It’s the end of the road for partners Jamie Bayard and Rayven Armijo, who were sent home on the first results show of the 2008 season of So You Think You Can Dance.
But it wasn’t all disappointment and goodbye’s on Thursday. The live show kicked off with a whimsical piece choreographed by guest judge and choreographer Wade Robson (and his wife Amanda), that, in traditional Robson style, had a stick-it-to-the-man message — literally. The dancers, dressed in futuristic punk rocker outfits, kidnapped and tied up a terrified creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe.
After the fun, host Cat Deeley quickly got down to business of elimination. Kourtni Lind and her contemporary partner Matt Dorame, who danced a “so, so” jazz routine Wednesday, according to judge Dan Karaty, were the first to learn they were on the chopping block. Then, ballet dancer Armijo and her ballroom partner Bayard joined them. “They were the first couple,” explained Lythgoe. “[That's a] long time for people to remember.” For the final spot in the bottom six, it came down to contemporary dancer Courtney Galiano and Gev Manoukian, the break-dancing ice skater from Kazakhstan, against contemporary dancers Jessica King and Will Wingfield. Even though King and Wingfield were dubbed the ones to beat the night before, it was Manoukian and Galiano who landed the popular vote and remained safe for another week, leaving King and Wingfield to perform in the final dance-off.
After a performance by hip-hop innovator Poppin’ Pete and his dancing partner Shawnee, the six contestants danced for their lives — and the judges, who then deliberated while the Pussycat Dolls treated the audience to a super sexy performance of their song “When I Grow Up” from their upcoming album Doll Domination.
When the judges returned with their unanimous decision, Armijo and Bayard were sent home. Armijo. 28, of La Puente, Calif., said being on the show was the “best experience” she’d ever had and will “only [be] springing forward from here.”
“I’m just so happy that I got to make it this far,” Bayard, 22, of Palm Springs, said. “I’m really happy that I got to be a part of it.” –Jed Dreben
Michael Becker/FOX
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