It was the wind up to tomorrow's big 100th episode spectacular, and everyone was saying how awesome the show is (it is). Unfortunately it was also one of the least exciting episodes of the season. Mia Michaels was the guest judge, and Ellen DeGeneres was on as a fourth guest judge! Fun. She explained that even though she is a huge fan of dance, and dances on her show every episode, she has never received any formal dance training. She said she learned everything she knows from the streets. Actually, the one street, the one that ran through the gated community she lived in. It was funnier when she said it.

First up was a Top 8 group number choreographed by Travis Wall, who looks SO much older with that darker hair (I hate it), and set to "Let it Rock" by Kevin Rudolph. The dancers were dressed in black leotards with these funky glow-in-the-dark bandage things on them. It was impossible to pick anyone out (except Kayla; she really does stand out). It was supposedly inspired by a rave in the year 2033 or something. I don't know. The choreography wasn't all that interesting to me. I get the feeling that Travis put it together in five minutes, because his contemporary number last week was amazing. The judges all blew smoke up everyone's asses - costumers, Travis, the dancers - but at least Ellen made some funny jokes. That's pretty much all she did the entire night, actually, but I had no problem with it. I find it tiring how much time the panel spends slobbering over the knobs of the choreographers every week. The work is usually phenomenal, but SO MUCH time is spent on it. And we're voting for the dancers, not for the choreographers. I don't know. I'm bitching.

Evan and Janette, doing a smooth jazz routine by Sonya to "Move" by CSS. Janette was phenomenal; she's so raw and powerful. At first I barely noticed Evan, but he got better as it went on, and he did some really good partnering. Really fun routine, with some exceptionally cool moves. The number actually got better the farther along it went, possibly because the characters they were playing were getting progressively more annoyed with one another. The judges liked it, Evan got some credit, and Mia called Janette her favorite of the competition. Hm.

Solo: Kayla to "The Moment I Said It" by Imogen Heap. It was a more subdued solo from Kayla, keeping the tricks to a minimum. It was almost more of a story she was telling. I appreciate the progression, but still: I NEED for the solos to become more interesting.

Brandon and Jeanine selected a waltz by Hunter Johnson (who?) to "May It Be" by Hayley Westura. The song was bullshit; I know Enya, and Hayley Westura is no Enya. Not that we need another Enya. I wasn't a fan of the routine. It was boring and SLOW. It didn't seem anywhere near as elegant as some of the other waltzes we've seen this season. The two of them didn't have much of a connection. I thought Jeanine worked really hard, but I still was left wanting. Nigel said it was very demanding - I didn't see it - but also said he was disappointed by the routine.

Solo: Jason to Taking Back Sunday. Lots of leaps, but again, kind of a lame solo to be pulling out at Top 8. It felt like it stopped right when he was getting started.

Ade and Melissa were reteamed for a cha-cha by Tony and Meredith to "Yeah" by...something I couldn't catch. It was a ghastly Latin revamp of the Usher song. Melissa seemed tentative at first, but got into it more as the number went on. She did a great slow climb up Ade that was VERY sexy. Didn't seem to me like the technique was there throughout. Again, compared to some of the other cha-chas we've seen this season, it was somewhat lacking. Mary called out Ade for keeping his bum high (girl!) and picked on Melissa's feet being either too far out or too far in. Mia said it was Ade's worst performance of the season, and I agree.

Solo: Janette to "Seduces Me" by Celine Dion. I really liked her dress. She's a Latin dancer, but did a much more contemporary style. I think that's because Latin girls are basically screwed when they have to dance by themselves.

Jason picked Kayla, and they got a Broadway number by Tyce DiOrio to "Mr. Monday." Kayla's extension and spins were incredible. She was quite sexy, which is not how I usually think of her. She did these gorgeous high kicks that just....wow. I was hoping for more from Jason, but I think the choreography focused too much on Kayla, and he didn't really have much to do. But he did it well. It was one of the better Tyce numbers overall; he's really stepping up his game this season. Kayla remained on the Hot Tamale Train - this time with whistle sound effects! I think she's had a season pass on the train. Mia called her a bonafide star. Glad she's on board, since she normally hates the girls on this show.

Solo: Ade to "Hater." It was a hip-hop/contemporary/African fusion. His physicality is amazing, and it was the best solo so far of the evening.

Janette and Evan's second number was a rumba by Tony and Melanie to "Heartless" by Kris Allen. Evan was so bad at the last Latin number that I was afraid, but he did better this time around. I still didn't believe that he was fully committed; I suspect Evan doesn't think he's sexy. (He is, it's just a different kind of sexy.) He partnered Janette very well, and to his credit, Janette didn't blow him off the stage. And since this is her style, that's saying something. But she was very good too. The choreography was killer. Nigel took Evan to task for not having the passion the dance required, and I can see that. But Mary and Mia were much more kind to him, Mia even saying that not everybody has to be Captain Sexy. I agree. 

Solo: Melissa to "Heads Will Roll" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Love that song. Her solo seemed very basic to me, although her balance and pointe work was undeniable.

Jeanine and Brandon, a contemporary routine (I think; my friends were talking) by Laurienne Gibson (who?) to "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks. They were not together. Jeanine wasn't hitting it nearly as hard as Brandon was. I assume they were supposed to be in synch, but were not for a good chunk of the routine. I mean, I give them huge amounts of credit, since they were supposed to be in unison almost the entire time, and it clearly demanded a lot of them physically. But for my money (not that I've spent any money) it was the worst performed routine thus far. And yet...Nigel loved it. He said that everything else was flat up until that point. I agree that it had a lot of energy, but they weren't together! AHH! Mary put them on the train. Mia said they "danced to a place that was more than dance." What...just happened? Does not compute.

Solo: Evan to "Old Devil Moon" by Jamie Cullen. A solid, quirky Broadway solo. Some fun tricks. But dancing for your life? No.

Solo: Jeanine to "Let the Drummer Kick" by Citizen Cope. It was an interesting solo, but again really restrained. I think all of the dancers were over-danced last night. They couldn't pull it out in the solos.

Melissa and Ade, contemporary with Tyce DiOrio to "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell. It was about a woman battling breast cancer. Well that's not at all manipulative of the viewing audience, now is it? It was certainly emotional, and you could tell the story, and both of them danced the shit out of it. A really great number by...Tyce? We're in bizarre world, y'all. He has really changed my opinion of him with his work this episode. Nigel called it one of the most memorable routines in the show, and couldn't have picked a better couple to dance it. Mia called it "an important piece of work," and then promptly lost it, because her father died from cancer. It was difficult to watch, but very important too. See, this is the shit you NEVER see on "Idol." Only on this show.

Solo: Brandon to "Ain't Nothing Wron With That" by Robert Randolph. It was the best solo of the night. Sorry, Ade. Energetic. Lots of impressive tricks, some cool moves - THAT is dancing for your life!

Jason and Kayla got a hip-hop number by Shane Sparks to "They're Everywhere" by Izza Kizza. Jason was a zombie and he was turning Kayla into one. I was surprised at how hard Kayla hit it. Jason was surprisingly convincing in his role. I loved his little zombie victory dance. I thought it was really fun. Not the most challenging hip-hop number I've seen, but clever. Nigel called out how disappointing the hip-hip numbers have been this year, and Amen, pal. But he really liked it. The rest of the judges loved it too.

Predictions for tomorrow: Well, Ade and Melissa are pretty much safe after the cancer number. I mean, we should just be candid about it. I think Evan and Jason will be Bottom 2 for the guys, and for the girls, Jeanine and Janette. Going home will probably be Jason and Jeanine. But that's just a guess.