Top 16 Perform

It's a bad week for the untrained dancers and a good week for ridiculous costumes.  And Carley Rae Jepsen, could you judge me maybe?

The dancers start out as red aliens, but...

...they strip down to their underwear!  Wow!  That's some symbolism there!

The group dance is very arty and interesting, but not my favorite.  I liked it better when they took their clothes off.  Jo and Jacob predict Sonya for the choreographer, but it's Stacey Tookey and Peter Chu.

Cat Deeley Outfit Review

While I appreciate that Cat Deeley mixes it up and incorporates vintage, this is a little too shapeless and Carol Brady for me.  Not my fav, Cat, not my fav.

Ladies and Gnetlemen, Your Judges...

Carley Rae Jepsen?  Seriously?  I really think someone else must have cancelled and they pulled her in at the last minute.  She doesn't seem to have ever watched the show before.  However, in the circles of bad judges, she is only in the first circle, because, as Jacob point out, she seems to have recognized that she knows nothing and keeps her answers very, very short.

The bottom six is announced.

Girls: Jenna, Mackenzie, Mariah

Boys: Alan, Curtis, BluPrint

I'd like to point out that I guessed five out of the bottom six from last week.  And they save Jenna right away, because she is so super duper, and because she's the only ballroom girl left.  We go into solos.  

Mackenzie is good, but not a standout.  Mariah's krumping never makes for a great solo, but she does a better one that her first.  Alan's is interesting - it's really tough for a ballroom guy to figure out what to do, and I appreciate that he does something with it.  Curtis's tap routine isn't very good, I still contend that they should have waited to select him for the show until he was a little order.  BluPrint's solo is good, of course, but he still doesn't show enough expression, even in his own style.

Alexis and Nico - Jive

Choreography: Tony and Melanie

Song: Mayhem by Imelda May

I thought it looked like they may have messed up one of the lifts.  I feel like Nico had the style a lot more, Alexis looks a lot more uncomfortable.  I'm betting Mary Murphy says something about getting down in that bounce.  Nope, I was wrong, although did say keep your feet under your body.  Ah, we found out that Alexis has a foot injury.  That explains why she looked uncomfortable.

Carley Rae Jepsen has absolutely nothing to say.  "I love your dress."  Thanks for that, Carley Rae.  I'm so glad you're here.

Jenna and Tucker - Contemporary

Choreography: Travis Wall

Song: Hangin' by a Thread by Jann Arden

We had an emotional contemporary routine in all white outfits last week.  But this one has red straps!  

OK, I really liked the routine, but so many strap fails!  Should have had some more practice with those. Redo it in the finale show and they'll get it right. I appreciate that Cat pointed out that it wasn't their fault.  Really beautiful choreography by Travis, and they both danced it exceptionally well.  Definitely a star moment.  Wish I had watched when it aired so I could have voted for Jenna!  It's sad that she's always in the bottom.

Mariah and BluPrint - Jazz

Choreography: Brian Friedman 

Song: Fall into the Sky by Zedd & Lucky Date ft. Ellie Goulding

Can't believe Brian is back!  He hasn't been on this show in years and years.  I hardly recognized him.  So much eyeliner, so much less hair.  But he was a good judge, once upon a time.  I wish they had brought him back to the judges table.

Brian Friedman, Then and Now

They are Roman gods.  There's a whole lot of costume going on, and I don't think it helped them.  There were some clear slip ups on the partner work too.  I still think BluPrint just doesn't bring anything to the table other than his solos. I thought overall they did pretty good job, but I just didn't love this routine.

Malece and Alan - Hip Hop

Choreography: Dave Scott

Song: Bassline by Chris Brown

He looks so awkward.  She can at least do the sexy hip shake, but nothing else in this is good.  That shimmy at the end was extra awkward.  I still really like Alan, even though he did terribly.  I don't think Malece did that good. I just think she was relying on the sexy moves and faking her way through the rest.  I feel like the judges overemphasized how well she did in that.  And Jo totally called how bad Alan's pants are.  This routine came out pretty horrible.

Hayley and Curtis - Contemporary

Choreography: Dee Caspary

Song: Don't Let Go Yet by David J Roch

I thought that was really good.  Definitely some awkward prop choreography to work through, but very interesting.  Hayley is great, Curtis is still not bad, but not as good as her.  But he took Hayley out on a date!  So we love him and love them as a couple. Then, Nigel says his shoulders ruined the dance. And then says his solo was bad. A little harsh, Nigel. Why did you tell us that sweet story and then just burn him?  Well, if it's up to Nigel, Curtis is probably going home.  

Let's note, again, Dee Caspary's lack of ever, ever smiling.  He always looks on the verge of tears.

There is sadness in my soul.

Amy and Fik-Shun - Jazz

Choreography: Tyce Diorio

Song: Under the Bridge from The Triplets of Belleville

I really like this.  They are just such winners.  Great coordination, and so much fun personality.  I really enjoyed it, and I'm not sure why.  It was just different and great.  I agree with all the judges.  I agree with Carley, favorite routine of the night.  I agree with Nigel, that's probably the best that I've seen Tyce choreograph.  And I agree with Mary, they are cheek-pinchingly cute!

Ugh, Nigel always brings up that stupid breast cancer routine.  IT WASN'T THAT GOOD, NIGEL.  Get over it.  There's a reason Tyce didn't get nominated for an Emmy.  Because it wasn't good.  

Mackenzie and Paul - Hip Hop

Choreography: Dave Scott

Song: Pretty Lil' Heart by Robin Thicke feat. Lil Wayne

It's a little weird to see them dancing this style in these outfits, but they are doing really good.  Very well done, and they did the characters really well.  I liked it a lot.  Definitely a great all-around number.  Nigel is getting a little hot and bothered by the whole thing.  Well, they are going to have a hard time sending Mackenzie home after this.  I'm guessing Mariah is out.

Jasmine and Aaron - Quick Step

Choreography: Tony and Melanie

Song: Pencil Full of Lead by Paolo Nutini

It's OK to give Jasmine and Aaron the quick step, because they have such a solid fan base.  Jasmine is so graceful that she makes it look like the's just having the best time doing this and it's so easy for her, when I'm guessing it's not.  But yeah, quick step is still a pretty lame dance style to get.  Doesn't matter how much Mary Murphy yells that is was good.  I'm not going to watch this again.

Elimination

OK, I predict they will eliminate Curtis and Mariah.  Even though I would eliminate BluPrint and Mariah, I think Nigel will keep BluPrint around in the hopes that he improves and makes a good story.

Wow, Nigel very awkwardly (inspirationally?) eliminates BluPrint.  And then Mariah.  Being heads up against Mackenzie after she killed in hip hop, Mariah has to go home, but it's just a bummer.  Even though they were my votes to go off, it sucks that they have to lose wearing those horrible costumes!

Parting Shots

Favorite Routine: Amy and Fik-Shun's Triplets of Belleville Jazz

Honorable Mentions: The red-strap contemporary and the 1920s hip hop.

And my predictions for next week?  Well, it's getting a lot harder to pick three.

Here's who I think...

Girls: Alexis, Jenna, Mackenzie

Boys: Curtis, Alan, Nico

I would send home Alexis or Malece for the girls, Curtis for the boys.