The Daily Pop

So who went home on 'SYTYCD'?

Trick question. Who went home on last night's "So You Think You Can Dance"? 

No one. 

Never, ever, ever! That's right. "We've never done this before," judge and producer Nigel Lythgoe gushes. I'm not sure that's true, though. I seem to remember that happening when there was an injury last season -- with Billy Bell. OK, after a quick search, here's proof that it happened last year: ‘SYTYCD’ SHOCKER! For The First Time Ever, No One Is Eliminated'. At the time, I wouldn't have minded seeing Billy go, but the injury was a good excuse not to cut him. Anyone remember if that's the only other time? 

Maybe Nigel meant they had never not eliminated anyone on the first elimination show, with 20 contestants, when they were supposed to send two home. Maybe? Pretty specific "never, ever" criteria. Nigel says he "wants to see more" of the dancers, but next week, they'll be sending FOUR dancers home (so they say; we'll see). So after next week, he wants to see much, much LESS of the dancers. Interesting.

Great start to 'So You Think You Can Dance' competition

I can't imagine which dancer deserves to be sent home on tonight's "So You Think You Can Dance" (8 p.m. EDT June 16 on FOX). None of the dancers were weak.  None completely messed up their style. None were especially annoying. Here are a few thoughts.

Best choreography: Our own Virginia Beach native Travis Wall had the best overall choreography for the night -- the animalistic jazz dance and the statue dance. He was blessed with my two favorite dancers on the show so far -- Sasha Mallory and Melanie Moore. One of my favorite choreographers, Sonya Tayeh, didn't have her best work for Caitlynn, but it did show nice flexibility and cool lifts. It was also nice to see Robert from Season 7 dance again so soon. I look forward to seeing more of her stuff.

The Tony Awards: A few observations

"The Book of Mormon," created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker of "South Park" fame, won best musical at the 65th Annual Tony Awards on June 12.  This was apparently expected within Broadway think-tank circles, so not a big surprise. Having heard the songs, though, I'm glad it won. I have yet to see the show live, but the songs are as funny as the "South Park" Mormon episode (look it up). And as many of the critics keep saying, the musical's story is surprisingly affectionate to Mormonism in general. A bit of warning, don't bother to hear the songs or see the show if you don't enjoy religion humor -- whatever faith you profess. I get the impression that Parker and Stone think Mormons are "just so cute!"

A few more observations:

Denim: Is a denim jacket ever appropriate for an awards show? Best actress in a play winner Frances McDormand wore the jacket I had in middle school. And was that a gingham dress? I thought maybe she was in a character for a performance -- but apparently not.

'So You Think You Can Dance' top 20 contestants chosen

First of all, I love Sonya Tayeh. Stunning choreographer. To all dance fans (and I'm not talking about "Dancing with the Stars"), the judges have picked the top 20 contestants on "So You Think You Can Dance," and it looks like a great lineup. As I should have expected, only four of the names from my audition highlights post survived the cut: Melanie Moore, Sasha Mallory, Jordan Casanova, and Jess LeProtto. Also, Ryan Ramirez, who should have made the show last year and my highlights list, finally gets to the big stage. Here's the list:

'So You Think You Can Dance' is Vegas-bound for Season 8

Wow. That's the first thought to come to mind after watching the initial auditions for "So You Think You Can Dance." With the auditions in Atlanta, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, New York and Los Angeles, the show heads to Vegas tonight to narrow the incredible dancers down to the top 20. How the judges will do that, I can barely imagine.Were this season's hopefuls incubated in a dance factory? The judges will have to put them through the ringer and really weed out the dancers who have no ability out of their own styles -- and almost none of them have ballroom experience, so that should be interesting. Poor Mary Murphy. Oh, and be sure to rewatch the L.A. audition episode at fox.com/dance for the "ballroom" joke at choreographer/judge Tyce Diorio's expense -- adults only. Does anyone else think Tyce tends to yap too much?

Apparently, they're planning a hybrid of the top 20 contestant format and the successful all-star format from last season. When the top 20 are narrowed down to 10, they will introduce the all-star dancers. Now the big question after they pick the top 20 will be, who will the all-stars be?

Here are some highlights of the season 8 auditions, in no particular order: