So You Think You Can Dance 2008: Top 10 PERFORMANCE SHOW Recap

From here on out the contest is going to be a tad different. Each contestant will have two choreographed dances with a partner along with a solo. At the end of the show, the television audience votes and the guy and girl with the lowest numbers gets the boot. The judges no longer have a say as to who is America’s Favorite Dancer. It’s up to us, America!

At the top of the show, Cat “the Amazonian Queen” Deeley explains why there were only 9 dancers grooving out in the introduction. Jessica King has injured herself and will not be able to compete for 4 weeks. So, of course, they need to add another girl dancer and it’s only fair that the one kicked off last gets the second chance. Out jumps Comfort from backstage with a smile on her face big enough to outshine the moon. So, Comfort Fedoke gets a second chance. Let’s hope she redeems herself and gets her groove back. Also joining Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe is Lil’C, as a guest judge.

Katee Shean and Will Wingfield (The couple to beat.)

Can I just say how perfect these two are! I mean, my goodness, they can do no wrong! Their first dance style was Broadway, and they danced to a song from Guys and Dolls. Tyce DiOrio was the choreographer and he did a great job! I loved the choreography, the dancing, the energy, everything. The ripping open of the shirt was a little much though. BUT, I could even watch these two dance to elevator music. Oh wait, that was their second dance, a Pas de Deux to David Archuleta’s version of John Lennon’s Imagine. This was choreographed by Desmond Richardson, one of Nigel’s favorite peeps. It was rather beautiful, and the ending was pretty sweet with the twist that Katee does in Will’s arms. Their solos were great of course. I can see these contempary dancers going to the top four and fighting it out in the end.

Courtney Galiano and Joshua Allen.

Courtney and Joshua came out in usual SYTYCD style, weird costumes and a crazy story. You’d think it’d be entertaining, but I was actually kind of bored with their first routine. The electrifying kiss at the end was cool, but other than that…yeah, I was bored. Their next routine and solos saved them for me. Courtney is a contempary dancer, and Joshua is into hip-hop, of course, they shined in their solos. I didn’t want Joshua’s to end. Their followup routine is what makes them my next favorite couple. They did a Rumba by Jean Marc Genereaux that would set your hair on fire! Yeah, it was sexy, and Joshua didn’t even have to take his shirt off!

Chelsie Hightower and Gev Manoukian.

This couple did a contempary piece to an Otis Redding song, and more great choreography by Jean-Marc, a Jive. I don’t really understand the technique behind dance besides pointing your foot, so the contempary style really doesn’t even begin to enter into my logic. BUT, the first dance they performed was rather good. I enjoyed the story behind the song and their emotions showed through in their movements. Good job. Gev also had a cool solo where he played with his shirt. I won’t say much about their Jive performance. Just watch it. This choreographer is great!

Comfort Fedoke and Twitch.

These two will out crump anyone. The waltz, well, that’s another story. I have to say I’m a sucker for Journey and Open Arms is a great song, but when you dance a waltz to it… It was rather boring in my opinion. I loved Twitch’s solo. He is one of my favorites but the waltz was so bad I had to put him in the 4th place couple. Comfort’s solo was foreshadowing. She danced to a song titled, “Need a boss.” Sorry Comfort but I think you’ll be leaving us again this week. Your only hope is if Kherington sprains her ankle. That said, their hip-hop routine was rather good, which is why they’re one above Kherington and Mark. It was a futuristic dance choreographed by Dave Scott. I liked it.

Kherington Payne and Mark Kanemura.

Kherington lost Twitch this week and I’m guessing he took her “oomph” with him. Kherington and Mark’s first performance was a Country Two Step, which we’ve never seen before on the show. Now, I know, I’m from Texas and here anyone who has rhythm knows how to two step. Let me just say the cowboys I’ve seen at the local dives can dance better than these two did. I felt as if I was watching it in slow motion. The only thing good about the dance was the stunts, but they were few and far between. Their jazz routine was good, but it reminded me of an Old Navy commercial. There was lots of energy in it and it was fun to watch so I’ll give them that.

Who is leaving us this week:

It’s no longer a “dance for your life” competition. The girl and guy with the lowest number of votes is going home. That means you’re not safe even if your partner is really good. That said, Comfort and Mark cannot depend on their partners to carry them through to the next round. Comfort left us last week, and is only back because of an injury to a better dancer. She won’t win like that. Mark is simply forgettable. So my picks are Comfort and Mark.

What do you think? Am I simply talking through my butt on this one?