Season 30, Week Five: Grease Night With the Grease Songs in Order

 

Praise be to Jesus! We actually have an opening number again!!! (Choreographed by Catherine Burns.)

Note Sharna, Pasha and Lindsay.

Oh, Sharna, I miss you already.

Well, at least we know that we’ll have good songs in a Grease night. (Something to snap us out of that Disney Villains lethargy with crappy songs…)

Grease (and music) icon Olivia Newton-John sends a video message of support.

Oh jeez. They are doing all of the songs in Grease. In order. Ugh. Dancing with the Stars, please go back to how you used to be. Sheesh. This forced stuff is really annoying.

Val and Olivia, foxtrot

They are dancing, then, of course, to “Summer Nights.”

We have Olivia Newton-John back (on video) to explain Grease to us.

Iconic song, great dance. Fun troupe interaction.

Len: “Well, I think if Sandy and Danny were to dance a foxtrot, it would look a lot like that. It was full of fun, it was entertaining. Olivia, you are becoming one heck of a dancer. And Val, your choreography is just great.” Derek (in a pink suit): “I can already tell tonight is going to be one of my favorite theme nights ever. I absolutely love Grease. Olivia, you are a perfect Sandy. Your frame is unbelievable. So beautiful. The character you play is spot on. What a great way to open the show.” Bruno: “Stay tuned, because it’s gonna be a good one. I mean, come on! As an opening number, your starry nights are more than summer nights. Because what you did, actually, you captured the sweet innocence of Sandy. So beautiful. You got swept off your feet by Danny, and you kept a very very beautiful foxtrot going. Olivia would be proud of you.” Carrie Ann: “I echo everything my fellow judges say, but on top of that, your body contact was amazing. Your hold, your technique was amazing. Not only did you bring Sandy to life so beautifully, you brought it to life in the correct way.”

JUDGES: 36 (Out of 40)

Artem and Melora, Viennese waltz

They have the co-creator of Grease in the ballroom, Jim Jacobs. Wow.

They are dancing a Viennese waltz to “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee.” Melora is thrilled to be playing Rizzo. Artem says that he’s never had a sleepover in his entire life (!). Nor has he ever participated in a pillow fight (“absolutely not” as he says). Hahaha Melora goes to the couch to grab some pillows. 

I forgot that one of the lines of this song is: “I’m lousy with virginity.” LOL

It really helps to have such a great actress doing this song. Almost makes it work.

I mean, look at her. She is Sandra Dee.

Derek: “Melora, you are the gift that keeps on giving. That intro was straight out of the musical. You always bring the theatrics. You always bring the character to life. The dancing, of course, is beautiful. You’re amazing.” Bruno: “Melora, you’ve got the part. You’re hired. What she does, she takes the character, but you make it your own. You play with your own sassy sense of humor. Did you put some bump and grind into the Viennese waltz? I don’t mind. I liked it, because in this case, it worked. The character, you played it so well.” Carrie Ann: “Melora, last week, I know I said it was a little safe, but what I loved about this performance is you kinda never knew where you were gonna go next. What I think sets you apart from everybody else is that every time you dance, it makes everybody wanna do the dance with you. You make it look like it feels so good. Excellent job.” Len: “You didn’t just dance that fantastically well, you acted the part. There was a great connection between the two of you. I tell you what, it’s just like the film or the show, I feel better for seeing that.”

JUDGES: 36 (Out of 40)

Daniella and Iman, Viennese waltz

We have another Sandy and Danny, in Daniella and Iman. This time, they are dancing to “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and Olivia Newton-John tells is how important this song was to her.

I loved it not only because it’s one of the best songs of Grease, but because of all the beautiful Viennese waltz content that Daniella put into it. Gorgeous dance.

Bruno: “I could really feel the sense of a love story, Plenty of love and devotion in there.” Carrie Ann: “It’s so hard, cause the height difference is just tremendous. This one wasn’t the best dance suited to you. I also love th chemistry that you always bring. That’s special.” Len: “It had a gentleness that I liked so much. Your technique isn’t great. You try so hard, that I find it difficult to criticize you.” Derek: “Iman, personally, I love you. I love watching you. You just ooze joy when you dance. Great try.”

JUDGES: 28 (Out of 40)  

Witney and The Miz, jive

They dance to “Greased Lightning,” which he thinks is one of the best songs in the show. (The one he remembers most.)

Carrie Ann: “Go Miz Lightning. You are living the dream. That is the ultimate performance anybody could wanna do: ‘Greased Lightning.’ That was amazing. You matched the energy. You came out, you thrilled us, you totally made it work. You just rushed for about half of the song, but I know it’s because you love it so much. That’s what makes me wanna forgive you, But I still have to score you right.” Len: “Well, I’m not sure about hydromatic. I thought one or two of the steps were a bit problematic. Overall, it was a high-octane, full-on jive.” Derek: “Listen, man, I look forward to seeing your performances every single week, because I know you’re gonna absolutely crush it, come out here and perform your butt off. Usually every step is accounted for with you, but tonight, it lost a little bit of the clarity, especially toward the end. But bro, that was so much fun.” Bruno: “The timing just went at the end, but what a performance.”

Happy Birthday to Witney.

JUDGES: 32 (Out of 40)

Alan and Amanda, Viennese waltz

They are dancing to “Beauty School Dropout” and Amanda is playing Frenchie.

They video chat with Didi Conn, who was Frenchie in the movie.

Special surprise: Frankie Avalon is performing the song.

Amanda Kloots’ acting skills really came into play in this number. And wow! Those legs!

Len: “Well, you may be a beauty school dropout. One thing for sure, you’re not going to be a Dancing with the Stars dropout, because I thought that was just fantastic. Overall, it was great. The icing on the cake is one of my teenage heroes: Frankie Avalon.” Derek: “First of all, you said, ‘Leg extension, let’s go.’ You are always so consistently fantastic, especially in the ballroom dances. Your frame is beautiful. Your legs are unbelievable. Just fantastic. There’s something for me, I can’t quite put my finger on it, what it is. There’s this moment that I just wanna tip it over the edge and give you that 10.” Bruno: “Well, I know where my finger is. When it comes to beauty and legs, you have nothing to fear. In fact, you have plenty to spare. I really felt like you stepped out of a dream into an enchanting Viennese waltz. Splendid.” Carrie Ann: “Amanda! Grease is the word for you, and Grease is the Night for you. You had technique. You brought elegance. You’ve got charm, you’ve got musicality, you’ve got magic.”

JUDGES: 39 (Out of 40)

Sasha and Suni, Charleston

They are doing one of Sasha’s best dances (the Charleston) to “Born to Hand Jive.” Sasha is playing Danny Zuko and Suni is playing Cha Cha. 

OK, one of the best things so far is seeing Pasha and Britt in the troupe of this “Hand Jive” dance. At the end, Sasha gets a pie in the face.

Was that planned? Val thinks not.

Sasha and Suni win my dance contest.

Derek: “I’m so confused. The song is called “Hand Jive,” you’re dancing a Charleston, and you’re playing the character of Cha Cha. This is a very confusing dance. But I absolutely loved it. That iconic moment, with your foot on his chest, you’re shaking the skirt! So much fun.” Bruno: “It really felt like we’re all having the most fun EVER! You got your cake and ate it, by the looks of it (as Sasha continues to lick the frosting off his face. LOL). Talk about throwing everything at it, and I like the fact that you put a bit of Lindy hop in there as well, which just made it even more delicious.” Carrie Ann: “I thought it was fantastic. Look, that moment when Cha Cha danced, that’s like every dancer’s dream, when the hot dancer chick steals him away for a minute, right? The greatest moment. I thought you did a great job. It was fantastic.” Len: “What I liked, you got elements of Charleston in there. My biggest compliment about that dance: I smiled the whole way through.”

JUDGES: 36 (Out of 40)

Emma and Jimmie, foxtrot

They are dancing to “Sandy.” Emma’s costume is gorgeous. Jimmie, I’m not so sure.

 Bruno: “First let me say, from all of us, Congratulations (his wife just had a baby). You were very good in hold. You were very dynamic side by side. Great storytelling.” Carrie Ann: “There’s something about you when you dance: the musicality, the storytelling… Sometimes, when you’re out of hold, you’re so much bigger than when you are in hold. I’d like to see more of a balance, so that it doesn’t feel so different.” Len: “There’s a flair about your dancing. I don’t always think the technique’s overly great, you lose your hold and posture a little bit, but you come out with enthusiasm. And I think that’s such a great trait.” Derek: “That had content, performance, storytelling, great choreography. That was a concept seen through from the beginning to the end. That was a complete package.”

JUDGES: 34 (Out of 40)

Brandon and Kenya, rumba

They are dancing to “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and Kenya is playing Rizzo.

She dedicates this dance to her grandmother.

She looks stunning. 

Carrie Ann: “Kenya, I am so happy that you are still here in this competition, so that you could do that do that dance right now for all of us. You have incredible dignity. You just show up, you perform, and you are getting so good. That was the most… it was delicious, and sensuous and powerful, and dignified. And now I understand how much you love dancing.” Len: “I know the song says ‘Worse Things’ you could do, there wasn’t much worse you could’ve done in that rumba. It had chemistry, it had a romance about it, it had control. It was really, really spot on.” Derek: “Kenya, that opening half split! It was stunning. Assertive, intentional, the rotation in your legs in the fan position. The way you used your arms. Listen, you can either sink or swim. You swam.” Bruno: “Kenya, I feel funny. Hot. Actually, what was brilliant: you were so focused. In translating emotion through motion. Right on it, honey.”

JUDGES: 36 (Out of 40)

Jenna and JoJo, foxtrot

They are dancing to “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise).” They also talk to Didi Conn.

Len (he stands): “You affected my brain with the quality of the technique, you affected my heart with the artistry that you produced. It was superb.” Derek: “I absolutely love this partnership. It is so beautiful. And the way you ebb and flow between leader and follower, follower, leader. It is so gorgeous. That opening turn was stellar. This power and grace, it was absolutely pristine. That was a moment.” Bruno: “I am still shivering. Because, I am telling you why. That was the most exquisite interpretation of the importance and power of friendship, and it was danced to a level of musicality. You did that like an artist.” Carrie Ann: “You guys leave me nothing to say at this point. Except, I can just say: it was perfection.”

JUDGES: 40 (Out of 40) First perfect score of the season.

Gleb and Mel C., quickstep

Gleb and Melanie C. are dancing to “You’re the One That I Want,” because of course they are.

Some people seem to be doing these quicksteps really slow. Or is it just me?

Derek: “First of all, confidence isn’t something that you have. Confidence is something that you do. And you did that. You were phenomenal out there. You were so great. How fantastic that quickstep was. Your oversway was perfection.” Bruno: “You got what you wanted: Gleb on his knees, begging for it. It takes a lot of guts doing a quickstep in Lycra® because all the attention is on the legs and feet. And I have to say, great!” Carrie Ann: “Melanie, I just wanna say that I appreciate your vulnerability there, because this whole thing is a journey. And as a judge, I’m not judging the vulnerability. I love that you shared that, and it makes us appreciate what you do out here even more. And that’s the beauty of Dancing with the Stars. So I love that. What will make you feel like you have the breakthrough is when you just have fun. You started a little nervous, weren’t you? And then, halfway through you had fun, and that’s when it came to life. It was amazing.” Len: “Keeping it simple: It was your best dance for me.”

JUDGES: 36 (Out of 40)

Cheryl and Cody, quickstep

Cheryl and Cody dance the finale, “We Go Together,” which Cheryl calls “the most well-known song.” Um, it isn’t. I’ve never heard of it, and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” charted. So no, she’s wrong.

Oh, ok. I have heard this song. Still not the “most well-known.”

Bruno: “It really had the sense of uplifting celebration of everything Grease. Great performance. You have to work on the sections in hold, and the footwork. At this stage, we cannot let that go. I know you can do it. It’s the partner work.” Carrie Ann: “I think Bruno’s right. It would be nice if you closed the gap a little bit in your hold. It would make you dance more together, and we’ll feel more chemistry from you, and make you more solid as a couple dancing.” Len: “It needed a stronger frame, But what I liked was the energy you produced. You really came out and gave it your all.” Derek: “I thought it was a great way to finish out the night, and I actually think that your frame improved from last week.”

JUDGES: 32 (Out of 40)

The Bottom Two:

1. Gleb and Melanie C.

2. Olivia and Val

Who’s going home?

Len saves Val and Olivia.

MICHE’s Favorites of Grease Night

1. Sasha and Suni, Charleston

2. Daniella and Iman, Viennese waltz

3. Val and Olivia, foxtrot

4. Cheryl and Cody, quickstep

5. Jenna and JoJo, foxtrot

6. Emma and Jimmie, foxtrot

7. Gleb and Mel C., quickstep

8. Brandon and Kenya, rumba

9. Alan and Amanda, Viennese waltz

10. Artem and Melora, Viennese waltz

Please Go Home!

1. The Miz

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

Season 29, Week 4: We Have No Theme, but We Have Great Dances, and Tyra Messes Up Real Bad

 Yes. I know it’s the pandemic, but jeez, has all creativity gone away too? Let’s just say that Dancing with the Stars is hurting from not having a splashy opening DANCE NUMBER. They have devised LAME opening segments instead. This one perhaps being one of the worst. A pseudo PSA from “Celebrities Who Don’t Like Criticism” bitching about the judges’ comments. Ugh. Stupid. Hated it.

Then we get ten minutes of Tyra walking through a door with a fancy dress on. #Eyeroll #WhoCares

As is common in this season, there is also no stated theme. The episode guides just call it “Top 13.” I refuse. Pick a damn theme, people.

Daniella and Nelly, paso doble

I really adore Daniella, and she is working so hard to make Nelly competitive. But he’s really not a dancer. Still, this paso doble was very watchable. If hair throwing were being judged, she’d have a Mirror Ball already.

Derek: “Nelly, you brought that poppin’ paso—way to start the show. I would’ve liked a little more shape. But I really liked that.” Bruno: “OK, you’ve got the power. Now you have to refine the artistry, especially in the shaping.” Carrie Ann: “Nelly! That is what I was looking for. We asked for a breakout last week. This is the breakout. There was not one misstep. The musicality, everything. I agree with Derek: a little bit more shaping. But wow, what an improvement.”

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Gleb and Chrishell, foxtrot

As you can see from the pic, it’s kind of a more grabby foxtrot than I’m used to. Not as much, you know, dancing involved. Really hated this one.

Bruno: “Excuse me? Almost too hot to trot. I liked the role reversal. Started very well, but there was a stumble.” Carrie Ann: “Chrishell, I’m really proud of you. You’re really aware of your face. But what I’m liking is the way it’s extending out: the tips of your hands, the points of your feet. There’s so much potential, and you’re growing every week.” Derek: “You feel so much more comfortable. So much more confident. For me, this was your best dance.”

JUDGES: 22 (out of 30) #overscored

Val and Monica, samba

Monica still doesn’t seem totally comfortable as competitor rather than coach, and she chastised Val in the package for not having enough empathy. But we have gold sparkly fringe, we have “Party in the USA” and we have Val’s exquisite choreography. What’s not to like?

Carrie Ann: (stands and applauds) “Mad respect to you for doing that, because it brought you guys closer together. You were formidable partners, and it made the dancing so much better. Val, I have so much respect for you. The dancing is improved greatly . You looked like you were having fun, you were also totally in control.” Derek: “This was a proper samba. There was so much content. So fantastic. As coaches, we are forever students. We are always learning. You can see that in this performance. You’re always improving. Your best dance.” Bruno: “What really impressed me was how much this was a pure samba. You actually put all the required samba steps together. Good for you.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Keo and Anne, paso doble

I don’t know what this was. Some kind of anthem disguised as a paso doble. OK. As a dance, it didn’t really hold up for me, certainly not as a paso. Too many of the actresses in this show just strike dramatic poses rather than just dancing. #NotaFan

Derek: “When you rise above the storm, you will always find sunshine. In this case, a beautiful rainbow. You felt so much more sturdy, so much more on your feet. So much more in control. It makes me so happy to see progress each week, from all of the couples.” Bruno: “The multicolored warrior! Out and proud. It was the most focused performance up to date.” Carrie Ann: “I just love you. Watching you is inspiring me on so many levels. You’re a bright light. But also, you are so powerful. You fought for every single step in that paso. You don’t give up, we don’t give up rooting for you. You still have stuff to learn, but I’m rooting for you, and I think everyone else is. Keep at it.”

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Jenna and Nev, rumba

Beautiful dance, beautiful rumba. Great costumes, great choreography. Loved this one.

Bruno: “I feel so good, so lovey-dovey. Like a romantic dream, set to music. But you’re so in tune tonight, you two.” Carrie Ann: “The rumba is the woman’s dance, and it’s all about giving good frame, and you gave excellent frame. But you added a lot of poetry to it, which is such an amazing thing. You are standing out to me already as somebody we should keep our eye on. Your lines are beautiful. It’s all… Jenna, you guys are like a vision tonight.” Derek: “That was a beautiful rumba. The in-between movements that you have, the texture that you have are beautiful when we watch you dance. I loved it.” 

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Sasha and Justina, salsa

 Justina dedicates this dance to her grandmother, who passed in 2006, who emigrated from Puerto Rico.

I love seeing those two dance together. That was so fun.

Carrie Ann: “You got us all up on our feet. That’s the first time this whole season. Usually everybody’s coming into Dancing with the Stars and trying something new and it’s foreign to them. Tonight, instead of you being in the ballroom, I felt like I came over to your house.” Derek: “Justina! Oh my gosh. You have so much charisma. So much fun. Last week, it lacked a little bit of energy, but you brought it all this week. It comes from within you. That’s what’s so much fun to watch you dance, cause it’s just so authentic. I love it. Keep that up.” Bruno: “Justina, La Reina Latina. She was on fire. Those hips don’t lie. Good for you.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Artem and Kaitlyn, Viennese waltz

Two of my favorite people in the social media world are Kaitlyn Bristowe and her partner Jason Tartick. So when her package is full of them and their story, it’s only a good thing. #Swoon She dedicates this dance to him.

Kaitlyn, back in regular shoes, after two weeks of ankle injuries, tackles this Viennese waltz with Artem.

Great, wonderful Viennese waltz. Loved it.

Derek: “That was so beautifully danced. Just every week, you get better and better. It’s just so elegant, so effortless. It’s stunning. I’m really looking forward to a different type of dance that’s gonna bring out a different side to you.” Bruno: “You have such a flexibility in your back and in your arm, and you’re able to link all the movement with such grace. I can’t wait to see you do something different. If you’re as good in Latin as you are in ballroom… oh my!” Carrie Ann: “We all love love. Love is so special, and it’s like the mysterious ingredient that makes everything so magical. Tonight, you brought that. You are an excellent dancer, and you have been from Day One, I think. Tonight there was something very very special. I loved the lyricism. I could hear Len Goodman saying, “Why aren’t they in traditional hold?” but for me it worked and it worked beautifully.”

JUDGES: 25 (out of 30, the first 9 of the season)

Britt and Johnny, jive

How can a person not love a jive, danced to “Crocodile Rock”? I mean… C’mon!

Loved loved loved that so much.

Bruno: “Johnny is on full throttle. Now I see you, Johnny. You turned the lights on at full beam. You were performing, you were exploding out there. It’s like seeing the real you. It was fantastic. You’re always light on your feet, but you were sharp as well.” Carrie Ann: “What is going on? You guys had Disney Week last week, and everyone’s having breakthroughs tonight. That was incredible. You were glowing, every move. The resistance, the partnership, everything about it was fantastic.” Derek: “Johnny, to echo what they were both saying, it feels like when you’re off the floor, we see you, and when you hit the floor, sometimes it closes off a little bit. Tonight, you opened up, you let us in. And it was just so refreshing to watch that from you.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

Brandon and Jeannie, tango

Jeannie’s mom is betting against her winning #DWTS, so Jeannie uses that as motivation. They are dancing a tango to the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” so it’s a fun dance to watch.

Carrie Ann: “I would not bet against you, with all that fire, with all that passion. It was so good, until the end there was that misstep. Jeannie Mai, that is the direction that we need from you. I would’ve thought you’d be more of a Latin dancer, but you’re actually better in the ballroom.” Derek: “Your focus, your attitude in that dance was spot on. It was so good. Great job.” Bruno: “I love the way you can change and switch your personality. It worked extremely well. I love the range you have. Keep going.”

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Peta and Vernon, rumba

First of all, Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” is a great song. Peta’s choreography definitely played well with the partnership.

Derek: “Man, I love this show so much. Seeing you dance a rumba brings me so much joy. Man, that was beautiful.” Bruno: “Vernon, you’re better and better every week. You have natural charm and charisma. Everything you do seems to be effortless. And you got those hips rotating.” Carrie Ann: “I don’t think we were looking at the arm motions. What’s so spectacular about you is the way you understand momentum. That sweep you did with Peta was like magic. There’s moments in some dances that take your breath away. The way you understand how the momentum works, that’s what’s special about you. And the hip action. There’s a poetry to you that’s really spectacular.”

JUDGES: 22 (out of 30)

Sharna and Jesse, cha cha

I love Sharna to death, and love her choreography always. The sets and costumes are great. But I’m just not feeling Jesse all season long. Dunno what it is, but he lacks the fire that so many of the other contestants really have.

Bruno: “Jesse! You drive me crazy. You’ve got the looks, you’ve got the vibe. You’ve got the girl. You almost had the timing. But you forgot the hips. There is so much that you could do. If you just pushed a little bit harder, it would be so much better. I don’t feel you’re quite there yet.” Carrie Ann: “Your musicality is improved. Definitely, I saw you on the beat. I want more from you. I wanna see what we see in the packages. There’s this easiness to you in the packages. When you’re not dancing, you’re like a different person. I wanna see more of that in the dance.” Derek: “Much better this week. It’s all about progress. It’s all about improving. So you did that.”

JUDGES: 21 (out of 30)

Alan and Skai, foxtrot

Skai dedicates this song to her colleague Cameron Boyce, who died. 

It is a beautiful foxtrot. 

Carrie Ann: “I was blown away by that,” she says with tears in her eyes. Derek: “This was my absolute favorite dance of the night. So beautiful. It was exquisite. It had so much breadth in there. Your neckline is stunning. You’re a gorgeous ballroom dancer. I’m really proud of you.” Carrie Ann: “For me, dance is always about emotion. I”m sure that Cameron is watching you right now, and he’s so proud of you. What you did, you were like an angel, dancing the most beautiful dance. I’m beyond words. It was just sheer perfection.” Bruno: “One thing is for sure: you are back in top form. That was stunning. It was the embodiment of grace and elegance. But what you had that I’ve rarely seen in someone so young is the poise. The poise was regal. Keep doing jobs like this.”

JUDGES: 28 (out of 30, first 10 of the season)

Cheryl and AJ, cha cha

During the pandemic, many things had to go away to put on a show: audiences, props, friends backstage, troupe dancers. But AJ and Cheryl came up with a novel idea to add flair to their dance: the Backstreet Boys, virtually. Appropriately to their song “Larger than Life,” as they appear larger than life behind him at the beginning of the dance (and throughout).

Very fun. Especially for Backstreet Boys fans.

Derek: “Larger than Life? Literally, like 80 foot back here. You are living legends. It’s always a pleasure to watch you, and to see that was fantastic. You’re just so likeable, and I enjoy watching you. Need to work on the footwork a little. Way to end the show.” Bruno: “Crowd-pleasing, barn-storming performance. You got all the reinforcement going, very good. Still need to work on the cha cha cha, but the performance? A winner.” Carrie Ann: “What a great way to end tonight. It has been so much fun. You’re such a natural entertainer, you just know how to bring it. Thank you, it was like going to a concert. We love it.”

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

The night’s final leaderboard. Now, something is about to happen that never happened when Tom Bergeron was host. I’m just saying.

Who goes home? Who is in the bottom two? Well…

We get down to these three couples left on stage.

Now, what I believe actually happened is that the bottom two SHOULD BE Anne and Keo and Chrishell and Gleb. But, for some reason, Tyra has a meltdown and says that Val and Monica should come back, because they are in the bottom two. See leaderboard above. I believe to this day that they were never in the bottom two properly. The math just doesn’t work out.

Don’t know exactly what happened here, but it was a major fiasco, the likes of which we’ve never seen.

So the judges now have to decide who’s going home, based on either Anne/Keo or Val/Monica. Well, duh.

Bizarre. Truly bizarre.

Miche’s Favorites of Week 4

1. Val and Monica, samba

2. Britt and Johnny, jive

3. Sasha and Justina, salsa

4. Cheryl and AJ, cha cha

5. Kaitlyn and Artem, Viennese waltz

6. Jenna and Nev, rumba

7. Sharna and Jesse, cha cha

8. Brandon and Jeannie, tango

9. Daniella and Nelly, paso doble

10. Peta and Vernon, rumba

Please Go Away

1. Anne Heche

2. Chrishell

3. Skai

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

Season 28, Week 10, Semifinals Bring Redemption and Lots of Tears

 

They call it “Redemptiom,” which is annoying and wrong, but basically it’s people redoing a dance they did earlier in the season, with some help from one of the judges. Lauren and Gleb are up first, with some help from Len. They are redoing their paso doble to “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger.”

Lauren and Gleb, paso doble

Keo, Lauren, Brandon

I loved that paso. Such great shaping and nice choreography.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Witney and Kel, tango

Those pants though…

Witney and Kel’s Redemption Dance was the tango, with Bruno advising them. They also had some nice shapes and movements. Dancing to “Get Back” from The Temptations was also a wonderful choice.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Sasha and Ally, Viennese waltz

I just get transported to such a place of joy, watching Sasha and Ally (and specifically Sasha’s choreography). I do think the Viennese waltz is my favorite dance on the show. So beautiful.

They were assisted in this dance by Len.

JUDGES: 29 (out of 30)

Alan and Hannah, rumba

Hannah and Alan get Carrie Ann as their guest judge. (Maybe not the best idea.) Carrie Ann tries to be constructive, but Hannah takes it as a personal attack. Carrie Ann tells her that she chose the rumba so that Hannah can win. But later says that Hannah’s mental battles are what hold her back.

And, to be fair, the rumba is probably the dance where you have to get the most vulnerable. So it was a good choice from Carrie Ann, but a real cross to bear for Hannah.

She executed it well, though, and did seem present, at least in the beginning.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Emma and James, cha cha

James and Emma get Len as their judge, which James likes because he thinks he can learn something from Len. Len chooses the cha cha as their Redemption dance.

The dance was wonderful, but James seemed a bit off throughout. It’s always fun to see a disco-ish number performed. And the costumes!!!

JUDGES: 24 (out of 30)

(L-R): Keo, Peta, Lindsay, (Brandon behind), Jenna, Emma, Val and James in front.

MICHE’s Redemption Favorites

1. Sasha and Ally, Viennese waltz 

2. Gleb and Lauren, paso doble

3. Emma and James, cha cha

4. Witney and Kel, tango

5. Alan and Hannah, rumba

Gleb and Lauren, Viennese waltz

Lauren and Gleb dance a Viennese waltz to Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.”

It’s a great dance, and Lauren looks stunning. Not sure what happened to Gleb’s tux.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Witney and Kel, contemporary

For a contemporary dance, it’s really beautiful. They dance to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” and Kel dedicates it to a friend who died. Tears abound.

JUDGES: 30 (out of 30)

Sasha and Ally, Charleston

Sasha Farber is one of the few people who seems to choose the Charleston as one of his go-to dances. And I love him for that, cause it’s such a fun, entertaining dance (My fave previous Charleston was the one he did with Terra Jolé.) 

But this was fun. Starting at the top of a staircase and consisting mostly of just Ally and Sasha, the end of the dance had the whole troupe coming out (see above). Awesomeness and truly sublime.

JUDGES: 30 (out of 30)

Emma and James, foxtrot

Emma and James dance the foxtrot to “Take Me to Church.” In the package, it was announced that his wife had suffered a miscarriage over the weekend. 

It was so beautiful, and Emma’s choreography, again just stunning. Gorgeous to watch. Costumes on point, too.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

Alan and Hannah, contemporary

There were some pretty cool lifts in this dance, but still, it was contemporary. Ugh.

JUDGES: 27 (out of 30)

MICHE’s Favorites of the Semifinals

1. Sasha and Ally, Charleston

2. Emma and James, foxtrot

3. Gleb and Lauren, Viennese waltz

4. Witney and Kel, contemporary

5. Alan and Hannah, contemporary

So, who goes home? Who are in the Bottom Two?

Oh, my goodness. Somehow, top scorers Ally and Sasha AGAIN end up in the Bottom Two (totally unfairly) and so do Emma and James.

Both Carrie Ann and Bruno chose to save Ally and Sasha, though for both the choice looks gut-wrenching.

Ally offers to give her spot to James. Tom kindly tells her she can’t do that (though it’s very nice). Many tears all around.

(DISCLAIMER: The incompleteness of this column is due to forces beyond my control. I apologize.)

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