You can’t ask for better summer entertainment than So You Think You Can Dance. These choreographers and dancers are so talented, the judges are playful but genuinely supportive (are we taking notes, American Idol?). It’s a good time had by all, so pull up a chair. Videos (by MJ’s Big Blog) and thoughts comin’ atcha.

Joining judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy tonight was Hip Hop/Krumpmaster Lil C, who is always an odd judge. His long-winded, flowery comments always start out a little Paula Abdul - like I brace myself with,”Oh man, this is gonna get all kinds of crazy,” but once he makes his point, I totally get what he meant with all those metaphors and similes. But then he goes and spits some wonky grammar like, “You did good” and I wonder where my Lil C-hakespeare went.

My BOTTOM 3 couples: Caitlin & Jason, Phillip & Jeanine, and *knife to my heart* Kupono & Ashley.

Randi Strong-Evans & Evan Kasprzak - Jive - Louis Van Amstel - “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles (VIDEO): Who else snorted or cheered when Randi came out in one of her infamous unitards during her solo? *raise hand* Being an occasional Dancing With the Stars watcher, I know I’ve seen sharper, harder-hitting Jive numbers than what Team Short Stuff did. It wasn’t that bad, but there was a clunkiness to their dance, even though they had the right energy and “dance faces” on. Judges agree.

Melissa Sandvig & Ade Obayomi - Jazz - Sonya Tayeh - “24 Hours (the Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix)” by Terry Poison (VIDEO): Wow, I am totally LOVING Ade more and more. He is so gorgeous, I can’t get over it - could he bump front-runner Brandon Bryant from the spotlight? Hmmm. I always look forward to Sonya’s nasty-weird-sinister Jazz numbers, but I found it was missing some cohesion (maybe that’s what Sonya was going for). Also, I really like Melissa & Ade as a couple, although I thought Melissa could’ve attacked the moves harder, but hey, she’s the old ballerina, so it’s cool. Keep ‘em around!

Caitlin Kinney & Jason Glover - Hip Hop - Shane Sparks - “Missin’ You” by Trey Songs (VIDEO): Caitlin looks more like LeAnn Rimes every time I see her. Those blond curls and squinty eyes - straight Rimes, I tell ya. Anyway, this number didn’t do it for me. It’s not like the dancing was really poor, but their performance was laughable - super corny, effeminate grins throughout…gross! Where the stank faces at?!  Mary pointed out that they weren’t in sync either. She was totally confused about why Caitlin & Jason didn’t click, but hello? I remember that last week their Bollywood dance was NOT as hot as the judges said. The two of them were struggling with that also. Yeah, this was my least favorite to watch - just too “cute and fluffy” for a hip hop dance.

Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant - Disco - Doriana Sanchez - “Loving You is Really My Game” by Brainstorn (VIDEO): Speaking of look-a-likes, anyone else see that Brandon = Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (PIC)? I think it’s his cheesy grin. I still love him though! Ok, so believe it or not…I actually liked watching this disco number! Guess it just takes the right dancers, but they really killed this wild, fast disco number without being too cornball. Janette had trouble with the steps in rehearsal, but her pep really fit with this number. Lots of lifts and splits, too. Not bad for disco, which usually suck hard. Even Lil C, one of Brandon’s critics, had to give him props tonight! Still a power couple, these two.

Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune - Waltz - Louis Van Amstel - “Dreams Are More Precious” by Enya (VIDEO): Ok, so I’m still not really an Asuka fan because (espesh after last week’s “dance for your life” solo) I feel like she tries too hard to “act”. Like “act sexy,” “act sad,” “act supportive of partner”. On the other hand, I really like Vitolio and think he’s cute when he’s not drowning in his sweat (suck it, Asuka! Who the hell tells a partner, “I don’t find you attractive” after just meeting them? How rude!). With all that said, I thought this Waltz was lovely. The music, the elegant movements, the emotion behind it and Vitolio’s orphan upbringing…what a combo *wipe tear*. I admit that Asuka was graceful and made the right “tragic, distressed” faces, but I still feel that she wasn’t as genuine as Vitolio’s performance. But very strong overall, the judges loved it and Mary started crying.

Kayla Radomski & Max Kapitanniko - Pop Jazz - Brian Friedman - “Hot Like Wow” by Nadia Oh (VIDEO): Oh my, I really liked this weird shiz! Totally entertaining number where Kayla played a princess being entertained by Max, who seduces her in a plot to steal the throne - Mwahahaha! *twirl mustachio menacingly* Like Mary, I was distracted by Max’s baggy-crotched MC Hammer pants, but it was a really compelling storyline! Kayla really is fun to watch, and the judges were drooling all over her, but HELLO Grandpa Radomski was in the audience! Just seeing him tearing up with pride made me want to cry all over again. I. Love. Him.

Karla Garcia & Jonathan Platero - Contemporary - Stacey Tookey - “Falling Slowly” by The Frames (VIDEO): Is there an unspoken rule that every Contemporary dance number requires that one or more of the dancers must wear silk? Like say, a silk slip, a silk dress shirt, or silk pajamas? Let’s get more creative, people! But no matter, s’all good cuz I like Jonathan & Karla (although Karla is stronger) and they were one of the better couples of the night. I wasn’t as into it as the judges were - Season 4 had better Contemporary numbers IMO (Katee & Joshua, Kherington & Twitch) and the emotions felt a little forced. But overall, solid, so please keep them around, America! Jonathan is soo pretty and I wanna see Karla bust out her Hip Hop skillz in the future!

Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb - Tango - Tony Meredith - “Violento (Up Mix)” by Bailango (VIDEO): Eh, that was pretty weaksauce, especially Phillip. I get that he’s a fun pop-locker to watch, but I’m never convinced that he’s strong enough outside of his genre. Jeanine actually redeemed this for me with her sultry Tango-lady role, but as a whole, it was like watching two kids do a “tango” for a high school talent show. Will they end up in the Bottom 3 where they belong, or will Chbeeb’s fangirls save him?

Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau - Hip Hop - Shane Sparks - “Imma Be” by Black Eyed Peas (VIDEO): The concept had sooo much potential: Ashley lays on the ground as Kupono’s shadow and mimics his movements… but execution-wise, they didn’t pull it off. I couldn’t tell who to watch because they were both doing their own thing: Ashley was getting the moves and ‘tude right, but Kupono has his own style and I love watching him move. Unfortunately, based on this dance, they may end up in the Bottom 3 tomorrow. Save Kupono!

Catch So You Think You Can Dance at 9pm to see which guy and gal get cut. Also, Mia Michaels is choreographing a group number for the Top 18. Will she tone down her crabby attitude? Will Brandon prove himself to her? Guess we’ll have to watch and see!

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!