Yay, it's Vegas time on "So You Think You Can Dance." This means that the truly bad dancing is over, but it also means the judges become incredibly harsh since they have to cut 152 dancers in just a few days. If they seem snappish and mean at times, you have to remember how much pressure that number is. Only twenty move on, 10 girls and 10 boys. It would make more sense that all the top dancers are the ones they focused on during the auditions, but then that would be giving it away.

The judges include Mia, Lil C, Adam Shankman, and Debbie Allen along with Nigel and Mary. Mia is probably the harshest person up there, but by now she has a right to be. Very quickly forty some dancers are cut after they perform their solos, and then they move into the choreography. The first night is hip-hop with Tabitha and Napoleon. Favorites at this point would be Gabi, a 'unique' dancer that struggles with other types, Phillip the popper, and a tony hip-hopper named Tony. Then there is a personal favorite duo, Natalie and Brandon, the dancers who almost made it last year but didn't quite.

Choreographers Tabitha Dumo (L) and Napoleon Dumo (R) teach dancers Hip Hop
at the Las Vegas Callbacks for SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co.

At the end of day one it's down to 96 dancers. Wow. Later on I started ranting about how disappointed I was with the judges, because they ended up cutting my darling Natalie this year. She was even used by Sonya as a representative of how to do the dance, and then the judges just went 'shoo shoo' to her. Totally ridiculous. But when you think about the volume of talented people plus the limited time ... it's a wonder the judges don't go insane. The second round of choreography is ballroom dancing, and Phillip manages to push through even though he wasn't great at it. Okay, here's where I disagree with myself. See, Natalie might not have been the absolute best, but she was still multi-talented and proven in several different areas. They allow people like Phillip and Gabi to go on and on despite the fact they clearly are not capable of the dance steps. Yes, they are fantastic in their section, but this just brings to mind Cedric from a few years back. Again and again they kept letting him pass through the top 20 even though he sucked the worst, because his solos were great. Sorry, but we all voted him in the bottom for a reason. It's infuriating when the judges let some people pass and then others go for completely contrary reasons. Lame!

That rant aside. Vegas continues with a Jazz routine with Sonya, in which Natalie is sent home and Brandon breaks down in tears. They let Gabi go through on the strength of her solo despite the fact she sucks at everything. My sister is watching with me and she officially quits the show out of anger for this injustice. She'll be back next week, who're we kidding? Day 3 starts and everyone is given the chance to make their own choreography. Most of the groups are absolutely terrible, which makes it easier for the judges to kick them, and then some are absolutely wonderful. Next up is Mia's choreography, and this is without a doubt the hardest. Say what you want about Mia, but she's a pretty insane and serious choreography. She does seem to change the dancers every time.

Evan and Ryan, the Kasprzak tap dancing brothers, are doing excellent and then they get a Broadway routine which is just up their alley. Tyce might be a jerk sometimes, but his dancing is so much fun to watch. It's time for the end now, and there are only 16 males and 16 females left. They have one more chance at solo's and then the decisions will be made.

Tonight at 9 PM EST on FOX you can see the Top 20 be chosen and get ready for the real competition to start. And I have to find a way to forgive the judges for Natalie. Sniff.

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle

Starpulse contributing writer