Wow….what a night, huh? We had it all. Starting with Super Cute Cat Deeley in some kind of black drapey toga dress that looked like she laid down on a bolt of fabric, rolled, then stood up (well,the wardrobe dept can’t get it right every week, but yikes!) In the good news dept, along with Dirty Uncle Nigel and Crack Mary as judges, we get special guest judge, Debbie Allen. Sometimes she can be too much for me, but other than being a bit verbose, I loved her as a judge last night. We could have her every week and I’d be fine with that. And hey, she gave Cedric a scholarship to her world famous academy, so she gets permanent love status from me.

That ends the normal part of our show. Now the dancers take the stage and I don’t think there was a single pair tonight who weren’t really challenged by their material, for one reason or another. Which I really liked, even if it didn’t produce the most amazing dancing of the season. We get it all, tonight.

8 couples will dance tonight, starting with Sara and Chuy, who get krumping with one of its originators, Lil C. I knew Sara would hit this, as it’s in her style area, but Chuy really brought it, as well. I really liked the choreo for this and thought Lil C really adapted the style well to show off their styles. Wonderful start to the night, very high energy. Woo!

Next up is Cedric and Shauna with a contemporary routine from Mia. It was kind of all over the place for me, but I thought Shauna did well, and though Mia tried to hide Cedric’s shortcomings with her choreo, he did a great job of emoting and totally gave himself over to the piece, but his limitations as a dancer are really showing now. I thought he judges were perhaps a bit more brutal than necessary (Mary!) but Nigel did put some perspective to it, then Debbie stood up and offered him a place in her school, and Nigel prodded her to make it a scholarship, and the crowd goes wild and Cedric beams because he knows he’d just received a prize greater than he could have ever hoped for. I do think he should go home tonight, but I also feel great knowing that of any kid out there, he will take full advantage of the training he’s being offered. Kudos all around. (And I really want Shauna to stay and get a good partner….Pasha perhaps? More on that later!)

Third up, we get Lacey and Kam doing the quick step. I just love watching these two. They are like seasoned pros no matter what they do. Danny and Anya get all these kudos, but I think this is the strongest team. There is such charisma, chemistry and showmanship here. I don’t get as much intensity from the other “top” pair. Anyway, another solid, fun night from these two. Great job. One thing I love about Lacey is that, like her brother Benji, she comes from a swing background, where the facial expressions and mannerisms are supposed to be over the top. I adored Benji and those over the top emotions went well for him, but normally they put me off. Lacey manages to keep them in line with whatever dance she’s doing and it never looks oversold to me, but perfectly fitting in whatever routine she’s doing at the time. I hope she does go after acting and theater, as I think she’d be a natural there, too. Broadway would love her.

On to pair number four - we get Danny and Anya, who are finally pushed waaaaaaaaay out of their comfort zone with hip hop. I was excited to see how they’d handle it, but to their further detriment, they get Dan Karaty as their choreographer. I used to love Dan’s stuff, but with all the new instructors they have, his work really isn’t rising to meet the new standard on this show and it really shows here. However, while he didnt’ do them any favors with a less than wow routine, another team could have done a lot more with what he gave them. Danny and Anya are too good to be bottom three, but speaking of this week’s routines exclusively, I’d have put them there. Sorry you two.

Up next is Dominic and Sabra with the first ever rumba on this program, any season. And wowowoww, do they go for it. Not only is Sabra gorgeous, lovely and as effortless as ever, but Dominic totally partners her in a way that is never in doubt, not for one second. Beautiful routine, gorgeous execution. Could have done with a lot less posing and posturing after the fact from Dominic, but it was so good I’ll forgive him for being young and immature. They deserve to stay after that one. Well done.

Coming out next is Lauren and Neil, who get the tango. This is another bottom three performance for me. Mostly because both the routine and the music did them no favors whatsoever. But also because it obviously didn’t suit either of them and they were clearly out of their element. Interesting to watch, but not up to the level of the others tonight.

Going seventh tonight are Hok and Jaimie who get a jazz routine from the very, very twisted mind of Wade Robson. (Where does he get this stuff?) Anyway, it’s the hummingbird and the flower and I’m all yadda yadda whatever Wade, until they come out and start and it’s just absolutely stunning and wild and so very different, I’m absolutely transfixed. He choreo’d beautifully to their individual strengths and it was really a stunning piece of work. Best of the night for me. Major golf claps all the way around.

Last, but waaaay not least we get Pasha and Jessi. They get the cha cha, which is Pasha’s personal style, so you know it’s going to be wonderful as I’m sure he’ll partner Jessi beautifully and showcase her just fine. But then, drama! Jessi falls ill with an irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing and is sent to the hospital, where she remained even through the live show last night. So, instead, Pasha is partnered with his choreographer’s dance assistant, Melanie LaPatin, who (though they dont’ announce it) was a former US champion in this form. Clearly that was a few years ago as she’s no longer in top physical form, but the girl can dance. Anyway, the deal is we are to vote and judge him exclusive of his partner and she does a great job of just being there and being enough to let him do his thing, but never trying to do too much with her part. Pasha, on the other hand, makes her look like the siren to end all sirens and man oh man do we all want to be Melanie or what!! I know I did! Dayum. That was smoking. He was like Maks Jr for me. Whew! He gets my vote tonight. And, to be fair, as it is his strength, he supposed to look great, but wow, he surely did.

Nigel explains that the way it will work tonight is that, if Jessi comes back, because she didn’t perform and get votes, she’ll automatically be added to the bottom three girls and dance for her life. Pasha will only be there if his votes put him there. And if Jessi is not well enough to perform, then she will be cut from the program. Harsh, but what else are they to do? Cut someone who is performing? Also not fair. A sucky way to go, and I hope she is there tonight to dance for her place on the show, but we’ll see. However, this brings up the provocative possible pairing of Shauna and Pasha if Cedric goes home tonight, as is predicted. I think they would be a great match up as they are both strong performers with solid physiques. I’d love to see them together. Sorry, Jessi! Not wishing you bad luck, but I wouldn’t be upset with that outcome.

Bottom three for me? Based on tonight’s routines and performances, it should be Lauren/Neil, Shauna/Cedric, and Danny/Anya, along with Jessi. Going home? Should be Cedric and Jessi, but if not Jessi, then….hmmm. I have no idea!

What’s in store tonight? I can’t wait to find out!

Tags: Writing //