By Angela Kaye Mason
Dec 17, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance” have had an incredible journey this season. Last night’s show started with all of the dancers coming out into a routine that had already started. It was the season finale. All of the votes from the previous night would decide who was this year’s favorite dancer. Lil C, Tys Diorio, Debbie Alan, Adam Shankman, Mary Murphy, and Nigel Lythgoe were all in the judges seats. We were given a review of last night’s dances, which could only remind a person how great all of these dancers are. The judges picked their favorite routines of the season, for us to see again. Lil C begged for Kevin, Legacy and Russell to redo their dance to “Beggin”, a hip-hop number. A very cool dance routine with lots of attitude. Adam’s choice was a routine choreographed by Sonya, danced by Eleanor and Jakob. Their dance to the song “Tore My Heart” was emotional, and sensual. Nigel wanted to see the routine that had three tap dancers, Bianca, Peter and Philip again. It was a peppy, and happy little number that was a joy to watch a second time. Mary wanted to see a completely new routine, because her main dream for the season was to see these two dance in their own style. She asked Ashleigh and Ryan to dance a ballroom number. They were on fire, and you could tell they had so much fun!

“Leona Louis” came next, singing the theme song from the movie “Avatar”, “I See You”.  Her strong voice echoed this song beautifully. “Avatar” opens Friday in theaters everywhere. “The Groovaloos” then danced a very neat hip-hop type routine, with a city street background image. This one was hip, cute, and fun. Nigel’s next pick to see again, was Kathryn and Jakob’s routine to the song “At This Moment” by “Michael Buble” Such an emotionally beautiful moment. Tys Diorio chose next, and he chose a Bali-wood routine by Nathan and Mollee. It was tremendous!

When Cat called the six finalists on “So You Think You Can Dance”out, Russell could barley walk. He had somehow hurt his leg. Ryan led him out on stage, with the other four, and then Cat announced the first finalist to be out of the contest. Ryan was named in sixth place. “Adam Lambert”, one of the stars of “American Idol” last season, then sang his new hit, “What Do You Want From Me?”. Adam may have a lot of controversy around him, but like him or hate him, he still has an amazing voice. Cat then called out the five remaining dancers. Ashleigh was named in fifth place. So the married couple are the first two that were voted out. That left us with four contestants for the quarter of a million dollars and the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer”.

Adam picked the next routine to watch again. He wanted to see the dangerous number that Travis choreographed for Eleanor and Legacy, to the song “Machine Gun”. This was the dance where they played a married couple who were hired assassins, hired to kill each other. An awesome routine with a lot of risky moves, it was amazing. Debbie got to pick a routine next, and she said that she chose something that spoke to her, an African Jazz, danced by Noel and Russell, the Frog Dance. Since Russell was injured earlier, they showed the tape of their previous performance. The final four contestants then lined up on stage, and the dancer in fourth place was Eleanor. Kathryn, Jakob, and Russell were in the last three positions.

Lil C came next with another choice to see again. He said he wanted to see a routine that was beyond emotional. Ariana, Channing, Jakob, and Nathan came back to perform a Tys Diorio contemporary dance to the song “Crying”. A remarkable performance, they gave it their all. Mary wanted the number that brought the house down just the previous night. It was another performance that included Russell, so this performance by Kathryn and Russell, the hip-hop routine from the last show, was pre-recorded.

“Mary J. Blige” came out next to perform her hit single “I Am”. A seasoned artist, she gave a spectacular performance. Her new album is due in stores on Monday. Nigel wanted to see a Wade Robinson routine performed by the season’s top twenty dancers. It was very nicely choreographed to show off each dancer’s own style. Then the last three contestants stood on stage,with Russell on a stool, and Kathryn was named in third place. This left Jakob and Russell as the season’s top two dancers.

Jennifer Lopez came out looking spectacular, and made a call to Santa,asking for a pair of new shoes, before singing her hit “Louboutins”. She put on a wonderful show! Her new album “Love?” will be out next year. She told all of the dancers how amazing they were, and told everyone that she was a huge fan of the show. Then the last two contestants of the show came out on the stage. It was the moment of truth, and Jakob led Russell out, since he could not walk out on his own. The audience (and I) held their breath as Cat opened the envelope, and Russell was named America’s Favorite Dancer! Forgetting his leg injury, he marched across the stage screaming, and then fell to his knees. He thanked many people including his parents, and then pointed upward, and yelled, “and it’s ALL about God, its all about GOD!”

So that ends season 6 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” It was a wonderful experience that I am glad I got to share. I can’t wait until next season starts! I am also looking forward the the beginning of the next season of “American Idol” in January. Of course, I will be right here, telling you all about it!