SYTYCD Season 6: Top 10 Dance; Ellenore & Jakob New Dream Team; Mollee & Russell Jive

So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Season 6: FOX Broadcast Date: December 01, 2009
Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Adam Shankman

The Top 10 dancers, five girls and five guys each danced a solo and two couple dances with new partners, picked by the girls out of a hat. The judges critiqued the couple dances but not the solos. Here are this evening's performances, in sequence, which is intermixed with solos (in the dancers' own genres) and partner dances.

1. Noelle Marsh & Ryan Di Lello danced Hip-Hop to 'Give It To Me Right' by Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona, choreographed by Nappy Tabs. The routine was hot, sexy, and with great chemistry. Adam called the pair, "Smokin'!" Ryan with his gorgeous guns is always smokin'.

2. Ashleigh Di Lello & Legacy Perez did Contemporary to 'Poison' by English electronic music group The Prodigy choreographed by Garry Stewart, new to SYTYCD. Nigel joked that the dancers had been physically abused- 'by your choreographer' and commented that they must have bruises all over their bodies. The dance was so athletic and its pace so relentless that he said the couple would likely never have to dance anything so difficult again in their careers. Mary said, "Wow." Adam said the routine had the best ending point in the show's history- Ashleigh stood upright while Legacy stood on his head.

3. Mollee Gray, 18 (Jazz), danced solo to 'Rock the Beat' by Hip-Hop and dance band LMFAO, from Hollywood, California. SYTCD censored the name (LM*AO). As usual, Mollee's solo was very strong. Mollee is deaf in her left ear but her dancing doesn't show it.

4. Russell Ferguson, 19 (Krump), danced solo to 'Outro' by American Hip-Hop producer-rapper Black Milk. This Krumper has been one of my favorite dancers since pre-Vegas. His Krumping is miraculous.

5. Kathryn McCormick & Nathan Trasoras danced Broadway to 'Choreography' by American actor-singer-comedian Danny Kaye, choreographed by Spencer Liff. All three judges agreed that the couple had found the Broadway style perfectly. Nigel thought that Kathryn had not found the chemistry as well as she had the style.

6. Noelle Marsh, 18 (Contemporary), danced solo to 'Every Time It Rains' by American singer-songwriter-pianist Charlotte Martin.

7. Ellenore Scott & Jakob Karr, ironically former respective partners of married Ryan & Ashleigh Di Lello, danced the Quickstep to 'Four Brothers' by American vocal music group Manhattan Transfer, choreographed by Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin. They did a great job, so the judges agreed. They had a long close hold that Mary appreciated. But it's not the most exciting Quickstep that's been danced.

8. Ryan Di Lello, 28 (Latin Ballroom), danced solo to 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' by German hard rock band Scorpions. Can he ever move those Latin hips. He and his wife, along with Russell, are favorites of mine since pre-Vegas.

9. Kathryn McCormick, 18 (Contemporary), who has a feminine Kirk Douglas chin, danced solo to 'Beautiful' by Contemporary Christian music artist Bethany Dillon.

10. Mollee Gray & Russell Ferguson danced a Lyrical Jazz routine to 'It Must Have Been Love' by Swedish pop duo Roxette, choreographed by Mandy Moore. Nigel said this was 'absolutely beautiful'. He commented on the link of the arms for the backward jump. It was breathtaking. He said that Mollee has reached a new maturity with Russell as her partner. And that Russell, a Krumper, moves across the stage as a real Contemporary dancer. Mary said, "I love this partnership." She praised the chemistry. She named Mollee & Russell her favorite pair of the night. Adam was amazed that a fierce hard-hitting Krumper such as Russell could become a Contemporary dancer and be such a strong partner. In Krump, there is collaboration but not partnering.

11. Nathan Trasoras, 18 (Contemporary), danced solo to 'Golden Train' by Canadian-American godsinger-songwriter Justin Nozuka. Afterwards, he was very emotional and near tears. He said, "I really appreciate my parents... they really did a lot for me."

12. Noelle & Ryan began the second round of couple dances with a Smooth Waltz to 'Jeau d'eau' by Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soliel, choreographed by JT & Tomás. Nigel called them 'a prince and princess'. He told Ryan that his open carriage was great; he cautioned Noelle to soften her shoulders slightly. He praised their 'rise and fall' and called their dancing captivating. Mary said it was 'breathtaking' and seemed effortless, especially on Ryan's part. Adam said he was 'completely hypnotized' and knew that he was because "I was breathing with you," he said. He dubbed Noelle & Ryan a power partnership.

13. Ellenore Scott, 19 (Jazz), danced solo to 'Beatbox Harmonica' by vocal percussionist Yuri Lane. Her performance was quirky, clever, and great fun.

14. Ashleigh & Legacy danced Hip-Hop to 'Slow Down' by British singer Bobby Valentino, with a vampire theme choreographed by Dave Scott. Nigel said, "I didn't feel it." Mary said, "It didn't work for me." Adam said, "It was not challenging enough." Perhaps there wasn't enough dancing but this author found the routine very entertaining. Although- Ashleigh has done a much better Hip-Hop and Legacy is a supreme B-Boy. Dave Scott's choreography could be to blame.

15. Kathryn & Nathan danced the Rhumba to 'Walk on By' by The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin choreographed. The judges gave the performance a mixed review. The consensus was that the pair had done well with what the choreographers had given them to do but there wasn't enough Rhumba in the Rhumba. Despite that, the routine did have some great moments.

16. Legacy Perez, 27 (B-Boy), danced solo to 'No Air' by American singers Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown. Jordin sings R&B and pop. Chris acts as well as sings. Legacy's performance was so mind-blowing that the audience members were on their feet roaring. As my husband said, "Legacy gave 250%."

17. Ellenore & Jakob danced a Sonya Tayeh Contemporary to 'Tore My Heart' by modern folk artists OONA & Dave Tweedie. What a historic performance. Sonya was on her feet applauding her protégées . Nigel did a Mary scream. He said, "This really is my favorite routine of the season." He said the pair had 'incredible chemistry with each other and with their choreographer'. Mary screamed out, "New dream team!" Adam said that this was like a sequel to the memorable 'Garden' routine and that it had made an 'indelible impression' on everyone watching. He said he'd had goosebumps. Even though Mary's screams had nearly deafened him tonight, Adam stood with Nigel and Mary- they all screamed and gyrated as they rolled their hands. And they're right. This was a fabulously-choreographed dance and was also fabulously danced.

18. Ashleigh Di Lello, 26 (Latin Ballroom), danced solo to 'Batucada Por Favor' by Egyptian Jewish singer Bob Azzam. She was incredibly fast with her Latin hips and footwork.

19. Mollee & Russell jived to 'Land of 1000 Dances' by Australian rock singer Jimmy Barnes, choreographed by Anya & Pasha. The last couple performance to follow Ellenore & Jakob's tough act was outstanding! Nigel said that Mollee & Russell 'are two of our best performers as well as two of our best dancers'. Mary screamed that they had 'brought it (the choreography) to life'. Adam loved the partnership, their playfulness, and their mutual respect.

20. Jakob Karr, 18 (Contemporary), danced solo to 'Always Midnight' (Acoustic) by Irish-American singer Pat Monahan. As usual, Jakob gave a superlative performance.

Summary. There were at least two hours of voting by American TV viewers tonight. Tomorrow night, the two dancers with the least votes- one guy and one girl- will go home, leaving eight out of the Top 10.

For more on Russell Ferguson, CLICK HERE.