So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 Episode 2

The season opened in So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 Episode 1 with stops in New York and Miami. New York brought us Giselle Peacock, Henry Byalikov, and Edward Spots, then Miami showed off Michael Petr, Tyrell Rolle, and Henry Rivera.

Tonight we head to Los Angeles. Nigel is joined by Adam Shankman and Hi Hat (I’m going to assume that’s a nickname).

Lauren Froderman just became legal, so it’s time to start the night off with a little heat. She gets numerous wows from the judges, although Hi Hat would like more of a connection.

Hung Van Lam (aka Hella Hung) looks pretty much like a waste of time. I will bill him for the three minutes of my life he just wasted. Not right for this show. Or any other.

Rachel Girma has been dancing for two weeks. Technically. Her theory is that her 9 years of rhythmic gymnastic training will be sufficient. With that said, she may actually be pretty good, and she is. The judges can’t come up with enough compliments. Whether this translates to other styles remains to be seen, but she’s going to Vegas.

Christina Santana and Pepe Alvarez are back for a second season. She got eliminated in Vegas, while he was just there as her audition partner. Needless to say, Christina is returning to Vegas. The judges were unable to pay attention to Pepe, but he will be going to choreography.

Taylor Costello is the final contestant of the day. Her birth mother was murdered when she was 11, so she was never old enough to meet her, but she was allowed to read what she’d written to her, including that her favorite thing was dancing. Nigel calls her almost possessed, but they find out what drives her, so it makes sense after the explanation. The dancing was good, but it needs some focus. She’s going to choreography.

Pepe has opted to quit. Taylor has been cut.

Alexie Agdeppa is another person who almost made it all the way last season and obviously will be advancing again this year. Nigel tries to fake her out and pretend she’s gotten worse, but he can’t pull off the lie for long. Adam just has one thing to say: she’s going to Vegas.

Melinda Sullivan is a tap dancer who has been a member of Jason Samuels Smith’s company since she was 15. The judges look pretty confused. The dancing doesn’t go with the music at all. Their description is “interesting,” whatever that may mean. She’s going to choreography.

Ryan Ramirez met Mia Michaels when she was younger, which inspired her to keep dancing. Adam calls her very, very, very talented, but she did a very bad thing by not connecting. She’s going to choreography.

Melinda is going to Vegas. Ryan is, too.

Next stop, the windy city of Chicago. Stacey Tookey joins Nigel and Adam.

Kent Boyd is from Wapakoneta, a town with a senior high school class of about 33. But he gets out sometimes. Nigel likes his personality, which he feels was lacking in the dancing. He’s going to choreography.

Andrew Phillips has brought along his fraternal twin Tyler, who was born with spina bifida and is in a wheelchair. He dances every day for his brother. Adam doesn’t think he’s completely grown into his body, but what he does is beautiful and inspiring. Nigel wants to see him go to choreography, although he’s not sure he’s going to Vegas.

Malinda Jacobson is here to show us hick-hop, a cross between hip hop, break dancing, line dancing, and square dancing. Really? Also, she has not brushed her hair lately. This is certainly, uh, unique. Adam suggests changing the channel. Malinda’s explanation: she just needs to work on her nerves.

Adrian Lee has the judges buzzing. Stacey calls him the best contemporary dancer of the day by a long shot.

Kent is going to Vegas. Andrew is as well.

Kellen Borchers is a disaster waiting to happen. His ultimate goal is to earn respect. I know that because he says it four times. Might want to set an alternate goal.

Christopher Gilbert walks on stage with a cane and a very good Urkel look. Adam is refreshed; Stacey is entertained. He’s going to choreography.

Jarrod Mayo shocks the judges. He’s going to Vegas, so his mother is gonna have to cut the cord.

The final dancer for tonight is Jarrell Robinson, who is deaf. He’s extremely musical despite his inability to hear the music, but not quite strong enough for this competition. Inspiring nonetheless.

Christopher is eliminated.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of So You Think You Can Dance Season 7 Episode 3, which airs Thursday at 9/8c on Fox.