Well, Mary Murphy, can you predict who’ll get kicked off the show now?

Our favorite overexcited, bedazzled judge—who, as guest judge Adam Shankman put it, looked like a “pretty disco ball”—told us at the top of last night’s show that this season’s dancers were all so good that it’s hard to say who’ll get the boot each week.

But after watching those performances—which, for the most part, were pretty darn good—I’ll bet Mary now agrees with Nigel: Chelsea and Thayne need to prepare their solos for tonight.

And I think they should pack their suitcases, too.

What other couples should be in the Bottom 3 tonight? Comfort and Chris, for sure.

They spoiled what should have been a totally original, kick-butt number. The performance was memorable not because of their moves, but because of the unique choreography and song choice. (African jazz set to Marilyn Manson’s “Beautiful People?” Freakin’ brilliant, Tyce DiOrio!)

As for the last couple in danger?

My money’s on Kourtni and Matt. They actually did a really good job with their “comic book” characters, but were they good enough?

I’ll say that the last couple will be these two, or Jessica and Will—but the latter couple got the more popular disco genre. Not to mention Will’s forming enough of a fan base that he’ll likely pull them through another week.

Who were the best of the night? To me, the race was neck-and-neck between the final two couples: Chelsie and Mark and Katee and Joshua—but I’ll give the edge to Chelsie and Mark.

That said, let’s break it down as usual—couple by couple.

COUPLE ONE: TWITCH and KHERINGTON

(Hip-hop by Tabitha and Napolean)

Twitchington finally broke the curse of dancing first, which had guaranteed a slot in the Bottom 3 for the past few weeks. Was their Busta Rhymes number totally “banoodles,” as Mia Michaels might have said? Nope. But they did rock quite a few steps. (I loved the almost-but-not-quite tripping off the stage move. ) Adam said it best: They knew when to “hit it hard” and when to “lay back.”

Personally, I thought Kherington was pulling some unnecessary faces to make up for the fact that she’s as gangsta as a great-grandma. But what are you gonna do when the girl’s as cute as a bunny and a great dancer to boot?

COUPLE TWO: COURTNEY and GEV

(Rhumba, Tony Meredith and Melanie)

These two make a great couple. The judges said it all: They had great chemistry, real passion and, hey, some killer lines! I’d take exception with the judges on their very first step—Courtney’s slide down Gev’s back seemed clunky and labored to me—but it was smooth sailing after that. They were hot, hot, hot. Mary put Katee and Joshua on the Hot Tamale Train, but I’d put Courtney and Gev in the seats next to them.

COUPLE THREE: COMFORT and CHRIS

(Jazz, Tyce DiOrio)

The reason Comfort and Chris should be in danger tonight can be summed up in one word: disappointing.

They weren’t terrible, but this routine had the potential to be one of the season’s best. So it was really disheartening when Comfort and Chris failed to bring the energy it needed. As the judges pointed out, they started out fine—then they just kind of laid down and died. Mary was right: They should have been crazy up there. Instead of becoming African warriors, they were more like little kids playing at war.

COUPLE FOUR: JESSICA and WILL

(Disco, Doriana Sanchez)

Everyone keeps talking about how disco is really difficult and underrated, and maybe that’s true, because no one seems to be able to completely nail Doriana’s routines. (Or maybe she needs to adapt a little so the contestants don’t look quite so inadequate out there.)

True, Will’s Travolta point was absolutely on point, and his flip towards the end was amazing. I’d even say Jessica brought her A-game to the routine, although she’s still the lesser half of this pairing.

Still, with all that, there just seemed to be something lacking. Maybe it was just me, but I felt underwhelmed.

COUPLE FIVE: KOURTNI and MATT

(Contemporary, Sonya Tayeh)

First off, I’ve just got to get my comments about that crazy new choreographer out of the way: Love, love, love me some Sonya!

Maybe it’s her wild Mohawk, which makes her look like she’s the lead singer of 80s band Bow Bow Bow reincarnated. I totally wanted her to start singing “I Want Candy.” Or maybe it was her total unembarrassed enthusiasm for being on the show. Either way, this routine showed she’s a great addition to the choreography roster.

The comic book hero conceit was fun, quirky and different: That move where Kourtni pulled on Matt’s tie with her teeth (see above) was adorably weird. But as Nigel pointed out, will America get it? I’m not sure, either.

They might be in the Bottom 3 simply because someone has to be, which is a shame. But I guess it’s better to be there with a really good number, rather than a terrible one. Which leads us to…

COUPLE SIX: CHELSEA and THAYNE

(Quickstep, Heather Smith)

Yes, they drew a terrible dance card with the quickstep. It’s difficult, it’s fast, it’s no crowd-pleaser. But it’s not like these two have been raising the roof with the other genres. I hate to be a hater, but once again, Chelsea and Thayne were awful.

They hopped around looking like they’d rather be in prison than on that stage. (They could have borrowed Twitchington’s jail break costumes!)

Adam’s right: You might be uncomfortable up there, but you can’t look like it. To paraphrase “Project Runway,” they should have made it work. And they didn’t. At all.

(Plus, Thayne was really annoying in their pre-dance video, but that’s a whole other personality issue…)

COUPLE SEVEN: CHELSIE and MARK

(Hip-hop, Tabitha and Napolean)

This really was brilliant choreography, and unlike Comfort and Chris, these two got it completely, totally right. They stayed completely in character, and as the judges pointed out, their struggle was believable all the way through the routine. Chelsie, in particular, had wonderfully pained expressions without overdoing it. I’m with Adam: They’re the couple to beat.
COUPLE EIGHT: KATEE and JOSHUA

(Samba, Tony Meredith and Melanie)

Katee and Joshua brought the sexy back from their very first move. That tap on the shoulder? That leg in the air? Hello, hotness! They deserved those first-class tickets on Mary’s Hot Tamale Train. Did I think they were the best? Sorry, gotta give that to Chelsie and Mark, mostly because their dance was also a character study that required them to act, too. And while Katee was strong for the most part, I think her confidence got slightly shaky in the middle. Overall, though, it was an exciting, naturally sexy number that definitely puts them in the “couple to beat” contention.

But we’ll see what America thought tonight, won’t we?

And just for the record, let me vent about two minor quibbles:

• I love Cat Deeley and all, but she really needs to stop making the audience say “jidges.” It was cute for awhile, but we get it now, you’re British.

• And the judges must stop patting the choreographers’ backs during their criticism of each number. We know you’re being polite and don’t want to offend them, but let’s face it, sometimes a routine just sucks—and it’s not necessarily all the dancers’ fault. And come on, these folks are pros who’ve been in the business for awhile. They’ve all got skin as thick as a rhino’s, and won’t go home crying if Nigel doesn’t get their hip-hop/jazz/contemporary vision. That, and I’m sure they’re being paid a bundle for their services.

(Photos courtesy of FOX)