Three episodes into this season of "So You Think You Can Dance," and it's almost time to get down to business in Las Vegas - but not before a few more auditions in Dallas and Nashville.
Dallas brought us two dancers - Ida Saki and Jordan Johnson - who were doing things I've certainly never seen before. At one point, it looked as though Ida was lifting herself up by her ankles. Truly "exquisite," as Nigel described her. Then, when former drug addict Jordan Johnson showed up and pulled off some unexpected moves rivaling season four "all-star" Mark, I thought he was a shoo-in for the top 10.
Unfortunately, Dallas wasn't without its low points, like roller-skating oddball "Scooter Rocket," who did nothing more than do various poses while skating around the stage, and Derocccius Harris, who had quite the "Toxic" performance. There was that, and the fact that Tyce "Get the heck off this stage... and come to Vegas!!!" Diorio was on the panel. I'm just glad he didn't get Mia Michaels' permanent judging slot.
I certainly didn't agree with Tyce that Nicole "Marge Simpson" Knudson had once-in-a-century-level talent. The judges adored her, but she was just okay for me.
We should almost forget that the Nashville auditions ever happened (they were certainly the worst in the show's history, with only seven dancers sent to Vegas), but then Bryan Gaynor, who auditioned in season three, graced us with another performance. I agree with Adam Shankman: I want to be him when I grow up.
Then 120 dancers arrived in Las Vegas, among them Billy Bell and Alex Wong, who had actually both made the top 20 before but had to bow out early. Both gave solo performances which made it look as though there are really eight slots available, not 10, in the competition.
One slot I had already mentally reserved for Tyrell Rolle became open when he was unceremoniously eliminated after a solo I don't even think the audience got to see. So much for my predictions. We might as well forget about that "surprise top 12" altogether, I'm afraid.
Even so, my other two predictions for the top 10, Ryan Ramirez and Kent Boyd, seemed to make it through this episode, as well as breaker Jose Luis and the injured Anthony Burrell, who seem to be emerging as real contenders. Arielle Coker, who auditioned with Phillip Chbeeb two seasons ago, and whose face kept popping up onscreen, might have a shot at the competition this time as well.
Early favorites Rachel Girna, Sarah Brinson, Teddy Tedholm and Jordan Johnson (that one really stung) weren't as lucky, however. I especially hope we see more of Jordan in the future.
Not unlike Samson, Nicole Knudson's beehive-esque hair almost proved to be her undoing. When she let it down, it made all the difference and she survived to dance another round. At the same time, I have yet to be impressed with her.
Adichike Tolbert was also given a second chance, and I'm starting to really hope he makes the top 10. A word of warning to future dancers in Vegas: never, ever perform a solo outside your area of expertise.
As the Vegas callbacks continue, only 58 dancers remain. Which ones do you have your eye on for the top 10? Let us know on video, or in the comments below.