After our group introduction dance, this week began with last week’s twist announcement. There would be a double elimination this week, probably to make up with the fact that week one had no eliminations. The difference was that eliminations could happen at any time on the show.
The switch-up challenge has been buzzing on the internet, from what I’ve seen, has been negative. The idea of people getting out of their comfort zone works for me in trio dances, but I’m not sure why the producers want to pair up Derek with a contender when Amy is already a contender.
Drew & Cheryl - Jive - Cheryl was worried about teaching a very instruction heavy jive by week two. The opening was cute considering Drew doesn’t sing, and I appreciated the jump. Drew looked like he was having fun, the problem was that his charm and charisma was carrying him through the whole dance. He kept up with Cheryl, but he completely lacked any real finesse. He’s miles better than Bill Engvall ever was though.
Len thought that Drew needed to work on his posture. Bruno noted the charisma, but there were several moments that didn’t look good. Carrie Ann was happily surprised by the routine. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
Danica & Val - Samba - Val was upset with himself because he didn’t have Danica stand out enough, he wanted to make sure that Danica would stand out. He made a routine that was professional-level which stressed out Danica. The couple started out with an intense opening that had the sexiness, but Danica didn’t maintain the sultry attitude I hoped for throughout the routine. Danica did great attempting samba rolls and several standard moves. Her arms had good extension, but her legs were the real stars.
Bruno thought the transitions needed help, the little details was preventing perfection. Carrie Ann thought she was both sexy and elegant. Len thought it was fantastic for week two. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
Billy Dee & Emma - Tango - The surprise on Emma’s face was intense. Billy Dee’s age clearly came into play during practices as he had to sit and rest often. Emma brought in extra women to really get the action going. I don’t know how Billy keeps getting the extra dancers though. Billy sauntered around as be barely kicked or bent. Good for him for his age and ability to not drop Emma, but that was all flash and no movement.
Carrie Ann expected more content, his head was sharp, but his legs weren’t. Len thought the routine didn’t have enough attack. Bruno loved the play with the women. Score: 15 (5,5,5)
Meryl & Maks - Swing - Meryl chose swing because she wanted to do flips and tricks. Maks was much more nervous flipping Meryl than she was, but he wanted to take advantage of their height difference. The couple began in the aquarium which was an interesting tactic, though it did waste a little bit of time going down the stairs. Meryl showed that she has the physicality and endurance for a great routine, if it was clean.
Len thought the routine was fun and that Meryl would be around for a while. Bruno thought there were several mistakes with the lifts and timing. Carrie Ann appreciated that Meryl gave Maks a workout; there were mistakes, but she’s an athletic star. Score: 25 (8,9,8)
Diana & Henry - Eliminated - The shocking news was that Diana & Henry were eliminated, I don’t think that was any surprise considering Billy Dee survived. Although they were eliminated, Diana got to perform her routine. She looked like she was having a great time trying to do the choreography. She explained that she wanted to do the show for years and was excited to be on.
Candace & Mark - Rumba - Candace was excited to continue, but was under the pressure of the Rumba being so lovely. Candace wanted to make sure that she had a very conservative routine, she wanted sensuality, not raunchy sex. The routine had the right amount of emotion and good choice of moves. Candace failed to transition between the moves at all, possibly because of how Mark choreographed the routine. Mark also mistakenly lifted Candace’s body a bit too high that I’d consider that a true lift.
Carrie Ann thought the routine was too contemporary and not enough of a rumba, there was something wrong about her arms. Len didn’t see the romance of the routine, but she did well. Bruno thought that she danced with her heart, but there were still mistakes. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
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Amy & Derek - Swing - Amy needs moments where she regains her balance because she didn’t know how her leg technology would react. She was worried to hear when her legs would click when they practiced, she feared that her legs wouldn’t fly off when she danced.As the couple began, the opening sequence was cute and they spent a lot of time doing a lot of twists. I thought Amy’s kicks were pretty good considering her legs. Derek correctly choreographed that there were the right forms of transitions, and left all the big flip tricks to the end so that just in case Amy’s legs would fly off at the end of the routine.
Len thought Amy was amazing. Bruno liked the touches of charleston, but she missed one pass because of Derek’s jacket. Carrie Ann loved how synchronized Amy moved. Score: 24 (8,8,8)
James & Peta - Salsa - Peta emphasized that James wanted to be both eye candy and a good dancer. James wanted technique, no matter what Peta dressed him in. Peta wanted to beat Cody in the scoreboard this week. The two had the chemistry and James showed the right amount of skin as the two danced. The worm/roll was useless filler, but the side-by-side choreography was smart and the arm work was executed well.
Bruno loved that James broke out of his shell and appreciated the routine. Carrie Ann thought James joined the sexy hall of fame. Len loved the attack, but there were occasional hip mishaps. Score: 25 (9,8,8)
Charlie & Sharna - Tango - Charlie snuck into Maks & Meryl’s practice because he wanted to learn about having a bad boy personality for the Tango. Maks tried to use James Bond as his example. I liked the use of the throne, and I thought that charlie had the choreography down well. He had passion, I’m not sure if it was actually “bad boy” but he did put some soul into his performance. The couple moved around well and had strong chemistry.
Carrie Ann appreciated the power of the dance. Len explained that the couple broke hold and he had to lower down his score. Bruno thought the performance was sharp and saw the killer instinct. Score: 25 (9,7,9)
NeNe & Tony - Jive - Nene was excited to dance, but explained her husband picked the Jive. NeNe tried to practice, but it winded her as Tony tried to get perfection. I appreciated the 60s influences of the dance, but I’m not sure if NeNe really had the legs for the jive. Her kicks weren’t strong at all and she still walked to place between decently executed moves.
Len thought she did well on a hard routine. Bruno thought the performance wasn’t sharp enough. Carrie Ann suggested that she could dance with a larger presence. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
Sean & Karina - Salsa - Sean needed to show fun in his salsa, his facial expressions were important for the routine. Sean just didn’t want to go home. The couple danced and the side-by-side was a little basic looking in the beginning, but I liked the amount of ground they covered right of the bat. I wished Sean wouldn’t keep looking at Karina when they weren’t in hold. He looked a little awkward when he tried to move his legs, but the routine was miles ahead of his contemporary routine.
Bruno liked the light footed dancing, but he had some timing issues. Carrie Ann appreciated the dance. Len announced that he’d give Sean higher marks from last week. Score: 21 (7,7,7)
Cody & Witney - Tango - Witney wanted to make sure that technique was perfect. Cody wanted to add some of his personal finesse and Witney wanted to stay in hold the whole time. She wanted to make sure there were no lifts or things too modern. I found the costuming to be an interesting choice when the two would be analyzed for body contact. Cody leans into Witney too much, possibly because of the height differential. I didn’t mind the incorporation of the moonwalk this week, I just hope it’s not there every week.
Carrie Ann thought that he danced a bit angular, she suggested fixing frame. Len thought wanted a tighter dance, it felt loose. Bruno knew the routine was compelling and he worked on the content, but he leans forward too much. Score: 22 (7,7,8)
After Diana’s elimination, the final three contestants were under the scrutiny of elimination. Nene was safe and she was followed by Cody. That meant that Sean was the second contestant eliminated this week.
High
Meryl & Maks - 25
Charlie & Sharna - 25
James & Peta - 25
Middle
Danica & Val - 24
Amy & Derek - 24
Cody & Witney - 22
Nene & Tony - 21
Drew & Cheryl - 21
Candace & Mark - 21
Low
Billy Dee & Emma - 15
With Billy Dee surviving another week, are we going to have a shocking elimination of NeNe, Drew, or Candace? There’s always a possibility considering that Sean had a 20, which isn’t that far apart. I believe that Cody’s fanbase will keep him safe for at least one more week.