Mathieu Young/FOXAll aboard! Season five of So You Think You Dance rolls out its top 20 finalists tonight, and you do not want to miss this hot tamale train!
Since judge Adam Shankman invented a new dance based on the latest in social networking?twitterbugging?his tweet should be the best source to describe tonight's first performance show: "No joke: tonight is one of the best sytycd dance eps ever. The 20 brought it! Amazing." His twitterival, Nigel Lythgoe, agrees: "I honestly thought that was possibly the best first studio show we have ever done? Well done all."
We hit last night's competition-show taping, and we're still dizzy from the excitement, but for you we pulled ourselves together enough to run down the 10 new pairings, their dances and choreographers, and the judges' critiques of their performances...
Jeanine & Phillip: Hip-Hop
Choreographers: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo
What the Judges Thought: Adam raved that Jeanine held her own, Mary told the hot couple, "You taught us a chemistry lesson." Nigel reminded the overly dedicated married choreographers, "There are other things to do in bed [besides choreograph]?that's probably why you don't have children!"
What We Thought: This perfect pairing made hip-hop downright romantic. Phillip had a reason to do his happy dance.
Asuka & Vitolio: Broadway
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
What the Judges Thought: After Jeanine & Philip's lusty showing, the trio all found this pairing's performance "artificial." Mary said she was disappointed, that despite Tyce's precise staccato routine, the two "needed to bring it to life, but both played it safe." Nigel agreed, reminding the dancers they have to bring "personality" to the dance and "can't hold back."
What We Thought: Asuka and Vitolio's Broadway routine was an unfortunate combination of retro routine, silly song and sillier costumes. Our guess? This Asian Latin ballroom dancer and her orphan partner are probably going home this week...
Jonathan & Karla: Cha-cha
Choreographer: Tony Meredith
What the Judges Thought: Even though Jonathan is the salsa specialist, Adam thought Karla scorched the stage, exclaiming, "You are hot!" to the Broadway babe. Mary (surprise) screamed, adding that the dancers satisfied her Latin lust for a "whole lotta rough and a whole lotta fun!"
What We Thought: We felt the warmth from this pretty pairing, especially that move. You know what we're talking about.
Randi & Evan: Jazz
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
What the Judges Thought: Adam told the petite pair, "You're vertically challenged as a couple, but you both danced like you were 8 feet tall." A contrite Mary said, "I feel bad saying I didn't think you were capable" and called their performance "smoldering." (Someone give those judges a fan!) Nigel nearly made us cry when he revealed that during the auditions they often referred to the talented Randi as a cheerleader. "Randi," he declared, "you are not a cheerleader."
What We Thought: It's interesting to see Evan cut the bro cord and embrace another partner.
What You Didn't See: From our catbird seat in the audience at Tuesday night's taping, we spotted Evan's brother Ryan making plans (via hand signals) to meet up with Cat Deeley after the show.
Caitlin & Jason: Bollywood
Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan
What the Judges Thought: They were blown away. Nigel was especially pleased that the pair "brought yourselves [their personalities] on top of the choreography."
What We Thought: Jai ho! The gymnast and the athlete made a technically difficult dance look effortless and fun (hand cramps and all), and the Oscar-winning song and Nakul's choreography deserved those beautiful costumes.
Paris & Tony: Hip-Hop
Choreographers: Tabitha & Napoleon D'umo
What the Judges Thought: Overall, they seemed pleased with the performance, especially Tony's ability to dance away from all the popping and locking. Adam offered some critique after saying, "Here's my but," but we were too busy LOL about him once again submitting his (fine) behind for consideration. Aside from Nigel reminding Tony, "You can't get by just being the cute kid," the critiques disintegrated into a judges' jokefest, mostly at Nigel's expense. Poor Nigel.
What We Thought: Tony sure is cute, but this pair deserves a place on the bottom three. Then again, who uses the phone more than teenage girls?
Janette & Brandon: Fox-trot
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel
What the Judges Thought: Adam noted, "As sad as America is to see Brandon dancing in clothes, it worked. Brandon, you have so much character." Nigel complimented Janette's carriage and grace and told Brandon he resembles a "small James Bond." The best quote from the judges table really had nothing to do with dancing, however, as they tried to get Mary to mimic Brandon's sly eyebrow raise: "I can't anymore because of Botox!" she admitted.
What We Thought: Mia can just step off, because Brandon impresses us.
Ashley & Kupuno: Jazz
Choreographer: Wade Robson
What the Judges Thought: Clearly astounded by the bizarre crash-test dummy scenario, Adam called out the choreographer: "Wade, you are one sick puppy!" The judges were electrified by both dancers' performances and ability to inhabit their (creepy) characters.
What We Thought: We'll always choose pretty dresses and glamorous makeup over whitefaced robots.
Melissa & Ade: Contemporary
Choreographer: Mandy Moore
What the Judges Thought: Moved to tears, Adam said, "That wigs me out...Melissa, you just get better with age. [At 29, she's the oldest of the bunch.] You guys are the perfect storm. You really moved me." Mary called Ade a "gentle giant," while Nigel promised that "America has got so much more to look forward to" with this powerful pair.
What We Thought: This was the only time we noticed the cameras actually film on the dance floor, so we knew it was going to be something special. And it was.
Kayla & Max: Samba
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel
What the Judges Thought: They sucked. Kidding! Even though Max is the experienced ballroom dancer, the judges reserved their raves for Kayla. Adam found proof of a higher power, because "only god could have created this girl" and praised her fabulous fringed "look-at-me pink" fuchsia frock. He concluded, "We started the show on a high and ended higher." Nigel added, "Kayla, you are one of those dancers capable of doing anything." Mary praised both: "Luck met ability and talent...You owned everything." And the fait accompli: "You are on the hot tamale train!"
What We Thought: Who are we to argue with tamale trains conducted by God?
What did you think of tonight's So You Think You Can Dance? Vote in our Top 20 pairs poll right here, and then share your critique of tonight's dances in the comments!
Plus, click on one of the thumbails below to scroll through our SYTCYD Top 20 gallery to get to know the dancers better. Better click quick, because two of them will be gone by tomorrow night!