Ariana DeBose and Brandon Dumlao were the first pair eliminated from this season of 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

With the World Series beginning tonight on Fox, judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Adam Shankman had to determine the elimination themselves. They also selected Russell Ferguson and Brandon's partner, Pauline Mata, to be in the bottom 4.

Ariana danced the Hip-hop with partner Peter Sabasino, and chose 'Darkest Hour' by Charlotte Matin for her fateful solo. Meanwhile, Brandon and Pauline performed the smooth waltz to Whitney Houston's 'You Light Up My Life'; Brandon's solo was choreographed to 'Slow Dancing in a Burning Room' by John Mayer.

(S05E12) We're welcomed to the show by Cat Deeley lamenting Thursdays. I'm often confused by Cat mentioning the dancers dancing their "own style." It must have been a Donyelle rule. I guess we'll never see Karla channel her inner Boogie Bot.

The sound quality was off tonight, proving that part of the show was live; when they transitioned from live to the clips, you could hear the echoes. The biggest culprit was the transition to Kelly Clarkson; the audience applause didn't sound the same at all.

(S04E15)It's time to find out which dancers will be going on tour after So You Think You Can Dance ends this August. I'm going to put it out there now (I think it's time): I want either Joshua or Katee to win this competition. I think it would be especially nice if the girl they almost didn't put on the show won the whole sha-bang!

Other thoughts before we begin... Nigel is a little cranky lately. I don't like him chiding Cat. All she did was remind everyone to tune in to the finale. By the way, there's going to be a sick popping battle during SYTYCD's live finale. Awesome. My review of tonight's show is after the jump.

(S04E11) It's time to find out who our top fourteen dancers are. I think after Wednesday night's performances, everyone knew who would be in the bottom three couples. But, it's all about the solos. Let's find out how they did.

The Opening Number

"The Dance" by Charlotte Martin (choreographed by Mia Michaels)

I know some of you readers love her pieces, but I disliked this opening. It paled in comparison to Shane's opening last week and Wade's the week before that. I seldom enjoy Mia's routines though. The last one I really liked was with Danny and Lauren last season; it was a piece Mia had done for Celine's A New Day show in Vegas. It was intense and romantic.