WHAT…THE…??? Elimination night pretty much blew our bottom three predictions to smithereens. This may have been a case of “Underdog Voting”: Everyone gets motivated to vote for the people they like, but who didn’t get great reviews, thinking that those who did get great reviews didn’t need the help. Whatever the reason, things ended predictably with the correct two dancers sent home.

SYTYCD: Top 12

Group performance

The remaining 14 preformed a number choreographed by Tyce…The Wiz (nod to MJ) and Lion King go to Mardi Gras. It wasn’t complex in terms of choreography, but the vibrancy of movement was energetic. As in the words of Mia, “Not amazing, but good job.”

Fashion Cat! critique

OK, so it was a bit “look what the cat dragged in”, but not so overtly offensive that the fashion gods are casting thunderbolts. Michelle finds the look very Kelly LeBrock ala Weird Science (yes, our superhero power is the ability to retain (useless?) pop culture/movie moments). For now, we’ll hold off on ruling whether or not she’s broken her good/bad fashion pattern.

(More recap, plus drinking game tally after the jump.)

Guest performances

No complaints. Patricia Hachey and Desmond Richardson‘s pas de deux was impressive and crazy powerful; she held that horse stance en pointe for 20 seconds! Standing ovation was definitely in order.

Of course Kelly Clarkson sung live, we expected no less. The crowd was most appreciative of Kelly’s performance,  happily clapping and singing along to the infectious girl-power anthem.

The nitty gritty: Bottom three couples

We predicted newly formed couple, Vitolio and Karla were in danger BUT, Kayla and Kupono and Philip and Jeanine??? Insert head-shaking, mouth agape shock and expletive here.

Karla was twitchy, yet again. Nothing new. Vitolio was also a repeat offender, leaping all over the place with shirt undone. Poor Kayla can’t win. The judges called last week’s solo too jam-packed and desperate and this time she was  “static” and lacked heart. Kupono did take a bit of a defeatist attitude, but his solo was charming enough. Jeanine successfully showcased her strengths. Phillip was fun to watch and we think the crowd was secretly happy to see him perform a solo.

Eliminations: Judges got some ‘splaining to do

If  a dancer needs to fight for survival, why wouldn’t they give it all they’ve got? Showcasing too many strengths is deemed “desperate”. Scaling down the choreography is considered “not growing”. What’s too much? What’s too little?

Vitolio and Karla are sent home.

In the end, Karla’s inability to recapture her “star quality” meant she wasn’t a crowd favorite and nobody would be heartbroken to see her go. Vitolio’s “great presence” meant they think he’s a one-trick pony and don’t care to be proven wrong. We agree with the call.

Drinking game tally

Floor rolls: 2
Props: 1 (big picture frame)
Crying: 1

Quote of the week poll

It was slim pickins and honestly we only came up with one good one (You’re lucky it’s not So You Think You Can Choreograph. – Nigel). So, we’re going to call this one the winner instead of compiling a poll chock full of mediocre quotes. Nobody’s going to call us desperate.