The Top 8

Today I write from Mason, Ohio where I am getting my fill of dancing while I hang with my daughter on her job. We did have the opportunity to enjoy the top 8 last night, and as I write I can't believe we are two weeks from a finale. Last week we had the shock of Kherington's early departure, who knows what will happen tonight? I have a pretty good suspicion that Comfort's nine lives on this show are almost over. Before tonight's performances, I was sure that for the girls it would be Katee and Chelsie in the finale. The boys are a little harder to predict. However, after watching Courtney pull out all the stops tonight, I wouldn't mind an upset that found her in the final four. I don't believe that I could call a winner at this point, the dancer's are all so entertaining and talented. As the show started, Cat, looking very lean in her skin tight black dress, introduces us to the guest judge Toni Basil. Of "Hey Mickey". Let's break down the dancing from the start.

THE PERFORMANCES

Will and Courtney
Samba by Jean-Marc Genereux
I Fell in Love with a DJ by Che'Nelle
Courtney came out smoking hot on this very sexy number, and she looked gorgeous in yellow. She and Will had good connections and great chemistry, but I found my eyes drawn to Courtney at all times. Her energy was infectious and she made the dance as great as it was. Nigel predicted that it would be a great night. Mary was looking for Ashton to see if she had been punked. Let me tell you, this was not the last dumb thing she said this evening. Toni enjoyed it so much she forgot she was judging. Aside from looking chiseled in his mesh top, Will kind of faded behind Courtney this time around for me.

Lyrical Hip-Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon
Like You'll Never See Me Again by Alicia Keyes
After the build up, I was expecting another "Bleeding Love" or "No Air" to begin. It was a well put together number, and I thought they danced it well, but it wasn't in the same league. I kept thinking I should be feeling a whole lot more from this, and I just didn't. Nigel thought it was incredible stuff. Mary thought they blew her expectations out of the water. Toni said that all dance is art, and art should make you feel something.

Will's solo was to "Get Up Offa That Thing" by James Brown, and he came out in character and took a risk by trying to show a fun-loving side. It was a smart and daring move on his part, but at this stage of the competition, I am not sure if it was enough to steal any Josh or Twitch fans.

Courtney's solo was a contemporary piece to "Where I Stand" by Missy Higgins. It took my breath away. It was for me, by far, the most amazing solo of the evening. It was technically difficult, but it was the emotional execution that did it for me. I felt like she put every thing she had on that stage and I was moved. Maybe it was her back story, that was so similar to my Teeny's, but after watching it, I would be just as happy to see her in the finale as Chelsie Hightower.

Twitch and Katee
Contemporary with Mia Michaels
Mercy by Duff
The concept of this dance was a woman crazy in love with someone who was completely cool and unaffected by the relationship. With each moment that Twitch was to act disinterested, Katee's craziness would be amped up a level. There was a door in the center of the stage that was utilized by Katee as she tried to break it down, and by Twitch as he tried to push her out. I was completely believing their story from that first passionate kiss to the very last second. This number showcased both of their strengths, but it also was so unexpected from Mia. It will be the first thing I re-watch when I get home this weekend! Nigel thought it was fantastic. Mary did a really bad knock knock joke. Suffice it to say that she liked it. Toni said "aren't you both lucky?" to get a Mia Michael's masterpiece that is.

Broadway by Tyce DiOrio
Sweet Georgia Brown by Bubblin Brown Sugar
This was great fun, and got the crowd going. Katee has had a Broadway piece with Tyce like three or four times now, so she has his style down. Nigel loved that this piece was relevant to Broadway. Mary thought it was terrific. Toni would have liked to see a little bit rougher character played by Katee to match the character of the vocal, but still loved it.

Twitch's solo was to "Go To Work" by Kay L and was of the same caliber of his other solos. His personality fills the stage and he is a great performer, but I am not sure that this particular solo stuck out in some way from his others.

Katee's solo was to "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion and was also technically perfect and beautiful to watch. It wasn't as raw as Courntey's performance, but I love this dancer and have seen her flawlessly execute so many different styles of dance that I can't imagine that she hasn't earned herself a spot in the finale.

Mark and Comfort
Hip Hop by Tabitha and Napoleon
Party People by Fergie featuring Nelly
I find it interesting how Comfort has drawn the hip-hop once again, and just when I think I have seen all she has to offer, she surprises me. This number was energetic and story based. They had the perfect energy, they complimented each other and they were completely together. I loved Mark in this dance, and I was so glad to see that he wasn't going home without a fight. Nigel said it was incredible. Mary said it was a great job. Toni said it was rooted in the beat. Oh, and she also said a lot about organic movement. I don't know what she is talking about, but it sounded good.

Foxtrot by Jean-Marc Genereux
Lady Luck by Brian Setzer Orchestra
This for me was a respectable showing by Mark, but I thought that Comfort was battling through it. The styling was really jazz based, and for me it was pretty forgettable. Nigel said Lady Luck just walked right out of the room. Mary said it was tough to watch. Toni said that it was good in the jazz parts, but had a dance recital feel to it.

Mark's solo was to "Creator" by Santogold featuring Switch & Freq Nasty (what is up with these names?) It was the typical craziness that we have come to enjoy from Mark, but I am not sure that he went as far as he needed to, to unseat the other favorites.

Comfort's solo was to I Got this Down, and it while it had a couple of interesting moments, I didn't see any real surprises in this solo. She certainly didn't do enough to make it past the other three.

Joshua and Chelsie
Argentine Tango with Dmitry Chaplin
A Los Amigos from Forever Tango (Original Cast)
From the first moments in rehearsal with these two, you are already pulling for them. They are funny, hard working, and establish chemistry before they ever step foot onstage. This was probably one of the few Tango's that I have enjoyed this much. The chemistry made the complicated leg movements seem secondary, although from every thing I could see they both nailed it. It was sexy and controlled and complicated movements made easy. Nigel thought it was technically the most difficult thing we had seen all evening. Mary said it all translated perfectly and they were on the train. Toni said it was organically perfect and spontaneously torrid. This girl is good.

Disco with Dorianna Sanchez
Everlasting Love by Gloria Estefen
This number had some of the most challenging lifts of the evening, as they kept reminding us that some were being used on SYTYCD for the first time. Joshua's strength was tested, and for the most part he seemed to stay in character throughout, but I thought he looked tired toward the end. They both are great performers, so the performance outweighed the couple of awkward moments. Nigel thought they carried it off well. Mary said they were dancing their bodies full tilt (?). Toni thought they captured the spirit of disco, if not always the technique.

Joshua's solo was to "Shawty Get Loose" by Lil Mama featuring T-Pain and Chris Brown. Joshua's solo was the best of the boys, and I felt that he tried to put even more heart and soul onstage to fight for a spot next week. I can't imagine he won't get it.

Chelsie's solo was to "Damage" by Danity Kane and was a typical ballroom solo, but not by a typical ballroom dancer. I love this girl, and I think she was done fantastic on this show in each and every partner dance she has been in.

BEST OF THE NIGHT
Katee and Twitch's Contemporary and Joshua and Chelsie's Tango.

WORST OF THE NIGHT
Mark and Comfort's Foxtrot

Going home-Mark and Comfort

Tune in tonight......