I've only watched the Top 20 episode this season but this is the first time this season where I've watched a live episode so I thought I'd do a blog.

Only the judging Panel is Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Sonya Tayeh and guest judge Jessie Tyler Ferguson.

Sasha & Alexander

Style: Paso Doble
Choreographers: Melanie LaPatin & Tony Meredith

Judges liked it. Nigel & Mary said it got a little sloppy near the end. Most thought Sasha was better than Alexander. I thought it was really good. I also thought Sasha had a stronger Alexander. She just had more of a presence.

Jordan & Tadd

Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Travis Wall

The judges seemed to like it a lot. It's not surprising that Sonya loved it since it seems similar to her style. I really liked it. On certain parts, I thought Jordan was amazing.

Ryan & Ricky

Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Spencer Liff

The judges didn't really like this. I thought they were pretty tough on them. I didn't think it was that bad but the judges always seem to really dislike Broadway performances that are not over-the-top.

Caitlynn & Mitchell

Style: Hip-Hop
Choreographer: Christopher Scott

The judges didn't like this. They said they weren't together. I didn't like this either. It looked amateurish to me. They looked like they were trying very hard, especially Caitlynn, but I didn't think it was very clean or had any swag.

Melanie & Marko

Style: Tango
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel

The judges seemed to be sugar coating their comments. They said that they were much better than they were in rehearsal. I felt like there were definitely some issues. I didn't feel like they got the characterization right and beyond that, the dancing didn't look that good.

Clarice & Jess

Style: Lyrical Hip-Hop
Choreographer: Christopher Scott

The judges liked it. I thought it was really good. I really like Jess. I think he has a lot of style in his dancing.

Sasha & Alexander

Style: Jazz
Choreographer: Tyce DiOrio

Judges loved this, mostly because they think Alexander finally step out of his shell. I thought it was really good too. I thought they really let loose and the performance looked really natural, like they really enjoyed doing it.

Jordan & Tadd

Style: Broadway
Choreographer: Spencer Liff

The judges didn't really like this. Mary thought it was too "cotton candy". Sonya and Jessie thought it was a mishmash of things. I pretty much agree with the judges but I'm going say that the choreography let them down. At the end of it, I was left thinking, "was that it?" I did really like the part in the middle where she kicked him but overall, there wasn't enough in it for me.

Ryan & Ricky

Style: Cha Cha
Choreographer: Louis Van Amstel

I judges loved Ricky in this but thought Ryan tried too hard. I agree with them that Ricky was really good in this but I also liked Ryan in this as well. I thought she really gave it her all. From the hips up, I thought she was really good but I agree that her feet movement wasn't as good or graceful as Ricky's.

Caitlynn & Mitchell

Style: Contemporary? Jazz?
Choreographer: Travis Wall

The judges thought it was hot, mostly Caitlynn. I agree. I knew from the first routine that Caitlynn was going to be a little firecracker and she was in this routine. I thought they danced really big. I don't think anybody could accuse them of not finishing their moves in this one.

Melanie & Marko

Style: Contemporary
Choreographer: Dee Caspary

The judges seem to really like it. They praised Dee on the seamless choreography but I think really, it was Melanie's dancing that made it look that way. She has the best transitions since Allison Holker. That's one of the reasons why I really love Melanie's style of movement. Marko was really good too. I liked the dancing but wasn't really that into the choreography. I typically don't really get Dee's stuff. What he says the choreography is about in the rehearsal videos doesn't translate to me when I see the actual routine.

Clarice & Jess

Style: Jive
Choreographers: Melanie LaPatin & Tony Meredith

The judges mostly liked it. They seem to like Clarice more than Jess, I think mostly on a performance level. I think they felt Clarice was more into it. I felt like Jess was more slick than Clarice. I actually liked him better than her but I thought they both did a good job.

Overall Thoughts

I thought it was a pretty good show. Even though I haven't watched most of the season yet, I really like these dancers. They seem very talented and are working really hard. I also liked the guest judge, Jessie. He was funny and definitely seemed to be a fan of the show. He seemed really into it and excited to be there. I'm excited to hear the announcement of the All-Stars tomorrow. Along with my favourites Kathryn McCormick and Allison Holker, I would like too see Janette Manrara, Faina Savich, Ashley Galvan, Billy Bell and Alex Wong in there. And Katee Shean, if they have room.