So You Think You Can Dance 8 – The Top 20 – Videos & Recap

Live blogging the So You Think You Can Dance Top 20 performance show!

WOW Nigel. I don’t think you told us enough tonight how awesome you think the girls are! Wait…the girls are beasts? You should tell us that! END OF SARCASM.

So…what’s his deal? does he want a girl to win, or is it some sort of reverse psychology? How interesting that Iveta and Jess got routines in their own styles? Hm. The judges seem to love Iveta, Jess, Nick, Ryan, Melanie and Marko. My poor homegurl, Miranda and her slightly annoying partner Robert seem to be cannon fodder. Aw. When I interview her on Friday, maybe we can trade stories about the old homestead! (We’re both from the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh).

My favorite routines were: Jordan & Tadd’s afrojazz, Sasha & Alexander’s contemporary, Ashley & Chris’s hip hop and Iveta & Nick’s quickstep. Yeah, Melanie and Marko’s contemporary was beautiful–but so overpraised. Save it for later, guys!

Megan Mullally obviously knows something about dance, but like most guest judges, she was unwilling to really critique.  But as guest judges go…she was fairly inoffensive.

Still, lots of great dancing tonight. The season is looking really really good…

Hi Cat! YOU LOOK AWESOME.

The judges panel is introduced, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and guest judge, Megan Mullally. Megan has studied ballet and danced in Broadway musicals. She has watched EVERY episode of SYTYCD.

Mitchell injured his elbow, he is resting this week. He will be automatically in danger tomorrow night.

Each dancer gets 8 seconds to tell us what they are all about. The kids TALKREALLYFAST.

Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang – Afro Jazz – Sean Cheesman. The dance is inspired by the lava of a volcano. LIke a huge volcano they are going to shake the floor and erupt! The performance was a little wobbly at times–Jordan is definitely the better dancer. But the both hit the floor pretty hard. Great choreography. I love the Afro stuff. It’s Jordan’s B’day today. Nigel: That volcano erupted all over the stage. Everything was tremendous. Fantastic. Jordan you were outstanding. Tadd, as a hip hop dancer, if you keep picking up the styles, you are going a long way. Mary: The whole studio was in here shaking! Jordan, you were so more animistic, ..sensational. Tadd–is this kid really a b-boy? You have emerged as a star. Megan: Both of you were so exciting. Such precision, such power. Really really strong. 1-888-836-7601 – VIDEO

Sasha Mallory and Alexander Fost – Contemporary – Travis Wall – Sasha is beating up Alexander. She is SCARY. WOW. Travis Wall RULES. That Sasha is such a warrior. Really strong…really beautiful. Mary: Wow. Talk about taking a beating at work. Travis’s transitions…you don’t even see them coming. Sasha…you are so strong. Dynamic. The power that you have…the stage presence. You just fill this room up. Alexander. Super strong dancer. Didn’t quite feel the connection. Megan: I loved it. Sasha I think you’re coming into this as a favorite. Really great storytelling you’re an actress. Alexander…there was a little bit of a disconnect. It could have been a little more. Nigel. I thought it was exciting choreography. Sasha…yes I am scared of you. You had a right hand like Mike Tyson. You’re a beautiful, magnificent warrior. Alexander–I need more from your face. I need to see your passion. 1-888-836-7602 – VIDEO

Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto – Broadway – Tyce DiOrio – Clarice and Jess are lovers–Clarice being the more sophisticated one. Will this be a cake walk for Jess? Yep. He was pretty fabulous. And that face? Full of joy and emotion. He was taking notes during Vegas! Clarice was a little out of her element. Megan: I loved it. Pure joy on a platter. Jess–you’re a natural born performer. Clarice–sexy sassy beautiful. Nigel: Clarice–you’re a beautiful girl and a beautiful dancer. You will have to work hard to keep up with Jess. You can’t afford to give anything away. You’re so good as a dancer, but Jess out danced you. Jess–You’re going to be one of my favorite guys. You’re pirouette was absolutely tremendous. Mary: It was an amazing celebration of dance. Jess–tonight was just perfection. Clarice–You’re not going to be in any danger soon. 1-888-836-7603 – VIDEO

Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime – Lyrical Hip Hop – Chris Scott – They are in looove with each other. Hm. I found that kind of boring. The dancing was solid…but what the heck is going on here? It’s hard to tell. It left me kind of cold. Nigel: I love the rhythmical feel to the piece. Be careful with your emotions. I wasn’t sure what it was about. But I loved the dancing. Ryan you are suburb. Ricky, very good. You did it justice. You should both be very pleased. Mary: Ricky I thought you stayed in character. I think you are one of the most talented guys. Ryan, you are one of the most talented girls. The dancing was brilliant. Ryan is explaining the dance. I still don’t get it. Megan: I thought the piece was very effective. I was feeling the story. It was kind of beautiful. 1-888-836-7604 – VIDEO

Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly – Jazz – Sonya Tayeh – Robert Roldan is dancing in the place of the injured Mitchell. I LOVE Sonya. That is all. Mary: Wow Sister. You’re lucky to have Sonya. Your legs are spectacular. You were brilliant. I sure hope we can see Robert as an All Star! Megan: I love the message of the piece. Caitlyn that was amazing to show that kind of power and strength. Nigel: You had some extraordinary choreography to learn, you had to start again. That was 10 across the board! 1-888-836-7605 – VIDEO

Miranda Maleski and Robert Taylor Jr. – Latin – Jive – Jason Gilkerson – Miranda likes being sexy, but she doesn’t know how. The groovy 60s duds are cool! A really fun routine, but the Jive is always fun to watch. Robert has a really forceful presence up on stage. Miranda is very sweet. I think it was a little tough for them both dancing out of their styles. Megan: Sheer delight. Great choreography. Miranda–you have a little bit of a goofy quality. Robert you are such a bright light–my Top 20 crush. Nigel: You possibly got the biggest personality. That could go for you–or you could lose people. You are now going to have to learn how to point your toes too. The technique wasn’t there. Miranda: I want more confidence from you. You are very sexy up there. You are going to have to do more. Mary: It was fun fun fun. Miranda–clean sharp. Robert–You stole the show! (Just like I thought–homegurl is cannon fodder…) 1-888-836-7606 – VIDEO

Missy Morelli and Wadi Jones – Jazz – Sean Cheesman – Pandoras box is opened and sexy demons are released! Primal, animalistic–Wadi is incredibly strong. They both shined in a fantastic routine. Nigel: While the dancers are this good, they are inspiring the choreographers. I love this routine. Missy, you are one of the beasts of the girls this year. You have it all. Wadi, I don’t think we’ve had such great hip hop guys learning the styles so quickly (oh c’mon Nigel, you say this every year to the hip hop guys–who always end up having some sort of dance background) Mary: That was PHENOMENAL. It was unbelievable A whoop-ass can of a dancing. Wadi–I never knew you had that in you. Your partnering skills are the best Megan: Not only was that amazing–you’ve never partnered before? INSAAAN! 1-888-836-7607 – VIDEO

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar – Contemporary – Travis Wall – Statues come to life at night. Marko’s motivation is that they become one statue. Another gorgeous Travis Wall machine, and both Melanie and Marko are absolutely beautiful dancers. Mary: Every once in awhile on this show…a number comes along that is so magical…Melanie, Marko I think you both had us at hello. It’s breathtaking. Megan: Chills, crying. It’s one of those special ones. As Oprah would say. Wow. Wow. Wow. Nigel: It’s the first week. This could possibly be the first Emmy nominated routine. The chemistry is absolutely fantastic. Marko, I can’t believe you still have this bullet lodged in your shoulder. There was a little stumble, but I liked it…you still have a way to grow. Melanie…You for me are the queen of the beasts. I don’t believe we’ve had another girl dancer better than you. (Hyperbole much? It was good..but c’mon) – 1-888-836-7608 – VIDEO

Ashley Rich and Chris Koehl – Hip Hop – Chris Scott – A couple figures out that they are cheating on each other at the same time and the same place. Chris has been cheated on before! I LOVED THIS ROUTINE. Such fun. A lot like the LXD stuff I saw on the Glee tour. Ashley and Chris played their parts well. Nigel: I thought it was a fun routine. (Christopher had never been choreographed before, Ashley is a ballerina!). Mary: Pure entertainment. Ashley I liked your swagger. Chris, loving it. You dance with heart. Megan: I thought you were both great. Everyone is so evenly matched. Overall this show has the greatest costumes hair and makeup! 1-888-836-7609 – VIDEO

Iveta Lukosiute and Nick Young – Ballroom – Quickstep – Jason Gilkerson – Nick has never done any ballroom. Iveta, of course is a champion. Oil and water. OMG I have a NEW TV boyfriend! (Bye Darren!) Nick did an excellent job keeping up with Iveta. Sure, she’s the champion, but he’s got the personality, and my eyes stayed on him. Megan: You’re a tapdancer! That was incredible! Iveta so elegant and beutiful. So entertaining and exciting. Nigel: Nick you’ve got fabulous feet! You just danced with the world championship, and you were up to scratch! Mary: Tricky and fast footwork! Iveta you are the first American rep who won all 10 dances. Nick you rocked! 1-888-836-7610 – VIDEO

About mj santilli 34853 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!