SYTYCD- Week 7

This is a special week, as we celebrate 100 shows! Let the Top 8 dance!

Cat looked gorgeous in a Grecian gown on Wednesday and a black and gold tunic on Thursday. As this was a special week, we were treated to a special guest judge in addition to Mia Michaels: Ellen DeGeneres?!?! I like Ellen and I think she's funny. But why is she a guest judge? Sure she busts a move on her show, but does that qualify her? I guess it does. But it's clear from her first critique that she's just going to be comic relief. This week, each couple dances twice, so let's begin.

Evan & Janette: Their first routine was a weird jazz routine by Sonya Tayeh . I usually like her routines but I thought it was boring. The judges gave it positive remarks and Mia said Janette was her favorite this season. Their second routine, the Rumba, was much better, but I credit Janette with that. Evan did his best, but he didn't channel the Latino machismo needed.

Kayla's solo: It was perfectly adequate, but it wouldn't make me vote for her.

Jeanine & Brandon: They performed a waltz that started out a little slow to me, but drew me in by the end. Or maybe it just lulled me into a trance. Either way, Brandon didn't annoy me as he usually does. The judges did not like it. Their second time out they performed a pop-jazz number by LaurieAnn Gibson. Miss Laurie. Love. Her. Fierce. Boom. Kak- Kak. (Inside joke from Making the Band). So glad she's on SYTYCD. I'm excited to see what she will do. Loved the choreography, didn't like how they performed it. There were some synchronization issues. The judges and the audience liked it, but I think they were so disappointed in the other performances that they overpraised this one.

Jason's solo: Boring; I've seen it before. He hasn't impressed me this season.

Melissa & Ade: Reunited and it feels so good!! They drew a Melanie and Tony Cha-Cha. I'm so excited only... what's with this music?!?! I don't like it at all. It's too frenetic for the dance. For the first time M & A can't keep my attention. They pulled mixed reviews from the judges. For their second outing they performed a contemporary by Tice. It was beautiful and what I expect from M & A. The story of a woman struggling with breast cancer mixed with Maxwell's haunting vocals... exceptional.

Janette's solo: She pulled out old school Celine, which I love, but that dance didn't tell me anything about her. She performed a contemporary routine instead of sticking with her strength which is salsa.

Kayla & Jason: Broadway. Tice. Should be great, right? Yawn. Maybe it's just me but the routines so far have been sub-par. The judges loved it, and it was that type of routine that I knew they would love, but it didn't translate to the audience. Their second routine was a Shane Sparks special. It was actually pretty good and they did a good job.

Ade's solo: He's always a joy to watch. Such a mix of power, precision, sensuality and fun.

Melissa's solo: I'm sure everything she did was technically difficult... but I still like her.

Evan's solo: I've seen this schtick for 6 weeks now, and it's getting old.

Jeanine's solo: I love her solos. They are techincal and entertaining. She didn't start out as a favorite, but she's slowly moving up the list.

Brandon's solo: He's done better solos, but it was very athletic.

For the actual 100th show, they pulled out all the stops. It started with a great Chorus Line group number. While still tingly, we were treated to a highlight reel from the past five seasons. There have been so many talented dancers and moments. This show introduced me to new dances and new artists, (Hello, Ne-Yo), and renewed my appreciation for dance. We were also treated to some of our favorite routines from previous seasons. The growth and maturity of the dancers were evident. The dancing was crisper, more textured. Bravo to those dancers who went on from the show and continued doing what they loved.

Katie Holmes tribute to Judy Garland. I thought she looked and sounded great. However, this performance got a lot of buzz and while it was good, I would have paid money to see her doing a Shane Sparks booty-shake routine. I'm just sayin'... that's something that would have killed.

But even though we spent a night celebrating, two dancers had to go home and in the end it was Jason and Janette. The audience was shocked when Janette's name was called and Nigel admitted that America got it wrong. I really thought Janette would make it to the finals, but you guys are never boring. So a big contender was knocked out. What did you guys think? Were you surprised? Hit me with your comments.

TNP