It's tightening up people, now's the time to bring it!

I may indeed be prepared to agree with those shiny hype-y people, the SYTYCD judges, and declare this the best season yet for SYTYCD. All credit for that is due to the hip-hoppers, B-boys and popper/lockers who are bringing it outside their own genre, avoiding having to save themselves with amazing solos, while they lag in ballroom, latin and contemporary style. I think some of the hep cats have a little classical dance training somewhere in their past, that's alls I'm sayin'

This week Adam Shankman was the guest judge, bringing all the ebullience and OK-you-can-shut-up-now you'd expect him bring. Nigel, it should be noted, was sporting a new 'do. It seemed a few shades brighter of a honey blonde and was a little more controlled and less flowing. All in all the color still screams "bottle blonde", but the style seemed a little more appropriate, a little less "I'm trying to be Fabio on horseback with flowing hair et al."

Enough of that: Let us begin.

1. Kherington and Twitch kicked off with a Hip-hop routine choreographed by Napolean and Tabitha

I've realized who Kherington reminds me of: Ellen DeGeneres. especially wearing that hat to hide her cute hair. It was a little distracting, to be honest. But I got over it and allowed myself t be impressed that Kerington actually pulled this off. Yes, she does rely on that smile a bit too much...it seemed a bit muggy at times, but she and Twitch share a commitment to the moves and an energy. And there was some rarely-seen humor on the SYTYCD stage, which can be welcome amongst the odes to dead fathers, workaholics and young soldiers that leave us a little verklempt. Of course we expected Twitch to rock the house, which he did, but I, for one, was pleasantly surprised that Kherington got the contrasts between smooth and sharp, hard-hitting and more lyrical.

Bottom line: So very safe.

2. Courtney G. and Gev danced a Rumba choreographed by Tony and Melanie

Gev is one of the B-Boys who brings an unexpected amount of commitment and skill to dances way outside his comfort zone, like this rumba. I'm a tad tired of the "he's-so-hot-for-Courtney" backstory they're going for, but whatever. So, on the plus side they did have good chemistry and intensity. She's so into acting the role of her dance that it occasionally veers towards over-done, but she teeters on that line without crossing it. Also this was a very complex and diverse routine...much more interesting than most rumbas I've seen, which often seem to be just a bunch of slinking about. On the negative: I did watch her way more than him, and I found some of her hip action and figure eights to be very sharp, vs. smooth. Also her hands were a little too angled as opposed to creating one smooth line from shoulder to fingertips. That sharpness was the only place it showed that she, too, was out of her comfort zone.

Bottom line: I think this is a popular couple, and that people root for the B-Boy who can gentleman-it-up...a la Domonic last year...so I think they're safe.

3. Comfort and Chris danced a Tyce Diorio "Jazz" routine

I'll just say it: I'm not a Tyce fan. And this routine did Comfort and Chris no favors whatsoever. It was weird without being interesting or compelling or telling a story. It was all harsh and raw, but they didn't bring enough commitment to it to make it a visceral viewing experience, so instead it was just sort of ugly. I wanted to like it because it was different, but I really raelly didn't.

Bottom Line: Bottom 3, and I think Chris is in real trouble.

4. Jessica and Will danced a Doriana Sanchez Disco routine

Also in trouble...Courtney and Gev escaped the Disco Kiss of Death in Week One, but I don't think Jessica and Will will be so lucky. Mostly because after all that talk of letting Jessica shine...she didn't. She seemed uncomfortable. She didn't finish moves out. She missed steps. She just seemed frenzied and flustered the whole time. And yes. Will outshone her again. End of story.

Bottom line: Bottom 3, and I think Jessica is in real trouble. Hmm, what would Comfort and Will be like as a couple?

5. Kortni and Matt danced a Contemporary routine by new choreographer, Sonya

I really liked this because it brought a bit of fresh air to the competition. This was quirky and modern and really showed off not only Kortnei and Matt's amazing technique, but their personalities as well. It was the first chance they got to show some real chemistry together in a less controlled environment. I don't know how it will go over with the voters, but I really liked it.

Bottom line: I'm only worried for them because it was a bit of an odd duck compare to what we usually see on the show. I think by all rights they should be really safe, but I'm still worried.

6. Chelsea T. and Thayne danced a Quick Step

Oh, another kiss of death style. And I've seen it done better on Dancing With the Stars a half dozen times. This was so slowly paced it felt like a waltz, not a quick step. It also felt heavy, rather than frothy and light. Everything about it felt wrong. The Charleston section was the only part where I thought they shone at all.

Bottom line: Seem destined for the Bottom 3.

7. Chelsea H. and Mark danced another Napolean & Tabitha hip-hop routine

Another tear-jerker a la their young soldier routine for Katee and Joshua in Week One. This one was about a workaholic, which is not quite as compelling an obstacle, but Mark and especially Chelsea wrung every bit of drama and emotion of that flimsy storyline. She was awesome. I didn't feel they were always 100% in synch with one another, but they were both 100% committed to the story of this dance. I have to say for all their talk about the evolution of hip-hop as a genre and the existence of "lyrical hip hop" doesn't it at some point just seem like a contemporary or jazz routine? This one certainly did to me.

Bottom line: Very safe. And I agree: One of the top couples to beat.

8. Katee and Joshua danced a Samba, again by Tony and Melanie

Another hip-hop guy who totally stepped it up...tight pants, hip action and all. He pulled this off, despite some grace and style issues...his arms weren't exactly on the same level as his hips, I'll just say that. Katee did indeed look hot, and Nigel was indeed creepy about it.

Bottom line: I think they will be quite safe...because Joshua will have people rooting for his surprising samba sultriness.

Bottom line for the Bottom 3:

To me, it seems clear that it should be:
Comfort & Chris
Jessica & Will
Chelsea T. and Thayne

Jessica is done, and either Chris or Thayne will join her...probably Chris.

Making Comfort and Will a new couple.

The only possible wild card is that Kortni and Matt could be at risk if people saw weird rather than quirky in their routine.

But what did you think?