So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 12 Eliminations

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Last night we saw the top six couples perform on stage in order to obtain America's vote and stay out of the bottom couples. Last night's show had the highest vote count yet, even higher than last year's finale. Tonight's show opened up with the top twelve on dancing on stage with a disco routine. However, one dancer was missing from the routine, Donyelle. She had broke her toe earlier on in the season. The injury is worsening as the season progresses.

Following the performance, Cat Deeley talked to the judges about the eliminations to come, and then looked back at last night's performances. Well, once our dancers took the stage, Nigel announced some new changes to the competition that will take place starting next week. Partners will change as competitors can now change partners to fit the dance style they have chosen. They will also have their own phone numbers starting next week, as the focus goes from couples to soloist. On next week's special two hour episode, each dancer will perform two routines - one with a partner and one solo routine. America will then vote to eliminate the dancers, and the judges will be taken out of the equation.

After the commercial break, we then see who makes it to the bottom couples this week.The first couple set to dance for their lives on tonight's show are as I suspected, Ashlee and Dimitry. In a shocker, Travis and Martha join them in the bottom three. After another teasing commercial break, we learn that Musa and Natalie are joining the others in the bottom three. These six will dance solo to keep their positions in the competition for next week's competition change. Each dancer takes the stage one at a time and takes thirty seconds to impress the judges. As for Travis and Martha, this is the first time they have been in the bottom three. This was also a first for Natalie and Musa. All six brought it on stage, and it made it really hard for me to choose just who would win.

Following a performance by The Pussycat Dolls, we learn which of the three female dancers is going to be sent home. First up to be talked to is Natalie. She is told to watch her performance. She doesn't need to play the role of sex kitten every week because she has the talent. She is sent back safe. Next up is Martha. She is told she is a strong dancer. Ashlee is up last, and she is told she is being sent home because she is up against two of the competition's best dancers. After another commercial break, we quickly see the men, and Nigel knowing time is short tells us that Musa will be going home this week. That is just shocking because he has been one of my favorites week after week. Natalie broke down into tears when the announcement was made. Next week, we will see the top ten perform as the competition changes!

Check below for songs used on tonight's show!

Group: Born To Be Alive Patrick Hernandez
Ashlee: We Don't Play Lil' Rob
Dimitry: Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
Martha: Still - Julie Manross
Travis: The Blower's Daughter - Damien Rice
Natalie: Some Girls - Rachel Stevens
Musa: Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Pussycat Dolls: Buttons
Girls elimination song: Suddenly I See K.T. Tunstall
Boys Elimination song: The End of the Road - Matt Goss