'So You Think You Can Dance' recap: Season 7, Episode 19 (7/29/10): "2 of 6 Voted Off"
I've had all day to emotionally prepare for tonight's double elimination. I told myself all the necessary things: straighten up, be a man, everything's going to be fine, Nigel's a douchebag... and I think I'm ready. I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen tonight, but I'm hoping that I can handle it. Let's face it, I can't afford to call my friends in tears again over a TV show: It would be the first time since the Lost finale, and some of them haven't talked to me since.
But on with tonight's show! The opening group number was fanastic looking, well-exectued and well-choreographed by Mia Michaels, but I doubt I will remember it beyond midnight. Cat Deeley comes on and announces that after some trouble last night, Lauren is fine and will be competing next week, although she had to miss the group number. I can breathe for a second. This is good.
Nigel announces that for the first time ever, Gatorade is acknowledging dance as a sport, and the winner of this year's competition not only will win the standard prizes ($250,000, his/her photo on the cover of Dance Spirit, and the title 'America's Favorite Dancer'), but will also be featured in the G Series' new print campaign. This is actually great news! And well deserved for whoever wins the competition.
The first two dancers are up, and it's Kent and Jose. This is clearly going to be bad news for Jose here, as he pales terribly in comparison to the contestant standing next to him. Cat goes through their reels, and I cringe during Jose's entire recap. Cat notes that Jose was in the bottom last week before announcing.... he's in it again and Kent is safe. Jose smiles, says he's good, and the audience screams, but I guarantee that he's thinking of Nigel last night and how he foreshadowed tonight would be his last.
After a rather short break, Cat brings up the next two dancers: Billy and Adechike. Wow. If one of them is safe and the other in the bottom, I'm pulling for Billy to be safe for his astounding "Mad World" number, though he's hit the bottom four weeks straight. They go through their performances last night and Adéchiké's significantly paled in comparison to Billy's. Cat turns to Billy and tells him he's... in the bottom again. Billy pulls out a goofy "it's-all-good" grin and I shake my head. Tonight sucks.
The last two, Lauren and Robert, come on stage and I've already given up: Robert's definitely in the bottom. Their packages both look great, and I'm thinking their nights were both about even. Cat turns to Robert and says.... he's SAFE. Robert's mouth gets as big as my eyes and we're BOTH freaking out. Lauren's in the bottom three?! I would think impossible, but the impossible just happened.
So Billy, Jose, and Lauren are in the bottom three, and I feel that the judges have the obvious decision to make here. Lauren (i'm in still in shock) is the only one out of the three who has never hit the bottom, so for the judges to send her home would be an absolute travesty, not with two-time Jose and five-time Billy.
There's a performance by the cast of Step Up 3D that suffers from really bad camera direction. Some new guy performs named Christian TV... apparently Britney Spears has co-signed this guy, and I see why: He's barely a singer. The song is called "When She Turns 18," and while the dancers are oversexed but great, this guy is borderline just plain bad.
Solo time! Jose does great flips and flares, but we all know that he's defeated. Billy's solo starts off very musical, but as usual ends up with him prancing all around the stage. Lauren is next, and it's absolutely fantastic, though I'm hoping she won't break anything, and as she runs off stage, I get worried.
Next up performing is Alison Iraheta and Orianthi.... I don't know who made this decision but this is not their audience... and to throw in a random pair of dancers on the side of the stage who flit in and out is almost an insult to my intelligence. Clearly the producers of American Idol forced this upon us and I want to punch them.
And now for the dreaded results. Nigel announces it's the last time that the judges won't decide anymore who goes home, and from here on out, America's vote will pick the winner. Nigel pulls Jose forward and compliments him on how far he's come this season. Nigel notes that Billy has been in the bottom three 5 weeks in a row, and that while he's not connecting with the fans, he is connecting with choreographers all over the world. Nigel then makes it simple: Lauren's never been in the bottom, and she's the one staying this week.
The goodbye package absolutely breaks my heart. Both Jose and Billy brought a lot to the show, and the stage next week will definitely be a bit emptier without the two of them. The two seem content with leaving, but it was a tough loss for the cast as a whole, especially Billy Bell.
What did you think of tonight's show? Were you surprised that Lauren was in the bottom? Do you agree with the judges' choice? Sound off in the comments.
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