Someone's gotta be first...

Well, Thursday's first results show went a little differently than I expected. And not in a good way.

The season's first results show group dance was choreographed by new (to the show) choreographer Tessandra Chavez. Maybe it was the gold and white glittery costumes or the music or something, but it all felt really pageanty to me. There were some really cool moves and lifts, mainly to showcase Lauren, but it seemed a bit choppy and even a little empty to me. I guess the last 2 seasons really set the bar high with some unbelievably creative group routines, so I guess I was just expecting something more. That being said, it did look cool and made 11 dancers on the stage seem like 20, which is a feat in and of itself!

Now, on to the results...

I think I know this show a little too well by now because when I saw the first group walk out (Alex, Robert, Lauren, Kent), I automatically knew everyone was safe. I didn't even need to see Cat's little finger tap on Lauren's shoulder to know that even after Kent was safe, Lauren would be as well. It may seem a bit cruel, but do like how crazy nervous these contestants seem because to me it validates the fact that they really don't know! In too many reality shows, I get the feeling that people get some kind of advanced warning or notion of their impending doom. Maybe that's just me?

Moving on - the next quartet of competitiors featured Melinda, Billy, Ashley, and Alexie. Obviously 2 people from this group are in the bottom. While I was hoping for Melinda and Ashley, cute little Alexie got sent to the bottom along with Melinda the Tapper. Sad! I really like them both!

The final 3 to get their results were Jose, Adechike, and Cristina, and while I desperately wanted Adechike in the bottom three (and to go home!), the girl voters abandoned the girl dancers, as they so often do, and sent Cristina to perform a solo.

For me, the performances tonight were a little disappointing, but only because I just watched Karine Plantadit and Keith Roberts perform their piece at the Tonys this past Sunday. I'm definitely still in awe of what a physically demanding and athletic routine that was, and it really makes me want to go see "Come Fly Away" on Broadway. Usher reprised his American Idol performance of O.M.G. which was pretty much exactly the same, and then we got the "exclusive World Premiere" of the Justin Bieber music video for some song I've never heard of, "Somebody to Love". If you're going to show a video of a song with that title, I'd prefer to see the Glee clip again, thanks Fox.

In between the performances, we saw the first solos of the season, which are always a little weak. The contestants don't quite have that fight in them yet, and all three were a little blah. Cristina was trying hard in her salsa solo, but it was a little bit scattered and didn't show much technique. Definitely commendable effort. Melinda tapped her little feet off, although she doesn't give the viewers much to latch onto when she dances. Alexie danced a sweet little contemporary solo, but it wasn't much more than that and it unfortunately got her sent home. She worked so hard and tried out so many times only to be cut the first week! I'm sad to see her go, but it was really great of Adam to assure her that she is "so hirable" in the dance world. I'm sure she'll have a great career in dance, especially because she'll probably look young and cute for awhile. Good luck, Alexie, you will be missed!

Some things I learned tonight:

- The judges are deciding who gets kicked off...still not sure how long that will last though. Throught the Top 5 maybe?
- Popular all-stars don't necessarily pull in the votes for their partner. Twitch, Mark, and Pasha's partners all were sent to the bottom. That's a bit reassuring for this new system and assures that it's up to the contestant to get those votes.
- I love the Nigel, Adam, and Mia dynamic on the judges panel. Love it!
- Call me crazy, but I also miss Mary Murphy! Choreo next week? Please come back, you're the character of the show!
- Dance Day is July 31! Ok, I lied I already knew about it, but it was announced on the show last night. It's just day where you're encouraged to GET UP AND DANCE! Even if you're like me and can't do any choreography, get off your butt and dance around a little. Throw on the Glee soundtracks and break a sweat. It's fun, it's cathartic, and Nigel wants you to! I may even challenge myself to learn the NappyTabs routine and perform it with my fellow SYTYCD obsessed friends. I urge you to do the same!