Guest blogger Lenni G. recaps last night's action:

The evening started with a group number featuring eight of the sixteen dancers, all without their "natural" partners.  The choreography from Tyce Diorio was all about the girls "kicking the boys booties."  Um, interesting concept, and probably inspired by Nigel's earlier comments that the girls are the "Beasts" of this season.  OK, fine. 

On to natural couples and couple dances -
 
First up, Sasha and Alexander did a contemporary routine from Dee Caspary that featured a piano.  Nigel called it a good start, telling Sasha she is the "princess of dance."  He was not as kind to Alexander, telling him that he needs to work on connecting with the audience, though his dancing was terrific.  Mary loved the choreography, which was really unique. Guest judge, Kristin Chenoweth, loved both dancers.  Lil C, sitting in as the fourth judge, said it was the "representation of how mellifluous the piano keys are."  Alrighty then.  I loved the very last part where Sasha took up residence inside the piano, with only her hands showing on the keyboard.

Here's the latest update from our guest blogger Lenni G:

Guest blogger Lenni G. shares the bad news:

Oh NOelle, oh NOelle. Woke up this morning hoping I had just had a bad dream, but not so. Our local gal, Noelle Marsh, really was on the Bye Bye Train heading back to North Carolina. She has been one courageous performer, considering she was injured to some degree from the beginning of the Top 20 competition. I loved her partnering with Russell, the highlight for me being the African Jazz number they did in round three. I'm sending you big, warm and fuzzy hugs and look forward to seeing you on the SYTYCD tour.

And, as I had guessed yesterday, "Angst Boy", Nathan, got his ticket for the BBT. Hate to agree with Nigel, but Nathan did not grow as the other dancers have over the season. Also feel he more of a soloist than a good partner which just won't work for this competition.

So, next week it's the Top 8 and what a strong group we have to entertain us, albeit without our homey, Noelle.

It was a good week for Sanford's Noelle Marsh.

The "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant won raves for her Afro-jazz number, and sailed through to the next round.

It was a nice change from her shaky start.

It began with an injury that almost put her out of the competition and then a hip-hop number that the judges very much disliked.

Our gal Lenni G. is back with the 411 on the dancers, the dancing, and the judges:

No venting this week for me, though the stage is still too big and glitzy.

Thought I'd change the review a bit this week by starting with the really good couples at the front and the rest after. Why would I do this - cuz our local cutie, Noelle, who danced last, was fan-freaking-tastic last night.

Guest blogger Lenni G is back, helping us with SYTYCD coverage. And today, she is not happy:

Time to vent about this season.

Judges-only voting should stop after the top 20 dancers have been named - the audience should be voting from that point forward. The judge's critiques have become so technical that we ordinary hoofers have no idea what they're talking about - it's depressing to really love a couple's dance and then have the "experts" tell us it was awful.

Our guest blogger Lenni G. is back, reporting on the dance and the drama:

If last night is any indication, this is going to be a weird season.

First, we found out yesterday morning that Billy Bell, one of the best dancers, is out - we don't find out what's wrong with him, just that, "His doctor won't allow him to continue."

So the show brings in hip hop guy, Brandon to replace contemporary Billy - not exactly an even, or really fair, replacement.

Next, shortly after the show starts we see Noelle Marsh (our Sanford girl) with a huge brace on her knee - Nigel announces that they are not sure whether she will be able to continue but they are giving her a week to find out.

Guest blogger Lenni G wraps it all up:

And we have a winner!!!!

But
first we had lots and lots of really good dancing. The seven judges present - Lil C, Mia, Tyce, Debbie Allen, Adam, Mary and Nigel - selected their favorite routines from the season and we got to see them all again.

Guest blogger Lenni G shares:

The Top 4 dancers' final competition last night took place in front of 3,000 people at the Kodak Theater. 

The judges, Mary Murphy, Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman, told Jeanine, Evan, Kayla and Brandon to "Bring It" big time and feed off the energy of all the fans in attendance. We were so psyched! We were so ready for a "fan-freaking-tastic, buck evening." And, for the most part, it was.

Guest blogger Lenni G shares: 

Who made it to the finale?  In a stroke of genius, the guest
blogger became the "guessed right blogger" for both the girls and the guys. But enough about me, otherwise known as "GB". There was more to Thursday's show than just the results.

I loved the opening group number, "Send in the Clowns", from Tyce Diorio. The ending, with Evan standing alone and waving, painted tears on his face, was a very poignant one.