Yes, the big question on everyone’s lips in this, Week 8 of Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars is: WHY THE HELL is Sean (“Two Left Feet”) Spicer still here, when much better dancers are going home? Also, why is he with Jenna, when his partner was/is Lindsay? So many questions. Also, why is this called “Dance-Off Week” when the dance-off craziness is only at the end, not the actual dances? Someone really needs to explain to this new director the concept of themes.
Jenna and Sean, jazz
But moving on, Sean, with his new partner Jenna (Lindsay isn’t here because her mother-in-law died) dance to Styx’s “Come Sail Away” (which we really wish he would)… In his package, he talks about growing up on the water, and also being in the Navy.
You always know a dancer’s in trouble when they add boatloads of troupe dancers to make the number look good. And also to lift Jenna. Judges are also not happy about Sean Spicer still being here, and other, more capable dancers being gone. Jenna does look really hot in her sailor suit, though.
JUDGES: 20 (out of 30)
Gleb and Lauren, jive
At least with Gleb and Lauren, we step up the quality of music choice. They are dancing jive to “Hound Dog,” by Elvis Presley. I do think part of it is her familiarity with the song, but man, it sure is fun to watch Lauren and Gleb dance now. I loved this jive. She is just sparkling.
Bruno: “The King himself would’ve loved the performance. It really had that authentic ’50s feel, bright, optimistic. You’ve got a good pumping action, going through the legs.” He mentions that she made “three mistakes,” and that she should be more careful “at this stage of the competition. But the performance was great.” Carrie Ann: “You started that routine: Boom! You looked so in your power, so strong, so confident. But something went wrong. I’m really loving what you’re doing, so even though you’ve had a setback, you have another dance to do: come back strong and don’t give up.” Len: “The competition is getting so intense now, so many good routines. You deserve to stay in this competition.”
Erin, who has her hair down this episode, also looks smokin.’
JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)
Witney and Kel, salsa
So in the ’90s, apparently, Kel was on some show called “All That,” which is currently having a reboot. And the song they are doing “This Is How We Do It,” came from that.
They are doing a salsa (which makes sense with Witney’s costume, but what’s up with Kel’s costume?).
Witney is one of the few pros who regularly chooses rap music to dance to. To my old fogey ears, dancing a salsa to a rap song just doesn’t go together. At all.
Carrie Ann: “You took me way back.” And then she compliments his partnering: “You’re leading.” Len: “Well, Kel, me old sausage, you’re on a roll. Full of rhythm. Plenty of junk in the trunk. Those hips were going to town, lovely. As Carrie Ann said, what I liked: you were large and in charge.” Bruno: “Kel, you are the main attraction. That was a star turn. A lot of times when you bring a lot of dancers around you, you tend to get swamped by it, and drowned by it. You were leading the whole dance from the beginning. Always the main attraction.”
JUDGES: 28 (out of 30) The first 10 of the season (from Bruno).
Well, whatever the judges are seeing, I’m not seeing at all, cause I hated that dance.
Sasha and Ally, paso doble
Well, yes, I hate dances to rap. I also hate when singers dance to their own songs (and we have that here). They dance to “Higher.” Sigh. In her package, she goes and talks to some students to inspire them.
Even worse than just dancing to her own song, she starts out singing it, while Sasha dances. Ugh. Once we get past the singing part, the dance takes off. The costumes, sets and lighting are spectacular, and Sasha’s choreography is next level. Just fantastic.
Easily and certainly the best paso doble of the season. Wow.
Len: “It was a mix of good technique and high performance, and that is an irresistible combination.” Bruno: “She was catching the most amazing shapes and light. Beauty, power, artistry: that’s what you need in a paso doble. You had it all.” Carrie Ann: “This is all I could think of while watching that. You came in and you were one of those girls from a girl group. Today, you came in and proved that you are a frikkin’ superstar. Something has shifted in you. You commanded all of our attention. Not just with your presence, with the movements. My mind is blown. And you better work.”
JUDGES: 30 (out of 30) The first perfect score of the season. Congrats, Ally and Sasha!
Alan and Hannah, quickstep
She tells Alan as she’s driving about a “Meat and Three” restaurant (you pick out a meat, and get three different sides). Hannah says she gets chicken livers. (Gag.) Hannah shows Alan her high school yearbook, where she was voted “Most Unforgettable.” Alan: “I don’t think anyone can forget you now.” Let me tell you, after this season, I shall be on a MISSION to never hear or see the words Hannah Brown ever again in my life. If I can forget her, I surely will.
“American Girl” is a great song. Of course, they are in blue and white, and the lights are predominantly red. Don’t know if it was the hometown visit, but Hannah certainly looks more present and connected in this dance.
She starts out solo, playing air guitar, obviously in her element. When she is joined by Alan, I am reminded what a great dancer he is. (Sometimes I forget that.) This quickstep is pretty spectacular—packed full of content, executed exquisitely. I honestly think it’s Hannah’s best dance.
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Tom says that Hannah looked like she was “having the time of (her) life.” She said: “I was having so much fun.” Bruno: “What is going on? This show keeps getting better and more exciting by the minute. That was a game-changer. You rocked that quickstep. Tonight you really used the floor to give you lift and spring. Your action through the feet was just beautiful, my darling. You were in orbit. I can’t believe it.” Carrie Ann stands up and goes to hug Hannah. Carrie Ann: “How did it feel?” Hannah: “It felt like me.” Carrie Ann: “That’s what we’re talking about. How amazing was this performance? You were open-hearted. Every time you come on this dance floor, it’s an opportunity to be your fullest self, and that’s all I’m trying to encourage. And I know it was hard last week. But I’m so proud of you, cause that was the comeback of the season!” |
Len: “You had a really nice frame. It was fast, it had a clarity in the movement. I watched your feet a lot, and they were right on point. There was a little bit of gaping going on.” (Not close enough body contact in hold.) Len: “What a fabulous dance.”
JUDGES: 29 (out of 30)
Kate and Pasha, jive
They definitely get the award for worst costume of the show. Ugh. What is this mess? Ugh.
Kate talks at length about her sister, Nancy, who died just before she got the call to be on #DWTS. One of her sister’s favorite singers was Linda Rondstadt. They also go to a theatre which held special meaning for Nancy.Since I dinged Witney for this, I gotta ding Pasha for this too. What do pajamas have to do with the song they are dancing, “Heat Wave”? Nothing. Also, at the beginning of the song, they are swathed head to toe in plaid. During a heat wave, people just wanna take clothes off… So they don’t address the heat part of a heat wave. They also don’t address the steamy romance part of “Heat Wave” that’s discussed. Do people even listen to lyrics anymore?
Well, as Len said, Pasha does pack his dances with content. And if I could get over the sucky concept/lack of a concept, the dance itself is pretty phenomenal. I really dug it.
Tom notes Kate’s extensive “cheering section over there.”
Carrie Ann: “You’re right. Dance is a celebration of life. I felt that celebration, and I’m sure your sister Nancy is watching and smiling at you, and so proud of you. The jive had a lot of energy. I love the characterizations. The beginning was so clever, Pasha, great choreography. It was a good jive.” Len: “You two are an absolute joy for me to watch. And that was such a joyful performance, it really was. I look forward to seeing you both dance every week. It’s not your best, but it’s certainly not your worst.” Bruno: “It took awhile for my eyes to get adjusted. So clever. I love all these kind of artistic references. It was tailor-made for your abilities. It was so smart. It allowed you to play the steps. As always, charming.”
JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)
Emma and James, contemporary
Man, I’m whining so much in this column about all the things I hate. And here we have a contemporary dance. Ugh. To Journey. UGH.
James and Emma (since they have the highest cumulative scores “across the season,” they’ve won Immunity from tonight’s Dance-Off, plus two bonus points.
James brings his parents to the rehearsal to meet Emma. They are dancing to “Don’t Stop Believing.’ “ He talks in his package about how hard starting out in the business was. Even though he got overnight success with Dawson’s Creek, prior to that he tried out for everything he was right for, and didn’t book anything But he didn’t stop believing.
It’s a real slowed down version of the song. At first, it’s barely recognizable. Now EMMA knows what concept is. She knows how to punctuate the proper words. This contemporary is beautiful and powerful. James runs to the audience to hug his parents and family.
Len: “I thought this was like a good book. There was something for everyone. Holds your interest from start to finish. You’re never sure what’s going to happen next. And I think you’re gonna find it’s got a really happy ending.” Bruno: “Contemporary dance is all about the emotion driving the motion, telling a story with your body. And it was totally compelling. You did a section of lifts up there that was absolutely exquisite. It had the fluidity of water. At every turn, you were at just the right point in the music. The musicality expression, flawless.” (James points at Emma. Indeed. Stunning choreography.) Carrie Ann: “We have been here every episode, and we’ve never seen a lift executed with such finesse and beauty. And what the heck was that lift anyway? It was the most complicated thing I’ve ever seen. That was pure artistry in motion. Pure.”
JUDGES: 30 (out of 30 ) Second perfect score of the night.
OK. Here’s another thing I hate: dance-offs. Now maybe this is something they have in Blackpool, and I’m just ignorant, but it really strikes me as an annoying waste of time. So I’m really gonna gloss over it all. Ready?
DANCE-OFF
Ally and Sasha vs. Kel and Witney
Dance: Jive to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”
For my money, Sasha wins every time. He’s more creative, he’s more interesting. Etc.
Judges: The judges do not agree and pick Kel/Witney.
Pasha and Kate vs. Jenna and Sean
Dance: Cha cha to “Everybody Dance Now” from C+C Music Factory
Len explains at the beginning that the thing about the cha cha is hip action. Let’s just say: Kate has LOTS and Sean has NONE. Sean does really like to do that sliding on his knees move though.
Judges: Of course: Kate.
One would THINK that this would mean, oh! For sure Sean is going home. One would think.
Alan and Hannah vs. Gleb and Lauren
Dance: Salsa to “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” from Gloria Estefán
Before the dance, Len talks about how normally at this point in the season you see a clear frontrunner. Len: “Not this season. There are so many fantastic dancers.” (Agreed.) Bruno: “These people put the work in, and you can see it. Fabulous!” (Not like these slackers who go on world tours in the middle of #DWTS, another BIG pet peeve of mine.)
Remember when Lauren Alaina was SHY? You should see her shaking her booty in this salsa. Wow. Holy mackerel. And Hannah’s not shy either. This one’s a tough call.
Judges: Len tells Gleb to put his shirt back on. Bruno says that he likes it. Carrie Ann stays out of it.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME HERE? Sean Spicer is safe and Sasha and Ally and Kate and Pasha are the Bottom Two? WTF? Ridiculous.
These two were obviously beloved. People don’t do this for losers, they do this for winners. Wonderful. We are so going to miss you, Pasha and Kate (even if Bruno called Sasha Pasha…).I am just gutted by this. Gutted.
And Sean Spicer is still here. :-/
MICHE’s Favorites of Week
1. Sasha and Ally, paso doble
2. Alan and Hannah, quickstep
3. Gleb and Lauren, jive
4. Emma and James, contemporary
5. Pasha and Kate, jive
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