18 dancers left - 9 couples.

Tonight’s Judges: Mia Michaels, Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe

Lauren and Neil
Hip hop - choreographed by Dave Scott
The Way I Are (Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.)

To be honest, hip hop is not my favorite genre, so it takes a little more to win me over. I think they did an okay job with this. I liked Neil’s acrobatics, but mostly the dance left me kind of cold.

Jessi and Pasha
Jazz - choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Stiff Jazz (dZihan and Kamien)

It’s nice to see a ballroom dancer who has the ability to take on other genres and make them look legitimate. This dance was a little schizophrenic to me. I liked the dance, but the dance and the costumes didn’t really seem to go with the music. It was all kind of bizarre. But they did a really good job.

Jaimie and Hok
Samba - choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux
Bang Bang to the Rock n Roll (Gabin)

I just love the enthusiasm and joy with which Hok approaches dance. It’s just impossible not to like him. I think he did a pretty decent job in his first foray into ballroom and partnering, although he looked a little like he was dragging his feet through the mud at times. But it was fun to watch. Maybe not perfect, but fun.

Sabra and Dominic
Contemporary - choreographed by Mandy Moore (no, not that Mandy Moore)
I’ll Stand By You (The Pretenders)

Considering Dominic has had zero formal training, I thing he performed admirably and sensitively. His hands were a little floppy when he wasn’t using them like he didn’t quite know what to do with them, but really he just did a lovely job. And of course Sabra was great as this is her genre.

Faina and Cedric
Foxtrot - choreographed by Hunter Johnson
You Are the Boss (Elvis Presley & Ann-Margret)

This is clearly not Cedric’s comfort zone, but the fact that Faina just floated around so beautifully and had that bright pink dress on kept my attention off of him. He got through it. Faina was wonderful though.

Lacey and Kameron
Broadway - choreographed by Tyce DiOrio
Overture/And All That Jazz (Chicago Soundtrack)

By the way, the more I watched their performance from last week (and trust me, we rewatch stuff a lot around here thanks to a 2 1/2 year old), the more it grew on me. It was still bizarre in spots, but it grew on me.

Ooh la la the chemistry these two have. Hot stuff! Great partnering. Great job. They are becoming my favorites!

Anya and Danny
Viennese Waltz - choreographed by Hunter Johnson
You and Me (Lifehouse)

So lovely. Anya is a just a beautiful dancer and that spin (reverse attitude Nigel called it) was breathtaking. And unlike last week, I loved the song that was chosen for this dance. Gorgeous dance.

Shauna and Jimmy
Hip hop - choreographed by Dave Scott
U Sexy Girl (Fat Man Scoop featuring Elephant Man & Jabba)

Shauna definitely has the attitude and I loved the addition of the stepping - tough stuff to do well. Not bad at all. And remember how I said hip hop isn’t my favorite? Well, I really liked this routine a lot better than the first one.

Sara and Jesus
Paso Doble - choreographed by Jean-Marc Genereux
We Will Rock You (Queen)

The entrance was pretty spectacular, but I can’t call the whole thing spectacular. The music choice was just weird. It just made no sense at all. I love that song, but not to dance to. What on earth were they thinking? It overpowered the dance. I’m just left very confused. But I do like them.

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My favorite was definitely Anya and Danny. I also loved Dominic’s foray into contemporary and of course Lacey and Kameron.

The bottom for me was Lauren and Neil and Faina and Cedric.

And how tall is Cat Deeley? She is an AMAZON for gosh sakes!
edited to add: IMDb says she is 5′9″, which with 4 inch heels would make her 6′1″. Definitely an Amazon. ;)