The “dreaded quickstep” was once again the kiss of death as ballerina Melissa Sandvig was eliminated on Fox’s fifth season of the popular “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Comments from the judges on Wednesday night were mixed for Sandvig’s challenging ballroom number as Mary Murphy said she was “disappointed” with Melissa and Evan Kasprzak’s performance while Nigel Lythgoe raved, “it’s routines like I just watched now that started me dancing.”

And in what was probably the biggest shock of the season, Ade Obayomi failed to inspire voters to pick up the phone, sending him packing rather than to the finale.  Ade and Jeanine Mason got down and dirty with a well-received Tabitha and Napoleon hip hop number, but their samba failed to impress due to technical shortcomings.

“It started to fall apart for me. Ade, you were hopping around that floor,” Murphy said on Wednesday, adding the routine had a novice feel. The panel agreed the couple physically looked great but it wasn’t enough to keep the critiques at bay. “We were hoping to get an explosion of excellence and it really fell short for me,” crump choreographer and guest judge Lil C said of the performance.

Despite the elimination of two dancers, Thursday’s show managed to retain somewhat of a celebratory feel as past finalists and winners took to the stage to perform Emmy-nominated numbers from last season, including “Bleeding Love,” “Silence” and “A Los Amigos.”

This week’s competition got under way with Wednesday night’s performance show, which was a hotbed of sexy samba, high-flying disco and infidelity-inspired contemporary.

After fielding some scathing critiques for his Tyce Diorio-choreographed Broadway number, Evan managed to inspire the judges during his quickstep routine, prompting Lil C to say,”I’m going to commend you for dancing bigger than you’ve ever danced on the show for me.”

Judge favorites Brandon Bryant and Kayla Radomski continued their ride on the coveted hot tamale train with two first-class tickets doled out by Murphy.  Their “beyond intense” contemporary number, choreographed by Canadian Stacey Tookey, was a technical feast for the eyes. Kayla shone as an abused mistress in the adultery-inspired performance. “You have never taken a wrong step for me Kayla,” Murphy said, “That was perfection up there on the dance floor.”

Lil C continued the compliments saying Kayla, who he described as “a beast,” has a tendency to outdance her partners, but her coupling with Brandon was the first time she was evenly matched.

Kayla and Brandon will join Evan and Jeanine in the final four, competing for a chance to win $250,000 and the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer.”  Did the final four come as a surprise or did the top dancers make the cut?

Captions: (Right) Melissa  Sandvig, 29, is a ballet dancer from Los Alamitos, CA. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX
Ade Obayomi,20, is a contemporary dancer from Chandler, AZ. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX

So Katie Holmes can sing (a little) and dance (a little). But should her “Get Happy” homage to Judy Garland on “So You Think You Can Dance” have been so hyped by the producers for weeks before it was actually screened (pre-taped) on Thursday’s show?

Holmes looked stunning in the black tights, fedora hat and black jacket costume she donned for her song and dance routine intended to publicize the Dizzy Feeet Foundation, which funds dance lessons for kids, and the 100th show milestone for the TV dance series.

But her performance left many reviewers — who had been led to believe it was going to be a showstopper by a celebrity not known for her dancing or singing — a little underwhelmed.

Olivia Smith with the New York Daily News said Katie’s routine was “more like so you think you can strut around the stage and strike a few poses.” Wall Street Journal blogger Tracy Watson called it “quite respectable but nothing spectacular.”

SYTYCD producer Nigel Lythgoe took to Twitter to defend Katie from some of the more barbed comments — particularly the lip-synching and the fact the performance was not live. (Holmes is apparently filming in Australia and shot the routine weeks ago).

“Why hate on Katie? She’s had no dance training and did this for publicity for the charity. Everyone lip synchs when they’re dancing. MJ too”
Lythgoe tweeted. “I’m trying to figure out why Katie is being judged as a dancer. When a star throws out the opening pitch no-one says “ooh crap pitcher!”"

Maybe because SYTYCD IS a dance show and the standards are so high, both in terms of contestants and choreographers, the audience just expected something better.

Is it fair to judge Katie Holmes by those same standards?

It was a night of celebration on Fox’s summer hit “So You Think You Can Dance” as the show marked it’s 100^th episode with special guest appearances and the return of Emmy-winning performances.

Familiar faces from seasons past, including Travis Wall, Heidi Groskreutz, and Hawk, performed award-winning routines such as the zombie-inspired group number Ramalama (Bang Bang) and the contemporary gem “Calling You.”

Thursday’s show also featured a new, and perhaps the most eagerly anticipated addition, as actress Katie Holmes performed a pre-taped tribute to screen legend Judy Garland.

Despite the jovial feel, salsa dancer Janette Manrara and contemporary dancer Jason Glover were sent packing as the top eight was cut down to six.

“Janette, you were my favorite too and I really wanted you to win this year,” said executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe. “You bring so much to this.”

Lythgoe added he thought America got it wrong, but ultimately elimination is decided by viewers. So do you agree with Lythgoe? Was Manrara’s elimination as much a shock to you as it was to host Cat Deeley?

Manrara faced stiff competition on Wednesday’s performance show, which was filled with a number of memorable numbers.

Tyce Diorio’s contemporary routine, inspired by a friend’s battle with breast cancer, was hailed as a “perfect portrait” by an emotional judge Mia Michaels. Performed by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi, Lythgoe said the number prompted an overwhelming audience response, including a personal message from Olivia Newton-John, herself a breast cancer survivor.

“I think television at its best can reach out and unite a country with a shared experience and I think that happened last night with Tyce’s routine,” Lythgoe said on Thursday.

Guest judge Ellen DeGeneres provided some much-needed comic relief on Wednesday’s show as Lythgoe dished out biting criticisms before and after the tears, including his contention this season’s hip hop numbers disappointed.

However, both street-inspired performances blew the judges away. Jeanine Mason and Brandon Bryant hit hard on Wednesday with a Laurie Ann Gibson pop-jazz routine, breaking Lythgoe out of his funk. “This is the flattest night I have ever experienced on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ up until now,” he said of the routine.

Michaels praised the camouflaged-clad couple saying, “you guys danced in a place that was more than dance, you were inside it.”

Kayla Radomski and Glover’s ghoulish Shane Sparks hip hop routine was one of the few numbers to prompt judge Mary Murphy’s coveted bloodcurdling screams. Michaels described the pair as “disturbingly hot” and noted it was her favorite Sparks number to date.

Was the milestone 100th show bittersweet with the elimination of Manrara and Glover or did you have your cake and eat it too?

Captions: (Top) Janette Manrara , 25, is a salsa/ballroom dancer from Miami, Fl. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX

Jason Glover, 21, is a contemporary/lyrical dancer from Fresno, CA. ©2009 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mike Ruiz/FOX

Judge Mary Murphy hit it on the nail when she said, “This competition is probably the closest competition in ‘So You Think You Can Dance‘ history.”

The race on the fifth season of Fox’s summer hit has been incredibly tight from the beginning and this week’s bottom couples exemplified that.

Despite a good performance choreographed by Jean Marc Genereux, a third time in the bottom was not a charm for Karla Garcia and Vitolio Jeune, who could not escape the curse of the quick-step — a.k.a. the “kiss of death.”

The company they kept at the bottom this week may have made a tough decision easier, as the other two couples performed memorable and distinctive routines praised by the judges.

Phillip Chbeeb and Jeanine Mason, who performed a unique Tabitha & Napoleon hip hop routine that literally chained the dancers together, found themselves in the bottom for the first time. Voters may have agreed with guest judge and choreographer Mia Michaels, who found the chain distracting, despite the unique and difficult routine. It was perhaps a blessing in disguise as their solos reminded judges and viewers why they deserved to be on the show. “I know it’s entirely selfish, but I’m so glad you got to perform your solo,” host Cat Deeley told Chbeeb.

Kupono Aweau and Kayla Radomski’s bottom three placement also came as a surprise. Michaels called their “Twilight”-inspired number by Sonya Tayeh “perfection.” “Everything about it was absolutely tremendous,” she said. “To me, you were the best performance last night.”

This week’s standouts included Brandon Bryant and Janette Manrara, who performed a high-energy Cha Cha choreographed by Genereux that generated over-the-top enthusiasm from the judges. Executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe shouted, “It was possibly the best damn Cha Cha I have ever seen on this show!” Murphy punctured a few eardrums screaming out “two first class tickets” onto her coveted “hot tomale train.”

Bryant was moved to tears this week when Michaels finally praised his dancing and talent. During the “green mile” episode where dancers were told whether they made it into the top 20, Michaels sparked a heated scene with other judges when she told Bryant, “I can’t take you. I can’t take what you bring to the floor as an artist. It annoys the *bleep* out of me.”

Audiences also fell in love with Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi’s Romeo and Juliet pas de deux by Thordal Christensen. “You can’t fake classical ballet — that exposes everything — and you were brilliant,” said Michaels.

“Who would have believed that in five seasons, we are now doing classical ballet,” asked Lythgoe, highlighting how the show brings together every genre from hip hop to ballet.

SYTYCD is a week away from finding out who the top 10 dancers will be. The performers have been fairly evenly matched, with favorites changing week to week. With a competition this tight, what will it take for dancers to stand out as the field narrows?

Caption: Mia Michaels (R), choreographer and judge of the reality series “So You Think You Can Dance”, takes part in a panel discussion with show host Cat Deeley at the Fox TV network summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California July 14, 2008. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Thursday’s elimination show of “So You Think You Can Dance” began on a somber note as executive producer Nigel Lythgoe paid tribute to Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, all of whom passed away this week.

Nigel paid special recognition to the enormous contribution Jackson made to music and dance.

“We will not see his like again. He changed the face of music and dance in the world — not just in this country.”

He called Jackson’s 1991 “Black or White” music video — which incorporated a number of international dance styles — an inspiration for the show.

“This is a life to celebrate. This is a life that remains inspirational for anybody who listens to music, anybody who wants to dance,” Nigel said, noting that many dancers auditioning for the show over the years cited Jackson as the reason why they started dancing. (Last week, contestant Jason Glover was shown doing an impressive Jackson impression when he was four years old.)

Of Jackson’s iconic 1982 “Thriller” video, directed by John Landis, Nigel said, “After this, there was nothing ever again that would be the same.”

THE SHOW MUST GO ON

After the tribute, the voting results were unveiled. It was not a good night for ballroom dancers as Asuka Kondoh and Jonathan Platero were the unlucky ones sent home by judges Nigel, Mary Murphy and guest Toni Basil.

Asuka, who performed a Mandy Moore thrash-jazz routine with partner Vitolio Jeune, was the first to go home in an unanimous decision. The judges called her a beautiful and “exciting performer,” but it wasn’t good enough. “You give a little something of yourself with everything that you do, but we do feel that you are not growing in the competition,” Nigel said.

The boyish Jonathan was the third male to leave the show. Despite an “outstanding” solo, the judges said his hip-hop performance (choreographed by Dave Scott) was “like a Sunday school picnic outing” despite its “gangsta” theme. “I don’t believe you’ve brought the dancing that is required to be America’s best dancer,” Nigel concluded.

The four contestants who escaped the chopping block were Jonathan’s partner, Karla Garcia (despite what the judges called a “desperate” solo), Vitolio, and Caitlin Kinney and Jason, who performed a paso doble by choreographer Jean Marc Genereaux.

Randi Evans and Evan Kasprzak lived up to the personality and originality of Mia Michael’s charming “butt” routine.

And speaking of butts, Phillip Chbeeb ripped his pants during his Tyce Diorio jazz number with Jeanine Mason, sending Mary into hysterics. Nigel felt Phillip still needed to grow, despite his popularity with voters: “I need more than your ass sticking out of your trousers.”

The only couple to make it onto Mary’s “hot tomale train” this week was Kupono Aweau and his new partner Kayla Radomski with their performance of a waltz by Genereaux. “I never yell for a Viennese waltz,” said Mary, who preceded to give her signature scream. But Nigel, in a particularly crusty and critical mood on Wednesday, said they weren’t going to make anyone stand up and cheer, even though it was beautifully danced. Voters disagreed.

With seven couples left, dancers will face increasing pressure to exceed expectations every week. Who will survive the heat and who will wilt under the glare of the spotlight?

“So You Think You Can Dance” host Cat Deeley — looking fabulous in a white pant suit — kicked off Thursday’s results show with a hilarious compilation of judge Lil’ C’s critiques from Wednesday — often incomprehensible, inventive, and always verbose.

The laughs didn’t last however, and it was a sad night for Ashley Valerio and Max Kapitannikov, the second female and male dancer to be sent home on Fox’s hit summer reality show.

This week saw some of last week’s favorite couples performing under par and last week’s bottom dancers delivering.

As a testament to the incredibly strong and fairly evenly matched crop of talent this season, executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe told the bottom three couples, “if it were up to us, we probably wouldn’t lose any of this six tonight.”

Despite strong routines last week, Ashley and Max’s solos and performances on Wednesday were less memorable and simply didn’t make the cut for audiences and judges alike.

Living to see another week of competition were Caitlin Kinney and Jason Glover along with Kupono Aweau and his new partner Kayla Radomski.

Despite hip-hop’s popularity and the return of choreographer Shane Sparks (a judge on “America’s Best Dance Crew“), it was “hip-not” this week with two of last week’s star couples unable to deliver, landing them in the bottom.

Last week, Caitlin and Jason nailed their bollywood number, and Kupono and Ashley impressed with Wade Robson’s crash test dummies routine, but both couples struggled with uneven hip-hop performances that underwhelmed the judges.

Early audience favorite Phillip Chbeeb and his partner Jeanine Mason were safe despite a dismal and awkward tango performance. “A lack of confidence is the heaviest anchor you can put on your creativity, on your art. You had no confidence through that whole routine,” Lil’ C told Phillip. Nigel simply said, “It wasn’t good.”

Asuka Kondoh and Vitolio Jeune — who were in the bottom three last week — came back with a moving and lyrical waltz performance choreographed by Louie van Amstel, inspired by Vitolio’s background growing up an orphan.

Mary Murphy also praised Jonathan Platero and Karla Garcia’s contemporary routine by Canadian choregrapher Stacey Tooki, telling Jonathan, “I have never said this in five seasons: Jonathan you did that style better than your own!” They too also came close to saying goodbye last week.

Rising to the “threat-to-watch” list was Ade Obayomi, whom Lil’ C called  “everybody’s competition”.

As the contrast between this week and last week’s performances showed, favorites can change week to week depending literally on the luck of the (genre) draw. Dancers can rise to the occasion after disappointment, while the confidence of others can be shattered when performing out of their element.

Which genre and choreography will send next week’s dancers home? And which dancers will prove themselves to be versatile in anything thrown their way?

The hot tamale train has rolled back into town as the search for America’s favorite dancer begins anew on the fifth season of the hugely popular “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Thursday’s elimination show was a visual feast for dance lovers with the opening number conjuring images of a hip-hop zombie apocalypse.

Paris Torres, a contemporary funk dancer, and Tony Bellissimo, a story-telling hip-hop performer, met their demise — a unanimous decision by the judges.

Paris failed to measure up in the deep talent pool of contemporary dancers while Tony took a risk by attempting to lock his way through his solo “but not very well,” judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said.

Despite disarming charm and enormous support on Twitter, as noted by guest judge Adam Shankman, personality took a back seat to strong technical skills on Thursday.

The top 20 — an eclectic mix of seasoned veterans, starry-eyed youngsters, breakers, ballerinas and Broadway buffs — set the bar high on Wednesday’s first performance show, prompting Lythgoe to exclaim it was an “absolutely fabulous night.”

The two-hour live program was jam packed and included glittering Bollywood, crash-test-dummy love, sizzling Latin pieces and a fluid hip-hop number choreographed by Napoleon & Tabitha D’umo that was reminiscent of season four’s wildly popular “Bleeding Love” routine.

Mandy Moore’s standout jazz piece (performed by Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi) brought Shankman to tears while the foxtrot (performed by Janette Manrara and Brandon Bryant) sent judge Mary Murphy into her screaming shtick, forcing her to confess she couldn’t express her love for the number because of Botox.

So did the judges make the right call sending Tony and Paris home?  How important is personality in performance and can it motivate viewers to pick up the phone when dancers need a competitive edge?

As the judges liked to say, Thursday’s finale of “So You Think You Can Dance” was BUCK!

America loves inspiring underdogs and season No. 4 proved no exception to that rule as hip-hopper Joshua Allen beat fellow street dancer Twitch (Stephen Boss) to be crowned America’s Favorite Dancer on the final episode that brought back the very best of the show.

As fans saw in earlier episodes this summer and previous seasons, technical perfection doesn’t always outshine charm and charisma. The very polished Katee Shean — whom many expected to either win or at least be in the top two — was out before the two final male contestants.

From Joshua’s grin to his oft-noted backside, the stocky, sensitive hip-hopper (he could be the most teary dancer they’ve ever had on the show) charmed his way to the top. His partnership with Katee brought us some of the best routines of the season, even if he did seem a bit tired at times in Wednesday’s performance show.

This season arguably featured the strongest batch of dancers ever — both in personality and skill — making each week’s elimination tough to swallow. Thursday’s finale made viewers forget the sometimes questionable judging and the over-the-top love-fests that judges had with choreographers this year.

Fans relived the chills they got from the season’s best dance routines and were reunited with favorite choreographers Wade Robson (That’s him at right. He’s been busy doing Criss Angel’s new Las Vegas magic show “Believe”) and Shane Sparks (now a judge on “America’s Best Dance Crew“). Audiences also revisited poppers Robert Muraine and Phillip Chbeeb (see Muraine showcase his talent in an Ikea ad here). Long time viewers were also treated to appearances by Benji, Travis, Hok, Donyelle, Lauren, Lacey, Dominic, Ivan and many other past favorites.

But as fans from “Dance” suffer withdrawal the day after the show’s end, they will no doubt be arguing whether America got it right in picking Joshua as this seaon’s No. 1. After the stage lights have dimmed, who will forge a stronger career — the hip hoppers with street cred and loads of charm, or the girl with the technical ability and grace to match. Any thoughts?

The final competitive show on the fourth season of Fox TV’s “So You Think You Can Dance” was not the predictable love-in of year’s past. Wednesday night was the last time Courtney Galiano, Twitch (Stephen Laurel Boss), Katee Shean and Joshua Allen danced competitively and the judges left voters with a laundry list of the top four’s technical shortcomings. 

Courtney took the brunt of critiques, beginning with flashback footage of an audition in which choreographer Tyce Diorio commented on her lack of foot and leg extension. 

After Courtney’s solo, guest judge Mandy Moore — not to be confused with the pop singer and actress — told a teary Courtney to get into a dance class and work on defining her lines, while judge Nigel Lythgoe harped on her for not finishing every move after she danced a Diorio-choreographed Broadway routine

During Courtney’s jive number with Joshua, Lythgoe reprimanded the exhausted pair for a lack of energy and double bounce saying, “It was tough on you? Tough! Be better every single time.”

Even the highly-praised Katee was not immune as Moore encouraged her to continue taking ballet classes in order to work on her feet and artistry.

However, the absence of technique lead to a shower of superlatives for the top two guys as Lythgoe praised the hip-hop finalists for being an inspiration to untrained dancers everywhere. 

After performing a haunting Wade Robson contemporary routine with Katee, Lythgoe said Joshua had set a new standard on the show for street competitors, adding that America got it right when voters cast off Debbie Allen’s protégé Will Wingfield.

So the question now, for voters on the TV talent show is whether the final technique critiques will hurt the ladies’ chances of becoming “America’s Favorite Dancer” or can a lack of training work in favor for the top-two guys?

Millions of voters will have their say and on Thursday’s season finale, the results show.

(Reporting and writing by Ashleigh Patterson)