Top 16

Tonight we have 8 performances and two hours. Get ready for filler. Cat is sporting a hairdo that is not flattering, but her shoes are fabulous. In the interview portion of the show, the dancers are asked to let America know one thing about them that they wouldn't know. Let's get this party started.

Karen & Kevin - Hustle (Maria Torres) - "Come to me" France Joli
Karen tells us that she and her husband filed for divorce (I am not sure why this is what she chose to share, but she did), and Kevin has traveled all over the world which has influenced his dance. I am surprised with Kevin in this number, I guess because I actually watched him for a change and he was good. Unfortunately they tried to get fancy after the music stopped and he almost dropped her on her fanny. Tragically, that is really the only thing that stuck with me. All three judges loved it.

Ashleigh & Jakob - Jazz (Mandy Moore) - "Relax" Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Ashleigh is a book nerd and Jakob is best bud's with season 5 champ Jeanine.
This was great Mandy Moore choreography, and I am impressed by how much better Ashleigh is dancing. Jakob should be on Broadway already, and I am not sure what in the world he is doing on this show, but as always he is unbelievably good. They have pretty great chemistry and this is one of those numbers that I would rewind and watch again. The judges were quick to praise Ashleigh on how much she has grown.

Pauline & Peter - Quickstep - (JT & Tomas) - "Hey Baby! (Shake Those Hula Hips)" Big Kahuna & The Copa Cat Pack
Peter works with special needs adults and Pauline eats all day long. I am not sure that bit helped her with the viewing audience, but seeing Peter teaching all those special people to dance did much to smooth out what I perceived as arrogance in his personality. This dance usually results in a kick-off. I am pretty sure it still will. The actual quick-step part looked ridiculous, but they really sold the story of an army guy fascinated with a Polynesian woman. It was really nice choreography, and I was entertained. I just don't think anybody cares enough about quickstep to let it sell them on a new couple.

Kathryn & Legacy- Broadway (Andy Blankenbuehler) - "I Wanna Be Like You" Swingin' Fireballs
Kathryn loves to do mission work, and Legacy was almost a soccer star. This story line about who was going to get control of the remote for the TV had alot of potential, but it didn't quite get there for me. The judges seemed to lay the blame at Kathryn's feet, that she was too juvenile for the story. (Hello, it is Jungle Book. They had nothing but praise for Legacy. I didn't think they danced poorly, it just wasn't to the standard that we are used to on this show. In other words, I have already forgotten about it.

Channing & Victor - Contemporary (Stacy Tookey) - "Be Be Your Love" KCRW version - Rachael Yamagata
How sad is this, even in their opening sequence I can't remember what these two wanted us to know about them. Maybe that was the start of the problem. This dance had so much beautiful choreography packed into it, and it was technically perfect. Unfortunately, these two have NO chemistry. I have to say, that although she danced gorgeously, it was Channing that fell short, because I had already witnessed great chemistry with Victor and Bianca in their contemporary piece. Channing is a mystery, because she has gorgeous lines and great quality of movement. I just don't feel her spirit when she is dancing. I was a little disappointed, because this could have been one of those pieces that moved me with different dancers. The judges loved it, but Nigel was a little let down too.

Ellenore & Ryan - Hip-Hop (Lil' C) - "Lost BoiZ Anthem" Tha J-Squad
Ryan is an extreme sports addict and Ellenore has 6 or 8 different ethnicity's. Lil'C did what he could with these two, but they could not figure out the style, and thus couldn't sell it. They will be in the bottom 3 couples for sure. I have loved these two, but after all of the hype about this being the best of the best dancers ever seen on the show, this danced proved that this might not be accurate. Pasha and Lauren sold a Shane Sparks piece that I still remember. I can't wait to forget this number.

Mollee & Nathan - Salsa (Gustavo Vargas) - "Quimbara" Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco
Mollee is deaf in one ear and Nathan loves to jet ski. These two are so young and childlike that there is not a hope of a prayer that they are going to pull off the sexiness of a salsa. Guess what, it was way worse than I even imagined. Mollee couldn't shimmy, wiggle or dance in heels. It was actually at times too embarrassing to watch. Judges thought it was their worst ever, and if I hadn't known how talented they were, I would think they were beginner dancers at a dance competition. This could land them in the bottom 3 if they didn't have such an established fan base already. The judges all agreed with me.

Noelle & Russell - Afro Jazz (Sean Cheesman) - "Frog Dance" Mickey Hart and Planet Drum
This was a great number and after the night I have had, it restored my faith in the show. It was fresh, and they completely pulled me into their story. I am so glad that Noelle had such a strong performance, because I really wasn't too sure about her. Russell was a natural with this movement, and they had great chemistry together. The judges loved it as well as the audience.

Bottom 3 couples?
Ellenore & Ryan
Pauline & Peter
Karen & Kevin
I am wildly guessing on the last couple, but I think as horrendous as Mollee and Nathan were, they will squeak through. I pick Peter and and Pauline to go.
Tune in tonight!