- Today we show the Top 20 Performance.
- It's the Top 20 on "So You Think You Can Dance?" and we're finally in the studio to watch the 10 couples go at it on the dance floor.
They came out for their first formal, first-name-only introductions (per "SYTYCD?" rules, they're no longer allowed to have last names): Ashley, Ade, Asuka, Brandon, Caitlin, Evan, Janette, Jason, Jeanine, Jonathan, Karla, Kupono, Kayla, Max, Melissa, Phillip, Paris, Tony, Randi, and Vitolio.
And we're off, as the final stretch of the competition for $250,000 and "the title of 'America's Favorite Dancer,'" host Cat Deeley. Choreographer Adam Shankman joined regular judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe. Quick plug for Adam's movie, "Step Up 3-D," which includes Katee, Joshua, Ivan and Twitch from previous "SYTYCD?" seasons.
A reminder on the process: The couples picked their dances out of a hat and were given choreography by the show's roster of choreographers and on Thursday night, the three couples with the lowest votes will be announced and each of those dancers will perform a solo before the judges decide which guy and which girl go home.
Jeanine & Phillip: Jeanine and Phillip got hip hop choreography from Tabitha and Napoleon and offered a routine about a couple that couldn't go to sleep without resolving some issues. Adam called it "un-freakin'-real." He acknowledged Jeanine's lack of hip-hop experience and said she held her own with Phillip, a popper. He said "no one will dance like" Phillip. Mary said she hates to disagree with Adam, then squealed, "But I'm not going to!" She said she was worried about the chemistry, but they taught everyone a chemistry lesson. Nigel said Phillip already had a following, but Jeanine had slipped under the radar. "I think, Jeanine, you have made a real mark."
Asuka & Vitolio: Tyce DiOrio choreographed a Broadway routine for Asuka & Vitolio. Vitolio struggled a bit in rehearsals, but hoped to pull it together for the show. Adam said they had a tough draw, following an emotional dance, but said they danced well and they were two very good dancers. Mary said she was a little disappointed because they both played it a bit too safe. Nigel said the comments weren't about the dancers, because they hit their steps, but the choreography relied on them including their personalities, which didn't come across.
Karla & Jonathan: Broadway and "Wicked" touring dancer Karla was paired with salsa dancer Jonathan. Choreographer Tony Meredith put their cha cha routine together. Tony wanted to get Mary to scream for him. Adam said it was "really good." Adam told Jonathan he could use a little more flexibility in his movements. Mary screamed. She said, "I love my cha cha rough, and like Lady GaGa says, 'If it's not rough, it's not fun.'" Nigel said they were another couple that slipped under the radar and said they "just exploded on that stage." He noted one move where Jonathan did the splits through Karla's legs, which made the crowd jump.
Randi & Evan: The third time was a charm for Randi, who'd auditioned for the show twice before. Evan was still a bit sad about leaving his brother behind to get into the finals. Tyce DiOrio choreographed a jazz piece for them. It contained some steamy, sexy parts, which made the couple a little uncomfortable because Randi is married. Evan said he didn't know how big her husband was, but apologized to him in advance. Adam acknowledged how short Evan and Randi were, but said they both danced like they were "8 feet tall." He called Evan "a beautiful dancer" and said there was no style he can't do. Mary said they were at the end of the pack for her when they left Las Vegas, but the stars were coming out Wednesday night. Nigel said they were "absolutely fantastic" and said they'd "just become the couple that people will recognize and talk about."
Paris & Tony: Paris talked about how amazing it was that she was able to dance despite a brutal-looking car crash that left her with a numb left leg. Hip-hopper Tony said he had to choose between lacrosse and dancing at some point, and he chose dancing. Tabitha & Napoleon choreographed a hip-hop routine for them. Adam said it was pretty good, but the costumes were a little distracting. Mary said she didn't it would be memorable. She said she expected Tony to "just be in it all the time" because it was his field. She said "it was just good -- we're going to experience a lot of 'great' and 'extraordinary' on this show." Nigel agreed. He told Tony there was room to growth and he needs a lot of growth. "You haven't got it. It's not real. And when it's not real, no one believes it."
Caitlin & Jason: Caitlin and Jason had a Bollywood number choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan, to the Oscar-winning song "Jai Ho" from the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire." Adam shouted, "You guys rocked!" He said Jason's hand work was superb and he made it look like it was nothing. He said he was worried about Caitlin, but she did a great job. Mary noted Caitlin's strength keeping her opening handstand still, and said Jason has charisma that screams out. Then she screamed. Nigel said they brought it and were fantastic. He said it was beautiful to see.
Janette & Brandon: Salsa dancer Janette was partnered with Brandon, who got Mary and Nigel on his side early, but failed to resonate with Mia Michaels and Lil C. "Dancing with the Stars" pro Louis Van Amstel choreographed a foxtrot for the couple. Brandon thought it was easy at the start, but things fell apart as rehearsals went on. Adam said America was probably sad to see Brandon in clothes, but "it works." He said it was "lovely" and the couple worked well together. Cat asked Mary to give them "an eyebrow," and Mary said, "I can't anymore because of Botox," then she squealed because she couldn't believe she said it. She loved the dance and said Janette was "Miami Spice." The she took a little swing at Mia and Lil C, saying, "If nobody sees the talent that you are, they're just crazy!" Nigel congratulated Janette on finding her character, because it was something she hadn't done in salsa dancing.
Ashley & Kupono: Ashley said she learned not to give up in the process of audition for the show four times in seasons. Contemporary dancer Kupono said he's done all kinds of odd jobs in addition to teaching dance. Wade Robson choreographed a jazz routine about two crash-test dummies. Adam said, "Love it or hate it, there is no other show on the air that is going to expose this kind of culture and diversity to American homes." Mary said sometimes she goes on the trip with Wade's choreography and sometimes she doesn't, but this time she "bought it 100 percent." Nigel called Wade a genius and said it was important that Wade created dances that would make people talk. "I was in a completely different world, and I loved being taken there," Nigel said.
Melissa & Ade: Melissa, the Naughty Ballerina, talked about being the "most seasoned" dancer as she sought to hang with the rest of the group, which was all younger. She and Ade did a Mandy Moore routine "about that moment when you first fall in love." Adam was nearly moved to tears, saying, "That was so special." He said Melissa was "living proof that it gets better with age." He also praised Ade's power. Mary screamed. She said "everything was just flowing amazingly." She said Melissa was amazing and called Ade "a gentle giant." Nigel said everyone is proving "what a fantastic Top 20 we have" this season. He said Ade hadn't yet been shown off for the fantastic dancer he is, but that this performance showed his strength.
Kayla & Max: Kayla reminded us about how she grew up with her grandparents so her single mom could afford to send her to dance classes. Ballroom dancer Max explained that he came to the United States from Russia when he was 13. Choreographer Louis Van Amstel did their samba, and said he'd known Max since Max was 14. Max said Louis "was the man who made it happen for anybody who lived in New York." Kayla was feeling confident as they rehearsed. Adam screamed, "That was so good!" Adam said "only God could've created this girl in front of me." He said it was like Kayla was born in a ballroom, even though she'd never done ballroom before. Mary said, "I can hear it. I hear a train." Yes, she placed Kayla and Max on the "Hot Tamale Train." Nigel said it "had everything we could ever wish for."
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