The Top 20 Deliver

Did everyone enjoy that as much as I did? As the evening began, Dan Karaty said this was the first season where the top 20 talent was so high that it was any one's game. There are so many really interesting dancers and I am completely invested after last night. Nigel was a little creepy in his assessment of Cat's beauty and long legs, actually he has been kind of a lech this entire season. Mary needs some new material, but Dan seemed to give the most helpful advice after each dancer's performance.

1. Rayven Armijo & Jamie Bayard-Hip-Hop

Napoleon and Tabitha choreographed a humorous dance that only slightly resembled hip-hop to me, to "American Boy". Rayven had a few annoying moments with her facials, but I loved when she pantsed Jamie, and thought he was quite cute. I have a feeling they will be in the bottom, only because this dance wasn't enough to survive the killer first slot. There were too many memorable numbers as the night went on to go back and remember the special moments in this one. I hope they both do enough when dancing for their lives, as I did enjoy their performance and we certainly haven't seen either of them perform in their particular dance style.
Nigel thought it was pretty good, but worried if people would pick up the phone at the end of the show. Mary likened it to cotton candy and said she loved it. Dan said it was not quite there, there was no funk, and the dance stayed at the same level throughout the piece, when it needed to change.
2. Susie Garcia & Marquis Cunningham-Waltz

Hunter Johnson choreographed this difficult number to "Dark Waltz"
I tried to keep my distaste for the waltz out of my assessment of these dancers. It wasn't easy. I think Susie had some nice lines and I do think the choreography was challenging, but the lifts were awkward and they didn't have chemistry. For me it was a bottom three performance.
Nigel thought it was well done. Mary thought they pulled it off. Dan thought it was almost perfect, smooth and sexy. What the heck do I know?

3. Kourtni Lind & Matt Dorame-Jazz

Mandy Moore choreographed an interesting number to Tainted Love for these two tall dancers. Kourtni was fully committed to the piece and really stood out. Matt was very ballet like, and his smile didn't feel like it was what the dance called for. Perhaps it was nerves? Nigel said he was too uptight and it was like he had a stick up his butt. Mary thought it was sexy. Dan said great choreography, great dancers, so-so performance. I think they will be okay this time around.
4. Chelsea Traille & Thayne Jasperson- Cha Cha

Tony Meredith choreographed a very sexy number to Oye Con Va. I was instantly in love with these two. Chelsea has so much sizzle on stage and Thayne is a doll! He gave her some passionate looks that made my little heart skip a beat. My friend Chris thought it didn't showcase either of them like it could have. (Yes, the SYTYCD viewer parties have begun, and will probably keep growing as the weeks go on). I want more of these two! Nigel thought they were both terrific. Mary put them both on the hot tamale train. Oh my. Here we go again. Dan thought they were sexy and that they owned the stage.

5. Chelsie Hightower & Mark Kanemura-Contemporary

Mia Michael's created her vision of Tim Burton's wedding to the song " Beautiful", in this ultra avaunte guarde piece that I had to watch a couple of times. I have to say that when they literally pulled their lips, all I could say to the girls was "if only I could hear what my dad was saying right now". Call me Nate-I have got to know what you thought of that one! I thought it was creepy, strange and had some absolutely spellbinding moments. When Mark whispered in Chelsie's ear and she started laughing, she was absolutely amazing. The lifts were remarkable and I was completely transported by the story. Nigel thought they both danced brilliantly and that Mia captured the essence of both dancers in the choreography. Mary said if she had a hat she would take it off.sigh. Dan remarked that it must have been quite the experience to be inside Mia's head for a while, and he loved it. I really loved it too.

6. Kherington Payne & Twitch-Broadway

I first have to just say that I love Tyce DiOrio. I will be shocked if "Twitchington" doesn't make it to the top 10. Both dance with such absolute joy that it is infectious. I couldn't take my eyes of Kherington's gorgeous smile. I couldn't tell you a thing about the technical aspects of this piece, but from an entertainment standpoint, I really enjoyed it. My friend Andrea choreographed a piece to "Too Darn Hot" and I prefered the way she had cut the music much more than this version, but it didn't take away from this performance. Nigel thought it was stunning. Mary said to look up because the sprinklers were going to turn on it was so hot. It is going to be a long season if Mary doesn't increase her repertoire. Dan thought that they lit up the stage.

7. Comfort Fedoke & Chris Jarosz-Jive

Tony Meredith put together an intensely fun piece to "Boom Boom". Chris caught my eye immediately, since Nigel had said he had the personality of a tree on stage during Vegas. He was in character the entire piece, and Comfort seemed to hold her own for pretty much of the number. She cracked me up when she told Nigel she had never danced in a bra and panties with beads on them. Nigel let the audience know that she had dislocated her shoulder (click click, as Comfort said) in the rehearsal, and that the choreography had to be changed to accommodate her injury. He also thought technically it wasn't quite where it needed to be, but he liked it. Mary thought she had legs for days and told them it was a good job. Dan thought they did well, but they needed to work on their chemistry with each other. Dan had it going on tonight.

8. Katee Shean & Joshua Allen-Hip Hop

Tabitha and Napoleon choreographed a sensitive routine to "No Air" and the story was a soldier leaving his love for war. I instantly was thinking it would be way too hokey. From the second that Katee started dancing I was completely involved. For me this was the piece of the night and I probably watched it 3 times. Both Katee and Joshua were so connected emotionally to each other and were 110% committed to the choreography. I loved it!
Nigel said it was very, very good. Mary said it was tremendous. Dan said they killed it. Wow, what a great addition these two choreographers have already made to this show.

9. Jessica King & William Wingfield- Tango

Hunter Johnson put together a very complex Tango to (and it just my opinion) a really unsexy song called simply-Tango. They are a very likable couple, but Jessica was extremely shaky at unexpected times and although they acted the part very well, I wasn't sold on the dancing.
Nigel thought it was professional and that Will was majestic. Mary thought they were the couple to beat. (Are you kidding me?) Dan thought they each played their part, but it wasn't that great. I still want to see these two in a contemporary piece together, but this was not something I wanted to re watch.

10. Courtney Galiano & Gev Manoukian-Disco

Doriana Sanchez gave us Neil and Sara's fantastic "knock on wood last year" so I was hopeful because I really love both of these dancers. I thought they captured the energy and the vibe with this choreography to "Boogie Wonderland", but there was a little something missing in the number that I can't quite put my finger on. Nigel railed on it, saying it was not good. Mary really liked it and Dan enjoyed it as well. I don't think they have anything to worry about yet, but they are up against some fantastic dancers so they will have to kill it if they are in the bottom three.

Tune in tonight my dance loving friends. I can't wait to see the group piece and some fabulous solos. I think that Susie Garcia and Marquis Cunningham will go home. I can't tell you why, it is just a gut feeling. This is going to be a fantastic season!