Episode Report Card Kim: B | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Len Blows Up
By Kim | Season 16 | Episode 14 | Aired on 05.06.2013
Jacoby and Karina have the Viennese waltz. This should be interesting; I don't see Jacoby as much of a waltzer. He's athletic and dynamic, but I don't know if he's graceful. Let's find out. Wow, that was pretty sexy. It didn't hurt that Jacoby ripped his shirt open at one point. That felt more like a rumba than a waltz. Jacoby moved around the floor in a way that was actually quite graceful. His footwork wasn't always perfect and his arms when he was in hold seemed a little weird. I do think their huge height differential affects their frame, though.
Judges? Carrie Ann thought it was stunning and smooth, and a nice surprise. Len asks Jacoby's mom if she loved it. She did, and so did Len. Jacoby actually looks happy that Len liked it. He cares! Bruno thought Jacoby made it look simple and effortless even though it's a difficult dance. Then Bruno and Jacoby's mom get into a hip-shaking contest. For real. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9. I think they might have been expecting 10s, but I think a 9 is about right.
Ingo struggles in rehearsals because his body is just breaking down, and he mentally checks out of rehearsals. Kym gets frustrated with him and pushes him to go on. Obviously, he did, because here they are to dance the foxtrot. The first half is really good, and I start thinking Ingo should have breakdowns every week. The second half doesn't quite live up to the first; there are a few stumbles and a turning arabesque that's just ugly. But overall, better than I expected based on the roll-in package.
Judges? Len liked the ease of movement, but it could have been softer in the arms and stronger in the footwork. But Len thinks it was well done. Bruno thought it was mostly Fred Astaire with a little Fred Flintstone, but it was good overall. Carrie Ann thought it was his best posture ever, and she loved the casualness of the attitude. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8.
Kellie and Derek have the Viennese waltz and Derek tells her the mood is like having one last moment with someone and trying to cherish every last second. Kellie starts thinking about her grandmother and cries a lot. Here's my problem with this routine: there's too much movement. It's like their arms are going bananas. And then there's a ton of smoke on the floor and I can't see their feet. I also am not getting the emotion from Kellie until the very end when Derek slips away and she collapses to the floor. But there was no wistfulness or longing or anything romantic in her movements, and I think it's because they were so fast. Technically, it was great as always, but I just didn't love the choreography or Kellie's performance.