Episode Report Card Kim: B+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Let's Get It On
By Kim | Season 6 | Episode 11 | Aired on 04.21.2008
Shannon does much better at dances where she doesn't have to have hip action, and where she can just stick her long legs and arms out like a baby giraffe, but more graceful. There's a lot of chemistry there as well -- Derek definitely has more chemistry with Shannon than he ever did with Jennie Garth, whether it's real or put on for the dance.
Judges? Bruno thought it was "sizzling" but he thinks Shannon needs more hip action. Shannon looks confused. Carrie Ann thinks Shannon is what the show is all about, because she has potential but she's not living up to it yet. Len compliments their chemistry and thought it was a good job overall. Shannon looks devastated at any little bit of criticism. She really needs to develop a tougher skin. Hey, Tom just announced that Julianne and Apolo as well as Mel and Maks are coming back in two weeks. Yay! I literally just clapped.
Backstage, Samantha tries to get Shannon and Derek to talk about their showmance. Like, she totally grills them, to the point where it's a bit uncomfortable. Shannon and Derek have nothing to say other than that they have been working hard on their routines. Derek finally admits that they are so committed to the dance that they went to the beach and got into their characters, sort of tacitly admitting to making out on the beach. I don't know why they don't admit it -- if they spin the relationship right, it would totally get them votes. Oh, but I guess they don't necessarily want to exploit their personal lives that way. Hmph. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8.
Marlee Matlin is looking HOT this week, with a tiger print dress that's barely there. They struggled last week, and Marlee was very upset, but this week they are doing the mambo, and Fabian was the World Mambo Champion in 2006. So who shows up to help out? THE FONZ! Okay, he's Henry Winkler, and he's there to give her a pep talk, because they are friends. It's a little weird seeing the Fonz give this intense speech about Marlee's spirit. Because when I'm not seeing him as the Fonz, I'm seeing him as Barry Zuckercorn from Arrested Development.
It's weird because in the first few weeks, Marlee's deafness didn't seem to affect their dances all that much. But the last two weeks, it has become really obvious that she can't hear the music and her moves seem very tentative. It's not that good this week, and I want it to be really good. Carrie Ann points out that Marlee looks amazing. She adds that the mambo is about your connection with the music, so obviously it's going to be Marlee's toughest dance, and it showed. Len thinks Marlee is an inspiration, but this routine looked uncomfortable. Bruno thinks the timing is crucial in the mambo, and she messed up a few times, but he thinks that she should be proud of what she's accomplished. The judges really went out of their way there to make it look like they weren't picking on the deaf girl, didn't they? Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno 7. That's about right, if not a little higher than I expected. Backstage, Samantha points out that the group dance is still coming up, and the judges won't be scoring that. Marlee smiles and says that it was fun to work on and she's looking forward to it.