So You Think You Can Dance The Top 18 Perform [Video]

Last Tuesday night, we saw the top twenty dance it out and the first two dancers this season sent packing as the judges picked Brandon Dumlao and Ariana Debose to go home. This week, the remaining eighteen will perform, and once again the judges will pick two more to go home. No results show again this week due to the World Series, so tonight is the night! We open this week's show with some news from Nigel. Apparently Fox and the other powers that be behind the series agreed to let Brandon Dumlao try out again next year. There is a rule that once you make it into the top twenty you can't come back. However, with Billy Bell's sudden illness, Brandon had to be dragged back in to compete and quickly was sent home. Billy Bell will also return next year during Vegas week. Hopefully, he is well by then!

This week's performances open with Noelle and Russell. She was unable to perform last week because of an injury. However, they made it clear if she didn't step up this week, she was out.  She stepped it up though with an amazing hip hop performance. However, they received some constructive comments from Adam Shankman. However, Mary Murphy gave Noelle and Russell come compliments. Nigel is the one to bring Noelle down. Her performance might not have been good enough to keep her in the competition. The next couple up is Ashleigh and Jakob. They dance a wedding dance, the waltz, to one of my favorite love songs. They do an amazing performance, and Adam has nothing but praise for them. As do the other judges. Our third couple of the night is Bianca and Victor, and they takes is to church! They receive comments from the judges about not going full out in character for the performance. Nigel is particularly tough on them.

The next performance is by Mollee and Nathan, the youngest in the competition. They perform a Bollywood style dance that looked weak to me before the judges even spoke. However, these two have fans and the judges even love them. They can do no wrong, so what do I know? There is no doubting that the next couple, Channing & Phillip, are hot, but they immediately earn some criticism from the judges.  Phillip earned most of the criticism because he really didn't stand up and do things. The next performance might end up being my favorite of the night. Karen and Kevin do a car inspired hip hop performance., and I fell in love with Karen in this performance. A Latin ballroom dancer did well in a style she was totally not in. The judges even loved the performance.

Next up is fan favorite Legacy and his partner Kathryn with a contemporary performance. He just amazes me with his talent. He is a Bboy, and he did wonderfully well in this performance. The judges also loved them. Pauline is next up with her partner, and she almost went home last week. They perform a piece by Wade Robson that doesn't seem to wow the judges, except for Nigel. The last performance of the night was am Argentine tango with Ellenore and Ryan. They had some technical difficulties when her shoes got caught up in her dress, and even with that they managed to outperform everyone else. Next up, we learn who the bottom four this week are.

These four are in danger of going home - Noelle, Phillip, Bianca and Victor. After a break, they need to dance for their lives. They each come out one by one, and I have to say the girls made it tough for me to decide who should stay. They both stepped up, but the guys were very mellow and subdued. The judges even had it difficult with the girls. The decision wasn't unanimous, but at the end Noelle remained and Bianca was sent home. The men were quick and fast. Phillip was sent home. Two tappers went home tonight though.

My early favorites this year are Karen and Legacy. Check out video of my favorite performance tonight below, along with a list of this week's music.

The music used on this week's episode is:
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Noelle & Russell: Move Shake Drop Remix by DJ Laz, Flo Rida & Casely
Ashleigh & Jakob: At Last by Etta James
Bianca & Victor: Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Something From The Color Purple Soundtrack
Mollee & Nathan: Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah From The Jodhaa Akbar Soundtrack
Channing & Phillip: Maracatu Funk by The Samba Squad
Karen & Kevin: Ice Cream Paint Job by Dorrough
Kathryn & Legacy: 2 Steps Away by Patti Labelle
Peter & Pauline:  Little Green Bag by George Baker Selection
Ellenore & Ryan: Violentango by Astor Piazzolla
Noelle: For A Reason by Zhane
Victor:  Navras From The Matrix Revolutions Soundtrack
Bianca: Tootsee Roll by 69 Boyz
Phillip: Almost Like Being In Love by Nat 'King' Cole

For more on So You Think You Can Dance, check here.