So You Think You Can Dance 6, November 18: I Need to Feel Appreciated, Like I’m Not Hated

Last night almost everyone was excellent, but we still have to get rid of two of them. My money’s on Karen & Kevin.

But first, group dance! It’s to Imogen Heap’s “Aha!” It looks like a jazz piece. There are boxes, and some of the dancers are under sheets that the other dancers pull off. There’s also a lot of dust, which I’m sure is really fun to deal with. I’m trying to figure out who the choreographer is, because it looks like a Mia piece but I doubt it is. Maybe Sonya? It’s hard to tell what the story is here, too, but the dancers are so in character that it’s like it doesn’t matter. Oh, and Wade and Amanda Robson were the choreographers! How did I not get that?

Hi, judges. Nigel thinks last night demonstrated that the show’s back on track and the dancers remember that they’re in a competition. Less technically proficient dancers are going for it and improving. Nigel points out that the show is looking for America’s favorite dancer, not America’s favorite person, so talent has to come into play.

Mary advises the bottom three dancers not to be overwhelmed, and to remember that they’re still great, or they wouldn’t be here. She doesn’t think we’ve seen the best solos yet. Dancers can come across as desperate at this point, so they need to take deep breaths and try to relax.

Cat tells us that next week each pair will perform two dances. Adam says that will test their stamina and memories. This is where things start to get really serious. Adam tells Wade and Amanda they’re awesome and he wants to spend a night in the museum they created. Oh, it was a museum. I’m dumb.

Kevin & Karen and Jakob & Ashleigh are out first for comments. Okay, who thought this would be suspenseful? Ashleigh & Jakob did an excellent Napoleon/Tabitha hip-hop routine and were told they’re probably both going to the top ten. Ashleigh’s again dressed like she’s going to a sock hop. It must be in case she has to do a solo. They’re safe.

Karen & Kevin did a Broadway routine that didn’t seem to have enough energy. Also, Karen wasn’t hot. They’re in the bottom three and no one’s surprised. Adam tells them they’re very poised and elegant, and he loves watching them dance. They’re a tough partnership because their styles are so different. He urges them to “slaughter” their solos tonight.

Up next are Ryan & Ellenore, Noelle & Russell, and Victor & Channing. Ellenore & Ryan kicked butt in a Travis Wall routine. Ryan made Mary cry (in a good way). Cat admits to watching the routine twice. They’re safe.

Russell & Noelle foxtrotted for the second time. Nigel called Russell a star and Mary told Noelle she was gorgeous. Victor & Channing were blackbirds because Tyce Diorio has a weird imagination. Channing finally started to come alive, but the judges think Victor needs to step it up a little. Obviously one of these pairs has to be in the bottom three; otherwise there’s no suspense leading into the next group. Cat makes a “pecking order” joke and Adam can be heard groaning. Heh.

Channing & Victor are in the bottom three and Russell & Noelle are safe. Yep, figured. Mary says Victor & Channing are consistently good but haven’t had a star moment yet. Yeah, she totally just repeated what was in their clip package.

We’re obviously left with Mollee & Nathan and Kathryn & Legacy. Dude, Mollee, put a shirt on. A bra over a sports bra doesn’t count. Mollee & Nathan should probably be in the bottom three, and I really hope Kathryn & Legacy aren’t instead. Nathan & Mollee did a Laurieann Gibson jazz routine that got good feedback but no goosebumps. Legacy & Kathryn did a paso doble, and one of them didn’t wear a shirt. Guess which one! Kathryn was excellent and the judges think Legacy should make the top ten.

The last couple in the bottom three is… Mollee & Nathan. Thank you, America. Nigel wonders if it’s backlash from last week, since they don’t deserve it for this week. However, he expects to see some fantastic solos, unlike last week. I maintain that he must have had his eyes closed during Ellenore’s solo last week.