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)

Wow!  What a roller coaster.  Amanda & I are still texting about it!

MIA!!!  This is the “awe” portion of the show.  I have no recollection of Mia ever bringing the funk before.  Would not have predicted in a million years that her choreography would be to Stevie Wonder.  And it worked.  I really enjoyed this number.  It had all kinds of chess pieces moving at once, and it wasn’t one of those badly-lit hip-hop routines where you can only spot maybe one dancer’s face.  I felt like we got to see at least half of the dancers highlighted during the performance.  And did you notice?  Ade was strongly featured in the front, nailing his every bit - and I couldn’t see Brandon at all.  I was searching for him big time.  The drama continues!  Would sure love some background info on this situation.  Cat, can you help us out here?  (She blogs weekly about the show for ew.com now.)

CAT!!!  She rocked that white suit.  She has never looked better; what a stunner.  This was also “awe”-some.

Before we get to the results, I thought I’d mention the package that poked fun at Lil C (”Lil C’s Dictionary of Dance”) was laugh-out-loud funny.  The audience reaction shots were priceless.  Whoever edited this did a great job.  I think this season has really tapped into a lot of humor and fun.  (Last night’s “fun counter”, case in point.)  Lil C was a great sport, and proved he had no intention of watering down anything he says when he started going off on Ashley & Kupono when they found out they were in the bottom three later on.

But I’ll get to that.

In the comments of Amanda’s brilliant post yesterday, I predicted who would be in the bottom three and who would be going home.  Tonight, I was starting to think I was some kind of SYTYCD psychic.

Our first couples getting their news were Melissa/Ade (love!), Caitlyn/Jason, and Phillip/Jeanine.  I called Caitlyn & Jason, so it was fun to see MelAde safe so early on, and no surprise whatsoever to see Phillip/Jeanine safe.

Next round: Brandon/Janette, Jonathan/Karla, and Ashley/Kupono.  I had predicted that AshKup would be bottom three.  I was feeling pretty proud of my reality-tv-results-show-wisdom. 

** We interrupt this program with breaking news:  Ryan Kasprzak has just been given his second ticket to Vegas in the same calendar year!  The man’s LA audition was featured prominently in tonight’s program, making us love him even more.  After all, his tap routine was phenomenally good, sans whoopie cushion, and full of invention and, dare I say it, passion. 

I’m scared, though.  First of all, after everything this guy’s done for season 5, must he really do it all over again?  What else must he prove?  He’s not going to get hair plugs.  His style isn’t going to change.  He’s not getting any younger.  Are the judges going to set him (and us) up for disappointment, string him (and us) along, and make him (and us - okay, not so much) audition year after year, having no intention of ever putting him on the show?  I really hope this guy is guaranteed season 6.  Otherwise, it is going to be a cold, bitter pill to swallow.  I’m having Natalie flashbacks!!  Make it stop!!

…  Back to our regularly-paced results show**

Our final round of couples was Evan & Randi (who, in celebrating their safety, apparently busted the back of her outfit, proving that maybe unitards really are the way to go…), Vittolio & Asuka, and Kayla & Max.  This seemed like a no-brainer.  In my arrogance I had already written “bottom 3″ after V & A’s names and “safe” after K & M.  Um, WHAT?

SHOCKER!  I couldn’t believe it.  Vittolio and Asuka, he of great determination and heart and (fair) skill and she of the strangely unappealing personality made more people “pick up the phone” than Kayla (”I am universally beloved”) and Max (”I’m lucky to be paired with Kayla because I have the misfortune of resembling a 50-year old actor“).  Okay, so maybe that’s their problem.  I thought immediately that Max might have been to blame for their bottom-3 position.  Even though he endeared himself to me last night when they showed him cooking for the other dancers (aww!), he was was saddled with a really bad costume in a strange routine - after the voting audience had already seen one strange routine in the program courtesy of Sonya Tayeh, Ade, & Melissa.  And the comparison to Kevin Spacey must have only further alienated himself from the tween viewers.  Bye, Max, it was nice while it lasted.  Someone else will have to pick up the slack and make the cast their dinner. 

Right after that shock was handed to us in one of Cat’s little perforated envelopes, we were treated to a guest dancer.  And that is all I can say on the subject, because my mind was teeming with a combination of swirling red skirts and the realization that this week’s bottom 3 is entirely different from last week’s!

Which is both a fun and heartbreaking conclusion.  It’s fun because it keeps us guessing each week as to who will fall below.  It’s heartbreaking because this season’s cast is so darn solid that any little misstep will send you packing. 

And that leads me to the six who had to dance for their lives.  Real quick:

• Caitlyn’s was okay - but impressive enough for the judges.  I wanted her gone more than Ashley or Kayla.
• Ashley’s was not enough!  We have seen before that you never spend half of your solo time on the stairs.  (Faina!)  She was super adorable in her old-style getup/hair/makeup.  A younger Bebe Neuwirth.  I’m clearly not a tween if I know who Lilith and Kevin Spacey are!!
• Kayla’s was too much!  Ah, the ever-changing expectations of what dancing for your life should look like.  In season 3, Shauna saved herself from an earlier cut by doing pretty much what Kayla did tonight.  Nigel, you confound us all. 

And Ashley is given the boot.  She was disappointed but all smiles.  I loved her low-key demeanor and thought she had the talent to go a long way this season as a dark horse.

• Jason - excellent solo.  Nigel called it the best he’s ever seen in the series.  Uh, hello?  Not hardly.  (Go to 2:15 in that video, and then witness the only standing ovation from all 3 judges on a dancer’s solo I’ve ever seen.)  Perhaps he was speaking quickly and meant best so far this season.
• Kupono - no substance, more bling than Mary Murphy.  I really felt Max could sneak in with this one and this would be the end for Kup, but I was wrong.
• Max - very solid ballroom solo set perfectly to the last 30 seconds of “Footloose”.  Comparing this to Kupono’s, as well as remembering Max’s performance last night compared to Kupono’s, it seemed only fair that Max stay!  But Kupono’s personality won out in the end.  It’s a pity, really.  Ashley was the stronger of that pair last night and she is the one saying goodbye.

What did you think of tonight’s shocks & awes?  What kind of pairing will Kayla & Kupono make?  (Kayla certainly seemed upset by Max’s departure.)  Does Ryan Kasprzak need this show?  Is every week going to be this unpredictable?  Are you loving season 5 yet?  I think I just might be!!

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?

First, who doesn’t love Cat in her little olive green dress with bedazzled microphone in hand? She looked beautiful this evening.

The opening “Heroes” number by Shane Sparks didn’t deliver. I am not sure if Shane is only giving 50%, because of ABCD or if it was the dancers. Did I miss him in the audience? Was he there? Last season he only choreographed one results show dance and never choreographed a couple. I am wondering if that will be the same case this season.

Let’s run through the results:

Kayla & Max - Safe! Who didn’t see that one coming? They are still on the hot tamale train.

Randi & Evan - Gosh darn it they better be safe. LOVE Evan!

Jeanine & Philip - They are safe too. I was totally psyched out by Cat. I thought maybe they would have been gone because they went first.

Caitlin & Jason - Of course they are safe. I didn’t like Caitlin at first, but she is certainly growing on me. I’ve decided that the Bollywood number is my favorite from last night.

Melissa & Ade - Safe! 5 couples are already safe. Melissa’s belching is disgusting. She may be the oldest, but she acts like the youngest. She is not my favorite dancer off stage. Don’t you think she looks like Diane Lane?

Ashley & Kupono - What is that lime green animal on his left shoulder? I’ve watched the crash test dance again and each time I dislike it more and more. It was cool the first time, but it gets old quickly.

Paris & Tony - In the bottom 3. No surprise there! My co-watcher, Wendy, was completed obsessed with Tony’s seatbelt belt. It was hideous! What the heck was he wearing!? Were those red Z Carvarci’s?

Asuka & Vitolio - They were my pick for the bottom to go home. Indeed they are in the bottom 3.

Jeanette & Brandon - I loved hearing her speak Spanish! Safe. I still could care less for Brandon.

Karla & Jonathan - Their cha-cha was not memorable in a sea of so many good dances and they are the last couple in the bottom 3.

The first special guest dancers is a couple doing the Tango. I didn’t get their names. While beautiful and I am sure technically impeccable my finger found the fast forward button.

Time for solos! Paris, Tony, Asuka, Vitolio, Karla, and Jonathan all Danced For Their Lives. Tony’s and Asuka’s Dance for Your Live’s were the weakest in my opinion. I always feel kinda bad for ballroom dancers who have to do a solo. They always look lame. Remember Pasha dancing with a mannequin? After Tony’s dance, I thought that the show better kick him off tonight if they want to remain a credible dance show, because Tony is one big joke.

Sean Kingston is next. The SYTYCD dancers seem way more talented than Sean’s back up dancers. It is sad to me that the SYTYCD contestants would only hope to get the job of a back up dancer after the show. Is this kind of dancing that they hope to be? I hope not.

Finally, the results. I always love the way that Nigel gives results. He seems to be honest and not snotty like another well known British judge. I like knowing if the judges were unanimous. He also points out tonight that their decision is based not just on the Dance For Your Life, but the contestants entire body of work on the show and casting for the rest of the season.

Paris is gone and so is Tony. I am a little sad to see Paris go. I think she is a combination of Lacey and Jamie from Season 3. Like Jaime, she went home way too early. Thank goodness, Tony is gone! Maybe he should have stuck with lacrosse.

Are you pleased with the results? Mia was M.I.A. this week. Did you miss her? Who is your new favorite after this week? Side note: Was anyone else digging the Glee commercials? I have listened to Don’t Stop Believin’ at least a hundred times this week. Maybe SYTYCD should dance to Glee’s Don’t Stop Believin’!

What an energetic, exciting, and fun start to this season!  There was a lot going on tonight, from Cat’s white spiderweb bejeweled mess dress to Mary’s general craziness to one standout routine after another.  Plus, it was just plain awesome to see our beloved SYTYCD stage again, don’tcha think?

From the 3-second “intro dances”, I had one overall response:  Whoever Ade is, I think I like him.  (I was not disappointed when he showed up again way later in the show.)

Typically, the Top 20 episode tends to have one or two forgettable or disappointing pairings, making it easy to predict who will be in the bottom 3.  After perusing my notes, and having seen each routine only once, I had a difficult time guessing who might be hanging out there at the bottom.  But I’ll try.

Their first (and last?) week on the show(?):

Karla & Jonathan, Cha Cha - First off, Amanda, ha!  You called it:  they brought out Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” in the third routine of the season!  Featuring two of the “unknowns”, I thought this routine was kinda middle-of-the-road.  The judges loved it, however.  Mary redefined innuendo when she declared, “I like my cha-cha rough!”  Overall, I think the show-ending Samba from Max & Kayla will overshadow this, putting Karla & Jonathan at risk.  Plus, I can’t remember Jonathan’s face.  I keep seeing Jason’s.

Asuka & Vitolio, Broadway - Not Tyce’s strongest choreography, in my opinion.  I love Broadway, but this was subpar.  I thought it was a little stiff, and the dancing seemed way slower than the music.  Mary & Shanks had similar opinions, saying A & V were “playing it safe”.   Nigel reminded them that their big personalities needed to translate on stage.  I predict they’ll be bottom 3, and they’ll be saved by the judges.  Nigel won’t let his favorite hottie go just yet.

Middle of the pack and therefore safe:

Paris & Tony, Hip-Hop - For the first ep of the season, I thought this was stronger than the judges declared.  I loved Paris in this: she went all out!  It’ll get a little old if they’re going to keep up with this “Tony, you will need to grow!/Tony, you’ve grown so much!” shtick.  And Tony mugs for the camera a little to much for my taste.  Judging from the audience scream-o-meter, though, they’ll be around for a few weeks longer.  Tony’s got the cuteness factor to save both of them. 

Janette & Brandon, Fox Trot - It stinks for them that they had to start the season with a ballroom routine, but they killed it.  What a seamless lift at the end!  And Janette’s dress - all that crazy pink material - didn’t slow Brandon down one bit.  I think Janette is good for him, personality-wise.   And this was the part of the show when Mary uttered that completely hilarious remark about not being able to raise her eyebrow:  “I can’t anymore ’cause of Botox!!!”  This and her screaming at herself in disbelief just afterwards made me laugh out loud.  Janette’s Botox-imitation response - so funny!

Melissa & Ade, Contemporary - I was about to get on Melissa for doing that finger-in-her-mouth coy look twice already tonight - she had better watch it with that gimmick!  But I shut up when I realized how down-to-earth she is.  She and Ade are a perfect, beautiful couple, and their Mandy Moore-choreographed-routine was my favorite of the night.  (Tough call - so much good stuff to choose from, right?)  They made Shanks cry, and Mary’s assessment of Ade as a “gentle giant” was sweetly true.  Ade has this unassuming brilliance to him, and I like him.  A lot.  The question for the future is, will Melissa’s age hold them back, popularity-wise?  Can you see her believably doing hip-hop? 

Kayla & Max, Samba - I think they could easily be in the next category, too.  They had the show-closing money spot, and their Samba was fast-paced, fun, and expertly performed.  I chafed a little at Max’s comment about how he can help Kayla learn ballroom - he’s quite sure of himself and it showed onstage, too.  Kayla brought it.  She will be one to watch this season.

Top o’ the Heap:

Randi & Evan, Jazz - First off, Randi’s married?!  Didn’t see that coming.  She and Evan make a great pair!  They were so good.  So.  GOOD.  Evan was brilliant.  The judges agreed.  Tyce redeemed himself tonight with this one.

Ashley & Kupono, Jazz - Sheer weirdness.  This was a good weird, ’cause it was Wade & his wife Amanda who dreamed it up, after all.  Like the judges said, love it or hate it, you’re gonna remember it.  (”It” being a crazy-cool take on crash-test dummies coming to life.)   My favorite part was Ashley - she was a great performer!  Kupono was good too, but I thought more than once that Mark from season 4 would have killed it.   Couples who get Wade Robson routines are generally guaranteed safety for another week.

Caitlyn & Jason, Bollywood - My hat’s off to them.  For the very first episode, they are given the challenging intricacies of Bollywood movement, and for that reason alone, they should shoot to the top of people’s lists.  Not only that, they did a great job with it, and they were clearly having fun.   Jason has that “Neil Appeal“.  What they did tonight was certainly memorable, and they did not come off like a weak copy of Joshua & Katee’s routine from last season.  I will not forget Caitlyn’s handstand & footwork in those early moments.  Plus, it’s “Jai Ho“!!!  Love that song.

And last but not least,

Jeanine & Philip, Hip-Hop - The producers wasted NO time.  For the first routine of the season, we are given the Chbeeb, hip-hop, and a routine that is eerily reminiscent of last season’s most beloved NapTab number, “Bleeding Love” (even Jeanine’s outfit was a copy of Chelsie’s).  You’ve got all that emotion, playacting, romantic drama, and the cutest SYTYCD couple since Courtney and Gev.  Of course they’re safe.

Final thoughts:  Mia was conspicuously absent.  I’m betting she choreographed Thursday’s Top 20 group number.  Even though I wasn’t a fan of Cat’s first outfit, I loved her loose hairstyle.  And though it won’t always be this way, I loved how generous the judges were with all of the Top 20 dancers.  We never once heard, “I’m sorry, I don’t think that will be enough for America, and you’ll be dancing for your life tomorrow.”

Do you agree, fans?  What predictions have you made?  What was your favorite number, and who is your favorite dancer (mine’s Ade.  Have I mentioned that??)  Let’s talk SYTYCD!