Now THAT is an Elite 8

It seems like FOREVER since last week’s episode! Is that just me? Perhaps!

All-stars round TWO tonight! I hope that they all dance with an all-star AND a contestant this week, but I’m not sure they could squeeze that all in. **Oh yay, they are doing that!**

Another interesting twist this week – Lady Gaga. As a judge, not a performer. She’s super awkward when she talks, so this should be interesting. She will mostlikely eventually employ some of these guys though, so they should for sure bring their A-game tonight. Interesting that she is sitting in Nigel’s spot. Wow, she really does rule the universe. Rob Marshall is a guest judge too, which is also awesome considering his clout in the director/choreographer world, so it’s got to be a good show!

I haven’t really been commenting on Cat’s wardrobe this season, but I have to say she looks stunning this evening!

Sasha and Pasha - Quickstep w/ Jonathan Roberts
Sasha and Pasha, it’s easy to remember! Yes! They really are giving her the best all-stars! Sasha really did a great job on this, at least to me and my untrained eye! Of all the dancers this season, I could see Sasha as “Most Likely to Dance for Gaga”, so it was really nice to hear Gaga give her a sincere and glowing review!

Caitlynn and Ivan – Hip Hop w/ Marty Kudelka
Well that was just precious! Ivan is just too cute in these types of routines, and this was no exception. Caitlynn really held her own with him too. They were completely in sync and the chemistry was really great too. It was a little simple, and I feel like they used the beginning set up to use up a some actual dance time. I liked the choreo a lot though, but I could have used some lifts or floorwork or something else a little out of the ordinary.

Ade and Jordan – Jazz w/ Tyce DiOrio
As evidenced by their outfits, I’m pretty sure Ade was only there to show Jordan off in this routine. Although DAMN the man looks G-O-O-D. Anyways, back to Jordan though…she OWNED that! Every leap and lift and stretch was just awe inspiring. And Lady Gaga just showed off her shoes...WTF?!?! Jordan could also dance for Gaga, and I think after this, she probably will! Rob Marshall hit the nail on the head when he said that Jordan just goes for everything, no matter what! She really does push herself every week, and it’s truly inspiring and empowering.

Melanie and Neil – Contemporary w/ Mandy Moore
Holy crap, what an amazing exhibit of powerful dancing! That lift at the end?? She probably leapt 8 ft to fall into his arms. Mandy (with her 80’s music) is at her BEST – take that, Mia Michaels!!! I think Gaga literally jumped out of her seat to give Melanie a standing ovation and told her that she would hire her to dance on her tour tomorrow. And she’s Gaga’s favorite…possibly the best compliment anyone in the entertainment industry could ever get. And her critique made me cry a little bit. I’ve loved Melanie from her very first audition, and she just gets stronger and stronger! She better win. Period.

Ricky and Anya – Jive w/ Jason Gilkison
Well for all that I hate on Ricky, he really did do a respectable job on this. His feet were flying right along with hers, and his carriage was solid. I do have to say though, Anya lifting Ricky = AWESOME. Ricky lifting Anya = kinda awkward. Loved the song and the choreo, and of course ANYA!

Jess and Lauren Gottlieb – Lyrical Hip Hop w/ Nappy Tabs
At first I thought they were keeping Jess on the floor to avoid him actually doing hip hop, but he actually stood up and did a pretty damn good job! Their synchronisity was spot on, and as Mary said, Jess really did have some swag. I think he really took NPH’s advice about not mugging and being sincere in his performance. Jess really has grown and improved throughout this season. Rob Marshall let it out that Jess was in The Grinch on Broadway! Can anyone else just see him as a little Who from Who-ville?? I can!

Tad and Lauren Froderman – Jazz w/ Mandy Moore
Woah, Mandy looked pretty disappointed when they flashed to her at the end of that. Weird. I thought it was good and fun, just nothing super memorable (story-wise at least). For how much I absolutely love Lauren, I thought Tad definitely out-danced his all-star [again]. Like Mary said, he was just “cool” on stage. I just adore watching him move because he’s so unique! The chemistry wasn’t great for me, but when Gaga complemented the androgyny of it, it made me ok with it.

Marko and Allison – Contemporary w/ Sonya
And everyone’s crying. Me, the dancers, all the judges, half the audience. Wow. Just WOW. Gaga can’t even speak in her critique because it was just that moving. There are not even any words to describe how beautiful that was. You just have to watch it. And Marko’s mom came in from Guam to see the show live for the first time. It must be so hard to dance with Allison because she is so good, but Marko can definitely get on her level, which is a compliment of the highest level on this show. And now I think Marko should win. Shoot!

Caitlynn and Tad – Foxtrot w/ Jonathan Roberts
I think Caitlynn’s going to win Best Dressed again – so gorgeous! That was a beautiful and classic feeling foxtrot, and I really liked the chemistry between the two of them. They are both so great at getting into character, and they really swept me into another time! Mary gave some pro critiques that weren’t so great, but I didn’t even care honestly. It was so flowy and wonderful! The judges were a little harsh on Caitlynn’s “competition” personality, which I have to say I didn’t really notice until tonight.

Marko and Ricky – Hip Hop w/ Nappy Tabs
Want a sure fire way to make one guy look bad? Put him in a routine with the best guy in the competition. Marko OWNED that routine, and it was like Ricky wasn’t even in it. I only looked at him when I consciously realized that I had only been looking at Marko for awhile. Nigel said Ricky might be in the bottom, and y’all know I hope so. Marko though – pure genius. Great choreo and fun routine, but not especially memorable, probably because of Ricky. Sorry bout it.
Jordan and Jess – Rumba w/ Jason Gilkison
Well, we finally got the first rumba of the season, and that was some pretty clever choreo on Jason’s part to make it just like a contemporary piece. As Gaga said, there was nothing “wrong” with it per se, but it wasn’t my favorite. I think by default, it would have to be my least favorite piece of the night, just because the rest were so strong!

Sasha and Melanie – Jazz w/ Sonya
Can you say Dream Team? What a fantastic piece of work! Even Sonya was just amazed at how well that turned out! I just adored the two of those girls together. It was as if they were screaming “YEAH! BRING IT!” at each other with their eyes. I think Gaga might need to ditch LoriAnn Gibson and hire Sonya for a video one of these days. And these girls. They were the perfect example of strength and power. The two girls are clearly so different in style and appearance, but they just complemented each other absolutely perfectly. Lady Gaga threw a giant shoe at them for goodness sakes! And the other one at Sonya! One of these girls better win and I don’t know who!!!!

That was by far the best episode of this show I’ve ever seen. I guess the all-stars told everyone who’s ever been on the show to come watch tonight because they were all in the audience. I loved every routine so much, and I want them all to win! Except Ricky. Sorry buddy! These awards are going to have a lot of ties tonight. Sorry!

BOTN: Melanie and Sasha, Melanie and Neil, Allison and Marko. I can’t decide, and it’s my blog so you can’t make me.
Best Performance: Jordan and Ade (but mostly Jordan), Melanie and Neil
Best Choreo: Sonya (both) and Mandy Moore (Melanie and Neil’s piece)
Best Dressed: Caitlynn in the foxtrot
Best All-star: Allison, DUH
Best Guest Judge of the Season: Gaga
Breakthrough Performance: Jess
Best Body: Neil or Ade…edge to Neil with his open shirt.
Best Tear Inducing Performance That Didn’t Involved Cancer or Abuse: Marko and Allison...seriously, that was just ridiculous
Best Music: Mandy Moore
Best Legs: Jordan, by like 5 miles
Most Adorable: Tad
Best Lift: Anya
B2 Girls: Caitlynn and Jordan…sorry Jordan, you’re awesome and I love you but Melanie and Sasha are just better
B2 Guys: Ricky and Jess…Tad’s too darn loveable and Marko’s too damn good

In my humble opinion, Caitlynn and Ricky will get the boot tomorrow night, not because they’re not great, just because the rest are better. Neither of them will be lacking work though, and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of their performances on tour and in the finale!

I can only imagine how great the Melanie/Marko/Sasha/Tad finale is going to be. I’m going to go vote for all 4 of them right now to help make that happen!