KElsey McNeal/FOX So You Think You Can Dance is officially getting brutal. The newest couple, Kayla and Kupono, came on strong during the top 12 competition, making it even harder to decide among the remaining dancers, including the five couples that have been together since day one.
Want to know what happened on tonight's performance show, including what you couldn't see on TV? We've got your rundown right here...
What You Didn't See
Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice creator Shonda Rhimes was in the audience of the competition taping. (She raised her hand when the warm-up guy Corey asked the crowd who was visiting the show for the first time.)
Cat Deeley's outfit was by Christian Dior, and Nigel Lythgoe told her she looked like she should be in England, sipping a cup of tea and listening to Winston Churchill on the radio back in the '30s. The stage manager said Cat looked fit to star in a Clark Gable movie. Also, from the Division of Possibly TMI, we observed that the straw for Cat's Diet Coke has an adorable little umbrella attached to it. Could she be any cuter?
Anyway, on with the show! Tonight the dancers got an extra challenge: Each of the top six couples had to learn and perform two routines, not just one. The judges were Nigel, Mary Murphy and Tyce Diorio.
1. ADE & MELISSA
Ade and Melissa's first dance was a disco choreographed by Doriana Sanchez.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel told Melissa, "If you're going to fall on your ass, do it at the end of the routine and then carry it off." Tyce's Brooklyn-boy opinion was, "That was friggin' great."
What We Thought: As Tyce said, Melissa's body is brilliant. This was one of the most comprehensible and clean disco numbers in ages.
Ade and Melissa's second dance was a waltz choreographed by Ron Montez.
What the Judges Thought: Mary delivered two great SYTYCD critiques in succession, first saying that Ade did "not have enough power in [his] twinkles" (?!) and then telling Nigel: "Pipe down, English muffin!" Preach it, sister.
What We Thought: Pretty. Unmemorable, but pretty. Melissa is a dream, and Ade is a doll. We love watching them both, but this piece will not stand long in SYTYCD memory.
2. KUPONO & KAYLA
Kupono and Kayla's first dance was a contemporary piece choreographed by Mia Michaels.
What the Judges Thought: Mary's typically overscripted and cutesy critiques crossed a line when she blathered something about "good addictions" and being "addicted to that [dance]." Shameless. Tyce thoughtfully pointed out that Mia's pieces demand that dancers be actors as well. He told Kupono to be "stronger in your body" but commended his character work.
What We Thought: We cried. This piece was emo brilliance that showcased Kayla and Kupono as a strong new couple.
Kupono and Kayla's second dance was a Broadway piece choreographed by Joey Dowling.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel did not approve of Kayla and Kupono's emotionality during the dance, saying there wasn't enough tension to represent the threat of nuclear war during the West Side Story era. Whatevs.
What We Thought: Yawn.
3. JASON & CAITLIN
Jason and Caitlin's first dance was an American fox-trot choreographed by Tony Meredith.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel compared Caitlin to Grace Kelly, and Tyce thought they "looked like stars tonight."
What We Thought: Their feet looked pretty. Caitlin appeared to be the stronger half of the couple, to the point where we suspect she was leading.
Jason and Caitlin's second dance was a lyrical jazz by Mandy Moore.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel said, "I don't always see a chemistry between the pair of you, to be honest." (You can say that again, Nigel. This is a very awkward and discomfiting twosome.) Mary declared it "really good" but "not magic."
What We Thought: Mandy Moore's work regularly kicks ass, and this was no exception. We've got no beef with either the choreography or the dance work, but we would have rather seen this number performed by a happy couple.
4. PHILLIP & JEANINE
Phillip and Jeanine's first dance was a Russian folk dance choreographed by Youri Nelzine and Lilia Babenko.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel thought it was "too folky" and that an authentic Russian folk dance needed "an awful lot of vodka to go with it...and I don't have any." And then, in the biggest SYTYCD shock in ages, he pronounced, "I don't think we'll see any Russian folk dance again for a long time." That's out of character for Nigel, who usually sucks up to the choreographers like crazy, no matter what clumsy weirdness they produce on any given week. The break from this strict professional etiquette to throw Youri and Lilia to the wolves is a shocker. Did they do something to piss him off? And can someone explain how this style is different than that of the Joshua Allen and Stephen "Twitch" Boss' Russian trepak dance last year?
What We Thought: Phillip and Jeanine have a very sweet chemistry, but this was a disastrously weird and lame eighth-grade school performance of "Dances From Around the World."
Phillip and Jeanine's second dance was a jive choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin.
What the Judges Thought: Mary put Jeanine on the hot tamale train. Tyce said that what Phillip lacks in technique he makes up for in performance.
What We Thought: Hate hate hate to say it, but Phillip is fading fast. (Ditto Evan.) Jeanine was unidentifiable and indistinguishable at the start but has comported herself so well over the past weeks that we've become fans. (Although we could have sworn that Randi wore the exact same jive dress just a few weeks ago…)
5. EVAN & RANDI
Evan and Randi's first dance was a smooth hip-hop choreographed by Tabitha & Napoleon D'Umo.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel said it was great that the dance didn't expect Evan and Randi to be "urban." (LOL.) Mary thought the tricks were "labored."
What We Thought: (a) "Halo" is a hell of a song, (b) this was not the most slickly danced or well-synchronized number of the evening, but it was so sweet and heartfelt that we cried. (Yes, again.)
Randi and Evan's second dance was a samba choreographed by season-three competitors Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel said Evan was "not a hot samba guy," but Mary credited them for their "slow sizzle." Tyce thought Randi carried the routine. (BTW, if you're new to the show this season and haven't seen the famously hot season-three Danny Tidwell and Lacey Schwimmer samba that Nigel mentioned, it's great stuff and you can watch it online here.)
What We Thought: We thought Evan and Randi were very cute in their little jungle outfits. This dance was full of "wow, I can't believe they pulled that off" moments, but was our surprise at their success because the dance was so challenging or because we're starting to suspect that these two are running out of potential?
6. BRANDON & JANETTE
Brandon and Janette's first dance was an Argentine tango choreographed by Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel gave it a standing ovation, and Cat (not technically a judge, but still) said it was "insane."
What We Thought: Brandon and Janette won us over with this dance. We are officially Brandon and Janette fans now, together and separately. Janette's face was perfect (tango has a face to it), Brandon's kicks were the best tango work a male dancer has ever done on this show, and the tricks were insane. This is one to remember and rewatch on YouTube for many years to come.
Brandon and Janette's second dance was a jazz dance choreographed by Wade Robson.
What the Judges Thought: Nigel told Brandon that there was nothing that he didn't do brilliantly. Nigel also reminded us that even though Janette is primarily a salsa dancer, she has kept up with every style the show has yet thrown at her. Mary said they saved "the best for last" and that their thief dance "stole everybody's heart." She also complimented their synchronization and the "very clear pictures" they created. Tyce's very wise comment to the two was that they were never victims of the show's vagaries, but in control of their own fates. Cat (still not a judge, but still someone we trust) said they nailed it.
What We Thought: Brandon and Janette turned in an outstanding performance of the best choreography so far this season from the Wade Robson-Brian Friedman school of unique dance design.
So what did you think? Vote in our poll below, and then share your thoughts in the comments!