America gets their say as to who their favorite dancer is beginning tonight. The judges can still influence, but the votes are ours... well you know, “ours” in as much as we vote, they are tabulated and then they are.... ummm...processed.

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Cat's wearing a cute pleated emerald green dress that has one black panel near the bottom. Cute! Which reminds me, the countdown is on for Project Runway. Woohoo!

Debbie Allen joins Mary and Nigel on the panel tonight. Hi, Debbie! She says that although she has been mad enough to throw ice cream (sacrilege!), excuse me, Haagen Dasz, (double sacrilege! How does one say sacrilege in faux-Scandinavian?) at the TV for some of the decisions Nigel has made, three of her top gals and guys (so, six dancers) are in the top ten. She doesn't say who they are, though. Cat reminds us that each dancer will perform with a partner they've drawn out of the hat (well, actually they draw the name of the partner, the people don't come popping out of hats. But that would be cute, eh?) and will do a solo. There will be a routine from all five girls at the beginning of the show, and at the end, the guys will all perform together.

It's time to get our Bollywood on; Nakul Dev Mahajan is teaching the five remaining girls a group number and is looking for a high-energy start to the show. Nakul nicknames them the “Bollywood Bombshells” and tonight they are dancing to “Dolna” from the Pyar Ke Geet soundtrack. Except for a few minor details, this is really very good. The synchronization seemed off at times, and at the beginning of the routine Jeanine was standing far afield of her mark, but those are small quibbles. I'm not even going to mention my real quibble with the routine, because it makes me sound really weird. Oh, well, you guys are aware of my quirkiness, and some of you are still reading (thanks!) so here goes: I get freaked out by masks and things that are “just wrong”, like clowns, ventriloquist dummies and anyone that speaks in a different voice than you are expecting, like those old Visa commercials (remember the one with the guy lifting weights and talking about sexy outfits and shopping like a Valley girl? Gah!). So, when the girls turned their backs and had these little masks (with mustaches!) on the backs of their heads, I almost reached for the remote. I made it though, I actually watched it, if not loved it. The judges probably are normal people (except for Mary's speech volume and horrible taste in clothes) and will have enjoyed every second of the routine. Let's see what they have to say. Nigel thinks that Nakul gave the girls a great routine, and they did a great job in a short time to pull it together. They are on his “hot bangers-and-mash train”, the Lythgoe-ian equivalent of Mary's famous compliment. Mary pipes up that it was “Bolly-wow”, and any of these girls can find themselves in the finals. Debbie thinks the girls inhaled the cultural fusion and really paid attention to the details of the dance.

Making the challenge of the height difference into a bigger deal than it should be are Kayla and Evan, the first pairing dreamt up by the magic hat. Kayla has drawn a Viennese Waltz to be choreographed by Tony and Melanie for their dance this week. After all the ado, Kayla shows up on the stage in bedazzled bare feet and Evan is making use of some nifty lifts in his old-fashioned shoes. The music is “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal and they do a good job pulling off the routine. It lacked a bit of flowiness but that may be a charactheristic of the dance, or the choreography, so I'm not going to fault them with it necessarily. Let's see if Mary will shed some light on the subject. Nigel is uncertain too, he thinks it looked like a fast waltz. Mary talks a lot and gives critiques but does not address the issue of what kind of waltz this was. She says that they weren't gliding, which was my unvoiced criticism, so I guess that partially answered my question. Mary does praise the lifts though, says that Evan did a great job, and gives Kayla accolades. Debbie thinks it was a wonderful surprise and complimented Evan on “handling his big woman”. Heh. Cat takes up the rest of what Debbie said, asking us to vote for “White Lightning and Gene Kelly”. Heh, again.

First to dance a solo tonight, is Brandon dancing his first solo of the season. He's chosen to perform accompanied by Jeffrey Gaines’ version of “In Your Eyes.” I've missed seeing his solos, but have been happy he hasn't had to perfrom them by virtue of a lack of votes. Anyway, it's focused, graceful and powerful without being obnoxious or manic. Yay!

Next, we find out that Janette has picked Ade's name from the hat, and they will be cursed with a TabNap Hiphop. Blurgh. This “tale set to music” is inspired by Ade's much-aligned (by me, certainly) hair pick. Oh, for crying out loud. The dance was okay, I didn't see much funk, and I just don't care. Inspired by his stupid hair pick to give Janette funkiness? For shame! I refuse to comment beyond the fact that maybe the words “Love Sex Magic” (by Ciara) did not specifically point to Ade hypnotizing the funk out of his partner using his hair pick. Specifically. But I'm still not on board. Nigel thinks Ade had funk and gets all pervy about the concept of using hypnosis on the ladies. Mary also thinks it was funky. Debbie says the pair wore her out. I love Janette, but I can't get up enough gumption to really critique/praise the dance as I should based on its stupid premise, the people who choreographed it, and the fact that I really haven't taken at all to her new partner. Hopefully, I've given you enough to go on.

The second solo comes courtesy of Randi, dancing to “Dream” by Priscilla Ann. It's nice and all, but I think she's the weakest of the girls in the top ten right now, and don't think this short solo is enough to press enough voters into dialing her digits.

Kupono follows Randi's solo with one of his own, set to “Marina Gasolina” by Bonde Do Role. He really used his musicality here, and that may not translate to votes the way big tricks do. We'll see, but I think he's in the bottom portion of guys and in danger of leaving us tomorrow.

Jeanine has chosen Jason's name out of the hat, coupled with contemporary choreography by Travis Wall. Travis!!!!!!! My favorite of all contestants ever to appear on the show! Hi, little one! I don't approve of the dyed hair, go back to the surfer-blond please. Smooches! Now that I've gotten that out of the way, we can get to the dancing. Jeanine has not really impressed me, save for the jive a few weeks back, but this story-driven piece in her style is the first time I've been impressed by what she came to the show with, which is her contemporary dancing. Jason is wonderful, as usual. I love the routine. Lots of difficult moves and a good concept set perfectly to Jason Mraz's “If It Kills Me,” really encompassing that feeling of wanting desperately to develop a real relationship with a particular someone and persuading them just to give you a chance. I loved it. Near the end, they tear at each other's clothes, and there is in fact a big rip in the side of Jeanine's costume. Jeez, if they do this on the tour, and I think they should because it was freaking awesome, they should definitely reinforce the -bleep- out of that dress so it doesn't tear clear off one night. Nigel could only dream, right? Speaking of which... Nigel praises Travis, then goes on to praise Jeanine, and then Jason, saying they've both become stars. Mary seems to be at a loss for words, prompting Nigel to ask the couple to do the same routine every week in order to keep it that way. Mary recovers, saying that they are stars, and slobbering about how much Travis has grown. Debbie has known Travis since he was a kid, and is thrilled to witness this performance tonight. Jeanine and Jason are hereby recommended by Miss Allen to do this routine on the tour. That's what I said! Wooo! Travis! :)

Melissa's solo is next, and she comes out to perform it en pointe. Very nice. By the way, the song was “Gabriel” by Lamb. And I seem to be at a loss for more words. It was nice, it was different, it was well danced, and she should be safe.

Another dancer is fully embracing the style that brought them to us in the first place. It's Evan, in a white tuxedo, coming out to solo along to some Rufus Wainwright. He gives us a high-energy, old-fashioned, spot-on routine to “Zing! Went the Strings Of My Heart”. Zing!, he says to his detractors, and I second that emotion.

Yet another solo is to be trotted out before the next couple, and it is...Kayla taking the stage. Dancing to one of my favorites, “Rock Your Soul” by Elisa, she does a great job, as usual. I just love her to pieces.

The next couple brought together by the hat is Randi and Kupono, and they have been tasked with a paso doble, to be taught by Tony and Melanie. As if the paso and the partnership didn't spell enough trouble on their own, we are further made aware of what's brewing by the dancer's admission that sometimes Randi is supposed to be the cape, other times the shadow. This does not bode well, and Tony knows it, judging by his summary to the camera; “We've got a lot of work to do”. Let's see how they managed. Even though these two would be my picks to go home on their own before the show even started, the fact that they're dancing together to a seemingly ill-fated paso seems to cement that opinion. But I'm determined to be unbiased, and by the fates I will...try. The song for this dance is “Dies Irae” by Karl Jenkins and it is powerful, familiar music that leaves me expecting a powerful dance. But it isn't. The only intense thing about it is how labored the whole thing seemed. To top it all off, at one point, they stumble a bit and it looks like Randi was about to fall. Nigel liked the choreography, but feels that the dancers did not measure up, Kupono didn't exhibit enough male strength, and they failed to have any chemistry between them. Mary thinks that the couple did not take the dancing to the next level, but Randi did a better job than Kupono. Mediocre just does not cut it anymore, and the song was actually more powerful than the routine. Debbie thinks that the two may have not had trust in the new partnership and were awkward.

Ade comes out and dances frenetically to my wedding song “Unchained Melody.” Now, I did not watch it the first time, because I launched myself at my fiancee and forced him to chair dance with me (read; I clung to him and tried to sway without toppling us both over in the ergonomic chair), but our other critic on the couch watched it and said “That was... fast”. After I watched it, I said “That was...wrong.” Sorry. Not a fan, and this only brought that point home for me.

Jeanine comes out to do her solo to “tango by Bailango!”, or, rather, “Violento” by Bailango!, which is the fun-to-say song from the tango a few weeks ago. This was spicier than her usual contemporary fare, but I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing. Oh, well, she's had an awesome night, so let's say it was.

Jason, also riding high after the contemporary dance tonight, comes out to solo with a character-driven routine to “Train Fare Home” by Muddy Waters. It was pretty cute, not the usual angsty contemporary solo.

Our final couple this week are Melissa and Brandon, dancing a Broadway piece courtesy of Tyce D'Orio. Tyce has chosen “Hair” for tonight's Broadway review, this should be good, even though I usually find Tyce's routines lacking. Worth mentioning; the rehearsal footage is peppered with the theme of getting to know someone super-fast, as one of their first moves sends Melissa's face right into Brandon's behind. That'll get those introductions over with right-quick! So, they take the stage in their flower child costumes to “Aquarius” and do a super job. I loved this, especially how Brandon came out of a split to stand and do...something else just on the balls of his feet. I don't know what either of those two moves would be called, but I said “Wow!” As they do their final movements, a generous cloud of smoke blows on to stage with them. Indulge me for a second, will you? Knowing this show, I could just imagine the directive, probably issued from a production assistant or set designer to one of the camera guys. “Dude, you need to stop filming with like 15 seconds to go and run over and set off the smoke bomb I left for ya in the front of the stage... dude, just do it. It'll be fine.” Anyway, even though it was a Broadway routine, it was slow and dreamy and graceful, so good on Tyce. Cat smells patchouli as she walks over to embrace the dancers and prep them for their critique. Nigel gives us a little history lesson, then compliments Melissa on her seemingly spaced-out attitude and Brandon on his gymnastic moves. Mary thinks the performance was unbelievable. Debbie tells the couple that they evoked harmony, were powerful and different, and really came together well.

The final solo tonight is Janette, showing us a bit of un-partnered salsa with Sander Kleinenberg’s “This is Miami” as the backdrop. It was pretty good, but the real clincher came after the routine when Cat asked Jeanette where she’s from, since the song says “Miami” over and over again, and that pretty much was the extent of the lyrics. Jeanette laughingly answered “New Zealand”. If I was to vote, maybe I'd throw her a few just for that.

The guys will finish off the night with an African dance choreographed by newcomer Jeffrey Page. Jeffrey encourages the guys to use a lot of swagger in their movements. The song is “Balant Funk” by Ayanda Clarke and Shawn Kelly, and the guys come out to challenge the girls' great opener with a showstopper of their own. It's very energetic and fun to watch, and it does have some swagger as if they are in fact bragging to the women in the audience like the choreographer requested. There's even a humorous moment where Evan sticks out his belly and looks down at it in mock surprise. Hee! Nigel loves African dance and welcomes Jeffrey to the So You Think You Can Dance family. He thinks Jeffrey demanded a lot from the guys. Nigel points out that Evan looked like a dancing milkshake out there. Mary was entertained, and makes special mention to Evan that he held his own. Debbie talks about the diversity of tonight’s styles, and explains that African dance is the origin of a ton of dance styles, including jazz and hip-hop. She thinks the guys passed the test.

Couples:

1. Jason and Jeanine

2. Brandon and Melissa

3. Janette and Ade

4. Evan and Kayla

5. Randi and Kupono

Solos:

1. Evan

2. Melissa

3. Brandon

4. Jason

5. Kayla

6. Kupono

7. Jeanine

8. Janette

9. Randi

10. Ade

I think the girls edged out the guys in the group dance by a slim margin. Going Home? Randi and Kupono.

On Thursday night, the group dance was a theatrical number set to “So Much Betta” by Janet Jackson. It was quite a spectacle, but I didn't quite know who to attibute it to. Oh, it was Wade. I wasn't necessarily surprised, but usually I KNOW when it's Wade's routine. Hmm.

Cat mentions the Emmy nominations. Had I gotten my article in on time, this would've been a bit more worthy of an item, because I already knew about them when I started writing on Thursday morning. Anyway, Mia was nominated again, for the “door” routine, which I thought was fantastic. TabNap was recognized for “Bleeding Love” and I'm not even going to start. Tyce was nominated for a routine that I don't remember, so again, no comment. Dmitry Chaplin was recognized, score one for the SYTYCD alums! Travis will be nominated next year for last night's I'm sure. I'm also reasonably sure that you all have noticed the grevious error, the ommission from the list. Right? The Garden was not nominated! Sonya! We love you! I watched that routine 6 times that day on the 'tube in protest.

Randi and Melissa received the least amount of votes for the girls, Kupono and Ade the least for the guys, and are sent to await their fate on those uncomfortable FOX fate-awaitin' stools.

I would have thought that there would have been a professional dance troupe performing and African dance, but there was to be no cultural education for us this evening. The Black Eyed Peas (Official Sponsors of So You Think You Can Dance) performed their new single, though, so there's that. (Zing!)

We also got another look at some of the fall season auditions, which is a really good time filler, no snark intended. I actually enjoy these pieces.

After the bottom four performed the solos they did last night, Randi and Kupono left, as expected.

Tune in tonight everyone, for the 99^th show, featuring performances by the Top 8 Dancers, with judging by Ellen DeGeneres. Everyone who knows me knows how excited I am about this awesome little twist. On Thursday, the 100^th show extravaganza will feature the emmy-nominated performances, the Katie Holmes tribute, and the top eight become the top six before our very eyes! Enjoy! I know I will.

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