The worst thing about the first week of So You Think You Can Dance is that someone's got to go home. Two someones in fact. But it must be done. Like ripping off a band-aid, it's sometimes best if it's done quickly.

The first cut is the deepest...

The group number comes courtesy of Wade Robson to "Cobrastyle" by Robyn. The crazy/punk/scarily suited dancers kidnap Nigel and dance around him on stage. It was odd but enjoyable. I didn't exactly care for the camera work though.

The same judges are on hand (Dan, Mary and Nigel) and, since it's a packed show, Cat gets straight to the first batch of results.

Kherington & Twitch are up first. They get a rousing reception from the crowd as Cat tosses to the package from last night. They're safe. Next is Chelsea & Thayne. But, instead of getting their results, we move over to Chelsie & Mark. Sort of surprisingly, they're both safe and the crowd approves.

Back from a commercial break, Matt & Kourtni face the firing squad. This could go either way. Yup, suspicions confirmed. First couple in the bottom. Susie & Marquis are next. They're another couple that could go either way but they're safe. Comfort & Chris and Rayven & Jamie await their fates next. Crap, one is safe and one is in the bottom three. It's Rayven & Jamie, which isn't surprising. The ballet dancers can't seem to catch a break on the first week. In reasoning why they're in danger, Nigel makes an interesting point that besides the fact they were the first ones out, that part where Rayven pulled down Jamie's pants might have offended some people (though he doesn't see why as it was done in jest).

After yet another break, our last three couples are on stage. Katee & Joshua, who receive a rousing ovation, are safe. Yay! So it's down to Jessica & Will and Courtney & Gev. I still don't agree with the "couple to beat" sentiment because it's so early in the season. The final couple in the bottom is Jessica & Will, meaning the Doriana Disco curse has taken a break this year.

Each week, we'll be treated to a performance by an icon of dance. Our first is Poppin' Pete and his son Shonn Boog who perform to "I Can Make You Dance" by Zapp. Living legend, that's what he is.

Yet another break, and it's solo time. Here's the order and the songs they danced to:
1. Kourtni
"I Wanna Dance With Sombody" by The Side Project
2. Matt
"Baby's Romance" by Chris Garneau
3. Rayven
"As I Am (Intro)" by Alicia Keys
4. Jamie
"Mas Que Nada" by Sergio Mendes and Black Eyed Peas
5. Jessica
"Misery Business (Acoustic Version)" by Paramour
6. Will
"More Than Anyone (Stripped Version)" by Gavin DeGraw

For the girls, I'd say it's between Rayven and Jessica as both routines were unfortunately fairly weak. Perhaps Jessica will go home since there seemed to be less content in this solo than any of her audition footage. It's much more difficult between the guys, I think. Matt was technically fabulous, Jaime danced so hard his shirt untucked from his pants, and Will had a lot of layers and different movements. It might be Matt due to a relative lack of personality.

Ah...it's time for a performance from the Pussycat Dolls with "When I Grow Up" while the judges deliberate. I like them, sometimes in spite of myself. These chicks can dance they're behinds off so they tend to get a pass. Booty popping is an art and not everyone has a paint brush.

One last break and it's guillotine time. The girls are first, Nigel stating in was a unanimous decision. Kourtni is safe, with the note to bring that passion she exhibited tonight. Nigel doesn't understand why Rayven was on demi-pointe. Jessica's routine wasn't strong enough as a solo. Jessica stays and Rayven, unfortunately, goes. Cut to Rayven's mother bawling in the audience. Thanks Mr. Director. (That's totally sarcasm, by the way.) To her credit, she takes the news in stride.

Now for the guys. The decision is unanimous again. Will is emphatically safe (with Nigel telling him that he has the capacity to be in the final but he must be sure not to rush through his movements). The judges wish they could fuse Matt and Jaime together. Strangely in his explanation, he condemned Matt for not have enough personality and, stating they believe in growth...voted in favor of the person with the best technique. Huh? I see what he was trying to say but the way it was presented didn't make sense. Poor Jamie is out and barely holds it together as Cat interviews him. I think he wouldn't have taken it so hard if Nigel didn't build it up to sound like Jamie was staying. That wasn't cool.

So I was totally wrong with my predicitions. Were you surprised by who got cut? Do you think they judges got it wrong? Not that I don't like Jessica, but I was pulling for Rayven since she's by far the most versitile ballerina that's been on the show. Any other thoughts?

Comments

That sucked. Jamie was my favorite and he's already gone. He was the next Pasha!

Lori | Jun 12, 2008 8:41:45 PM | #

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I think they got it right, & that's what I was hoping for!! For some reason, I didn't like those 2, maybe not together, I'm not sure--I didn't even vote for them either!! I was pretty darn sure, It would be them!! Man, it's gonna be a tough season, they're all soooooooo good this year!! I can't remember, does 1 guy & 1 girl home every week?? That would mean it's only on for like 5 weeks total--bummer!! Maybe it's cuz I like all the dancer's soooooooooo much this year!! Seemed like it lasted alot longer the other year's--maybe it's just me!!

Michele | Jun 12, 2008 8:52:12 PM | #

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I totally agree with the choice. Of all the routines last night that first one was the one that was completely forgettable.
Oh, and Michele--it is a guy/girl each week. If pairs are split the remaining partners will dance together. It is a 10 week competition, and after the first five weeks they start to switch up partners.

Kelly | Jun 12, 2008 9:00:14 PM | #

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I guess I was in the minority, but I absolutely loved Jamie and Raynen's dance last night. In fact, I was just about to watch it again - it's exactly 15 minutes in on where my tivo recorded it last night. I'm very very sad to see them go. They both definitely had the personality. And they had technique too. I'm bummed.

And I totally didn't get Nigel's statement about people being offended by his pants being pulled down.

Kate | Jun 12, 2008 9:56:37 PM | #

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Not surprised that Jamie went after they eliminated Raven as they tend to eliminate a couple in week 1 so as to not have to build the new chemistry in week 2 already - not really sure why since building a new couple in week 3 rather than week 2 would seem to be more of a disadvantage in terms of the other couples having 2 weeks rather than 1 together.

I was pretty sure than unless Will and Jessica totally forgot how to dance that they would both be safe, so it was unfortunately no mystery to me that it would be Raven going home and as a result Jamie for the guys.

I personally would have sent Matt and Kourtni home. I must have missed what the judges saw in Kourtni's solo as all that stood out for me was her loss of balance. After that I pretty much lost interest in her solo.

One last thing, I love the first 5 elimination shows b/c there is virtually no filler in the hour. Unfortunately, the from the final 10 onward the results show once again becomes all filler.

Hopefully we'll start to see some 'season 4 memorable' performances next week as I don't think that any of this weeks performances will be remembered come the finale.

Rishi | Jun 12, 2008 11:10:31 PM | #

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A couple of observations:
- While I disagree over who should have been in the bottom three (the disco couple and not Will and Jessica), I agree with the elimination. Rayven and Jamie were just OK, while most of the other couples were either much better or at least more fun to watch.
- I interpreted Mary's "couple to beat" comment as just for Wednesday night's show. I may be wrong. Either way, I totally disagree with the sentiment.
- The camera work on Thursday night's show was sloppy. One time we were looking at the edge of the stage and another we caught a glimpse of the next dancer before the previous one was even off the stage.
- Was it just me, or were the Pussycat Dolls lip-synching and really not doing a good job of it?

MGC | Jun 13, 2008 4:32:07 AM | #

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Kudos to you, MGC..I thought it was just see getting dizzy with the camera work. Intern in training ?!?! Anyhow, tough choice considering the talent of dancers this year. Both Jamie & Rayven had great potential. Sad to see them off so soon. Then again week #1 is always tough. I ask myself, though, is Will pushing "favoritism" on account of the whole Debbbie Allen thing?? He's awsome, don't get me wrong, but Nigel telling him he was safe was done without a blink?! Almost like he had to correct the rather obvious error in Will's bottom 3 spot. Anyone else feel the same?

Carmen | Jun 13, 2008 6:23:02 AM | #

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I was pulling for Susie to be out early, so I was a little disappointed but what can you do?

Tamara, the opening routine was by Robyn. I'm so glad they used it, I've been listening to that album constantly and there are so many excellent tracks on it. I was really hoping someone would use one of them.

MGC - actually I thought the Dolls were NOT lip-synching and really not doing a good job of it. They were out of breath and out of tune.

Also, was it me or were there more production errors last night than in the previous three years combined? The mics died, there was weird background noise and the cameras were all over the place.

e | Jun 13, 2008 6:32:30 AM | #

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I think the disco kids should have been in the bottom three and not Will and Jessica, but that's the viewers' fault. I think Jaime should have stayed. Too bad.

Terry | Jun 13, 2008 6:47:23 AM | #

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i have to agree with e the production sucked! mics going on and off and the PCD were just plain bad.the song sucked the way they were singing it sucked, the dance was entertaining but that was it!! i am ok with this night choice i was less connected to these dancers.it is still sad for them but the show has to go on .

dancing_queen | Jun 13, 2008 6:59:47 AM | #

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i dont really love anyone this season...i hope that changes...they keep talking about the best dancers ever but i dont see it yet anyway...the best was benjis season for sure

Linda | Jun 13, 2008 7:06:38 AM | #

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I also feel that Will is being over-hyped. It may be due to some allegiance to Debbie Allen. I personally thought his solo began with bang but then descended into just a lot of random movement. I don't think it was an impressive enough solo to rate Nigel's emphatic statement about how he was most assuredly safe. I also think that the judges are being extremely hard on Matt. I thought his solo was quite impressive and, frankly, I think technique goes a long way in making a great dancer. Plus, I don't think he is as personality free and the judges are trying to paint him. Just my opinion.

Wheel | Jun 13, 2008 8:03:21 AM | #

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Rayven's solo was the best of the three, I thought, and Jessica's was the worst. Felt like Nigel whined about the demi-pointe thing (whatever the hell that is) just so he'd have something to criticize, to justify kicking her to the curb. But, whatever.

And, yes, the camera-work was pretty awful. There was one point where the shot was moving away from the stage (like the cameraman was backing up an aisle) and just before they cut to a different shot, the picture started to wobble like the dude lost his balance or something.

DanC | Jun 13, 2008 8:05:53 AM | #

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I think like last year with Kam and Lacey, that Chris and Thyme will be safe because of the spark of their partners, but once the first 5 weeks are up, then we'll see. I would have picked Gev, had the disco couple been in the bottom 3; as it was, I agree with the girls, and though I feel bad for Jamie, I can see why they picked him. No way were they going to boot Will, though he's overhyped, and Matt does have better technique, and given past seasons, though technique won't always win (i.e. Benji and Travis), it does get you far (i.e. they always keep a Danny over a Dominic). Maybe those with better technique are seen as being more workable with the choreographers?

J | Jun 13, 2008 8:18:46 AM | #

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DanC -- demi-point is standing on the ball of your foot, rather than full pointe, which is when a ballerina is directly on the tip of her toes -- as Rayven was in her audition footage. And I agreed with Nigel -- to me it looked awful that she was on demi-pointe.

e | Jun 13, 2008 8:42:41 AM | #

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I sadly knew it was coming. It seems only Male ballet dancers do well in this show and sadly for Jaime he is what a ballroom dancer or West Coast Swing? Guys in ballroom usually aren't going to be great soloists because their dance involves showing off their women. He is a great partner but that wouldn't have been enough. I think another disadvantage is that Rayven didn't get a lot of face time in front of the camera during the auditions and Vegas. The other comments about technique winning over personality is absolutely right on because you have to have the great control, strength and balance to be able to handle different forms, if you aren't even a clear master of your own style how can you do a Paso Doble in week 5?! Sadly not very well. It is definitely a strong season. In years past the Contemporary men always looked like they were doing contemporary no matter what style they were supposed to be doing, but this week not so much.

Joe S | Jun 13, 2008 9:38:33 AM | #

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I actually agreed with the judges up until they announced that Jaime was cut.

Will did dance his solo best out of all the men, even though it felt unimpressive.

Kourtni did the best out of all the women, but I actually would have like to see more of Rayven. I don't recall seeing good ballerina solos on SYTYCD yet. I wonder if Rayven was en Pointe, would she have been cut?

Also, I disagree that couples are kept together during Week 1, this did not happen last year where they cut Fatima.

Gary | Jun 13, 2008 12:46:21 PM | #

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I agree that the demi-point in Rayven's solo was VERY unimpressive. As I was watching, all I could think was "is she not able to go on point?" I honestly thought her solo was awful, although Jessica's wasn't much better. Kourtni just looked good by comparison, even with the wobbles. I would have liked Rayven to go further, but can't fault the judges for that choice.

As for Will's solo, I thought it was great. Instead of doing random moves to show the variety of his abilities, he chose to dance to the music, and actually interpret it. I don't think he's over-hyped, I just think he's not super-showy about his skill. He brings it out when appropriate, not just to show how high he can jump. I like that, but it's only my opinion.

K | Jun 16, 2008 12:20:41 PM | #

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I agree about the Pussycat dolls, somewhat...I think what might have happened is almost the same thing that happened to Ashley Simpson on SNL and outted to the world. Lets face it, we all knew they didn't become a "group" based on their singing abilities, that's on the back burner...but I believe they though they were gonna have a backup track and with SYTYCD's production value slipping on this episode, it didn't work and they didn't know or just kept going, that note she tried to hold in the end was excruciating!! She had to have known it sounded bad. Kudos on the dancing though, but that's what their good at...maybe it should just go back to being a burlesque show, people watching that aren't expecting good singing!

Jamie | Jun 18, 2008 8:09:38 PM | #

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