It's Motown Week! And before we even introduce the couples, we're going to hear a performance from Mr. Smokey Robinson. Ooh, what will he sing? I'm betting it's not my favorite of his songs, "Ooh, Baby Baby." Nope, they went with "Tracks of My Tears." Oh, dear. It seems that Smokey had his fillers and Botox refreshed before this performance, and it makes the line, "Take a good look at my face" all the more depressing. I don't want to take a good look at his face because it scares me. Nothing but his lips are moving. And then cut to Martha Reeves, who sings, "Dancing in the Streets" but her boob is dancing right out of her dress and I can see her nipple. CUT AWAY! Why do they keep cutting back to her and her areola. Martha is also squeezed into some industrial-strength foundation garments. Cut to the Temptations, who are singing, "Get Ready." I wonder if those are the original Temptations or some sort of amalgam of one real Temptation and a bunch of Johnny-come-latelys. I will say this: all three performances sounded pretty good. And they were actually singing.
For some reason when they are introducing the couples, they don't show Donald and Peta. Director error or is something else going on? Tom gives us a quick primer on Motown, for those who don't know.
But let's get right to the dancing and start with Gladys Knight and Tristan's rumba. Gladys looks fantastic in a purple dress. In their clip package, Gladys gives Tristan a little history lesson on Motown and the Temptations, since she's dancing to "My Girl." She reveals that her band used to play the Temptations in softball, and she was the pitcher. God, someone should make a miniseries about that. And THEN, Gladys calls her brother Bubba, the original Pip, and he gives Tristan some dance moves. He is THE BEST. I want him to be on the show every week.
Aw, Gladys looks so happy dancing to this music. I love her. She does great in the opening, when they do some Motown-style moves. Once they go into hold, she somehow loses it. She loses her hip action and she appears unsure. It's really weird, because at the end when they break apart, she gets back into it. It's like she doesn't enjoy dancing in hold, and she doesn't put her all into it. The routine was very charming, and parts were the best Gladys has been, but then other parts were not so great. Judges? Len says if he were judging by heart, she would top the leaderboard. While she's not the best dancer, he thinks she's the most charismatic. Bruno thought the Motown details were spot on, but he likes his rumba a little steamier. Carrie Ann thinks tonight should belong to Gladys, but there were some forgetful moments even as she had great hip action. Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, and Bruno 7. I think viewers might call in for her.
I just wanted to point out that Desperate Housewives is still a show that is on the air. That is all.
After a quick chat with Berry Gordy, Tom introduces Maria and Derek. This week, they have the foxtrot, and Derek wants to make it classy and not sexy. While they rehearse, Maria gets frustrated with herself and Derek gets frustrated with her, but she explains that she loves a challenge. They will be dancing to Martha Reeves singing, "Jimmy Mack." I hope they sent a PA to tuck Martha back into her dress. I'm distracted from the routine because Martha cannot sing this song anymore. I don't know if it's a bit too high or what. I'm also distracted by this sixty-something lady in the audience who is totally moving and grooving and singing along to the song. Love her. Anyway, the routine is really cute, although Maria gets a little out-of-sync during an interlude where they jump up and down the steps. I honestly think Martha's terrible singing is messing them up. But most of it is good. Not great, but good.
Judges? Bruno says it was gleaming and elegant, and she did lose her footing, but she caught up well. Carrie Ann loved her precision, but she got a little off for the second half of the dance. Len thought it was correct and formal in hold and fun and free out of hold. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 9, and Bruno 9. They are thrilled to have such great scores when Maria slipped on her dress on the stairs.
Roshon and Chelsie are up . He was happy with his scores last week, but he wants to do even better. They have the rumba this week, and Chelsie tries to explain to Roshon what sensual is. Okay, he's 21 years old and he's a TV star. Surely he has some experience in that arena? I know he looks about 14, but seriously. Anyway, they are dancing to Smokey singing, "Cruisin'." Sadly, I know the Huey Lewis/Gwyneth Paltrow version of this song better. I know. Anyway, Roshon really surprises me with his ability to sex it up, but I still have the same problems with him that I always do - he's a little too out of control and has too much extension instead of precise placements of his hands and feet. It just looks messy. Sexy, but messy.
Judges? Carrie Ann thought his movements were over-exaggerated, and there was a lift (which Chelsie argues). Len thought the movements were clipped and jerky and didn't flow. Chelsie tries to argue that too but Len yells at her. Bruno thought he made up in fire what he lacks in size. Bruno demonstrates how Roshon needs to stop snapping his hips and instead let them flow. He basically said the same thing as the other judges but the visual demonstration actually seemed helpful to Roshon. And they're right. Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len 8, and Bruno 8. That's more than fair.
Katherine looks amazing in a gold fringe-y dress and big hair. They got a nearly perfect score last week, and they have the samba this week to "Can't Get To You." Katherine is trying to get used to the bent knees and the bouncing, and she seems to have a good handle on it. This song rules. Mark is back to his trademark over-dancing. I mean, he's ridiculous. It's like all of the restraint that he's shown thus far this season has been exploded and all of his natural hamminess has come out. I can barely concentrate on Katherine because of his theatrics. Anyway, Katherine looks great but it doesn't seem very samba-like to me. She is RIGHT on the beat, though. Maybe a little bit flingy with the arms, but otherwise very good. I just didn't like the choreography.
Judges? Len calls her "the midwife" because she delivers week after week. Bruno loved the bounce and the funk. Carrie Ann loved how Katherine let it loose and got funky and groovy. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, and Bruno 10. Glad they didn't get a perfect score, because that was not a perfect routine.
Donald and Peta got high marks from everyone but Len last week. Donald was upset, and expressed it. Donald is excited to hear that the Temptations will be there singing while he dances the foxtrot. Peta really hammers him on technique so that he can get a high score from Len. Mmm. Donald was doing pretty well in his routine, maybe not 10 material, but definitely a 9. And then he slipped right in front of the judges' stand and nearly dropped Peta on her back. But he didn't! And he got right back into it and finished strong! He's obviously disappointed in himself, though. That stinks.
Judges? Bruno loves Donald's showman persona, and his performances get better and better. Carrie Ann loves how they blended Motown and the formal hold. Len says that he thought Donald was going to come out and show some fireworks, but he didn't. Pause. He EXPLODED! Donald falls on the floor with joy. Len instructs Peta to work Donald harder because he's got great talent, and this routine didn't show it off. I agree. I think if Donald were partnered with Cheryl or Anna, he'd be scoring higher. No offense to Peta but she's still new to the show and doesn't have it down yet. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 9, and Bruno 9. For a dance with a major screw-up, that's pretty good.
Melissa is still on this show? I kind of forgot about her. This week, they have the Viennese waltz and Maks gets really frustrated with her in rehearsals. We don't really see enough footage to tell if Maks is being an asshole or Melissa isn't working hard enough. But Melissa says that Maks is pushing her to do more and he isn't being mean. I guess that's what some people need and respond well to. It wouldn't work for me because I would just get pissed and shut down. Anyway, they are dancing to "Ooh Baby Baby." Man, Smokey's voice isn't the same, but it's still really great. I can't get over Melissa's facial expression while she's dancing. She's kind of making that Miley Cyrus duck face from Facebook photos. It looks like she's in pain. Shouldn't she be smiling? And look like she's in love with her partner? Isn't she an actress, ostensibly? Her technique is just okay; I think she's just not that graceful. She goes through the motions but it's just that, going through the motions.
Judges? Carrie Ann says that her hard work is paying off, and she just needs to watch her shoulder. Len saw romance and control, although she lost a bit of energy near the end. Bruno loved her extended lines and her connection with Maks, but she lost it a bit at the end. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 8. Melissa looks pleased, and she should be.
It's nice that the producers brought on this musical group to sing other Motown hits for the bumpers to and from commercial, since that way we're able to hear songs by other artists. But does anyone else find it weird that there are four white dudes singing Motown hits? Just me? Okay, then.
Jaleel managed to stick around by beating Gavin in the dance duel last week. The storyline for their clip package is how he and Kym are great partners. So don't believe those reports in the tabloids about how they fought! They have the cha cha cha this week to "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by the Temptations. Wow. Jaleel is much improved. I think his shoulders are a little up in the beginning, but then they do this sequence side-by-side and out of hold that is really spectacular and completely in sync. I am impressed. And great choreography from Kym.
Judges? Len says he thought Jaleel was a contender the first week but the last few weeks had him worried. But Jaleel is back. Bruno says it was "the biggest sizzler of the season." Carrie Ann says that Jaleel brought his A Game this week. Scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, and Bruno 10. Kym and Jaleel are shocked. They clearly did not expect such high scores.
William got high scores for his tango, but this week they have the rumba. Cheryl wants this to be the hottest rumba ever. And then they do a stupid bit where they set off the fire alarm with their hot dancing. Ugh. Smokey is back to sing "Being With You." William has strong movements and he certainly has the hip movements down. I don't think it's quite flow-y enough, but the sex is definitely there.
Judges? Bruno thought it was "absolute and utter filth" and he loved every minute of it. Carrie Ann thanks him on behalf of all women but she doesn't think it was his best dance, and she wants more content and she knows he can do it. Len understands why the audience loved it, but he thought it was a little raunchy and lacked forward and back hip action. Len thought it was good but not great. Scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 8, and Bruno 10. I thought it would be much lower, given those comments.
While the couples get ready for the dance marathon or whatever nonsense they've got planned for tonight, Anna and Val are here to dance to "Tears of a Clown" while Smokey sings. I actually like Val dancing with Anna. Maybe I just like Anna that much. Also, Smokey is wearing leather pants. Oh, dear.
up is a Motown marathon with all of the couples dancing at the same time and being eliminated one by one. They will be doing the cha cha and hopefully incorporating Motown moves as well. The longer they last, the more points they get. And they can do lifts.
They start dancing and it's kind of chaos. It seems to go for a long time without anyone leaving, but Gladys and Tristan are out first. Surprise! Maria and Derek are out . I think Roshon should have gone before them, because I don't know what he's doing out there. The transitions in and out of lifts are not great for anyone. And THEN Roshon and Chelsie are told to leave. Melissa and Maks go , and we've barely seen them so I don't know what they did wrong. There are only four couples left, so they're allowed to dance wherever and don't have to stay in their circles.
WHAT? Donald and Peta are tossed , which is bullshit. William is doing no dancing. He's just ripping his shirt open and sliding around on his knees. Jaleel is dancing his fool ass off, and yet he goes . I don't know what William is still doing out there. Except that he's a crowd favorite. He's doing like zero actual dancing. It's down to William and Cheryl and Katherine and Mark, and finally they knock William and Cheryl out which means that Katherine and Mark are the last couple standing. It takes them a minute to figure out that they're the only ones left. So the only couples that moved on the leaderboard due to the marathon were William and Cheryl who broke a tie and moved into third, and Katherine and Mark, who broke a tie and moved into first. Some of the gaps widened as well, as you can see below:
Katherine and Mark: 29 + 10 = 39
Jaleel and Kym: 29 + 8 = 37
William and Cheryl: 27 + 9 = 36
Donald and Peta: 27 + 7 = 34
Maria and Derek: 26 + 4 = 30
Melissa and Maks: 24 + 6 = 30
Roshon and Chelsie: 23 + 5 = 28
Gladys and Tristan: 21 + 3 = 24