So You Think You Can Dance - Vegas Finale!

Well tonight is the night we meet our Top 20, and based on last nights show, I'm not quite sure what to expect...

They get straight to business.

We learn right away that Janette from Miami has made the cut. Diana from Los Angeles did not. A very emotional Vitolio, also from Miami, has made it through as well.

We then go through a whole series of people who are heading home, but they went through it so quickly, I wasn't able to catch all the names.

Ah, finally someone I remember - Kayla from Denver. I remember her audition mainly because of her grandparents... Mia tells her that she seldom connects with female dancers, that she is usually drawn to the strength of male dancers, but Kayla has a strength that has caught her eye, and another one has made it to the Top 20!

With his freshly shaved head, Kupono from Seattle takes the stage next. After they do a quick recap of his audition, we find out that Nigel asked him to cut his hair... I'm not sure how I feel about this! I kind of liked it before, I thought it suited him. But I guess it shows he is willing to take direction. Oh! And we also find out that he is a list maker! A boy after my own heart... Very happy to see him make the cut (no pun intended) and continue on to the Top 20.

They're on a streak now, and several people are put through, again so quickly that they blur right past me... I'm sure I'll catch all their names at the end.

Now on to Brandon from Denver. I really think he is fantastic and didn't understand all the negativity yesterday, especially from Mia. And clearly she has not changed her tune even a little bit. She calls him a fake and says she does not see what the big deal is about him. She goes off for quite a while until Debbie Allen cuts her off in disagreement. As Debbie tries to say her piece, Mia keeps cutting her off until Nigel is forced to play referee, telling Mia to stuff it and give Debbie a chance to speak. Debbie does her bit about how great he is, and then L'il C steps in and says that so far he has not been impressed with Brandon. Mary cuts him off by saying she isn't going to listen to this crap anymore. That seems to shut everyone up for a second, because she is genuinely pissed, with poor Brandon standing up there, the smile no longer attached to his face. Can you imagine how tense that would be? Holy smokes... Anyway, Mary is ticked off with all the negativity, because she thinks Brandon is truly remarkable and doesn't want to see him get cut down any more. Finally the bitch fest is over and Nigel informs us all that Brandon has made it and will be in the Top 20, but he clearly has some obstacles to overcome. He seems to rise above all the natter and comes off feisty and ready for the challenge, which seems to go a bit of distance with those less than impressed. Should be interesting to see how it plays out as the season continues!

Now if anyone warranted all the fuss and the back and forthing, it's Tony Bellisimo, in my opinion. But with a simple word from Nigel about his technique not being strong enough, he's through. That's it, that's all.

Onto another series of those with good news, among them Caitlin Kinney, who I thought warranted more than a 5 second blip after all the drama yesterday. But whatever, she made it to Top 20, and that's good enough for me.

3 or 4 more make it through in a hurry before we pause for a breath with Randi Evans from Denver. Mia makes quite a fuss over her commitment to her unitard. Quite a fuss, actually, which I found strange... but the unitard aside, she will be joining the rest in the show.

Alex Wong from Miami (Vancouver) is up next and we find out that he has a contract with the Miami Ballet. And he finds out that they will not excuse him from his contract in order to participate in the show. You'd think that may have been something he looked into before auditioning?

Damn. Ricky Sun got cut. I liked him.

Phillip Chbeeb makes it to the Top 20, and I am interested to see how it goes for him. I like him, and he seemed to do well with everything they threw at him. I'm curious to see how he handles the pressure that the show is sure to put on him...

And now there are only 2 spots left, 1 girl and 1 guy. And who is left sitting in the waiting room? Asuka and Deanna and... the two Kasprzak brothers. Yup, I knew there would be heartbreak with these two.

Before the final results, I must say I think it's a crappy ploy. To bring two people on the stage, and cut one of them in front of the other. Talk about conflicting emotions. You'd be so happy you'd made it, but would be trying so hard to be sensitive to the one who is sobbing their heart out, as was the case with the two girls.

Deanna and Asuka head into the lions den. Deanna gets cut. And takes it pretty hard. It kind of overshadowed feeling good for Asuka, cuz I think she is a little cutie, and am looking forward to seeing how far she goes...

And now for Evan and Bryan... I'm sorry, or is it Ryan? For some reason I think Nigel has alternated between both...

Anyway, they both head on stage, saying this is their worst nightmare, to be standing there knowing one of them is about to be cut. It's Evan who makes it through this year, which has to be as hard as getting cut, with the two of them being so close. But I guess that's the way it goes sometimes...

I pay extra close attention as they do the final recap - so here you go, your Top 20 Dancers for Season Five!

ADE! ASHLEY! ASUKA! BRANDON! CAITLIN! EVAN! JANETTE! JASON! JEANINE! JONATHAN! KARLA! KAYLA! KUPONO! MAX! MELISSA! PARIS! PHILLIP! RANDI! TONY! VITOLIO!

Congratulations to all and looking forward to a great season!

See you soon!