So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 20
Top 20 Dancers of Season 6 Perform for the Judges and Elimination
Oct 28, 2009
Unfortunately, some bad news opens the first round. Billy Bell, contemporary dancer, is ill and not able to continue. He is replaced by Top 20 runner-up Brandon Dumlao, hip hop dancer. Also, contemporary dancer Noelle Marsh currently has a knee injury. After some tests, including an MRI following this taped episode, Noelle will be evaluated and will either continue or leave the competition.
In this episode, all 20 dancers perform in randomly-drawn pairs, and in randomly-drawn dance styles for the judges. At the end of this episode, the judges will choose the "bottom" four dancers to perform solos, and will choose from those the one male and one female dancer to go home. The judges are choreographer and director Adam Shankman, ballroom dancer Mary Murphy, and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. Hosting the season is Cat Deeley.
The Top 20 Couples Perform
The first pair is contemporary dancer Channing Cooke and tap dancer Phillip Attmore. Their style is the jive, choreographed by Jason Gilkerson and set to "Rockin' Robin" by the Jackson 5. Phillip seems to be more comfortable with the style, since it is similar to tap. Channing has a little more difficulty with dancing in plie and the quick foot movements. The judges, overall, enjoy the piece.
Second of the episode is latin ballroom dancer Ashleigh DiLello and contemporary dancer Jakob Karr, performing a broadway-style jazz dance, choreographed by Tyce DiOrio. The song is "Hit Me With a Hot Note" from the Sophisticated Ladies soundtrack. Both dancers are praised for their ability to get into the character and style of the dance, although Jakob's tricks outshine Ashleigh's lesser performance quality.
Next on stage is contemporary dancer Ariana Debose, paired with tap dancer Peter Sabasino. The style is hip hop, choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon, and set to "Black & Gold" by Sam Sparro. The concept is androids in love, but it falls short for the judges. The dancers were not as synchronized as they should have been and did not keep up the energy throughout the performance.
The fourth pair to perform is krumper Russell Ferguson and his partner, who would have been Noelle Marsh. Since Noelle is injured, Russell dances with choreographer Melanie LaPatin, who co-choreographed this foxtrot with Tony Meredith, set to "Vagabond Shoes" by Vic Damone. Russell does well with the style, although some of his movements are disjointed and clumsy.
The fifth couple of the episode is tap dancer Bianca Revels with contemporary dancer Victor Smalley, performing a contemporary piece choreographed by Travis Wall, set to "Wasted Time" by Me'Shell Ndegeocello. Both dancers execute the style very well, although Bianca is reminded by the judges to keep her shoulders down.
Next on stage is latin ballroom dancer Karen Hauer and hip hop dancer Kevin Hunte. They perform a cha cha to "Push It" by the cast of Glee, choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. While this style is perfect for Karen, Kevin also does a good job with it, and they are both praised for their work.
The seventh pair to perform is latin ballroom dancer (and husband of Ashleigh) Ryan DiLello with jazz dancer Ellenore Scott. They have a contemporary jazz routine, choreographed by Sonja Tayek, set to "Arcadia" by Apparat. They are praised by the judges for their chemistry, and seem to be very comfortable with the style.
The eighth couple of this episode is jazz dancer Pauline Mata, paired with hip hop dancer (and Billy Bell replacement) Brandon Dumlao. Their piece is a smooth waltz to Whitney Houston's "You Light Up My Life", choreographed by Jason Gilkerson. Their smooth waltz is not smooth enough for the judges, who enjoy their chemistry but ask for a cleaner performance.
Next on stage is contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick and hip hop dancer Legacy Perez, performing a hip hop routine to Missy Elliott's "On & On", choreographed by Dave Scott. The judges enjoy the performance and think they were both able to keep up with each other and with the choreography.
The final couple of the evening is contemporary dancer Nathan Trasoras and jazz dancer Mollee Gray, who perform a disco routine choreographed by Doriana Sanchez, to "Turn the Beat Around" by Gloria Estefan. The high-energy performance with a lot of daring lifts is praised by the judges.
The Bottom Four Dancers
The judges choose their bottom four dancers: Ariana Debose, Russell Ferguson, Pauline Mata, and Brandon Dumlao. The bottom four perform solos for the judges, who will base their decisions on these solos and the rest of the dancers' work on the show to this point.
Going Home on the Top 20 Performance Show
The two dancers leaving the competition tonight are contemporary dancer Ariana Debose and hip hop dancer Brandon Dumlao. As a final note, the producers may be able to waive the rule for Brandon that states that any dancer who makes the Top 20 may not return to audition in the future. Since Brandon was just replacing Billy Bell for a short period of time, he may be able to audition again. If this rule is waived, Brandon intends to return.
Next week, the remaining 18 dancers return: Ashleigh, Bianca, Channing, Ellenore, Jakob, Karen, Kathryn, Kevin, Legacy, Mollee, Nathan, Noelle (possibly), Pauline, Peter Phillip, Russell, Ryan and Victor.
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