Cat Deeley wore a baked potato-worthy sheath of foil to see what the top 14 had to give. It was distracting only because it made me hungry for some starch. Previously the So You Think You Can Dance judges have been getting particular about performance and sharp routines. Sloppiness had cropped up a lot and they finally broke. They took no prisoners last week with their critiquing. It was a step in the right direction as season 6 really hasn't been that impressive since the elimination rounds began. The fear of being eliminated may hold some performers back, but that cannot continue if they hope to really shine and survive.

Ashleigh and Jakob: Hip-hop

The stories in Ashleigh and Jakob's routines are always good, but this time Ashleigh contributed equally. They noted that the "evolution" of their partnership has gone from seduction, through marriage and now into infidelity. It's interesting that their performances mature as their partnership goes on. They did a kickass hip-hop number that I would've loved to have learned…and been able to execute correctly. But I digress - they weren't together at all times but the camera angles could've been the culprit. I also am dying to really cheer for Ashleigh for some reason, but this time it's easy to find some strengths (special note, she performed much better). Jakob is just Jakob, always spot on and showing that spark you cannot teach. It didn't hurt that they tore it up to "Whatcha Say" by Jason Derulo (sampled from "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap - yeah the song from "The OC" episode where Marissa shot Trey). She actually was the one that maintained my attention for once - it had to be the fact that she's not an "ugly cryer" and her entire routine focused on her strong emotions of anger and being scorned. Score one for Ashleigh.


Karen and Kevin: Broadway

Kevin was lacking the perky spark needed to make a Broadway performance sparkle. He seemed to focus a lot on Karen to take cues from her. The choreography wasn't done that badly but he wasn't able to commit as much as she did. It doesn't matter that I hate Broadway - it looked as though he did too. The lifts near the end lost some speed and a few technical items were weak (grand jeté much, Kevin?). It fell flat. I wouldn't be surprised to see both of them go as Karen didn't save the piece at all. Mary had a fabulous moment of lucidity by calling the dance "awkward."

Noelle and Russell: Fox Trot

Take two for Russell, take one for Noelle. The dance seemed slow from the get-go. A few more committed moves that pull the extension slowly out from within would have been nice. But you'd never ever know Russell was krumper to start with. The boy is improving each week. But it was at a pedestrian pace. They may not have the ability to earn a 10 on this performance - their scale is only going up to 7. I was bored, the judges were happy; they'll be around next week.

Channing and Victor: Jazz

They're blackbirds. Ok. They have a giant bird cage prop to use onstage. I'm still with you. They're dancing to a song by Bobby McFerrin ("Don't Worry, Be Happy"). Ok. By the time you realize all of these points and are struggling to make sense of it, a rhythm picks up in the song and the routine isn't as disjointed. The moves are executed well but it falls more on the side of creepy and weird than entertaining. I'm worried they won't get any votes but they gave everything to the performance. I didn't even notice how much I normally don't like Channing. Don't fret if you're a fan - that's a good thing. Adam did cite the number losing the audience a bit due to the music. Score one for me being close-minded about different music?

Katharine and Legacy: Passé Double

Visions of Brandi and Kupono falling far short of a decent passé double are still burned in my mind from last season. Legacy has his shirt off, so I'm burning a new vision. The speed and commitment to the movement is better than other attempts at this style. Unfortunately Legacy doesn't do much more than look menacing with his arms arched behind his back. I wanted him to concentrate less and command more. Katharine was stunning and brave in her attempts to salvage some moves. What the hell happened at the end though? It seemed behind the beat and sloppy. Did the judges not see it? Legacy's my favorite for purely carnal reasons, so whatever keeps him on the show is fine by me.

Ellenore and Ryan: Contemporary

They won't go home for this. Ellenore did wonderfully and the near-end synchronized across the floor motion was the highlight of the entire routine. It took too long to warm up and wasn't the best Travis routine we've seen, but it didn't destroy their chances of survival. Ellenore and Ryan were true to the choreography but the music and movement didn't speak to me that much. The judges showered them with praise so hopefully next week we'll see an impeccable performance that combines her performance ability and technique with Ryan's control and strength.


Mollee and Nathan: Pop Jazz

I want to champion these two great young technicians. But their performance is not there. Ever. It's always immature. The quality of their moves is perfection, but the emotion is lost. There's no Legacy intensity, no Ashleigh sorrow, and definitely no Ellenore awareness. This washed the taste of the subpar salsa out of my throat. They're the young, pretty dancers that command lots of tween voters which will keep them in the competition. The passion is waning at best which won't keep the judges interested. Amber Jackson syndrome has hit two new victims. Nigel notes just Nathan's lack of growth, Mary spouts positive crap, and Adam begs them in a veiled way to pursue their chemistry - the last place from where they can draw inspiration to create that missing spark.

This week was strong for some, consistent for others, and completely unfortunate for Karen and Kevin. The judges and I agree that they had the weakest performance of the entire night, although Mollee and Nathan need a slap to their faces stat to get them back in the game and deserving of their place in the top 12. To join Kevin and Karen in the bottom I can only pick Noelle and Russell because the fox trot was just so slow. It depends, as always, on what moved the viewers that actually vote. Tomorrow we'll find out who cries for joy and who goes home and eats their weight in ice cream.

Grade: B+

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Story by Kate Kostal

Starpulse contributing writer