Episode Report Card Kim: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Season 6 Performance #1: Men
By Kim | Season 6 | Episode 1 | Aired on 03.16.2008
Tom welcomes us back from the break and introduces Jason Taylor, a defensive end from the Miami Dolphins, who will be partnered with Edyta. Jason says he signed up for the show for the challenge, because it's out of his comfort zone. At their first meeting, Edyta says she thought Jason was sexy and athletic. She realized that he was shy, and also worried about not seeming macho. As they rehearse, Jason realizes that he needs to let go of his "little macho bubble." I think they sell an over-the-counter remedy for that now. Jason shows up one day for rehearsal in a pink tutu that his buddies gave him, but then he buckles down and impresses Edyta with his ability to move, even though he's big.
Jason and Edyta begin the foxtrot. Edyta has on more clothes than usual, meaning that her legs are mostly covered, and not by legwarmers. Jason is not bad, although you can see him mentally counting the steps, but I think that can be chalked up to first-week nerves. He's cute, and he smiles a lot. His posture improves as the dance goes along, but near the end he does some turns without bending his knees at all. He could definitely improve, but for the first week, it was quite good. Judges? Len compliments Jason's looks, posture, and elegance, and hopes he will learn to act the dance a bit more. Carrie Ann thought Jason would be rougher, and was surprised by his fluidity and hand movements. Bruno thinks Jason was graceful and had great lines and posture, and now looks for more drive and chemistry. I agree -- there was a moment where I was going to write that this couple had good chemistry, but then Jason started counting steps again and it went away. Scores? Carrie Ann 7, Len 8, and Bruno 7. What's with Len being the high scoring judge this season?
Tom introduces the next contestant, Latin heartthrob Christian de la Fuente. He worked in Chile and is best known in this country for his work on Ugly Betty. He hopes to bring romance back to dancing. I was unaware that it had left. Where did it go? Professional curling? Christian was pleased to be working with Cheryl, because she's a two-time winner. Their first dance is the cha-cha, which Cheryl thinks is perfect for Christian because it's sexy. The problem is that Christian is not so good with the hip action. So how will it translate to the dance floor?
Cheryl and Christian start out up on the platform and then head down to the floor. Christian is great with the quick footwork, although his posture ranges from so-so to so bad. His routine seems way more difficult than the others we've seen so far. I think we've got a contender! Judges? Carrie Ann is psyched about the sexy guys on this season, and thinks Christian's hot and has good chemistry with Cheryl, but she cautions him to watch his shoulders. Bruno thinks Christian looks like he's riding a bike all hunched over, and adds, "She bangs, and you've got to bang just as hard." Even Tom Bergeron is like, "Eesh. Really? That's the phrasing you want to go with, Bruno?" Bruno finishes with a few more double entendres and Tom throws to Len to save them. Len once again admonishes Christian to work on his posture. Hmm. They were not nearly as impressed as I was by the footwork. What about the scores? Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, and Bruno 7. Really? Lower than Jason?