So You Think You Can Dance Top 20

Season 8 of “American Idol” has ended, a winner has been crowned, and some of the artists have even signed record deals; so now it is the dancer’s turn to win the hearts and votes of fans.

After two weeks of auditions and a callback of 172 dancers to Las Vegas the top 20 dancers – 10 guys and 10 girls – have been chosen to compete for the title of America’s Best Dancer on season 5 of “So You Think You Can Dance”.

“So You Think You Can Dance” is another Simon Fuller creation. The show is similar to the popular singing contest “American Idol” with the exception that the dance show allows both amateur and professional dancers who compete in a variety of dance styles. The 20 dancers were divided into couples and each week the pairs draw for the style of dance they will perform. The routines are choreographed by professionals. Just like in Idol fans call in to vote for their favourite couple and then on the results show the following night the bottom six dancers must perform a solo for the judges who will then choose which guy and which girl will be eliminated that week. Once there are only 10 dancers left the guys will have a new female partner each week.

Week one of the top 20 was filled with Broadway, ballroom, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and Bollywood styles of dance. Each week Head judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe and Ballroom dancer Mary MurphyMary Murphy will be joined by a guest judge; this week that judge was film producer and dance choreographer Adam Shankman who along with working on SYTYCD is in the process of producing and filming three movies including “Step Up 3D” which includes several SYTYCD alumni.

Opening the show this week were Jeanine and Phillip who performed a lyrical hip-hop routine that Adam Shankman called unreal. Mary Murphy not only agreed with Adam but said that the pair taught the audience a chemistry lesson. Head judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe called the routine fantastic and a great way to start the night.

By the luck of the draw Latin ballroom dancer Asuka and one of the two foreign born dancers Haitian Vitolio performed a Broadway style routine that while judges felt the routine was clean and very well done with beautiful lines; they also felt it was a safe routine that failed to show of the dancer’s personalities.

Next up came the first ballroom routine of the night when Karla and Jonathan performed a Cha Cha that Adam called awesome and Mary gave it her signature scream. In his preview video Jonathan said that he wanted to make Mary scream. Nigel said it was a dance with strong and beautiful lines that showed the couple’s personalities.

Randi and Evan performed a sensual jazz routine that had Evan worried about Randi’s husband. Adam said the couple danced like they were eight feet tall with lines that went on forever. Once again May screamed, something she did a lot of before the night was over, and said that the stars had come out tonight. Nigel called the routine absolutely fantastic and a memorable routine that will have fans talking.

Paris and Tony performed the second hip-hop routine of the evening that judges said was very good but was not a memorable dance. Nigel added that he felt the couple were performing the steps but not dancing.

Catlin and Jason came on next with a routine that stole the evening. The couple performed a Bollywood routine to Jai Ho from the Oscar winning film “Slumdog Millionaire” to perfection. Adam said, “you guys rocked!” He added that Jason made a difficult routine look effortless. Mary again screamed and said that she was glad bollywood came to Hollywood. After complimenting on the costumes Nigel said that the dance was fantastic and beautiful to see.

Janette and Brandon took on the second ballroom of the night in the form of a Foxtrot that Adam called lovely, adding the pair showed character. Mary said that Janette was Ginger RogersGinger Rogers and added that Brandon’s lifts looked effortless. Nigel said that the routine was absolutely beautiful.

Ashley and the show’s first Hawaiian born dancer Kupono also performed a jazz routine that Adam said had exquisite technique and Mary said that she could not keep her eyes off the dancers. Nigel said that dance choreographer Wade Robson was a genius and called the dance routine memorable. He added that the couple stayed in character and sent his into a different world.

The season’s oldest dancer ballerina Melissa and Ade performed a contemporary routine that Adam called special and told Melissa that she only got better with age. Mary again screamed and said that the dance was totally believable with a quality of movement. She called Ade a gentle giant and praised Melissa’s ballet training. Nigel said that this season had a fantastic top 20 and called the routine beautiful to see. He added that he was glad that they had a ballerina on the show.

Kayla and Moscovite Maxim topped off the evening with a Samba that had Adam questioning what he saw. “Oh My God!, are you kidding me?” was all he could say. Mary said Amen to Adam’s remarks and let out a prolonged scream and pronounced the pair as being on the hot tamale train. Nigel called the dance truly sensational saying that the dance topped off a brilliant night.

Fans were given the same two hour voting window as is used on Idol and the results of that vote will be revealed on Thursday night along with a performance by Sean Kingston. While the fans vote will decide who ends up in the bottom; it is the judges who make the ultimate decision as to who will be leaving the show.