This episode covered auditions in both New York and Charleston. We saw judging by Nigel, Mia and Dan from last season, as well as two new judges: Dariana Sanchez and Ron Montez.Each contestant was given either a "Yes," which was accompanied by a ticket to Vegas, a "No," which meant to go home, or a "Stick Around," which meant that they were to stay for extra choreography before the judges decided their fate.

New York and Charleston Auditions

Cat Deeley

Nigel Lythgoe

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss

Matthew Morrison

Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Allison Holker

Auditions #3: Los Angeles

Season 1

Now holding auditions in Los Angeles, Cat explains the process. The dancers get to dance for 1 min. before a decision is made, then each contestant is given either a "Yes," which was accompanied by a ticket to Vegas, a "No," which means to go home, or a "Stick Around," which means that they are to stay for extra choreography before the judges decide their fate. This year, the winning dancer will be awarded bigger than last. He/She will receive a one year contract for Celine Dion's Vegas show, a brand new car and $100K cash.

The final stop in this round of auditions: the famous Chicago Theater. As before, the dancers get to dance for 1 min. before a decision is made, then each contestant is given either a "Yes," which was accompanied by a ticket to Vegas, a "No," which means to go home, or a "Stick Around," which means that they are to stay for extra choreography before the judges decide their fate. This year, the winning dancer will be awarded bigger than last. He/She will receive a one year contract for Celine Dion's Vegas show, a brand new car and $100K cash.

Auditions #4: Chicago

At the Las Vegas callback auditions, 115 dancers compete. Every day the dancers learn new routines from different choreographers. After performing their routines they are scored by the panel of judges. The judges each have a scale of 0-3 points for each contestant.Contestants that score well are put through to the next round and the others are sent home. Those dancers that remain borderline after the results are asked to "dance for their life" - this means they have to perform a solo for the judges. After the solo, the judges make a decision to cut them or not.

Las Vegas Callback

After 43 contestants performed their solos for the judges, they stood in front of the judges one-by-one to find out if they made the top 20.The judges select 10 boys and 10 girls to make up the top 20 that will perform for audience votes.

Dancers Cut to 20

The episode opened with last year's winner, Nick Lazzarini, performing a solo dance.Then, Cat introduced this episode's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty. She also announced that this year instead of drawing a partner every week, the partners were randomly assigned and will stay together until one of them is eliminated.This week's pairs danced together: Benji and Donyelle, Ivan and Allison, Jason and Aleksandra, Jamyz and Jessica, Stanislav and Erin, Dmitry and Joy, Ryan and Heidi, Ben and Ashlee, Travis and Martha, and Musa and Natalie. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 20

As the show opened, all 20 dancers performed a Brian Friedman number. Cat then introduced the judges: Nigel, Mary and Dan, and explained that the 3 couples with the lowest audience votes are to dance a solo for these judges, who will then decide which boy and which girl is going home.The couples put up for elimination this week were Erin and Stanislav, Allison and Ivan, and Jessica and Jamyz. After these couples performed their solos, Nelly Furtado and Timberland performed, and the judges announced their decision.

Top 20 Results

The episode opened with clips of the judge's favorite moments followed by a performance by the Six Step Crew. Then, Cat introduced this episode's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mia Michels and Shane Sparks. This week's pairs danced together: Travis and Martha, Jamyz and Jessica, Ivan and Allison, Dmitry and Joy, Natalie and Musa, Heidi and Ryan, Ashley and Ben, Jason and Aleksandra and Benji and Donyelle. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 18

The remaining 18 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Dan Karaty and set to a "Get Up Offa That Thing." Next, Cat brought forward the contestants in 3 sets with each set containing 3 couples.The first set of couples was: Jessica and James who were safe, Ben and Ashlee who were safe, and Joy and Dmitry who were not safe, and put into the "danger zone.The second set brought forward was: Martha and Travis, Benji and Donyelle, and Musa and Natalie. Cat announced all at once that they were all safe. The third set was: Aleksandra and Jason who were not safe, Heidi and Ryan who were also not safe, and Ivan and Allison who were safe.Each dancer in the eliminated couples performed a solo of their choice for the judges.While the judges took a break to decide which contestants should go home, Rhianna performed "S.O.S."When the judges returned, they announced who was going home.

Top 18 Results

The episode opened with clips of the judge's favorite moments followed by a clip of the dancers "behind the scenes" after last week's elimination. Then Hop, Swing and a Jump performed.Then, Cat introduced this episode's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy, and Olisa and Cicely.This week's pairs danced together: Ashlee and Ben danced a hip-hop routine, Heidi and Ryan danced the cuban rumba, Aleksandra and Dmitry danced a waltz, Allison and Ivan danced the argentine tango, Donyelle and Benji danced pop jazz, Natalie and Musa performed the quick step, Jessica and Jaymz danced a contemporary piece, and Martha and Travis danced hip-hop.Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 16

The remaining 16 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Shane Sparks and set to a "Poison." Next, Cat brought forward the contestants in 4 sets with each set containing 2 couples.The first set of couples was: Ivan and Allison who were safe, and Heidi and Ryan who were safe.The second set brought forward was: Ashlee and Ben who were not safe, and Martha and Travis who were safe.The third set brought forward was: Jessica and Jaymz who were not safe, and Benji and Donyelle who were safe.The fourth set brought forward was: Natalie and Musa who were safe, and Aleksandra and Dmitry who were not safe.Each dancer in the eliminated couples performed a solo of their choice for the judges.While the judges took a break to decide which contestants should go home, Natasha Bedingfield performed.When the judges returned, they announced who they decided to send home.

Top 16 Results

The episode began with never-before-seen audition clips. Then, Cat introduced us to this week's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty, and we saw Lil' perform with his crew.This week's pairs danced together:Ryan and Heidi danced hip-hop, Travis and Martha performed a salsa routine, Dmitry and Ashlee performed contemporary, Musa and Natalie danced a disco routine, Benji and Donyelle performed the Vienesse Waltz, Ivan and Allison danced the West Coast Swing and Jaymz and Jessica danced hip-hop.Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 14 Perform

The remaining 14 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Mary Murphy and set to "Footloose." Next, we saw backstage and recap footage from last week and then Cat revealed which couples were put up for elimination.The first group of couples was: Natalie and Musa who were safe, and Donyelle and Benji who were also safe.The second group brought forward was: Martha and Travis who were safe, Heidi and Ryan who were not safe, and Jessica and Jaymz who were not safe.The third group brought forward was: Ashlee and Dmitry who were safe, and Allison and Ivan who were not safe.Each dancer in the eliminated couples performed a solo of their choice for the judges.While the judges took a break to decide which contestants should go home, Ne-Yo performed.When the judges returned, they announced who they decided to send home.

Top 14 Results

This episode started right into the dancing without introduction to this week's judges: Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Brian Friedman.This week's pairs danced together:Musa and Natalie danced hip-hop, Ryan and Heidi performed the cha-cha, Ivan and Allison performed contemporary, Dmitry and Ashlee danced a pop routine, Marth and Travis performed the foxtrot, and Benji and Donyelle danced Broadway style.Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 12 Perform

The remaining 12 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Doriona Sanchez and set to "Born to be Alive." Next, we saw backstage and recap footage from last week and then Nigel revealed a change in rules.Partners will now be randomly chosen (in the same style as last season) instead of partners staying together until one is voted off. Dancers will now do 3 dances - 2 with their partner and 1 solo. America will now vote for soloists instead of partners. Judges will be taken out of the equation, with elimination relying only on America's votes.Next, Cat revealed which couples were put up for elimination.The first group of couples was: Benji and Donyelle who were safe, and Dmitry and Ashlee who were not safe.The second group brought forward was: Travis and Martha who were not safe, and Ryan and Heidi who were safe.The third group brought forward was: Ivan and Allison who were safe, and Musa and Natalie who were not safe.Each dancer in the eliminated couples performed a solo of their choice for the judges.While the judges took a break to decide which contestants should go home, the Pussycat Dolls performed.When the judges returned, they announced who they decided to send home.

Top 12 Results

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Cicley and Olisa, and Jean-Marc Genereux as our judges. This week, pairs were randomly drawn. Each pair danced twice and each dancer performed a solo. Ivan and Martha performed a hip-hop routine, then Donyelle performed her solo. Travis and Heidi danced the Paso Doble, Ryan and Allison danced a contemporary routine, and the next batch of solos included Martha and Ivan. Next, Dmitry and Donyelle danced the lindy hop, Benji and Natalie performed a jazz routine, and Heidi's solo came next. Ivan and Martha danced a smooth waltz and then Travis performed his solo. Ryan and Allison danced broadway style, and Natalie performed her solo with Benji following-up. Donyelle and Dmitry performed a samba, Travis and Heidi danced a contemporary piece, and Allison performed a solo. Next, Benji and Natalie danced hip hop and Ryan's solo finished the night. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 10 Perform

The remaining 10 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Wade Robson and set to "Ramalama (Bang Bang)." Next, Cat revealed the bottom 2 male and female dancers. For the females, Martha and Natalie were in the bottom 2. And, for the males Dmitry and Ryan were in the bottom 2. Each dancer in the bottom 2 performed their solo from last night and then Chris Brown performed "Gimme That." Cat announced which dancers were sent home and those 2 dancers performed their solos again.

Top 10 Results

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Dan Karaty as our judges. Then, the dance performances started. Donyelle and Travis performed a hip-hop routine, Allison and Ivan danced the Argentine Tango, Natalie and Ryan danced a disco routine, and Heidi and Benji danced broadway. For the second round, Donyelle and Travis performed a quick step, Allison and Ivan danced hip-hop, Natalie and Ryan danced a contemporary routine, and Heidi and Benji closed the show and performed a mambo. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 8

The remaining 8 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Tyce Di Orio and set to "Cell Block Tango." Then, Cat showed a recap of last week's dances and backstage clips from last week. Next, Cat revealed the bottom 2 male and female dancers. For the females, Natalie and Allison were in the bottom 2. And, for the males Ryan and Travis were in the bottom 2. Each dancer in the bottom 2 performed a solo and then Busta Rhymes performed live. Cat announced which dancers were sent home and those 2 dancers each performed another solo.

Top 8 Results

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Mia Michaels as our judges. Then, the dance performances started. Ivan and Natalie performed a jive routine, Travis performed a solo, Benji and Donyelle danced broadway, Natalie danced her solo, Travis and Heidi danced a smooth waltz, Ivan performed his solo, Benji and Donyelle performed again to a hip-hop routine, Heidi performed her solo, Ivan and Natalie performed their contemporary dance, Benji danced his solo, Travis and Heidi danced again to a pop routine, and Donyelle performed her solo. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 6

The remaining 6 dancers performed an opening number choreographed by Mia Michaels and set to "Hide and Seek." Then, Cat showed a recap of last week's dances and backstage clips from last week. Next, the remaining dancers performed their solos. Natalie danced to "I Would Die for You," Heidi danced to "Hey Mama," and Donyelle performed to "Buttons." Next, Travis danced to "Flying Without Wings (A Capella Version)," Ivan performed to "I Question Mark," and Benji performed to "Brown Derby Jump." Amarion performed live on the show and then Cat delivered the bad news. For the females, Natalie and Donyelle were in the bottom 2. And, for the males Benji and Ivan were in the bottom 2.

Top 6 Results

This week, Cat introduced us to Nigel Lithgoe, Mary Murphy and Brian Friedman as our judges. Then, the dance performances started. This week, each dancer performed with every other dancer. Heidi and Travis performed a disco routine and then Donyelle and Benji danced the Viennese Waltz. Next, Cat showed a clip of the dancers going to see "Step Up." Heidi was the first to perform her solo. Then, Benji and Travis danced hip-hop, Donyelle performed her solo, Travis danced solo, Heidi and Donyelle performed broadway, Benji performed his solo, Donyelle and Travis danced contemporary, and Heidi and Benji performed a salsa dance. The evening closed with the entire group dancing pop. Afterwards, voting was opened up to the audience.

Top 4: The Finale

Through a series of dances, both new and old, the final winner of the season is revealed.

Finale

Dancers selected in open auditions across America take part in a rigorous competition designed to best display their talents, training and personalities to a panel of judges and viewers as they strive to win votes and avoid elimination.

New York and Charleston Auditions

Seasons18

Season 2 Episodes23

Cast6

Discussion

Episode Summary