Is the “So You Think You Can Dance” Top 20 really THAT good?

Are this season’s dancers so good the judges are mystified? Could be, as we saw this week on the premiere competition show.

This week, SYTCD’s Top 20 were paired and began competing n earnest. There were some knockout routines, an Emmy-nominee for sure, and some plain beautiful dancing. One couple, in my opinion, was the odd one out, and would likely go home. The pairings:

Jordan and Tadd — African Jazz

Sasha and Alexander –Contemporary

Clarice and Jess — Broadway

Ryan and Ricky –Lyrical Hip Hop

Caitlynn and Mitchell (she danced with Season Seven’s Robert) — Jazz

Miranda and Robert — Jive

Missy and Wadi — Jazz

Melanie and Marko –Contemporary

Ashley and Chris — Hip Hop

Iveta and Nick — Quick Step

When “America” didn’t vote the weakest couple out (Ashley and Chris’ Hip Hop  in my opinion), the judges had a tough choice on their hands.  I couldn’t make a decision.

Neither could the Judges, who kept everyone – but warned that next week, they’ll send two couples home.

Keep in mind dancer Mitchell  was out with an elbow injury and couldn’t dance the night before. He, along with the bottom three couples had to dance for their lives.

America made some pretty wrong-headed choices this week. Keeping in Ashley and Chris? Putting Jess and Clarice in the bottom three? What? Even Nigel couldn’t believe Jess was in the bottom 3. Could be America wants to keep a ballerina in the bunch.  (Remember the pairing of Melissa and Ade from a previous season?)