Cat kind of looks like a blue Disco ball. The opening group dance is a lovely routine choreographed by Mandy Moore to The Rose by Bette Midler. I really loved the emotion and the lines and the shapes in the dance.

Before we get to the results, the judges talk to all the dancers. Nigel tells them that by the end of the show, 5 of them will be rejected, but that each and every one of them got over 1 million votes last night. That’s pretty darn awesome if you ask me. Mary tells them that she’ll be proud no matter who wins. Adam says they are genuinely kind good sweet beautiful people and to remember every moment of this experience and that this is the time of their lives.

The top 6 all dance solos tonight.

Courtney dances to Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy.
I think Courtney may have a future as a choreographer. Her routines are always so musical and well thought out.

Mark dances to Wind It Up (Original Neptunes Mix) by Gwen Stefani.
A more original dancer the SYTYCD stage has not seen, and I’m not sure if it will ever see one again.

Katee dances to Beautiful Disaster by Jon McLaughlin.
Such a graceful girl and a beautiful dancer.

Joshua dances to I Can Make You Dance by Zapp.
Joshua shows off his popping skills. I think there is nothing he cannot do.

Chelsie dances to The Girl’s Gone Wild by Travis Tritt.
Chelsie mixes it up a bit in her solo and looks like she’s having a lot of fun.

Twitch dances to Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin.
Twitch is just such a joy to watch.

The dancing guest this week is a little 6 year old boy called “Little Demon” and not only was he cute as a button, he was a pretty darn good dancer, too. Cat gets more points as one of my favorite reality hosts by hoisting him up into her arms to interview him since she couldn’t bend down in her very short dress.

And now it’s the sad sad results time…

The first girl safe is….Katee. Not a bit surprised.

The first guy safe is…Joshua. And no surprise there, either.

Hmm, it’s almost like they read all the blogs today since every blog I read said that Katee and Joshua were for sure in the final 4, but the question was who would join them. And that’s still a pretty big question. We’ll find out after Lady GaGa. Um, this is bizarre. If you fast forwarded through it? You didn’t miss much. I wish I could have, but I was watching it live. Although apparently a Season 2 finalist was one of her dancers. I might have to rewatch it (on mute) to see if I can find him.

Okay, time for the final cuts before the finale.

Courtney is in the final 4 and Chelsie goes home. I love them both so it hurts either way, but it kind of stinks for Chelsie that this is her first time in the bottom.

Twitch is in the final 4 and Mark goes home. And I love both of them, too, but I have such a soft spot in my heart for Twitch that I’m glad he made it.

As the show ended, Mark picked Chelsie up and twirled her around in a huge bear hug. They were so great together.

So, that means that America’s favorite dancer will either be a hip-hop dancer guy or a contemporary dancer girl. And the chances of a hip-hop dancer winning are greater than they have ever been. I think it’ll be one of the guys, but you never never know. Next week is gonna be AWESOME!

Now it’s time for the show. New partners. New dances. This week, we find out who the final four will be. And seriously, I have no earthly clue who they will be. Other than that one of the boys will be a B-boy and either one of them has a great chance to win. But, I love them all! And other than the fact that Will should probably be there instead of Mark, I think the voters got it pretty right. All right, enough talk, let’s see some dancing!

Joining Nigel and Mary tonight is…Adam Shankman. (I totally had a feeling it would be him!)

Courtney and Mark
Viennese Waltz choreographed by Jason Gilkison
The Time of My Life: David Cook

Now I don’t know a lot about ballroom technique, but this just felt so flowy and liquidy and just beautiful. The lifts looked effortless, there was a definite romance about it. Courtney seems to bring out the best in her partners. She connects so well. Adam said it was really beautiful and that Mark’s rise and fall was the best any guy has done this season. Mary said that it floated across the floor and the lifts seemed effortless and that Mark comes alive week after week to another level. Nigel said it was beautifully romantic.

Chelsie dances to When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls.
I think this was a passable solo for a ballroom dancer. I like that she put some spins in it and the split at the end. Not as dynamic as the contemporary dancers, but still nicely done.

Twitch dances to Midas Touch by Midnight Star.
I love that Twitch adds humor to his solos. This was entertaining as usual!

Katee and Joshua
Contemporary choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
All By Myself: Celine Dion

The dynamic duo is back together! Katee has danced with all the guys that are left, so there wasn’t much choice, but I’m glad to see them together again. Wow! That leap that he did over her when she was on all fours was amazing - it just seemed to hang in the air above her. I got goosebumps. And that split jump she did into his arms. WOW! I actually had to rewind this and watch it again. It was that good. I think they just cemented their place in the final 4. This is my favorite thing that Tyce has ever choreographed. Adam says they are by far two of the most exciting dancers that have ever graced that stage and he said it was AWESOME! Mary said it was filled with passion and phenomenal and the most beautiful thing she’s seen on the show and that she sees both them in the finale. Nigel said Joshua was absolutely brilliant and that it blows him away that Joshua doesn’t have training. They delivered!

Chelsie and Twitch
Mambo choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin
Ahora Me Toca a Mi: Victor Manuelle

I think Twitch may have lucked out getting Chelsie for this Mambo! Is this the first Latin dance Twitch has done other than the Paso Doble? I’d have to go check, but I think it is. Compared to the first two dances, this was not quite as good in my book, but it was still very good. Chelsie of course was awesome and I think Twitch held his own. His upper body was a little stiff in spots for me, and I think Chelsie carried the dance, but he performed admirably. Adam said Chelsie was on fire, and that Twitch sold it well with his face and could have sold it better with his body, but he was a strong partner and he was completely entertained. Mary thought it was a great routine and gave Twitch huge props for a tough routine (on the 2 instead of the 1) and no one can touch Chelsie on the Latin dances. Nigel thought the choreography made Twitch looked good and that Chelsie was terrific.

Katee dances to Can’t Stop by Maroon 5.
I finally figured out who Katee reminds me of, and it’s Kristi Yamaguchi. She has a Kristi Yamaguchi quality to her movement - which is a good thing!

Joshua dances to Like That by Memphis Bleek.
Most dynamic solo of the night. Maybe of the season. ‘Nuff said.

Courtney and Mark
Jazz choreographed by Sonya Tayeh
The Garden: Mirah

I think Sonya is a Wade Robson wannabe and doesn’t do what he does as well as he does what he does. That being said, this routine was definitely dark and interesting and weird. Not my cup of tea, but they danced it well and it suited Mark’s quirky style. Adam said that it was SICK and that he loved it and that together they are unbelievable. Mary said that was crazy, raw, interesting and the weirdest fight scene she’s ever seen and she loved it. Nigel said it was one of the highlights of tonight.

Katee and Joshua
Paso Doble choreographed by Jason Gilkison
Filet: Le Reve (Original Soundtrack)

I’m actually really excited to see Joshua do the Paso Doble because I think he’s really suited for it. I think they can do no wrong when they’re together. They have amazing chemistry and may be the best partnership since Benji and Donyelle in Season 2. That was intense! Adam said Joshua makes him believe in the impossible - that it’s not possible that he should be capable of doing what he is doing tonight and he loved it. Mary said that true magic happens on the stage when they’re together and gave an ear-piercing Mary scream. Nigel said it was a fabulous routine and that Joshua will steal the show if he keeps dancing like that.

Courtney dances to Rock Your Soul by Elisa.
I think Courtney always does really interesting solos and she is very musical in her choreography.

Mark dances to Bum Like You by Robyn.
Quirky and interesting as usual!

Chelsie and Twitch
Hip hop choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha
Control: The Vitamin String Quartet

This was a really interesting routine. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t blow me away like the other choreography tonight did. I think of all the couples, Chelsie and Twitch have the least chemistry and so there wasn’t the same dynamic in their dancing as there was in the other couples’ dancing. Twitch was great. Chelsie was very good. They danced it well. The choreography was sort of boring compared to some of the other choreography tonight. I think it was inventive and interesting and funny, but it just didn’t have the wow factor that the other routines had. Adam thought it had wit and intelligence and humor and Twitch was hot and Chelsie can do anything. Mary said Twitch has been stellar and outstanding and that Chelsie kept up with Twitch. Nigel said they are fantastic dancers.

My ranking:
1. Katee and Joshua (Contemporary)
2. Katee and Joshua (Paso Doble)
3. Courtney and Will (Viennese Waltz)
4. Chelsie and Twitch (Hip-hop)
5. Courtney and Will (Jazz)
6. Chelsie and Twitch (Mambo)

Solo ranking:
1. Joshua
2. Twitch
3. Courtney
4. Mark
5. Katee
6. Chelsie

So, wow. What’s going to happen tomorrow? I really don’t know other than I think Katee and Joshua are a shoo-in for the top 4 and deservedly so. Katee hasn’t danced a bad routine and Joshua has just done everything he’s been asked to do totally out of his element and done it better than anyone could have hoped for. He’s the only dancer of the night that didn’t have the opportunity to dance in his own style (other than the solo, of course) and yet he was in the two best routines of the night. I’m on the Joshua bandwagon and I think he should win the competition. But that won’t be decided until next week. This week, he and his partner should move on. As for the other 4?

Mark vs. Twitch. Twitch is a likable guy and he’s done so well dancing out of his element. Maybe not as well as Josh, but he’s done himself proud. Mark is quirky and different and interesting. I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for Twitch, so I guess I’d like to see him in the Final Four (and how awesome would it be to see two hip-hop dancers in the finale?), but I’ll be okay if it’s Mark instead.

Chelsie vs. Courtney. Chelsie has nailed everything she’s been given. She’s probably the best ballroom dancer ever on the show when dancing other genres. Courtney, on the other hand, has connected the best of any dancer with every partner she’s had. And she’s danced well in all the genres she’s been given as well. I guess I’d put Chelsie ahead of her, just so there would be a little bit of variety in the final 4, but I’m okay with either one of those girls as well.

These dancers are all so evenly matched, although technique-wise, I’d say Twitch is at the bottom of the list, but he’s likable and also he might get a lot of votes this week because he was in the bottom 2 last week. I think before the night started, there wasn’t a clear frontrunner, but I think Katee and Josh served notice tonight that they are in it to win it and they pulled just a little bit ahead of the pack. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict the final four is: Josh, Katee, Twitch (sympathy vote?) and Chelsie (since she has never been in the bottom). Who do you think SHOULD be in the final four? Who do you WANT to be in the final four? And who do you think WILL be in the final four? Tell me in the comments!

Cat looks like a Grecian goddess tonight. I like it!

The opening number was choreographed by Chuck Maldonado. A new choreographer!

After a Nigel public service announcement on voting (for president), it’s time for results…

Katee is…safe!

Will is…in the bottom 2. :(

Comfort is…in the bottom 2.

Mark is…safe! That’s a bit of a surprise!

Chelsie is…safe!

Twitch is…in the bottom 2. Noooooooooo!!!!

Joshua is…safe! Love that boy!

Courtney is…in the bottom 2.

Can I just say here that Cat is my favorite host ever? She’s so warm and you can tell that she genuinely cares about all of them.

Next, we are treated to a beautiful Pas de Deux.

And it’s solo time again!

Comfort dances to Like This by Mims.

Will dances to Closer by Goapele.

Courtney dances to Passion by Kreesha Turner.

Twitch dances to Hollywood Swinging by Kool & the Gang.

Before we find out the bad news, we get to see the one and only LL Cool J!

First the girls…

Comfort is…going home. (Again.)

Which means that Courtney is…safe!

Now the boys… *sigh*

Will is…going home.

And that means that my man Twitch is…safe! Yay!

But Will. :( Soooooo sad!!!!

Next week’s final cuts before the final 4 are going to be the most painful of all. I hate to see any of them go. And I have no idea who it will be. I better stock up on Kleenex. I have a feeling, though, that this year will be the first time we see a hip-hop dancer win.

Joining Nigel and Mary tonight is Toni Basil! (Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey!)

Courtney and Will
Samba choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux
I Fell in Love with the DJ: Che’ Nelle

This was a really fun routine. I think Courtney was the stronger Samba dancer though. Will didn’t quite have the shimmy and hip action down as well as she did (or as Joshua has done in the Latin dances). The one thing that was really driving me crazy, however, was the sucky camera work. It’s a partner dance. I prefer to see both dancers all the time and not isolations on just one so much. Nigel said tonight is going to be a great night and that when they were thinking too much about technique it was great. Mary said Will’s technique wasn’t quite there, but the chemistry was there and she screamed for Courtney. Toni had so much fun watching she forgot she was judging, but she thought they brought the life of the Samba to it.

(Their “IV Real” thing is starting to get monotonous, though. Knock it off already.)

Comfort dances to I Got This Down by Simian Mobile Disco.
Comfort’s solos have been looking the same the last few weeks, but she threw some new moves in this one and it was a lot more enjoyable.

Katee and Twitch
Contemporary choreographed by Mia Michaels
Mercy: Duffy

An angry passionate dance with kissing and fighting and angst. A lot more acting than dancing really, but it was interesting. It almost felt more like a hip-hop routine than a comtemporary routine. Actually, I can’t really describe what kind of routine it was, but there were some mighty impressive tricks in it. Not as much dancing as maybe there should have been, though. But, it definitely set a mood and a tone, so they get props for that and it was most definitely intense and entertaining. Nigel said it was hard to critique the dancing, but that the performance was fantastic and he wondered what goes through Mia Michaels head and they danced it brilliantly. Mary said they were two of the best dancers we’ve seen on the stage and she loved it. Toni said Mia infused some funk and the contemporary and funk became seamless and she didn’t take any notes on this one either and loved it.

Will dances to Get Up Offa That Thing by James Brown.
He comes out in a suit and James Brown hair and delivers a fabulous performance. One of my favorite solos ever (and much too short - I could have watched him forever I think).

Comfort and Mark
Hip-hop choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon
Party People: Fergie featuring Nelly

This was angry hip-hop which is not my favorite. In fact, I really didn’t care much for it at all. However, they both danced it well, especially Comfort. And the big trick he did where he picked her up and rolled her over his head to her feet was awesomeness. Don’t have much more to say than that. Nigel says that Comfort dances better when she’s choreographed than when she solos and that she was absolutely incredible and that Mark was really good. Mary said Comfort was hitting it tonight and that Mark nailed it. Toni loved the routine and thought the opening piece was fabulous and that they were rooted in the music and the beat.

Katee dances to Taking Chances by Celine Dion.
Isn’t this the theme song to Biggest Loser? I never knew it was Celine Dion. Anyway, she is a beautiful dancer and I do love to watch her.

Chelsie and Joshua
Argentine Tango choreographed by Dmitry Chaplin
A Los Amigos: Forever Tango (Original Cast)

Wow. Talk about fringe! That is FRINGE! I loved the subtleties in the choreography. I think their chemistry was intense and a bit angry (do they like each other or not?), and I thought Joshua was there for her and I think they both danced it well. Nigel said her legs were great and that Joshua has the biggest bum in the competition. He loved the choreography and it used her legs and his strength and that it was enjoyable. Mary said it translated in just the right way. She thought Joshua set the right mood and committed to it and that Chelsie was sexier in this than the first one. Toni said Argentino Tango should be spontaneous and torrid and that their ending was both of those.

Mark dances to Creator by Santogold featuring Switch & Freq Nasty.
I’d actually like to see Mark do some more tricks one of these days, but he’s still fun to watch.

Courtney and Will
Hip-hop choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha
Like You’ll Never See Me Again: Alicia Keys

Really beautiful hip-hop routine. Very well danced. I think they really found the emotion in the piece and brought it out. Great chemistry between them. The only criticism I have is that I thought Courtney’s outfit was wrong for the piece and that it was distracting from instead of adding to the routine. Nigel said it’s the first season he’s been affected emotionally by hip-hop routines and that they were emotionally together. Mary said they didn’t meet her expectations, they blew them out of the water and it made her feel something. Toni said great art makes you feel something and that it’s taken a long time for the street dances to be accepted as art.

By the way, Toni Basil is 64 years old. She does NOT look 64! Wowza!

Chelsie dances to Damaged by Danity Kane.
It’s hard for ballroom dancers to do solos, but I think she did okay tonight. And I loved her dress! (And today is her 19th birthday!)

Katee and Twitch
Broadway choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Sweet Georgia Brown: Bubbling Brown Sugar (Original Broadway Cast)

This was such a fun story and fun choreography and it was just a joy to watch them dance it. A lot lighter and different from the first routine. I love Twitch and they were a great couple tonight. Nigel loved the routine and he thinks Twitch is such a wonderful character and that he is the least trained dancer but he’s done a wonderful job. He said Katee hasn’t done a routine that he hasn’t enjoyed her doing. Mary said it was terrific and well-matched in movement, entertainment and energy. Toni thinks Twitch brings more reality to the choreography than Broadway dancers because he dances from the inside out as opposed to the outside in like trained dancers do. She would have liked to have seen a deep, rough style of movement from Katee to match the vocal, but they both did wonderfully.

Joshua dances to Shawty Get Loose by Lil Mama featuring T-Pain & Chris Brown.
Joshua always makes me smile. Love him!

Courtney dances to Where I Stood by Missy Higgins.
Very emotional and lovely.

Twitch dances to Go to Work by Kay L.
Twitch never fails to disappoint. I love to watch him do his thing.

Comfort and Mark
Foxtrot choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux
Lady Luck: The Brian Setzer Orchestra

I was worried about this routine. It wasn’t horrible. It was enjoyable to watch if you ignore all the technical stuff the judges point out. I do think this is the best chemistry I’ve seen Comfort have with a partner. Nigel said it wasn’t good and there was no chemistry (don’t agree) and they were thinking too hard and it was slightly amateurish. Mary said it was tough and it was one of the worst close-holds she’s ever seen. Toni thought Mark’s Jazz lines were good, and that Foxtrot is hard to pull off.

Chelsie and Joshua
Disco choreographed by Doriana Sanchez
Everlasting Love: Gloria Estefan

This was not nearly as smooth as it should have been. It looked to me like Josh fell out of a spin (and tried to cover it) and a missed a few handholds, but he was absolutely and totally there for her on the lifts and I think they got the Disco feel down very well. It just looked like he was thinking really hard during the routine. And I hate saying that because I love him! Nigel was impressed with Joshua’s strength in the lifts and with Chelsie’s courage. Mary said it was really good and that Doriana trusted Joshua to pull off the lifts. She was also impressed with the way Chelsie exited the lifts. Toni thought they really pulled it off and it had the spirit of Disco. I think the judges purposely ignored the mistakes in this routine because they want Joshua to stay and Mark to go. But that’s just my opinion.

My ranking
1. Courtney and Will (Hip-hop)
2. Katee and Twitch (Broadway)
3. Katee and Twitch (Contemporary)
4. Chelsie and Joshua (Disco) (because that was a crazy hard routine)
5. Courtney and Will (Samba)
6. Chelsie and Joshua (Argentine Tango)
7. Comfort and Mark (Hip-hop)
8. Comfort and Mark (Foxtrot)

Solo ranking
1. Will
2. Twitch
3. Joshua
4. Courtney
5. Katee
6. Mark
7. Chelsie
8. Comfort

Unfortunately for Comfort, she’ll continue her residence in the bottom 2. I think Mark will also be there. As for the other girl and the other guy? No idea. It’s definitely time for Comfort to go home and unfortunately, it’s probably time for Mark to go as well. But, I don’t really want any of the boys to go, so I’m sad no matter what.

Sidenote: I caught at least two three mistakes in the graphics tonight. The Celine Dion song was identified as “Taking Changes” when it’s really called “Taking Chances” and Doriana Sanchez’ name was mispelled Dorianna. (Her website says Doriana so I would imagine that’s the correct spelling.) They also misspelled Alicia Keys last name as “Keyes”. That type of thing is really sloppy and should be caught. No excuse for that.

Hip-hop

I’m still not the biggest fan of hip-hop, but it’s growing on me, thanks to the show.

10. Donyelle and Travis - Season 2
I didn’t like the masks when I first saw this, and I still didn’t really care for them on the rewatch, but the dancing was pretty darn good.

9. Katee and Joshua - Season 4
Love the shirt trick.

8. Lacey and Pasha - Season 3
Lacey was a perfect mannequin - and I mean that in a good way - and Pasha really can do no wrong in my book.

7. Lauren and Pasha - Season 3
This routine was just freaky!

6. Sabra and Dominic - Season 3
Sweet and romantic.

5. Benji and Travis - Season 2
Funny and fun and perfect for the two of them.

4. Allison and Ivan - Season 2
The most romantic hip-hop routine I’ve ever seen.

3. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
This routine got so much buzz and it deserved it.

2. Comfort and Twitch - Season 4
The first (and only time so far) that two primarily hip-hop dancers danced hip-hop together. And of course, they killed it.

1. Destini and Jamile - Season 1
But the best hip-hop routine of the series remains this awesomeness from Season 1.

Krump

Honestly? I’m not sold on Krump as a style that really works for this show. But, then I got to listen to Lil’ C in the judge’s chair last week? And I’m hoping it sticks around, and he gets to judge more often.

2. Sara and Jesus - Season 3

1. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
This is the first really good Krump I’ve seen.

Pop/Pop-Jazz

No pop routines this season (yet), but there have been a few good ones on past seasons.

3. Melissa and Artem - Season 1

2. Heidi and Travis - Season 2

1. Sara and Jesus - Season 3

Rock and Roll

There has only been one Rock and Roll routine in the series, but it’s a lot of fun to watch, so here are Ashle and Blake from Season 1:

Disco

All three of these were spectacular and there really could have been a 3-way tie.

3. Natalie and Musa - Season 2
The airplane spin was awesome.

2. Sara and Neil - Season 3

1. Melody and Nick - Season 1
Check the throw lift at :43 - spec.tac.u.lar.

Hustle

There has only been one Hustle on the series, but it was a good one!

Lacey and Kameron - Season 3

West Coast Swing

2. Katee and Joshua - Season 4

1. Sara and Pasha - Season 3
One of my all-time favorite performances over all the seasons.

Lindy Hop

There have been two Lindy Hops over the seasons, but only one of them was memorable.

Lacey and Neil - Season 3

Bollywood

I hope this season isn’t the last we see of Bollywood because I thought this routine was awesome.

Katee and Joshua - Season 4

Well, that’s it for the couples dances. Did I leave out any of your favorites? Tell me in the comments!

Next time (providing I can find them on YouTube), it’s the Group Dances!

Other posts in the series:

Part 1 - The Latin Dances
Part 2 - Ballroom
Part 3 - Contemporary, Jazz, Broadway

Broadway

Up until this season, Tyce DiOrio was the only Broadway choreographer used, and his routines can be kind of hit or miss. I’m glad to see new blood this season, and I hope they keep bringing in different choreographers for this style, like Adam Shankman (who choreographed a group routine last season) for instance.

10. Martha and Travis - Season 2
I was not a Martha fan, and I don’t think I really liked this routine as much as the judges did during Season 2, but looking back at it, it’s well-danced and might have been their best routine.

9. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
What a way to be introduced to Twitchington!

8. Courtney and Gev - Season 4
This routine reminded me of Gene Kelly, my favorite dancer of all time.

7. Donyelle and Benji - Season 2
The only thing I didn’t like about this routine, was Donyelle’s costume. It kind of reminded me of Little Bo Peep.

6. Katee and Joshua - Season 4

5. Heidi and Benji - Season 2
When these two danced together, it was always awesomeness.

4. Melody and Nick - Season 1
When I think of Season 1, this is the routine I think of first. One of the top routines of the season.

3. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
If Mark can sing, he’d be a natural on Broadway.

2. Sabra and Pasha - Season 3
They had a great week between this and their Quickstep.

1. Lacey and Kameron - Season 3
This is the routine that I always think of first when I think of Broadway on So You Think You Can Dance.

Contemporary

Somewhere along the way during Season 1, they stopped calling this style Lyrical and started calling it Contemporary. Not sure what that was all about, but I combined the two to come up with my top 10 for this style.

10. Melody and Allan - Season 1
This is not the best dancing in Season 1, but to me it was the most memorable Contemporary routine of the season - in fact, it was the only one that I remembered when I went back to watch routines for this post. For that reason, and because big old cuddly Allan and tiny little Melody were a most unlikely couple, it gets a spot.

9. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
Twitch with no shirt. ‘Nuff said.

8. Jason and Aleksandra - Season 2
These two didn’t go very far in the competition, but their dance from the first week is still one I remember with a smile.

7. Sabra and Dominic - Season 3
There is something so sweet about Dominic in this dance. And in his sharing that he shaved his toes.

6. Allison and Ivan - Season 2
I think Season 2 is still my favorite season, and these two and this dance is one of the reasons.

5. Danny and Neil - Season 3
Mia Michaels is a love it or hate it choreographer for me, and this dance is one that I would normally probably hate, and in fact in my original review, I wrote that the lighting annoyed me and there was way too much testosterone for me. But in rewatching it, I enjoyed the crazy, wicked, wildness of it.

4. Katee and Joshua - Season 4
This was just beautifully danced.

3. Jessica and Will - Season 4
There is something so primieval and carnal about this piece. And Will with no shirt doesn’t hurt either.

2. Lacey and Neil - Season 3
The amazing thing about dance is the emotions it can bring out. I cried the first time I saw this and I’ve cried every time I’ve seen it since. That is powerful.

1. Heidi and Travis - Season 2
Mia Michaels won an Emmy for this routine. It’s still one of the most beautiful dances I’ve ever seen on this show.

Jazz/Lyrical Jazz

If you’re curious why there’s nothing from Season 2 on this list, it’s because there was only one dance classified as Jazz, and it wasn’t that good.

8. Ashle and Artem - Season 1
Not much to choose from in Season 1, but this was the one I remembered the most.

7. Jessi and Pasha - Season 3
I loved the quirkiness of this.

6. Lauren and Neil - Season 3
When this dance first aired, I didn’t really care for it at all, but when I rewatched it for this post, I enjoyed Wade Robson’s bizarre choreography and storyline and Neil’s performance.

5. Sara and Pasha - Season 3
I loved Sara and Pasha together and I really enjoyed this routine.

4. Jessica and Will - Season 4
We’ve already talked about Will without a shirt, so I won’t mention that again. *cough*

3. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
It’s too bad Wade Robson is not choreographing this season. I’d love to see what he could come up with for Mark. They seem to be a match made in quirky heaven.

2. Sabra and Neil - Season 3
This is another of the most memorable dances on the show. And they danced it perfectly.

1. Jaimie and Hok - Season 3
One of my all-time favorites. The mind of Wade Robson would be a fascinating place to explore.

Pas de Deux

There’s only been one Pas de Deux to date, but there is no way it can’t be on a Best of post, so here is Season 4’s Katee and Will and their breathtaking Pas de Deux:

The great thing about art is that everyone’s opinion is different on what is the best or what is beautiful or what touches them. That said, I’m sure I left out some of your favorites. Tell me which ones in the comments!

Other posts in this series:

Part 1 - The Latin Dances

Part 2 - Ballroom

Foxtrot

I’ve been trying to keep it to the Top 3 dances over the four seasons, but I just couldn’t decide between two of these for 3rd place, so we have a tie.

3. (Tie) Ashle and Artem - Season 1
They just looked so elegant together.

3. (Tie) Jessica and Jaymz - Season 2
Overall, this couple didn’t do too much for me on the enjoyment scale, but this Foxtrot is elegant and lovely and was probably their best dance.

2. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4

1. Anya and Danny - Season 3
It took me a long time to become a Danny fan, but watching this dance again with his majestic leaps and glorious lines, makes me remember why I finally did. And Anya danced beautifully, too! (And it is a crime that she was eliminated this particular week.)

Quickstep

Quickstep has become known as the “dance of death” on this show, but there actually have been a few great routines.

3. Melissa and Artem - Season 1

2. Lacey and Kameron - Season 3
They just made it look easy.

1. Sabra and Pasha - Season 3
Difficult and entertaining choreography by Tony Meredith.

Smooth Waltz/Waltz

If I understand ballroom correctly, the difference between the Smooth Waltz and the Waltz is that the smooth dances are American style and the regular Waltz is the International style, so I’ve lumped them together into one category. However, I’m not sure if they’ve always used the correct technical names for the dances, so please someone, correct me if I’m wrong - I’m no expert, just a fan!

3. Jessi and Pasha - Season 3
I think she was a little into him.

2. Heidi and Travis - Season 2
The lines! The elegance! The lines!

1. Lacey and Pasha - Season 3
Yes, Pasha is in two out of three of these dances. I love me some Pasha! But seriously, this routine just looked effortless.

Tango

There haven’t been that many Tangos on the show. Maybe they need to do it more often? Neither one of these really made me jump out of my seat in excitement, but they danced them well. (For Argentine Tango, check the post on the Latin dances.)

2. Jessica and Will - Season 4

1. Lauren and Neil - Season 3

Viennese Waltz

I believe the difference between the Viennese and the Smooth is that the Viennese Waltz is faster than the Smooth Waltz. This style is my very favorite of the ballroom dances, and it was impossible for me to come up with only 3 favorites, so you get 4 instead.

4. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
The atmosphere, the music, the emotion, so beautiful.

3. Anya and Danny - Season 3
That layback spin (or reverse attitude turn as Nigel called it) she does in this routine is breathtaking.

2. Lacey and Danny - Season 3
The whole dance was just ethereal.

1. Donyelle and Benji - Season 2
I struggled with which dance would be at the top of the list and whether Lacey would beat out her brother Benji, but I remember the week that they danced this, I watched it over and over and over again on the dvr. It was just so emotional and beautiful and the connection between them was tremendous. And I’ll never forget Donyelle calling it the “Vietnamese Waltz”.

Keep checking back, I’ve got three more posts planned in this series. Did I leave any of your favorite ballroom routines out? Tell me in the comments.

Other posts in this series:

Part 1 - The Latin Dances

Argentine Tango

3. Sara and Danny - Season 3
There is one move they do, where she twists and turns through his arms and body that is one of my favorite tricks.

2. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4

1. Allison and Ivan - Season 2 (Top 16)
They danced this twice, but the first one was my favorite Argentine Tango.

Cha-Cha

3. Heidi and Ryan - Season 2

2. Pasha and Jessi - Season 3
This Cha-cha was not danced on the competition show because Jessi was ill the day the show was taped. This is from the results show, and it’s a shame for Jessi that she wasn’t able to perform it in competition, because this hot little number might have kept her around a little bit longer.

1. Courtney and Gev - Season 4
I loved them together, and I loved this Cha-cha choreographed by Pasha and Anya from Season 3.

Cuban Rumba

Heidi and Ryan - Season 2
They’ve only done this style once on the show, but it’s still one of my favorite Alex Da Silva routines. They need to bring it back!

Jive

3. Melody and Craig - Season 1

2. Sabra and Dominic - Season 3

1. Chelsie and Gev - Season 4
This was fast and furious and fun. And Chelsie just killed it.

Mambo

2. Melissa and Ryan - Season 1

1. Heidi and Benji - Season 2
One of the best performances on the show - ever.

Paso Doble

3. Melody and Nick - Season 1

2. Sabra and Neil - Season 3
Neil in leather pants. Need I say more?

1. Heidi and Travis - Season 2
The intensity of this is awesome.

Rumba

3. Sabra and Dominic - Season 3
This was the first Rumba ever done on the show, and it was beautiful.

2. Courtney and Joshua - Season 4
Courtney is a hot tamale for sure. And Joshua’s hips? Wowza.

1. Courtney and Gev - Season 4
But I thought this Rumba had a sweetness in the sensuality and it’s my favorite.

Salsa

3. Melissa and Ryan - Season 1

2. Lauren and Neil - Season 2
I never cared all that much for Lauren, but Neil is so pretty to look at!

1. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
If Chelsie doesn’t make it to the top 4 of this season, I’ll be shocked.

Samba

3. Ashle and Blake - Season 1

2. Katee and Joshua - Season 4
I love Joshua and his hips. Did I just say that?

1. Lacey and Danny - Season 3
This may have been the dance that finally won me over to Danny fandom. This is just smokin’ hot.

Did I leave out any of your favorite Latin dances? Tell me in the comments.