How many times are they going to show Marie dropping to the ground? It's kind of creepy at this point. She looks really, really dead.
Based on the shot of the dancers at the beginning, I'm guessing that the encore dance this week is going to be the group dance, because they're all dressed up as greasers and jocks again. But let's reminisce about what happened twenty-four hours earlier. After getting perfect scores, backstage, Maks shows off his hairless chest and jokes that it's why they got such high scores. I know a lot of forum posters who would agree with that assessment, and I'm enjoying Maks a lot more this season because Mel puts him in his place. Helio declares that his smile is his secret weapon. Cameron says backstage that this was his most challenging week, schedule-wise, and his most challenging week, dance-wise, so he's pleased that they just made it through. Cameron clearly learned the lesson early on that the audience doesn't have a lot of sympathy for the dancers' busy schedule. Sabrina doesn't understand why Len doesn't think she's bringing nuance to her performance. Could it be because she goes at everything with the same amount of intensity? I don't think it has to do with the speed of the music or the dance; it's about intensity, which she has cranked up to 10 at all times. Marie was upset that the judges didn't see the passion in her paso doble. Jane makes yet another crack about how the youngsters who are professional dancers might be better at the jive than she is, which, can it, Jane. She got to choose the dance this week. I can't imagine anyone thought she would do well at that routine.
Tom announces that Jane has food poisoning and won't be out on the floor tonight. Man, it is not her week, between nearly losing her home in the fire, still grieving her mother, and now this? As I suspected, the encore this week is the group dance. Frankly, Jane was the worst at this last night, so I don't think she'll be missed. Except for the fact that Tony is dancing all by himself during the couple stuff, which is kind of sad. Julianne joins him for his stunt, though. I thought the whole group dance was actually much better tonight than last night -- it went much more smoothly.
Tom points out some L.A. County firefighters in the audience, taking a much-deserved break. But now it's time for Barry Manilow's performance. He's joined by Cheryl and Louis Van Amstel. Hi Def is not a friend to Barry Manilow. I think he must have a spray tan, because you can see the lines around his eyes where the tan ends. Barry is also a tiny bit flat on some of the held notes, which is painful. I don't know if his monitors are off or what. Barry's singing a song called "They Dance," which is...kind of perfect for this show because it's super-corny and cheesy.
What did the studio audience think about the show? It was amazing. It was dangerous. The audience thinks Jane and Marie are going to be in the bottom two. Wow, fascinating. At least that segment seemed shorter than most weeks, although I may have fallen asleep in the middle.
Which two couples are safe? Mels and Maks! And...Jane and Tony. Tony nearly falls over from shock, and Maks gives him a big hug. None of the remaining couples has ever been in the bottom two, so who will it be?
Backstage, Mel thanks the fans for voting, and Maks says that she was squeezing his hand really hard. Tony says that Jane has food poisoning, but she'll surely be feeling much better when she finds out she's safe. I'm sure he didn't mean it like that, but I was kind of wondering if that had anything to do with her illness.
So Carrie Ann and Bruno are going off to start a new show that will surely be crushed by Idol. And they just got a really long commercial for it. And now we get to see a routine featuring the type of dance routine that will be on the show. So a group of peeps come out and dance. They each come out, either individually or as part of a couple, to do some solo work, and there's a lot of group work also, but they're pros, so there's less chance they will get a concussion or something. Yawn. Apparently, when the show starts, the contestants will be singing as well as dancing. Sounds...interesting? As she throws to commercial, Samantha promises a "surprising elimination."
Barry Manilow is back to sing "Mandy," which I can't hear without thinking of Homer singing to Marge on The Simpsons. As he sings, Jonathan and Anna dance. Singing solo, with a piano, Barry sounds much better. Although it does seem a little high for him. I would think Barry would know to modulate the song down a few steps, but maybe his voice was working better during rehearsals or something. There are, like, eight million lit candles all over the stage, which seems dangerous. Then again, they do have some firefighters in the audience.
This week, the contestants get to pose questions to the judges. Marie wants to know why Len said she couldn't do the show. Len explains that Marie has no dance background, and that she's one of the older contestants. However, he realizes, after watching her and Jane, that he was wrong. Sabrina asks Bruno if the competition whether more difficult for the men or the women. Bruno thinks it's balanced, because the women have to provide the fire in the Latin dances, but the men have to lead in ballroom. Mel asks Carrie Ann to, for once and for all, define a lift, because Edyta seems to be in the air most of the time, and she doesn't get called on it. Carrie Ann says that she did deduct points for Edyta's lifts when she saw them. A lift is when both feet come off the ground and you are supported by your partner, but it's difficult because they don't have instant replay to rewatch suspect moves. Helio asks Len what he needs to do to regain the top spot. Len compares the competition to a race, which is a terrible analogy. In a race, all that matters is who wins the entire thing, not each lap. But on this show, if you do poorly one week, that could be the end. Anyway, Len is sure Helio will come back. Cameron asks Bruno if he takes rehearsal time into consideration in scoring. Bruno says that they only do in the sense that more rehearsal equals a more polished routine equals a higher score. Jennie asks Carrie Ann what she needs to do to get a ten. Carrie Ann wants Jennie to fully commit to the dance every week. Mel wants to know how to get America to vote for her. Len says that Americans believe in truth and justice, and then doesn't really answer the question at all. That was an interesting idea for a segment, but I think there could have been better questions, or the audience could have been allowed to ask questions. Samantha once again promises a "surprising elimination" as we go to break.
Backstage, Samantha talks to Cameron and Edyta, and Marie and Jonathan. Cameron says he's nervous that his workload has affected his routines, but that he's also proud of how far they've come. Marie says she knows this is a competition, but that she doesn't want to go home yet, unless she then gets to come back.
1 2 3
How do the stars get along backstage? Jennie is surprised that they all get along, being from such different arenas. Marie and Jane bond over their age. Sabrina and Jennie both have sunny personalities. Mel and Helio have a bond. Marie offers everyone advice and cheerleading. Sabrina feels like the little sister, and everyone teases her. Jane thinks the competition is intense underneath it all. Jennie thinks she is the most scared. Helio thinks Sabrina is the most competitive. Cameron reminds us that, ultimately, only one person can win.
Let's find out the fates of two more couples. Helio and Julianne are...safe. Marie and Jonathan are...going to have to wait until after the break to find out their fate. Marie is pale as a ghost. I hope she doesn't faint!
So now they are going to reveal who is in the bottom two out of the remaining four couples. Sabrina looks like she's going to puke, and Mark looks extremely nervous. Cameron and Edyta are in the bottom two. Jennie and Derek are safe. Marie and Jonathan are safe. Marie almost faints again, and Jonathan has to steady her. That means that Sabrina and Mark are the other couple in the bottom two.
What do the judges think? Carrie Ann talks about Cameron's momentum and improvement over the past few weeks. Len thinks there have been some bizarre things going on, and that Sabrina should be in the finals. Bruno thinks this is "total madness." Seriously. Jane should be going home. I think Jane has been doing more press than some of the others -- she was on all the entertainment shows tonight, talking about her friendship with Christopher Reeve and whatnot. Entertainment Tonight was practically like Jane-tertainment Tonight
So who's going home? Sabrina and Mark. Wow. I'm surprised, but not unhappy. The studio audience boos. Tom admits that he had Sabrina pegged for the finals. Sabrina manages to recover enough to thank everyone for the opportunity. Carrie Ann is crying. Mark and Sabrina hug and take the floor for their last dance. I can't say I'm upset that she's leaving, but I don't think it was deserved. But it was surprising, so Samantha was right about something.
1 2 3