So Monday's performance show had some drama, some harsh criticism, and some disrespect. Then there were some fine performances mixed in. These are the dances we really liked.
We liked the Foxtrot from Nancy and Tristan, but we don't think it was worth 24 points from the judges. Click here if the video doesn't play.
We really enjoyed the fine Quickstep from JR and Karina. JR keeps getting stronger each week. Click here if the video doesn't play.
After a bit of a stumble last week, Ricki and Derek claim dance of the night honors with their Quickstep, just edging out JR and Karina in our opinion. Click here if the video doesn't play.
Here is a reminder of our leader board after Monday's performances:
29 Ricki and Derek
29 JR and Karina
24 Nancy and Tristan
23 David and Kym
22 Rob and Cheryl
20 Hope and Maks
19 Chas and Lacey
Let me take a moment here to address the dust up between Maks and the judges. Maks had an excellent point about inconsistency in the standards the judges apply from celebrity to celebrity, and even sometimes from pro to pro. I've been watching this show from the very beginning, and there has always been a double standard. I've gotten used to it and it mostly doesn't bother me anymore.
However, there is no excuse for the disrespect shown on either side. Both parties crossed the line. It's embarrassing to have to watch the judges shout over each other, or try to come up with witty descriptions of the contestants that end up just being insensitive. But in my opinion, Maks crossed that line just a little more with his comment that DWTS was his show. I'm not going to try and interpret what he might have meant. I'm going to take his words at face value.
My response to Maks thinking that DWTS belongs to him and has success because of him is this...the original professional dancers from Season 1 included Louis Van Amstel, Edyta Sliwinska, Jonathan Roberts, Ashley DelGrosso, Charlotte Jorgensen, and Alec Mazo. Maks didn't show up until season 2, and has participated in 11 of the 13 seasons. He has never won. He has finished 2nd twice, 3rd twice, 4th, 6th, 7th, 10th, and 12th twice.
That would indicate to me that the show doesn't necessarily belong to Maks, and often gets along very well without him.
I have tremendous respect for Maksim Chmerkovskiy as a dancer and as a teacher. I enjoyed his work with Kirstie Alley in Season 12. He has made some of the most memorable dances in the run of DWTS. But he can often be a jackass...to his partners and to the judges. There is no excuse for disrespect.
OK, that was more than a moment. I'm shaking that stuff off now. Let's get to the show and some results.
The judges select the Quickstep from JR and Karina as the encore.
First results...JR and Karina are safe.
Kristin Chenoweth returns to perform a song from her new album, accompanied by Tony and Dasha.
More results...Ricki and Derek are safe. Nancy and Tristan are safe.
Macy's Stars of Dance is a tribute to Broadway, choreographed by Kenny Ortega and starring Corbin Bleu. That was terrific! It was music from 42nd Street, West Side Story, and In the Heights. Outstanding work! Yes! The clip is posted already. Watch it...it's 3:43 well spent.
Now Martina McBride is in the ballroom performing her current single, accompanied by Val and Chelsie. Very nice.
More results...David and Kym are safe.
Cool! Mark and Lacey dance with a bunch of little kids in a Halloween number. Excellent! Lacey choreographed that piece. Well done girl! This isn't really a good recording, but it's a great performance.
You know, next week's show airs on Halloween night. I'm looking forward to some spooky numbers.
Final results...Rob and Cheryl are safe. Hope and Maks are safe.
And that means Chaz and Lacey are eliminated.
That's probably the right call. Chaz was struggling to keep up and I think that was directly attributable to his weight. But having said that, I thought he put up with an awful lot of crap comments, from Bruno in particular. I don't know if I'd have been quite so gracious after being called an Ewok or a penguin. Bruno may have thought that was clever. I thought it was rude and insulting.
I have tremendous respect for Chaz to put himself out there. Well done Sir.
Tune in next Monday for a special Halloween themed show.
Later gang!
I continue to count down to 4 November with 30 Peace quotes and 100 reasons to blog for Peace.
"Treat others as you want them to treat you because what goes around comes around." Unknown
Reason 9: Because there is enough volatility in the natural processes that make up this planet on which we live. There is no need for humans to add to that volatility with unnecessary conflict and war.
