Episode Report Card Kim: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Nothing But a Good Time (Most of the Time)
By Kim | Season 8 | Episode 1 | Aired on 03.09.2009
The other replacement contestant is to be "revealed" next. It's Melissa Rycroft, recently rejected by the Bachelor, and she'll be dancing with Tony. She's only had 48 hours to prepare.
But she won't be dancing just yet. Instead, it's Ty Murray, rodeo champ and husband to Jewel. He'll be dancing with Chelsie Hightower, another SYTYCD import. Ty looks really stiff during rehearsal, and worries a bit about what his rodeo buddies will think of his girly ways. They're dancing the cha cha cha, which involves a lot of walking around, apparently. Hey. He's not bad, at first. He's stiff, but he's got good posture, and he actually shakes his hips once in a while. I thought he'd be way worse. He gets a little confused in the middle, but he gets back on track. The more nervous he gets, the stiffer he becomes, and the second half is pretty bad, but he muddles through.
Bruno thought it looked like an army drill, which is pretty accurate. Len compliments how he came out and tried, and Carrie Ann appreciated that he came out and let go, but she thinks Chelsie has a lot of work to do. Backstage, Samantha wonders if Ty feels vulnerable now that his wife has dropped out. Ty admits that he forgot everything out there, and spent a lot of time wondering if his friends in the audience were laughing at him. It showed, dude. Scores: Carrie Ann 5, Len 4, Bruno 5. Ooh. Ouch. Ty thinks it was fair, because he knows he screwed up.
Shawn Johnson is the youngest star ever on the show, and she's teamed with Mark, who wants to take the trophy back from his buddy Derek. Shawn giggles a lot while trying to be serious about the dance, and says that she was taught in gymnastics not to show emotion, because it's weakness. Damn. Who was her coach, Sgt. Schultz? Anyway, Mark and Shawn start their waltz and she's very graceful. I think she'll have to fight high expectations this season. It's very pretty, though she wobbles a bit on one of the turns. Of course, she points her toes and has great lines. I don't think she could not do that. I'm interested to see how she does with a Latin dance, though.
Carrie Ann was moved by the routine. Have I mentioned Carrie Ann is looking a little rough tonight? I don't know if it's the lighting or what. Bruno thought it was surprisingly refined, and warns her to watch out for the "gymnastic arms." Len thought it was appealing, but she needs a bit more fluidity in her arms. Overall, the judges loved it. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8 and Bruno 7. Wow, from their comments, I thought the scores would be higher. Backstage, Samantha asks Shawn about the expectations people have for her, and Shawn says she quickly found out that her gymnastics won't help her at all, but she's working hard.