SYTCD Top 18: Performance & Elimination Recap

I missed blogging about the auditions and top 20 show, but if you think that makes me any less obsessed with So You Think You Can Dance, then you are a crazy person. Last night? The top 18 performed. And Cat Deely wore an ugly dress, but what else is new? I mean, seriously? WTF was up with that humongous ruffle?

Randi & Evan
Style: Jive
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel
Song: "Shake a Tail Feather" by Ray Charles

I just think that Evan is adorable. I'm interested to see how he does in the rest of the competition, like when he has to do hip hop. I liked what this choreographer did last week, and I think he's new to the show this season. Loved her dress! LOVED the shimmies, and his jump over her? Impressive! I thought they were very good! Their synchronization was pretty on too. They seem to be a good fit as a couple.

Melissa & Ade
Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh
Song: "24 Hours (Ashton Shuffle A-Bomb Remix)" by Terry Poison
Jazz. My challenge. I am trying to "get it", but am not there yet. Somehow those tights made her legs look enormous and muscular. I guess it's no surprise that I didn't really care for the routine. I didn't hate it or think it was bad, I just didn't really care about it. I guess it was good since the judges liked it, but I wonder how many people out there won't get it like me.

Caitlin & Jason
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Shane Sparks
Song: "Missin You" by Trey Songz
Holy crap. 4 year old Jason doing Michael Jackson?! SO CUTE! And? He is still just so DARN CUTE. I really like Shane Sparks so I was happy he choreographed 2 routines last night. I thought he was definitely more believable as a hip hop dancer than she was. He had that sort of jerky movement, there were parts where I felt like she was a little too smooth.

Janette & Brandon
Style: Disco
Choreographer: Doriana Sanchez
Song: "Loving Is Really My Game" by Brainstorm
You know what always hits me about Disco? It's FREAKING FAST. I would literally have a heart attack and die. I thought they were pretty great and their lifts and tricks were awesome. Wow.

Asuka & Vitolio
Style: Waltz
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel
Song: "Dreams are More Precious" by Enya
For a long time I thought her name was Oscar and I was confused. Just saying. But, they are two of my favorites. I agree with Louis that Vitolio's story is incredibly compelling. I'm not always a huge waltz fan, and I really wanted to connect with this one knowing that Louis wanted it to be painful/heartbreaking and I just didn't feel it. Mary did. I guess maybe it was a case of not seeing the full beauty of it because I wasn't there. I'm not versed in ballroom, and I don't see those little things always. I thought Asuka looked gorgeous.

Kayla & Max
Style: Pop Jazz
Choreographer: Brian Friedman
Song: "Hot Like Wow" by Nadia Oh
When I heard the story, I was excited to see the routine. Loved teh music. And her costume? Really cool. I feel like throwing the pop element in with the jazz makes a huge difference for me personally. I really liked this routine and I thought they played their characters really well.

Karla & Jonathan
Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Stacey Tookey
Song: "Falling Slowly" by The Frames
Okay, first things first. The Frames? Are absolutely amazing. And if you haven't seen the movie "Once", you need to see it because it is absolutely gorgeous. That lift where she curled up in his arms? Was beautiful. I thought they were beautiful. that part where she was hanging from his shoulders as he hugged her? Lifting her chin with his hand? It was just absolutely gorgeous.

Jeanine & Phillip
Style: Tango
Choreographer: Tony Meredith
Song: "Violento (Up Mix)" by Bailango!
Well, this should be interesting. That's what I thought during the rehearsal clips. I thought they had really good chemistry. Sometimes I felt like her movements were a little hesitant. I liked that lift where she sort of sat on his leg. I thought that overall they did fairly well for never having done it before, but I'm not sure that's enough to keep them out of the bottom 3.

Ashley & Kupono
Style: Hip Hop
Choreographer: Shane Sparks
Song: "Imma Be" by the Black Eyed Peas
100 miles per hour with confidence, skill and doing it in unison? Tough. I love Kupono's lists. I loved the concept. I thought they did pretty well, but I'm not sure it was hard hitting enough. So I listened to what Li'l C had to say! Not great.

Predictions for bottom 3: Melissa & Ade, Jeanine & Phillip, Ashley & Kupono

I was right about Ashley & Kupono. Not about the others though, the other 2 couples in the bottom were Jason & Caitlin and Max & Kayla. Ashley and Max ended up getting cut, which means next week we'll have a new couple with Kayla & Kupono.