The WORST episodes of So You Think You Can Dance Australia

#1 - Top 6 Results

Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/8/2010

#2 - Auditions: Sydney

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/6/2008

The audition process is about to come to a close, and where better than the sparkly, sultry city of Sydney. After all, this is the place talented dancers come to follow their dreams... And that means Sydney will present the toughest competition yet! The first contestant showcased is 18-year-old Hilton. Hilton's parents sacrificed their own careers to clean his dance school to pay for his lessons. The quietly confident dancer has trained in Ballet, Acro, Hip Hop and Contemporary – and it shows. His assured take on New School Hip Hop is named captivating and humorous by Bonnie, and he's given a ticket to the Top 100. Next up is Hilton's girlfriend, Jessie. This shy, Brisbane-born dancer was feeling the pressure and Bonnie felt she laid back on her routine a little, while Matt commented he thought her choreography (corry) was wishy washy. Despite this, she was invited back to the afternoon's corry session, and eventually earned a place in the Top 100. Jason was awestruck by 23-year-old Pilates instructor, Vanessa. Her heart-breakingly beautiful routine was a breath of fresh air for our judges, and she was instantly offered a ticket to stay in Sydney. Tickets were flying thick and fast, with dancers Rhiannon and Marko both getting through – the latter inspiring a stoked Matt to grin, “This is why I got excited to come to Sydney!” When ballroom couple Stephanie and Henry finished burning up the d-floor, Jason commented that this hot pair reversed the competition's trend – girls outdancing boys. Henry received a Top 100 ticket, but the feisty Stephanie would have to dance for her life at corry. The determined tone in this experienced performer's voice meant she intended to get that ticket – and she did. Kamikaze's powerful street style had Jason commenting this was a real man dancing like a real man, something he's a big fan of. Welcome to the Top 100 Kamikaze! Confident, talented and outrageous: that's Khaly. Part-time body piercer, full-

#3 - Top 100 - Part 1

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/10/2008

Joining our three judges is renowned choreographer Kelley Abbey. The rules of the game are as follows: dancers begin by performing group choreography (corry), with the judges assessing dancers individually. Three yes' keeps a dancer in the comp, three nos sends them home. A split vote? Time to dance for your life to stay in the game. On Day One, top Hip Hop/ Boogaloo choreographer Nacho Pop begins putting the dancers through their paces, teaching them a poppin' routine that would have Pharrell Williams himself struggling to keep up! Jaws dropped after rehearsals when five dancers were cut before even officially performing. The Ballet-trained beauty Vanessa picked up the street smart moves fast enough to progress through to Day Two, as did cheeky body piercer Khaly. Security guard Chris (the real man who danced like a real man) split the judges, forcing him to dance for life, as did the emotionally charged Daniell. Chris made it though, but it was the end of the road for Daniell. After Day One, a third of the Top 100 was sent home. Next stop: Ballroom. Hilton and Chanel, Sermsah and Camilla, Kassie and Henry, Steph and Mack. Couples were quickly paired off to begin learning choreographer Jason Gilkinson's sexy, sensual, Latin routine. Ballroom novices were paired with experts, and only the strong would survive. Melbourne choreographer JD aced the routine, getting four enthusiastic thumbs up from the judges, with Kelley enthusing about how fantastic it was to see a hip-hop performer applying himself to Ballroom – such is the spirit of the competition as a whole. But for every contestant who made it through to Day Two, people being sent home left, right and centre. Gabriel's lime dress hid the performer inside and Chris couldn't cut it in Ballroom. But BJ wouldn't take no for an answer, successfully arguing for a chance to dance for his life. Lucky he spoke up: he made it through. The ridiculously lovable b-girl Demi also successfully danced for her

#4 - Top 100 - Part 2

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/11/2008

The first few performances had set the bar high, and the judges' comments had reminded our contestants they were looking for emotion and truth in their performances. First on the floor was Kiwi Krumper Josh, with a bevy of babes including blonde bombshell Kassie. The judges had nothing but praise for the girls who all made it through, but while they found Josh witty and clever, they felt he played safe. It was end of Josh's journey. Next up was a group including JD, whose namesake is the taxi driver who dropped him off at an orphanage in Manilla after his parents abandoned him when he was just four-years-old. He performed a heartfelt routine alongside Hilton, Jemma and Jack, all of whom made it through. Camilla has a jazz background, which made her feel less than comfortable with the Hip Hop routine the boys in her group had devised. Despite this, the feisty redhead made it through. Next was a group featuring Sermsah, Rodolfo and Stephanie who along with their other group members discovered while working out a theme for their performance, that they had all lost someone close to them. There routine saw them dancing for those loved ones who have passed on, making the contemporary routine especially moving. Sermsah and Stephanie were through, but it was the end of the line for Rodolfo. After the group corry cuts were made, it was time to whittle 50 dancers down to the Top 20. Those who didn't make the cut were taking the bad news with grace and maturity, and the stakes were so high when indigenous dancer Sermsah took to his place before the judging panel. The judges expressed their fears that this talented dancer wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of a high-stakes competition like Dance, but were their fears enough to eliminate him from the competition? No. Sermsah was through.The versatile Kassie was instructed she must give more of her natural warmth when performing, but she too made it through. Sorono brother Carlo was told he was one of the most

#5 - Final 20 Performances

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/17/2008

And… action! The cameras start rolling and onto the stage strut twenty of the sexiest, spunkiest, sassiest performers Australia's ever seen. Reality TV just got freakin' cool. Aiight, pick your jaw up off the floor, ya'll. It's time to get busy. Rhiannon and J. D. Hey, what's that silver splattered all over the floor? Oh it's the mercury from the thermometres that have just exploded. Yu-huh, Sydney's summer just got steamier, with this sizzling duo's street-smart Hip Hop routine. Matt told the couple they were so well-suited: Rhiannon the pint-sized hottie next to the cool, calm and collected J.D. while a blinged-up Bonnie said they were just fabulous. Jason commented their only problem was unison; Rhiannon danced slightly in the front of the beat, while the laidback JD danced at the back of the beat. Courtney and Hilton. Their gorgeous Jazz Lyrical take on the oldest love story in the world Romeo + Juliet mythology had a heart-breaking ethereal feel as a result of being set to the masters of emotional alt-rock, Radiohead. Hilton mentioned in his blog that his partner was helping him express his emotions and it's clear to see what he meant. Matt commented that while Courtney was so likeable, he was very good at faking her technique while Hilton was a contender to win the competition. Bonnie said she felt the chemistry between the pair while Hilton made great use of the floor, and while she could see he was nervous with the lifts, he did them well. Bonnie said she was sure Courtney would go a long way. Jason said that while Hilton missed a lift, he got back on the horse, and that Lyrical suited him so well. He agreed with Matt and said Courtney did need to watch her feet. Vanessa andHenry: What happens when a Ballet babe meets a Latin lover in the search of Salsa? Lots and lots and lots of turns. Who needs a rollercoaster when you've got a dude like Henry to take you on a journey of thrills and spills. And for someone who claimed in their blog they'd have

#6 - Final 20 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/18/2008

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! The SYTYCD stage is once again set for something resembling a sci-fi spectacular: the control room of a spaceship burning in brilliant orange and cloaked in dry ice. The futuristic feel is bang on for what you're about to witness – who will continue their journey in this, the future of dance. Sunday night's show saw our Top 20 wrap the nation round their little finger with ten powerhouse performances, in styles ranging from bare-bones Boogaloo, to lovely Lyrical Contemporary, to sexy Salsa. Now, the votes have been tallied and the journey is about to end for two of our dancers. But not before one seriously cool group performance, set to the strains of the Grammy award-winning 'Lovestoned' by Matt Lee's popstar lookalike, Justin Timberlake (it's all about the Trilby, y'all). This funky'40s-inspired jazz routine was choreographed by Kelley Abbey, and started the show with a bang the size of Texas. But the upbeat vibe was quickly replaced with the sobering reality of the evening's agenda… The air was thick with nerves, pulses racing like wild horses. So let's get back down to the facts: the first safe couple was announced to a knife-edge audience as…J.D. and Rhiannon. And the first bottom three couple… Courtney and Hilton, with Camilla and Sermsah safe for the next week. The second safe couple was soon after announced as (drum roll please) Kassy and Graeme, and Jemma and Rhys. The second bottom couple was announced as… Vanessa and Henry, with Stephanie and Marko safe for next week. And which of these three couples – Laura and Anthony, Demi and Jack and Kate and Khaly? The third safe couple was announced as Kate and Khaly, making the other two couples safe. Now its time for these six individuals to show Australia why they were part of the Top 20 made it in the first place, and Dance For Their Lives! Blink and you'll miss them. The first soloist was Courtney, burning up the stage but commenting she f

#7 - Final 18 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 2/25/2008

Is it just us, or are Monday nights taking a few years off our life every week? The crazy nerves, the intense anticipation… and then, the sadness of having to bid farewell to two talented favourites. This week it was Kassy and Hilton. Here's how it all went down. Judge Matt Lee choreographed the free-wheeling tribal number which opened the show with all the punch of a wasabi-coated boxer's glove. As a blinged-up Bonnie commented, it appeared as if the 18 could have been a company that have been dancing together for years, so close is the bond between them all. But 18 would soon be 16. The first three couples bought to the stage were our Samba sexies, Demi and Jack, our Hip Hop prisoners Camilla and Sermsah, and our Lyrical Contemporary lovelies, Kassy and Graeme. The heels and nails combo obviously worked for y'all out there cuz Demi and Jack were the first couple declared safe, plus they had the honour of picking up the night's most Breathtaking Moment, as voted by you guys here on this very site! The first bottom three couple was announced as Kassy and Graeme, meaning Sermsah and Camilla are back next week. The next four couples onstage were Swing Hip Hoppers Stephanie and Marko, vampy Jazz duo Jemma and Rhys and Animated Hip Hoppers who performed "a dance from Mars", Vanessa and Henry. Lucky for these three dancers, all three will be dancing their hearts out for you next week! So that meant there were still two gaping wholes in the bottom three, meaning out of foxy Foxtrotters Kate and Hilton, shimmering, sexy Disco divas Laura and Anthony and industrial Jazz vixens Rhiannon and J.D. there'd be two partnerships dancing for their lives… and that turned out to be Kate and Hilton, and Rhiannon and J.D. Sassy spunkrat Kassy gave it her booty-shaking all to dancefloor fave Sir Mixalot's 'Baby Got Back' while partner Graeme showed us his slick urban style in a high-energy Contemporary routine. It was second time around for both Kate and Hilton. Kate

#8 - Final 16 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/3/2008

"Tell me why/ I don't like Mondays/ I want to shoot/ The whole day down". So sung Sir Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats, true in 1979 and still so true today. Mondays mean back to work or school, Mondays mean four sleeps to the weekend, Mondays mean eviction night. And what an eviction night. With the shock of top dancers Hilton and Kassy being sent home last week, all and sundry knew when it came to the bottom three, all bets were off. Here's how the night played itself out. Helloooo sailor! Another all-in group piece kicked off the show with fast-paced flair. Created by the legendary Jason Gilkison, this week it was all about the Lindy Hop. Hailing from the streets of en-why-see (New York, where else?) in the late 1920s, the Lindy Hop evolved from a mish-mash of street styles popular at the time, such as Jazz, Tap and the Charleston. Belonging to the sassy Swing family, this high-energy partner style upped the fun factor, and saw our boys looking their best in khakis and our girls as pretty as pin-ups. The stress-levels were sky-high for the first two couples onstage. Rhiannon and J.D. both had a strong start to the competition, but Sunday night's Tango saw J.D. drop the ball badly, freezing like a deer in headlights midway through the pair's saucy Tango routine. Bollywooders Kate and Graeme had been in the bottom three last week, with both of Kate's dancing partners being sent home, one by one. You could have cooked rice with pressure in the room – so imagine the raw joy and surprise when all four dancers were declared safe!! Next up stood Indie Jazz duo Demi and Jack; Soul Swingers Laura and Anthony and Krumping kids Stephanie and Marko. Did Australia think Demi and Jack had the Jazz mojo to make it through to the Top 14? You guys sure did, these guys will be back next week! But unfortunately for the other two couples, they would both be back onstage, Dancing For Their Lives. That leaves us with three more couples. Jemma and Rhys yet again stunne

#9 - Final 14 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 3/10/2008

Yesterday's Super Sunday served up everything from heart-wrenching Contemporary set to Coldplay to earthy, animalistic African Samba. Now just 24 hours later, your votes decided which of these fourteen amazing dancers will became twelve by picking your bottom three. Here's the skinny: Kicking off the show with a streetsmart Hip Hop urban routine choreographed by Juliette Verne, aka Jet, your top fourteen ripped it up with a combination of awesome b-boy and b-girl moves that saw not just Hip Hop experts Demi and J.D. shining. The night was off and racing, and that meant some very nervous dancers had to take to the stage. First on the floor were Camilla and Sermsah, and Demi and Jack. Matt thought this style of Hip Hop sat better with Camilla and Sermsah, while Jason criticized the couple's problems with the lifts. Demi and Jack performed the Samba, and while Matt commented he didn't get connection, he said it was nice to see the pair step out of their ‘fun' zone. Bonnie thought it was lacking, and Jason thought it was flatfooted. So who was in the bottom three? Demi and Jack were safe, but Camilla and Sermsah would have to come back and Dance For Their Lives. Next on the stage were Jemma and Rhys, and Vanessa and Henry. Jemma and Rhys were still riding high from their supersexy urban routine, which had the entire audience hot under the collar. The judges praised Rhys' masculinity and Jemma's diversity. Sunday saw Vanessa and Henry perform a sizzling Samba, choreographed by the one and only Jason Gilkison. Matt said the routine allowed the couple to really step up. Jason said Vanessa owned it, and they were yet to see Henry be bad. These two couples both had the skills to pay the bills – they were declared safe! Laura and Anthony performed an obsessive Contemporary routine set to Avril Lavigne. Jason said he didn't believe the kiss and the scream – it wasn't enough to act sexy, they had to be sexy. Matt didn't get it, and thought it was ordinary. The

#10 - Final 12 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/18/2008

The night kicked off with a clean, classy Bob Fosse-inspired group performance, choreographed by the one and only Kelley Abbey. For those playing at home, Bob Fosse was the man when it came to musical theatre and choreography, working from the '50s through to the 1980s. He picked up an unprecendented eight Tony's for choreography and received an Oscar for directing the dance classic, Cabaret (1972). According to our friend Wikipedia, the dance sequences in Cabaret were 'particularly characteristic of Fosse, the vulgar energy of vaudeville and burlesque updated and coolly contained within a slick, conscious sophistication'. Rhys is personally a big fan and recommends everyone see the 1979 musical he wrote and directed, All That Jazz, “All That Jazz was autobiographical and almost predicted his own demise. It was really ahead of its time and shows how much he fought to reveal his vision and to be understood. But now he lives as legend.” The first two couples onstage, athletic Contemporary dancers Demi and Jack, and Nacho Pop Poppers Rhiannon and J.D. Both couples received both criticism and praise for last night's routine – but your votes sent the always popular Demi and Jack into the Top 10, meaning Rhiannon and J.D. would once again have to dance for their lives. The second two couples up were showtime Musical Theatre entertainers Jemma and Rhys, and Lambada lovers Camilla and Anthony. The judges had nothing but praise for Rhys, but wanted Jemma to believe in herself more. Camilla and Anthony were only a week into their partnership and Jason thought sex was missing from their dance of love. It seems you agree as well – Rhys and Jemma were through to Top Ten, meaning Camilla and Anthony would be once again be dancing for their lives. That leaves Jazz thrashers Kate and Graeme, and Capoeira kids Vanessa and Henry. The judges had plenty of praise for our first couple, especially considering Kate's neck injury meant that was the first time she had perfo

#11 - Final 10 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/31/2008

Sunday night's show delivered more thrills and spills than a week on a rollercoaster. Ten solos and five duos – that's a lotta dancing. But now the judges have no power to save or send these dashing dancers home: it's your votes alone who will decide who becomes Australia's favourite dancer… Kicking off the show with the high quality we've grown accustomed to, our Top Ten had no trouble busting out their sweetest Hip Hop moves in a Nacho Pop choreographed routine. By now we're all experts on what Locking and Popping is, and even though there is but one b-gal left in the Top Ten, every dancer onstage looked like a pro. But not every dancer would be back next week… And now it's down to business. The judges expressed their interest in seeing how the country would vote after the past few weeks of sharing their opinion on all things dance. First up, our girls. It was a very nervous Vanessa, Rhiannon, Kate, Jemma and Demi upon stage next to the gorgeous Natalie B, each waiting to find out how last night's performances were judges by a dance-hungry public. Last night Demi was a Contemporary critter bugging out to The Strokes. Bonnie said she was just magic, but Jason wasn't as enamored with her solo. Luckily the country was – she was safe! Jemma performed a Jive which didn't have the judges shaking their tail feathers, and a duo which Jason described as beige. Kate cleaned up with last night's Hip Hop, and Matt thought she owned her 'Queen of the Night' solo. The country agreed – Kate was safe, while Jemma was in the bottom four. Vanessa performed a sensual Contemporary routine, which had the judges in agreeance: simply beautiful. Her solo inspired Bonnie to say she was the genie who had come out of the bottle and there was no going back. Rhiannon paired with Henry for an intensely personal routine, which had Bonnie saying it was the best routine of the night. Her Hip Hop solo had Jason saying it was very her, and it was hot. Australia, it seems, didn

#12 - Final 8 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/7/2008

Can you see it? It's there, just cock your head, and squint real hard…. Yup, the finishing line is coming up on the horizon and tonight we're one step closer to knowing who will be Australia's favourite dancer. Ladies and gents, your Top 6 is here. But hey, let's cue flashback anyway. Lights, camera, action and hey, here's another awe-inspiring group performance from Australia's Top 8 dancers care of innovative choreographers Project Moda, who bought us Demi and Henry's House routine last night. In the words of the (ridiculously good-looking) boys themselves, the style is "Funsyonesyfunksyswingsy. It is what it says. Please enjoy." With plenty of Swing and Jive lifts, the quirky routine had a joyful House Funk flavour, showing off the playful sides of the Top 8. And in no time whatsoever, it's time to work out who your votes kept safe. First up, we took a trip down memory lane to check our first Kate, then Rhiannon's performances last night. For those who missed it (what the devil were you doing?), Kate nailed clever, complicated Hip Hop and stylish, sexy Quickstep with Jack, while Rhiannon rocked Jazz Funk Hip Hop and released her inner vixen for Burlesque with Graeme. Kate and Jack were Matt Lee's couple of the night – and the sentiment was shared nationwide – Kate was safe! Ballet dancer Vanessa kicked off the show getting agro in a Hip Hop workout and then danced up a storm to a Latin-influenced Broadway number with partner Rhys. Demi had a bumpy start with her House duo with Henry but blossomed with a Contemporary love affair. Demi has never been in the bottom three – and that streak of good luck continued, as she was declared safe! And here are the boys! The only Ballroom dancer left in the competition, Henry started out with synchronization problems with his House number before falling in love with Demi to Contemporary. Crowd favourite Jack flexed his muscles for a crime-fighting Quickstep before Singing in the Rain to Hip Hop with Kate. B

#13 - Final 6 Verdict

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/14/2008

As usual, our Manic Monday kicked off with a pants-wettingly good group routine, choreographed by the one and only Jason Gilkison. A little bit Burlesque, a little bit Tango, and hey, let's throw some Cha Cha in for good measure, and you have one crowd-pleasing display of strong, sexy d-floor action. All six dancers were on top of their game, but not all would be going home still in the running to be named Australia's favourite dancer. Hey, did you hear the circus is in town? Yup, a very tall and very short dancer from the famed performance troupe Cirque du Soleil had jaws dropping from here to Tassy with their breath-taking fusion of Lyrical and Acrobatics. Enter to win tickets to their show right here on the site as soon as you finish reading this recap! Here are the girls! All dancing for a mere 30 seconds to prove to you guys exactly how talented and (let's face it!) hot they are, first up it's Kate's emotional Lyrical Contemporary, then Vanessa's tribal Contemporary, followed by Demi's funky b-girl breaks. And then of course, your guys. Jack danced a sharp Jazzhall Funk, Graeme busted out thought-provoking Lyrical for his Mum before Rhys' sealed the deal with a colourfully robotic take on Jazz Funk. Who said this show was all about dancing? We like putting on a show for you guys and that means shipping Jamaican American singer and rapper Sean Kingston in to rev up the crowd up with his bubblegum reggae hit 'Take You There'. Like what you hear? Go pick up the boy's self-titled debut album – it's out now. And now, down to business. Let's start with the ladies. Kate performed romantic Rumba before transforming into an East Side gangsta. Vanessa faced the challenge of a slapstick Broadway routine then found her inner sex kitten. Demi transformed into a Contemporary robot to Goldfrapp before staking her claim to her roots as a fresh b-girl in a Nacho Pop Hip Hop routine. The first girl to secure her place in the top four was Kate. Jack joined ex-par

#14 - Final 4 Performances

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/20/2008

Have you got grand final fever? It's definitely the hottest fever going round town and everyone's hankering for a piece of the pie. Tonight, the countdown heats up to discovering who will be Australia's favourite dancer. From thousands to just four – and these guys have sure been put through their paces this week! Each dancing a duo with each other as well as a group routines - let's find out how the Fantastic Four fared. Kicking off the show with a supersexy Cha-Cha - choreographed by the master of Ballroom, Mr. Jason Gilkison - were the always lovable Demi and Jack. Burning up the dancefloor in a shimmery white dress that showed off her lean, mean, dancing bod machine, this routine had the saucy Demi teasing partner Jack all over the stage, even ending up on the judges' podium! This wonderful routine had the judges in agreeance – the wow-factor was sky-high. Matt said they did such a great job and unlike last time they danced a Ballroom style (the Rumba), this time he really bought the connection between both of them. Bonnie commented that the opening was particularly sexy. She said that Demi could achieve anything and Jack was just sensational. It was a routine where two people became one. Jason said the Cha Cha, developed in the ‘50s, is a dance of joy so both performers fulfilled for him what the Cha Cha is all about. He commented on Jack's mastery of the Ballroom stance; the feel and look, and that Demi eats it up with her face. All up, a fantastic way to kick off the show! Attention! Hup, hup!! Kate and Rhys are next onstage, decked out as identical English National Guards for a unison-heavy routine from Supple. "My intent was to show there's a human side to people like policeman as well," he says. "It starts with a military drill, then they funk it up, then it finishes with a military drill. It's sort of like that scene in Police Academy where the main one sneaks out to go out partying, and comes back in the next morning." Matt said was a very, v

#15 - Grand Finale

Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/28/2008

Trim, taunt and terrific. No, we're not talking about bronzed babes on overpriced exercise bikes in late night infomercials, we're talking about your Top 20! The opening routine was something of a family reunion – well, if your family was made up of the sassiest, slinkiest, shiniest dancers produced by this big brown land of us. Decked out in killer suits, which not only riffed on a 1920s gangster of the Chicago kind but reflected their individual genres as well, we catch up with Courtney, Khaly, Kassy, Hilton, Steph, Marko, Laura, Sermsah, Camilla, J.D., Jemma, Anthony, Henry, Rhiannon, Graeme and Vanessa were all introduced in turn, reminding us of why they were chosen to be part of this incredible competition in the first place. The Matt Lee choreographed extravaganza to Rianna's trademark track, 'Don't Stop the Music' showed off the strengths of all the Top 20. With Ballroom, Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary all thrown into the mix, the routine even bought all three judges and choreographers Jason Gilkison, Nacho Pop and Kelley Abbey to the stage! "It was fun – kinda weird actually!" says Kelley in regards to her chance to strut her stuff onstage. "It was weird because you're used to putting them up there and all of a sudden, you're up. But the whole thing was good fun - a less pressured, more relaxed atmosphere." With trips down memory lane cut into the whole show, taking us right back to the very beginning of the audition process, tonight's performance is shot with sweet nostalgia as we remember the characters we've met along the way and the dancers we've grown to love… but the question of everyone's lips was the same – who would walk away with the cash and the kudos? But before we get to that, we're treated to a style we haven't been able to feature on the show because of the rehearsal time required: tap! Industrial, masculine and pulsing with a strong staccato rhythm, Dean Perry and the tip-tapping Tap Dogs made sure we were sitting up and paying

#16 - Final 16 Verdict

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/4/2009

After the “best ever” Top 16 show left judges with an “impossible” decision, Chanelle & Emmanuel were edged in the Dance For Your Life and sadly won’t be part of our Top 14. For Chanelle, it's the end of a dream. But for Emman, it also means parting with girlfriend, Pania. Elimination episodes don’t come any tougher than this. Australia again delivered surprises with Gianne & BJ and Talia & Emmanuel joining last week’s survivors Loredo & Chanelle in the Bottom 3. All 6 produced “committed” routines that Jason said were so much better than last year’s solos. But Emmanuel failed to deliver any new tricks and Chanelle lost her core strength “in the last 10 seconds” and, amid tears, they said their final farewells. Showman Emmanuel told his beloved second family that there was always a bed for them in Orange. Chanelle had experienced “two huge miracles in the last week” and felt “so blessed”. Partner Loredo wasn’t the only man who fell to his knees and wept but he’ll have to dust himself off and get acquainted with new partner Talia – because they’re now in a life-and-death battle to make Top 12. Bring it on! Top 16 Hip Hop with Tina Joubert Our Top 16 got the show off to a Hip Hop start with a routine devised by the amazing Tina Joubert – the choreographer who came up with Penny & Charlie’s unforgettable Vampire routine in Top 20 week. Dressed in tribal costume, they got down and primal to Kevin Rudolf’s “Let it Rock” – and our elimination episode was under way. Top 16 show the “best ever” Bonnie felt that last night our Aussie dancers proved they were every bit as good as dancers on the American show – and just hoped that Australia had got it right. Jason C believed the Top 16 show had been the “best ever” – but unfortunately that wasn’t going to stop them sending two unlucky dancers home. Chanelle & Loredo make Bottom 3 again Four couples were called up to hear their fates: Penny & Ch

#17 - Final 18 Verdict

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/23/2009

In a tight vote, the unlucky bottom 3 were Stephen & Ash-Leigh, Lamb & Timomatic, and – in a huge shock – Loredo & Chanelle. All 6 produced desperate, spectacular dances for their lives – the “best ever” according to Jason Gilkison. Faced with a “very very hard decision”, the judges split their votes for both girls and guys, but ultimately the unlucky couple to miss out were Stephen & Ash-Leigh. Ash-Leigh said through teary eyes that she’d had “the most amazing experience” and had “learnt so much”. Then, in a breaking voice, Stephen implored our Top 16 to “kill it every week”. Did Australia get it right? Did the judges? Let us know by leaving your comments at the bottom of the article. Top 18 Tango with Jason Gilkison The show got off to an electric start with our Top 18 performing a sensational Tango, choreographed by the master himself, Jason Gilkison. “These guys are so fantastic to work with”, he said. Matt loves coming to work Monday because he gets to see our dancers demonstrate their collective talents but he was also nervous. “I just hope Australia has got it right”. Stephen & Ash-Leigh make Bottom 3 again The first 3 couples called up to hear the verdict were last week’s crowd favourites Penny & Charlie, last week’s judges’ darlings Kat & Danny, and Lamb & Timomatic. Penny & Charlie were the first to hear they were safe, then Lamb & Tim’s names were called. Were they in the clear too? No, they were first into the Bottom 3 – but both were “excited” to be dancing for their lives. Amy & Damien safe - Loredo & Chanelle in danger The next couples called to hear their fate were Loredo & Chanelle, BJ & Gianne and one of last week’s Bottom 3 couples, Amy & Damien. Would they be in our Bottom 3 again? No! They were safe, and instead it would be Loredo & Chanelle dancing for their lives. Lamb & Timomatic make 3 The final 3 couples called on stage were Talia & Emmanuel, Ben & Pania and the

#18 - Top 8 Performances

Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/31/2010

#19 - Top 20 Performances

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/16/2010

#20 - Easter Special

Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/12/2009

One week away from Final 4, our remaining quartet got to relax a little and welcome back old friends in some fabulous new pairings for a sensational Easter SYTYCD Special. One of the features of the Special was a replay of every opening group number, an insight into the rehearsals process and the thoughts of our Final 4 on that number. Kicking things off was that incredible Kelley Abbey Top 20 routine which Amy said “set such a high bench mark”. Damien & Ash-Leigh Jason Gilkison Rumba First Top 20 couple of the night were the two ballroom dancers, Damien & Ash-Leigh, in a Jason Gilkison Rumba to Christine Aguilera’s “Hurt”. Ash-Leigh said she’d improved by being exposed to other genres and Damien said it was a rare privilege to work with Jason G – “the best ballroom choreographer in the world”. We saw that amazing Top 18 Tango by Jason Gilkison again and Charlie said that when the great choreographer “looks into your eyes, you sweat”. Timomatic & Gianne Supple Hip Hop Timomatic got to play Steve Urkel chasing Gianne in a Supple Hip Hop routine to Jean Michel Jarre’s “Zoolookologie”. Nat wanted to know if Tim could “get those pants any higher” and our Hip Hopper said it was great to be appreciated for doing what you love. We revisited Tina Joubert’s Top 16 Tribal Hip Hop and saw how Gianne taught the other girls how to make that booty work. The dancers had been asked to choose an animal character and Charlie went with “sloth”. Stephen & Max Priscilla Broadway Jazz Priscilla: Queen of the Desert – The Musical has just opened in London’s West End and Adam Williams choreographed Stephen and Max in a routine from the show to Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff”. Max said they were a good combination because they were “both complete weirds” but Stephen said “Speak for yourself, Weirdo”. In reviewing the Top 14 Bushfire Contemporary piece, all the dancers talked of how much it meant to be able to expr

#21 - Final 6 Verdict

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/6/2009

After months of auditions, and 8 weeks of competition, there are 4 dancers left fighting for $200,000 and the title of “Australia’s favourite dancer”. Congratulations Amy, Ben, Charlie & Talia. May the best dancer win! The unlucky dancers to fall at the final hurdle were two of our youngsters: Kat & BJ. Kat will be disappointed, having produced her “best performance” in Top 6 week. But BJ will be devastated after he and Talia pulled off the “best routine of the season” and he won the McDonald's moment for a record 4th time. Clearly, they were great – the others were just stupendous. Now the countdown begins for our Top 4 show in 2 weeks and our Grand Finale on April 26. But before then we have our Special Easter Sunday show and you’re going to see some familiar faces. Our Top 20 are back in a jam-packed show that will whet your appetite for our finale. Don't miss it. Top 6 Group Routine with Napoleon & Tabitha To kick off the show, guest international choreographers Napoleon & Tabitha put together a Futuristic Hip Hop routine to “Robot Rock Mix” from Daft Punk. They brought the house down with a stunningly costumed piece that Bonnie said was “out of this world”. Girls’ Solos This week there was no Bottom 4. All the remaining dancers got a “last chance to dance” and the girls were first up. Kat delivered a “hard hitting” routine that she hoped would show how much she wanted to stay on this crazy ride. Talia said Top 4 was everything she’d been working towards and produced an elegant display that delighted her legions of fans. Amy said Top 4 would be the “icing on the cake” and her solo fulfilled her promise to “take another risk”. Boys’ Solos Looking like a boxer and dancing to the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris”, Charlie reminded us why he’s the only dancer who never had to dance for his life. BJ wanted to leave a memento of why he should have been in the Final 4, and produced an acrobatic display that

#22 - Final 6 Performances

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/5/2009

For the climactic Top 6 episode, dancers and choreographers amped it up to produce one of the best shows of the year and there are now no certainties. Which 4 dancers do you think deserve a place in our Final? Australia, the decision is over to you. Top 6 Sunday Night Summary There was no “standout couple” on Top 6 night – because all 3 couples and all 6 dancers were absolutely outstanding. Talia & BJ got a standing ovation for a Napoleon & Tabitha Hip Hop that was adjudged “the best routine of the season”. But Ben & Amy moved the audience to tears with a searing Lyrical routine and Charlie & Kat rocked the house with their own Napoleon & Tabitha Hip Hop. How do you decide who to vote for when they’re all brilliant and all deserving? #1 Boys’ Trio – Supple’s Cops & Robbers That clever boy, Supple, came up with a simply brilliant concept that had each male dancer playing both cop and robber to “King of the Beats” by Matronix. Matt thought they were “three really strong versatile dancers” but had no individual notes because he was “caught up in the story”. Bonnie said they’d all done a “good job” but liked BJ’s flip, warned Charlie not to let the prop rule the dance and watched Ben “every step of the way”. Jason thought “Ben owned that” and Charlie “popped a little harder than BJ”, who was “left behind slightly there”. #2 Talia & BJ – Project Moda 40s Beach Scene Jazz The ever-creative Project Moda boys came up with a 40s Jazz routine that had BJ playing a geek to Talia’s hard-to-get beach babe. The track was Yellow’s “How how”. Bonnie said the routine was “different to the extreme” but noticed BJ nearly dropped Talia towards the end. Talia said it was “kind of fun” but Jason saw her face and said it didn’t look like she was enjoying it. He loves Project Moda’s work but didn’t like the routine and found it hard to adjudicate because there was “so little dance content”.

#23 - Final 8 Verdict

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/30/2009

The two unlucky dancers who won’t be part of our Top 6 are Gianne & Timomatic. But after Tim’s stupendous Dance For Your Life, a lot of Australians will be thinking we got it all terribly wrong. However, their thoughts will quickly turn to our mouth-watering Top 6 match-ups. Read on to discover the 3 couples who'll fight it out for a place in our Final 4 this Sunday at 7.30pm. Top 8 in Top Hats for Jason Gilkison Guest judge Jason Gilkison confirmed his genius status by putting our Top 8 in Top Hats and Tails for a stunning ballroom routine to Robbie Williams’ “Ain’t that a kick in the head”. Looks like Chucky Cheese is now Champagne Charlie. So You Think You Can Dance Tour Dates Nat had some great news. The dates for the So You Think You Can Dance tour have been announced - it opens in Cairns on July 2. Click here to find where you can catch this incredible show with our Top 10 – including Penny. Time to get down to business. Who's going home, Nat? The girls hear their fate First up to hear a recap of their Sunday night performances were Amy and Talia. Both got raves from the judges – but was one of them in the Bottom 2? Amy looked like she thought she might be. But she’d have to wait to find out. That Nat is such a tease. She invited Gianne & Kat up to join them and Nat finally revealed that the two girls who’d have to dance for their lives were … Gianne & Kat. With that announcement, Talia’s Top 8 partner, Ben, looked relieved as did Amy’s boy, Timomatic, whereas Kat’s partner, BJ, looked disappointed. But they didn’t have much time for elation or regret. They were about to hear whether they were joining the Bottom 4. Ben or Tim in Bottom 2 Boys? Perfect partner Ben was joined on stage by Timomatic who, though he’s been a perennial solo performer on Monday nights, had just come off the “favourite routine of the night”. It still wasn’t enough. He would be dancing for his life for the 5th time.

#24 - Final 8 Performances

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/29/2009

Top 8 week stressed our dancers like never before. Not only did they have to perform 3 routines instead of 2, they had to farewell Penny, one of the competition favourites. But the show must go on, and with Gianne back on deck, our Top 8 delivered 10 stunning routines that turned up a new favourite. Top 8 Sunday Night Summary The standout couple were Ben & Talia who, according to Matt, were “both on the train to the Finale”. “Amazing” Amy put on a master class in technique and, with Timomatic channelling MJ, delivered the “favourite routine of the night”. Charlie and Gianne did remarkably in a day less of rehearsals, with Charlie “brilliant” on hip hop home turf. Kat delivered a “sophistication” beyond her years and Jason Gilkison declared he had a “new favourite boy” in the competition. That boy was BJ. Farewell Penny The show opened with the devastating news that everyone’s favourite cheerleader, Penny, had a stress fracture of her rib and was out of the competition. The only girl who had never been in the Bottom 3, Penny had formed a power partnership with Charlie and won the hearts of millions of Australians. Jason Gilkison said she’d been a “breath of fresh air” and Matt said this was “a dancer’s worst nightmare”. Bonnie said Penny had made the show “so much richer” and Jason Coleman said that he, like the rest of Australia, “had embraced the Penny”. Penny bravely came on stage and through tears watched her Journey Recap – and what a journey it was. From that unforgettable “angry cheerleader” audition, to her tears on the Green Mile when she found she’d made Top 20, to the show-stopping “Single ladies” with Charlie, the breathtaking “You found me”, the moment she cracked up Mary Murphy by declaring “It’s all good!” as she squinted through her one good eye, to her beautiful bridal foxtrot, the revelation that she was leaving, and the floods of tears when Gianne appeared to repl

#25 - Final 10 Verdict

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/24/2009

In the first elimination decided by the public, Australia chose to say goodbye to our Brazilian beauty Gianne and our Jamaican lion Loredo. The dancers cried, Nat cried and so did our judges. They were choked up because, as Jason said, “We were you”. The public seemed to agree with the judges’ assessment that Gianne & Loredo had failed to “get” Travers Ross’s intricate Hip Hop. But was the chorey the real problem or was Jason right - "It wasn't good enough"? Have your say in the comments below. We’re disappointed to lose two more great dancers, but we have some great new couples for Top 8 – even if one of them looks very familiar. Read on to discover the 4 couples you’ll see this Sunday at 7.30pm. Top 10 Disco with Project Moda Guest choreographers Project Moda kitted out our Top 10 in fabulous 70s gear to dance disco to Madonna’s “Music Inferno”. It was a funky opening to a show where all ten dancers were going to be on edge. Loved the Afro, Loredo. Bottom 3 couples becomes Bottom 4 dancers Now we’re in Top 10 territory, the elimination format changes slightly. Instead of the voters deciding the Bottom 3 couples, you now decide the Bottom 4 dancers. The 2 boys and the 2 girls with the least votes have to dance for their lives before hearing the verdict. And now it’s not the judges who decide who ultimately leaves, but Australia. Penny & Talia hear their fates First up were Charlie’s old partner, Penny, and his new, partner, Talia. Which one would be in our Bottom 2 girls? As their fans shrieked their support, Nat revealed that Talia was safe. Poor Penny looked a little upset but Nat soon told her that she would be here next week too. Bottom 2 girls revealed That left three women who had all been in the Bottom 3 before: Gianne, Amy & Kat. The crowd went crazy with anxiety, but only one of their dancers could be safe – and that was Amy. So our Bottom 2 girls were Gianne and Kat. Which 2 boys would be join