peter sabasino

The Quickstep proved once again to be the "kiss of death" on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' as the couple who performed the famously unlucky dance was sent home Wednesday night. Despite performing what the judges called an "adorable" routine that showcased their personalities and charisma Tuesday night, Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino were sent to the bottom six by viewers voting for the first time this season.

Joining them at the bottom: Ryan Di Lello and Ellenore Scott (hip-hop) and Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte (Hustle). Exec producer Nigel Lythgoe said that voters had "gotten it wrong" in giving more votes to cutesy couple Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras -- whose salsa was dubbed "French fried, not sexified," by judge Mary Murphy -- than hustling hotties Karen and Kevin. He drew boos when he complained that Nathan was only getting votes "because young girls like you," not for his dancing abilities.

(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.

(S06E11) We finally get to the actual competition on So You Think You Can Dance. On tonight's episode, the judges cut one guy and one girl without America's help. It's okay, I don't trust America. Cat welcomes us in a stunning Chinese-inspired dress. I'm still amazed by Cat's ability to look good in anything.

As we watch the dancers open the show, we start with the newest addition to the Top 20: Brandon. Even after meeting these contestants yesterday, I still don't know them. To make it worse, the sound people kept using the live mic on the tappers, and at first I thought my ears were going.

(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.