Last night, it was double the dancing, as each couple had to perform two different routines, one Latin, and one ballroom. After last night's scores, there are no clear leaders, so anyone could go home. And, it's LIIIIIIIIIIIVE!
Tom announces that Marie isn't there tonight because her father passed away this morning. Man, this season is rocky. Samantha explains that Marie and Jonathan are safe, so no worries there. How awkward would it have been if she got eliminated? I'll answer: really freaking awkward.
Did the dancers have anything interesting to say in the backstage confessionals? I have to be honest -- not really. Nothing controversial, and nothing you wouldn't expect. In fact, make up your own responses to the judges, and they're probably more interesting than what was actually said. The only one vaguely amusing is Maks actually letting out a hoot and holler, when he's normally so reserved and cool, and Mel giggling at him.
Who's going to do the encore? Mel and Maks doing the paso doble, which is no surprise, since they were the only perfect score last night. Their encore is just as good as the original, although maybe a smidge less intense since there's nothing at stake. But still very well done.
Samantha joins Jonathan backstage to get an update on Marie. He explains that Marie is with her family, and had spoken to her father that afternoon to tell him that the quickstep was dedicated to him. It's sad, but her father was 90 years old; I hope the family can take some comfort in the fact that he had a long life and that his family has enjoyed such success. ["Seriously; I can't speak to the situation, but I have to think a sendoff that involves your daughter dancing and dedicating it to you while clowning around with your son who still loves her so much he can't not act like a goof...that's pretty decent, ways-to-go-out-wise." -- Miss Alli]
And now Leann Rimes is here to sing an acoustic version of "How Do I Live." She's looking quite skinny these days. As she sings, Julianne and Tony come out to do a dance. They perform some pretty amazing lifts. The camera keeps cutting back to Leann Rimes, which is probably in her contract or something, but I'd like to see the people dancing. LeAnn Rimes has some serious eyebrows. Wow, they just did a cool move where Julianne jumped on Tony's back and he grabbed her and swung her around his body and she ended up sliding headfirst down his leg and landing on the floor. I guess you kind of had to see it.
Audience thoughts. Pointless. The only person specifically mentioned as deserving to go home is Jane.
Marie and Jonathan are already safe. Also safe? Cameron and Edyta.
Yay! It's time for DanceCenter with Kenny Mayne and Jerry Rice, along with Len. Wow, Kenny Mayne has a LOT of glittery eyeshadow on. And it's bright blue. They show an interesting statistic: the average score of each dancer this season as follows:
Mel: 26.6
Helio: 25.7
Jennie: 25.0
Jane: 24.6
Cameron: 24.3
Marie: 24.1
So the two lowest average score holders are already safe tonight. Kenny starts out with Helio, and makes fun of him for being short and older than his partner. Len says that Helio's strength is his charm, but his weakness is technique. Jerry likes Helio's smile, but they make fun of his lack of English skills.
up is Jane. Kenny claims that she's 75 or 80 years old, which is ballsy. Jerry says that you can teach an old dog new tricks, and Kenny laughs at the fact that he called a woman a dog. Kenny goes to the tape of Jane's alleged lift, calling Carrie Ann a hater in the process. Len thinks Carrie Ann was totally right.
Now let's remember the third season, when Joey Lawrence broke his hold in the quickstep and went home that week. Kenny attributes his loss to his dorky sailor suit, and there might be something to that. Now that I have high def, I wish I could watch some of the old seasons. Then again, if the writer's strike continues, ABC might have nothing else to air.
Jennie is under the microscope . They review when Jennie fell. Len thinks it was an accident, but Jerry thinks it was intentional. Kenny wonders if they did it for the sympathy vote. Kenny brings up the weird things Jennie does with her mouth, which is hilarious, because I can't believe they mentioned it. Len blames nerves. I've been wondering if Jennie got new caps or veneers or something right before the show and she's not used to them yet. Kenny hilariously cuts Len off in mid-sentence so that they can move on.
Kenny starts talking about Sabrina, and how she's the favorite. Len and Jerry have to interrupt him to tell him that she went home last week. And there's more DanceCenter to come! Yay! I wish they did this every week instead of stupid audience reaction.
Now there's a performance by the Rock Steady crew. They have a dance-off, with lots of breaking. They get a standing ovation.
Leann Rimes returns to sing "Nothing Better to Do" from her new album. A bunch of ladies, including Cheryl and Anna, come out to do a group dance to the song.
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And now back to DanceCenter. Mel is up for analysis. Kenny rips on the judges for giving Mel and Maks a high score when they don't even start dancing until minutes into the song. Len tries to excuse it, and says that he's impressed that Mel gets along with Maks, who is difficult.
What about Cameron? Jerry thinks his schedule shows dedication. Kenny makes fun of Cameron's lack of buttons on his shirt. Len thinks Cameron needs to up his game to compete.
Marie has, according to Kenny, seventy-five children. Jerry thinks you can't underestimate Marie's charisma, but she needs to improve. Kenny relives the fainting incident, and Len blames Jonathan's choreography. Kenny chides the judges for just sitting there when Marie collapsed. I love Kenny. I wish he could replace Samantha.
Samantha asks Mel how important big scores are, and Mel points out that people still need to vote. Helio reiterates that anything can happen, so they're all freaking out. Samantha asks Jennie if she's starting to believe that she's a good dancer, and Jennie makes a joke about it. Jane admits that she never thought she'd make it this far, and thanks the fans and Tony.
Last week, Cameron was sure he was going home, because he knew it wouldn't be Sabrina. And then it was. Marie doesn't think there's a pattern this year, unlike seasons. And then everyone says a different version of, "You never know!"
Now it's time to whittle down the remaining couples. Mel and Maks are...safe. Oh, thank God. I didn't realize how much I was rooting for them until that moment. Jane and Tony...won't find out until after the break. Also waiting? Helio and Julianne and Jennie and Derek.
After the break, Tom announces that they won't be revealing a bottom two. So it's really a bottom three, but they don't call it that. Tom asks Len to advise Helio, and Len tells him to trust Julianne and learn the technique. Bruno thinks Jane has elegance and class, but she needs to become earthy and fiery and "available." Like slutty? Carrie Ann thinks Jennie has shown improvements and increased confidence.
But who's going home? Helio and Julianne are safe! Tom reminds us that the two remaining couples were not necessarily the bottom two, but one of them was the bottom one. And who's at the bottom? Jane and Tony. Thank God. They stayed one week too long. Jane says that the experience was unbelievable, and thanks the fans. Jane and Tony take to the floor as we fade out.
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