SYTYCD season 8 - Top 16

Sorry I missed last week. Just too tired. I have to start with a few notes about last week's show and elimination. First, I wish they had put up the bottom 4 couples for elimination instead of just 3. Second, how is it that none of the bottom 3 from the week before were in the bottom last week. Finally, it really is time for Melinda and Robert to get the boot (as they should have in week 1).

And for tonight's commentary.

A) I love Kristin Chenowith. She's a great choice for a guest judge - really funny.

B) I'm pretty sure Lil C was high tonight. Check out his half closed eyes and his pontificating prose was a little off.

C) In both of the first two weeks, the first couple to dance was in the bottom. Will it happen again?

SASHA & ALEXANDER (Contemporary, Dee)

I really like Dee. Glad he's back this season. I love Sasha. She could really make top 4. Alexander is weird. I can't really put my finger on it. Can you? Loved this routine. Props can be a disaster, but the piano worked.

CAITLYNN & MITCHELL (Samba, Jean-Marc)

Good thing they kept Mitchell. He's really good, just wish they wouldn't have him talk on camera. Weird and immature. All that said, I didn't get the judges comments on this one. They loved it and I thought Caitlynn looked totally wooden in the first half. And, what's a samba without samba rolls?

MELINDA & ROBERT (Broadway, Tyce)

Boo! I didn't like anything about this - music, choreo, dancers, costumes (OK, the costumes were insignificant). Why are these two still on the show and why do the judges like them. It's a crime that Robert is still dancing on this stage and Nick isn't. Lil C's comments on this one were my first clue he might be high.

MELANIE & MARKO (Lyrical Hip Hop, Tabitha & Napoleon)

Again, I can't say enough great things about these two. So far, they can do no wrong. I kind of hope they do a style I don't like next week (like tango or cha cha) so I can see if I still love them as much. Two things about Melanie...(1) I can't wait to see her dance with Tadd; (2) The only way she's going home is on a stretcher or with $250,000 in her pocket.

As you all know, I am not usually a fan of Tabitha & Napoleon, but I loved this and really liked what they did last week. I have a new love affair with them. Huh! The storytelling was as predictable as usual, but I really liked the juxtaposition of her carrying him in the first half, then him carrying her.

ASHLEY & CHRIS (Jazz, Sonya)

Chris is such a snooze, but I think Ashley has something quietly sassy about her that I really like. I kind of hope they end up in the bottom with him going home and her not, so she can get a new partner sooner than the top 10.

I have to wonder if I would have liked this routine if a better couple had danced it - like Melanie & Marko. It had all of Sonya's usual quirkiness, technique and brilliance, but I was bored.

CARISSA & JESS (Foxtrot, Jean-Marc)

This is a pair that will probably squeak through several more weeks because there are less desirable couples and they both did awesome solos when they were in the bottom two weeks ago. Do you remember that crazy move Carissa did at the beginning of her solo - leg up and out to the side, flipped her torso all the way around and back. Talk about core strength.

I liked this routine. I'm a fan of a foxtrot. Loved her costume. The fringy, asymmetrical skirt was really cool.

RYAN & RICKY (Contemporary, Sonya)

Love, love, love. Weird Sonya + interesting prop + intense emotion. Emmy worthy night for the costume department. A costume that is also a prop is very cool.

Not to ruin how much I liked this routine and how they danced it, but...His name is Ricky Jamie. Every time I hear it, I think "Ricky Bobby" and laugh.

JORDANN & TADD (Hip Hop, Tabitha & Napoleon)

Spoke too soon. Love affair with Nappy-Tabs over! This was just tacky. The only redeeming thing was Tadd in his skivvies. How's that for a tacky comment to go with the tackiness on stage?

Group Routines - Didn't like the broadway one, liked the contemporary one.

Bottom three - Melinda & Robert, Ashley & Chris, Carissa & Jess. Going home - Melinda & Robert (please, please, please).

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE - Season 8 Opener

In the words of Mary Murphy - WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad this show is back! (Now, that is the last time I give Mary any props. I was wishing she was gone for good, but I guess a girl can't have everything she wants.) Let me first start with a bit of commentary about the Top 20 overall and the approach to the show this season. Loving the show so far...short auditions + perfect amount of coverage of Vegas week + Top 20 announcement AND amazing choreography/dancing last week + great Top 20. Nigel's been saying it all along and he's right - the girls are fantastic. Thanks to the producers for taking the best ideas they've tried over the past few seasons and putting together what is shaping up to be the best season yet.

And on to tonight's show...

JORDAN & TADD [Sean Cheesman, African Jazz] - Yes.

SASHA & ALEXANDER [Travis, Contemporary] - Getting a Travis Wall routine is basically a free pass into the next week. This didn't disappoint. I loved every second of it. That said, Alexander is very lucky to have gotten a partner who is already popular with the audience and a great dancer - Sasha will carry him through, probably to the top 10. My guess on him is if they somehow end up in the bottom three in the first five weeks, he'll be gone. If not, he'll be gone the first week he's with a new partner.

CLARICE & JESS [Tyce, Broadway] - OK, I'll buy it.

RYAN & RICKY [Christopher Scott, Lyrical Hip Hop] - I love that Christopher Scott is on this show. I can't wait to see more from him. Oh, and the song was great ("Ain't No Sunshine".) I expected a lot from these two dancers and they delivered. They'll do well, but neither of them will win.

CAITLYNN & ROBERT/MITCHELL [Sonya, Jazz] - Not sure how the injury rules are going to go on this one. Will they have a bottom 7 tomorrow, or will she automatically be in the bottom since her partner has to be? If it's just on the performance and votes, Caitlynn should be good to go. She was good and hit the jackpot dancing with Robert. Loved the choreography, music and costumes. Sonya rocks!

MIRANDA & ROBERT [Jason, Latin] - When they drew "latin," I surely wasn't expecting a jive. Fun music, choreography and costumes, but these dancers are very forgettable. Definitely in the bottom tomorrow and probably both going home. Not "WHOO," but "boo!"

MISSY & WADI [Sean, Jazz] - Eww, gross. That's all I have to say about her. He's awesome.

MELANIE & MARKO [Travis, Contemporary] - AWE-SOME! I really should leave it at that, but I can't. I was afraid Travis' second routine might not be as good as the first, but SHUT UP! That was A-MAZING! PERFECT! Marko is great, but Melanie...there's your winner!

ASHLEY & CHRIS [Christopher Scott, Hip Hop] - I already had him in my early exit group and this sealed the deal. If Mitchell doesn't go home for his injury tomorrow, Chris is definitely out - and dancing in something close to his own style. Sorry, Ashley. You're a pretty girl and a good dancer, but you got a sucky partner and bad routine. A few lines up I said I wanted more from Christopher Scott. I guess I was wrong. This sucked. Maybe it's because I can't stand that f*#%in song.

IVETA & NICK [Jason, Quick Step] - They'll get through, but [insert shoulder shrug and "who cares" noise]. Don't get me wrong, this was a really good quick step and they danced it well, but this audience doesn't really care about strong ballroom technique, especially stacked up against a slew of great contemporary and jazz routines.

I like that they had the "meet the top 20" routines and largely had them dancing familiar styles this week. It allows us to really see the dancers before they throw random stuff their way and we start ripping them apart. Or is that just me?

BL...out.