'So You Think You Can Dance': Eliminations get serious

This one felt like the first cut that really hurt.  "So You Think You Can Dance" just won't be quite the same without Gev Manoukian. I too always root for the little guy, much like Li'l C (who stole his nickname from me).

Even though I knew where he was coming from, I thought it was a little cruel of Nigel to say that he wished he could send two girls home in lieu of one boy last week.  But this week, I felt the same -- I'd even toss out three or four girls to save more of the boys.  Nothing against the girls: they performed beautifully as Victorian broken-doll angel-ghosts, or whatever they were supposed to be, in Mia Michaels' creepy, ethereal, beautiful dance (almost every girl looked unrecognizable with a wig and ice-blue eye makeup).  But I forgot all about them the moment Gev, Twitch Boss, Will Wingfield, Mark Kanemura and Joshua Allen hit the stage in a hip-hop on Broadway routine, choreographed by none other than Nigel Lythgoe!  Maybe it was just the eye candy of all the guys in white tank tops (sorry guys, but you get that EVERY NIGHT on this show).

So it was definitely surprising to see Kherington Payne be sent home in lieu of Comfort Fedoke -- Kherington too seemed surprised by America's vote -- but I won't feel as much of a gap in the show without her.  This may sound cruel, but I feel like a lot of what she had to offer is already present in Chelsie Hightower.

It wouldn't have been fun to see Mark go either, but the core of the show now is made up of Chelsie, Katee Shean, Twitch, Will and Joshua.  I am prepared for some audience howling when they begin to be eliminated.  Plus, as much as I like him, I don't really get Mark's solos. I won't enjoy seeing him and everyone else get tossed off, but I'm ready for it.  If I can get through Gev's elimination, I can get through anything.

-- Claire Zulkey

(Photo courtesy FOX)

Comments

[kerouac9]

Gev's elimination did come as a surprise. I wonder if the fact that, had Mark been tossed, we would have had 3 hip-hop boys in the Final 4 gentlemen had some effect on the final decision. Just like if Comfort had left, all but one of the girls (I think) would have been a modern/contemporary dancer.

Nigel's choreography was great. I really enjoyed his performance.

[sally]

The kids over at spunky bean have great recaps every Friday. One writer in particular is devastated over Gev's dismissal. (http://www.spunkybean.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=546&Itemid=135)

[morfin]

Not only is Gev a tremendous dancer but also an all around fantastic entertainer. He was my favorite. The show will not be nearly as much fun without him.

[Stephanie Lysaght]

Hey Lil C, I was also pretty depressed to see Gev leave. I thought there would be a public outcry when Kherington went home, but it looks like people are more upset about Gev.