Two of 10 Dancers Sent Home - So You Think You Can Dance Season 8

Jul 22, 2011
Terry Finch

Two of the Top 10 Dancers Sent Home on So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 - Photo from: fox.com/dance

On Thursday, July 21, 2011, two more dancers were sent home on the 8th season of So You Think You Can Dance, after an almost flawless performance episode.

The episode began with the requisite Top 10 group routine, which was set to "Act One: On Broadway" from Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller (original Broadway cast). It was classic Broadway style, not overdone, which suits more than half of the Top 10 and will most likely be the opening number for the tour. The choreographer was Josh Bargass.

Once again, the judging panel featured choreographer and producer Nigel Lythgoe, ballroom expert Mary Murphy, and star of "How I Met Your Mother" (and the new Smurfs movie) Neil Patrick Harris.

SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Results

First out on stage were Mitchell, Tadd and Melanie. Of the three, Tadd was safe for his hip hop routine with Comfort. Melanie, who performed a Viennese waltz with Pasha, was also safe. Mitchell's interpretation of Tyce DiOrio's Broadway routine with Melody did not sit well with the judges, and the audience responded by putting him in the Bottom Four dancers.

The next three contestants included Marko, who performed a samba with Chelsie, and was safe. Sasha, who did a lyrical hip hop routine with Twitch, was also safe. This put Clarice in the Bottom Four dancers for her Bollywood dance with Robert.

With the final four contestants out on stage, Jess was safe for his contemporary routine with Kathryn. Caitlynn's Argentine tango with Pasha got the judges' attention, as well as America, and she was also safe. That left Ricky and Jordan in the bottom - Ricky for his jazz routine with Allison, and Jordan for her contemporary dance with Brandon.

SYTYCD Season 8 - All-Stars for the Top 8 Dancers

In somewhat of a twist, and perhaps to keep viewers interested for next week, Nigel announced which All-Stars would be performing next week. The All-Stars will be: Ivan from Season 2; Season 3's Jaimie, Anya, Pasha, Lauren Gottlieb and Neil; Season 5's Ade, and Season 7's winner Lauren Froderman.

SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Guest Performance # 1

While the Bottom Four dancers prepared for their dance-for-your-life solos, the audience was treated to a special performance by Amercan Ballet Theater's Daniil Simkni. He performed a character piece to "Les Bourgeois" by Jacques Brel.

SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Solos

For one last chance to catch the judges' attention, the Bottom Four dancers performed their solos. Clarice's jazz solo was set to "Let Me Think About It (Radio Edit)" by Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand. Mitchell performed his contemporary solo to "Time & Space" by The Cinematic Orchestra, followed by Jordan's jazz solo to "Tonight" by Lykke Li (the song that Caitlynn used the previous night in her performance solo). Finally, Ricky performed his contemporary solo to "Battle for the Beat" by District 78.

SYTYCD Season 8 - Top 10 Guest Performance # 2

While the judges deliberated over their decision, new pop group Blush performed their song "Undivided", featuring a special appearance by Snoop Dogg.

SYTYCD Season 8 - 2 of 10 Dancers Sent Home

Nigel asked all four of the bottom dancers to stand in a line. He commented that, at this point in the competition, all of the dancers are extremely talented and will be on the upcoming tour, so this is not "goodbye". After praising all four of the dancers, he asked Mitchell and Clarice to step forward, and sent them home.

The Top 8 dancers remain: Jordan, Ricky, Caitlynn, Tadd, Sasha, Marko, Melanie and Jess.