so you think you can dance week one

i would be remiss if i did not mention what happened this week on my very favorite show.

on wednesday the show debuted the top 20-ten men and ten women-who the producers coupled up. i always liked these pairings best, because they are paired based on height and build and, i think, ability. the producers like to mix things up, so a very talented and charasmatic woman will usually find herself in a pair with a blah guy. this helps keep some bad people on the show a bit longer than they should, but i still think there are some good pairs.

with 10 pairs on the show, its hard to keep track of everyone and some dancers fall through the cracks. but, there were some stand outs this week, like hip hopper joshua and contempo katee, who danced a hip hop piece so amazing i had to watch it twice. and twitch, a tall break dancer with so much talent and drive, and cute blonde 18 year old kherington, who missed her high school graduation to be on the show, are my favorite complete couple by far.

last night was the elimination show (which I missed). top 20 is basically like an extended try out for the top ten, because unlike other reality competitions, the judges still pick which guy and girl will go home after the audiences' votes out thee couples in the bottom, until the top ten, when america decides.

i have to say that I was surprised that one couple was in the bottom- the male half of the pair, william, is one of the best dancers on the show and a protege of debbi allen. but I think what did them in was the girl in the duo, jessica, who was wobbly during their tango.

i was surprised that a weaker couple or dancer didn't end up in the bottom, namely miami salsa dancer susie, who i suspect made it to the top 20 not because of her talent but because of her other, ahem, assets.

but, there is always next week. stay tuned.