That's why I'm fine most of the time with hip hop kids getting sent to do choreo during the early audition rounds.

Especially since they do send other styles of dancers there for much the same reason (even if it's not as common), like the Irish step dancer from last night.

Especially since they do send other styles of dancers there for much the same reason (even if it's not common), like the Irish step dancer from last night.

Sara did NOT understand that. "But she's so good, Mommy!"

I was sort of dazzled by the Broadway kid -- Jess? Whoever danced with the Latin ballroom girl in the choreo round. I didn't immediately see that he wasn't showing heart or connection, but I think that was also due to the song he chose -- "Mack the Knife," wasn't it? It's so slick and so cool, and he gave that vibe off really well.

When the Latin dancer (I haven't figured out their names yet) did the move where she stretched her leg straight up, I heard Nigel say, "why did she do that there" ... and my reaction was "because she could".

Seriously. I hope now that they are down to the final four they'll give the gimmicky shit a rest, but I'm not hopeful.

They're going the wrong direction for that.

Skipping to say - I really like Mary's dress in SLC

Who did I spy with my little eye on the judges panel in Vegas? Miss Debbie Allen! Diva!!

Tonight's dancers were so much better. I almost had a moment with a couple of them:

Patty Anne Miller – Looks like the cutest little boy ever. Dances like a crazy good popper. She’s got a lot going on.

Ariel Coker – The green hair is a bad, bad idea, love. But all the rest was magic. The crazy plie in second and then she turned it? Shut up.

Jordan Casanova – Oh, honey. You ARE fierce. That was dyno-frikkin-mite! Firecracker. It was a little hair flippy, but the extensions on this girl are insane. And she’s not a blonde stick figure.

And from one of the million good dancer montages, the kid in jeans who did the flip into an arabesque and then the crazy jete off the stage? Yeah, that kid is so, so pretty. I would like to see much more of him.

There were also kids that while I enjoyed them, I wasn't 100% sold:

Dereon “DC” Chapman – I plan to do the Cat Daddy the very next time I go to the club. This kid is personality plus. And the routine was adorable. Lots of musicality and originality. I'm glad he’s going through to Vegas but I'm not sure yet how versatile he is.

Hiro McRae(?) – Ridiculous. Ridiculous. She turned it out, in and back out again. Get on with your bad self, little Japanese girl. Again, I'm wondering about what she'll do with Russian Folk Dance.

Alexis Mason – Glad to see the Masons are joining the Wall/Tidwells and the Schwimmers as SYTYCD first families. She’s adorable. And she’s a gorgeous dancer. I see solid centers run in the family. She did have a weird dance face, though. Nigel is correct. Great technique.

Sasha and Natalia Mallory – They're adorable together and I thought they had one of the best choreographed routines I've seen yet for their audition piece. Go ‘head. And given who they've previously put straight through to Vegas, I was unclear why they got sent to the choreo round. They've clearly had extensive training, so I would've expected them to be able to pick up choreo. But I'm not sure either of them is strong enough to make the show. They are both solid, but not spectacular. And the larger sister, while not real world large, is dance world large. I can see how partnering might be an issue for her, especially if some of the smaller boys like Lil O or Jess, the Broadway boy from last night, actually wind up making the show.

Clearly, there was a lot of talent at the LA auditions (even the Santa fool was kind of a good dancer underneath it all) and yet we only got an hour. Boo.

Ah, well. On to Vegas. Bring on the tears and the group dance smackdowns and the Travis Wall (EEEeee!) and Miss Debbie Allen (Double EEEEeeee!!). I do love this show.

Hiro McRae(?) – Ridiculous. Ridiculous. She turned it out, in and back out again. Get on with your bad self, little Japanese girl. Again, I'm wondering about what she'll do with Russian Folk Dance.

She was on ABDC, the leader of We Are Heroes--very charismatic. I totally recognized her as soon as she showed up last night.

Ariel Coker

Did she audition before? YES, with Chbeeb! I though I recognized that name. I'm going to have to find all these on the web. kat, thanks for your reviews. I love reading them. Who was the other Mason? eta oh, Jeanine. Gotcha.

Travis. PEANUT. Love. That is all.

She was on ABDC, the leader of We Are Heroes--very charismatic. I totally recognized her as soon as she showed up last night.

Oh! Of course she was! I knew she was familiar somehow.

Ariel has tried out a couple of times. And I agreed with the judges that she is much, much stronger this year than in years past. I was really blown away by her audition, hope she finally makes the show this year.