Episode Report Card Kim: C | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Fright Night
By Kim | Season 13 | Episode 13 | Aired on 10.31.2011
The conceit is that they are inmates in an asylum and also possibly zombies? They are all dancing stiffly and twitchily (is that a word?) to "Disturbia" by Rihanna. Remember when Lance and Lacey did their tango to this song? The show is just recycling all over the place. Anyway, the routine itself is quite good, and even Nancy's solo is acceptable, if kind of boring (and you can see Tristan talking her through it). They also choreograph around Nancy a lot, since she's the only female non-pro. David and JR get really into the characters and are both a joy to watch. JR's solo segment is SO MUCH BETTER than his actual routine this week. I don't know if he's feeding off the energy of the group or if someone else choreographed it, but it's night and day. Overall, it didn't have a ton of flash, but it was solid and no one screwed the pooch. I enjoyed watching it.
Judges? Len says that the group parts were really good and tight, but he thought the solos were disasters. Really? I loved the solos, except for Nancy's. Bruno agrees and allows that it's tough to learn two whole routines in one week. Carrie Ann also agrees, but ends by saying that she thought it was very nice overall. Huh? Again, not usually into conspiracies, but it feels like it was predetermined that this group would be lower scores, so it didn't matter what they did on the floor. Even the dancers look a little puzzled. Usually when they screw up on something specific, and a judge points it out, they agree or laugh or go, "You got me!" But they all look sort of like, "What are they talking about? That was awesome!" Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 7 and Bruno 8. They are on crack. That dance deserved at least one 9.
Next up is Team Paso with Ricki and Derek, Hope and Maks, and Rob and Cheryl. Also known as the Chosen Ones, apparently. Rob feels pretty bad about begin the only male non-pro. In their last rehearsal, they want to go through the solos but Hope and Maks haven't even started theirs yet. Haven't even started their yet. Let me say that again: it's the last rehearsal and they haven't even started theirs yet. So then everyone has to stand around awkwardly while Hope and Maks try to work out their solo, and as is their wont, they start fighting about it and Maks leaves. Derek steps in and tries to show Hope what to do, bless him. And Cheryl also demonstrates some steps to Hope. I hope (no pun intended) that Maks thanked them. Hope and Maks seriously have a toxic relationship and need to go home. And never speak to one another again.