Thursday evenings are heartbreaking -- because dancers who have entertained for weeks and even begun to feel like family are sent home. This week, it was Randi Evans and Kupono Aweau who were eliminated from the competition.
In a change of format, the judges no longer have the final say of which boy and girl is eliminated based on their season-long performance and a solo dance. Instead, that decision is completely the hands of fans.
This week the SYTYCD evening began with a contemporary presentation to Janet Jackson's "So Much Betta." Wearing Japanese-style costumes in dramatic blacks, reds and whites, the dancers consumed the stage with movements that were crisp, deliberate and electrifying. There was power, strength and -- oh, such flair! Front-row tickets to the most popular professional dance shows in New York or Hollywood could not provide better entertainment!
But the pleasure became strained with the reality that two popular dancers would bid a final farewell to their fans -- and their dancing shoes would no longer add life to the show's dancing stage.
Host Cat Deeley first called the five remaining girls -- Jeanine Mason, Melissa Sandvig, Kayla Radomski, Randi Evans and Janette Manrara. One by one, she issued the fans' verdicts. Jeanette, who had performed a hip-hop routine with Ade, was safe. Randi, who danced a paso doble with Cupono, was in danger. Jeanine, who performed a contemporary dance with Jason, -- and Kayla, who hip-hopped with Evan, were both safe. But Melissa's Broadway routine with Brandon left her as the second girl in danger of leaving the show.
For the boys, it was the same procedure. Jason and Evan were safe. But Kupono was not. Ade also was safe. But Brandon had been voted into the Bottom Two.
The four "in danger" dancers repeated their solo performances of the night before, but the fans' had already spoken with their votes -- so the solos would not impact the final outcome. It was simply another chance to showcase their talents, hoping that it would not be their last on the show.
Judge Mary Murphy told Randi, "Every week you do something fabulous. If you make it through to next week, you need to take chances." To Kupono, she said, "You are such a great dancer. ... Bring power and strength next week."
Choreographer and judge Debbie Allen advised Melissa, "I think America got spoiled. You need to go to another level, need to give more." And then Murphy spoke to Ade, saying, "This young man is a star! I don't know what to tell you to do differently."
After a lively performance by Black Eyed Peas, the moment had come to send two dancers home. Deeley stood with Randi and Melissa -- and announced that the girl with the lowest number of votes was Randi. "You have been fabulous," Deeley exclaimed as they viewed video highlight of Randi's weeks on the show.
Next Deeley faced the two "in danger" boys, Kupono and Ade -- and announced that it was Kupono with the fewest votes.
"They (Kupono and Randi) have been wonderful on the show," enthused Deeley. "Randi and Kupono, they will be so missed."
The show was over. Ten dancing contestants were narrowed to eight. And next week it will happen all over again.
As judge Nigel Lythgow has often remarked, the dancers in the competition this year are probably the most talented in the history of the show. Every dancer is truly "brilliant." There is no shame for a dancer in being sent home -- because every dancer topped thousands of other dancers to make it this far. They are the cream of the crop.
Only one dancer can ultimately wear the So You Think You Can Dance crown, but all of these dancers are winners. Quite likely, SYTYCD has created the foundation and springboard -- and the best is yet to come!
Randi and Kupono -- see you on tour!
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