DTWS S027, Week Two, Vegas Night: It’s Vegas, Baby

The opening number of Vegas Night on Dancing with the Stars this season features simulated dice (and actual dice, that the women sit on). The funnest thing about this (for me) was seeing Sharna dancing with Val. When they bring out the stars, it’s against a giant roulette wheel backdrop.

Erin Andrews is resplendent in gold. Tom announces that someone is indeed going home tonight.

In the package, Cheryl and Juan Pablo say their foxtrot “is gonna get steamy.” Juan Pablo describes them being alone in a penthouse, after gambling all night, “and we’re going to strut around the room, before we continue to the boudoir.” Ok, then.

Yep. OK. Pretty steamy. They are also dancing to Peggy Lee, so it’s got that old-Vegas vibe.

Whew! What a way to kick off Vegas night.

Len: “Juan Pablo, no problemo. First out, by and large, first class. I would’ve liked a little bit stronger frame. But, this isn’t a gamble: you will be back next week.” Bruno (who is wearing a glittery sparkling jacket): “Talk about opening big in Vegas. Those two are almost too hot to trot. Talk about sultry. You really managed to maintain top-notch sleekness and elegance. The choreography, Cheryl, was superb.” Carrie Ann: “There was something so impressive about you, the way you seasoned every movement. So not only was the technique incredibly good... what you did on top of it, all the nuances and all the pizzazz, but maintaining your core, and the beautiful lines? OK. Yummy.”

Tom chats with Cheryl and Juan Pablo a bit. JP goes off about how “we get to dance, and this is about DANCING!...” Tom: “That’s why it’s in the title.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Milo and Witney are dancing a tango to a Celine Dion song. As Tom announces that, they roll tape of Celine Dion wishing them both well. Milo and Witney freak out.

Wow, that dance was so good.



Bruno: “You two were on fire. So focused. So powerful. I love the touches of Argentine tango, then off to a proper tango.” Carrie Ann: “I love my job. Season 27 is so much fun. You have quite a range. At 17 years old, to show and display this kind of range of performance style, grace. The way you match lines, considering the height and shape difference, was ridiculous.” Len: “It started off with a bit of Argentine tango, which I don’t really mind, then you got into the proper ballroom tango. You hit every nuance in the music. That’s down to you, Witney. Very clear and precise.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Tom brings out Donny Osmond. I mean, it is Vegas night. Donny says that he and his sister “were supposed to be at the Flamingo for six weeks. We just announced our 11th year.” Tom laughs and says, “We were supposed to be on ABC for six weeks, and we just started our 14th year.” They laugh and hug. They talk about how Donny is going to be singing while Danielle and Artem dance. Donny notes how the fact that she’s blind “and on this ballroom floor is so inspiring.”

There is a bit of Blue Man Group to bring us back from commercial. Tom notes that they are playing at the Luxor Hotel in Vegas.

Wow. I had forgotten that Donny Osmond won a Mirror Ball on this show. (I only remember the part about Marie fainting when she competed.)

I gotta say, every time Danielle dances, it just terrifies me.

But she had a lot of people carrying her around in this quickstep.

Carrie Ann: “I love the way you used the space, Artem. That first pass was elegant and graceful. You touch our hearts every time you dance.“ Len: “Once the whole thing got cracking, I enjoyed it very much. You had lovely movement around the floor. Your dancing complemented Donny’s singing.” Bruno: “Lucky girl tonight. Your guys, your dolls, your Donny. That’s a good hand.” (OK, enough with the labored Vegas idioms.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)

As we come back from commercial, everyone is in the balcony, which is emblazoned with #VegasStrong. Tom mentions that last night was the one year anniversary of the tragedy in Las Vegas.

Alexis and Alan do a pretty complicated salsa, after seeming to struggle in their package.

However, they commit the sin of performing a song which is already a legend on #DWTS. Maks performed this song so memorably with someone who actually HAS a “big booty.” Neither Alexis nor Alan has anything approaching a big booty. But it was passable.

Len: “If you were playing in Vegas, you went all in. No messing about. You were working your assets, I gotta tell you. You are a great dancer.” Bruno: “You’re definitely bootylicious, as they say. Very very bendy. Those lifts! Cirque du Soleil meets salsa. Very nice.” Carrie Ann: “You were great. You light up the stage. You have such an innocence when you dance. It’s really refreshing to see. Your flexibility works for you, and it works against you. Keep your core tight. You have great lines.”

Erin: “You are ridiculous.” (She means that in a good way.)

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Well, OK. What is Vegas night without Elvis? Or multiple Elvii?

Emma Slater and her partner John Schneider camp it up with an Elvis jive. John mentions that he is in the Elvis museum in Graceland, because he has “the top-charting Elvis cover of all time.” Who knew?

The premise of the dance is that they are competing Elvis impersonators, and they have “an Elvis-off.”

That was funny.

Bruno: “I thought it was so much fun. But you lost a little bit of jive in translation. But as a number, and as an entertainment, really good.” Carrie Ann: “I don’t think it was quite as good as last night’s performance, but I think you did Elvis proud.” Len: “To do two totally different dances on Week Two, one night after the other is an enormous challenge. What a great job you two have done.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)

A quick break for a DWTS: Juniors promo.

Lindsay and DeMarcus do a quickstep while Boys II Men are singing onstage (“Ladies Man”). Great costumes!

Carrie Ann: “You’re out of breath, so that tells me you were working hard. Still, Ladies Man in the house.” Len: “I liked the dance.” Bruno: “You still are on a winning streak. You have such a dashing presence. Star quality. That’s a very good quality.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 23 (out of 30)

Wayne Newton does a Vegas plug to bring us back.

Jenna and Grocery Store Joe are doing a jazz dance to Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler.” It starts out with a nifty bit of glasses slinging around a bar. It is notable for this INCREDIBLE LIFT in the middle of this. I am still shocked by it. They get a standing O from the crowd. Even the crew applauded.

Len: “It was a routine. It held my interest from start to finish. Whoa, Jenna! The way you flew up there. Wow. That was scary.” Bruno: “I’ve got an image in my brain that I need to erase. I appreciate the fact that you started to tell a story. You still have to come out of your shell.” Carrie Ann: “I loved watching you walk over here after the number, because I saw you proud of what you'd done. You felt better tonight, didn’t you?”  

JUDGES’ SCORES: 18 (out of 30)

Blue Man Group does what they do to bring us back.

Erin introduces this with: “If you’ve ever gotten stuck in the desert, driving back from Vegas...” (and who hasn’t?)

Evanna and Keo dance a jive to “Heatwave.” Great song, fun to dance to, but it is clear that Evanna has not ONE iota of “heat” for Keo. No attraction there whatsoever. Nor much from him to her, so the passion of this dance is not believable. That said, it was very fun to watch, and Evanna is a dance star, as far as I’m concerned. I just wish she was with another partner.

Bruno: “You cooked up a pretty tasty jive.” Carrie Ann: “Wonderful performance.” Len: “High energy, fast and athletic.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

We had this bit of fun and frivolity after the commercial. LOL

Bobby, in his package says: “Whatever you want, Las Vegas has.” True statement.

They get scary by doing a magician’s trick with Hayley, where she is sawed in half. Ugh.

But they are dancing to Sammy Davis, Jr. (can’t get more Vegas than that). “That Olde Black Magic.” Beautiful quickstep.

Carrie Ann: “Don”t lose your joy.” Len: “A bit of Siegfried and Roy, a bit of quickstep down the street.” Bruno: “Be gentle. I like the energy.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)

Nancy and Val visit the Cirque du Soleil show Kà to prepare for their serious paso doble. We have fire, we have wind, we have water. We have a stern Nancy, defending her turf. Plus four half naked guys (including Val) dancing around her. (Not a bad day at the office.)



I will say, the sets, lighting and costumes for this number were incredible.

Len: “I thought it was lacking finesse.” Bruno: “I loved the story.” Carrie Ann: “What I love is when a woman can go toe to toe with four amazing dancers.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)

The backstory on this dance is that Tinashe used to perform with Britney Spears (they are dancing a cha cha to Britney’s “Circus.”). So that knowledge of the song really resonates.

Bruno: “You picked up an accent in the music. It was so on it. Splendid.” Carrie Ann: “Incredible musicality. You generate energy.” Len: “Another knockout performance. But there’s a tad of sameness about the performances.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 26 (out of 30)

Mary Lou and Sasha are doing a samba to “Copacabana.” They receive an encouraging Tweet from Barry Manilow himself. One of the best things about this dance (to Vegas it up) is that we get to see Brit and Hayley as fan dancers.

Mary Lou has the arms (arm movements) that judges always complain about. She’s doing them with pride. At the end of the dance, Sasha slides through her legs, and kisses the camera. Nice!

Carrie Ann: “The way you nailed that at 50, girlfriend!” Len: “That was a proper samba. I loved it. I wish everyone would do what you do: just dance the dance.” Bruno: “You captured the party mood of the song. Perfect ending for a party night.”

JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)

Who’s going home?

Whew. Big sigh of relief. Artem did a spectacular job, I must say, though.



Miche’s Favorites on Vegas Night
1. Juan Pablo and Cheryl (foxtrot)
2. Milo and Witney (tango)
3. Mary Lou and Sasha (samba)
4. Tinashe and Brandon (cha cha)
5. Evanna and Keo (jive)
6. Bobby Bones and Sharna (quickstep)
7. Nancy and Val (paso doble)
8. Alexis and Alan (salsa)
9. John and Emma (jive)
10. Joe and Jenna (jazz)

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