Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Dancing With the Stars S28E02: First Elimination

© ABC
DWTS had its first live elimination during second week of competition
by Kim Krober

The new twists regarding how voting and eliminations will work on this season of Dancing with the Stars were finally revealed. You can still vote on the ABC website, but now you can also text votes until the end of the final dance of the night. What I found most confusing about the voting system was that you're given up to 10 votes per couple now instead of 10 total votes to distribute among all of the couples. The couples' scores from the judges from both weeks were combined with the viewers' votes live to reveal the two couples at risk for elimination. The judges were then able to save one of the two couples in jeopardy. If Carrie Ann and Bruno aren't unanimous, head judge Len Goodman gets to cast the deciding vote. Will the judges play favorites or remain impartial this season? Only time will tell. Let's see how your favorites did during this second week of competition:

© ABC
James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater, Cha-Cha
Apparently, a secret desire to be on DWTS inspired James' fake Cha-Cha routine on Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23 a few years back. His real-life Cha-Cha set to Lionel Richie's "Dancing on the Ceiling" was fun and flamboyant. He may have come out strong in the premiere, be he seemed to fall from the judges' grace a little this week. Len said it was a solid performance with crisp footwork, though he thought the dance was too gimmicky. (I tend to agree with Erin Andrews' assessment of that statement: this entire show is a gimmick.) Bruno loved the big opening, likening James to a poster boy for Fame and calling it a Broadway Cha-Cha. Carrie Ann and Bruno both saw a misstep in the beginning of the dance but thought the rest of the routine was sharp and precise. All in all, I thought it was a fantastic opening to the show.
Score: 20

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Sailor Brinkley-Cook & Val Chmerkovskiy, Rumba
The Rumba is a very sensual, romantic dance, but Sailor and Val just met a week ago. I think you could tell they don't have all the passion and chemistry there quite yet, but it was a valiant effort. Bruno told her she has everything going for her but he felt like giving her some tough love - she needs to work on carrying the meaning of the dance and staying in character. Carrie Ann agreed with Bruno, saying she lacked an intensity and consistency throughout the entire dance. Len thought it was a nice performance but said she needed to keep her feet on the floor (although he was going to ignore the heel lifts he saw because that's the "nice guy" he is ... hmm.).
Score: 18

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Ray Lewis & Cheryl Burke, Foxtrot
Cheryl may be a little tough on her partners, but she knows what it takes to create a Mirror Ball Champion. Ray needed inspiration about being lighter on his feet, and she delivered in an unconventional method to say the least. Dancing a Foxtrot to Earth, Wind & Fire's "Dancing in September", I could see improvement in his footwork. Carrie Ann commended him for being comfortable in his own skin, but she noted a ton of mistakes in the dance. Len called it flat-footed but loved seeing his personality shine through. Bruno told him he always lights up the room, and even if it doesn't always work out as expected, he sells it anyway. I liked what Ray said while receiving his less-than-stellar scores from the judges: It isn't how you begin a competition, it's how you finish. He's learning!
Score: 15

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Ally Brooke & Sasha Farber, Viennese Waltz
I don't know anything about Fifth Harmony, but I felt bad for Ally. Nobody deserves to be bullied in the spotlight. She's not a bad dancer, as her Viennese Waltz set to the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" proved. It had an ethereal quality to it. Len thought it was pretty but wanted to see more rotation and better footwork. Bruno praised her for a compelling, heartfelt performance with some wonderful moments, but said it lacked continuous movement. Carrie Ann hugged her, saying she felt how transformative this dance was for Ally's future in the competition. It wasn't a bad effort.
Score: 20

© ABC
Mary Wilson & Brandon Armstrong, Cha-Cha
While there is a generation gap to overcome with these two, Mary continues to steal my heart in this competition. Their Cha-Cha set to Aretha Franklin's "Think" from The Blues Brothers was a winner in my book. Bruno said it was nicely presented, while Carrie Ann commended her for knowing how to work the room and please the judges even with missteps in the routine, which is the sign of a true pro. Len said it was lively and full of freedom, and it's a joy to see her out there.
Score: 15

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Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko, Paso Doble
Set to Demi Lovato's "Confident", Lauren and Gleb oozed aggressive confidence in their Paso Doble. I wasn't wowed by her last week, but she earned my respect this week. Carrie Ann was literally meowing, finally saying she loved seeing her come out of her shell but she could have benefited from more consistency with her character. Len said it had a powerful attack and determination, but it lacked shaping at times. Bruno loved it, saying it was nasty and nasty suits her well. He felt it was very convincing and well-done, although he understood what Len meant about the lack of shaping.
Score: 19

Sean Spicer & Lindsay Arnold, Tango
Sean thinks he can appeal to the people and earn our sympathy votes with bumper stickers because he can't dance and it's his birthday? Hmm. Let's see how that strategy pays off for you, buddy. Their dance was set to one of my favorite guilty pleasures: Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance". That was about all it had going for it though - it was stiff and awkward to watch. Len felt it was better than last week, while Bruno begrudgingly admitted it resembled a Tango. Carrie Ann called it a sure-footed Tango, saying it didn't have any mistakes and she applauded them for improving and working together. I feel like the judges are being way too easy on him compared to the others. Is it just me?
Score: 16

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Karamo Brown & Jenna Johnson, Quickstep
A Quickstep set to Prince's "Let's Go Crazy" during the second week of competition? Wowsa. Karamo brought in the big guns this week: his soon-to-be mother-in-law who taught ballroom dance for 50 years. He looked like he was having the time of his life with an infectious energy on the dance floor. Bruno admired his panache and flair, though he noted that he lost some of his body contact during the dance. Carrie Ann said it was exactly what she was hoping to see: his electricity and confidence coming through with pizzazz. Len wasn't oversold on the performance, hating the lack of body contact and saying it was a little bit on the hectic side, even for a Quickstep. Two 7's and a 5 aren't bad I guess.
Score: 19

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Kate Flannery & Pasha Pashkov, Foxtrot
I adore Kate and the song choice of "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra for her Foxtrot. Carrie Ann called it amazing, saying she was blown away by how much technique Pasha was able to teach her in a week. Len liked the music, the routine, that she showed improvement, and that Pasha was dressed sensibly compared to other outfits he has to judge week to week. Bruno told her she has entered the correct orbit, praising her for a job well done. Kate was quickly catapulted to the top of the leader board this week!
Score: 21

© ABC
Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson, Samba
Kel received some difficult news this week regarding his father's health, but he remained committed to the competition. Dancing a Samba to Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step", Kel scorched on the dance floor. Len felt it had plenty of rhythm and steps, also praising him for his overall likability. Bruno called it a cool Samba with a naturalness about it without over-pushing the musicality. Carrie Ann echoed the sentiments from the gentlemen regarding his smoothness and natural dancing ability, pointing out more sophistication from him this week. However, she did note that some of the bounces of the dance became thrusts. Those thrusts looked good though!
Score: 20

© ABC
Lamar Odom & Peta Murgatroyd, Salsa
Their song choice sounded like Snow's "Informer", but it was hard for me to tell because part of it was in Spanish. I loved their colorful costumes, and Lamar looked like he was having a great time on the dance floor. Bruno could tell he enjoyed himself more too, while Carrie Ann didn't see as many mistakes as last week. Len gets that it's difficult for Peta to work out the choreography due to their height difference, but told Lamar that he's on the right track for making improvements in this competition. If I'm going to award extra votes to anyone out of sympathy, it's going to be for this guy because it seems like his heart is in the right place even if his footing and memory may not always be.
Score: 12

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Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten, Viennese Waltz
Hannah took ballet when she was little, so she may have a leg up on the competition. Their Viennese Waltz set to Taylor Swift's "Lover" was a beautiful ending to the show. Carrie Ann was whisked away by the movement and character, while Len liked the lovely musicality of her arms and called it the best dance of the night. Bruno was transported into a romantic dream, saying it was pure American Beauty like the Oscar-winning film. He also thanked her for finishing her lines.
Score: 24

© ABC
The Elimination
The look of pure astonishment on Lamar's face when he was revealed to be safe was precious. After the judges' scores and the viewers' votes were tallied, it was revealed that the two couples in jeopardy were Ray & Cheryl and Mary & Brandon. Carrie Ann voted to save Mary, while Bruno voted to save Ray. It was ultimately up to Len to follow his brain - and not his heart - and save Ray and Cheryl. So, Mary and Brandon became the first couple to go home during the newest season of DWTS. I think Sean Spicer should've been the first to go, but I understood Len's decision regarding the two remaining couples. 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.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Why Women Kill S01E04: You Had Me at Homicide

© CBS All Access
Jealousy rears its ugly head
by Chuck Duncan

Last week's episode opened with an explanation of the tango, and this week the show features a mortician with three bodies under sheets, explaining the various things that can lead to murder, and the possible methods of the crime. I'm sure this is setting up the murders that are to come, but we still don't know who will be killed in each era, nor who the killer will be. But there are suspects aplenty. What we do know is that, according to the title of the series, the killers will be women.

Simone

Preparing invitations for her daughter's impending nuptials, Simone and Karl are on a deadline to get them done or else they'll end up with more of the groom's family in attendance ... and they don't seem to have very high regard for that side of the soon-to-be family. Unfortunately, Amy arrives with some bad news: her fiancé cheated on her, the wedding is off and she needs wine. The true story finally comes out that the intended slept with another girl ... two years ago, when he and Amy we broken up (they've had a rocky on-and-off relationship). Simone is in panic mode trying to take Amy's side, but Karl is trying to be more neutral, hoping to convince Amy that it's not as bad as she thinks. Plus everything is paid for already.

Enter Tommy with flowers for Simone. He saw Karl leave so assumed it was okay to pop over, unaware that Amy was also home. And Amy saw Tommy, and Simone had to concoct a story that she told Tommy's mother that Amy was home and he came over with the flowers for her. Already feeling a bit jealous (and still smarting from Simone's horrified reaction to the gift he gave her -- a Swatch watch) that Simone was not yet ready to part with Karl, Tommy gleefully accepted Amy's offer to go out on a little dinner date. Simone had no choice but to let it happen, but became more concerned when Amy boldly proclaimed to her that this was just a date that will end with revenge sex. Oh dear. Simone is not quite ready to share her boy toy with Amy, so she surprises the pair at the restaurant ... with Amy's fiancé. Next thing they know Amy and the guy are making out heavily in the waiting area and Simone shows Tommy that she's wearing the Swatch. Crisis averted ... for now.

Beth Ann

Things are going swimmingly with Beth Ann and April, while Sheila is baffled by this plan that seems to be going further into the friend zone than it should. Beth Ann even pulled out her old rollerskates that Robert gave to her on their first date to go skating with April. Beth Ann doesn't have the best attire though to skate in, but she still enjoyed herself skating through the park in her dress. Back at April's, the friendship continues to blossom but April may have crossed the line by offering the still uptight Beth Ann a brownie. A pot brownie. Beth Ann is terribly offended and starts to storm out but April tells her that her boyfriend enjoys them. That stops Beth Ann in her tracks so she decides to have one too. After she's a bit more relaxed than we've ever seen her, Beth Ann asks April about her date with Robert that night but April tells her that the date is the next night, Robert has a dinner party to attend at his boss' house. Panicked because she forgot what day it was, Beth Ann makes an excuse about feeding her neighbor's dog and heads home as quickly as she can.

Robert is waiting and Beth Ann has just a few minutes to change and get out the door. But she's still stoned on the way to the dinner, and it only gets worse once they arrive and she is oddly focused on one guest who isn't there and another who is obviously from Japan. Then she sees the napkins folded like swans and is so impressed that she can't unfold it and put it in her lap, no matter how insistent Robert is. When his boss proclaims that it's no big deal to fold the napkins like that, the stoned Beth Ann challenges him to make one himself. Robert is horrified, but his boss is actually charmed by the challenge and it turns out to be a fun attempt at futility. Beth Ann proved her point, but Robert wants to know what's gotten into her. Dropping his fork and getting Beth Ann under the table, she very dramatically tells him she's had some pot and she knows what he's been doing.

After leaving the party, and to Robert's surprise Beth Ann was adored by everyone, they get home and Robert wants to know how Beth Ann found out about what he was doing. Before she can answer he proposes that she must have found a joint in one of his jacket pockets and smoked it. Relieved that she didn't have to confront what she really meant, she agreed, saying that she just wants to cut loose once in a while. Robert says that's all he wants because the pressures of his job and the rigid lifestyle they lead -- and probably the burden of losing a child, which went unspoken but is obviously a part of it -- is getting to be too much for him. All he wants is to relax. Beth Ann now sees that all of their problems have come simply from not communicating with each other and now that they share this moment of bonding over marijuana, it seems everything is back to normal. They even go rollerskating down the street together. But will April now become the jealous other woman?

© CBS All Access

Taylor

Now that Jade has officially become part of this threesome, the trio are trying to figure out a way to introduce the arrangement to their friends. "Throuple" has become a modern description but none of them like that. Instead, Taylor suggests they just say Jade is family. Jade lights up at that, having never really felt like she belonged to any family, not even hers. There's just one problem -- her ex, Duke, who is now threatening to have her dog Teacup put down if she doesn't come back to him. And then he shows up at the house. And poor Eli thinks he can handle the much larger guy. It took lawyer Taylor to remind Duke that he's on thin ice legally and one misstep here could send him right back to prison. That was the thing that actually struck fear into his heart.

But Jade is still concerned about Teacup, so they hatch a plan to go to Duke's and politely ask for the dog. Eli decides to bring a hammer for protection. When they get there, Duke does not answer so they assume he's out. And if he's out and Eli has a hammer in his pocket, a little breaking and entering isn't going to hurt, right? He and Jade get in, get the dog -- which is anything but teacup-sized -- and also learn that Duke was in the shower and he comes after them. Luckily Taylor's got the car running and Eli, Jade and Teacup make their getaway ... but Duke isn't about to let things go that easily. Taylor isn't happy about being an accomplice to a crime that could get her disbarred but Eli tries to spin it as a good thing because his plan worked. He needs that ego boost because his screenwriting is going nowhere and he's as frustrated with himself as Taylor is, and the fact that Taylor had to step in earlier and save him from Duke only hurts worse. He just wants to have that moment of saving a dog and being a man and calling it a good day. And Taylor agrees. Reluctantly. And then Duke shows up. Eli forgot to lock the door and he lets himself in, tossing Eli against a wall and fighting off Taylor who jumps on his back. He storms up the stairs looking for Jade but there's no answer. When he turns to yell at the couple lying on the floor, he's hit from behind by Jade, with the hammer, falling over the railing and crashing to the floor below, breaking his leg in the process. And then a very scary Jade tells him that if he comes back, she'll break the other one. Eli and Taylor exchange slightly worried glances after seeing this different side of Jade. Can she be trusted?

Back to the morgue where we're reminded that good people end up there for various reasons: reckless love affairs, inviting violent strangers into their homes, and some kept dark secrets from those they loved. These choices lead to death ... and murder.

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Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Dancing With the Stars S28E01: 2019 Season Premiere

© ABC
DWTS Season 28 returns with a few fan favorites and a new scoring format
by Kim Krober

After a lengthy one-year hiatus, Dancing with the Stars finally returned with Season 28, an all-new glitzy set, some newcomers in the dance troupe, and everybody's favorite reality show judges (Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, and Carrie Ann Inaba) and hosts (Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews). After some criticism and controversy over the scoring in seasons past, it was revealed there's a new voting format this season: we'll be able to see the results of our votes live at the end of next week's show. The judges are also "coming out of their shells" with a call for better technique and stricter scoring than in competitions past. They certainly seem to mean business, as nobody scored any higher than a 7 and some of the scores were the lowest I've ever seen (3's), which were met with boos from the studio audience. Let's see how your favorites did during this first week of competition:

© ABC
Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten, Cha-Cha
Am I the only one out there who doesn't get the popularity of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette? It seems like it's the same shtick every season. However, it does produce some fierce competitors for Dancing with the Stars. I thought Hannah's Cha-Cha to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" was a great start to the season. Len praised the dance for being crisp, clean, and confident, while Bruno claimed she had finally found her true love: dancing. He admired her for being enthusiastic but cautioned her about being too fast and frenzied with her turns and for being slightly ahead of the music. Carrie Ann believed she had the posture and attitude of a Latin dancer, saying she had great form and she can't wait to see what she has in store next week.
Score: 20

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Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson, Tango
I was in middle school when All That premiered on Nickelodeon. I remember loving it the first few seasons, so seeing Kel was a welcome blast from the past. Kel has an awesome personality, and I'm looking forward to watching him grow in this competition. He's turned into quite the leading man coming out to a Tango set to The Jonas Brothers' "Sucker", and I loved his colorful suit! Tom quipped he was the first person in 28 seasons to begin his routine by sliding through his own mouth, referring to a giant Kel head on the backdrop's screen. Bruno loved seeing his serious side and focus, but said he was a little too jumpy and needs to work on his footwork. Carrie Ann is optimistic about his future on the show, though she said he still needs to find his groove. Len liked his attack and attitude, saying he has potential, although he would have liked to have seen a few more heel leads. It will be interesting to see what kind of tricks Kel has up his sleeves this season!
Score: 16

© ABC
Kate Flannery & Pasha Pashkov, Cha-Cha
I loved Kate on The Office, and I'm so excited to watch her compete on DWTS! Kate was paired with newcomer Pasha Pashkov (who looks to be a fun addition to the dance pros!), and I thought she came out strong with a Cha-Cha set to Donna Summer's "She Works Hard for the Money". I've never seen Kate look so glamorous and beautiful. Carrie Ann was impressed with her defined movements, while Len commended Pasha for putting a special move in that he hadn't seen in years. He cautioned Kate on needing to straighten her legs, but said she came out and really sparkled. Bruno told her she could run his office any time, although she needs to work on finishing her movements with precise, sharp endings.
Score:15

© ABC
Lamar Odom & Peta Murgatroyd, Foxtrot
Two-time NBA Champion Lamar Odom looked debonair in a red velvet suit, coming out to a Foxtrot set to Michael Buble's "Feeling Good". This couple has a distinct height difference to overcome, but I thought they looked fabulous together. Len noted he did a terrific job but felt it lacked an overall finesse. Bruno admired him for giving it his all, acknowledging that the Foxtrot is a difficult dance to try to master during the first week of competition. However, he advised him not to overthink it and go with the flow more next week. Carrie Ann was thoroughly impressed with his ability to smile on cue and hit his lines, saying she knows how much former athletes without any background in dance have struggled in this competition. The crowd booed, as two of the three judges gave him a score of 3. I'll admit it wasn't the best dance of the night but were the 3's deserved? I guess Lamar can only go up from here!
Score: 11

© ABC
Lauren Alaina & Gleb Savchenko, Cha-Cha
I don't watch American Idol, so I wasn't familiar with Lauren Alaina. Dancing the third Cha-Cha of the night, Alaina had a fun routine set to Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like a Woman". Bruno called her a sultry Southern belle giving him a steamy Cha-Cha with sharp finishes, but he said her hip action was hindered by having locked knees. Carrie Ann told Gleb he took some risks but they paid off for her and she admired her looseness. Len liked the rhythm but thought the beginning was a bit long-winded with the chairs as props. It was one of the more polished performances of the night but maybe not super-memorable.
Score: 19

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Sailor Brinkley-Cook & Val Chmerkovskiy, Foxtrot
'80s supermodel Christie Brinkley was one of the ones I was most excited about in the cast reveal, but she was abruptly removed from the competition when she fell during rehearsal and broke her arm. Luckily for her, her daughter Sailor (also a model) has taken her spot. However, she had only three days to learn the routine (versus the three weeks everybody else had) set to Christie's theme song "Uptown Girl". Was it as flawless as the Brinkleys' complexion? No, but it wasn't a bad effort. Carrie Ann was blown away by her poise and carefree spirit, telling Val he's hit a gold mine with this partner. Len said she floated his boat with beautiful movement, but that it was a bit stumpy and she'll benefit from more practice. Bruno said she has the looks and talent to go far in this competition and is looking forward to seeing what she can do with proper rehearsal time. Christie looked great rooting for her daughter, but I cringed at her description of her injury.
Score: 18

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Karamo Brown & Jenna Johnson, Salsa
Queer Eye's Karamo Brown was probably the most genuinely thrilled contestant I've ever seen - he looked like he was living his best life from start to finish of his Salsa routine set to Lizzo's "Juice".I loved his purple suit and his enthusiasm for the competition. Len thought it was a bit disappointing because it didn't have enough hip action or rhythm. Bruno commended him for his good looks, style, and lifts, but agreed with Len about needing to see better hip action. Carrie Ann thought it was an alright performance but was a little underwhelmed because she felt he was too reserved and didn't let enough of his personality pop through on the dance floor. Can he redeem himself next week?
Score: 17

© ABC
Ray Lewis & Cheryl Burke, Salsa
Footballer Ray Lewis came out to Nelly's "Hot N Herre" with this crazy little shuffle that made me smile. Athletes are always a mixed bag on this competition, as you never know how stiff or natural they'll look on the dance floor. I thought it was a commendable effort for the first week, and so did the judges. Bruno loved that he turned on the heat, saying he was charismatic, although he pointed out some missteps. Carrie Ann said he brought his "A" game turning on this audience, calling it pretty damn good. Len noted there were a couple of serious mistakes but told him he has potential. For Carrie Ann's comments, I was a little surprised she didn't pull out a 6.
Score: 15

© ABC
Mary Wilson & Brandon Armstrong, Foxtrot
Love The Supremes! Mary Wilson looked absolutely stunning; I'm in disbelief that she's 75! Her Foxtrot set to her signature hit "Baby Love" was inspirational, as she's the oldest competitor this season, but you couldn't tell by her appearance or dance moves. Carrie Ann told her she was built to Foxtrot on their dance floor, calling her elegant and a legend. Len is the same age as her and complimented her on her ability to come out and dance a Foxtrot that good because he didn't think he'd be able to pull it off. Bruno was starstruck, telling her she knows how to sell it and commended her for doing a heel turn. Tom quipped he'd never heard anyone so happy about 5's.
Score: 17

© ABC
Ally Brooke & Sasha Farber, Cha-Cha
Am I the only person not familiar with Fifth Harmony outside of this competition? I'm happy for Sasha though - he got a partner who can obviously dance! Len didn't care for all the hip gyrating and thrusting, likening it to Beyoncé. However, he thought she was a very competent dancer anyway. Bruno loved her sense of attack and flair, but he could tell she was missing the beat. He called it a bit muddled but a great performance overall. Carrie Ann felt she needed to find her balance but said she has potential. I didn't recognize their Cha-Cha song choice at all - turns out it was set to Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home".
Score: 16

Sean Spicer & Lindsay Arnold, Salsa
Former Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer was out to score points for his damaged reputation ... on a dance reality show. Yes, you read that right. His Salsa set to the Spice Girls' "Spice Up Your Life" wasn't as stiff as I was expecting. Bruno quipped he went bonkers with the bongos and said his hips looked like they were set in cement, but felt it was strangely entertaining anyway. Carrie Ann called it the best fluorescent shimmy of the night and admired his boisterousness, although she pointed out that he was off beat most of the dance. Len told him he brought fun to the ballroom, showing more reserved constraint with his commentary than usual. He was committed to having fun, although I don't see him lasting long in this competition.
Score: 12

© ABC
James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater, Tango
I don't wanna wait for this dance competition to be over to say I'm rooting for Dawson Leery! It was so good to see James Van Der Beek back in the spotlight (along with all of his adorable lookalike children). They definitely saved the best for last. I was mesmerized from the moment he hit the dance floor, and I'm so excited for Emma to have such an amazing partner this season. James will clearly do "Whatever It Takes" to remain in it to win it. Carrie Ann praised his style, technique, and flavor, calling him the leading man of this season's competition. Len said it had drive and purpose, stating it was a terrific number. Bruno called it charismatic and strong, complimenting it for being so in control and in character. With three 7's from the judges, James was quickly thrust to the top of the leader board.
Score: 21

I'm a little sad a few of my favorites seem to be missing this season: Derek Hough and Mark Ballas. However, I am looking forward to watching this season unfold and seeing how the new scoring and elimination system works. The best part of the night for me though was that winning commercial from KFC touting a fictitious Rudy II with Sean Astin reprising his Rudy role and taking on the role of the Colonel. It was inspired advertising to say the least.

And that's a wrap until next week! How did your favorites fare? Tell us who you're rooting for in the comments section below!

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

Monday, September 16, 2019

So You Think You Can Dance S16E14: Top 4 Perform

© FOX
The Fantastic Four dance one more time before the winner is announced
by Stephen Mosher

Well, this is it, kids. The final four, the final showdown, the time has arrived for everyone to have their last look at these sweet, gifted young people before the winner is announced this week. It’s been a fun, if a bit short, ride. I have to admit I miss the longer seasons of SYTYCD and the bigger cast, but at least the show is still on the air, so I won’t complain.

© FOX
The show opened with a fun number honoring the upcoming movie CATS, and while it was a fun number, again, with the addition of the all stars, I couldn’t see the contestants - but I guess we will get enough spotlight on them for the next two hours, I thought, so why grouse? I wasn’t sure who all was in that number but I definitely spotted Cyrus, Comfort, Gabby and Melanie. Fun number, nicely created by Mandy Moore, but the truth is that we all just want to get to it! Let’s see our cherubs do they stuff!

© FOX
Sophie and Gino have the stage first in a Ray Leeper jazz number to “All Nite” and it was so, so sexy that I couldn’t breathe … maybe from the talent, maybe from the choreography, or maybe because it honestly feels dirty to be watching people so young in this manner. I know they are, technically, adults, but they still look like kids to me. And Ray Leeper suggesting a kiss between them was kind of icky, if you ask me. But then, the adults have been sexualizing these youngsters all season, so I guess it’s something the producers of the show want. I’ll wait till they are both over 21 before I consider them as sex symbols, even if this number was smokin’ hot. The judges all loved it, with Dominic saying it was so, so sexy (hello, goodbye), Mary saying they were so together, so raw, Nigel pointing out their primitive chemistry and Laurieann saying she “felt your hunger”. Eww. Children. But then, Jodie Foster was 12 when she played a hooker, so, welcome to Lolita-land, Sophie and Gino! You are officially underage sex symbols, courtesy of So You Think You Can Dance.

© FOX
Mariah and Bailey had a jazz routine, too (smooth jazz) - Jonathan Redavid staged a number to “16 Tons” and it just reaffirms the idea that they are the couple to beat (with all due respect to Sophie and Gino). These two aren’t just something special on their own, they are unstoppable when they are together - and Bailey is the best. The routine is charming and technically wonderful. Dominic says they always show up and points out that Bailey is special. Laurieanne says they have a god-given gift, and Nigel says Mariah is a joy to watch and that Bailey has had the biggest journey on the show. Mary says Mariah is amazing and Bailey soars every time he steps on the stage. It’s already looking really good for Bailey.

Gino’s solo to “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” was a virtuoso performance that will get him many a job after this show. He left it all on the floor. He is magnificent, and no mistake.

© FOX
Entering the contestant/all-star segment of the show, we see Sophie get paired up with Marko for a Talia Favia contemporary piece to “90 Days” - her first time working with Talia, who manages to bring something new out of Sophie, who is peaking at just the right time. This Sophie we haven’t seen before. She is now, a contender. Ending the remarkable routine in tears, Sophie is served up a well-deserved standing ovation from the judges, all of whom praise them in their usual prose, Nigel telling her she has shown that women are just as strong as men, Mary calling out passion with true purpose, Laurieann praising how she found he strength as a woman and Dominic saying it was her best performance of the season.

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Bailey’s all-star was (big surprise) Comfort, because they gave the B-Boy a Luther Brown hip hop routine, proving that the judges and producers are stacking the deck for Bailey. Now, the truth is that I believe Bailey should and will win the show, but I have no power to position him to do so, the producers and the judges do, and they are. The number, to “Tell Me When to Go”, was as good as Luther Brown has ever been, showing off Bailey in a flawless display of talent and personality. Mary said it was bad to the bone, Nigel loved the light and the shade, Dominic said “you did it correct” and Laurieann gave him “Bragging Rights.” Yes, Bailey is definitely having a well-deserved win orchestrated for him.

Sophie’s solo, to the song “Try a Little Tenderness” can be summed up in one word: Meh.

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Gino and Mariah got the dreaded quick step, staged by the wonderful Artem and Sharna to “Bad Boy Good Man” and they were both very good. It was really nice to see them dance together and everyone in the house thought so, as they gave them a standing ovation. Mary called it lighthearted and respectable, Laurieann said they were soulful, honest and authentic. The men used middle of the road verbiage to praise them, again, indicating the set up for Bailey. They are giving heaps of praise to the clear star and front runner and using minimal vocabulary and effort to critique the other dancers. Maybe it is so they can subliminally influence America’s vote, or maybe it is because they recognize the futility in trying to find superlatives for the other three dancers, having used them all up on Bailey. Whatever the case may be, the judges are as transparent as can be.

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Bailey and Sophie’s Bollywood number by Nakul Dev Mahajan was entertaining enough, but the truth is that all it did was leave Sophie choking on Bailey’s dust. You can’t look at anyone else. He has no competition on the show, even though the other dancers referred to him as their “biggest competition on the show.” Um ... no.

Mariah’s solo to “If You Let Me” was wonderful. And in her interview package she referred to one of her past dances as “the best time I ever did that solo”, which would indicate that she has a choreographer who creates her solos, or if she made them herself, she was prepared. This is a problem with Sophie’s solos - they all look like uninspired freestyling. Now, I don’t want to be misunderstood: I like Sophie a lot. But her solos don’t stack up against Mariah’s and it’s because of two things: Mariah has her solos prepared, and Mariah has her eye FIRMLY on the prize.

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Gino had the benefit of having both Jaci Royal as his contemporary choreographer and Melanie Moore as his all-star - he just can’t go wrong with this twosome. The number, to “Someone You Loved”, was so intimate and personal, so moving and breathtaking. The man is so incredible that Melanie is the only all-star with whom he should be dancing. She can do anything. There was some concern over his inability to be emotionally open - Gino himself owned it, but when it came time to do the number, he brought his A-Game, leaving the judges offering comments like “What’s in front of you is limitless” (Laurieann) and “You have broken through” (Nigel) - though Dominc and Mary were vague and colorless in their comments -- because they are trying to soften the blow for him. Still, it was a stunning routine.

Bailey did an interview segment before the show in which he cried over the thought of being the first B-Boy to win … and Cat ended up in tears, as the audience chanted his name. With that interview and his astonishing solo to “Don’t Touch Me”, The Tiny Titan secured his win.

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Mariah’s all-star was Robert Roldan, dancing a Mandy Moore contemporary piece to “Grey” that seemed aerodynamically impossible. The lifts were unbelievable. It was one of the great numbers, and unforgettable, as was evidenced by Mary being in tears and unable (almost) to speak. Nigel and Dominc had some nice, albeit benign comments but Laurieann told her, “I see you. I see your fight. I see your victory. Own your victory,” again softening a blow.

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It’s time for the same-sex pas de deux! Gino and Bailey landed Al Blackstone for a Broadway routine to “The Girl From Ipanema” and the boys have genuine chemistry, like brothers. They are both magnificent in the delightful number but it is clear that Gino is the man with the technique, while Bailey is all heart - and it’s a heart that gives him permission to connect to the material. He lives in it. They are both poetry in motion and a joy to behold. Nigel says this is the best top four across the seasons (Yes), Mary says THIS is the new couple to beat (Sounds good to me) and then she made them the first boy duo to land on the Hot Tamale Train. Laurieann compared them to the film White Nights. It was a great number.

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As good as the boys were, the girls brought it, too. Their hip hop number by Luther Brown to “Sally Walker” was AWESOME, with Sophie emerging from the shadows with hidden talents that nobody knew she had in her. Her hip hop was fan-freaking-tastic. Laurieann had the quote of the night:

“So much shadiness,

OMG,

So much ratchetness,

And it’s all right with me”

Then she told Sophie, “You SERVED that”.

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Sophie deserved that praise because she really is wonderful. But then, all these kids are wonderful. It’s impossible to not love them and appreciate their gifts and wish the best for them. But at the end of the day Bailey checks off all the boxes and I believe, firmly, that his talent, his story, his personality have put him ahead of the curve, as well as the fact that it is time for a B-Boy to win this show.

Bailey, dude, tonight I will be pulling for you. You’ve earned it and you deserve it.

What did you think of this episode? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

BH90210 S01E06: The Long Wait

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 Is this the last time we'll see the 90210 gang in the Peach Pit?
By Kim Tibbs-Krober

As I sat there watching the final episode of the BH90210 reboot series, it suddenly hit me. Was this really the last time I was going to see those characters together in the Peach Pit? Likely so, unless they decide to give it another go when the cast are all in their 70s. It may not have been the smoothest of reunions, but I'd be lying if I said I won't miss them now that they're gone again. The episode title pretty much summed it up: it was a long wait. It was a long wait from the original series to the reunion, and it felt like a long wait from the first episode of the reboot to the last.

The theme of the final episode seemed to be about lashing out at the ones you love. Brian lashed out at his wife after her private investigator revealed he wasn't Zach's father. Jennie's daughter kept lashing out at her and she kept reciprocating, especially when she formed a friendship with Shannon that irked her. Tori's husband lashed out at her because he felt insecure about being a stay-at-home dad while she pursued her career. One may have expected them to make an effort to wrap up their insecurities and attempt to resolve their issues by the episode's end, but they didn't. It's like they all just went on with their preoccupied lives with a temporary Band-Aid affixed. Would you expect anything less from your favorite spoiled Beverly Hills brats? Ignore me, I'm just lashing out at characters I love.

One of the recurring punchlines centered around the cast of 90210 competing with the cast of The OC for a coveted spot on the network's fall lineup. A reboot of The OC? I would totally watch that! I loved Seth Cohen back in the day, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Some of the most entertaining moments involved the cast reading through viewer comments the network had gathered when it showed the pilot to a test group. Apparently, Tori was polarizing in real life but forever endearing as the character Donna Martin and especially when she was partnered with David Silver. Ian seemed to be caught in a time capsule of swagger, while Brian was improbably sexy as an older version of his character. Viewers thought it was laughable that Andrea would even question her sexuality (I wouldn't necessarily say laughable, but it felt odd).

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Fans were also concerned about the chemistry between Jason and Jennie but were convinced there was more than meets the eye between Jason and Shannon (twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh). This led to disturbing imagery when Shannon had a nightmare about kissing Jason in her old bedroom at Casa de Walsh. It made me wonder if any of those comments were rooted in reality among test groups, as some statements seemed to make sense. It was also humorous to see Shannon reacting to the revelation that viewers wanted to see Brenda act like a bitch again while claiming that Brenda was never a troublemaker (apparently it was Kelly all along because she was such a slut!).

We finally saw everyone reunited in the Peach Pit - pop-up that is. I knew about the real-life Peach Pit pop-up coinciding with the reboot and was sad it was only in California. I went to the Saved by the Bell pop-up in Chicago a few years ago on my birthday, and it was an absolute blast. I can only imagine what this fan experience was like, especially if the cast had been there signing autographs and posing for photos among the burgers and milkshakes.

FOX owes much of its success to 90210. It was one of the first shows the network aired when it launched, and it was probably the first show that made it relevant among the youth. I had higher hopes for the reboot, but I wouldn't have traded reacquainting myself with these characters. It was a fun ride while it lasted, even if I didn't get the full closure I was seeking. The ending felt a bit anti-climactic to me, although the usage of Weezer's "Beverly Hills" was perfection. So, how long do I have to wait for that OC reunion?

Purchase the complete season from FandangoNow!

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

So You Think You Can Dance S16E13: Top 6 Perform

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Saying goodbye to two favorites
by Stephen Mosher

This season really has been one of the most entertaining to watch. They say that every year, but there was something special about the dancers this year, each and every one of them, and now that we are at the point where the big, tough, painful goodbyes hit, everybody just has to suck up and suffer.

Fortunately Cat Deely is the best live show host in the business and she can turn even the saddest moment into a celebration. And, oh, so stylish is she! This night she looked every bit of the glamour queen in her red beaded Liza Minnelli suit (oh come on, you thought it, too), so much that every time the camera was on her, I sighed.

I also sighed over the opening number “Down” choreographed by Farside and Phoenix, but not in a good way. The dancing was nice but the lighting, the costumes, the hair, the makeup and the addition of all those all-stars made it impossible to tell which of the dancers were our competitors. It was like "Where’s Waldo" with a Twyla Tharp twist. While I can almost always find something positive to say, I was not loving this number.

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But I WAS loving Al Blackstone and Koine Iwasaki helping Mariah and Bailey to advance in the competition with a bang-up Broadway routine to “Mambo Italiano”! Koine was so sweet, focusing on helping Bailey work on his acting, and honestly, her help must have been just what he needed because he was awesome in this number. But then, this entire competition he has been picking up styles he has never done before and dancing them as though he had been doing them all his life. Dominic said he believed it, Nigel said they were outstanding, Laurieann told Bailey to stay focused and Mary said he was the “Entertainer of the show” - and them’s big words, no mistake. Special shout out to Bailey’s Granny for being such a cool, supportive and fun lady, always looking after her personal favorite dancer.

Mariah had a solo to the song “Loved By You” and it’s pretty clear her technique is wonderful - it’s always been clear that she is simply wonderful. This performance made it clear that she needs a choreographer. Seriously, though, every dancer who gets on SYTYCD should have had the foresight to hire a choreographer to create routines for them. Winging it is never a good idea, and here, she was winging it.

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Gino is up next, doing a hip hop routine by Luther Brown. And what do you need when a boy is dancing Luther Brown? You need Comfort Fedoke, yeah you do! OMG does everyone love Comfort as much as I do? Well then everyone must have loved this nasty, dirty, enjoyable, sexy number to “Get Up” - and as gorgeous and flawless as Comfort is, you just can’t get your eyes off of Gino, whose biggest supporter, his brother, was probably in tears the entire time. WHAT a masterpiece. Nigel said his strength and technique were impeccable, Mary said he came out fighting, Dominic told him he is a star and Laurieann said the elevation of hip hop freed him to get out of his head. Whatever anyone said, we all knew it was a spectacular performance.

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Paired with all-star Lex Ishimoto, Madison landed a jazz routine by Mandy Moore to “Can’t Rely on You”, and it was really sharp and in sync, a pleasure to watch. You could just feel the judges getting ready to praise her, which they did, all except for Laurieann, who advised her to “let go a little more”, while Nigel said she has the best feet he’s seen this year AND that she let her emotions go. Mary liked the chemistry, and Dominic declared it to be her best performance since the beginning of the season. Her strongest supporter, Jarrod (duh!), was visibly moved and incredibly proud.

Ezra was up with a solo, again in a strangely fitting vest and trousers, but it didn’t matter because the performance to “Runaway Baby” was precise, hot, electric and a joy to watch, but joy seems to be what Ezra specializes in.

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There was a lethal dose of ballroom hotness next when Pasha Kovalev arrived to choreograph all-star Kiki Nyemchek into a routine with Sophie to “Shape of You". Sophie’s dad is her big-time support system and he was welled up with pride after a whole new Sophie brought her A-game, causing Mary to say she was just like a professional ballroom dancer. Nigel said she relaxed into it, Laurieanne told her she had poise and timing texture, but Dominic said it best: “You’re blowing up right now.” Truthfully, up until this moment, I did not think Sophie would make the top four. This was a real turning point for her in my book.

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Mariah, whose greatest support comes from her mom, landed a Misha Gabriel hip hop number with Fik-Shun to “We Gonna Win”. I love both of these dancers but I didn’t like this number. I felt it was incohesive and confusing, but I did appreciate Fik-shun taking charge of a prop/wardrobe malfunction. The judges ran the gamut, with Nigel saying he flat out did not feel it, Laurieann saying it was super, Dominic saying she is one of his favorite hip hop dancers and Mary giving out with a vague, “You will always bring in the magic.”

Bailey’s solo to “Writing’s on the Wall” did the same thing it always does - it proved that he is a born star, and that winning this competition or not will make no difference in his future. It’s written in stone. There is work that awaits him.

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A contemporary piece by Robert Roldan is what awaited Ezra, paired up with Gabby Diaz to “Ne Me Quitte Pas”. The entire piece was simply magnificent, prompting the judges to heap praise on him. Mary: “This is your night.” Laurieann: “Something so very special about you.” Nigel: “You have freed yourself.” Dominic: “So absolutely inspiring.”

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The All-stars finished for the night, the competitors were reunited with their partners as Sophie and Gino performed a Warren Carlyle Broadway piece to “Down With Love”. When Nigel said, “There is something about you two together,” he wasn’t wrong. This twosome is special. Mary said he reminded her of Gene Kelly and Laurieann said “Boom Jack Honey!” and we all know what that means.

Madison’s solo to “Lost” was typical Madison beauty, and since it was typical, it’s starting to look like she might be going home tonight. She is wonderful in every moment she dances, but predictable does not win.

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Ray Leper was back to create a jazz routine for Mariah and Bailey that probably just put them in the top four. I’m not kidding. This number to “Need You Tonight” went beyond everyone else on the chemistry level, even Sophie and Gino, and they gots MAD chemistry. This is the number where these petite powerhouses showed everyone that great things come in small packages because this had ALL the damn things. And, honestly, if these two aren’t a couple, they need to be because it is clear he is into her, and he would treat her right. You can’t fake this sh*t. And all the damn judges agreed with me.

Dancing a solo to Shoshana Bean’s “Ain’t No Way” the wonderful Sophie proved once more that the dancers need to get choreographers to make up their solos for them.

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Now, this is where we all found out who was going home. Madison and Ezra were given a Doriana Sanchez disco number to “You Make Me Feel”, and it was good - but it wasn’t great, and it was even remarked upon that Ezra held up his end of the deal when he held up Madison, but that his facial expressions showed that he was working. The judges didn’t criticize them, they praised them. They praised them in as few vague, benign words as possible. It was like when you know you’re dying because your doctor has stopped asking about your health and started asking about the weather. We all love Ezra and Madison, especially the judges, but when the judges are vague and polite with their critiques, you’re going home. And since it was stated at the top of the show that the judges knew the voting results and who was going home (something I don’t remember hearing very often in past seasons), even the contestants knew, if they were listening, who was staying and who was going.

Judges. Bad play. We just read you like a book. Not a best seller. Next time, play it a little closer to the vest so’s you can keep up the dramatic suspense. K?

If it weren’t clear before, Gino’s solo to “Missing You” made it clear: he’s staying. Rarely has there been a boy dancer of such flawless precision. Do it again, Gino, do it again.

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Rounding out the evening were group numbers, girls vs boys. The girls got Ray Leper and Tina Turner’s recording of “I Can’t Stand the Rain” and even though Mary said they are all deserving (vague, but true) and Laurieann said “Pow Pow Pow!” (vague but true), the only thing this writer was thinking was “Madison needs to steal that hat” and “Meh”.

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MEANWHILE. Talia Favia and “Amen (LCV Choir)" will be on the list of great SYTYCD performances. It was so good that I wanted to throw up. The praise from the judges was considerable and the men must have felt very proud of themselves, indeed, because it was, in a word, perfection.

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And that’s it. Next up will be the finals, and the four moving into the finals, the judges made very clear, was based on votes, which is a nice way for the judges to get out of any responsibility when it comes to cutting any of these dancers who have insane abilities and legions of fans. In the end, though, whether it be based on votes or not, the two dancers sent home were Madison and Ezra. It was an impossible choice to make, and these two lovelies cried a little but they were most grateful, which they made clear. Cat kept it upbeat and loving as all said goodbye to the twosome, making way for The Final Four, who will compete next week: Bailey, Gino, Mariah and Sophie. All four are wonderful, all four are delightful, and it’s going to be hard to pick but I am going to go out on a limb and say what I said when the top ten were chosen: Gino is the best dancer, but Bailey has the benefit of being a brilliant dancer AND the most adorable human being on the face of the planet.

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I’m calling it for Bailey.

Let’s watch and see.

Two hours, Monday night, September 9th at 8 pm.

What did you think of this episode? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.