The auditions are over. Now it’s time to get to know the dancers in competition. But I don’t know if anyone will ever be as geeky cool as Benji was last season. He still has a special place in my heart.

Tonight’s judges: Dan Karaty (drool), Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe.

But first, a few flashbacks to the auditions…because these shows always need FILLER don’t they?

Now, if you’re not familiar with SYTYCD, it’s a solo competition, but yet, it’s not. Because the dancers are paired up every week and do a different style of dance - sometimes in their genre, but most often it’s something they’ve never experienced before. They are set up with a choreographer (and these are some of the best choreographers in America let me tell ya) and they learn a routine with their partner. Then each week, one boy and one girl go bye bye (but not necessarily partners). Did you get all that?

The host is Cat Deeley from the UK and she definitely grew into the job last year. This year, she already knows what works and so started off much stronger.

Jaimie and Hok
Hip Hop - choreographed by Shane Sparks

Jaimie is a contemporary dancer and Hok is a street dancer.

Shane is a good choreographer because he tries to work to the dancer’s strengths. Hok is a great dancer and lots of fun to watch and Jaimie did her best and she went for it.

Anya and Danny
Jive - choreographed by Tony Meredith

Anya is a ballroom dancer and Danny is a contemporary dancer.

The jive might be the best dance for a contemporary dancer, but the music was really weird for me. It just didn’t work. And this didn’t feel or really look like a jive to me. He looked like he was a contemporary dancer doing the jive and they didn’t have ANY chemistry at all. And also, I hated her dress.

Lacey and Kameron
Contemporary - choreographed by Mia Michaels

Lacey is a swing dancer and Kameron is a contemporary/hip-hop dancer.

I am not always a big fan of Mia’s choreography. It’s sort of like modern art. Sometimes I get it and sometimes I don’t. This one I didn’t. It just felt really disconnected and weird, but I think they did a good job with what they were given and it was very passionate and most definitely had chemistry.

Sabra and Dominic
Disco - choreographed by Doriana Sanchez

Sabra is a contemporary dancer and Dominic is a break dancer.

First of all, LOVE her costume and hair. Perfect for the disco. There wasn’t a lot of speed to this dance and I missed that, but they nailed the tricks and it was good, but a bit tentative.

Ashlee and Ricky
Argentine Tango - choreographed by Alec DaSilva

Ashlee is a contemporary dancer and Ricky is a contemporary dancer.

Oh how I love the Argentine Tango. Sooooo hot and sexy. I think she was too tall so it looked a little weird. And he felt a little crunched to me. I remember Ivan and Allison doing this last year and how much chemistry there was between them, and there just wasn’t that chemistry in this routine.

Sara and Jesus
Pop/Jazz - choreographed by Wade Robson

Sarah is a hip-hop dancer and Jesus is a contemporary dancer.

Wade Robson is so avant garde, but it’s fun to watch because you just don’t know where it’s going. Weird, but fun. The costumes were bizarre. The music was bizarre. The lighting was bizarre. The dancing was demented. It was definitely all atmospheric and I think they did a great job with the routine.

Jessi and Pasha
Smooth Waltz - choreographed by Tony Meredith

Jessi is a hip-hop/contemporary dancer and Pasha is a ballroom dancer.

Jessi is a sexy girl and Pasha, being a ballroom dancer, was a great partner. There was a lot of sensuality and heat in this dance. The lighting and the music didn’t hurt, either. Just beautiful.

Faina and Cedric
Hip Hop - choreographed by Shane Sparks

Faina is a ballroom dancer and Cedric is a hip hop dancer.

I think Faina handled this fairly well and I think Cedric did his thing well. It was an okay routine. Not spectacular, but okay.

Lauren and Neil
Salsa - choreographed by Alec DaSilva

Lauren is a contemporary dancer and Neil is a contemporary dancer.

I think they actually handled this very well. They don’t have a lot of chemistry yet, but there is potential and they are both a lot of fun to watch. The tricks were great.

Quote of the night from Nigel: “You’ve got to not just get it on with yourself.”

Yes, he really said that.

Shauna and Jimmy
Broadway - choreographed by Tyce Diorio

Shauna is a contemporary/etc. etc. dancer and Jimmy is a contemporary dancer.

This was SUCH a fun dance. It just made me smile and Shauna just really lit up the stage for me.

---

This is going to be a tough competition. I’d hate to be the judges trying to figure out who to send home. There are a lot of great dancers and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season!

If I had to pick someone to go home - I’d say Ashlee and Ricky and Faina and Cedric are in danger of being in the bottom.

My favs from tonight were Sara and Jesus and Jessi and Pasha. I did also like Lacey and Kameron, just not the choreography so much.