SYTYCD

View Date: 11/3/09

The World Series interfered with this show yet again. It was decided that, due to scheduling concerns, the judges would eliminate two more dancers at the end of the show. Additionally, it was determined that Brandon, eliminated last week

Noelle and Russell: This duo performed a Jamal Sims hip hop routine with tennis racquets. This routine was a lot of fun to watch, and a really interesting concept from a new choreographer. She looked rather sloppy several times. The judges weren't thrilled with the routine, and I agree that Noelle may be in trouble at the end of the night.

Ashleigh and Jakob: The pair performed a Viennese Waltz choreographed by Tony and Meredith, to be modeled on a couple's first dance at their wedding. It was a very pretty routine, and the two looked, from an unexperienced eye, like they were made to dance this number. She has really come on since joining the top 20, and he is probably the best dancer in the competition.

Bianca and Victor: Tyce DiOrio choreographed a Broadway number for these two based on The Color Purple. I thought they could have brought more energy to a number that was obviously meant to be jumping. Something just fell a little flat to me, but she did better than he did. The other thing I noticed was that they weren't in step when they should have been. I agree with the judges in that they needed to lose themselves more in the dance and the characters, rather than as technically they did.

Mollee and Nathan: Nakul Dev Mahajan choreographed this season's first Bollywood number. I haven't really liked a Bollywood number since Katie and Joshua's in Season 4, but I think this probably came the closest. I really liked his performance, and thought he really captured the character and the dance style. Mollee had a notable performance as well, and I think this number will be remembered in a good way.

Channing and Phillip: This duo performed a Tony and Meredith samba that was described by the choreographers as a very technical piece. There were definitely some awkward moments in this piece, and it didn't have the energy the music demanded. The dancers readily admitted that they struggled with this number, and it showed. If the best thing they can say is that the costume color really suits her well, that's really not a good thing.

Karen and Kevin: Tabitha and Napoleon choreographed a hip hop number for this duo, placing Kevin in his comfort zone while Karen was in hers last week. You could totally tell he is a hip hop dancer, but you really couldn't tell she wasn't. She kept up with him, and her sexiness was amazing as always. Tabitha and Napoleon gave us a routine unlike just about any hip hop number we have yet seen on this show, including several lifts and gyrations.

Kathryn and Legacy: This couple performed a contemporary number by Stacey Tookey. It reminded me of Ivan's number in Season 2, where someone really puts forth something totally unexpected. Legacy went above and beyond anything that was anticipated from him. His partnering was wonderful, and he looked totally confident in his abilities. He is a much smaller person than others on this show, yet he made the lifts look effortless. She was beautiful, the number was beautiful, and this partnership is wonderful.

Pauline and Peter: The couple was provided a Wade Robson jazz number based around the theory of discarded characters from Van Gogh's Starry Night coming back to haunt him after getting rid of them. He really captured the character in this performance, while her performance was somewhat lacking. He has really impressed me, and has continued to impress me since making the top 20. This was a fun routine, and a yet another very memorable Wade Robson number. It reminded me of the

Ellenore and Ryan: Miriam and Leonardo, who performed on the show last season, choreographed and Argentine tango for this pair. This number received a standing ovation from the judges, which always says good things. His power in the lifts was phenomenal, and the number made her look incredibly sexy. They continued through her dress getting stuck on her heel, and did not lose their concentration throughout.

Noelle, Russell, Channing, Phillip, Bianca, and Victor were called out as the couples in danger, with Russell and Channing being asked to stay. These were very appropriate choices and, after reviewing the numbers, I think the judges chose correctly. I am very happy that Russell got to stay this week and the judges didn't eliminate him before the public got to vote. Noelle performed very much a standard female contemporary solo, but Victor chose a very powerful piece of music unlike most in his style of dance. Bianca seemed rather frantic in her solo, while Phillip was so into his dancing he seemed to not notice the end of the song.

If I were the judges, I would send home Phillip and Noelle, but alas, my vote doesn't count. Both of the guys had much better solos than the girls. The vote for the girls was not unanimous, but it was determined that Noelle's solo saved her tonight. The guys received almost no discussion, but Phillip was let go tonight. So that leaves only one tapper left in the competition.

After last week's episode, there were many complaints that the public's opinion was not given a chance to count in the eliminations. This week, I am even more upset because, while the eliminations were fair, they did get rid of two people who had a fan base that may have saved them for another week.

10 words or less: No public vote for two weeks is ridiculous.