was very obvious on their faces and their bodies that they were having troubles with the lifts and the footwork. Advice from the judges: Just get it done. Wise words.

 

Dancers: Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D’Umo
Song: “Ice Cream Pain Job” by Dorrough
What’s that I hear coming? IT’S THE HOT TAMALE TRAIN! And this time, it’s picking Kevin up for the ride! This number was dirty in every sense of the word. Every moment was sharp and tight. The dance allowed the dancers to really get into character and have fun with the piece. Just like the Cha Cha wasn’t Kevin’s style last week, hip hop isn’t exactly Karen’s. But did that stop her? Not in the slightest bit. This girl is some kind of unstoppable chameleon.

 

Dancers: Kathryn McCormick and Legacy Perez
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: “2 Steps Away” by Patty LaBelle
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce my favorite dance since Mia Michael’s “Addiction” piece. Emotion filled every step with Legacy acting as Kathryn’s fear. The choreographer was phenomenal and incorporated the strengths of Legacy’s style. Legacy has completely transformed as a dancer, pointed toes, stretched knees and all. In short, these two aren’t going anywhere.

 

Dancers: Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Wade Robson
Song: “Little Green Bag” from the George Baker Selection
Wade has done some freaky things in the past, and this is no exception. He created a story of the imaginary people from Vincent Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night” painting in which they are tormented and taking it out on Van Gogh for not really including them in the painting. Anyone follow? These kind of pieces either work or they don’t, and this one certainly did. If we ignore Peter’s tight shoulders, both dancers were very committed to their character and put in their all.

 

Dancers: Ryan Di Lello and Ellenore Scott
Style: Tango
Choreographer: Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo
Song: “Violentango” by Astor Piazzolla
This is probably the most dangerous piece So You Think You Can Dance has seen in a long time. The lifts were crazy—how they did all that is beyond me. And the most amazing part? Ellenore did all this with her dress caught on the bottom of her heel for 50% of the number. Not once did the razor-like connection break from either Ryan or Ellenore’s face, despite the pending disaster of a wardrobe malfunction. The partnering, technique and performance were spot on, leaving the judges with stars in their eyes.

 

After nine compelling dances, the judges had to once again pick a final four to dance for their lives. After a quick recap of the night, they decided on contemporary dancer Noelle, tap dancer Phillip, contemporary dancer Victor and tap dancer Bianca. Each was given 30 seconds to perform a solo in their category before the judges decided who to send home. 

Unfortunately, it was a bad night for the tappers. Both Phillip and Bianca were sent home. It was an especially tough week for Phillip, having lost his father just a week and a half ago.

 

Don’t miss So You Think You Can Dance’s Top 16 when they return to perform next week on Tuesday, November 10, at 8 PM ET. With this season, you’re not going to want to miss one episode.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)