SYTYCD Season 11 Top 20 Showcase Recap

Can I mute the audience?

OR

How relevant can we make Jason Derulo?

I was actually very excited about tonight's episode - I think the idea of having a "showcase" of sorts, is brilliant. We get some guaranteed good routines off the bat and we get to know the dancers a little bit better. Jason Derulo was guest judge.

Brooklyn/Serge - Choreography by Dmitry Chaplin
LATIN BALLROOM

Soooo unlucky for Brooklyn and Serge to open the night with a ballroom. It was pretty forgettable, honestly - Brooklyn seemed a little frantic throughout the entire routine. But, kudos to them for opening the entire season, it must be incredibly nerve-wracking.

Emily/Casey - Choreography by Travis Wall
CONTEMPORARY

Very beautiful contemporary choreography by Travis Wall. In the clips we saw from rehearsal Emily and Casey had harder hits and crashes on contact, which we didn't completely see in the performance and I would have liked to see, but Casey had some gorgeous turns and Emily had some amazing extensions. Casey was complemented by Mary on his partnering skills and rightly so - he has the special ability to let his partner shine and then step out of her shadow and step into the spotlight.

Valerie/Zack - Choreography by Anthony Morigerato
TAP

Definitely the routine I was most excited about tonight. Very cool use of the staircases - how EXHAUSTING could that have been though, Jesus. Cool costumes, too. Tap can be SO redundant and boring, but hopefully Anthony Morigerato continues to choreograph with the show because this was brilliant. Also - Nigel even told the audience to shut up. Beautiful moment.

Bridget/Stanley - Choreography by Bonnie Story
CONTEMPORARY

Another contemporary piece about relationships not working or something. Bridget reminds me SO much of Hayley Erbert, it's ridiculous. I was actually watching Stanley way more than I was watching Bridget this entire routine. Stanley's extensions, his pirouettes, his jetees and his jumps all have such a fantastic quality of movement. I hope he sticks around because he seems like one of those wonderful dancers who aren't necessarily amazing competitors. Also, I learned that Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks are dating. Learn something new every day.

Jacque/Jordan - Choreography by Some Angry Russian Guy
BALLET (Pas de Deux from Swan Lake)

IN case you were wondering why there's never been an all-girl pas de deux on this show. Jacque fell off her box at least once, Jordan fell out of at least two pirouettes. They whipped out 15 (thank you, Nigel) fouettes and had some pretty attitudes. The one time they showed the russian choreographer in the audience was terrifying. Nigel was BEYOND annoying in his critique.

Jason Derulo - Wiggle
Probably the second time I've ever heard this song in my life, and I didn't like it any better the second time around, but, whatever. Snoop Dogg (Lion?) makes an appearance in the last five seconds. Hey, if it ups their ratings, so be it. And Jason Derulo is a good stage performer.

Malene/Marcquet - Choreography by Louis van Amstel
LATIN BALLROOM

THANK YOU Louis van Amstel for using some (at least seemingly?) authentic latin music for a latin ballroom piece, and not "My First Kiss" or anything by Jennifer Lopez. Malene is obviously a seasoned performer. I honestly think Marcquet could run away with the competition this year, he's got the passion and the versatility. Much better than Brooklyn and Serge's ballroom earlier this evening.

Carly/Rudy - Choreography by Stacey Tookey
CONTEMPORARY

THANK YOU Stacey Tookey for a contemporary piece that isn't about relationships falling apart. Beautiful choreography, but Rudy needs to watch his turnout and his feet, especially in jumps.

Teddy/Emilio - Choreography by Christopher Scott
HIP HOP

First of all, Teddy has some of the nicest eyebrows I've ever seen on a person. Emilio is obviously the stronger of the two. If I can remember properly, I think Teddy auditioned as a tapper? Either way, they've billed him as hip hop for the season, mainly so they're not slaughtered for only picking one hip hopper.

Jessica/Ricky - Choreography by Sonya Tayeh
CONTEMPORARY

Best contemporary of the night. The song got annoying after a little while but Ricky is so obviously the strongest dancer this season. Ricky's control is what gets me every time. His patience in his extensions is stunning. He's definitely Travis Wall, Jr., if not better.

Tanisha/Nick - Choreography by Louis Van Amstel
LATIN BALLROOM

Nick is better than Serge and probably equal to Marcquet, when comparing the Latin Ballrooms of the night. By the way, this was all playing at the 57th minute of the last hour.... Someone's speeding everything up next week.

Rankings
All my personal opinion :)

1. Jessica/Ricky
2. Valerie/Zack
3. Emily/Casey
4. Malene/Marcquet
5. Carly/Rudy
6. Teddy/Emilio
7. Tanisha/Nick
8. Bridget/Stanley
9. Jacque/Jordan
10. Brooklyn/Serge

Bottom 6 Predictions Next Week

GUYS
1. Serge
2. Stanley
3. Nick

GIRLS
1. Tanisha
2. Jordan
3. Bridget or Emily