SYTYCD Season 6 Top 16 Elimination Episode
So You Think You Can Dance Loses Two More Dancers in America's Vote
Nov 12, 2009
In the Top 16 performance episode, eight couples danced in styles chosen out of a hat. Viewers were to call toll-free phone numbers for each couple, to cast votes for their favorite dancers. The three couples with the lowest number of votes perform solos on this episode, and the judges decide which male dancer and which female dancer to send home.
Top 16 Elimination Episode - Opening Number
On each elimination episode, the dancers perform a group routine. On this episode, the Top 16 dancers perform a hip hop dance, choreographed by Dave Scott, and set to "Warrior, Pt. 2" by Lloyd Banks. The routine highlights a few dancers in particular, with Legacy's power moves, a "battle" between Legacy and Jakob, and a powerful entrance at the end by Ryan.
The First Three Couples
Three couples are brought out onto the stage to hear their results from host Cat Deely. On the previous episode, contemporary dancer Ellenore Scott and latin ballroom dancer Ryan DiLello performed a hip hop routine. The judges were not happy with their performance, and the voters also place them in the bottom three.
Contemporary dancers Channing Cooke and Victor Smalley performed in their own style, and while the judges were not as impressed as they thought they would be, the American voters keep this couple in the competition.
Contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick and hip hop dancer Legacy Perez danced a broadway routine, with mixed reviews from the judges. While the judges still believe that Legacy is growing every week, they asked Kathryn to give more to her character. America keeps them safe for another week.
The Second Three CouplesLatin ballroom dancer Ashleigh DiLello performed a jazz dance with contemporary dancer Jakob Karr. The judges enjoyed their performance, and thought their use of a cane prop was commendable. The voters agree, and keep them in the competition.
Jazz dancer Pauline Mata and tap dancer Peter Sabasino had a quickstep with plot, and the judges overall enjoyed their personalities in the performance. The technical aspects of the quickstep were not performed well, however, and America places them in the bottom three couples.
Contemporary dancer Noelle Marsh and krumper Russell Ferguson danced an Afro Jazz piece, which garnered rave reviews from the judges. As expected, the voters agree and keep them in the competition for another week.
The Final Two Couples
Latin ballroom dancer Karen Hauer and hip hop dancer Kevin Hunte performed a hustle, and received good comments from the judges. While they weren't blown away with this piece as they had been in the past with this couple, it was a solid performance.
Jazz dancer Mollee Gray and contemporary dancer Nathan Trasoras had a salsa which was criticized by the judges for their lack of technical ability. Overall, the judges were not impressed by their piece. However, America voted to keep them in the running, and Karen and Kevin are sent to the bottom three.
At this point, judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe tells the audience that America "got it wrong" with this decision. He believes that Mollee and Nathan should have been in the bottom three for a bad performance. However, as fellow judge Adam Shankman replies, the voting is for "America's favorite dancer" which may not necessarily be the best dancer in the competition in any given week.
Nigel tells Nathan that, although he has slid through based on the vote, he will need to step up his dedication and technical dancing if he wants to make it through the competition further.
Special Guest PerformanceWhile the bottom three couples prepare to take the stage for their solos, the audience is treated to a guest performance by three dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Clifton Brown, Linda Celeste Sims, and Constance Stamatiou. They perform a contemporary jazz piece to "Episodes" by Robert Ruggieri. Alvin Ailey starts a 20-city tour in New York City in December, 2009.
The Bottom Six Solos and DecisionEllenore ("Eleanor" by Alexa Woodward), Ryan ("Jump with My Baby" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), Pauline "Took the Night" by Chelley), Peter (a capella tap), Karen ("Celia y Tito" by Celiz Cruz and Tito Puente), and Kevin ("I Question Mark" by Wade Robson) perform their solos for the judges. At this point, the dancers are said to be "dancing for their lives" to try to impress the judges and remain in the competition. The judges do not comment on the solos individually.
After a commercial break, the judges are prepared to give their decision to the dancers. Overall, Nigel warns the dancers that these solos paled in comparison to last season's. The dancers did not put enough effort or creativity into their performances, and Nigel needs to see more from everyone who will remain in this competition.
According to Nigel, Karen may be intimidating younger voters. Ellenore may have gone for too much quirkiness in her solo, and not enough dancing. Pauline is seen as too much of a "convention dancer", and a little too cookie-cutter for this stage of the competition. Pauline is sent home.
Nigel also remarks on the male dancers, saying that Ryan did not impress in his solo, especially when he fell out of his final somersault. Peter does not have enough star quality at this point. Kevin is still improving every week, and actually gets a good review for his solo. Peter is sent home.
Next week, the remaining 14 dancers return: Ashleigh, Channing, Ellenore, Jakob, Karen, Kathryn, Kevin, Legacy, Mollee, Nathan, Noelle, Russell, Ryan and Victor.
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