'So You Think You Can Dance': Top 20 Revealed

When the Top 20 is named on "So You Think You Can Dance," it's a roller coaster ride. There's happiness, sadness, confusion, and a smidge of anger. And that's just me. I can't imagine what the dancers are going through.

I'll be filling in for Liz today and, I must say, it's nice to be back for a little bit. Now on to the action! The judges on the execution panel are Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Debbie Allen, Adam Shankman, Tyce D'Orio, and Mia Michaels.

Nathan is the first one up. He's the one who auditioned last season despite being a bit too young and got a ticket directly into this season's Vegas round for his trouble. Mia lets him know he's in. Yay! There's something extremely likable about him. Plus all the girls will adore him.

Thirty minutes later, three people have been cut. Yikes. David (aka Yellow Briefs) comes in next and, despite having fabulous technique, didn't connect enough with the judges and Mary let's him know he didn't make it.

Kathryn McCormick auditioned in LA but I don't really remember seeing her this round. When she cries, her voice gets increasingly higher as she goes along - something she readily acknowledges. Okay. She's won me over. Which is good because she's in.

Channing Cooke, the hyper soccer player flipping at the beach from Boston's auditions, is told by Nigel that she needs to work on her partnering chemistry more since she'll be needing it on the show this season.

Two more girls, Ariana Debose and Ellenore Scott, have made the Top 20 as well but without full segments. I like them both so more with the happiness.

Billy Bell, who made some some of the judges cry with the awesomeness of his last solo, does a happy quasi-Cabbage Patch when Debbie tells him he's in.

Two more boys are eliminated before Amber Jackson goes to the stage. To jog your memory, she's the girl with ridiculous technique who Nigel called out for not emoting during the city auditions (he used an expletive). Mary says that to be on the show, you have to be a superstar every moment of your performance and for that reason, they're not taking her this season. BOOOOOOO! The news shocks and confuses everyone left in the big room, some to the point of tears.

On a much happier note, Russell Ferguson makes history as the first Krumper ever in the Top 20. I heart him. Debbie tells him to "go and call [his] momma." After Hip Hop specialist Kevin Hunt is also accepted, there are man-hugs all around.

Three of the four tappers made it through to this point and are still waiting for news. Bianca Revels is the first called and, after auditioning since Season 4, she's made it. Yay!

Phillip Attmore had a bit of a clash with the judges during the group round but acknowledged that he was defensive and went about it the wrong way. While the final tapper Peter Sabasino tells host Cat Deeley that he thinks all of them should make it, Phillip enters the room victorious. So, is Peter in? Yes he is, but with a non-threatening warning from Nigel that he needs to "pull up" in some areas if he's going to stick around.

Five more are cut before Victor Smalley (he cried often and started out with crazy hair) and Jakob Karr (who is similar in style to Billy but so far not as memorable) make it in. Mollee, the bubbly blonde who's been front and center since day one, is also in. She then waits nervously for Noelle, who's become her best friend since they met in Vegas.

But first, Pauline walks before the judges. No doubt you remember the horrible way she rolled her foot right before the final stage of the Broadway round. She didn't complete that nor did she dance her last solo but she's in regardless. I'm a bit surprised but happy because she's another one that I've liked this whole time. Now Noelle discovers she's in and she and Mollee jump around in glee.

Four more get the axe (including one of the guys I really wanted in) before "Legacy" Perez takes his turn in the spotlight. There's a bit of misdirection but he's in, something I've had no doubt about since Mia's round. He's too great of a story, on top of being a great dancer, to not be in.

There are three girls left and only two spaces. Paula, who's got short hair and has been shining the whole time, is in which isn't a surprise if you do the math.

We skip over one guy getting eliminated (I weep for your silent misery, Mr. Blue Jacket) and are left with the final four contenders, all Ballroom dancers. Ryan makes it in over the cheeky guy who auditioned in Boston and popped some shirt buttons for Mary (I believe his name is Dean). That's not a surprise - Ryan was one of the few 100% locks out of everyone.

Ryan's wife Ashleigh is left to go up against Karen Hauer whose husband had been eliminated earlier in Vegas Week. Nigel says it's been a really hard decision and said nice things about both of them, including letting Ashleigh know her husband made it. He then announces that Karen is in the Top 20.

Cut to backstage where Karen's happy entrance into the room leaves Ryan a little devastated ... until Ashleigh announces she's in too. Say what?

As it turns out, Paula tearfully turned down her spot because she got a movie contract. Well, that's not a bad reason to say no. That's cool that she got such a great opportunity but I'm a bit bummed because I was looking forward to seeing what she can do.

Assorted Thoughts:

• It's weird but I accurately forecast who was in already. I was only surprised by about four of the people and that rarely happens.
• In terms of styles, we have: 8 Contemporary (equal boys/girls), 3 Jazz, 3 Tappers, 3 Ballroom, and one each of Krumper, Hip Hop and B-Boy. It's still an awful lot of Contemporary/Jazz dancers but a much better mix than last season.
• I don't want to jinx it, but this may be one of the best years in terms of overall contestant likability they've had in awhile. Fingers crossed.
• I'm still confused why Amber Jackson didn't make it in. Her technique was just breath-taking and they've always let people with questionable technique-to-personality ratios in. I've got to believe they did it so she can kill it next season.
• Monday is the first time we'll see them dance in a non-elimination showcase so to speak. It's a first and it's about time. It'll be nice to see get a feel for everyone since all we've seen is bits and pieces, if that. Plus it'll allow us not to be blinded but an opening round Dance of DOOOOOOOM.
• I wonder if Adam is the one who offered Paula the movie contract or was it from an audition she went on prior to Vegas week?
• Even though Ryan Kasprzak was eliminated way early, I hope they'll use him as a choreographer since I think he might age out of contestant range soon.

So there it is - are you happy with the Top 20? Excited at the prospects of this season? Would you switch anybody out? Is there anyone you're already attached to? Think the showcase is a good idea? Share!


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