Episode Report Card Kim: C | 1 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Jacoby's Save
By Kim | Season 16 | Episode 1 | Aired on 03.18.2013
D.L. Hughley is someone I've actually heard of, although I didn't know about his past as a gang member. He's paired with Cheryl. I like how he says you have to suspend your ideas of masculinity to be a ballroom dancer; he's acknowledging the cultural trope without getting all, "Ew, I have to be like an icky girl" or worse, something outright homophobic. They have the cha cha cha. Oh, but he's not good. He's really bad, actually. He's crazy stiff through the middle, and his footwork is awful. He looks terrified. He needs to let go and get into it, although I don't know how much he could improve.
Judges? Bruno says he "terminated the cha cha cha" and his timing was way off, and it seemed under-rehearsed. Carrie Ann can't even form a sentence so she just says "yikes" and that he needs to practice a LOT more and come back strong next week. Len thought it was rough, and next week he has to do the quickstep, so he needs to work his butt off. Poor Cheryl. She tried. I do wonder how many hours he put in. Scores: Carrie Ann 4, Len 4, and Bruno 4. That's about right, even though the audience boos.
It's a Disney chick, and my kids are a little too young for those Disney shows so I don't know her. Her name is Zendaya, and she's partnered with Val. She's only 16, so Val quickly learns to keep it clean with her, even though they have contemporary. She's a skinny little thing. And tall! Their dance is really great. Val did a fantastic job of making it passionate but not totally sexual, and Zendaya just goes for it and throws herself into the routine. She's a little bit gawky at times, like she just shot up a few inches this year and hasn't quite figured out what to do with her arms and legs, but she can probably work through that. I liked it, and as mentioned, I don't love contemporary.
Judges? Carrie Ann thought it was amazing and beautiful, and compliments the choreography. Len tells her that it was great, and he never thought he'd say that in the first week. Bruno thought it was superb and he can't wait to see her do other dances, and he also compliments the choreography. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8. Wow.
Sean Lowe was just on The Bachelor, which I haven't watched in many seasons. Trivia: I think I recapped a season of that show. Or part of a season. I don't even know anymore. Anyway, this guy is seriously uptight and that never lends itself well to dancing. He's paired with Peta and they have the foxtrot. I'll say this for him; he tries. He doesn't go out there and act like he doesn't want to be there. His posture is awful in spots and he's got zero musicality but he seems to know the routine, so that puts him a step ahead of D.L. And he's having fun! I like that. But he's not good.