Thursday, October 3, 2019

Dancing With the Stars S28E03: Movie Night

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DWTS captures red carpet magic on Movie Night
By Kim Krober

Dancing with the Stars returned with Movie Night, plenty of popcorn and confetti, and a splashy, hypnotic opening number featuring the dance pros and their celebrity partners set to the theme from Fame. Host Tom Bergeron quipped it was another night for a DWTS-inspired drinking game - take a shot every time the confetti cannon is fired. If someone heeded that advice, they'd be more blitzed by the end of the show than London during World War II, as it felt as if almost every dance involved confetti carnage.

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It was also revealed during the opening that Ray Lewis and Cheryl Burke would not be returning to the dance floor due to an exacerbated injury of Ray's from 2010. I genuinely felt sympathetic for him, as it sounded painful and difficult to give up the competition, but was anybody else as pissed as I was that he was spared by the judges last week only to bow out this week? If only he had gone home and Mary had been allowed to continue in the competition! Alas. However, it was great to see former DWTS champ Rashad Jennings return to dance Ray's Cha-Cha with Cheryl set to The Beatles' "Twist & Shout" in an homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Let's see how your favorites did during this glamorous third week of competition:

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Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko, Tango
I enjoyed seeing Lauren channel her best inner Julia Roberts for a Pretty Woman-inspired Tango set to the movie's iconic theme song. I also loved their costumes, especially those boots with the high heels. How does someone walk in those without falling, let alone dance? It was a classic case of misdirection as Len said he was disappointed (about not getting to wear a hat) before telling her it was full of attack, drive, and purpose. Bruno called it a racy Tango at full throttle but told Lauren that she needs to work on her transitions. Carrie Ann loved the confidence but cautioned her about working on her musicality, saying she would've liked to see more resistance in the holds.
Score: 20

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Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten, Rumba
It was refreshing to see a performance inspired by Wilson Phillips' "Hold On" from the beloved comedy Bridesmaids - how original! Bruno told her she's a wonderful lyrical dancer, but she needs to engage her lower half more on the dance floor. Carrie Ann agreed, saying she had exquisite lines, but she needs to expand her Latin ballroom horizons. Len commented on her beautiful musicality and shaping but said she could have benefited from more hip action. Perhaps Hannah should have taken note of Alan's hip action in that bizarre real-life bachelorette party scenario in which he pretended to be a stripper for her and her gal pals.
Score: 21

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Karamo Brown & Jenna Johnson, Jive
A Jive set to Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" from Rocketman seemed like a match made in heaven for Karamo. It was fabulous to see him living his best life and oozing enthusiasm, even if it seemed like he wasn't moving fast enough for a Jive at all times. I also loved Jenna's keyboard ruffles! Plus, how adorable was Taron Egerton's personal good luck greeting? Carrie Ann admitted she saw a lot of mistakes but complimented Karamo on his entertainment value and joy. Len liked the mix of steps and that he came out with determination, but he compared going wrong in a dance to getting a hickey (you can try to cover it up, but everyone's going to see it anyway) in the most awkward analogy I've ever seen on this show. Bruno said to look on the bright side: Karamo went off like a rocket with fireworks even if there were some misfires along the way. He told him he has great potential and to come back bigger and stronger than ever next week. Good advice!
Score: 16

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Ally Brooke & Sasha Farber, Rumba
Ally paid tribute to her personal hero Selena by dancing a very special Rumba to "Dreaming of You". It made me see her in a new light and earned her more votes. Len admired all of the cuckaracha movements in the dance and the overall performance, telling Ally she was right up his alley. Bruno could tell she put all of her heart and soul into that dance combined with correct Rumba motions and lines. Carrie Ann commented that she had chills the entire time, saying it was unapologetically passionate and beautiful. It was enough to catapult Ally to the top of the leader board!
Score: 24

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James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater, Rumba
I loved, loved, loved everything about seeing James' Rumba to "Shallow" from A Star Is Born and learning more about his love story with his wife Kimberly! It was gorgeous from sparkly start to finish. Bruno teased the audience for going gaga for James, saying it's valid because there wasn't anything shallow about that dance. He commended him for making his partner look stunning. Carrie Ann praised the choreography and poetry in motion, while Len felt his wide leg action impeded his hip action and said this Rumba was a bit too passionate for his tastes. Len earned that side-eye from the other two judges for ruining James' perfect trio of 8's!
Score: 23

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Kate Flannery & Pasha Pashkov, Quickstep
Is there a more appropriate song choice for Meredith from The Office to dance to on Movie Night than Dolly Parton's "9 to 5"? It was whimsical and fun - Kate continues to impress me week after week! Carrie Ann admired the precision and synchronization, while Len enjoyed the choreography and characters. Bruno said it was a big hit, just like the movie. It was enough to tie her at the top of the leader board standings. Yay, Kate!
Score: 24

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Lamar Odom & Peta Murgatroyd, Cha-Cha
A Cha-Cha set to Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock N Roll" seemed like Risky Business for Lamar to pull off, but you know what? It was good to see him thoroughly having a blast on the dance floor, lip syncing along with the music and even donning the signature boxer shorts made famous by Tom Cruise. I think it was his best dance to date because he looked a lot lighter on his feet. Len liked watching him have fun even if the wheel fell off a bit by the end of the dance, while Bruno admired him for giving it a good go. Carrie Ann could tell he felt more confident and praised him for being on beat. She also told him to keep doing what he's doing and not to mind the judges' scores. Ouch!
Score: 12

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Sailor Brinkley-Cook & Val Chmerkovskiy, Tango
Mama Mia, here she goes again! As a big fan of the ABBA-inspired musical, I adored Sailor and Val's Tango this week. She radiated pure joy and it looked really fun to be able to dance with every male dance pro on the show. Bruno complimented Sailor for her hard work and Val for the brilliant choreography. Carrie Ann called it a transformation, saying she felt every movement in her body and it was a huge leap forward for Sailor in the competition. Len loved the clever moments, saying it was a fantastic routine with lots of snap, crackle, and pop.
Score: 23

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Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson, Rumba
Kel continued to be a charming leading man with his Rumba set to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. Carrie Ann said it was solid dancing, but she cautioned him about making his energy feel super tight when he needs to spread it out a bit more. Len felt it needed more shaping through his hands, saying it was too flat. I chortled with laughter when he also called it out for being too difficult to see his footwork through all of the fog. Bruno told him he made it to port with confidence, calling him a solid performer but said the intensity took away from the fluidity of his movements. I know the judges criticized him for being too intense, but I liked his intensity. I can't wait to see him do a Paso Doble!
Score: 20

Sean Spicer & Lindsay Arnold, Cha-Cha
I've always had a soft spot for Saturday Night Fever and the Bee Gees, but Sean Spicer managed to screw this one up too. Set to "Night Fever", his Cha-Cha was awkward and virtually non-existent. It was like watching him strike the iconic stance while everyone else danced circles around him on the dance floor. Len said it felt more like Monday Night Lukewarm than Saturday Night Fever, calling him pigeon-toed. Bruno proclaimed him a genius for turning Saturday Night Fever into a disaster blockbuster that nobody could look away from. Carrie Ann loved seeing him live his best life and complimented his ability to smile from start to finish, although she would like to see him be less robotic. Finally, the judges let loose on him. No more walking on eggshells!
Score: 15

The final surprise of the night came in the revelation of the bottom two in jeopardy: Kel and Witney (color me stunned) and Lamar and Peta. However, to no one's surprise, nobody went home this week since we already lost Ray and Cheryl. When is Sean going to be without political asylum? He can't dance, and he's not even enjoyable to watch (unlike Lamar). I'd prefer it if he went home next week instead of either of those other two couples! Only time will tell. And that's a wrap until next week! How did your favorites fare?

Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on ABC.

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