Tim Urban and Katie Stevens rounded out the bottom three this week. Tune in next week to see who makes American Idol’s top 8.

On a good note: Mia Michaels will be back on “So You Think You Can Dance” this season – along with previous performers who will compete with new contestants. Announcements have been made that Twitch (a fan favorite) will be one of those to return. I think the changes will be good for the show and certainly give our favorite dancers more opportunities to shine.

She has also been approached to participate as a dancer on Dancing with the Stars.

Does anyone else have suggestions on what Paula’s new job should be?
And will you still watch American Idol if Paula is not there?

And for those who didn’t want to see the spoiler in the first paragraph….

Our new American Idol winner is …

Kris Allen!

I was actually very surprised as I thought Adam Lambert would win – since he’s become such a media darling… but personally I was happy to see Kris Allen become the new American Idol winner. Please don’t send me hate messages — I know many of you are adoring fans of Adam… but I think Kris will fill the “main stream” audience (ie country, pop) and Adam will go on to do great things for the rocker and alternative music fans.

Was anyone else surprised?

(Note: I think the Danny Gokey fans probably voted for Kris – which put him over the top.)

I also have to add that I’m totally and completely psyched for the new “So You Think You Can Dance!” The talent there is utterly amazing and I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!!!

I picked Lacey to win at the beginning, but she kind of stayed the same — and even became a little bit less genuine towards the end — playing to the crowd and judges, and not really her true self. I think any of the top 4 were good enough to win. However both Danny and Sabra came out of their shells and began to shine as the competition wore on. So I was not surprised that they were in the top 2.

I’m really happy for Sabra — she’s darling, a great dancer and I think America’s new sweetheart!

I can’t wait until next season.

P.S. I just don’t have words to describe Cat Deeley’s dress/fluffy/strange creation she was wearing. What in the world WAS that?

The show started with Danny being paired with Sara and dancing an Argentine Tango. They did some cool tricks including the “human pretzel” which was fun. Their second number was HipHop which I ususally love, but it didn’t work for me — Mary didn’t like it either. It felt a bit awkward. I suspect they’ll be in the bottom 2.

Then Dominic and Lauren performed a Krump which didn’t work for me. I didn’t feel any chemistry and it didn’t seem like they hit it hard enough. I was a little disappointed because ususally I love watching this type of dance. The second number was a Rumba. Lauren did a great job but Dominic didn’t do much for me personally in this dance. They’ll most likely be in the bottom 2.

Neil and Lacey were paired and did a Latin Jazz number. I liked it okay, but the judges didn’t seem to feel any chemistry. Mary mentioned to Lacey that she needed to pay attention to her partner and as they showed the replay it was obvious that the performance was lacking in that area. I was really excited for Neil and Lacey’s second number — a contemporary piece by Mia Michaels. The performance — wow! This is what the show is all about. It made me cry — very powerful — very beautiful — vulnerable — full of the beauty of dance. I loved it! It was REAL!

Sabra and Pasha were an interesting pairing. They did a Broadway number which I didn’t love. None of the first dances really did anything to touch me although I did feel like they all did a good job. Their second number was a Quickstep. I don’t see them as a pair and I thought it would be hard to follow Neil and Lacey’s emotionall number, but they did a good job. Sabra is delightful and genuine. I think she may actually beat out Lacey for the winning spot.

So my predictions for tonight are: Danny, Dominic and Sara, Lauren in the bottom 4 — and Dominic and Sara leaving.

I’m BACK!

I just watched the results show and can I just say “WHAT??? Neil in the bottom 2?” That was a huge surprise to me…

I did get Dominic and Sara going home, and Lauren in the bottom. But shocker that Neil was in the bottom group as well. I think he’ll still be around next week because his fans will have been shocked into trying to keep him in the competition. However, Danny has been growing on me (and probably other audience members), so maybe he’ll stay too.

My guess is that Pasha and Lauren will be next to go … (but that’s only a guess and anything can happen after this coming week’s show.) Stay tuned…

I think I predicted the bottom two guys — Kameron and Dominic. Dominic’s solo was amazing. I had forgotten he was a b-boy.

So it turns out that the two who were sent home tonight on “So You Think You Can Dance” were Jaimie and Kameron.

I have to say I was SHOCKED and actually gasped out loud when they announced Kameron. I knew he was at risk, but I thought for sure Dominic would go first.

Anyway, I love the show and can’t wait for next week!

Cat Deeley (the host) came out in a dress that looked more like a short blue Roman toga — it didn’t work — but most of the time she looks great.

Lauren and Pasha were first to perform — they did Hip Hop. It was good, but nothing excellent in my opinion. But I think they’ll both be safe tonight.

Jaimie – solo dance. She’s a great dancer and I really enjoyed her performance of Wade’s “Peace” dance. I think she’s very talented, but will probably go home tonight for the fact that she hasn’t seemed to connect to the audience as much as some of the others.

Dominic – solo. It just didn’t work for me. It felt stiff and unnatural. He’s at risk and I think will probably end up going home tonight or soon.

Sabra and Kameron did a beautiful contemporary number to “Amazing Grace” by Crystal Lewis. Sabra had beautiful lines and it felt like a celebration. I loved watching her — which is why I probably missed some of the reasons the judges criticized Kameron. On the replay I could see what they meant about his lines not extending. But I think with his personality he should probably be okay tonight (but he is at risk if he doesn’t step it up.) After Sabra’s performance tonight — I think she’s a contender for winning (along with Lacey and Neil).

Sara – solo. It was just okay for me. Nigel said she “danced small” and on the replay I could see what he was talking about — that’s probably why I didn’t love it. I do this she’s at risk – although she’s a darling girl – she just hasn’t seemed to shine as much as some of the others.

Pasha – solo. It was okay. By the time he performed I was tired of the same solo song and dance number. I’m hoping they don’t do that again — have every dancer do the same number. I guess there’s benefit in comparing dancers, but it got pretty old.

Lacey / Danny – Samba. It was a little “too sexy” for my taste. I think Lacey is running the risk of getting too confident and not seeming humble for the audience — which may turn people off. She’s a brilliant dancer, but Sabre’s reaction to compliments tonight was so much more becoming and sweet. I hope Lacey will get a dance next week to show her vulnerability rather than just “sexy”.

Lauren – solo. It was GREAT!. She was the first one I actually bought the whole dance with. She’s growing on me and seeming to shine more.

Neil – solo. I like his solo – he’s just so cute. Even though it wasn’t the best technically, he’s got such a fun personality I think audience members will vote for him — I predict he has a huge fan base and is a contender for the win.

Sabra — really good solo. She’s just so genuine and I think each week will pick up new voting fans. Mia Michaels almost made Sabra cry when she said she didn’t know who her favorite was until tonight. Sweet.

Kameron. His solo was just okay for me. I think he’s at risk but I like him.

Jaimie / Dominic – did a Viennese Waltz. I did not like the Spanish flavor. It didn’t feel like a Waltz at all. I didn’t work. The judges ripped the whole performance apart – and although I didn’t like it – it was pretty harsh criticism. I think they are both going to go home tonight.

Lacey – solo. Her solo was great. I love the way she moves — she’s a natural dancer.

Danny. His solo was great. He’s beginning to grow on me. If he can be more open and genuine I think he’ll stick around longer. He’s an amazing dancer — just needs to feel that emotional connection. The judges all comment about his walls needing to come down, so I’m not the only one feeling that lack.

Sara / Neil – performed a Disco. It was delightful. I loved it. It was very fun and entertaining — I had a permagrin while I was watching. Although I think Neil was more fun to watch than Sara (who I’m afraid will get overlooked by fans).

So, here is my recap / predictions for tonight’s show.

I think Jaimie and Dominic will go home. Although Sara and Kameron are also at risk for leaving. I’m just not sure who will have the larger fan base at this point.

Contenders for the winner are again: Lacey and Neil — and Sabra has been added to that list now.

I love “So You Think You Can Dance” — it’s full of amazing talent — not only with the dancers, but also the choreographers. If you haven’t seen it — I actually like it better than “American Idol” if you can imagine that. It’s a must-see in my book!

This week the top 12 danced. It wasn’t my favorite week for some reason. I think all of the dances were pretty good, but somewhere along the line, nothing seemed to really impress my as spectacular or moving. In fact, some of the dances were a little bit strange.

My predictions were accurate for 2 of the bottom couples — Jamie and Hok, and Anya and Danny. I didn’t think Lauren and Neil would be in the bottom three — although their dance was a bit strange this week, so perhaps that explains it. I usually love Mia Michaels choreography, but this week just seemed a little disconnected rather than filled with great emotion.

I knew Hok was going to go home, but I’m sad about it because he’s such an incredible dancer. I thought Anya would have gone home last week, so I wasn’t too surprised about her leaving this week. She’s a great dancer, but I think she doesn’t connect with the audience as much as some of the others.

It was a little hard to call this week, and I didn’t agree with the judges on at least 4 of the dances. They loved the foxtrot by Anya and Danny, and it was nice, but I found myself tuning out, and feeling a little bit bored, although I love the foxtrot.

Anyway, this season of “So You Think You Can Dance” is going to be hard to call — the top 10 dancers are all incredible. So I think personality and the “IT” factor are going to make the difference. I have predicted that Lacey Schwimmer will win the competition, but I think Neil has a good chance too because of his personality as well as his dancing. The other dancers are great, but I’m not sure they’ll have the fan base as Lacey and Neil.

It’s going to be a great season!

So here is my review of the top 14…

Lacey & Cameron (Hustle). So this was not my favorite dance but they did a great job. And Lacey has such a great personality I think they’ll be safe again this week.

Shauna & Cedric (Mambo). This just didn’t feel very Latin to me — no passion in it. Although I really like Cedric. But I think they’ll be in the bottom 3 and he’ll probably go home this week.

Danny & Anya (Contemporary). Danny is a great technical dancer, but there is a disconnect somewhere — I just never really feel joy watching him even though he’s a great dancer. I thought Anya looked great as a blonde — it kind of softened her look. But I think these two will be in the bottom three, not because the dance wasn’t good — it was — but because I don’t think they connect to the audience as much as some of the other couples.

Pasha & Sara (West Coast Swing). I have to admit that Pasha is growing on me. He wasn’t my favorite at the beginning, and still isn’t my favorite, but his personality is showing through more so that’s great. I LOVED seeing Benji again — and having him teach was so great! It made me remember why he is so loved by America. But about the performance…. I have to say that I was a bit distracted by the song — horrible, awful, repeating song “check it out now, the funks so rubber” what in the world??? I just wanted the song to end! But I had the show in Tivo — so I played it back with the music off and I loved it. Great choreography by Benji.

Sabre & Dominic (Hip Hop). I love Shane Sparks — he’s such a great choreographer. Both of these two are becoming more like-able as time goes on. I hope they will be safe again this week — and the dance was great.

Jamie & Hok (Waltz). I have to say I was really nervous for Hok when I saw they were going to do the waltz. I thought Jamie danced beautifully — it was wonderful to watch her. And I think they are such a great couple — wish they would be safe, but I predict they’ll be in the bottom three.

Lauren & Neil (Jazz). I just love Neil! I think he’s going to be a contender for the winner of So You Think You Can Dance. He’s just so cute and like-able. They did a great job.

So, my predictions for this week. Definitely Shauna & Cedric, and Danny & Anya will be in the bottom three. But the other couple is a little bit “iffy” — probably Jamie & Hok just based on the dance this week.

Then I think Cedric will be sent home, and probably Anya because her individual dancing isn’t necessarily as good as the others.

Let’s see what happens…. (And if you have your own opinions, please feel free to comment.)