Season 29, Week 2: First Elimination—How to Choose?

Well, we survived the introductions of the first week, and here we are, back with a lame intro package (instead of any dance number) and more Tyra. I wanna cry already. 

We are again going with the “no theme” concept, other than “First Elimiination.” Well, alrighty then.

Jenna and Nev, cha cha

A bright, snappy number to kick off the show with. 

Derek: “By the beard of Zeus, that is a lot of chest hair.” (I was just wondering how Jenna was dealing with that, too. LOL) “Solid performance. Way to open the show. Watch the shoulders.” Bruno: “A bit of manscaping would do… Showmanship, presentation, dynamism. So nimble with footwork. For Week 2! The gyrations were mind-boggling. Keep it going.” Carrie Ann: “Once again, you have impressed me. I think you are a really incredible dancer and what sets you apart, already, that I can see is the way you use your hands. The placement of your hands, I love. Well done.”

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Alan and Sakai, samba

Somehow these two were on the top of the leaderboard last week (tied with the far-superior Justina and Sasha, who deserved to be there).

In her package she starts out with: “As a young girl…” (She’s 18 now. #eyeroll)

Skai has a major mishap in one of the moves early on. Like the costumes, but didn’t like much else.

Bruno: “Listen. Things happen. I still believe in you. When you get it right, you are neat, clean, precise. You have plenty of talent. You’ll be back next week, I’m sure.” Carrie Ann: “I want  you to work on your arms a little bit. The ballroom scares people. Don’t let it scare you.” Derek: “First of all, a setback sets you up for a comeback. Just think about next week. Samba is about balance, it’s about rise and fall. You need that floor, you need that ground to get rhythmic.”

JUDGES: 15 (out of 30)

Britt and Johnny, tango

Johnny and Britt tango to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” which Johnny previously had skated to. 

Carrie Ann: “You totally got into the dance, but I’m not sure. Your footwork is a bit odd. Your upper body is working it, but it doesn’t feel like you’ve quite found the floor yet.” Derek: “I love the Johnny drama. Let’s go. I see you. I appreciate that.” Bruno: “Gaga, ooh la la. The great lady really has inspired you. Try not to do mistakes.”

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30)

Sasha and Justina, foxtrot

I gotta say, I just love this pairing. I love the energy Justina brings to her dances, and the creativity that Sasha brings. This foxtrot was just beautiful.

Derek: “Justina! Oh my goodness. You are such a natural, beautiful dancer. It just feels like it comes from you. Your arms, your movement. I love the feather step into the oversway. Gorgeous. Girl! Yeah!” Bruno: “I love watching you, my darling. You make me happy. There is such an honest quality about what you do.  You dance from the heart. You seem to embrace me, and everybody at home watching. Your lyricism and your quality of movement was excellent.” Carrie Ann: “The power of dance lies in the ability to take people to another place. Just now, when I watched you dance, I was transported to a film with a happy ending, and it’s magical. You move beautifully. You’re so connected emotionally to everything that you’re doing. Great choreography too, Sasha.”

Let me take this moment to say how Tyra (the first episode and this) seems to try to rush the judges in their comments, basically saying, “we have a quick moment for a comment.” Luckily, the judges—who’ve been here and know this show—basically ignore her, and say what they need to say.

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Val and Monica, jive

This was such a fun jive, danced to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” and a great dance for the “Cheer” captain to jive to. Val, as always, does wonders with choreography, making this a really fun, snappy number to watch. Loved it.

Bruno: “Shook me up and cheer me up. I think your cheerleading quality really helped you on this, because you know how to project this kind of joy and happiness. The jive is all about the kicks and the flicks and the timing. It wasn’t quite there yet. But I love the kind of Swinging ’60s feel you put into it.” Carrie Ann: “I loved seeing you much more relaxed this week. You definitely look like you’re having a lot more fun. I’m gonna say that lift: just don’t do it. We don’t need a lift in the jive. I get that it was an ode to “Cheer,” so hopefully your “Cheer” fans will vote for that, but for me, it distracts from the jive. I don’t think you need it. She’s a great dancer. I wanna see more of the dance.” (As Tyra cuts her off…) Derek: “Fun, playful, bubbly. I have to echo Bruno’s statements: more kicks, more flicks, more bounce, more jive.”

JUDGES: 16 (out of 30)

Cheryl and AJ, foxtrot

Cheryl and AJ foxtrot to the classic “Ain’t That A Kick in the Head.” Wonderful choreography, really fun dance to watch. AJ dedicates this dance to his wife, “my superhero.”

This move, to the line: “She’s picked out a king-size bed.”

Great stuff.

Carrie Ann: “I loved it. Way to go. Last week, I thought maybe you were a bit nervous. This week, the nerves are gone, you were smooth as silk out there.” Derek: “AJ. Man, you’re such a showman. So much joy coming off you. Fantastic.” Bruno: “Foxtrotting all the way down to Vegas. The Rat Pack would be proud. You got such pizzazz. You’re selling it. I love the energy. But you have to be careful to control it. Foxtrot is gliding. It cannot be choppy.”

JUDGES: 19 (out of 30)

Keo and Anne Heche, foxtrot

Ugh. Just awkward and uncomfortable. Not smooth at all. 

Derek: “Anne, I love the relationship between you two. I feel it. In ballroom dances, you want to have a lot of the energy come from the feet. And you want the upper half to just go along for the ride. Sometimes in that routine, I felt like there was a lot of energy up here (he motions to his shoulders), hanging on, and the legs were along for the ride. I really enjoyed it.” Bruno: “I have to praise you for the content. There was so much foxtrot in there, from the beginning to the end. No messing around.” Carrie Ann: “What I’m loving the most is the trust that I see in your eyes of Keo. You’re giving him 100% and it’s a beautiful thing to witness. I can see the growth from last week to this week. You’re a little tense. Trust the process.” 

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30) *overscored*

Daniella and Nelly, cha cha

Nelly doesn’t seem to have taken the advice about true ballroom shoes, but he seems to have modified ones he can work with. 

That was a fun dance, great choreography.

Bruno: “Your timing is particularly good tonight. You do have a fantastic musicality. It’s natural, it comes to you. But you have to articulate a little bit more through the foot. It looks good, but you’re losing the Cuban motion.” Carrie Ann: “Nelly, I can tell you’re a hard worker because of the way you did that routine, I can tell you practiced a lot. Watch on your turns. You’re the easiest to watch. You’ve got a groove. It’s fun to watch.” Derek: “Timing is impeccable. Right in the pocket. So great to watch. I appreciate the content. Attention to detail, like she said. Good job.” 

JUDGES:  18 (out of 30)

Gleb and Chrishell, rumba

If I had to bet who’d pick the rumba to do first, it would be Gleb, every day of the week. And here it is: Week 2. #Sigh Unfortunate, because the rumba is the woman’s dance, and Chrishell is clearly not up to it. Plus, she has a major fall within.

Carrie Ann: “Chrishell. What a difference. You’re like a whole different dancer. You’re dancing from your heart. You’re trusting Gleb. There’s a deep connection.” Derek: “You’re dancing with so much more confidence. So much more passion.” Bruno: “Now I’m seeing the bombshell emerging. I’m impressed. You had sometimes such beautiful lines, shapes. Now you have to learn how to link it. I know you’ve got it. Show it to me, baby.”

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30)

Throughout, Tyra has been mentioning that Kaitlyn hurt her ankle and might not dance tonight. Now Artem is by Tyra’s side. Uh oh. Whew. They WILL be performing.

Emma and Charles Oakley, cha cha

Emma sure gives it the old college try in what is a really losing proposition. Oakley just doesn’t seem to have any natural rhythm. Mirrored jacket notwithstanding.

Derek: “Your timing was better. The jacket is fire. The footwork needs a lot of work still (HA!). An improvement from last week.” Bruno: “Thank you for the chili. You’ve got it, you see? A little bit more work on the feet.” Carrie Ann: “Watch your focus. I know it’s hard without seeing eyes (as she gestures around an empty ballroom). But you’ve got to pretend that people are there, and you’re performing to each one of us. That’s what I wanna see with you.”

JUDGES: 15 (out of 30)

They’ve been doing this thing, randomly, in the first two episodes. Len Goodman (taped from England) comes in to explain how a dance should be performed. Then they show two troupe dancers dancing it properly. Now, to my mind, IF you’re going to do such a thing, you do it with every dance shown and you do it BEFORE anyone does those dances. Not randomly, after everyone has done one already.

Here, they explain foxtrot (which we’ve already had lots of in both Week 1 and Week 2). #Sigh

Sharia and Jesse, foxtrot

 Jesse and Sharna are dancing a foxtrot to “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. I truly love Sharna’s choreography. It’s a great song to dance to. Her dress, though, seems like someone spilled something on the bottom of it. Or is it just me?

Bruno: “Oh Mr. Dreamy does it again. I know what you’re doing. I’m here for you, call me. Whatever you want you shall have.” (I swear sometimes Bruno’s comments verge on sexual harassment…) You’ve gotta watch your bum, your posture and your footwork. You can sell it. You’ve got it. Work on the technique a little bit more.” Carrie Ann: “I disagree. I thought that it was smooth. I thought there was an elegance to it.” Derek: “Good job.”

(They cut Derek’s comment off, but they let Tyra ramble aimlessly about stupid stuff. Grrrrr.)

JUDGES: 20 (out of 30)

Brandon and Jeannie, cha cha

Great costumes. Fun dance. 

Carrie Ann: “What an improvement this week. You’re wild. We still need to tame you in a little bit.” Derek: “I like your energy. I like your charisma. It was good, but you gotta work on the legs.” Bruno: “Cheeky, sexy, sparkling personality. I love you’re starting to play with your partner.”

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30)  

Pasha and Carole, Viennese waltz

Although they are going a little crazy with the tiger theme in the Costume department, I think Carole Baskin is living her best life right now. Look at that!

And look at this set!!!! C’mon! Did I mention they are dancing to “What’s New, Pussycat”? LOL

The magic Pasha did choreographing this is beyond words. I loved this dance so very much. And there was a good bit in hold, so Len would be proud. That was just a joy to watch.

Derek: “First of all, that was a big improvement from last week. This dance suits you. It’s graceful, it’s smooth. I was impressed.Also, it’s a 10 for the set. That was insane.” Bruno: “Apart from the fact that we’ve blown the budget, there is not a rose left in California, and she’s got more gold than the Federal Reserve. Not just that was shining, your performance was shining tonight, darling. There is hope. It’s not perfect.” Carrie Ann: “I really liked it. I thought it suited you perfectly. Yes, it was simple, but remember Dancing with the Stars is also a platform for people to get to know you and for you to grow and evolve and show people a different side of you. And this is how you do it. On the dance floor, bringing these beautiful dances. I loved when you were in hold.”

JUDGES: 16 (out of 30)

Peta and Vernon, paso doble

I really liked Peta’s choreography in this paso doble. Plus, the whole referee-athlete thing worked too.

Bruno: “Beware—there’s a new bull on the block, and he’s not messing around. I loved the power, the determination, the strength. Paso doble: shaping. I can’t wait for you to do it again with more practice.” Derek: “I think that you went with more the stoic approach, and I want a little bit more intensity in the performance. I enjoyed it all round, but think about those things in the future.” Carrie Ann: “I love that you corrected yourself in the middle of it. You were a little ahead of the music. You found the music. That feeling that you had, I wanna see more of that. Bigger, bigger.”

JUDGES: 18 (out of 30)

Artem and Kaitlyn, foxtrot

After all the consternation about her ankle, it’s fitting that they are dancing to “I Hope You Dance,” by LeAnn Womack. It was a beautiful foxtrot. Very lyrical.

Carrie Ann: “That was a beautiful performance, very elegant. The lines were gorgeous. More please.” Derek: “I love to see you reclaiming the dancer from within. It was beautiful. It was graceful. It was effortless.” Bruno: “The quality of movement. The way you filled the space. It was like a ballerina. A classical ballet quality, which I absolutely adore.”

JUDGES: 22 (out of 30, our first 8)

So, who goes home, and how are they doing it?

They combined the scores from last week and this (including people’s voting from both weeks). They are only doing Bottom Two.

Who are:

Carole and Pasha, and Emma and Charles.

The judges save one of the couples, saving Carole and Pasha.

MICHE’s Favorites of Week 2

1. Sasha and Justina, foxtrot

2. Val and Monica, jive

3. Cheryl and AJ, foxtrot

4. Britt and Johnny, tango

5. Daniella and Nelly, cha cha

6. Pasha and Carole, Viennese waltz

7. Artem and Kaitlyn, foxtrot

8. Sharna and Jesse, foxtrot

9. Jenna and Nev, cha cha

10. Brandon and Jeannie, cha cha

11. Peta and Vernon, paso doble

My Eyes My Eyes!

1. Charles and Emma

2. Keo and Anne

3. Skai and Alan

4. Chrishell and Gleb

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