So, will the celebrity eliminated this week fail to get the mirror ball trophy but instead win a “Band Of Gold?” :) Yep, that’s my lame introduction to Motown week. Welcome to week six of Dancing With the Stars. Tonight, the remaining eight contestants are challenged to two dances. The first, any unlearned dance. The second, a Motown marathon that will be explained during the show. The couples will dance to classic Motown tunes performed by quite a few legends who will be on hand to sing live. As someone who loves the Motown sound, I am really looking forward to what this week has in store.
After losing Gavin & Karina last week in the dance duel, it should be interesting to see how Jaleel & Kym rebound from being in the bottom two. Melissa & Maks will also be watched closely to see if they can up their scores and dance quality. And what about Gladys? She must feel like this is a coming home week considering the artists who will be in the ballroom. For the others, let’s see if the current higher scoring couples can keep up the momentum. And how about those celebrities nursing some injuries? Can they dance through the pain? So many questions and the answers are soon to come. Let’s get this started folks. :)
The show begins with Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, and The Temptations. They sing some of their biggest hits as members of the troupe perform! Wow. How spectacular is this. A total blast for those who love Motown music.
Gladys Knight & Tristan MacManus – Rumba
To vote for Gladys & Tristan, call 1-800-868-3411. You can send the word “Vote” to 3411 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Gladys & Tristan are dancing to “My Girl.” Well, it seems Gladys finally found a dance to truly fit her abilities in terms of dance energy. I’m not being snarky. The Rumba is a slow dance. It is also supposed to be a sexy and passionate dance. So, Gladys got one out of the two. Her and Tristan are definitely cute and endearing but of course, the dance is lacking chemistry and passion. She looks as though she is having a blast dancing to this tune. A few mistakes here and there, especially toward the end when it seems Gladys is forgetting some simplistic Rumba steps that Tristan choreographed. Of course, I expect the judges to be kind and the audience to vote because Motown basically equals Gladys. But let’s not play with words here- Gladys is far from a strong dancer and this is week six!
Len says Gladys isn’t the best dancer but she is the most charismatic. He says it easy like Sunday morning. Bruno says she has star quality. But he likes the Rumba a bit steamier. Carrie Ann says tonight will belong to Gladys. The truth is though, we had many moments when Gladys forgot the steps. But Len jumps in and says if he were home, he would be picking up the phone to vote.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 7, Bruno- 7 for a total of 21/30.
Maria Menounos & Derek Hough – Foxtrot
To vote for Maria & Derek, call 1-800-868-3401. You can send the word “Vote” to 3401 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Maria & Derek are dancing to “Jimmy Mack.” Maria and Derek are performing a very elegant and pleasant to watch Foxtrot. Damn. A small error while on the steps almost causes Maria to fall and she gets a little out of sync. But it doesn’t last long as she and Derek come back together beautifully. Maria is so graceful in hold. She really does have a great frame. And Derek put some classic Foxtrot moves in this to make sure the technique portion was covered. A very solid job and it would have been even better without the little hiccup in the beginning. This should score high though.
Bruno calls it a gleaming blend of elegance. He mentions her loss of footing though. Carrie Ann mentions the same but still calls it excellent work. Len says it was a joy to his eyes and a joy to his ears. He can’t believe what Carrie Ann said.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 9, Bruno- 9 for a total of 26/30.
Roshon Fegan & Chelsie Hightower – Rumba
To vote for Roshon & Chelsie, call 1-800-868-3405. You can send the word “Vote” to 3405 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Roshon & Chelsie are dancing to “Cruisin’ Together.” Aww. Cute. I can’t necessarily call Roshon sexy, even in a dance that equals sexy. He is instead, cute and fun. This is a very cute Rumba. I can’t fault him for any of the moves as he has the hips down. If anything, and I have said this before, he needs to relax a bit. Roshon has this tendency to bring his own dance style that he learned growing up to every dance. At times, it works wonders. But with a Rumba, it is a bit out of place. I like that Chelsie constantly challenges him by making sure the technique is there. Roshon and Chelsie have chemistry and did a respectable job.
Carrie Ann says Roshon’s movements were a bit over-exaggerated. She also points out a lift. Uh-oh. The LIFT POLICE are here. Len calls the movements too jerky. It didn’t flow. Chelsie talks back a bit and gets into it with Len. Bruno says Roshon has a fire but in a Rumba, he needs to watch the hip hop movements. He basically agrees with Len.
Carrie Ann- 7, Len- 8, Bruno- 8 for a total of 23/30.
Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas – Samba
To vote for Katherine & Mark, call 1-800-868-3410. You can send the word “Vote” to 3410 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Katherine & Mark are dancing to “I Can’t Get Next To You.” Katherine is adorable. Knowing how proper she is and watching her get down to a Samba is like a breath of fresh air. She is definitely getting her groove on. I am glad Mark opted not to add in any Samba rolls to this. Almost no one does it correct and even though Katherine is a superb dancer, I’m not even sure she could pull those off and make it look like a professional is doing them. All of the other typical Samba moves are great here. I’m not so sure this was the perfect song choice for a Samba but what song from Motown would be? Without a doubt, another strong performance from the person I am absolutely sure is heading right for the finals.
Len calls Katherine the midwife because she keeps delivering. Bruno is up on his feet (of course) and says the marriage of Brazil with funky town has never been so exhilarating. Carrie Ann called it amazing.
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 9, Bruno- 10 for a total of 29/30.
Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd – Foxtrot
To vote for Donald & Peta, call 1-800-868-3403. You can send the word “Vote” to 3403 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Donald & Peta are dancing to “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” I love Donald’s “drive” in this competition. See what I did there? Anyways, Donald is bringing it in this Foxtrot. He is near perfection in hold with Peta. And out of hold, I am impressed by how he is bringing the Motown steps. This actually looks like the perfect dance that you would see at an actual Motown event. Some really great gliding and rise and fall throughout this dance. This is quite excellent if I do say so myself!
Bruno calls Donald a showman. He mentions how he nearly fell over but compliments all around. Carrie Ann compliments the transitions. Len felt as though Donald exploded on the floor. He fake freaked him out a bit before giving him the props. Len wants Peta to make the choreography harder.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Bruno- 9 for a total of 27/30.
Melissa Gilbert & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Viennese Waltz
To vote for Melissa & Maksim, call 1-800-868-3407. You can send the word “Vote” to 3407 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Melissa & Maks are dancing to “Ooh Baby, Baby.” Dare I say it, Melissa’s best dance? I really do think so. I haven’t seen her be so on point during a dance before. She didn’t look terrified as usual and kept up very well with Maks. Melissa usually fails to deliver for me every week but not this time. I guess lyrical type dancing is better for Melissa as compared to the quicker routines. I didn’t catch any glaring errors nor did I feel as though Maks was dragging Melissa around the floor. She should be very proud because this was a job well done.
Carrie Ann says Melissa works so hard and it is finally paying off. She points out to watch her shoulders. Len points out many positives. He mentions a loss of energy toward the end. Bruno compliments her extensions and the chemistry with Maks. He also talks about her getting a bit tired at the conclusion of the dance.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Bruno- 8 for a total of 24/30.
Jaleel White & Kym Johnson – Cha-Cha-Cha
To vote for Jaleel & Kym, call 1-800-868-3412. You can send the word “Vote” to 3412 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
Jaleel & Kym are dancing to “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” Well, it looks like the Jaleel of week one might be making a return to the competition. I do see some of the same moves here that Kym put into their dance duel last week but that’s okay. After all, it is a Cha-Cha-Cha. This is definitely a comeback to glory dance. Jaleel is moving wonderfully. This is an extremely fun and fast paced Cha-Cha-Cha. Like Donald, a fun use of the Motown moves incorporated into the dance and the technique is there from beginning to end. Jalee’s best dance of the entire season.
Len says Jaleel is back. Bruno says Jaleel burned the floor and it was the biggest sizzler of the season. Carrie Ann says that Jaleel brought his A-game. Quick critiques and all compliments!
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 9, Bruno- 10 for a total of 29/30.
William Levy & Cheryl Burke – Rumba
To vote for William & Cheryl, call 1-800-868-3408. You can send the word “Vote” to 3408 to text a vote. Finally, head over to ABC.COM with a registered email and vote online. 8 votes allowed per phone/text/email in this sixth week.
William & Cheryl are dancing to “Being With You.” Damn. Talk about hot. I think I might need a cigarette after that. Cheryl choreographed an extremely sensual Rumba. That was perhaps the most sexually inspired dance of the season. Was it too much though for Len? Probably. The Rumba technique was very good. I don’t think anyone can fault William’s hip action. My only real complaint here was that I wish a bit more was put into the dance from Cheryl so William can prove his worth. But he did everything asked of him in terms of bringing a sultry and steamy Rumba to the ballroom.
Bruno tells William it was absolute and utter filth and loved every minute of it. Carrie Ann thanks William on behalf of all the women but wants more because she feels as though William can handle more. Len has issues with how raunchy it was and wants more technique.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Bruno- 10 for a total of 27/30.
Motown Marathon – Cha-Cha-Cha
All the couples dance together. Once you are given a “tap”, you are out. Points are awarded depending on how long you last in the marathon.
1st out- Gladys & Tristan
2nd out- Maria & Derek
3rd out- Roshon & Chelsie
4th out- Melissa & Maks
5th out- Donald & Peta
6th out- Jaleel & Kym
7th out- William & Cheryl
Winners- Katherine & Mark
That was really difficult to keep up with. Not because it was bad but just because it is way too difficult to watch eight couples doing a Cha-Cha-Cha. From what I saw, everyone had tons of energy and no one totally screwed up. Though to be fair, I have no idea what errors or mishaps may have happened that the cameras did not catch. The judges eliminations were pretty much as I expected with perhaps Maria & Derek and Roshon & Chelsie leaving earlier than I thought they would. I will edit the scores below to reflect the added points from the marathon.
Final Judge Leaderboard For Week 6:
Katherine & Mark- 39/40
Jaleel & Kym- 37/40
William & Cheryl- 36/40
Donald & Peta- 34/40
Maria & Derek- 30/40
Melissa & Maks- 30/40
Roshon & Chelsie- 28/40
Gladys & Tristan- 24/40
