'So You Think You Can Dance': The judges explain their elimination decision

"So You Think You Can Dance" said goodbye to two more contestants last night, and I must say, you have to feel bad for Karla and Vitolio. 

They really didn't stand much of a chance against their "bottom three" competitors, Kayla, Kupono, Jeanine and Phillip... both in the eyes of the judges -- who unanimously voted to let Karla and Vitolio go -- and the studio audience at the results show taping. The reveal that K&K and J&P were in danger left most of the audience stunned into silence, despite what you heard during the broadcast. And from what the judges said backstage, it sounds as if they made their decision on who would be cut the moment they realized who was in the bottom three.

Mary Murphy called Karla's contemporary performance two weeks ago "flawless" -- remember that Stacey Tookey masterpeice she did with Jonathan?! -- and said that is the one dance she has rewatched the most this season on her DVR. However, Mary feels that Karla's lack of connection with fans ultimately cost her a spot in the top 12. "I know in my gut [Karla] loves to dance and has all the passion in the world, but it's difficult for some [performers] to get it across to the camera," she explained. "Same thing with actors. You can have really good actors, and then there are stars. Some people just have a magical thing behind a lens, and that's what sometimes happens on this show."

According to guest judge Mia Michaels, that special charisma is what kept Vitolio around as long as he was. "[Vitolio]'s a great dancer but he needs to go away and train," Mia said. "And for Karla, I think hers is the opposite [problem]. They were both opposites. He had so much charisma, and some ability. She had all ability, but no charisma. You can only take them so far."

However, despite Vitolio's apparent problems, Kupono almost handed his spot in the top 12 over to V after delivering a lackluster solo performance. But, again, the judges just really like Kupono and that's what saved him. 

"We were disappointed with Kupono tonight," Nigel Lythgoe admitted. "We thought he had that 'island happiness,' though that is not [enough] to keep him successful [in the show]. But with Vitolio, we always felt that he's never really come through. Also, last night's routine with Kayla and Kupono was one of the best on the show. Sorry America didn't like it, the three judges did. We think [Kupono]'s a beautiful dancer, a hard worker. We truly think the partnership between him and Kayla is going to be very exciting."

The judges all were baffled that Caitlin and Jason's "alien" dance didn't land them in the bottom three. I, personally, thought it was cool and quite nuanced, Brian Friedman! Nigel, however, laughed about the "foil dinosaurs" that America voted through. Mia admitted she was surprised that the pair was safe, even though she felt they did the best they could considering the kind of dance they were given. And Mary? Well, she put it as only Mary would: "I think I made it plain and clear last night that I didn't like the alien number... but you can never underestimate the aliens voting in this country!"

And, and off the subject of the eliminees, you know we just had to ask Mia about her change of heart toward Brandon, whom she was just plain awful to during Vegas week. She admitted she's been watching him throughout the competition and that prompted her praise on Wednesday. But Mia also cautioned that she's going to be holding him up to a higher standard because of their connection outside of "SYTYCD": "His dance teacher is my student. We're all from Miami, so it's generational. I'm going to expect a helluva lot from that kid because at the end of the day, it's coming from my world in Miami. I've been hearing, he's so amazing, he's so amazing, he's so amazing... Okay, then be that. He has the potential to be that. We just have to make sure he stays on track."

Mm-hmm...

Any thoughts on what the judges had to say or on the cuts this week?

-Reporting by Marisa Roffman

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