So despite some struggles to understand the music and dance style pairings for Monday's Motown performances, I did find some things I really liked. I watched all of the dances back, some without music. These are my encore choices.
So this time I saw the stumble, but that didn't really change my opinion of the Foxtrot from Maria and Derek. I thought it was excellent. Click here if the video doesn't play.
I appreciated how Maks made a Viennese Waltz out of a song more suited to Rumba. And I thought Melissa had her best dance. Click here if the video doesn't play.
I had some trouble understanding the Samba from Katherine and Mark as an actual Samba. So I watched it without music...and I could see the Samba. Click here if the video doesn't play.
I had absolutely no problem understanding, appreciating, and loving the Cha Cha Cha from Jaleel and Kym. And I loved how delighted Kym was afterward. This is my choice for dance of the night. Click here if the video doesn't play.
That's some pretty good stuff right there.
Here's a reminder of our Motown Night leader board, after the individual performances combined with the dance marathon points:
39 Katherine and Mark
37 Jaleel and Kym
36 William and Cheryl
34 Donald and Peta
30 Melissa and Maks
30 Maria and Derek
28 Roshon and Chelsie
24 Gladys and Tristan
That's a pretty steep hill for Gladys and Tristan to climb to stay out of the dance duel. If she's in the bottom two, it's going to be tough for her to out dance anyone she's up against.
We've got a Motown medley to lead off the show. Gotta love our pros! Louis choreographed that routine. Hey...what did Louis have to say about Monday's performances? Check it out here.
First results...Jaleel and Kym are safe. William and Cheryl are safe.
AT&T Spotlight Performance features a young ballet dancer who overcame extreme poverty and war in Sierra Leone, the death of her parents, and loss of pigment in her skin, to make her way to the US as an adopted child and dance. Natasha Bedingfield performs while Michaela dances. I spy Adechike Torbert, an alum from SYTYCD Season 7.
Macy's Stars of Dance features Travis Wall and Nick Lazzerini, SYTYCD alumni, in a brand new dance troupe called Shaping Sound. I spied quite a few dancers I know from SYTYCD. It is wonderful to see the brilliance of Travis Wall brought to life on stage. That was so good.
More entertainment as Boys II Men are in the ballroom, accompanied by Dmitry and Anna. That was quite nice.
More results...Katherine and Mark are safe. Donald and Peta are safe. Melissa and Maks are safe. Maria and Derek are safe.
Gladys and Tristan are in the dance duel. Roshon and Chelsie are in the dance duel.
Dance Duel is Jive. I love Gladys, but I just can't see the judges letting Roshon go at this stage. She's got a chance though, with Jive, because she can be sassy and really perform with high energy. But this dance may just favor Roshon's personality.
It's only about this dance...not about past performance. Whoever dances better right now, stays in. Both danced with energy, but Roshon had the edge for me. Gladys danced well and with great style, but I thought Roshon was better and his dance had more content.
Judges say, in a split decision...Roshon and Chelsie are safe. Len and Bruno picked Roshon and Chelsie, while Carrie Ann said Gladys and Tristan.
So Gladys and Tristan are out. I hope she brings her Pips back with her later in the season to sing for us. I have enjoyed her so much. I'll miss her beautiful smile, her cool style, and her sass.
Tune in next week, when I think our 7 remaining pairs will dance to classical music.
Later gang!
