It wasn’t a surprise that Victor Smalley and Karen Hauer were picked to leave the competition Wednesday on So You Think You Can Dance, but the big surprise was who judge Nigel Lythgoe wanted to see packing up his bags.

While Nigel praised Victor’s strong solo and growth, he did not mince words with Nathan Trasoras. For a moment even, it almost seemed like Nigel was leading up to sending Nathan home. He concluded his critique by pointedly telling Nathan if it were up to him, this would be the end of the road for the young dancer. He then turned to Victor and announced he was going home.

The decision came as part of what judges called “the most important results show of the season.” The 10 remaining dancers are guaranteed a spot on the North American tour next year and, more importantly, the judges no longer have a say in their fates. Whether this will be a good or bad thing for Nathan remains to be seen.

From the start, judges marked Nathan as a “brilliant” dancer who would have a strong fan base. This seemed to prove true at first, despite at least one particularly messy routine. But in the last two weeks, the audience love has cooled, with judges speculating about a possible backlash over glimpses of his relative immaturity.

On a dancing level, the judges seem pleased at the prospect of splitting up Nathan and his partner Mollee Gray.

“You’re going to have the opportunity to have new partners to make you grow,” said Adam Shankman. “I think you keep each other on the immature side [with your dancing].”

Did the judges make the right decision? Are you a fan of Nathan Trasoras or is he overrated?

Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Host Cat Deeley says farewell to eliminated contestants Victor Smalley (L) and Karen Hauer (R) on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Top 20 finalist Nathan Trasoras, 18, is a Contemporary dancer from Downey, CA. Currently Resides: Downey, CA. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Joe Viles/FOX

They came, they danced and the judges were almost too positive, especially since two more dancers will be sent packing from So You Think You Can Dance tomorrow, leaving only the all important Top 10, who are expected to go on tour in 2010.

For the dancers who remain after Wednesday night’s elimination, next week will bring new styles and a new partner. So who will the shake-up help and who will it hurt?

Topping the list of those who may feel the squeeze is Ashleigh Di Lello. Last week, we speculated that without her partner Jakob Carr, Ashleigh may find herself in trouble. Jakob’s strength was certainly evident in their first number, with judge Adam Shankman saying the only flaw was his pants. But Ashleigh got high praises after their second number, a cha-cha, with judge Nigel Lythgoe again saying that those who questioned her abilities in Vegas were eating their words.

“That may have been a cha-cha, but you are waltzing through to the top 10,” said Nigel of the performance.

Mollee Gray may also find herself in a bad place when her partnership with Nathan Trasoras breaks up. The couple seem to have been buoyed by Nathan’s popularity and Mollee may not fare so well with voters on her own. But a more mature partner could prove to give her the push to make it through to the top 4.

Meanwhile, if Karen Hauer makes it through the elimination, she will need to connect with one of the stronger men if she hopes to survive another week. A fresh partner may also prove the right move for Noelle Marsh, who has done well with Russell Ferguson, but may shine with someone else.

As for who will be headed home this week, expect to see Karen and partner Victor Smalley among the bottom three couples. As for the rest - it really is anyone’s game right now.

Who do you think will benefit from the partner switch up? Which dancers do you want to see in the Top 10?

Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Jakob Karr (L) and Ashleigh Di Lello (R) perform a Lyrical Jazz routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Nathan Trasoras (L) and Mollee Gray (R) perform a Can-Can choreographed by Tyce Diorio on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

Wednesday’s So You Think You Can Dance results show opened with a trademark Wade and Amanda Robson group number that drew an enthusiastic response from the judges and audience alike, but it wasn’t long before everyone got down to unpleasant business. There were some small surprises and the judges were unanimous in their decisions.

Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte’s Broadway routine disappointed judges on Tuesday and was the only dark spot of the evening, so it was no surprise the pair found themselves dancing for their lives.

Victor Smalley and Channing Cooke executed a strong Tyce Diorio jazz number, but viewers may have agreed with judge Adam Shankman who found the Bobby McFerrin song choice detracted him from connecting with the performance.

Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras were back in the game after last week’s disastrous salsa, so it came as a surprise their pop-jazz dance put them among the bottom three couples. Judge Nigel Lythgoe, who called on Nathan to live up to his potential as “one of the best dancers” they’ve ever had on the show, speculated that their poor showing may have been backlash from last week.

In the end, the judges whittled it down to personality and growth.

Channing always performed under the radar and this week, her technical strength could not outshine the personality and charisma the judges saw in Karen.

Kevin, who often found himself standing in Karen’s shadows as well, could not hide his awkwardness with other dance genres from the judges. In the end, his lack of growth relative to Victor’s cut his competition short.

What did you think of the viewers’ and judges’ decision?

(Top) Karen Hauer (L) and Kevin Hunte (R) perform a Broadway routine choreographed by Spencer Liff. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mathieu Young/FOX

(Middle) Nathan Trasoras (L) and Mollee Gray (R) perform a Pop Jazz routine choreographed by Laurieann Gibson. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mathieu Young/FOX

(Bottom) Victor Smalley (L) and Channing Cooke (R) perform a Jazz routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mathieu Young/FOX

After some harsh words last week for dancers and audiences alike, it was a veritable love fest on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance Tuesday night as judges gave high praise to nearly all the dancers.

Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Carr opened the evening’s competition with a strong Tabitha and Napoleon hip-hop routine. Judges were quite confidant Jakob will secure a spot in the top 10. Ashleigh, however, almost didn’t make it into the top 20 and had elicited speculation whether she’d be riding Jakob’s coattails into the top 10. This week she proved she could hold her own and contribute equally to the partnership: “I could name a number of people who didn’t give you a chance, who are now eating their words,” said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe — judge Adam Shankman admitted he was one of the former doubters.

After placing in the bottom three couples last week, Ashleigh’s husband Ryan and his partner Ellenore Scott were given a second chance and had the other standout routine of the evening, a beautiful contemporary number choreographed by season 2 contestant, Travis Wall. For a few moments, the judges almost forgot this was a dance show as they raved about Travis’ choreography work on SYTYCD. They were equally enthusiastic about the dancers, calling Ryan “the best ballroom dancer that has ever done contemporary.”

“I am pretty sure right now, you are going to end up with your wife in the top 10″, Adam said.

Join us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airing of the show.

(Top) Ashleigh Di Lello (L) and Jakob Karr (R) perform a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mathieu Young/FOX

(Bottom) Ryan Di Lello (L) and Ellenore Scott (R) perform a Contemporary routine choreographed by Travis Wall. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Mathieu Young/FOX

Turns out that America is willing to forgive sloppy technique in favor of pinup good looks.

Even after what was undoubtedly the messiest routine of the show, So You Think You Can Dance fan favorites Nathan Tasoras and Mollee Gray were not in the bottom six.

“I think America’s protected Nathan and Mollee this week. Nathan’s going to have a huge following. But if it’s just based on dance, it frightens me that he will not be learning lessons,” said executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who chastised him for his immaturity. He emphasized that Nathan wasn’t saved for his dancing, but because “a lot of young ladies like him”, calling it “sad” particularly for the dancers judges felt were undeservedly on the chopping block.

Nigel seemed impatient with the audience as well, at one point tell them to “listen up and shut up for a minute!”

But Nigel saved his harshest words for the bottom six dancers — Karen Hauer and Kevin Hunte, Ryan Di Lello and Ellenore Scott, and Pauline Mata and Peter Sabasino — stating: ”We the judges did not think that anybody gave us a decent enough performance to stay in the competition.”

Nigel went on to say they failed to live up to the caliber of the season 5 finalists. “Anyone who thinks they were (as good as season 5) is incorrect in the judges eyes,” he directed to the viewers.

Still, two had to be chosen and the judges were unanimous in sending Pauline and her partner Peter, the last surviving tapper in the top 20 group, home.

Did Nigel over react? Did the viewers and the judges get it right?

Follow us live on Twitter @Reuters_Fanfare for the east coast airings of the show.

UPDATE: Nigel apologized on Twitter for telling the audience to “shut up”, saying “unfortunately their mindless catawauling got the better of me.”

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Nathan Trasoras (L) and Mollee Gray (R) perform a Salsa choreographed by Gustavo Vargas on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE: Host Cat Deeley (C) says farewell to eliminated contestants Peter Sabasino (L) and Pauline Mata (R) on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on FOX. © 2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. CR: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

The top 18 dancers sashayed straight into competition — and eliminations — on Tuesday’s episode of So You Think You Can Dance.

The two-hour long show was the final round to be decided entirely by the panel of three judges before voting is handed back over to viewers on November 10.

It was a packed show, with all nine couples performing ahead of the same-day elimination.

The night started off with Noelle Marsh, freshly recovered from an injury that kept her out of the competition last week, and partner Russell Ferguson in a tennis-inspired hip-hop battle.

The routine, choreographed by first-time contributor Jamal Sims, was fast-paced, but fell short for all three judges.

“It was just so fast that I think you really didn’t get a hold of it,” said judge Nigel Lythgoe, adding that he found the routine disappointing.

Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Carr were up next with a Viennese Waltz that prompted judge Adam Shankman to gush, “I am madly in love with you guys.”

Also evoking rave reviews were fan favorites Mollee Gray and Nathan Trasoras. The show’s youngest couple aced a tough Bollywood number prompting host Cat Deeley to rename the genre “Molleewood.”

Latin dancer Karen Hauer, who was the first contestant this season to board judge Mary Murphy’s Hot Tamale Train, was so spicy in this week’s hip hop routine that Shankman fell out of his chair – literally.

Meanwhile partner Kevin Hunte’s dancing was so “hot, hot, hot” that Murphy invited him to hop on the Tamale Train too.

Contemporary dancer Katheryn McCormick shone in the most “compelling” act of the evening, a Stacey Tookey contemporary number about a woman and her fear — potrayed by partner Legacy Perez, who was praised for his growth in the competition.

“Legacy, you are a different man than I have ever seen before,” said Shankman. “You turned a corner, buddy… you were dancing.”

Also garnering rave reviews were Ryan Di Lello and partner Ellenore Scott — who danced the majority of a challenging Argentine Tango with her dress stuck to the bottom of her shoe.

Falling short this week were Bianca Revels and Victor Smalley, who struggled with their Tyce Diorio Broadway routine.

Meanwhile, Channing Cooke and Philip Attmore were criticized over the lifts in their piece, but praised for their support of one another.

After a brief meeting, the judges decided Revels, Smalley, Attmore and Marsh would have to dance for their lives. After the solos, Lythgoe announced that, in a split decision, tapper Revels was being sent home.

Attmore was also sent home, with Lythgoe adding that it broke his heart to let two tappers go in one night.

Next week, voting is back in your hands.

Are you glad to have the power to vote again? Do you think the judges made the right choices? Was it a good idea to let two tappers go in one night?

(Noelle Marsh (L) and Russell Ferguson (R) perform a Hip Hop routine choreographed by Jamal Sims on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE . ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Michael Becker/FOX)

(Nathan Trasoras (L) and Mollee Gray (R) perform a Bollywood routine choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Michael Becker/FOX)

(Ellenore Scott (L) and Ryan Di Lello (R) perform an Argentine Tango choreographed by Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Michael Becker/FOX)

Summer staple So You Think You Can Dance has transitioned into fall, with a new title treatment, a new permanent judge and 20 new dancers.

Before facing the ax on Tuesday, dancers showcased their talent in a pre-competition performance episode on Monday. The episode included one of the show’s best ever opening group numbers, a stylish production choreographed by Wade Robson.

Tuesday, however, was off to a rough start with Julliard dancer Billy Bell, one of this season’s most promising contemporary dancers, pulling out of the competition due to illness. SYTYCD choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon wrote on Twitter that he has mono, while his family issued a statement to SYTYCDism saying that “doctors told the show that if he continued to dance on the show before he recovered, he could possibly die.”

He was replaced by hip-hop dancer Brandon Dumlao, who only had a day and a half to prepare a smooth waltz with Pauline Mata.

“I just watched myself get cut last night and now I’m back,” he said in a taped segment.

Meanwhile, Noelle Marsh suffered an injury and had to stay off her feet this week. If she still can’t compete next week, she will be cut.

Her partner, krumper Russell Ferguson, paired up with co-choreographer Melanie LaPatin instead for the foxtrot.

Jakob Karr, who danced a sultry Tyce Diorio broadway routine with partner Ashleigh Di Lello, stood out as one of the dancers to watch.

Ellenore Scott and Ryan Di Lello also received high praise for their Sonya Tayeh jazz number.

Mollee Gray (you may have seen her in all three High School Musical films) and her partner Nathan Trasoras pulled off a challenging Doriana Sanchez disco. New judge Adam Shankman said they’ve already established a very early fan base and praised their youthful energy, saying: “You guys did some very, very sexy lifts and none of it seemed that dirty at all somehow.”

In a change from previous years, judges picked the bottom four dancers to perform a solo and decided at the end of the episode who to send home.

Executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe wrote on Twitter, “I’m happy the judges decide, besides we know best at this moment. A couple of weeks more will help the public become better informed.”

The public gets to vote on the top 16 on November 10.

The smooth waltz seldom brings good news to dancers and tonight was no exception for Dumlao, who found himself on the chopping block along with partner Mata.

The crowd booed with surprise when when krumper Ferguson, who has thus far only received glowing praise for his raw talent and musicality, was called out as the second man at risk of going home. But it was an easy and unanimous choice for the judges to make Dumlao’s top 20 stay a very brief one.

Also going home early was contemporary dancer Ariana DeBose, whose lackluster hip hop number with Peter Sabasino was critiqued by judges and stood out among the weaker performances.

Do you like all the new changes to the show? Which dancer would you have sent home? What did you think of the pre-performance episode?

(Top: Top 20 finalist Brandon Dumlao, 21, is a Hip Hop dancer from Concord, CA. Currently Resides: Concord, CA. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Joe Viles/FOX)

(Bottom: Top 20 finalist Ariana Debose, 18, is a Contemporary dancer from Newbern, NC. Currently Resides: Wake Forest, NC. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Joe Viles/FOX)

It was a night of celebration and tears at the Kodak Theater as contemporary performer Jeanine Mason was crowned “America’s Favorite Dancer” on season five of Fox’s summer hit  “So You Think You Can Dance.”

“I never ever imagined this,” the 18-year-old said following the announcement, adding she never thought she would be giving an acceptance speech on the same stage that hosts the Academy Awards.

More than 3,000 screaming dance enthusiasts packed inside the iconic Hollywood theater to hear the fate of the final four — Mason, Evan Kasprzak, Kayla Radomski and Brandon Bryant – after what was the largest vote in the show’s history.

Judge Mary Murphy and executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe were joined by a full panel of guest judges including film producer Adam Shankman, krump master Lil C and dance legend Debbie Allen.

“I was absolutely delighted and I think it is justly deserved,” Lythgoe said of Mason’s win, which he said he learned of early Thursday afternoon.

But before the confetti and standing ovation, the finale revisited the judges’ favorite performances from this season, including the energetic Bollywood number “Jai Ho,” performed by Jason Glover and Caitlin Kinney, the “Butt Dance,” performed by Randi Evans and Kasprzak, and a Matrix-inspired Paso Doble, performed by Mason and first-runner up Bryant.

Special guests took to the stage, including Talia Fowler — the winner of “So You Think You Can Dance Australia” — and the junior dance troupe Rage Boyz Crew.  The judges themselves couldn’t resist the draw of the bright lights either as they donned white top hats and tails for a surprise appearance at the end of a top-eight performance of “One” from the iconic musical “A Chorus Line.”

“Dark horse” Mason faced a tight race on Wednesday night’s performance show, which was a feast for dance lovers as choreographers Mia Michaels, Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin, Tyce Diorio and Sonya Tayeh challenged the finalists to reach new heights for the $250,000 prize and the coveted title.

Mason and Kasprzak were the first couple to take the stage with a performance inspired by a woman who has fallen out of love. “I never saw Janine coming and you have dominated week after week,” Shankman said, “I so underestimated you and I will never forgive myself.”

Bryant, who began dancing at the age of seven, continued to wow the judges with his power and intensity. “You’re an extreme dancer. You’re like a super athlete,” Shankman said after he performed his final solo of the competition.  “You are athletic, you are dynamic, you defy gravity at times,” Murphy said, adding the 19-year-old was born to dance.

Despite making it to the final four, Kasprzak couldn’t shake the criticism dished out by the judges, who chided him for his natural sweetness and lovable face. “You have the character but it felt like a character,” Shankman said of the “Nasty” number where Kasprzak found himself dueling against Bryant. In retaliation, the entire Kodak Theater erupted in applause and chanted “Evan” in support of the short man who dances large.

Radomski, a darling of the judges from her audition straight through to the finale, continued to inspire a flood of compliments for her work.  Lythgoe compared the statuesque blond to a “thoroughbred” after the Mia Michaels number she performed with Mason. “There have been some of the best dancers I have ever seen of my life on this show, Travis Wall, Will, Danny, and Kayla you just joined them in that little special club,” Shankman said after she performed her final solo.

With tens of millions of votes tallied, do you think America got it right? Itching for more dance and a chance to have your say?  Stayed tuned for Season Six, which begins on Sept. 2.

Captions: (Top Left) Jeanine Mason, 18, is a contemporary dancer from Pinecrest, FL. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX
(Center Right) Judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX
(Bottom Center) “So You Think You Can Dance” host Cat Deeley ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX