So You Think You Can Dance Top 16 Eliminations

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Last night, we saw the eight couples left in the competition dance for America's vote. Tonight, we're seeing which of the two will end up being sent home as America's vote picks the bottom three. Those six dancers then dance for their life as the judges need to choose who is going home. Tonight's show opened with a performance by the group as a while with a hip hop routine choreographed by Shane Sparks. Following the performance, we take a look back at what happened last night on stage and behind the scenes.

After a commercial break, the couples were brought up two at a time. First up was Allison and Ivan and Heidi and Ryan. Both couples did well last night, and they were both safe tonight. Ashlee and Ben and Martha and Travis were called up next. Ben had some comments from the judges last night, as did Martha and Travis. The first couple sent to the bottom three are Ben and Ashlee. However, Martha and Travis are safe. Third up are Jaymz and Jessica and Donyelle and Benji. Next to join Ashlee and Ben are Jaymz and Jessica. The other couple is safe. The final two couples are Natalie and Musa and Aleksandra and Dimitry. Who joins the others in the bottom three? That honor goes to new couple Dimitry and Aleksandra.

As for the judges, Nigel agrees with the bottom three, as does Olisa and Cicely. However, Mary Murphy thinks that Musa and Natalie should have taken the place of Jessica and Jaymz. These six now have to dance for their lives. First up was Ashlee, and she did a popping routine. Was it enough to save her? Ben followed with a contemporary routine, and he was followed by Jessica. She doesn't think America is seeing her for who she really is. Will she get a chance to do that next week? After a commercial break, we see the other three go, and I think the best of the six went last, Dimitry. I think his performance will save him.

While the judges deliberated, we were entertained by a performance by Natasha Bedingfield. She sang her latest, Single. First up for eliminations tonight are the girls. Nigel calls up Ashlee and comments on her growth before telling her she is safe this week. Next up is Jessica. Nigel tells her he needs to show her personality more and not just talk about it. Before we learn who is going home, Aleksandra is called up by Nigel. First he apologizes for his comments last night, but then he tells her she is the one they have chosen to go home.

After a commercial break, the men go up. Dimitry is up first, and he has just lost his second partner in this competition. He asked to stay immediately because of how great a performer he is. Nigel calls up Ashlee and asks her about her partner. Then Nigel asks Ben how much he put into his solo performance. Nigel asks the same of Jaymz. Ben and Jaymz put no work into their solos. Ben is the one going home this week though. This means popper Ashlee will be paired up with Dimitry next week when the top fourteen dance for America's vote.

Songs used tonight:
Group Performance: Poison - Bell Biv Devoe
Ashlee: She's a Bad Mama Jama - Carl Carlton
Ben: Everything - Lifehouse
Jessica: Fever - Michael Buble
Jaymz: Only One -Yellowcard
Aleksandra: Insensible - Mandalay
Dimitry: Magalenha - Sergio Mendes
Natasha Bedingfield - Single