Results shows are stiff. And as Tom said, with a cast this good, “every week it’s going to harm” when a star is ceremoniously launched out of the Mirrorball’s orbit. It’s hard to speak goodbye when everyone’s upped their game. And it’s further hard when you’ve seen that star don a satin Big Stick of a shirt, shed tears for his newly discovered daughter, and rehearse diligently backstage right before his presentation, like this week’s booted contestant Jack Wagner did.
If Len had had his way, the producers would all have agreed a pass and no one would have to go home this week. But Tom quickly turned down that demand. And it was the TV actor and pop star that improved with each show with the lovely Anna Trebunskaya, yet remained on the lower end of this ballroom curvature, which got served this week. Perhaps his competition standing suffered because he didn’t have quite the wow thing to win him votes. But Wagner received his walking papers from Mirrorball manor house courteously, saying he had a huge time and “it was fun to test” himself. At least he got to share the story of his daughter and offer his dance to her.
And for the second week in a row, the other pair in the bottom two was Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff. Keep this up, and the singer-songwriter will be a basis in the new “dueling dances” segment, where the bottom two couple dances one last time for the judges.
The “entertainment-packed show” kicked off with a performance by Seal, who sang a pared performance of Bill Withers’ “Lean on me” that started a capella and ended with a singing group and the dance accompaniment of Troupe members Emma, Oksana, Kiki and Henry.
The tears didn’t stop with Monday night. Continuing with the genuine theme, the AT&T Spotlight concert focused on Julia Ivleva, a ballroom dancer and friend of husband and wife team and “DWTS” pros Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts. Julia, who was too frail to dance, watched from the sidelines as Anna and Jonathan choreographed and danced a waltz in her respect. “We are so inspired by Julia’s example ... of life and surviving,” said Anna. “We just want to contribute to that example with everybody.” And it was a beautiful praise, sincere and emotional and a lovely tribute to their friend and fellow dancer.
The Macy’s Stars of Dance performance was a high-octane show choreographed by Misha Gabriel and Nick Bass featuring cool cats, including “So You Think You Can Dance” alums Travis Wall and Twitch and “Footloose” star Kenny Wormald dressed in suits dancing like smooth criminals to the metallic tunes of the Grooveline Horns trio and the Harold Wheeler band.
“DWTS” and Gavin DeGraw friend Rascal Flatts returned to the ballroom, this time to slow things a bit and sing “Changed” while Tony Dovolani and Troupe member Sharna wrapped themselves approximately each other and did a lot of lifts, including a “Dirty Dancing”-style triumph at the end.
What did you think ballroom fans? Shocked at who was eliminated this week? Are you “chuffed to bits” for Rock Week next Monday? What about the dancing battle? Would Gavin look better in a porkpie hat or a fez? As Maria Menounos said to Derek Hough after Monday night's performance: Can we get some beer and nachos now?
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