First eliminations of SYTYCD season 8

Last week, there was a double elimination, since the judges elected not to eliminate anyone the week before that. Last week, four dancers got the first boot. They are Wadi Jones, a 24-year-old break dancer from Ossining, New York; Nick Young, a 19-year-old tap dancer from Franklin, Wisconsin; Iveta Lukosiute, a 30-year-old ballroom dancer from Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Missy Morelli, a 20-year-old jazz dancer from Arvada, Colorado. Of the three lowest vote-getting couples, the judges spared Ricky Jaime and Ryan Ramirez, who were the first couple to perform that performance night. My favorite couple Chris Koehl and Ashley Rich were the last couple to perform that night, and I am glad they were not in the bottom three.

So You Think You Can Dance top 20 remains intact

In the first week of So You Think You Can Dance season 8 voting round, it is difficult to predict who America will pull for, though I am pulling for Ashley and Chris. Last week, the viewers voted to put Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang, Jess LeProtto and Clarice Ordiz, and Miranda Maleski and Robert Taylor, Jr., to be in danger of being eliminated. Mitchell Kelly was supposed to dance with Caitlynn Lawson, but due to shoulder injury, the doctors barred him from performing his routine, thus putting him at risk of elimination. Robert Roldan from season 7 substituted for him for the evening. Clarice had little screen time in Vegas, and Jess's personality was a joke. I predicted that Miranda and Mitchell would be eliminated. However, the judges elected not to eliminate anyone. That means that this week, two guys and two girls will be eliminated. On a side note, due to a power outtage, I did not watch last week's performance show, but I was relieved that Ashley Rich and Chris Koehl were not in the bottom 3 and that Robert Taylor, Jr. was spared by the judges.

Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance season 8 revealed

Last Thursday night, the top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance season 8 has been revealed in a live episode with pre-recorded green-mile segments. I doubt whether I am happy with the top 20. The season will begin with the original format. When the number of contestants gets narrowed down to a top 10, it will switch to the season 7 all-star format.

Mary Murphy has returned to the judging panel, replacing Mia Michaels after being absent from season 7 due to contract disputes and undergoing surgery to remove thyroid tumor. Permanent judge and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe has announced that musician Will.i.am will be a guest judge in season 8.

Here are the top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance:

Male Finalists (alphabetically by last name):

Alexander Fost
Tadd Gadduang
Marko Germar
Ricky Jamie
Wadi Jones
Mitchell Kelly
Chris Koell
Jess LeProtto
Robert Taylor, Jr.
Nick Young

Female Finalists:

Jordan Casanova
Caitlynn Lawson
Iveta Lukosiute
Miranda Maleski
Sasha Mallory
Melanie Moore
Missy Morelli
Clarice Ordaz
Ryan Ramirez
Ashley Rich

I am pulling for Robert Taylor, Jr. on the male side and Ashley Rich on the female side. I will be upset if either of them go home on June 16. Mitchell Kelly got injured this week. If Robert Taylor, Jr., goes home I will pull for Wadi Jones. If Ashley Rich goes home this week, I will pull for Sasha Malloy.