Tonight’s performance episode certainly had its memorable moments!    From Nigel “going gangsta on us” with his snippy attitude to Mary’s ever-reddening skin tone to the repeated use of the words “butt” and “ass”, it was one for the record books.  I got to watch this one with my friend Jennifer, and it was fun to process what was happening with another person!!

The Good

• Cat’s dress and hair.  She was beautiful in her Grecian-inspired getup.  I didn’t expect her to top the white suit from last Thursday so quickly!
• Toni Basil, guest judge, talking about her Living Legend of Hip Hop Award, and her constant mentions of “the street”, “the groove”, and “the funk”.  All with that jauntily-placed beret on her head.  I would love to listen in on a conversation between her & Lil C, wouldn’t you? (”I would! Yes, I would!!!” - Mary)
• Vitolio’s rock star face.  He was using it like crazy tonight during judging (and it was much better than Janette’s, I’ve gotta say).  I also want to give props to Vitolio’s incredible sweetness towards Asuka during their rehearsal package.  Who uttered an “awww…” when you saw him comforting his partner?  (”I did!  Yes, I did!” - Mary)
• Kupono & Kayla’s Viennese Waltz choreographed by Jean Marc Genereaux.  Set to Jewel’s “Some Dreams For You”, it was so…  unexpected.  During their rehearsals, I said to Jennifer, “Kupono is going to let her down.  He’s not showing himself to be a very strong dancer.”  But I was wrong, and I happily admit it.  Despite Nigel’s conviction that their routine was nothing to stand up and cheer for, I was enthralled from the very first lift.  Everything about this performance was mesmerizing: the lighting, the song, the beautiful costumes, Kayla’s hair blowing around in the wind.  And Kupono was a revelation for me.  It is pretty much understood that Kayla will upstage anyone she’s partnered with - the girl is a force! - but Kupono more than held his own.  I thought they were a great match, and the fact that this was their first week together only impressed me more.  I thought it’d be sloppy.  Again, I was wrong.  I watched this one twice, and it is currently my favorite routine of the season.  (I will tell you right now, I never thought I’d say that about a waltz, or about these dancers.)
• Melissa & Ade’s Rumba choreographed by Tony Meredith.  First, Ade looked great in that classic black skin tight one-piece Rumba Outfit.  I remembered seeing Gev wear one - tiny Gev!, and Joshua, too.  Ade really rocked it, though, ’cause he’s so tall!  He and Melissa make a beautiful pair, plain and simple.  I didn’t like the song (”Emotion” by Destiny’s Child) it was set to, but I watched this one twice as well.  What can I say?  I love Ade!!  (I voted for them 5 times tonight.  Just throwin’ that out there.)
• Brandon & Janette’s Hip-Hop choreographed by Dave Scott.  What a cool concept: combining a rock attitude with hip hop moves.  It worked.  Brandon completed killed this one, in my opinion.  It was the first time I could get behind him and say, yes, I like him!  I loved his outfit.  He was slammin’ in those jeans & button-down shirt.  Maybe my opinion about Brandon will continue to change as the weeks go on, because it is clear that he & Janette will be around for the long haul.  They are the team to beat.
• Followed closely by Randi & Evan, of course.  Could there be a pair better suited for one another than these two?  (”No, there can’t!!” - Mary) They are so sweet.  I am really loving Randi’s personality - and her hair!!  Did you see her shirt in rehearsals?  It said, “Unitard Girl” on the front.  Loved it.  These two lucked out with the first Mia Michael’s contemporary routine of the season (not counting last week’s group number).  It was, how can we forget?, “all about the booty”.  Randi’s booty, to be specific.  Curl up that blonde ‘do and put her in a little nightie and she is transformed into Chicago’s Roxie Hart!  I wish I could say I loved this routine with all my heart - but Evan’s costume, a ridiculous, oversized suit contraption, took points off for me.  He’s already on the short side, and the high-waisted pants didn’t help that.  But his performance and ability overcame the clothes.  Their routine was saucy.  I liked what Toni Basil said about it, in what I think was a compliment: “The choreography can become the star” - but they didn’t let it.  They are clearly stars on that stage.  I don’t ever want to see them switch partners!  And Mia has yet to give us anything terribly emotional this season.  Is this a new trend for her, or is she saving the gutwrenching stuff for later?

The “Meh”

• Mandy Moore’s choreography to “Heartbreaker” with Asuka & Vitolio.  Mandy said she was going for “thrash-rocker-jazz”, but the whole thing was kinda lackluster for my friend Jennifer and me.  Nigel raved about it, but I agreed with Mary: their movements weren’t always in sync, and the routine lacked “oomph”.  It was kinda like Pasha & Sarah’s jazz routine from season 3, without the fun suspenders angle.  Mandy can do better than this.  I can’t wait to see what else she has for us this season.
• Caitlyn & Jason’s Paso Doble choreographed by Jean Marc & France.  I felt the choreography was great, but the performance merely decent.  I like both Jason & Caitlyn, but I haven’t seen them quite match what they did with their Bollywood in the Top 20 week.  (Jennifer was all about Jason’s costume and attitude.  )

The Bad

• Karla & Jonathan’s hip hop.  This was also done by Dave Scott.  Karla has a hip hop background, and it showed.  She made it look easy.  Unfortunately, she had a partner who couldn’t keep up.  Poor Jonathan.  After last week’s high, they crashed right back to the bottom with this.  Did anyone else think Jonathan looked like a young Travolta in his outfit tonight?  (”I did!  Yes I did!!!” - Mary)
• Jeanine & Philip’s Broadway choreographed by Tyce Diorio.  To be clear: Jeanine was great and held her own.  At the beginning of the season, I thought she was going to be carried by Phillip’s popularity.  Now, she’s starting to shine in her own right, especially in these styles that Phillip can’t seem to master.  I love Broadway and I feel that Tyce can really bring it to life on the SYTYCD stage.  But this did not meet its potential because Phillip lacks so much technique. 

So, a word about all this Chbeebery going on: in a season with all these tremendously talented dancers (of whom we’re constantly reminded), an inexperienced but likable dancer can only go so far.  We all know the judges like to have at least one “fresh off the street” dancer that they can mold and teach and sing praises over (Ivan, Cedric, and Twitch all fit this role to some degree).  I don’t think Phillip will be able to keep up with the 15 other dancers he’s up against.  But the judges will definitely want him on tour, so we can expect him to stick around until at least the top 10.  And since this is the search for “America’s favorite dancer”, he should be around for awhile after that, too.  Unless something big happens.  Tonight, Phillip had that awesome couch jump and the huge slit down the back of his pants to make up for how he couldn’t quite deliver Tyce’s routine.  I’d bet a few pennies that next week he’ll have hip hop again, something to make him look good, so the judges and America will be justified in keeping him around longer.

Predictions for the bottom 3:

1. Karla & Jonathan
2. Asuka & Vitolio
3. Caitlyn & Jason

with Karla & Jonathan going home.

What had you mesmerized tonight, fans?  Who do you predict will be in the bottom 3?  Did any dancer win your heart or surprise you tonight?  Can Phillip keep up with the what the other dancers bring to this season?  Does Toni Basil make any more sense than Lil C?  (”She does!  Yes, she does!!” - Mary)

Did Cat go shopping in the ‘Pretty in Pink” cast closet? I loved her swept back hair and witty charm this evening. By the end of the show I was loving her red bow dress as well.  I have way too many favorites this season. I like a lot of them for different reasons. Their style, their story, the way they dance, I can’t decide yet. So let’s get on with this judges-excessive-lovin-on-the-choreographers episode.

Randi & Evan
Jive, Louis Van Amstel, “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles

Dog lovin’ Randi and car lovin’ Evan opened the show with a high energy Jive. Lil “C” thought they came “out of the box with a bang” and critiqued Evan’s smooth moves. I like it when Mary and Nigel bust out with technical critiques and we learn about things like triple steps, double bouncing, and fast feet flicks. They did well and I still love Evan. Randi wore a unitard in her opening dance. Thankfully the wardrobe department helps her costumes with the dances!

Melissa & Ade (aka Adetokunbo Isaace Kayode Obayomi)
Jazz, Sonya Tayeh, “24 Hours (the Ashton Shuffle Terri A-Bomb Remix)” by Terry Poison

These Rock n Roll Imps (dubbed by Cat) made Sonya’s jarring choreography jump off my screen. Mary loved it and Lil “C” said something about “modifying manipulation of movement.”  He also called out Ade as a front runner. I can’t wait to see him paired with someone else. I don’t think Melissa will get past eighth place. I want to root for her (she is my age!), but I can’t stand her personality. I saw a commercial for a Bump It today - did you think Melissa was using one? Did you check out Melissa’s abs!? Seriously. Now that I have grown to appreciate Sonya - this was one of my favorite dances of the evening.

Caitlin & Jason
Hip Hop, Shane Sparks, “Missin You” by Trey Songz

While this couple may be “missing some nectar” during their Hip Hop routine, there seems to be some nectar between them off set. Maybe they were tired from last week’s intricate Bollywood dance, but this pair didn’t hit this routine hard enough. I also found Caitlin’s costume distracting. This un-sychronized routine may find them in the bottom three tomorrow night. How cute was  the video of Jason dancing as a kid? This is why I film my children now. You never know when you are going to need that footage.

Janette & Brandon
Disco, Doriana Sanchez, “Moving is really my game” by Brainstorm

Disco is always technically difficult with Doriana. This dance was the show-stopper of the evening and may have shut the mouths of Brandon nay-sayers. In my notes I wrote “they are sailing into the Top 10.” Lil “C” claimed that he witnessed the “birth of progression.” They were both amazing in their lifts and movements. Hands down the best dance of the night.

Asuka & Vitolio
Waltz, Louis Van Amstel, “Dreams are more precious” by Enya

Spit bubbles? Really. That’s kind of gross. I want to like you, Asuka, but you aren’t giving me much to work with here! This lyrical waltz moved Mary to tears and called it “painfully beautiful.” The judges said that the dancers were sincere. They were good, but I think we will see them in the bottom 3 and even possibly going home. And what is up with all the Louis love tonight?

Kayla & Max
Pop Jazz, Brian Friedman, “Hot Like Wow” by Nadia Oh

This couple on the way to Rat Town on the Hot Tamale Train stretched Max’s ability and made Kayla the female front runner. I believe she is this year’s Katee. Each week I am loving Kayla more and more. Did you see her eyelashes? Last week Kayla had to learn the ballroom terms and this week Max had to learn a whole new vernacular from choreographer, Brian. I loved how the tables were turned this week. I  am with Lil “C” and I loved it. But then again I am always a sucker for these royal court themed dances.

Carla & Jonathan
Contemporary, Stacey Tookey (from SYTYCD Canada!), “Falling Slowly” by The Frames

This routine had an Academy award winning song, but not an award winning dance. I love this song so much and the dancing paled in comparison. It was beautiful and nice, but forgettable. Jonathan has a David Archuleta “puppy dog” quality about him. Carla is very Sarah from Season 3-esqu. I hope she sticks around long enough to school us on how chicks can pop and lock. These are also a bottom 3 pick for me. I hope Carla is polishing off her Dance For Your Life!

Jeanine & Phillip
Tango, Tony Meredith, “Violento (Up Mix)” by Bailango!

Philip tried his best to pull off a serious Tango while Jeanine saved the dance. I loved how the judges criticized them, they were honest, but still rooting for them. Phillip’s popularity will keep him out of the bottom this week. I can’t help myself from liking him either. Engineering Physics major, oh yeah! I LOVED the slow mo of Phillip’s face while lifting Jeanine. I think that is the worst strained face I have ever seen on this show. Hilarious! Go lift some weights, Phillip!

Ashley & Kupono
Hip Hop, Shane Sparks, “Imma Be” by The Black Eyed Peas

Kupono’s To Do Lists crack me up. Unfortunately I don’t think he can check off “Find My Inner Shane Sparks” tonight. Ashley is proving to be a good dancer. Every time I watch her dance I am glad that she kept trying out and made it her fourth time around.  And oh my gosh, that projectile vomit story was hilarious! Perseverance and humor, I like her! While the dance was underwhelming, their personalities were not tonight. Here’s hoping they are safe another week!

What was your favorite dance of the evening? Who is your pick to go home? Are you looking forward to Mia Michael’s group routine on the results show?

I (Amanda)  feel like I just went through a workout myself getting through 2 hours of auditions.  There are still 2 more hours Thursday night too!  A raise of hands for those ready for Vegas and Top 20 next week?  Mine is raised.  Throughout my viewing this evening, I was also warned several times by my local Fox station that there is some wet stuff falling from the sky a couple counties over from mine.  It’s nice of them to let me know by constantly beeping and putting huge graphics at the bottom of my screen.

It certainly wasn’t raining in Miami.  Cat didn’t even wear a scarf, but she did speak Spanish!  This episode was certainly funnier than last week’s episode - and meaner, too.  “Tyce, don’t be so mean to the dancers.”  - Nigel

Dawn: Both of my hands are exuberantly raised for next week’s Vegas callbacks.  Tonight’s auditions were briskly paced - I am stoked about the great dancing and sweet backstories we saw - but I’ve about had it with the dorks who clearly have no business being there.  There were a few montages of painful auditions, FIVE ridiculous auditioners receiving all kinds of extra time (the talentless Miami twins who had to do 3 takes to introduce themselves?  Stop the madness!!!), and a witty-but-time-filling bit on How To Audition for SYTYCD.  By the time Red Dreds was whining, cussing, and balking at any kind of critique, I wanted to throw something at my t.v.  All that to say, I wish I could have seen more of the good dancers.  Because the good we saw tonight was go-oo-oo-OOD! (Something I’d have enjoyed hearing Tyce say every now & then.)

Amanda: There were a lot of great dancers tonight. Here are my top 5 from the evening.

1.  Evan “Gene Kelly”  Kasprzak is back!

A: I was really sad when he got cut last year.  His dancing is better this year, but not his hair cut.  It was longer and slicked back last season.  I hope he can crack the Top 20.  His brother is good as a sideshow, but not the main event.  I think they just sent him to Vegas for a story arc.

D: The story arc certainly worked for me.  These brothers had me hook, line & sinker.  I haven’t seen the auditions from previous seasons, remember?  These guys were new to me, and I am in love.  With their talent, their charm, their styles, and Ryan’s smile.  I hope they get plenty of time in next week’s Vegas eps, ’cause I want to know if Ryan can put his money where his mouth is and strut his stuff in styles not involving a whoopee cushion.  No matter what, I think they’re both SO CUTE.  The trolley shot at the end was a nice touch.  Can you imagine one of them in that Broadway routine Gev & Courtney did last season?  I can.  Evan would have brought the house down with that.

2.  Janette ‘”Fiery!” Manrara  & Romulo “Mr. Greenhouse” Villaverde.

A: They were great, but it is hard to notice Romulo when dancing. That split jump was crazy!

D:  I agree, Janette was the star in that pairing.  She was cute with her faux-British accent whilst waiting outside, too. 

3.   Erik “Silky” Moore.

A: Bringing Tap Back.  When was tap in?  It’s always a good sign when the judges say that they didn’t want the performance to end.  Nice reverse worm!

D: I loved this kid.

4.  Police Officer Marico “Jukin” Flake.

A: He had to be nervous dancing in front of Lil C.  I really thought it was going to suck, but it didn’t!  Who knew that this secret Memphis dance was so hip?

D: Not me!  I might have been distracted, but I didn’t get the cop thing.  Is he a real officer?  He called himself the entertainment unit or something like that, so I wasn’t sure if that was part of his act.  I can be kinda slow, don’t mind me.  He was cool.  And I liked Lil C’s judging style - what a contrast to Tyce, eh?  Lil C (or “Little C”, as Nigel pronounced it) was totally respectful to everyone and offered nice bits of helpful advice that he didn’t need to.

5.  Megan “ball of joy” and Caitlin “I got hip surgery and look at me!” Kinney.

A: I really liked Caitlin’s personality.  Something about her just stood out to me.  We didn’t see much of Megan, but she looks promising.  More sister drama!

D:  I liked Caitlin too.  Spitting image of Rebecca DeMornay.  I was intrigued by the fact that they attended two entirely different cities/auditions - Caitlyn even said it’d be a dream come true to dance with Megan.  How long has it been since they’ve seen each other?

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Alrighty, this is a toughie, limiting my favorites to five.  I like so many routines for their impact and creative value, but that doesn’t make them my favorite.  I’m gonna give it a shot.  In no particular order:

1.  Joshua & Katee, Contemporary (Season 4)

Mia’s choreography always dazzles me, from her Travis/Heidi “Bench Routine” in season 2 to her vigorously quick-moving contemporary piece with Danny and Lauren in season 3.   She continues to amaze us with this rich, despairing choreography set to Adele’s “Hometown Glory”.  Katee’s facial expressions and movements are intricate and beautiful, and Joshua is equally great.

2.  Danny & Lacey, Samba (Season 3)

The Latin styles are not my favorites, but this one is really appealing.  They’re a good match, and this choreography (by season 2’s Dmitry) makes the samba really accessible to us non-fans.  Smokin!  “Hip hip, chin chin!”

3.  Jesus & Sara, Jazz (Season 3)

Remember Jesus?  He was adorable.  He was the versatile Sara’s original partner, and he was booted too soon.  This is one of those memorable routines that makes everyone sit up and pay attention (as is the case with most of Wade Robson’s brilliant choreography).  It’s weird.  It’s go-for-broke.  It’s cool.  Me likey.

4.  Neil & Lauren, Jazz (Season 3)

Completely brilliant.  This was when Neil started standing out for his skills more than just his looks.  I became something of a Neil fan at this point.  I love the acting, the costumes, the music, the weirdness.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t locate a video from the show itself, so this one from the tour is the best I could do.

5.  Mia Michaels’ Top 10 Routine to “The Moment I Said It”

Oh my word.  Even those who aren’t fans of Danny have to admit that this whole piece is packed with mad goosebump moments.  The whole dance is anchored around him - his beauty, skill, and strength.  Again, the performance from the original program was unvailable, but I found a decent one from the tour.  The fan who took this video must have been a Danny fan, too. 

Runners-Up:

I know this list weighs heavily on season 3 routines, and I can’t help it.  What are your favorites?  Can you limit them to just 5?  I truly can’t.  I’m already rethinking my choices.