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.