So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 6 Perform

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

So You Think You Can Dance is getting right down to the end. Next week, the final four are going for gold with the finale set to begin. Tonight though we have the top six going for it as the couples each dance two dances together. Tonight, we also see the dancers each dance a solo performance, unlike last week.

Tonight, the show opens with Ivan and he picks Natalie as his partner. Out of the hat, she picks contemporary and jive for him, and they open the show with a jive performance put together by Ron Montez. All three judges are quite harsh with their critiques of the performance this time around, and Nigel even tells Natalie she needs to step it up if she is going to stay on. The crowd boos as usual, but the two take it in stride. After they leave the stage, Travis takes it for his solo and he does well.

After a commercial break, we see Donyelle and Benji reunited. These two were partnered together early on in the season, and seeing them together again is wonderful. The judges are a bit harsh to Donyelle with her follow through and energy level, but they all have great things to say about Benji. Natalie's solo follows, and once again she showed why she is one of my favorites left. Before we see another solo, we see Heidi and Travis pair up for a smooth waltz. The judges have little negative to say about their performance. Mia Michaels just has a comment about the flow. We then see a solo by Ivan, and he does well. This time around the judges aren't commenting on their solos.

We then begin our second round of dancers with our partners. First up is Donyelle and Benji with a hip hop routine by Shane Sparks. It was fun and aggressive, and the judges don't have one negative thing to say about it. These two are great together. Afterwards we see Heidi, and the judges call her the most improved female in this competition, and I agree with them. She is just a wonderful dancer.

Another commercial and then we see Ivan and Natalie perform for a second time. I think they look amazing, but the judges don't think so. In their contemporary performance by Tyce Diorio, the judges don't feel no chemistry between the two. Mia Michaels comments that Natalie looks fake and that she is performing. Ivan is told by two judges that tonight he showed his lack of training. He has improved greatly since he joined the competition, but he still is a hip hop dancer. Benji takes the stage following their departure. The audience once again love him.

The last couple of the night is Heidi and Travis as they work on a pop routine with Wade Robson. These two are just amazing the moment they take the stage, and Nigel calls them the best couple of night. The other judges have nothing but positive things about the two and their choreographer. This is the first time we've seen Wade Robson work with the dancers, and he is amazing as a choreographer. The last up for their solo tonight is Donyelle.

Now it is up to America. Which four of these six will be in next week's performance finale? Who are your favorites? For me, I think it Heidi, Natalie, Benji and Travis. Those four are just amazing. I love Donyelle too, but we can only pick four. I don't think Ivan is ready just yet. He needs some more training. Who do you like? Are you voting? We will find out on tomorrow's show who is going home. Check back then for my thoughts on the final pair of eliminations.


Ivan/Natalie: Route 66 Cars Soundtrack
Travis: You and Me Lifehouse
Benji/Donyelle: Le Jazz Hot - Victor/Victoria Soundtrack
Natalie: Ooh La La - Goldfrapp
Heidi/Travis: Flying Cait Agus Sean
Ivan: It Was All In Your Mind - Wade Robson
Benji/Donyelle: Hotline - Ciara
Heidi: I Like It - The Blackout Allstars
Ivan/Natalie: Everytime We Touch - Cascada
Benji: Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
Heidi/Travis: W'happy Mama - Zap Mama
Donyelle: And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going - Dreamgirls