SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE- Semifinals Recap with Photos!

Something was a little off in tonight's semifinal episode of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. The Group Performance, which normally opens the show, was moved until after the judge's introductions, and then Cat mentioned that "America's Favorite Dancers" would be crowned in two weeks. That doesn't make any sense, there will only be two boys and two girls left at the end of the night, are they taking a Day-After-Labor Day Holiday? Why won't Cat explain what's going on to us?

After a few performances, I realized that Cat wasn't giving numbers to call in and vote. Now, I had some DVR issues, so perhaps I missed it, but I am assuming that next week will be the Final-Four performances, and the following week they will crown the champs.

I understand that since last season's move to crown one male and one female champion, the traditional SYTYCD schedule is a little bit wonky, but it seems oddly unsatisfying to be at this point already. To me, it feels like we are only a little more than halfway there; like we should have at least a couple more weeks with the All-Stars. While I am on record as saying that I think this year's Top-10 (and even Top-20) could rival any in the show's history, in terms of talent at least, it almost feels like they haven't yet been given the full opportunity to grow as dancers. What do you think? Am I off-base and simply nostalgic for the grind of the previous, one-winner seasons? Let me know in the comments below.

(Like I said, I had some DVR issues, so I think I might have had some things out of order, but it is all there... finally)

The single most entertaining SYTYCD guest judge in their arsenal is back; Broadway speller-turned-TV star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, without his signature bowtie. He didn't disappoint either, landing a knockout punch to former guest judge Carly Rae Jepsen.

Top-6 Group Performance
Choreographer: Shawn Cheesman
Style: African Jazz
Music: "Hlohonolofatsa" by Soweto Gospel Choir
Three Word Recap: Joyful, giving, spiritual

This is the best African Jazz number I can remember in show history. An extremely elegant, flowing number that highlighted all of the dancers' performance ability.

Performance #1: Paul Karmiryan
All-Star: Kathryn McCormick (Season Six)
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Style: Jazz
Music: "Tied Up" by Yello
Three-Word Review: Fierce, Sexy, "Kickurific"

While I am not a huge fan of Tyce's choreography, this was one sexy number. In this routine, I have to say that Paul is one of the luckiest men in the world, because Kathryn was en fuego. This routine had a handful of really impressive kicks and Paul again displayed the intensity that has made him worthy of being a finalist over the last few weeks.

Solo Performance #1: Amy Yakima
Music: "Anna's Theme" from THE RED VIOLIN Soundtrack
Three-Word Review: Mesmerizing, Violent, Elegant

Performance #2: Hayley Erbert
All-Star: Joshua Allen (Season Four)
Choreographer: Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo
Style: Hip Hop
Music: "Work Hard, Play Hard" by Wiz Khalifa
Three-Word Review: Dirrrrrrrrty, Hard-Hitting-ish, Metaphoric

Amy and Jasmine have been the presumptive female favorites for this entire season, but over the last few weeks, Hayley has come on like a ball of fire. She is, by far, the most improved contestant of the season, and this "Rocky" number exemplified her underdog status. While her hip hop was a little too fluid to be defined as hard-hitting, it was exceptionally dirty, and I think really showed that Hayley can be a commercial dancer in nearly any style.

Solo Performance #2: Fik-shun
Music: "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
Three-Word Review: Fastest Animation EVER

Performance #3: Aaron Turner
All-Star: Melanie Moore (Season Eight)
Choreographer: Broadway Veteran Spencer Liff
Style: Broadway
Music: "Faith" by George Michaels
Three-Word Review: Destiny, Character, Drop

I know that Aaron is extremely well-rounded; he is a DJ, he sings, and he can probably do a lot of other things, but if he doesn't end up on Broadway, I will be shocked and disappointed. There have been many SYTYCD alums to tread the boards, but I honestly believe that Aaron could be the show's first Broadway leading man, he has so much charisma and personality. This routine didn't have the most exciting choreography, but Aaron and Melanie's acting chops were mesmerizing; so much so that even an inadvertent drop felt in character.

Solo Performance #3: Jasmine Harper
Music: "Outro (Amazing Grace...Dedicated to Andretta Tillman)" by Destiny's Child
Three-Word Review: Graceful, Beautiful, LEGS

Solo Performance #4: Paul Karmiryan
Music: "Mamba Negra" by Huecco
Three-Word Review: Swively, Fiery, Non-Creepy-Faceish

Performance #4: Fik-shun
All-Star: Witney Carson (Season Nine)
Choreographer: Jonathan Roberts
Style: Foxtrot
Music: "Sexy Silk" by Jessie J
Three-Word Review: WhereAreTheMoves?, Uh-oh, Ups

Why was that routine on my TV during the SYTYCD semifinals? I understand that the Foxtrot isn't the most exciting of genres, but that is my point; why is this one of the styles on the semifinal show? The Foxtrot, Disco, and the Quickstep should be outlawed after we get down to the Top-10. They can be fun, but in a show where so much of a dancer's success is based on the choreography, the luck of the draw shouldn't play such a huge role. Also, who in the wardrobe department decided to put Fik-shun in a Velcro tie when Witney was going to pull him around by it? Fik-shun's technical inability was pretty apparent this week, but his charisma is as good as it gets. For his sake, I hope he doesn't pull any ballroom in the finals.

Performance #5: Jasmine Harper
All-Star: Broadway Vet Neil Haskell (Season Three)
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Style: Contemporary
Music: "Unfaithful" from UNFAITHFUL Soundtrack
Three-Word Review: Huh?, Well-Danced, Disagree

I love the emotional routines that the show has become known for, but this one just didn't do it for me. From a theatrical stand point, I just didn't see the thematic connection between the movement and the given circumstances. To be honest, I kind of think that the choreography has been fairly disappointing all night. Jasmine danced it beautifully, but, despite the compelling backstory, there didn't seem to be much genuine emotion in the piece. The judges all loved the routine, I just didn't feel it. Also, was Tyce really the only person they could find to do the voiceover?

Solo Performance #5: Hayley Erbert
Music: "Be Mine! (Acoustic) (Live at the Cherry Tree House)" by Robyn
Three-Word Review: Determine, Gorgeous, Sleek

Solo Performance #6: Aaron Turner
Music: "Use Me" by Bill Withers
Three-Word Review: Gregory Hines Jr.

Performance #6: Amy Yakima
All-Star: Broadway Vet Alex Wong (Season Seven)
Choreographer: Nakul Dev Mahajan
Style: Bollywood
Music: "Munni Badnaam Hui Darling" from DABANNG Soundtrack
Three-Word Review: Defiant (explanation in the full recap), Tricktastic, Perfect

Bollywood, really? Let's recap over the last three weeks, the only ones with All-stars, Amy has pulled Disco, Broadway, and Bollywood routines. Three genres that are not kind to SYTYCD contestants. I hate to be a foil-hat wearing conspiracy theorist, but there is something fishy about not getting either a Contemporary or Jazz routine in these three crucial weeks. She might as well have drawn the "Dreaded Quickstep" as well. That being said, if there is any dancer in the 10th season that can pull off the high-energy Bollywood style, Amy is it. Not only did she bring the pizzazz needed, but she nailed the break-neck routine. While I think that she had regressed a little mid-way through the Top-20, she has nailed the last two weeks, and man is she fun to watch.

Partner Performance #1: Hayley Erbert and Paul Karmiryan
Choreographer: Dee Caspary
Style: Contemporary
Music: "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by Sleeping At Last
Three-Word Review: Darkhorse Partner Perfection

Partner Performance #2: Amy Yakima and Fik-shun
Choreographer: Dave Scott
Style: Hip Hop
Music: "Lemmee See" by Usher featuring Rick Ross
Three-Word Review: Which's the hip-hopper?

Partner Performance #3: Jasmine Harper and Aaron Turner
Choreographer: Shawn Cheesman
Style: Contemporary
Music: "Mirror Mirror" by Lord KraVen
Three-Word Review: Best of Night

Dancers Eliminated
Boy: Paul
Girl: Hayley

Season 10 Finalists
Boys: Aaron, Fik-shun
Girls: Amy, Jasmine

Best Boy of the Night: Aaron
Best Girl of the Night: Amy

I had originally posted my picks for this year's champions, however, since I think that we have another week of competition, I will refrain to see what we get next. While I think the guys' competition is all but wrapped up, the girls' is definitely still up for grabs.

Now that the show is over and we have our four finalists, let me know what you thought of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE's Top-6 performances, judges' comments, and who should be the Season 10 Champions in the comments below or on Twitter @BWWMatt. What about my analysis of the show? Do you agree, disagree, a little bit of both? Let me know.

Photo Credit: Adam Rose/FOX

To post a comment, you must register and login.