channing cooke

(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.

Two teams were broken up tonight on 'So You Think You Can Dance' as modern dancer Channing Cooke and hip-hopper Kevin Hunte were sent home. Kevin's partner, Karen Hauer, was in tears at the judges' verdict, as was Channing's partner, Victor Smalley. Channing and Kevin looked shocked but forced smiles (what else can you do on national television?) as host Cat Deeley introduced their going-home clips.

Nigel Lythgoe announced that both decisions were unanimous. Channing may have finally "stepped out of her cage" this week, but Lythgoe told her that she was still more of a brilliant technician than performer, while Karen, whom they voted to keep, is "without question a performer and a star this season." Kevin was chastised for appearing "uncomfortable" in his routines. "You're well deserved in our Top 20 but we're looking for growth. Although just by doing the routines, you are growing as a dancer, we still feel as though there is a long way to go."

While those two eliminations were startling, the biggest surprise of the evening had to be that "dream team" Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras also ended up in the bottom three. And that the judges, who've been highly critical of them as a couple and individually, voted to keep them.

(S06E15) After last week's lackluster performances, I was starting to wonder about the vaunted strength of this season's Top 20. But the 14 remaining dancers came back very strong this week, with improvements across the board. There was only one dance that completely disappointed me, but throughout the night, I cannot easily see the Top Ten dancers we're working toward.

One thing that's a little frustrating when we get down to a smaller number of dancers like this, and they're only performing once ... we get a ton of filler. The judges went on and on about each contestant. Maybe FOX should consider shortening the episodes to an hour-and-a-half during these weeks and give us more episodes of some of their great sitcoms like 'Til Death or Brothers.

Hmmm -- maybe I can handle the rambling judges after all.

(S06E12) Yet again, because of the ongoing World Series on FOX, there was no elimination this week, which means we barely had time to process the dancing before two contestants were being eliminated. Luckily for me, it became clear pretty quickly which two performances were the weakest of the night.

There were two that were absolutely amazing as well, one that may go down as one of the top SYTYCD dances of all time. But the most important question of the night was: Did the judges agree with me as to who should have gone home?

Thankfully, by next week all these distractions will be sorted out and you and I will be able to vote for ourselves who we want to keep around.

(S06E09) Tonight, we started with 38 dancers, and by the end of the hour, the Top 20 stood revealed. I'm never quite sure how to take these episodes; American Idol always has one, as well. For the most part, it's just contestants walking in front of the judges and hearing "Yes" or "No." For those of us who've been watching since the beginning and finding our early favorites, it can be a little tense and exciting.

But then I think about someone who's never watched the show, and who's maybe tuning in for the first time tonight. What a boring hour of television they would be in for. You barely get any snippets from the good dancers who make it through. Mostly it's just a parade of faces you don't know and lots of crying.

But before we get to the tears, we need to get excited. For the first time, and to give everyone a more even playing field going into the first performance show, this Monday at 8pm ET, FOX offers a special non-elimination episode where the Top 20 get to show us their stuff.

(S06E03) It still looks like we're in for a great season of So You Think You Can Dance. There have been some amazing talents already making their way to Vegas, and Boston delivered several more. They also delivered a middle-aged man in blue tights, so there's that. Yeah.

Tyce DiOrio joined Nigel and Mary on the panel to face the circus, and as usual, he came with plenty of sass and attitude. He's one of the better third judges they bring on board, and he was an effective critic for many of the dancers we saw, until he got crabby.

As has been the case this season, we've seen about 80% quality dancers to 20% terrible, which is a ratio I'm very pleased with. Especially as SYTYCD tries to build a fall-sized audience to compete with the best the networks have to offer. It's about a celebration of dance, and not a circus of freaks. Except for the one ... in the blue tights.