Dan is asked whether he thinks that some couples are really lopsided in ability, with one partner carrying or dragging down the other. Wow, these questions are actually more hard-hitting than I would expect. I mean, they're totally scripted, but they tell it like it is a little bit. Dan says that Natalie kind of carries Musa, and that Jessica let James "Jaymz" Tuaileva down last night. I can't say I noticed that - what I noticed was that their routine was boring and sucky, and I hated them just like I always do. But I didn't notice him dancing better than she did. I guess it could have happened, though.

We get some backstage footage from before the performance show. Benji expresses concern about the fact that his costume includes a strap between the legs, and he thinks it's going to crush his merchandise. I wonder how that turned out for him - somehow I don't think we're going to get a follow-up report. Then we see the standard recap of everything that happened last night. There's an extra little clip thrown in of Natalie and Musa backstage, interviewing that America should vote for them because they're hot and have chemistry. Jeez. This is just as bad as Jessica announcing that she has a personality. Show, don't tell.

Benji makes Allison think about his junk. This may not be the exact reaction he was hoping for.

After the commercial, we move to the elimination portion of the show, and for the first time, I don't feel like there has been a soul-destroying amount of filler beforehand. It may have been the same number of minutes as usual, but between the awesome opening dance routine and the actually interesting Q&A with the judges, I have this unfamiliar sense of much of that extra time having been well spent. Kudos, show.

First to be called up are Natalie/Musa and Donyelle/Benji. Natalie rubs Musa's arm when Cat attempts to crush his spirit by repeating the judges' criticism. Cat also rags on Donyelle for mispronouncing "Viennese." Cat is in a feisty mood tonight. Both of these couples are safe, just like always.

Do you think Natalie cries when she runs out of conditioner?


This picture included just because Donyelle is gorgeous.

Cat calls up Travis/Martha, Heidi/Ryan, and Jessica/James "Jaymz" Tuaileva. She's generally pretty harsh with her callbacks to all of the worst things that the judges have ever said about all of them. Travis and Martha are safe. Wow - that actually surprises me. Heidi claps like a seal when this is announced, and I can't help feeling that this degree of clapping is a little bit fake, because her own odds just got a lot worse. The other two couples are NOT safe. Huh. I think Heidi is one of the best dancers on the show, but here she is in the bottom three again. Oh well - she bugged me with her ghetto princess act last night, so I'm not complaining.

Meanwhile, I suddenly notice that Jessica is once again dressed in a bustier and a pair of underpants. This girl wears less clothing than anyone I have ever seen. I don't really get it. There's certainly nothing bad about her body, but it doesn't exactly make me think "wow, sexy," either. Usually when I look at her, I think, "wow, short." News flash: Not wearing pants does not make your legs look longer.

What are these "pants" of which you speak?

The last two couples are Ashlee/Dmitry and Allison/Ivan. I think we know where this is headed. Cat reminds us that last night, Mary predicted Allison as the winner of the entire show. I actually failed to notice that last night, but this is now the second time they've repeated it tonight, so I'm pretty clear on it now, thanks. I guess I could see Allison winning - she's very good and very sparkly. Anyway, she and Ivan are obviously safe, and.... Oh my God. I'm totally wrong! I actually have to hit backspace because I was so sure that Ashlee and Dmitry were back in the bottom three where they always are. Instead, Allison and Ivan will dance for their lives, along with Heidi, Ryan, Jessica, and James "Jaymz" Tuaileva.

Take a good long look at Dmitry, because you won't be seeing him again tonight. At least, not the REAL Dmitry.

Wow - that's an interesting bottom six. My first thought is that Jessica is toast - through various cruel twists of fate, she's going up against two of the best female dancers on the show. With the guys, it looks like a toss-up. All three have put up weak dances for their lives in the past. I feel like James "Jaymz" Tuaileva actually has an advantage, because Nigel gave him such a tongue-lashing about being unprepared last week that he must be hella prepared now. Oh, James "Jaymz" Tuaileva, please fail to live up to my expectations.

Posted by Amanda on July 10, 2006 11:17 PM