DonnaK:  Before I talk about the routines last night I want to say a few words about the auditions and Vegas week. Watching the audition episodes of SYTYCD isn’t anything like watching the American Idol auditions. At the AI auditions we see mainly the worst of the worst, the jokes, and the handicapped. I have always found that trend grotesque and I’ve never appreciated having my time wasted like that. This is certainly never been the case with So You Think You Can Dance. Here when we see the auditions we usually see the best of the best, the shining stars, and the criticisms aren’t harsh bile but tempered and sage advice. Having said all that, I did find that this season’s audition episodes looked a bit more like AI then SYTYCD. There was a greater emphasis on the negative and less focus on the breakout stars. As a result, when we got to Vegas I knew fewer people and had made fewer connections with those that had made it through. SYTYCD really needs to work harder to stay away from the AI formula and keep to its own higher standards as it has in the past.

Vegas week turned out to be as tough as anything I’ve ever seen on a reality show. Make no mistake about it - these kids can DANCE. There is no half-assing anything on this show. You either pick up what’s thrown at you or you’re out. The judging was harsh but, for the most part fair… save for two notable exceptions in my mind.

The first big judging mistake was cutting Natalie, the fiery redhead contemporary dancer, without even letting her dance for her life. This woman, in my mind, was the most talented female dancer I had seen so far and to let her go so easily I felt and still feel was a most tragic mistake. I had already been laying odds on her making it to the top ten, and to see her go without even giving her the life-saving break of dancing for her life was wrong. This competition will be lesser without her in it.

The second huge problem I had in Vegas was the ridiculous, unfounded and unduly harsh treatment of Brandon throughout the judging process. Brandon in my mind (and at least two of the judges) is easily the best dancer on the show. He has all the power of Will from last season with more technique and agility. He is a genuine force and breath-taking to watch… except apparently to Lil’ C and Mia Michaels, who were both on the judging panel in Vegas. Now, I have MAD respect for Lil’ C and everyone who read last year knows I think Mia Michaels is nothing short of a genius, but both of them pounded Brandon with harsh words and extremely sharp criticisms throughout the week. Even at the end, when they were telling him he had made the top 20, Michaels couldn’t resist getting in several sharp blows to his ability and ego before Mary Murphy - one of Brandon’s huge champions - pretty much ordered her to stop whilst shaking with anger. I love Mia but she absolutely went too far with her assault on Brandon. It was against the spirit of the criticisms on So You Think You Can Dance - it was harsh and purely negative instead of being constructive and useful. I also think that in Mia’s zeal to attack Brandon she made an enemy of Mary Murphy, which is about the last thing you want to do on this show. It will be interesting to see how this plays out throughout the season.

All in all I left Vegas week with two girls and three guys as my early favorites to win this year. For the girls I’m simply in love with Caitlin and Asuka, who both just shine not only in their own styles but in everything else. For the boys I have my eye on Brandon and Evan, with Kupono as a close third. If I had to pick a winner right now it’d have to be Brandon, with Caitlin right behind.

Okay, onto last night’s show. I have to hand it to the judges - we got a strong and extremely capable top 20 this year once again. All the dances were wonderful and none really stood out for me as bad. I wasn’t a fan of Tyce Diorio’s Broadway choreography for Asuke and Vitolio, and Wade Robson’s jazz number for Ashley and Kupono, while it worked, put me off more than a little. I have to give HUGE props to Napoleon and Tabitha’s work last night as they continue to be some of my very favorite choreographers. Their lyrical hip-hop number for Jeanine and Philip was outstanding and I loved their straight hip-hop dance for Paris and Tony. And, of course, it’s impossible not to mention how spectacular the Bollywood routine choreographed by Nakal Dev Mahajan for Caitlin and Jason was. Wonderful work all around.

But I have only one Awesome Dance of the Week award to give out, and this week it’s going to Melissa and Ade for their Mandy Moore choreographed contemporary routine to Richard Marx’s “Waiting for You”. The power, lyricism and majesty of both Melissa and Ade was breathtaking. Their lines were perfect and their chemistry was undeniable. I was completely blown away by this routine, and so I give you Melissa and Ade, winners of my Awesome Dance of the Week Award for the Top 20:

However, I can’t let this go without giving you a runner up. As much as I adored Melissa and Ade, I almost equally adored Kayla and Max dancing an amazing samba choreographed by Louis Van Amstel. Kayla had never done ballroom before this dance, but you would never know it the way she shimmied, shook and glided her way across the stage. This was such a fantastic number that I had to make it my runner up, so please enjoy Kayla and Max doing a samba that will make your head spin:

My picks for the bottom three? Sadly I think Asuka and Vitolio will land there due to the choreography, not their dancing. Paris and Tony will join them, as will Ashley and Kupono. I have NO idea who the judges will send home - I think a lot will depend on their solos. I would hate to be in the judges shoes tonight!

So there you go, the Awesome Dance of the Week awards are out. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts about the show and what dancers you like or dislike and what routines moved you. Floor’s open, let’s hear it!