Ah, the dreaded Thursday night So You Think You Can Dance elimination show. Buckle up, kids it’s time to whittle! Videos a la MJ’s.

We open with the Top 20 doing a hip hop routine choreographed by none other than America’s Best Dance Crew judge Shane “You smashed it!” Sparks to the inescapable summer jam “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas. Methinks it was some sort of glammy-rock hobo alley act (VIDEO)? There was trash all over the stage, raccoon eyeliner and lots of “prowling” movements. I’unno. I *do* know that the SYTYCD strategy of, “OMFG! Maybs if we make our cameras jolty and shaky, it’ll add excitement to the dances!” is ANNOYING. I should tweet my feedback to Nigel himself, dammit!

Then we got to learn a little bit more about the dancers - things like the guys are prone to waterfall sweats and Melissa Sandvig does gross man-burps (VIDEO).

Kayla Radomski & Max Kapitanniko, Randi Strong-Evans & Evan Kasprzak and Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb are all safe (VIDEO). No real surprise there, they were the best performers last night.

Jason Glover & Caitlin Kinney, Melissa Sandvig & Ade Obayomi and Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau are also safe. I like all three of these couples, so I’m stoked they survived! That leaves cutie-patootie Tony Bellisimo & Paris Torres shut out in the cold - Bottom 3 Couplesville for them. They didn’t seem too shocked (probs based on the judges’ “mehhhh” feedback of their hip hop routine last night), but had to get focused on doing a solo DANCE FOR THEIR LIVES (VIDEO).

Next, we learn that Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant are safe (thank god - I hope they get to explode in a more upbeat number next week)! That means the final two couples in the Bottom 3 are Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune and Karla Garcia & Jonathan Platero. I agree with the former, but I really enjoyed Karla & Jonathan’s sassy Cha-Cha, so I am bummed they’re not winning more votes (VIDEO).

Every Thursday, SYTYCD will feature professional dance specialists. Tonight it was a whippy-kicky Tango with a niiiice lift at the end by Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo (VIDEO).

Next, four of the contestants DANCE FOR THEIR LIVES: Paris does standard contemporary shtuff (song: ”It Doesn’t Hurt” by Katie Thompson), Tony does some frenetic/so-so hip hop (song: ”Early in the Morning” by the Gap Band), Asuka jives in a bra and tries too hard to look sexy (song: ”Did Ya” by BoA) and Vitolio leaps and splits and spins with lots of power (song: ”We Belong Together” by Gavin DeGraw) (VIDEO).

After commercial, we see the final two solos: Karla does a contemporary dance and does a standing split twice so I guess it’s her signature move (song: ”Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin). Jonathan does some flips and salsas solo is an awkward manner. Poor ballroom dancers (song: ”Krazy” by Pitbull). The judges deliberate to decide which guy and which gal must peace the heck out (VIDEO). Sean Kingston performs “Fire Burning” while they discuss (VIDEO).

ELIMINATED: Paris Torres and Tony Bellisimo (VIDEO).

Shucks, I’ll miss Tony’s mischievous cute-face, but I agree that they were definitely the weaker pair. Asuka & Vitolio dodged the bullet for sure, but I see a lot of potential in them (especially in Vitolio) so I’m glad they’re around for another week of So You Think You Can Dance. Until next week, dancefiends!

At last! Tonight we got the first taste of what our So You Think You Can Dance Top 20 are capable of. There were some stand-outs and some burn-outs (ok, not that bad, but sounded cooler that way). Who will become “America’s Favorite Dancer” this season and take home the $250,000 prize? *dum dum DUMMM*

My BOTTOM 3 couples: Asuka & Vitolio, Tony & Paris and Brandon & Janette. Videos (by MJ’s Big Blog) and thoughts ahead:

Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb - Hip-Hop - Tabitha and Napoleon - “Mad” by Ne Yo (VIDEO): A lyrical hip hop routine about a couple who have an argument and need to “talk it out” before they fall asleep. Bad sign: I’ve already forgotten who Jeanine is *thinking, googling* Oh! Kay, she’s a cute Anne Hathaway look-alike and was able to hold her own with Chbeeb, the pop-locking King of Kings (as far as the judges are concerned). It was alright for me, but I tuned out in the middle cuz it wasn’t as emotionally compelling as some of Tabitha and Napoleon’s previous numbers (e.g., last season’s “No Air” with Katee & Joshua or “Bleeding Love” with Chelsea & Mark). The judges were really into it though.

Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune - Broadway - Tyce Diorio  - “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago (VIDEO): First of all, after seeing Tyce’s delight in giving rude, bitchy comments to auditioning dancers in past weeks, I now find him pretty obnoxious (and that floss-thin beard outline has GOT to go). But even if I liked him, I thought this choreography was too slow for the pippity-peppiness of the song. Beyond the choreography, the other issue was Asuka & Vitolio were doing as Nigel said: hitting their dance moves, but not putting enough energy and personality into the roles. As much as I like Vitolio, I worry for this couple. This was one of the weakest performances of the night - didn’t *grab* my attention.

Karla Garcia & Jonathan Platero - Cha-Cha - Tony Meredith - “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga (VIDEO): Ohmigoodness, Salsa dancer Jonathan is so cute! Like the missing, sweetheart Gotti son. Contemporary dancer Karla is really likeable too. The pair had great chemistry on this Cha-Cha. Weird putting it to “Poker Face” and what is WITH the wonky camera angles? But Karla & Jonathan brought a little “skanky ho” to this Cha-Cha and it totally worked! Not technically the best Cha-Cha I’ve ever seen, but it was sexy-sexy. I’d love to see these two move on for sure. And PS, I hope I wasn’t alone in snickering when Nigel said, “You two just exploded on that stage! Jonathan, when you came through Karla’s legs with the splits like that, you shocked everybody!” …THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!

Randi Strong-Evans & Evan Kasprzak - Jazz - Tyce Diorio - “I Only Have Eyes For You” by Jamie Callum (VIDEO): I know who Evan looks like! Marshall Flinkman from Alias (PIC)! Anyway, these two are the teeniest couple (especially when standing next to beanstalk Cat) but make a lovely pair. Even though they just met and Randi is married, the pint-sized duo had a nice connection and convincingly played a couple in lurve: y’know, lotsa intense, rolling around on each other and lifts. I’m glad to see Randi is leaving her dance unitards behind - maybe she’ll be leaving her hubby behind too, oh suh-nap j/k!

Paris Torres & Tony Bellisimo - Hip-Hop - Tabitha & Napoleon - “Let the Beat Rock (Boys Noize Megamix)” by the Black Eyed Peas (VIDEO): So apparently Paris was in a car accident which has made her left leg numb from the knee down. Ouch - much respect, girl!  Tony should’ve aced this since hip hop is his thang, but the number overall was “ehhhh”. The judges feel Tony needs to work harder on his “stank face”/playing the character AND improve his dancing. But he is sooo adorbs! Unfortunately, it can’t hide that this was another weak performance of the night.

Caitlin Kinney & Jason Glover - Bollywood - Nikuul - “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire (VIDEO): Seriously, Caitlin looks like LeAnn Rimes. Bollywood numbers are always fun to watch and it helps that they danced to the popular “Slumdog” theme song. An entertaining number for sure but I wasn’t as into it as the judges only because I thought Caitlin & Jason weren’t always synchronized, and sometimes I could see them lose character in trying to remember the steps. Still, they’re a cutie couple and deserve to move on. 

Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant - Foxtrot - Louis Van Amstel - “Come Fly With Me” by Michael Buble (VIDEO): Well, I was rooting for this pair because I looove Brandon (a.k.a. he of verbal beatdowns by Mia Michaels and Lil C) and his strength. I gotta say though, this number was pretty boring (he wasn’t technically that stellar and why shove Janette in a very chaste floor-length dress that hides her amazing leggy-legs?) until the last jaw-dropping lift/spin. Brandon literally had Janette flying. So impressive, but not a real stand-out performance as a whole for me.

Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau - Jazz - Wade Robson - “Felt Mountain” by Goldfrapp (VIDEO): I adore Kupono - especially after this insanely creative and memorable “Crash Test Dummy” routine. No doubt that Wade Robson is a talented guy, but this eye-opening dance completely exceeded my expectations! So unique, bizarre and clever! Both Ashley & Kupono did a tremendous job playing the characters of these crash test dummies (metaphor for a relationship). They were like robotic ragdolls and constantly kept their hands not in “jazz hands” but in crash test dummy-style “jazz blades” - love it! I think it suited Kupono’s dance style perfectly. Heart! 

Melissa Sandvig & Ade Obayomi - Contemporary - Mandy Moore - “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx (VIDEO): So “naughty ballerina” Melissa, will now play the role of “naughty OLD ballerina”. At 29, she’s the oldest dancer on the show, but hey - with her experience, she looks like a very good match for Ade - a powerful, gorgeous contemporary dancer. This was yet another contemporary number that put our dancers in silk pajamas and had them dance lovingly with one another. So thematically sort of lame, but with Ade & Melissa behind it, it was performed with extraordinary precision and passion. Some rad lifts up in there too!  The judges ate it up! I’d like these two to stick around so I can see them in a more interesting number.

Kayla Radomski & Max Kapitanniko - Samba - Louis Van Amstel - “Jum Bah Day” by House of Gypsies (VIDEO): Wow, hot, hot, hot Samba! That was insanely good! Kayla was really sensational for someone who hasn’t had ballroom training. In audition footage she’s always a sweet/meek girl, but she really brought some fuego to the dancefloor and I was impressed by her confidence. I still miss seeing her darling crybaby of a grandpa, but I bet he was sobbing hysterically with pride after seeing her do that well. Max I can do without (sorry!), but I’d love to see Kayla continue. The dance definitely deserved the ride on the Hot Tamale Train!

Not a bad start at all! I’m excited by the potential of all of these dancers. Which guy and girl are going home tonight though? Find out by tuning in to So You Think You Can Dance at 9pm on FOX!

Finally! After weeks of auditions, TONIGHT is the night we get to see the Top 20 perform for more than a split-second montage snippet on So You Think You Can Dance. The rumored pairings for tonight’s show are:

Phillip Chbeeb and Jeanine Mason

Vitolio and Asuka Kondoh

Jonathan Platero and Karla Garcia

Evan Kasprzak and Randi Strong-Evans

Tony Bellisimo and Paris Torres

Jason Glover and Caitlin Kinney

Brandon Bryant and Janette Manrara

Kupono Aweau and Ashley Valerio

Ade and Melissa Sandvig

Maksim Kapitanniko and Kayla Radomski

And expect the following dance genres: Hip-hop, Broadway, Cha-Cha, Jazz, Bollywood, Foxtrot, Contemporary, Samba.

Ooh la la! If the chemistry is right, Brandon Bryant and Janette Manrara have the potential to be a real power couple and hit moves with the wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am that I love. I can’t wait to see everyone in action - I wanna be wowed!

Catch So You Think You Can Dance tonight on FOX at 8pm!

Tonight we learned which dancers made it to this season’s Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance. Below are the 10 fortunate females and 10 lucky lads who’ll be gracing our screens all summer (videos by MJS Big Blog):

Janette Manrara (VIDEO): I still can’t get over the amazing partnered flip/leg split move she did in her Miami audition. Too bad she’s on her own now because I could watch her do that over and over again. Ballroom dancers have a tough time winning votes because their expertise is in partnered dances, but she has some sass and could pull it off.

Vitolio (VIDEO): I like Vitolio! He had me at “I’m [so nervous that I'm] having a diarrhea moment.” This is the first we really learn about him: Vitolio was born in Haiti and was raised by his grandmother after his mom died when he was young. He had to move to an orphanage until he was a teenager but the School of Hard Knocks hasn’t slowed his dancing skills. He’s capable of some incredible leaps - and don’t forget that exuberant sense of humor. Me likee.

Kayla Radomski (VIDEO): I will also keep my eye on Kayla because as I’ve mentioned, 1) I loved her Denver audition to the Dionne Farris cover of “Blackbird” and 2) her sobbing grandfather absolutely pulled at my heartstrings. Who can resist sweet, supportive family members? Not I.

Kuponohi’ipoi “Pono” Aweau (VIDEO): For the sake of this blog, let’s start referring to this Hawaiian dancer as Pono. I was bummed that the judges made him cut his crazy, swingin’ hair. It gave him dramatic flair. I like Pono still. I don’t really have an issue with his allegedly “feminine” dancing. He’s very interesting to watch and proved that he has an adorable personality, too. I suggest audience members make signs for him that say, “Pick up the phone-o for Pono!”

Paris Torres, Jeanine Mason, Ade, Karla Garcia, Jonathan Platero (VIDEO): Well that was a bummer. All of these dancers made it through, but we don’t learn a damn thing about them. I believe Paris Torres was the beauty queen…?

Brandon  Bryant (VIDEO): Wow, this POOR guy. I couldn’t believe how venomous Mia Michaels was to him. Talk about a bittersweet victory: Brandon got a majority of votes to make Top 20, but neither Lil C or Mia were convinced he was good enough, and Mia’s comments became personal. Basically, she said she couldn’t stand watching him on the dancefloor, thought he was conceited and that he annoyed the “sh!t” out of her. Wtf? Is this the same Mia Michaels? I adore her work, but never knew she was spiteful like this. Turn off! Thank god that the other judges: Nigel, Debbie Allen, Adam Shankman and Mary really stuck up for him. I was particularly happy to see Mary Murphy express her anger at Mia’s comments and announce she didn’t want to put up with her “crap”. That deserves a scream: WEEEEAAAAAUUUUOOOOO! Thank you, Mary! I think Brandon’s dancing is outrageous and hope he proves Mia and Lil C wrong.

Tony Belissimo (VIDEO): The weakest dancer, but ooh lala, what a cutie. I still like Tony but he needs to work it hard to make sure the judges warm up 100% to him. Something tells me Cat Deeley hearts him, too…a bit too touchy-feely with the young lad, eh, Cat?

Maksim Kapitanniko, Caitlin Kinney, Melissa Sandvig, Jason Glover (VIDEO): Another montage of our Top 20 and we don’t know much about anyone besides Caitlin. Melissa Sandvig is the infamous “naughty ballerina” - wonder if it’s the last we see of the tutu.  

Ashley Valerio (VIDEO): Finally, after trying out for the show 4 times, she makes it. We don’t know much about her besides the fact that she’s obviously tenacious. She is all trembly, but is moved when she realizes how proud her mom will be proud of her *sniff*

Randi Strong-Evans (VIDEO): True to her surname, Randi is a stocky, powerful “tigress” of a dancer. She wears unitards all the time and I gotta say, they’re not particularly flattering on her and give her the squat, meaty gymnast figure. Mia makes fun of the unitards for a looong time, so let’s see if Randi continues to wear them (my bet is yes she will and she’ll forever be known as the unitard girl).

Phillip Chbeeb (VIDEO): Favorite popper Chbeeb makes it of course. I really want him to impress me because I haven’t seen much of his specialty and am not that into him yet.

Asuka Kondoh (VIDEO): Although her ballroom dance partner, Ricky Sun, didn’t make the cut, little Asuka does. Eh. I’m not won over by her either yet. If we’re going on ballroom contestants, I feel like Janette “split flip” Manrara is a better complete package. But to be fair, none of them have had much screen time, so I can be persuaded!

Evan Kasprzak (VIDEO): We knew they’d force the Broadway Brothers (Evan and Ryan) to face-off for the final spot. Sigh. Too bad because I liked older bro Ryan a bit more, but honestly, the two of them are stronger as a dynamic duo. I don’t know if Evan will do it for me…

Oh, and on a side note, mind-blowingly gorgeous ballet dancer Alex Wong was cut (VIDEO) only because he is still under contract with the Miami Ballet and they wouldn’t let him participate. That BLOWS. I felt for him and really hope that he’s able to return and compete in a future season of SYTYCD. What a bloomin’ shame for us.

So that’s that! Some of these dancers we know already and others have gotten zero screen time and need to work 110% harder to win America over. Read more about the Top 20 at E! Online.

To all of the So You Think You Can Dance Top 20 dancers I say: You’d better BRING IT!

This is the first time I’ve tuned into the So You Think You Can Dance auditions and Vegas week and, erm, is it always that brutal? I blame the editing - it was like lambs to slaughter! So many favorites from the past audition weeks were cut down at the knees, and in so many cases left me wondering, “Why?”

Most were dismissed without explanation beyond, “Sorry, your journey ends here.” If they were lucky they got feedback like, “You just haven’t lived up to our expectations.” *sad trombone* I wanted to hear more technical reasons why a lot of the dancers didn’t get through. A simple, “You need to work on [blank] to make it to further” would’ve been nice. Le sigh! SYTYCD videos (by MJS Big Blog) and recaps below:

Alex Wong (VIDEO) - Ripped, elegant ballet dancer. Made it to Top 32. His solo made me wish the producers would give him more screen time.

Tony Bellisimo (solo VIDEO, crying VIDEO) - Tony’s first solo had too much ‘acting’ and not enough dancing, but after watching clips of him performing other styles, I developed a Bellisimo crush. He “danced for his life” in Mia Michaels’ contemporary number and made it to the Top 32. When he broke down sobbing, I got all kinds of verklempt. Love him - what a cutie pie! Hope he makes the Top 20.

Brandon Bryant (VIDEO) - I still think he’s abso-fraking-lutely amazing to watch, but he got shat on by choreographers Lil C and Mia Michaels (love her dances and have no prob with her being demanding, but she was cruel in her comments all episode!). They both said they’d heard amazing things about his dancing from other judges, but when they saw him he was blah (again, we don’t hear why they’re unimpressed, only that they just don’t like him). Forget the criticism, Brandon, I love your humongous tree-trunk legs and the *pow* in your movements!

Caitlin Kinney (VIDEO) - Gymnast/recent hip-surgery survivor Caitlin let her nerves get the best of her during the choreography challenge and had to “dance for her life”. She just barely made it through to the Top 32. We’ll see if she can stay focused and grounded enough to make the Top 20.

Evan and Ryan Kasprzak (Nerdography routine VIDEO, West Side Story routine VIDEO) - The “Broadway Brothers” make it to Top 32 (I’m waiting for the judges to pit them against one another for a spot in the Top 20…). Ryan choreographed an impressive hip-hop routine called “Nerdography” which rallied the judges AND made Adam Shankman cry. If nothing else, they should bring Ryan back as a guest choreographer. So creative.

Phillip Chbeeb and Arielle Coker (VIDEO) - Chbeeb the Popper made it to the Top 32. His friend Arielle does not. Chbeeb reminds me of Ray Romano in the face, anyone else? I’m still not as head-over-heels about him, but he is definitely a judges’ favorite to make the Top 20.

Natalie Reid (VIDEO) - The poor red-headed favorite (a.k.a. Katee Shean’s roommate) got cut for reasons unknown (maybe she didn’t “bring it” enough for the judges?). Other contestants (and viewers at home) are stunned. So much for that storyline…

OTHERS CUT: Son of accepting football coach Travis Prokop (VIDEO), widow Talia Rickards (VIDEO), rheumatoid arthritis sufferer Gabi Rojas (VIDEO), goofy Japanese locker Nobuya Nagahama (VIDEO), infectious grinning popper Sammy Ramirez (VIDEO), tap dancers Eric “Silky” Moore (VIDEO) and Bianca Revels (VIDEO), pretty blond whose dad had MS Amanda Kerby, bubbly Priscilla Marrero (VIDEO), Caitlin Kinney’s curly-hair sister Megan.

MAYBE CUT? These folks were also my faves from audition weeks but may have been cut without fanfare. Memphis Jukin cop Marico Flake (VIDEO), Anna Dunn whose dad committed suicide (VIDEO), Kellen Stancil who did the lovely umbrella dance for his passed aunt (VIDEO), quirky Seattle oddball Kelsea Taylor (VIDEO).

ALSO IN THE TOP 32 (VIDEO): Latin ballroom couple Asuka Kondoh and Ricky Sun (VIDEO), gal with cutest grandparents evs Kayla Radomski (VIDEO), Hawaiian contemporary dancer Kuponohi’ipoi Aweau (VIDEO), ballroom split-flip sassypants Janette Manrara (VIDEO), “the naughty ballerina”and the beauty pageant gal.

Tonight, So You Think You Can Dance continues in Vegas where the remaining 32 (16 guys, 16 girls) get whittled down to the final 20 dancers. Who are you rooting for?

Last night on: So You Think You Can Dance. The show took us to the West Coast where LA impressed and Seattle depressed. I’ll just focus on the good dancers - videos below thanks to MJS Big Blog:

Bianca Revels - Tap (VIDEO): Bianca is a stellar tap dancer who nearly tippity tapped her way to the Top 20 last season, but fell short. Man, these kids just don’t quit do they? She’s back with fancy footwork and a cheeky smile - all enough to earn her a ticket straight to Vegas.

Calico Sequeira - Lindy Hop (VIDEO): Ok, so Calico is not a very good dancer, but she had a really spunky attitude and this video is only worth watching because guest judge Adam Shankman goes up to dance with her and pokes fun at the whole audition process.  PLUS, we get to see last season’s stars: Joshua Allen, Katee Shean and Comfort Fedoke make an appearance and tease him! Cuh-yootness.

Asuka Kondoh and Ricky Sun - Latin Ballroom (VIDEO): The judges were totally enamored by this couple, and by Miss Asuka in particular. I’m not sure if I’m 100% sold on them, but they were solid enough to skip choreography and head straight to Vegas. So there’s that.

Nathan Trasoras - Contemporary (VIDEO): Oh my gosh, I looooooved this kid! He is such an incredible dancer - very graceful and strong. The judges note that he has a very good “center” meaning he can spin and spin and spin like the dickens without losing balance. He’s too pretty - crazy long limbs that go on for days and excellent movement.  Unfortunately, Nathan won’t be 18 before the show starts, so he was ineligible! Blue balls. Like me, Nigel hearts him so much that he wrote an “IOU” pass to Vegas for Season 6 of SYTYCD (coming this fall)! Now I definitely have to tune in to next season in hopes that Nathan continues to amaze.

Sammy Ramirez - Pop Locker (VIDEO): Sammy has the CUTEST face, with twinkly eyes and a grin from ear to ear. He’s a really entertaining pop locker and also proves that he can handle learning choreography so he makes it to the next round.

Amanda Kerby - Contemporary (VIDEO): I’m not sure what to think of Amanda. I thought she was an alright dancer (also has a “good center”), but not perfect - even shaky in some parts. My parents were outraged that she made it through at all, and blame it on the fact that’s she’s just pretty. I think they’re haters - what do you think about Amanda?

Phillip Chbeeb and Arielle Coker - Pop Lock and Contemporary (VIDEO): I’m new to SYTYCD, so I have no idea who this Chbeeb character is, but people seem to adore him. He’s a pop-locker whose missed a few chances to get to the finals, so this year he got a ticket to Vegas, no questions asked. As it turns out, he’s also a partner for contemporary dancer, Arielle. The judges were impressed with their choreography but seem way more excited about Phllip than Arielle. We’ll see if they both make the cut. 

Kelsea Taylor - Contemporary (VIDEO): Kelsea came to the judges after a day of horrendous Seattle auditions. She’s very quirky and creative, although her hair style screamed, “Amy Winehouse” to me. I’ll forgive her because I found myself really locked in to her performance.

Kuponohi’ipoi Aweau - Contemporary (VIDEO): A dancer from Hawaii who reminded me just a tad of Mark Kanemura from last season. Mary was “eh” because some parts of his performance were too lady-like, but I loved watching him. Very emotional and all accented by the delightful swishiness of his hair. He passes the choreography test, however, and gets that golden ticket to Vegas.

Woohoo! So the 6-hours of auditions for So You Think You Can Dance are over! Fun as they can be, the last couple of episodes were spending way too much time on really horrible dancers. But now we’re down to 169 dancers who will duke it out in Vegas during next week’s episodes. They’ve got to suffer and toil through multiple routines by this season’s choreographers. It’s gonna be ROUGH. I’m there.