So You Think You Can Dance Review: And Then There Were Six

We’re down to the final 8, and this format of losing 2 contestants a week is making it seem like they’re leaving faster than normal. In fact we have only two more performance shows remaining this season. I did like getting a few weeks with the contestants partnered followed by a few weeks with our all-stars, so all in all this year’s format has been, for me, the best since I’ve been watching the show.

Sasha grabbed a Quickstep with Pasha in tow, which normally would make me nervous but I’ve already decided Sasha can do anything attempts. The dance, set to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Terry Snyder and choreographed by Jonathan Roberts, came off flawlessly. Their lifts were great, Sasha’s carriage looked beautiful as her feet skimmed the stage and Pasha, well, he always looks lovely. The judges agreed and this week’s guest Rob Marshall confessed to Sasha that she’s his favorite dancer on the show. Nigel said so too, though he would, as usual prove to be fickle later in the night.

Catelynn pulled a Marty Kudelka Lyrical Hip-Hop routine with all-star Ivan Koumaev. They played the roles of a girl fed up with her boyfriend and the guy who wants to steal her away (set to “Let Me Love You” by Mario). I adore Catelynn doing Hip-Hop. She’s got great swagger and stage presence, something the judges don’t compliment her on often enough. I hate when pretty girls like her constantly get praised for their looks instead of their talent. The judges felt so-so about the routine last night.

Jess also grabbed a Hip-Hop routine, one he danced with all-star Lauren Gottlieb to “Take a Bow” by Rhianna. Napoleon and Tabitha D’omo did the choreographing honors, and gave the pair a concept revolving around a guy who’d bee caught cheating. I found the routine clean and simple, and the dancers emotionally invested. The judges praised Jess for his growth tonight and throughout the competition, but guest judge Lady Gaga dissed NappyTabs for the cheesy use of props and dated dance steps (in her opinion).

Melanie drew Contemporary and all-star Neil Haskell. Is it just me or does it seem like we haven’t really seen Melanie do anything but Contemporary this season? At any rate, this time she was blessed with choreographer Mandy Moore and a stunning routine set to “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. She and Neil connected enough to be believable as lovers who refused to let go, and there was a moment where she ran full speed and leapt into his arms from at least six feet away, and it took my breath away. The number brought the judges, the audience, and probably some people at home to their feet. Gaga admitted Melanie was her favorite, and that she would hire her to dance with her company in a second. At this point Nigel changed his mind about Sasha being his favorite and claimed Melanie had stolen the top spot (in his eyes) once again.

Ricky, the poor guy, got saddled with a Jive, but at least we get to watch the tiny bundle of power that is Anya grace the stage again. The dance, set to, “River Deep, Mountain High” by Celine Dion” was one of the fastest things I’ve ever seen and Ricky honestly had a good time with the dance, and it felt contemporary and joyful and his smile does indeed light up a room. Gaga proclaimed her fangirl status but Nigel worried that getting the ballroom number and not knocking it out of the park might be his downfall.

Jordan and Ade grabbed a Tyce Diorio Jazz number that the judges, especially Rob Marshall, claimed to be one of his best pieces ever. The dance tried to keep up with “Nutbush City Limits” by Tina Turner, and the choreography didn’t do much of anything except show off Jordan’s unbelievable legs and flexibility. The judges raved about her, about how amazing a dancer she is for such a little girl, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were saying goodbye.

One of my favorites this season has been Marko, who benefitted from being Melanie’s partner, yes, but not enough credit has been given to him for his own technique and personality. This week he stepped out in a Sonya Tayeh Contemprory routine with the amazing Allison Holker (one of my favorite dancers on this show. Ever.) Sonya choreographed the steps to “I Know It’s Over” by Jeff Buckley, and I loved every second of this dance. For me, parts of it were most honest and tough than the Contemporary number from Melanie and Neil. Credit given or now, I have little doubt Marko will be with us through at least another week.

Last but not least is my concrete abdominal guy Tadd. The crowd whipped into a frenzy when Cat Deeley announced his partner for the week would be last season’s favorite Lauren Froderman. The two were given a snazzy Jazz number in which they played two thieves, a concept choreographed for them by Mandy Moore (to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen). They did a nice job with the steps, technique, and character but nothing about the number grabbed me and when writing this recap I had to check to remind myself what they even danced. So, there you go.

A wonderful decision on the part of the judges came when the final eight contestants were paired up to dance a number together. They also all performed out of their styles, which gave us a bit more chance to see exactly what they could do. I mean, except Melanie, who still drew a Jazz number. This time she and Sasha danced together, in a routine from Sonya Tayeh that had Gaga throwing her shoes on stage and into the crowd and everything in a wild uproar so unstoppable the judges could hardly shout their comments over the din. I enjoyed the routine, danced by two amazing females, to “Game On” by District 78.

Jordan and Jess paired up for a sexy Rumba from Jason Gilkison (to “Set Fire to Rain” by Adele), which earned them mixed reviews and nearly put me to sleep. Gaga didn’t get the dance at all, and Mary liked parts of it but not others. It felt pretty meh to me all the way around.

Marko and Ricky blew the roof off with their NappyTabs Hip-Hop routine in which they played bad boy janitors and won the hearts of the ladies to “Bad Boy For Life” by Diddy (feat. Black Rob and Mark Curry). Gaga bashed NappyTabs for the second time in as many dances, basically calling their choreography juvenile and dated. Rob Marshall gave them props, which I think they deserve, always. The rest of the judges seemed to enjoy the routine and Marko really proved he can do things besides dance Contemporary beside Melanie.

Catelynn and Tadd danced a beautiful, flowing Foxtrot from Jonathan Roberts (to “Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails” by Ella Fitzgerald). They were gorgeous, as though they’d stepped out of a 1940’s film, and I don’t think the judges gave them enough credit for how easy they made the whole thing look.

Results night arrived and I thought the girls’ results were pretty obvious, especially based on the-who-is-better-Sasha-or-Melanie thoughts the night before. Those two were safe, and Jordan and Catelynn had to dance for their lives. The boys were a bit of a surprise, not because Marko was safe, but that Ricky joined him. That meant we were going to lose either Jess or Tadd, and to my surprise I really didn’t want to lose either one of them.

While the judges deliberated we watched another performance by The League of Extraordinary Dancers, some more promos for National Dance Day, and a Lady Gaga spectacle. When push came to shove, and with the caveat that everyone on the show at this point is an amazing dancer who has a brilliant career in front of them, they cut Jordan and Jess loose. I’m sure some people were surprised about the choice to keep Catelynn over Jordan (I know I was) but I think Jordan hasn’t shown as much inclination to grow over the past several weeks. Poor Jess ended up a casualty of America somehow managing to put Ricky through instead of him or Tadd.

What do you think? Does it really matter at this point? I mean, every person on the show will keep me entertained and glued to my television for the next couple of weeks.

For more on this week’s episodes, check out Not Enough Turns For Me…I Mean Pirouettes by Inisia Lewis.

Season 8, Episodes 18 and 19 (original airdates July 27 and July 28, 2011)

So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.

Photos Courtesy of Adam Rose and Fox