So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 18 (6/27/07)

Tonight’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance features our top 16 dancers. The group will be judged by the usuals Nigel Lythgoe & Mary Murphy as well as guest judge (and legend) Debbie Allen. Debbie is a director, producer, multiple award winner, and the perfect person to judge these up & coming dancers. Mary is asked who stands out for her, and she chooses Dominic, who has come a long way since his first audition. Nigel expresses how happy he is with the season but also, how much abuse he took for eliminating Jimmy & Faina last week. Time to see how the top 16 measure up:

Sara & Jesus – Krumping choreographed by Lil’C (“It’s Okay” by The Game): Sara is right at home in a hip hop style of dance but for Jesus, he’s ventured into new & unfamiliar territory. Suddenly, this contemporary dancer has a bit of a street edge to him! The dance packs a big punch with high energy. Debbie felt the energy & praised Jesus for committing to the dance fully. Mary was happy to see Sara’s transition from last week’s pasa doble back to her roots this week. Nigels calls Sarah “gangsta” & comments how together the duo was. To vote for Sara & Jesus, call 1-888-TEMPO-01.

Shauna & Cedric – Contemporary choreographed by Mia Michaels (“I Thought We Had” by The Family Stand): Both dancers need to impress tonight as both were in last week’s bottom 2. Nigel told Cedric if he ended up there again this week, he would not save him. There’s lots of the line & both leave it all out on the dance floor in an emotional performance. Debbie says Shauna is wonderful & that Cedric touches her every time he dances. Mary felt both danced their heart out but it’s still not good enough & she harshly tells him she doesn’t want him in the competition anymore. Nigel agrees with both Debbie & Mary & feels the choreography was skewed towards Cedric. To vote for Shauna & Cedric, call 1-888-TEMPO-02.

Lacey & Kameron – Quick Step choreographed by Tony Meredith (“Big & Bad” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy): Arguably one of the most popular couples in the competition, the duo takes on an energetic quick step. Lacey & Kameron have great chemistry, high energy, and always put on an entertaining performance. Debbie felt the number was classic & fun, Mary says Lacey was amazing & Kameron was a great partner, and though Nigel wishes they covered more area on the stage, the number was very entertaining. To vote for Lacey & Kameron, call 1-888-TEMPO-03.

Anya & Danny – Hip Hop choreographed by Dan Karaty (“Oh Timbaland” by Timbaland): It’s hard to picture these two pulling off a successful hip hop routine, as their strengths are ballroom & contemporary, respectively. The only problem with this routine is that it looks like a ballroom dancer & contemporary dancer trying to do hip hop. They have the steps but not the attitude. Debbie calls them the dream team & says there’s nothing they can’t do. Mary loved the choreography for the two & Nigel felt that they didn’t look comfortable in the style. To vote from Anya & Danny, call 1-888-TEMPO-04.

Sabra & Dominic – Rumba choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux (“Stickwithu” by Pussycat Dolls): It wouldn’t be a song you’d expect for a rumba but this show is full of constant surprises. Dominic lives up to Mary’s praise, show versatility while Sabra shines again. The couple is quickly gaining popularity & this number should help keep the alive in tomorrow night’s elimination. Debbie calls the routine “hot” & says the two are beautiful together. Mary says Dominic really pulled off the routine & calls Sabra’s dancing effortless. After Mary delivers a blood curdling scream of joy in his ear, Nigel congratulates the duo on a wonderful performance. To vote for Sabra & Dominic, call 1-888-TEMPO-05.

Lauren & Neil – Tango choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux (“Tanguera” by Sexteto Mayor): Once criticized for having a lack of chemistry, Lauren & Neil try to turn up the heat tonight with their tango routine. Lauren’s energy outshines Neil’s & I find myself watching her most of the time. They pull off the steps but the crowd seems underwhelmed. Debbie felt it wasn’t as smooth as she wanted it to be, Mary felt some chemistry in the beginning but not as the routine went on, and Nigel actually felt Neil overperformed. To vote for Lauren & Neil, call 1-888-TEMPO-06.

Jaimie & Hok – Jazz choreographed by Wade Robson (“The Chairman’s Waltz” from Memoirs of a Geisha soundtrack): Wade does a phenomenal job playing up the strengths of both Jaimie & Hok. They give an incredibly strong & connected performance. This is one of those routines you’ll definitely want to try to find on YouTube. Debbie says the routine is “brilliant” & “genius”. Mary says it’s a step up from last week, praising the routine, and Nigel says there is no critique to give because this is their essence as dancers. To vote for Jaimie & Hok, call 1-888-TEMPO-07.

Jessi & Pasha – Cha Cha choreographed by Tony Meredith (“Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez): Unexpected things happen during the show & a video is shown of Jessi in an ambulance. She left rehearsal feeling weak, unable to breathe, with chest pains. Her doctors have not cleared her to dance but the show must go on. Pasha must do the routine with Tony’s assistant & you will be voting only for Pasha on this routine. Pasha does the best he can with the routine, shining in his element, but obviously lacking the chemistry he had with his partner, Jessi. Debbie says Pasha deserves an Oscar for the passion he portrayed towards his partner and Mary felt he brought the house down. Nigel informs the audience that Jessi is still having tests and her EKG has come back as abnormal but he feels Pasha will make it through to next week. However, if he’s in the bottom 3, he will be there with Jessi as well. To vote for just Pasha, call 1-888-TEMPO-08.

Time to vote!

Tune in tomorrow night for the live results show at 9pm EST on FOX

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