DWTS S24, Week 7: Movies Genres and a Double Elimination

One of the things I like the most about Mandy Moore’s choreography for Dancing with the Stars, is that when there are these big splashy opening numbers, she tends to let the real-life couples dance together (as they should, as they do in our big romance dream in the sky). I mean, look here at Peta and Maks. And Emma and Sasha. It’s right and fitting that they dance together. (It was also nice to see regular favorite Kym Johnson in the lineup.)

However, one of the problems I had with the dance, which was replicated recently with landline phones in one number, is that all the women are holding golden movie reels of film. It's 2017, and all film is digital. So... whatever... minor quibble.

Here we are, about midway through the competition, and we have a new theme night: Let’s Go to the Movies. OK. That opens up using movie music and having filmed intros that are movielike. Kinda cool. It has possibilities. Plus, our wondrous choreographer, Mandy Moore, just participated in the film that almost/kinda won Best Picture (La La Land), and unfortunately there is no Best Choreography award at the Oscars, cause she would've won it.

So, she’s back in her first time at the judges’ table. It’s about time. The downside of her as a judge? Probably what makes her great as a choreographer: she gets in the heads of the dancers too much, rather than standing back and critiquing. But the upside? She really knows her stuff, and can really speak to the dancers in a way that’s useful. So I would LOVE to see her back judging again.

Oh, but let’s get on with this movie business, shall we?

Take a guess which movie genre Bonner gravitated to? Um, yeah...

I thought it was funny when they showed a production meeting and Bonner is saying that Sharna could be “a barmaid,” and she immediately butts in with, "oh no! I"m a hustler."

I really don't think women sat down at card games with men in the Old West, but who knows? Maybe they did. In Sharna's world, they did.

Sharna and Bonner dance a paso doble to a Western theme. At the end, Sharna takes the money and another lady hustler joins her with it. Heh.

Tom Bergeron compliments the crew on “constructing an entire saloon in under 90 seconds, and no doubt they’ll be shutting one down later.” (DWTS’ crew does totally rock.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 out of 40

Keep in mind, there is a DOUBLE ELIMINATION this week, and also, the top scorer in the opening rounds will be granted immunity.

Nancy and Artem have the genre, “Romance,” which is actually a book genre. Pretty sure the movie genre is “romantic comedy,” but whatever.

And they are doing a tango, loosely based on the movie “Pretty Woman,” and using the song. Nancy gives props to the amazing crew (hair, makeup, costumes) who allow her to become a different character each week.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 36 out of 40

Simone and Sasha do a genre that actually IS a genre: Silent Movies, and utilize one of my favorite dances on the show: the Charleston.

About last week’s dances, Simone says: “It is nerve-wracking to try to be sexy for America.”

But can I just rave for a moment about the wonder that is Sasha Farber, and how far he’s come? From some guy in the background, always wearing a costume, to this star in front of us who does a perfect Charleston (arguably the hardest dance on the roster), I just think he’s amazing.

And when you add in Simone Biles, and all the flips and cartwheels and things that she can do... holy moly.

They did this double cartwheel thing, where they end up holding hands throughout. Just incredible stuff. Packed with content. Should’ve gotten 40 for this.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 37 out of 40

Then there was some promo for a Disney movie that I'm just skipping over.

Then Nick and Peta do this amazing Argentine tango to the “Action Movie” genre. The staging and concept was very fun.

I have to say, this is Week 7. Nick Viall is still here. Usually the joke contestants are weeded out by now. But he keeps plugging away, trying really hard to execute whatever is thrown at him, and I thought he did an amazing job with this Argentine tango. And Peta's Argentine tangos are works of art. Still, the judges weren’t wowed.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 34 out of 40

Emma and Rashad take on the “Horror Movie” genre. They wrote an intro, which was filmed. Then they do an amazing paso doble. I have to say, this is one of the couples that week after week, I really look forward to watching.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 37 out of 40

This ties them with Sasha and Simone for immunity. Emma says: “What happens now?” After Erin pauses for a moment, and asks for a producer, they realize that oops, there are still two couples left who could score more than 37.

Well, maybe not this one.

I love David Ross. I really love that he will do anything that is put in front of him on this show. And, I have to say, personally, I dialed their number multiple times this season just because the CUBS WON, baby! I mean, seriously.

But this science fiction salsa is a real trip. I actually really liked it, and it sure is different than anything else anyone else did.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 32 out of 40

Normani and Val have the movie genre of “Foreign Film,” but before they start, their package tells us about an injury that she suffered while training this week.

Well, they say all that, then deliver this stunning Argentine tango. It was truly like watching a professional do this dance.

JUDGES’ SCORES: 40 out of 40

Normani and Val win immunity.

They then proceed to do this Dance Off challenge thing, couple against couple in a style of dance. I have never liked this craziness, so I'm going to skip over it. Also, they say “America” gets to vote, but it's really only the East Coast, so that’s another reason to skip over it.

The results:

Simone and Sasha beat Ardem and Nancy in cha cha.

Rashad and Emma beat David and Lindsay in jive.

Sharna and Bonner beat Nick and Peta in rumba.

In all cases (except the last, where Bruno voted for Nick and Peta), the judges were unanimous and “America” agreed.

So, Val and Normani (who probably wouldn't have been voted off anyway) are immune from being voted off tonight.

Who's going home?

and

It's a weird thing, here in Week 7. At the opening of Season 24, it sure seemed like the Chmerkovskiy family (one of them, one being Maks or Val or Peta) would take the Mirror Ball. If you asked me in Week 7 who I thought would win, it sure looked like the solid money would still be on Val and Normani to win.

But this was really a season where we are reminded how the fans run this show. AND how that is a good thing.

********************************************************************