Tonight is the first night of the actual competition, and we’re excited. Things are happening a little bit differently this week: Due to the baseball playoffs, there will be no voting and no results show. Two dancers will be sent home by the judges at the end of tonight’s show.
 
Already, two dancers are MIA- one of them permanently. Billy Bell has left the competition due to a serious illness. Noelle is also sitting out this week because of a knee injury. If she’s still unable to dance next week, she will be eliminated.
 
The first couple to dance tonight are Channing and Phillip with a jive. It’s kind of awkward, and we don’t see much chemistry. Channing in particular seems quite insecure. Maybe it’s the style, maybe it’s because it’s the first week, or maybe it’s all in our heads because the judges seem to like it, but we’re not that impressed. Our rating: 6/10

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Not a whole lot to say this week, since it was the traditional “Walk in, get results, walk out and either cry or celebrate” episode that we always dread and always very nearly fall asleep halfway through. But, suffice it to say, we didn’t see a whole lot of big surprises. Well, besides Paula’s making it to the top 20, but then turning it down because she was offered a movie contract. We feel like that may not have been the most intelligent career move ever, but it’s good news for Ashleigh and Ryan anyway, since now they’ll be able to be in the top 20 together.

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It’s time for the second half of Vegas week, and already, more than half of the original 152 dancers to make it this far have been cut. 77 dancers are left to take on Laurieann Gibson’s jazz choreography.
 
Karen and Matthew were the first married couple to make it to Vegas together. Unfortunately, their streak does not continue. Karen makes it to the next round, but Matthew is cut. But thankfully for Matthew, he’s not alone- the jazz round is a bit of a mess for the majority of the dancers. Nigel calls people on their sloppiness numerous times.
 
Mollee and Russell, two dancers we’ve met before, are in the next group to perform. Everyone makes it through, but Nigel tells Mollee she dances like a little girl and needs to step it up. The judges praise Russell for his technique, considering his lack of training. Unbeknownst to the judges, Mollee injures herself during the performance. She tries to keep it hidden, but the pain gets worse and she’s sent to the hospital.

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Auditions are over and we’re finally in Vegas. Cat tells us once again that we’ve got more talent this season than ever before- let’s see if the contestants live up to that prediction. There are 6 judges for this round- Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Tyce Diorio, Mia Michaels, Debbie Allen and Adam Shankman. The choreography is tougher, the judges will expect more, and 152 dancers are in for the fight of their lives.
 
For the first round, each dancer performs a solo and will not be critiqued by the judges. First up is Nathan Trasora, who auditioned in season 5 but was too young. Nigel gave him a ticket for this season anyway because he was so impressed with his audition. He has good presence and good technique, but he’s not terribly unique.

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Finally, this is the last night of auditions. This time around, we’re back in Salt Lake City with judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and Mia Michaels.
 
Bryan Boyer is up first. Yay, another breaker. But… wait! He’s a unique breaker! That doesn’t happen often. We have to wonder if he can do anything else, though- and apparently so do the judges. Bryan is sent to the choreography round.
 
Next is Tristy Mirci, who says she’s been in 25 accidents in the last three years. But not to worry, she wasn’t driving in any of them! Uhh… wow. That’s quite a track record. Turns out it’s far more impressive than her dancing. Watching her dance is kind of like seeing a 5-year-old’s first recital. It’s a no for Tristy.

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