Tango & Flash: Dancing with the Stars Season 3, Week 3 Performances
I knew that tacky 80’s movies would come in handy one day and there really is no better way to describe this week’s performances than tango and flash. There were tears, flying fringe, a flagrant disregard for the sacred rules of ballroom and the judges used their paddles on some very naughty dancers. Let’s dive right in.
Emmett & Cheryl: Tango
The video showed us how adorable Emmett is as he flies to support his wife (hosting a pageant) in addition to flying back and forth to LA to practice.
On the dance floor: I thought he would nail the tango because he’s fast on his feet but it was a no go. The tango doesn’t work without the story – seduction, passion and control. Instead of those qualities, we got stiff, panicked and stumbling. Not even Cheryl’s choreography could save them.
Judges: Len was disappointed, Bruno said Emmett didn’t shine tonight but Carrie Ann gave him credit for leading and staying in character. Um, character?
Score: Carrie Ann, 7, Len 6, Bruno 6: Total: 19
Monique & Louis: Jive
This week, Monique’s mom came to visit (decked out in a T-shirt covered with her baby pictures) and Monique didn’t want to let her down.
On the dance floor: And she didn’t. Their opener was like she was shot out of a cannon – she jumped backwards into Louis’s arms – and that wasn’t even the best part. Their moves were cute, fast and spirited. My only critique is that I can still see her thinking about the steps.
Judges: Len thought it was their best dance, Bruno said they raised the bar and Carrie Ann loved the risk they took.
Score: Carrie Ann 9, Len, 9, Bruno 9. And Mom gave her a standing o. Total: 27
Harry & Ashly: Tango
This week in Harry’s ongoing effort to become less robotic, Ashly took him to a tango bar so he could absorb the meaning of the dance.
On the dance floor: He got the story and I think he called upon his soap opera roots for the character he played. He was light on his feet and had great hold. The best part was at the end when he looked like he was going to give Carrie Ann a rose but handed it to Bruno instead.
Judges: Bruno called him dark and dangerous but said there were mistakes, Carrie Ann joked that if she’d gotten the rose, she’d have given him a 10 - she thought it was awkward. Len thought they both needed to go to Lenscrafters for the 2 for 1 special – he thought it was great.
Score: Carrie Ann 7, Len 8, Bruno 7. Total: 22
Willa & Maksim: Jive
In the video, Willa talks about their growing relationship and how they’re not arguing. But the only clips are of them arguing. Hmmm.
On the dance floor: The choreography was bland and I thought that Willa could have been pushed further.
Judges: Carrie Ann called her the best natural dancer but pointed out that lifts are a no-no. Len thought they’d been doing more bonding than dancing but Bruno, God bless his horny little heart, thought she channeled Betty Grable.
Score: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno (obviously) 8. Total: 22
(Samantha embarrassed Maksim when she asked about his relationship with Willa. Double hmmmm.)
Jerry & Kym: Tango
Jerry’s goal is to make it to waltz week, a dance he wants to learn for his daughter’s wedding. Sweet. Kym’s plan was to make his character James Bond and Jerry responded with “it doesn’t appear that she’s drinking.”
On the dance floor: But I got drunk on Jerry because he did a great job, while performing a proper tango.
Judges: Bruno thought it was more Pink Panther than James Bond and called it a technical massacre. Carrie Ann thought it was fun and their best dance so far. Len said the footwork was great.
Score: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno 7. Total: 21
During the interview with Samantha, Jerry said he wants to win Ms. Congeniality. And after he learns the waltz, America needs to come to its senses and send him home. Jerry, don’t leave me!
Sara & Tony: Jive
This week, Tony got Sara in her element by adding some rhinestone cowboy to their jive.
On the dance floor: It was slower than a jive usually is but Sara finally showed some spunk. I’m not a big fan because I just see the little wheels moving too much during her performances (left, turn, right, turn) but I’ll give her points for effort.
Judges: Carrie Ann loved it and thought Sara came out of her shell. Len said she’s a rough diamond and Bruno said she was new and improved. He also made reference to her assets but I think that may have had more to do with her skimpy costume than her moves.
Score: Carrie Ann 8, Len 9, Bruno 8. Total: 25
Tom called Tony the Albanian John Wayne. Heh.
Mario & Karina: Tango
This week they said they were going to play by the rules.
On the dance floor: If by play, they mean break – mission accomplished. Their tango was professional caliber but they threw in this one slick move in the middle that was illegal.
Judges: Bruno said he was the real deal but called him a naughty boy. Carrie Ann was very stern and said that he needs to respect the rules and Len told Karina that she’s the jockey and Mario’s the horse. If not for that move, the judges would have given him 10’s.
Score: Carrie Ann 8, Len 6, Bruno 8. Total: 25
In the Samantha interview, Mario said they weren’t trying to break the rules, they just wanted to be entertaining. Hey, dimple boy, that excuse works only once. Tom called it Ballroom Smackdown.
Vivica and Nick: Tango
After last week’s show, Vivica started crying from relief. Okay. On Carrie Ann’s suggestion, Vivica took a ballet class, complete with red tutu.
On the dance floor: Tutu-riffic judging from the audience reaction. It was a solid interpretation of the dance but very careful and awkward at times.
Judges: Bruno thought she channeled Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones, Carrie Ann said “the tango is your dance” and Len said the A. in her name stands for animal and ‘appy. Vivica was thrilled and got all teary. I think all the judges could use the Lenscrafters discount.
Score: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, Bruno 9. Total: 27
During the Samantha interview, Vivica told the viewers to “vote, I’m working hard.” With the crying and all the talking, Vivica is bringing back not so fond memories of Big Lips.
Joey & Edyta: Jive
We see them working hard during their practices and since they’re dancing to Blue Suede Shoes, they’re going to throw in an Elvis vibe.
On the dance floor: Phenomenal. Joey makes his moves looks completely effortless and he threw in a little Elvis hip action for the ladies. Edyta is the perfect partner for him.
Judges: Bruno called him a dynamo but reminded him that no lifts are allowed. Carrie Ann thought it was fabulous but Len was very annoyed. He said this isn’t Cirque du Soleil and didn’t appreciate flashy moves like the handstand.
Score: Carrie Ann 8, Len 6, Bruno 8. Total: 22
Tom called Len out with “so you didn’t finish the whole cigarette during the commercial.” Len laughed so hard he fell over on Carrie Ann’s shoulder.
Leaderboard (or this week’s all tied up board):
Monique & Louis tied with Viveca and Nick - 27
Sara & Tony tied with Mario & Karina - 25
Harry & Ashly, Willa & Maksim, Joey & Edyta tied with - 22
Jerry & Kym - 21
Emmett & Cheryl - 19
It’s tough when Mario and Joey want to challenge themselves with flashy moves but it isn’t fair to the other dancers. With Len handing out 6’s like they’re chocolate and it’s Halloween, the dancers need to be careful of going overboard on the crowd-pleasing stuff because half the score is the judges. And if we like them, we’ll like them without the handstand or lifts too. It’s only week 3 and we already have possible romances, drama and shady dancing. It’s shaping up to be quite a season.
Mali Perl works in finance but her heart belongs to entertainment. She can be reached at mali@realityshack.com. It seems like Len considers crimes against ballroom to be right up there with armed robbery and tax evasion. If there’s a dance prison somewhere, I say, lock me up (with Maksim as my guard, please)!
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