Evan and Anna are the high-scorers this week with 26. Buzz and Ashly are once again at the bottom with 13. Kate and Tony are second to last with 14. I’m totally over the Astronaut shtick, so Buzz can go home soon. But, not after Kate Gosselin gets kicked to the curb. I didn’t think her dancing could get worse, but guess what? The DWTS singer murdering Lady Gaga didn’t help.
Total props go out to Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel. Their waltz told the story of an interracial couple that rises above the discrimination of the day, but it turns into a metaphor for gay rights when Louis Van Amstel boldly asserts that everybody should be able to get married. When he teared up talking about how he’s still struggling, I teared up. GO with your bad self, Louis.
Shannen Doherty took a hike last week. What will this week bring?
This week, the dancers are required to “tell a story” through dance.
Host Tom Bergeron brags that Dancing was the most watched show last. Screw those demos, eh ABC? (Dancing had more viewers overall, Idol had more viewers in the desired demo)
Group dance featuring a demonstration of the waltz, the paso doble and the quickstep – Lacey and Dmitry are here! Lol at corny singer’s lounge version of “Lust for Life”. – VIDEO
Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya – Quickstep – Anna’s description of the quickstep is loltastic. Like the Jive? The story: They are husband and wife. He’s mad cause she’s late. Do they make up in the end? Supposedly he’s got some broken toes. That’s gotta hurt. Evan is fun to watch–so much personality. Len says “It really cheered me up to watch that…you gotta work on your feet. Great start.” Bruno says, “You were ready to give her the ride of her life! Use your ankle…” Carrie ann says, “It was a nice twinkling. energetic..it was great.” Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 8, Bruno – 9 – 26 – 1-800-868-3406 – VIDEO
Buzz Aldrin and Ashly Costa – Waltz – The story: the war hero is welcomed home by his daughter with great optimism for the future. It’s so mean, but Buzz is laughably terrible. I wonder how much longer he’ll get by on the astronaut stuff? Big standing O for THAT. Bruno says, “It was more like the return of the king, but like a statue–much better looking standing still, it didn’t really flow, but you look very regal.” Carrie Ann says, “This week it was about storytelling, and I completely believed it…very pure and innocent.” He gets points for being stiff? Len says, “Innocent charm, but the technique was poor, routine was over simplified.” Carrie Ann – 5, Len – 4, Bruno – 4 – 13. – 1-800-868-3407 – VIDEO
Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower – Quickstep – The story: an Egyptian theme, with Jake on a Safari, and Chelsie as an African femme fatale. During rehearsal, Jake is pissed at Chelsie, says she’s disrespectful. O rly? Jake is a terrible actor! Chelsie, as a Cleopatra-like siren, is adorable. Carrie Ann says, “Nice story telling…you make it harder to be as good…your legs were a bit soft.” Len says, “You have to straighten up during the quickstep, but it was great entertainment.” Bruno says, “I love it…the production value was incredible.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7 – 21. – 1-800-868-3404. – VIDEO
Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel – Waltz – The story: A mixed race couple in the 60’s who fall in love despite discrimination. Niecy says she doesn’t know what she’d do if the law kept her from being with her boyfriend. Niecy and Louis both cry. OMG Louis says, “I’m still in that boat…you’ve got to help me fight my battle now.” I’m getting chills. Niecy stumbles at the beginning, she’s kinda heavy-footed. But, she’s giving it everything she’s got. Dance is finished. People still crying. Len says, “very brave to have story with no props, you pulled it off, you must work on better technique.” Bruno says, “It was a tale of love surviving, you acted it very well, you have to work on your feet.” Carrie Ann says, “She stumbled, because she was trying to keep her feet on the ground. I didn’t understand the ending.” EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MARRIED says Louis. Amen! Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7 – 21. – 1-800-868-3405 – VIDEO
Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke – Paso Doble – The story: Chad wins his girl in old Mexico. Chad’s got his macho on…he’s doing a solid job. Bruno says, “The power, presence and determination…is back. What a difference” Carrie Ann says, “You used that energy, all of it worked perfectly, miles better than last week.” Len says, “You’ve got to work on your posture, you came out with determination, well done.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 6, Bruno – 7 – 20 – 1-800-868-3401 – VIDEO
Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitewood – Paso Doble – The story: Pamela is a gypsy flamenco dancer in love with her bullfighter, but hates what he stands for (Pamela is an animal lover). Charo drops by to help out. OMG. The dancing is great, Pamela is entertaining and knows how to move, but I’m not getting a storyline here. Carrie Ann says, “You have artistry to all your movements, you threw yourself off a little bit.” Len says, “I thought you had an intensity, you need refinement, very good job.” Bruno says, “It was like Bridget Bardot in her prime playing the gypsy queen, there is actually a very good performer, you have the ability.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7 – 21. – 1-800-868-3411 – VIDEO
Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska – Quickstep – The Story: He’s painting the woman of his dreams, and suddenly she materializes. Aiden’s family came by to celebrate his birthday. Wow. I don’t get this at all. The dancing is pretty terrible, too. Len says, “The quickstep should be carefree, you don’t just go for it. There was a bit of an incident.” Bruno says, “I felt that you looked as happy as a clown, it was a bit skippy, your posture was better, an improvement.” Carrie Ann says, “The confidence is growing, you were a little too light on your feet, your posture was good.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 6 – Bruno – 7 – 20 – 1-800-868-3409 – VIDEO
Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Waltz – The Story: Erin is going to dance blindfolded. That’s a story? Girl wears blindfold? It’s about learning to trust…or something. Bruno says, “You kinky thing…hold fantastic, you have to link movements” Carrie Ann says, “Beautiful storytelling, really profound, your handgrip gave away that you might not have been trusting him. Len says, “The most boring start I’ve ever seen, the waltz you did I liked, there wasn’t enough of it.” Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 7, Bruno – 8 – 23 – 1-800-868-3403 – VIDEO
Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani – Paso Doble – The story: Tony is a paparazzi bugging Kate. Tony brings in an acting coach for Kate. OMG between the cheesy singers barfing on Gaga and Kate’s horrible dancing, I feel like I’m being assaulted. She’s so stiff and unbelievable, stomping around the stage. Carrie Ann says, “That was odd…it was very hard to watch, I don’t feel that the emotion got to your face.” Len says, “You got through the dance, but the whole thing was too pedestrian, wasn’t very good.” Bruno says, “For once you played the character, that has to translate into movement, you looked like you were walking.” Carrie Ann – 5, Len – 5, Bruno 5 – 15 – 1-800-868-3411 – VIDEO
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough – The Quickstep – The story: Two sailors slacking off. OMG. Nicole is so professional–this is ridiculous. Len says, “you took the title of the song too literally. You broke the rules, it had a lift, you broke hold, it wasn’t a quickstep.” Bruno says, “As a performance, it was incredible, but Len is right, you should have kept hold all the way through.” Carrie Ann, “You broke two rules, but when you take that on the road, I want front row seats.” Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 6, Bruno – 9 – 23 – 1-800-868-3408 – VIDEO
Next week, double scores showdown–one for technique, one for performance.