DWTS - S10 Week 4

So that promise I made to myself to avoid Twitter before shows? I swear I'll do it next week. Advance buzz this time though, is that Jonathan Roberts is pissed at the judges who are "destroying" the couples with the technical scores. I wouldn't be surprised. The animation for Buzz' elimination is him turning into a rocket and blasting off. They're calling it "Passion Night" because our dances are Tango and Rumba. Brooke, sadly, has her first bad dress of the season... and as the couples come down, she's not the only one.

The judges discuss the dancers and the dances we'll be seeing, starting with their expectations for Tango, leaving it to Tom for some reason to specify that the three required figures for the dance will be the Viennese Cross, Continuous Outside Swivels and the Contra Check. Jonathan and Anna Demidova do a pro demo to the most awful music ever. They do, though, get pyro effects and a "well done" from Len.

Also, Len called out the couples last week to give them specific details he wanted them to work on. For some reason, we don't see all of these.


Erin & Maks: Len's advice-- footwork. She's having back problems and is paranoid about the footwork. Tango. Starts with her hugging Len. Footwork cleaner, good attitude. Not grounded, needs strength and more color. Frame weak. 20/30 technical, 22/30 performance.

In the Skybox, after they're scored 6's for some reason, Brooke asks Maks what he's hoping for in performance. "Twelves?" he asks, incredulous.

Evan & Anna: Len's advice-- footwork & backside. Two broken toes. Focusing on details. Tango. Neat dress for her, good intro with chair. Great strength, good sharpness. Nice leading and attack, better power, better footwork. 26/30 technical, 25/30 performance.

They've got a "Hot! Hot! Hot!" neon sign. Subtle. The judges discuss Rumba. The required figures will be the Spiral to Rope Spinning, Opening Out to Right and Left and the Sliding Doors. To demo are Dmitry Chaplin and Kym Johnson (clad in a Wonderbra, boyshort undies and an unbuttoned shirt that ABC told them she was not allowed to remove at the end of the routine as planned). Tom FTW describing the routine: "three special moves and two percent body fat".

Niecy & Louis: He wants to use dance as therapy, so they dedicate it to her late brother's memory instead of being romantic. She's doing long days. Rumba. Emotional, introspective and low-key. Not quite completing the required elements. Too quiet. 17/30 technical, 21/30 performance.

In the audience: Susan Lucci, Chuck Liddell.

Aiden & Edyta: Len's advice-- be an actor. Shy and introvert in real life. They visit a soap fan cruise. Rumba. Bad tin foil dress. Feeling and acting the dance, but choreography is pose to pose and steps are choppy. Awful hands & arms, no flow or hips. Nothing to do for him again. 18/30 technical, 20/30 performance.

Nicole & Derek: Len's advice-- balance speed and slow. They get the giggles trying to be romantic. He has a "love hand". Rumba. She borrowed a headdress from Headdress Lady in the band. Gorgeous performance, but nerves showing. Great moves, nice tricks and very good lines. 27/30 technical, 25/30 performance.

Tom's on Castle after the show on "ABC: the All Bergeron Channel".

Jake & Chelsie: He has the judges' "3 words" on a t-shirt. Promises to trust her and be assertive. Tango. Good attack and enthusiasm, but a little smiley for Tango. Some good figures. Wow, pivot down stairs! Stumbles late and never finds feet. 20/30 technical, 21/30 performance.

In the Skybox, they've dressed the set with heart-shaped pillows that spend the rest of the episode being held up in the background of shots or flying around the room.

Kate & Tony: She keeps making excuses for her dancing and complaining about her life, saying she wants to "just get through" her routines. Tango. No energy or performance here, but at least the bitchface is appropriate. At least she doesn't look to be fighting him, but is no help. 14/30 technical, 17/30 performance.

Bruno's comment: "For a moment there, I actually believed you were dancing!". Len praises Tony's work, but the lack of criticism stuns her. Tony: "She's speechless, this is great!"

Chad & Cheryl: Looking for posture and romance and softness. He gave Cheryl a massive diamond ring. Rumba. Improved posture, some hip action, good footwork. Better performance, looking out more. Better fluidity, overall solid. 24/30 technical, 22/30 performance.

Pamela & Damien: Len's advice-- make it refined and classy. Timing a challenge with slow tempo. They want sexy but also vulnerable. Rumba. Blue eyeshadow! Really good and sexy in a tender, sweeter way. Great lightness, good hips, good lines. 25/30 technical, 27/30 performance.

Hmmm. I don't think the judges scored some couples right, but I don't think they were "destroying" anyone. Sorry, Jon.

RESULTS SHOW

Brook makes up for last night's dress with a silky number that reminds me of Number Six's iconic red dress from Battlestar Galactica.

Safe: Chad (who hugs Jake before Cheryl, preventing the \o/ ) & Cheryl, Jake (who hugs Chelsie, then Chad) & Chelsie.
Len's review as always is happier than it would seem from the night before. He does mention that he wants "to see more Aiden and less Edyta". Preaching to the choir here, Len. Kate claims she was having fun.

In the audience: Mark Cuban.

Encore: Pamela & Damien's Rumba. From far away, the light-colored eye makeup makes her look better than the super-dark raccoon eyes they usually use on her.

Since next week is "Movie Night" (all the songs will be from movies), we get little mock previews for movies. First up is Tuesday the 13th, with Bruno as a glitter-masked Jason wielding the glitter ball trophy.

Musical guest: Sade (who Tom and Brooke refer to in the plural, as though the entire band is "Sade"), "Baby Father". Chelsie & Damien dance, and I like that they seem to be enjoying themselves. Sade has two backup singers, young women dressed like Urkel with giant neon hair flowers.

Safe: Evan & Anna

Video package of the pros when they were dancing as kids. Lots and lots of cute.

Dance guest: Young ballroom students from VIBE Performing Arts in Utah, including former DWTS Junior Champions Brandon & Brittany as well as dancer Tanisha Belnap, who was in Marks most recent music video, "All For Nothing". They are almost depressingly fantastic.

More "previews": Cha-Chablanca and Glambo: First Dance, the latter of which features Tony at his goofy, silly best.

Safe: Nicole & Derek, Pamela & Damien.

Macy's Stars of Dance: A fantastic fusion piece choreographed by SYTYCD prodigy Travis Wall, who also performs. It features Tiler Peck, a principal dancer from the New York City Ballet as well as SYTYCD alums Danny Tidwell, Nick Lazzarini and Jaimie Goodwin, and is set to music by a hip-hop string section called Nuttin But Stringz. Wow.

Musical guest: Sade, "Sweetest Taboo". Her (their?) own dancers.

Safe: Erin & Maks.

Preview: Dance Another Day, featuring Double-Ocho-Cinco.

Safe: Kate (NOOOOOOOOO!) & Tony, Niecy & Louis.

Eliminated: Aiden Turner & Edyta Sliwinksa. He's freaked out waiting, and all are very surprised at the announcement.

See you next week.