Dancing with the Stars big experiment began this week with production staying very quiet about which contestant had which professional. No information was provided before the episode and there were only vague Instagram pictures and Tweets to go by. I expected that we’d get a reveal in the beginning of the episode, but the opening dance had the celebrities separate from their original professionals and on the voting information, there was only the celebrity names. Tom and Erin announced our temporary teams one-by-one as the episode went by, but here were the pairings:
Amy and Mark
Candace and Tony
Charlie and Peta
Cody and Sharna
Danica and Maks
Drew and Witney
James and Cheryl
Meryl and Val
NeNe and Derek
Julianne was back as the guest judge, she explained that the switch-up was going to be brutal for the celebrities. She also warned that she was going to be candid in her reviews.
Along with the performances, we had the first Macy’s Stars of Dance performance which included So You Think You Can Dance contestants Jonathan Platero and Kathryn McCormick.
Candace & Tony - Quickstep - Candace was excited initially to have Tony, but she was always nervous that Tony would make her blush. Tony suggested creating characters first whereas Mark would do steps first and then grow character. She was worried about high scores, but loved him as an instructor. Candace had good character right off the get go as she shuffled around the dance floor. I thought her footwork was strong, considering I didn’t expect much from her since last week. She struggled with the end sequence, but managed a good overall performance.
Len loved the attack of the dance. Julianne liked the theme and choreography, she thought there was a bit of a gap between the two. Bruno loved the energy, but she struggled with frame. Carrie Ann pointed out that this was her first ballroom dance and she needed better body contact. Score: 28 (7,7,7,7)
James & Cheryl - Tango - After meeting with his new professional, James was worried about creating chemistry after meeting Cheryl especially with a tango. As the couple began their dance, I thought it was a smart concept for Cheryl to create for the two. James’ slide and knee-turns looked a bit more awkward than I hoped, but it was good to see that his charisma translates well with Cheryl. James may hunch just a bit more because of the difference between his and Cheryl’s height, but I loved the way the couple swept around the floor. Cheryl also looked like she slipped a real kiss.
Julianne thought James was the total package, he has dedication passion and technique. She suggested that James sticks his butt out a bit. Bruno loved the play between the two and agreed with Julianne’s posture critiques. Carrie Ann didn’t notice that there was even a switch-up, she appreciated the growth. Len thought the performance was burning hot, he suggested fixing the flexed knees. Score: 35 (9,8,9,9)
Drew & Witney - Cha-Cha - Drew walked in and met Witney and immediately found out that Drew was older than her father. She was worried about getting Drew’s scores up. Witney had the patience as she realized how much slower Drew was at picking up choreography. Drew’s arms immediately upset me as he began, but he tried to cover it up with some smiles and charisma. Witney tried to have moments where she danced around him, but allowed Drew to be a ham between cha-cha steps.
Bruno thought he was a show business sugar daddy. Carrie Ann thought he was a cha-cha machine. Len felt the youthfulness of the routine. Julianne thought Drew had the cha-cha moves and was a huge fan. Score: 33 (8,8,9,8)
Danica & Maks - Jive - Danica got a brotherly switch, but she realized quickly that the teaching styles are completely different. Maks thought that Danica needed more explanations and he was expecting that she just do the moves. Danica had the stamina and playfulness of the jive, but I just don’t think that the whole routine worked. There were minor mistakes throughout the dancing. I thought that there was too much time spent with the filler, but not with actual jive content.
Carrie Ann was worried about the timing of the routine. Len liked the jive, but thought there was too much goofing off. Julianne agreed and she wanted to see more dancing; she called out Maks for not having as much of a routine as he would have with Meryl. Bruno congratulated Danica for surviving minor live mishaps. Score: 32(8,8,8,8)
Charlie & Peta - Rumba - Charlie was nervous as he hoped blonde power would help him. Charlie thought Sharna had every detail ready, but Peta flowed and adjusted with practice. He knew he had to be sexy for the routine, but he was being natural. Charlie had the right motions, but I thought the routine was too sharp the whole time. There were nice movements, but they were all too jarring. Charlie definitely lifted Peta during parts of the routine. I wished the routine was slower to have better impact.
Len thought the performance was terrific, but it wasn’t a rumba. Julianne thought the routine was beautiful, but he was dancing on his heels too much. Bruno loved the character and shapes, but agreed with the lack of hip motions. Carrie Ann didn’t see a rumba either and saw the lift. Score: 33 (7,8,9,9)
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Amy & Mark - Salsa - Amy was worried about starting over and had to explain how her legs worked. Mark knew this was his biggest challenge and had to sit and talk to Derek. He adjusted and felt more comfortable. Amy felt competitive to show Derek what he’s missing. As the couple began I appreciated that the two were immediately in hold to dance and had proper salsa moves. They could have possibly had less booty movements. I thought Mark did a good job trying to balance the arm passes and leg motions until I realized he wasted time with a very slow and unnecessary lift.
Julianne knows that she’s inspiring, but pointed out that she’s also a competitor. Bruno appreciated the high amount of leg movements. Carrie Ann appreciated how much distance that Mark gave Amy during the routine. Len loved her bottom. Score: 34 (9,8,8,9)
Cody & Sharna - Foxtrot - Cody’s youth threw off Sharna, so she started acting like a mother during the practices. She wanted to show progression by helping his frame. Cody started with a bit of singing but it didn’t deter from the routine. I appreciated the maturity that the routine had even when Sharna included Cody’s slides or pop and lock motions. It had much more flow and Witney should take notes from this routine.
Bruno thought the side-by-sides were nice, but the frame in his holds were still weak. Carrie Ann saw improvements in the hold, but he needs to move his arms better. Len saw that he tried to get the heel leads right, but his details need to be sharpened. Julianne loved the performance even though he’s in the middle of the routine. Score: 31 (8,7,8,8)
NeNe & Derek - Jazz- NeNe was excited to work with Derek and was even more excited to have a Jazz routine because Derek could bring out her strengths. Tony snuck in to watch the routine and got a bit defensive. The routine had tribal undertones as the two danced. NeNe was a little sloppy at points but, I loved the confidence. There was a minor mistake with the music that threw off Derek a bit, but NeNe kept going. NeNe gave everything in her performance and she got the chance to bring out that over-the-top personality into a dance.
Carrie Ann thought she was finally dancing big. Len thought it matched her personality. Julianne thought she channeled her inner Beyonce. Bruno loved how she’d do her own thing. Score: 32 (8,8,8,8)
Meryl & Val - Argentine Tango - Meryl was excited to keep in the family with Val. She knows there’s differences between the two and knows that Val is more strict. Val was also nervous because Argentine Tango was Maks’ favorite style. Meryl was sharp and fast as the couple began and never let up. I thought the tricks were naturally used and transitioned well between the steps. That was an amazing routine and the benchmark for this season for getting the rest of the celebrities to improve.
Len thought it was too staccato at points, but called it the dance of the night. Julianne appreciated the dance and choreography. Bruno thought she was powerful and seductive. Carrie Ann called her untouchable. Score: 39 (10,9,10,10)
Combined Total Scores
High
Meryl - 78 (39 + 39)
James - 71 (36 + 35)
Amy - 70 (36 + 34)
Charlie - 69 (33 + 36)
Danica - 68 (36 + 32)
Low
Cody - 66 (35 + 31)
NeNe - 63 (31 + 32)
Drew - 63 (30 + 33)
Candace - 60 (32 + 28)