(S06E16) If things keep going the way they've been going, I'm going to start thinking America's really learning something about dance after all these shows they've been watching the past several years. I understood and agreed with every single one of America's choices, which is more than I can say for Nigel and the judges.

We did get to see Nakul Dev Majahan, joined on stage by MDN Bollywood Productions, in a Bollywood routine he choreographed. While I loved the earlier Bollywood piece we got this season, this one didn't grab me quite as strongly. A lot of that probably has to do with how foreign it still is to our Western senses; we don't really understand what we're seeing or why we're seeing it all the time.

Still, I guess I'm glad it's part of the show, as it continues to showcase the diversity in dance around the world. I even applaud their ill-fated attempt to try Russian folk. I say keep trying SYTYCD, just be very wary of what you put on these dancers.

Bottom Three Couples
I think not being properly wary of what you're making your dancers do is exactly what put Mollee & Nathan in the bottom three. I stand by my assertion that the choreography by Laurieann Gibson for Mollee & Nathan this week just wasn't good. I think they danced brilliantly, which is what the judges got stuck on, but as a piece of dance, it wasn't enjoyable. The fault does not, in this case, lie with the dancers.

You could easily argue the same thing for Channing & Victor, though I don't think they were quite as strong in their performances in that "Blackbird" number. Choosing the Bobby McFerrin rendition was a disastrous choice, as it's an incredibly distracting and disjointed piece of music. As such, it pulled me out of the narrative time and time again, and actually kept me from watching the dancers. The dance itself was also a little bizarre and may have been confusing or off-putting to viewers at home.

Kevin & Karen absolutely deserved to be there, however. They were horrible, and fully deserving of their fate.

Group Dance
Wade & Amanda Robson put together a clever dance, with the fourteen remaining contestants acting as museum exhibits, or other artifacts covered in sheets. The concept was strong, but for the most part, what we got was a very lazy and disinterested bunch of kids going through the motions rather than giving us a performance. Unless "bored" was the mood the Robsons were going for, I think they were let down by their dancers this week.

Musical Guest
Orianthi, "According to You"
I'll admit it, I had no idea who this person was before and after she started singing. But there was something about the smooth scratch of her voice that drew me in. It was a very soothing song; the kind of artist my wife would absolutely adore. But should I know her from somewhere?

Eliminated: Channing & Kevin
I have to agree with this, as well. Kevin's solo wasn't impressive, and he hasn't really shown the dynamic personality as most of the hip-hop dancers we've seen. And with Russell and Legacy representing the street, there was no need for him. As for Channing, I think it was more a matter of who not to eliminate. Karen has a presence when she dances that the judges just can't seem to get over, and it is pretty seductive. As for Mollee, that girl just killed a solo the likes of which we haven't seen all season. Plus, you can't send those cute little kids (Mollee & Nathan) home before they make Top 10!