Last night’s episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has already been marred by injuries, a dated new logo outline, a shitty new stage and contestant shake-ups galore (Billy’s out, Brandon’s in, someone’s dancing with a choreographer because Noelle’s injured) so there’s a lot to overcome on their first night out the gate for Season 6.

I really can’t tell you how sad I am to see Billy Bell leave the show but on the other hand, I could care less about possibly losing Noelle. She’s out this week due to a knee injury and if she doesn’t recoup in time she’ll be replaced by one of the girls cut during Vegas. I don’t really care yet, so swap her if need be.

Before talking about the performances, I really have to throw my two cents in about this new stage. It’s too big for the intimacy needed to be showcased by the performances and the limited views and camera angles it offers if a logistical clusterfuck. Who built a stage without first mapping out how they would shoot the actual show? And what’s with that random posse of 40 kids that get to stand by the right side of the stage? It made sense before where the kids stood in front of the physical seating but this is just ridiculous. Did they let Tyce design the new stage and layout? I mean come on… there are people who do that for a living, hire them!

Anywhoozle…

First up are Channing and Phillip who worked with returning choreographer Jason Gilkison on a Jive. The show set me up to hate Phillip before he even danced a single Jive step. I don’t do spoken word poetry… to be more blunt, I fucking HATE it. Dance-wise, I thought Phillips outfit and light feet made this one of the fruitiest male performances the show has ever had. Who knew? Channing was a surprise. Like Shankman said, she was the highlight of the piece.

My possible SYTYCD Season 6 Boyfriend Jakob is sadly teamed up with my least favorite female, Ashleigh. They were given a sultry Broadway number choreographed by Tyce Diorio. Tyce gave Jakob everything to do and left Ashleigh as a mannequin. He stole the flippin’ show and I could watch this kid all day long. She was a little slow, a little sloppy and out of place if I’m being honest. Who the frak put Jakob in that sweater? He’s melting on that stage and a wool sweater doesn’t help. Note to the wardrobe department, less is more on that boy!

More SYTYCD Season 6 Top 20 after the jump…

Arianna and Peter kicked off the season with a NappyTabs Hip-Hop routine. I don’t know if they really embodied Andriods in love but she did her best Zoe Saldana in STAR TREK to his bedazzled bank robber. Peter was a huge surprise for me in this routine. He was a little limp at times but in general he nailed all the hip-hop moves thrown his way.

OMG did Cat just pull out a SHORT CIRCUIT quote? “Johnny 5 Aliiiiive!”

I think Shankman was right, they didn’t dance like each other. That detracted from the piece and left some chemistry to be desired. I’m not sure about this pairing.

Poor Russell, not only was he paired with the injured Noelle but now he has to work the Fox Trot with Bette Midler. Co-Choreographer Melanie Lapatin took that boy to COUGAR TOWN! Russell was surprisingly slick and suave, I loved it! I was worried he’d be a one note Krumper but the boy did a killer job. Color me shocked. He’s one to watch this season. Is Russell the new Twitch? I hope so…

Bianca and Victor were paired with my boy Travis Wall for a Contemporary routine… I hope she lives up to his talent because from what I’ve seen that boy is a dreamboat on stage. Could that number be more intricate? Could they have been more intertwined? It was a little rough but I fucking loved it! Sure Bianca didn’t shine like he did but girl worked it out! She’s a joy to watch. Her face tells a story and she’s got drive. What about that little dry hump she gave him when he was holding her? Loved it! Victor… no words.

Karen and Kevin got a Cha-Cha from Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin. Is it sad that the b est part of the dance was GLEE’s version of “Push It”? This music didn’t match the dance and I don’t know that Karen and Kevin match each other as partners. They weren’t horrible and they seemed engaged with each other but they just didn’t “WOW” me.

Ellenore and Ryan were lucky enough to get Sonya Tayeh for a Contemporary Jazz routine. I love me some Sonya but I don’t care for that Ryan so much… he was fine in this piece but I couldn’t stand how Ryan refused to unflex his arms. He never seemed to completely let himself go. I want to see him do some crazy fluid movements where he has to loosen up and become spaghetti. Does that mean he didn’t do a good job? No. I enjoyed him. Ellenore was a real pleasure to watch. She embodied the character and was sad, scary and purely entertaining.

Billy Bell’s replacement Brandon paired with Pauline for a Smooth Waltz by Jason Gilkison. Kudos to Brandon, he’s a little cutie patootie and he did a damn good job coming into the competition late and tackling something so off from his usual hip-hop. To think he learned everything and had the chemistry he did with Pauline in only 36 hours is amazing!

Kryin’ Kathryn is paired with Legacy and I don’t know how this pair is going to gel with a Dave Scott Hip-Hop routine. I thought she’d be way too vanilla to pull of this caveman/woman number but damn if she wasn’t better than expected! The two of them together are a hot couple and I hope that they continue to shine as a couple! Mary Murphy, honey you’re right… “Pebbles and Bam Bam were bustin’ a move in the cave tonight!”

The last couple of the night had an the misfortune of pulling Disco. Once again, I beg the show to remove this style from the competition. It pains me to look at these kids in polyester. If the style could be updated with current outfits, I think my boy Nathan deserves better. Mollee on the other hand… I kid. That Disco number was crazy with the lifts and the spins. I don’t know that technically either did a great job but they were adorable and they nailed the tricks… what more can you ask for when you’re slapped with a Doriana Sanchez Disco routine?

Normally I would pick the Top and Bottom 3 but as the Judges are picking 2 guys and 2 girls to dance for their lives. Here’s the kicker and I don’t think its all that fair, the Judges are basing their Bottom 4 on the entire Season 6 process so far. That means auditions, Vegas and tonights performances are being taken into consideration. Not loving that idea…

Before we get to the bad news, let me quick talk about my favorite people last night. Jakob shined, Legacy and Kathryn surprised me, Victor and Bianca were a treat and I’m happy to see Brandon in the competition.

Alright onto the bad news…

My Bottom 4:
Phillip, Ashleigh, Ariana and Kevin

The Judges Bottom 4:
Arianna, Brandon, Pauline and Russell

Clearly we’re on different pages. I’m intrigued to see where this leads…

The solos were not too shabby. I was excited to see the passion and fight Ariana brought to the stage. Russell’s krump was damn good but I’m not sure there was enough diversity to keep him this week. Pauline danced well but I think the fire was with Ariana tonight. Brandon’s solo was a huge surprise. He varied from his style and showed a softer more sensual side to hip-hop. If that boy goes home I’ll cry.

Based on these solos I’d have to say Russell and Pauline are going home but you never know what these Judges are thinking. I could kind of care less about the girls but if Brandon leaves it will be a tragedy.

Cat’s got them onstage… let’s see how this shakes down.

The first two contestants eliminated from SYTYCD Season 6 are: Ariana and Brandon

I’M PISSED! Brandon was fucked by SYTYCD this season. They brought him in as a replacement for Billy Bell and was not given a fair shake. He had a day and a half to learn the routine he danced last night and did a great job. His solo was passionate and showed diversity, growth and maturity. It’s a travesty that he didn’t get a chance to shine. Nigel wants to bend the rules and work some magic to bring him back next Season given once a contestant makes the Top 20, they’re ineligible from proceeding seasons. My fingers are crossed Brandon, you deserve it.

Well I can’t say that this was the best start to the season but the talent is crazy good. I stand firm in my belief that Fall is the wrong time for the show and the troublesome schedule (due to Baseball) proves me right.

What do you cats think? Do you have room in your Fall schedule for SYTYCD? What do you think of the new stage? More importantly, did the right dancers go home?

*Want to download all the songs heard on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE? Check out our SYTYCD Season 6 Music Guide.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am and is filed under Ducky Does TV, So You Think You Can Dance, So You Think You Can Dance Season 6, TV Boyfriends, Travis Wall. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.