Tom reminds us that there are three women (Marie, the showbiz legend; Jennie, the "yummy mummy"; and Mel, the popstar diva) and one man (Helio, "Mr. Charisma") left, and they can't afford to make any mistakes. Especially when the performances are LIIIIIIIIIIIVE!
Tonight, the couples get to choose their favorite ballroom dance and Latin dance to perform. They also got a master class this week from Len Goodman.
Marie and Jonathan: Last week, the judges didn't love Marie's routines, but she was saved by the fan votes. Jonathan says that, this week, he's emphasizing technique. Marie thinks her advantage lies in her age and wisdom, and that she has experience in performing. Jonathan tries to up the ante in the moves to dazzle the fans, and Marie is willing to do whatever it takes. Marie hopes to, as the saying goes, leave it all on the floor and walk away knowing that she gave it everything she could.
The Dance: The Quickstep, done to one of my favorite movie musical numbers, "Good Morning" from Singin' In The Rain. I think my second favorite might be "Make 'Em Laugh" from the same musical. Hmm. I think I need to ask for that movie as a stocking stuffer! There's not a lot of quick in this quickstep, or a lot of steps, but I think Marie has proven that you don't need perfect technique if you have charisma.
The Judges: Len thinks that Marie is the best entertainer and performer out of the remaining contestants. Notice that he didn't say she was the best dancer. But he did think her routine was perfect. Bruno appreciated the additional content this week. Carrie Ann thought Marie pulled it off. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 9. Wow, I am way off tonight. The audience boos Bruno's score, but Marie is just thrilled with a 29 out of 30.
Mel and Maks: Last week, Mel was the one to catch. This week, she explains that they're doing the paso doble, which was their one perfect score in the past. They're also doing the Viennese waltz, because Mel thinks she could have done it better. Now that Cameron's gone, Mel gets to complain about her busy schedule. The Spice Girls show up and give Maks some shit, which I enjoy. Except Posh, who kind of just stands there. Is there something wrong with her?
The Dance: The Viennese waltz. Of course, it starts out with them walking around, before meeting up on the platform. They do one extended spin in the middle, and then they do this amazing move where Mel goes down into a split, slides back up, back down, back up, all the way down the floor. It's like she's walking in split form. During the sequence, Maks even looks at the judges like, "Can you believe this shit?" At the end, Mel goes to kiss Maks on the lips (choreographed-style), and at the very end, he turns his cheek and she kind of smacks him. I do enjoy their chemistry.
The Judges: Bruno thought it was incredible, and sexy, especially for a waltz. Carrie Ann has the chills, and loves how they keep surprising her. Len thought it was absolutely fabulous. Mel goes for her customary Bergeron tush grab before heading backstage, and he avoids her. The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 10, for the first perfect score of the night.
Jennie and Derek: Last week, the judges gave Jennie a hard time, and (allegedly, according to her storyline this week) caused her to rethink the competition and realize she wanted to spend more time with her family. So it was off to Disneyland! While there, Jennie danced with Mickey Mouse and got to meet her fans, which she found inspirational. Derek recognized the difference in Jennie's attitude when she returned.
The Dance: The tango. Wouldn't it be awesome if Jennie did a routine to a Jeremy Jordan song? Or Color Me Badd? Anyway, their routine is not my favorite. It's too stiff (on purpose) and angry. Which I guess the tango is supposed to be.
The Judges: Carrie Ann enjoys Jennie's determination, but wants more chemistry. Len disagrees, and says he thought the dance had passion and energy. He thought it was way better than Jennie and Derek's last tango. Bruno thought she was "like a fury," and also compliments Derek's steps, which were complicated. The scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 10, Bruno 9. Any other week, that would be great, but a 28 out of 30 might not be this week. Derek reveals that he did half the dance with his shoe falling off.
Helio and Julianne: Last week, they got their first perfect score. To show his appreciation, Helio gave Julianne a room full of balloons and flowers, and also introduced her to her favorite band, Rascal Flatts. Julianne announces that she and Helio need to work harder than ever this week and step it up. Helio feels the pressure because he's the only guy left, but he knows he can do it with Julianne by his side.
The dance: The foxtrot. I don't think I understand what a foxtrot is; it kind of looks like a generic ballroom dance to me, and I don't know what the specific moves are that make something a foxtrot. It's a nice routine with no obvious mistakes, but I'm not awed like I was with Maks and Mel. The audience gives them a standing ovation, though.
The judges: Len thought it was beautiful and fantastic. Bruno can't believe that Helio never danced before this competition, and wants to see him in the final. Carrie Ann thought Helio looked like a leprechaun, which I was thinking, thanks to his green tuxedo. Carrie Ann calls it "mind-blowing." Man, you can really see Helio's excessive sweat in HD. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 10. Helio can't look while the scores are revealed, but can't stop grinning once he hears the total. I just realized that Julianne kind of reminds me of a grown-up version of Amy Poehler's hyperactive little girl character on Saturday Night Live. Can't you picture her going, "RICK! RICK!"?
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This week, the couples got a master Latin class from Len, who apparently flew around L.A. via helicopter. Marie is up first, and Len says he wants to work on her hip action for her mambo. Len does an exercise with her to get her to really roll her hips around, and you can see quite a difference. , Len goes to help Helio with his footwork. He says that Helio only touches his toes to the ground, instead of his whole foot. Len and Helio dance together, and Len nearly kisses Helio. Helio doesn't like that. Len heads off to help Jennie with her arms, which she sometimes overextends. She does! He's totally right, and it does mess up her posture. Jennie squeals over how much she loves Len. Finally, Len is off to see Mel. He thinks Mel spends too much time looking down at her feet, and needs to make her movements more sharp. Len recaps what each performer needs to improve in order to make the finals. I kind of want to take a master class from Len.
Marie and Jonathan Take Two: The mambo. My grandma went to Puerto Rico when I was a kid and she bought me home a doll that looked exactly like Marie in this routine. It's kind of freaking me out. Marie's posture during the mambo is terrible. She's all over the place, and she's very flat-footed. This whole routine just feels like moving from one stunt to the without a whole lot of actual dancing.
The judges: Bruno thinks it was "dizzily madcap," and frenetic. Carrie Ann loved it, but thought Marie missed a few steps. Len saw a lot of that hip action, and really enjoys Marie's energy. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9. Marie's fake eyelashes are totally falling off. Their total score is 56 out of 60.
Mel and Maks Take Two: The paso doble. I never thought I would say this, but I think I'm rooting for these two to win. And this is coming from a lifelong Maks-hater. Mel's body looks amazing. There's a whole section with Mel using a whip. And I think Maks is taking over the "mostly naked" crown from Cameron. The dance is great, though not as good as their first one.
The judges: Carrie Ann thought it was powerful and fantastic. Len thought they might be wrong to redo a dance where they got a perfect score the first time. Then there's a whole moment where they make jokes about the whip before Len says it was fantastic. Bruno thinks it was satisfaction guaranteed, and enjoyed the precision of Mel's footwork. He tells Mel that she's a star. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 10. So they have a total of 60 out of 60. Mel can't stop laughing at Maks being goofy, which is why I enjoy these two, and I enjoy him with her.
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Jennie and Derek Take Two: The cha cha cha. There's a whole routine before the actual routine starts where Jennie pushes Derek to the floor. I don't know. Jennie is more into this routine than we've every seen her; she looks like she's actually enjoying herself. They finish with Jennie in a super-deep backbend, and I'm quite impressed with her spinal flexibility. Where's hubby this week? The FATCH! They keep cutting to a shot of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew instead.
The judges: Len remembers that Jennie and Derek did the cha cha cha in their first routine, and he can't believe the improvement. Bruno thinks that Jennie has the star power. Carrie Ann gives Jennie three snaps in a Z-formation, which I'd like to think was a shout-out to Jennie's early '90s fame, but probably wasn't. Backstage, Derek is so psyched that he does the worm. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 10. Their first perfect score! Their total for the evening is 58 out of 60.
Helio and Julianne Take Two: The cha cha cha. They're wearing all red, and Julianne isworking some seriously high hair. As with most of Julianne's routines, it's fast and furious and flashy. I just didn't see a lot of dancing from Helio. He kind of stood there while Julianne danced around a lot.
The judges: Bruno thought it was eye-popping and a great ride. Carrie Ann thinks Helio is a star, and compliments Julianne as well. Len thinks it will be a tragedy for the person who gets eliminated tomorrow night, and that tonight has really set a high standard. He thinks Helio and Julianne were the standouts. I disagree, but that doesn't mean they weren't good. The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, and Bruno 10. Another perfect score. Helio is really excited, and Samantha reminds us that they have 60 out of 60.
Final scores:
Helio and Julianne: 60
Mel and Maks: 60
Jennie and Derek: 58
Marie and Jonathan: 56
Who's going? I seriously have no idea, but I'm going to be upset if Mel and Maks don't make it through.
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