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Learn more- It was a special night on "So You Think You Can Dance" Wednesday as the show marked its 99th episode with special guest judge Ellen Degeneres. Host Cat Deeley also welcomed back Dr. Nigel Lythgoe to the show. The executive producer and judge received an honorary doctorate degree last week and missed the results show because he was back at University of Bedfordshire in England for the ceremony.
Emmy-nominated choreographer Mia Michaels was on the panel for the big show, which was padded with two dance styles from each couple, a solo from each dancer, and a big group number choreographed by Season 2's Travis Wall to start the night.
Jeanette & Evan: A Sonya Tayeh contemporary routine was ordered up for Jeanette & Evan, forcing Evan into a style with which he isn't very comfortable. Nigel told Evan he was "finally getting more" of what he's been asking for all season. Ellen said she could do that, then described the wine spritzer she drank before the show, calling it rich and full-bodied, among other things. Mary said Evan was "spot on" and told Jeanette she "just can't take a wrong step out there." Mia told Evan he's a great dancer but she wanted more, then she told Jeanette she's her "favorite, favorite, favorite this season."
Jeanine & Brandon: Brandon pulled Jeanine's name out of the hat and they got a waltz with choreographer Hunter Johnson. Jeanine was looking forward to being elegant, which cued the clips of her falling over her own two feet during rehearsals. Could they pull it together on stage? Nigel called it an "extremely tough" routine and said he didn't like the music, saying it was too slow. He said he was "a little disappointed" and said he didn't get what he's hoped from them. Ellen went on a tangent about something Twyla Tharp once told her when they were standing in line together, but said she enjoyed the performance. Mary said they "did it respectable," but she would have liked some things a lot stronger. Mia said there were so many hiccups and "stuck moments" that it didn't take her away, and usually the waltz does.
Melissa & Ade: Melissa and Ade were reunited, and it presumably felt so good. They drew a cha cha with Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin. They were a little overwhelmed early on, but Melissa thought they'd be OK with a lot of practice. Nigel said it was "really good," and that the routine gave him a lot of material to show off with. Ellen asked, "Are you two carpenters? Because you nailed it!" Mary said the execution of the material was nailed, but she felt like everything was in slow motion and it exposed a couple of problems, like Ade's "bum" being lifted two high and Melissa's feet being too far turned in. Mia told Ade she thought it was his worst performance all season because it was "kind of thrown all over the place" and he wasn't getting down and dirty. She told Melissa she did an excellent job of breaking down the ballerina's alignment she's used to and letting her hips loose.
Jason & Kayla: The final couple announced was Jason and Kayla and they drew a jazzy Broadway routine with Tyce DiOrio. The couple struggled to find their chemistry at the outset, but hoped to make the best of it. Nigel said Jason's toes and feet were "absolutely terrific" and that some bits reminded him of Gene Kelly. He told Kayla she was a great dancer and can do anything that's thrown at her. He said it was one of the best routines he'd seen this week. Ellen said she didn't know what to say and that she really just wanted to come to a taping of the show and the spot on the judge's panel was a good seat. Mary said everything was great, Jason was suave and Kayla was riding first class on the Hot Tamale train. She even pulled out a train whistle, which she tooted. Mia said she felt like the only sane person on the panel. She told Jason to open up his upper body because it was destroying his lines. Mia told Kayla she should sing and act because she could take Broadway by storm. She said, "When look in the dictionary at 'girl,' 'perfection' and 'star,' there's a picture of Kayla."
Jeanette & Evan, Part 2: The couple pulled the rumba with Tony & Melanie. Nigel said Jeanette had the sensual, sexy thing down pat, but "there just didn't appear to be anything passionate" in Evan's face. He told Evan to perform with his face more. Ellen said she loved Evan's face and eyes and said the problem with being in L.A. is that everyone's face starts to look exactly alike. She added that she thought Jeanette was incredible. Mary said Evan did "a very good job." She called Jeanette a little hot tamale. Mia agreed with Ellen, telling Evan that not everyone has to be a sex pot and said that not a lot of people bring what Evan does to the stage. She said she wasn't sure if she wanted to see Evan be sexy, but he did it ... with a Zoolander face. She added that she didn't have to say anything more about Jeanette because she said it all earlier, when she called Jeanette her favorite dancer in the competition.
Jeanine & Brandon, Part 2: For their second routine, Jeanine and Brandon drew a pop jazz routine with Laurieann Gibson, who told them not to think it, but to dance it. Nigel said "that's all I'm asking." He wanted more performances like that at this point in the competition. He said it was "the flattest night" he'd ever experienced on the show until this performance. Ellen said she was "that happy, too." She said it was "really, really unbelievable." Mary said it was "strong" and "powerful," and asked Nigel, Mia and Ellen if they could hear it. Then she shouted the Hot Tamale Train shout. She also said they were going to ride that train into the finale. Mia said Brandon was so powerful and congratulated Jeanine for keeping up with him.
Melissa & Ade, Part 2: An emotional contemporary piece about a woman with breast cancer was choreographed for Melissa & Ade by Tyce DiOrio. They were convinced this performance was less about their steps and more about conveying the story. Nigel said the performance showed him why he loves dance so much, "because it can express so many emotions without any words." Nigel got choked up as he spoke and said he would be "hugely surprised" if Tyce didn't earn another Emmy nomination. He said he couldn't think of a better couple to have danced it and praised Ade for his strength, which gave Melissa the courage to do some of the jumps she did. Ellen said she'd been wanting to come see a taping live for a long time and that she felt "so privileged" that she got to witness that and she'd always remember it. "It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," she said. Mary said it was taking her back to a scary place and said she, too, would never forget it. She, too, wept as she spoke. Mia was crying before she even started talking, calling it "an important piece of work." She said she wished she had the strength that they had in their performance for her daddy. And she thanked Tyce and Ade and Melissa.
Kayla & Jason, Part 2: For their second performance, Kayla & Jason had to present a somewhat disturbing hip-hop performance in which Jason portrayed a zombie who'd taken Kayla as his personal zombie mistress. Nigel said he enjoyed the Michael Jackson inspiration and said it was why he brought Shane back. He said it was another example of how the second part of the night "knocked the ball out of the ball park." Ellen told them if they keep dancing like that, "you'll have your own talk show some day." Mary said they "hit it hard" and that she "loved every second of it." Mia told Shane it was her favorite piece he's ever done on the show and that she loved the final image that had Jason lift Kayla as if he was strangling her. "It was disturbingly hot," she said.
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