So You Think You Can Dance 9 - Recap Live Blog - Salt Lake City Auditions

7:57 - Welcome dance fans! For tonight's So You Think You Can Dance episode in Salt Lake City, we are going to do things a little different for the recap. Instead of recapping at the end of the night, I will be live updating throughout the show. Hopefully the auditions will be as as good as they have been so far this season, and the poor ones will be kept to a minimum. See everyone back here at the top of the show!

8:00 - Red is so Cat's color, it really makes her pop doesn't it?

8:04 - I have always been ambivalent about Adam Shankman. He was fine as a permanent judge, but never really did it for me. Although, I loved when he cried during Billy Bell's final solo in Vegas back in Season 6. It was such a great moment.

8:07 - We really have not had that many ballroom dancers so far, have we? Hence why I am glad to see Whitney Carson on the stage.

8:08 - Wow, that was fantastic. I know Nigel talked about Anya Garnis from Season 3, but she totally reminds me of Chelsie Hightower from Season 4 (the show's best season ever btw). It was the passion that really got me and held my attention, not just the technique. And that is really saying something, because her technique was on point.

8:08 - Mary scream!!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!!!! I know some people hate it, but I love it. I could revel in Mary's ridiculousness all day.

8:09 - Also, how in the hell was Whitney's partner only sixteen?!?! That kid looks older than me!

8:13 - God love Debbie Allen and her wobble. Make her a permanent judge, Nigel!

8:15 - Oh lord, here we go. I truly hate when competition shows do this with eccentric personalities. Just show me talent, not "weird" people. And I am totally fine with people being different and totally themselves, just be talented too! It would be the same if they put somebody totally boring who could not dance; I would hate the segment just as much.

8:18 - :crickets: :crickets: Was that real? Did her smile steal my soul?

8:19 - Well I am glad Lynn Gravatt had a personal goal and fulfilled a dream by being on this show and dancing badly. I would have preferred to see somebody who could actually make the Top 20, but whatever. Thanks Nigel, I am sure auditions like that will help the shows ratings.

8:26 - Poor Deanna Tomasetta. What's a pretty girl to do about boys with all of those male relatives?

8:29 - Wow, that was stunning. I lovelovelove dancers who can take their time during a routine, and that is exactly what she did. Adam was absolutely correct when he said she just lived in the moment throughout the routine. Truly, I loved everything about her performance. The movement, the flow, the tempo changes, all of it just worked so well. Even her dress and music were great. Could easily be my favorite of the night.

8:32 - Alright show, we are a half hour in and have only watched two Vegas-bound dancers. Let's pick that up.

8:33 - NO! Mantis Boy is not what I want! BAD SHOW! BAD!

8:34 - Alright. At least Mantis Boy (real name: Gene Lanardo) had some nice technique and movements. I will definitely give him that. Still, I just found his routine pretty "meh."

Also, can we just stop throwing out Sonyah's name every time someone is different? I am just as guilty as the next person at doing this, but it definitely overused. Just because somebody is not up there smiling through their routine or does something awkward with their limbs, does not make them perfect for Sonyah. At her best, Sonyah's weirdness has purpose and a story behind it. And honestly, Mantis Boy's story was not up to snuff for me, no matter what Adam said.

8:40 - Yes! We now have more ballroom with Lindsay Arnold.

8:43 - Okay, she wasn't that bad. A little stiff for my liking, but I am glad she made it to Vegas. Also, glad to see the ballroom contestants keep on coming in. Diversity was severely lacking last season, so I am hoping that is different this season.

8:45 - Wait, what?! This little blonde is going to krump. Okay, you go and get it Mariah Spears.

8:48 - I am sure the judges and I are grading on a curve here because of what she looks like, but that was fantastic! Go on with yourself! She has to be careful about losing steam and energy as the performance goes on, though.

8:54 - Oh, he is adorable. Just saying.

8:55 - Well done Murphy Yang. I am sorry your family abandoned you, but I am super glad your girlfriend is there for you. Also, your dancing is adorable, just like you. He is just so perfectly pocket size.

8:58 - Damn show, you had to cut him? Diversity Nigel! The show needs it! At least Mariah got through.

9:05 - And we are back with Deraian Kujawa. And Nigel is talking about his nipples, so everything is right in the world as far as I am concerned.

9:09 - Marko Germar 2.0 ladies and gents. Sorry for all of the comparisons, but after eight season it really cannot be helped. Anyways, I liked Dareian, but I think he was a little overpraised. There was no need to throw that many stunts into his routine, but I think that is a common problem with a lot of auditions. Everyone gets so nervous that they throw everything they can do at the judges hoping they like something they see. Thankfully, Mary talked about his abs so we got another close up shot of them. Well done editors, well done.

9:15 - Okay Johnny Bravo, I mean Johnny Ahn and his partner Whitney Hallam are up.

Why is he going on about this dating course? I am about as impressed and interested as Cat is. So glad she is just staring him down. And this segment is now awkward with him hitting on poor, random girls. Poor, random and underage girls!

9:17 - Who cares about his dating course?! His poor dancing partner, she looks just completely mortified.

9:20 - So glad Mary called them out, especially him, because the chemistry was definitely lacking. Good technique, but poor performance in my opinion. He just attracts too much attention away from her, and ballroom is all about the guy supporting girl.

9:26 -  We really have not seen that many past contestants so far this season, so it is great to have some back and highlighted.

9:27 - Yes, Adrian Lee is back! I loved him in Season 7. Thank you Cat for voicing my exact opinion in regards to him getting cut that year.

9:32 - Gorgeous. Loved it, especially the musicality. Top 20, calling it now. Do not let the judges' comments fool you, kid is making it all the way.

9:40 - So Rachel Applehans will be giving Nigel's favortie routine of the night.....

9:42 - Color me unimpressed. Burlesque jazz, huh? Whatevs. Take your stripper moves elsewhere woman!

9:47 - So glad the show decided to show terrible auditions in montage fashion this year. Really, I could not be any happier with this change.

9:49 - Luckily we know Leroy Martinez will be good because of the in-show promos, otherwise I would be a little worried about with what is about to happen.

9:51 - Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!! KILLED IT! Just the joy he had while dancing was so infectious. And the technique was great too!

9:53 - I think the judges' concern about his weight is legitimate, because he has to partner somebody. If his physical health can be detrimental to his partner, that is something they have to consider. Sadly. God I hope he can do the choreo.

9:56 - Thankfully Johnny did not get through, but I am sorry for Whitney.

9:58 - And the sadness continues with the little sexpot getting to Vegas, but not Leroy.

Just as a sidebar, Leroy's final exchange with Cat totally highlights the reason why I love that woman. She was just so nonchalant about him sweating on her. Greatest. Host Ever.

10:00 - And that wraps it up for the auditions from Season 9 of So You Think You Can Dance! I am really excited, and think we have a great crop of contestants who have made it to Vegas. Here is hoping for a dramatic and brilliant Vegas Week!