It's time for the top 16 dancers to take the stage and it is FINALLY time for America to have a say in who will be crowned America's Favorite Dancer. In my opinion, that means the competition really gets started tonight. You never know who America is going to love or hate and we'll finally have an inking about what couple has captured America's heart and claimed their dialing finger. Beyond finally voting, I'm eagerly awaiting being completely wowed by a performance tonight, because it just hasn't happened yet. (Then again, I half blame the stage.)

Watch along with me tonight as the top 16 take the stage, we're introduced to a bevy of new choreographers, a couple new dance styles, and we have a say in who dances for their lives tomorrow night. As always, you can follow along with me right here and in 140 characters or less on BuddyTV's awesome So You Think You Can Dance Twitter.

Alright Top 16, I am ready to be impressed. You're going to have to do it, because Cat Deeley's snake skin dress and fashionable faux hawk (really) did not. I would pay to pull her aside and have a chat about abusing animal print. Lucky for Cat her dress is far overshadowed in awfulness by Ashleigh's oh-my-god-cha-cha-pants, they're not just fringe, they're like covered in leaves. They may give me nightmares, luckily those will be calmed by her husbands gratuitous bare chested solo.

Season 5 is in the audience and surprising no one, the cutie couple of season 5 are cuddled up next to each other. And then a five minute plug of the DizzyFeet foundation and their dance extravaganza.

Let's get to our first couple of the night shall we? (Yes plese!)

Karen Hauer & Kevin Hunte
Style: Hustle
Choreographer: Maria Flores
Song: "Come To Me" by France Joli

Before we get started, here are my thoughts on this. The judges and that oh-so-random death hat of death is clearly in love (or more likely lust) with Karen Hauer and they seem willing to toss Kevin aside for that. This is clearly one of those pre-chosen golden couples the production company is hoping ends up in the Top 10, and that lucrative tour.

What should America know about Karen and Kevin?

You should know that Karen and her husband Matt decided to get a divorce after he didn't also make it to SYTYCD. Whoa. She should have no problem finding willing suitors. In fact, I'm sure FOX is pitching her a dating/dancing show right now. Kevin on the other hand has no marital strife to talk about, but has traveled the world dancing.

Another start with a prop, another complaint about the stage. It gets a bit of a slow start, but that start showed solid partner work and lifts. Once the dance gets started, Karen looks sexy as always and there are some clever tricks in it, great lifts. But not enough fun. Kevin was technically strong, but not engaging enough as a performer. We finally saw him, and we were impressed with his technique, but not engaged.The best part of the routine was their partnering, which was solid throughout and their little act at the end after the music stopped. and Kevin almost dropped Karen. I suspect this couple will be in trouble tonight.

Judges Say:

Adam Shankman says "you didn't just make it work, you made it work for you." He says he finally say Kevin, and was proud of Karen's restraint. Mary keeps both Karen and Kevin on the Hot Tamale Train after the hustle, Karen's still in first class. Nigel was delighted by the routine.


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--Abbey Simmons, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)