Well, we're almost at the end of the road, and what an incredible season it has been. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it to all end next week!
I forgot that Paula Abdul was back as a judge again, along with Gabby Douglas, which is an interesting choice. I hope that she has more to offer than Carly Rae Jepsen (and I think that she might, but she is so young!). I would have loved to see one of SYTYCD's big name choreographers on the panel for such an important show... like Adam Shankman! I didn't get enough Shankman this season.
I am trying to keep my thoughts brief, since there are so many performances to get through tonight.
Amy & Aaron - Jazz (Ray Leeper)
I thoroughly enjoyed this high-energy, athletic performance.
Jasmine & Fik-Shun - Contemporary (Travis Wall)
Mary Murphy loved this one a lot more than I did, that's for sure. I thought Jasmine was beautiful, but Fik-Shun was weak.
Aaron & All-Star Melinda - Tap (Anthony Morigerato)
How fun was that!? Finally, finally a tap performance! I never would have thought you could tap to a Bruno Mars song, but apparently you can.
Jasmine & All-Star Comfort - Hip-hop (Tabitha & Napoleon)
I don't know if Jasmine knew she'd get to work with Comfort and Nappytabs if she picked hip-hop, but if she did, she definitely made a smart decision. This was exactly the kind of performance people love to vote for. Amy has a lot of ground to make up.
Fik-Shun & Amy - Tango (Miriam & Leonardo)
A couple of tough draws for Fik-Shun so far tonight. Amy was solid, but in stark contrast to Jasmine's performance immediately before this one, it was not something that gets people picking up the phone. Tough luck here, kids.
Jasmine - Solo
I was happy for Jasmine after learning she turned down an opportunity to tour with Ciara to stay on the show- and became even MORE happy for her after Uncle Nigel shared that she wouldn't have made the Top 20 if Cat Deeley of all people hadn't pushed hard for her. Bless you, Cat Deeley.
Jasmine & Aaron - Samba (Dmitry Chaplin)
I hoped for a little more with these two dancing together again- but I suppose with five dances, something was going to slip. I don't think it'll hurt them. I still expect these two to win, especially if they finish strong.
Fik-Shun - Solo
His take on Gangnam Style was adorable. Last week's incredible solo was still his best ever, but his solos are so entertaining that he could (but shouldn't) win on them alone.
Amy - Solo
This girl knows how to bring the high drama in her dance! Paula is right on about her solos- she always has so much passion. You could never question that she was dancing for her life.
Fik-Shun & All-Star Twitch - Hip-hop (Luther Brown)
As great and as fun as this was, it was still only the second-best hip-hop performance of the night (who run the world? girls!). I could watch these two dance together all day, though, honestly.
Aaron - Solo
I'm still kind of mad at him for his baditude after getting cut at Green Mile, although I suppose I can understand going into a bad place in a moment of deep disappointment. Hard to imagine this season without Aaron! He definitely deserves to win.
Amy & All-Star Robert - Contemporary (Stacey Tookey)
I find myself agreeing with Paula a lot tonight. This might have been my favorite of the night. I loved the story, I love Robert, and Amy is SO GOOD at this emotional type of dancing. I still think Jasmine's strategic move of picking hip-hop is going to pay off for her, but this was truly beautiful.
Fik-Shun & Aaron - Broadway (Tyce Diorio)
What a great number for these boys to end the night on. They were both able to showcase their abilities- Aaron with his superior technicality, Fik-Shun with his bright personality.
Jasmine & Amy - Jazz (Mark Kanemura)
Weird Mark!!! Siamese twins from the fierce jungles of Saturn? But of course. And to a song called "The Diva Dance." Lady Gaga must love Mark so much. Honestly. These gals are both so talented.
I think I might have said this last time Paula was a guest judge, but I find her so endearing in these guest judge spots (a little goes a long way). She really wasn't so bad tonight, either. And Gabby was charming- you could tell she was so excited to be there and was a bundle of positive (but genuine!) energy. That girl's going to do something big with her life one day. (I kid, I kid). Seriously, I am so impressed with her.
Who Should Win:
I'm sticking with Aaron and Jasmine, although Amy did a really good job of almost changing my mind tonight. Looking forward to next week's finale!