Top 16 compete to be "America's Favorite Dancer"

November 12, 3:38 PMBuffalo Dance ExaminerLauren Kirchmyer

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The remaining 8 couples danced for judges Nigel Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, and Mary Murphy on Tuesday night's So You Think You Can Dance. In this show, contestants from season five sat in the audience to watch.

The first couple to dance was Kevin & Karen. They performed a hustle choreographed by Maria Torres. Like the past two weeks, the judges loved their performance, and Murphy said that they're still on the hot tamale train!

Next up was a Mandy Moore jazz routine performed by Ashleigh & Jakob. During the video clip before they danced, Jakob explained that he is good friends with season five winner Jeanine Mason. The couple danced with a prop which was a cane. The judges said that it was teriffic and that they suited their characters.

Pauline & Peter were next as they performed a quickstep choreographed by JT & Tomas, who are new to the show. The story behind the dance was that Peter was in the navy and Pauline was an attractive hula girl. The judges found the performance to be adorable and fantastic, but the technique wasn't up to par at all.

Next to perform were Kathryn & Legacy who performed a broadway routine performed by Andy Blankenbuehler. All of the judges felt a little disappointed in Kathryn, but are amazed at Legacy's growth already in this season.

New couple Victor & Channing performed a Stacey Tookey contemporary routine. Seeing as they are contemporary dancers, the judges already knew the routine would be good, so they were expecting a lot more than what they truly performed. They love the new partnership and they thought it was a beautiful piece with good movement and expression, but they should have been better.

Ellenore & Ryan felt completely out of their element as they performed a Lil'C hip hop routine. Shankman believed Ryan to be the most transformed dancer of the night, but Murphy and Lythgoe weren't impressed. Murphy explained "it wasn't great, but it was good." However, Lythgoe wasn't impressed at all. "I don't think that was good at all tonight. Neither of you suited this style, it just wasn't there. You were just dancing, but you've got to feel it."

Mollee & Nathan were next to perform. They danced a Gustavo Vargas salsa routine. In the video clip before their salsa, viewers learned that Mollee is deaf in her left ear. After they performed, the judges were very upset at their performance. Shankman said, "This exposed your weakness, but you have been amazing in past weeks. Your technique could have been better." Murphy said, "this wasn't your brightest moment. Your feel and style was off. Nathan, you weren't suave enough, and Mollee, you looked uncomfortable. But you two are the dream team." But once again, Lythgoe wasn't impressed. "That was weird. You were off from the beginning and it didn't work for either of you. Your chemistry was missing, and you two need to mature."

The last piece of the night was Noelle & Russell's afro jazz, choreographed by Sean Cheeseman, who is also new to the show. Shankman told Cheeseman "Nice way to start the show!" The judges all loved the routine and the strength and commitment the couple gave. They are also surprised at how Russell is also growing on this show. Murphy ended her critique by putting the couple on the hot tamale train.

Wednesday's results show was the first time America put couples in the bottom three. The opening number of the episode was a hip hop routine choreographed by Dave Scott. The bottom three couples were Ellenore & Ryan, Pauline & Peter, and Karen & Kevin. Before they performed their solos, there was a special performance from the dancers from the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. After a commercial break the judges said that they were disappointed in the solos performed. In the end, Pauline & Peter were eliminated.

Watch the top 14 dancers compete on Tuesday at 8 pm, and the results on Wednesday at 9 pm, both on Fox. For more information, go to the show's website: http://www.fox.com/dance.