There were so many things that made me scream (in the bad way) at "So You Think You Can Dance" on Thursday, so let's get to it. Sometimes the judges play favorites, and so does the audience. There's no doubt about that. The judges love to coddle their favorites and then get startled when the audience puts them in the bottom three. This is about America's favorite dancer, judges, not Nigel-Mary's favorite dancer. Grrr.

The opening dance is a Tyce Broadway routine to a song from The Wiz. This is perhaps in honor of Michael Jackson, although there were better choices if that was the case. The dancers are all part of an art gallery and then come out to dance. It's very active and eye-catching but a little chaotic too. It's good and none of the dancers really stand out as better or worse than anyone else.

So we start really quick, and that's always a relief. The two couples on the stage are Karla and Vitolio and Randi and Evan. Here's an example of an audience favorite, because Randi and Evan get through with flying colors even though the judges weren't fond of their dance. Karla and Vitolio did admirably on the quick step but they're in the bottom. I can't say much because I'm fond of Randi and Evan - we short people have to stick together. But this is a case that it's a tiny bit unfair.

Three couples come on stage: Janette and Brandon are first and they kicked butt at the Cha-Cha, so you know they're just fine. Which is completely deserving, they really are the best couple. Next is Kayla and Kupono and Melissa and Ade. I feared both these couples would be in the bottom three, so only one of them actually is. It turns out people really do love ballet because Melissa and Ade are safe. Kupono and Kayla deserve it; despite dancing okay, neither of them are nearly as interesting as the judges would like to pretend they are. I get a bad taste in my mouth here since we know Kayla is never going anywhere as long as the judges can keep her, and Kupono somehow keeps slipping by.

The final two couples are up there, Caitlin and Jason and Phillip and Jeanine. Poor Caitlin and Jason, surely this is another week but ... WHAT? Phillip and Jeanine get good reports and they're in the bottom three? What about those weeks they did okay but the fans saved them? YOU FANS ARE LETTING THEM DOWN! Okay I'm playing favorites again. In any case the weird Caitlin alien saved them, and it's nice because that poor couple keeps getting in the bottom. And surely Phillip's personal skill will save him. Surely!

Image © Fox Broadcasting

- Click here for more So You Think You Can Dance pictures! -

The dance specialists this week are Patricia Hachey and Desmond Richardson, people from the Complexions Contemporary Ballet. It's rather beautiful to watch. Brandon seemed built until you see Desmond and he's like a gorgeous statue of muscle and poise. It's a bit of a shame they keep doing this; in comparison, most of the dancers on the show aren't nearly as talented as these people. Then again this is the beginning of their career-ish, so this is their future. If so I can completely see Brandon up there someday. Or Melissa in a real ballet company.

Karla dances and it's okay and all, but she seems doomed at this point since Kayla and Jeanine are both favored by the judges. Vitolio's routine is nice but kind of lessened since the contemporary dancers before outclassed him. Still he really is beautiful to watch. Kayla does an awful routine but it doesn't matter because the judges love her for some unknown reason. I can't see it and the audience obviously can't either since they keep putting her in the bottom three. Ugh. Kupono is okay, but not spectacular. Jeanine looks fantastic in her routine, lots of great movement to the music, almost popping. Then it's Phillip and this is the best part of the show. Cat even points out she's glad he had to do a solo because he's really just fascinating to watch. His arms look broken or made out of water. I declare I'll never watch this show again if he's kicked off, dramatically.

Kelly Clarkson is the musical guest and for once it's a really fun performance worth watching. Before this the musical guests really just seemed tacked in and unimpressive, but she's got an actual talent.

Time for the decision! Girls first. Jeanine is immediately shooed off the stage since she proved why she's on the competition, and that Phillip doesn't overshadow her. They say Kayla's solo was static and heartless, but we all know where this is going and so does sad little Karla. Bye Karla. Now it's the boys. Phillip is the first to be sent to safety, and all the fans breath a sigh of relief. He's unique and different and deserves to be there, but he has to learn other styles. This is probably his only warning on the matter. They say Vitolio presents himself well, but he doesn't really go higher than that. Kupono's solo was weak but ... he's coming back? Why? How does that compute? He was clearly the weakest of the three, the least capable, and does not have enough voters to keep going. Why why why ... sigh. Why ask why? At least Phillip is okay.

"So You Think You Can Dance" is on Wednesday nights at 8 PM EST, and Thursday nights at 9 PM EST on FOX.


Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle

Starpulse contributing writer



- Click here for tons of great So You Think You Can Dance pictures! -



Click here to follow @Starpulse on Twitter!