'So You Think You Can Dance' Season 8 Top 16 Results - Another Pair Bites the Dust

"So You Think You Can Dance" season 8 bade farewell to two more finalists Thursday at the close of the top 16 results show. But before the unfortunate duo got the boot, there was plenty of entertainment blended with the requisite dramatic moments, including two guest performances. Here's a recap, including the identities of the dancers who saw their journeys come to an end.

The results show opened with a high kicking, flipping, jumping group routine by the top 16. Then host Cat Deeley hit the stage to introduce the judging panel and get things started in earnest. After extending nods to Lil C, Kristin Chenoweth, Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe, a brief clip from Kristin's upcoming country music video aired.

And then it was time for results action. She called the first three couples, Melanie Moore and Marko Germar, Ashley Rich and Chris Koehl and Ryan Ramirez and Ricky Jaime. Melanie and Marko, who impressed mightily with a Nappy Tabs hiphop routine that inspired a whole lotta kissing, were first to be declared safe again. Ashley and Chris, who fell victim to a weird Sonya Tayeh jazz routine that took harsh criticism from Nigel, were relegated to the bottom three. Ryan and Ricky, who also performed a Sonya number --and one that wasn't nearly as bizarre as that of Ashley and Chris-- were declared safe. Okay, right, whatever.

With two couples safe safely in the top 14, eliminations continued as three more couples hit the stage to learn their fates: Sasha Mallory and Alex Fost, Jordan Casanova and Tadd Gadduang and Miranda Maleski and Robert Taylor Jr. Cat began with Jordan and Tadd, who Nigel predicted would stick around "for weeks to come" thanks to their Nappy Tabs hip hop number. In line with the prediction, they joined the safe couples. Sasha and Alexander's Dee Caspary contemporary piece also earned them a place in the top 14, but Miranda and Robert weren't as lucky: They joined Ashley and Chris in the bottom three.

Since slam, bam, thank you ma'am seemed to be the rule of the day, the remaining two couples hit the "SYTYCD" stage post-commercial break to learn whether or not they'd be moving on in the competition. Cat addressed Clarice Ordaz and Jess LeProtto first, who earned super duper praises for their Broadway-style Foxtrot, before turning to Samba'ers Caitlynn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly. Of the two, Caitlynn and Mitchell were relegated to the bottom three.

While the six performers in peril prepared to dance for their lives, members ofthe Axis DanceCompany --which creates performances compromised of dancers both with and without disabilities-- hit the stage to show off their chops. Never has a wheelchair been a more impressive or well-used prop. Bravo. And then, solo time. Ashley Rich performed first and showed off her impressive extensions and fluidity of movement. Chris Koehl followed with a backflipping b-boy bit that drew much praise from the audience. Miranda Maleski danced third and put her own flexibility on display. Robert Taylor Jr. kept the solos moving forward with a fleet-footed piece that he clearly enjoyed. Four down, two to go! Caitlynn Lawson finished up the girls' offerings by spinning and tossing her hair around like mad. Mitchell Kelly concluded the 'dance for your life' segment by showing off his own extensions and spins. So who gets the boot from the bunch? I have no idea.

Nigel shared that Kristin hadn't been helpful at all; the diminutive blonde apparently said she loved all six of them. But Cat ushered them off-stage to make the big cut anyway. While they took off to make their choice,star Caberet champions Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian, who have also appeared on "Dancing with the Stars" in the past, took the "So You Think You Can Dance" stage by storm with a lovely, ethereal routine of their own. Their lifts were absolutely incredible; it was like watching Cirque de Soliel at times, but there were no wires!

The night's results action came to a head as the three girls in danger, hands joined, stood on stage awaiting their fates. Nigel said that "we love all three girls standing here on the stage right now" and admitted that the decision wasn't unanimousas he called Miranda forward. He acknowleged that she was the most improved dancer in the group, but that she'd be heading home. Miranda called "dancing on the stage in general" her favorite part of the show, and said she was "so grateful for everything". She promised her fellow finalists that they'd "do amazing" in the coming weeks.

With Miranda gone, Cat called the guys forward to hear their fates. Nigel revealed that the decision about the guys had been unanimous before calling Mitchell forward. He said that he does well when he dances for his life, but that he needs to work on connecting with the public. Nigel then called Chris forward to tell him he's doing a good job, but said "you have to grow quicker in order for the public to recognize what you're doing". Then he called wooo-man Robert forward, and told him that he'd be joining partner Miranda on the outbound train. Robert too addressed his fellow contestants, saying he saw it "as a growth and a friendship" and admonished everyone to "be thankful for whatever you have" every day. And then he asked for one final wooo from the audience, who gladly complied.

So that's it for the "So You Think You Can Dance" season 8 top 16 results show. Watch next Wednesday evening as the top 14 perform for audience votes and take their next steps, promenades and lifts toward becoming America's favorite dancer.