'Dancing With the Stars' recap: 'Disney Night'
Ah, the magic of synergy. Disney Night in the Dancing With the Stars ballroom is back once again to make us all feel like children and also feel uncomfortable when the ex-Bachelor is dressed up like Pinocchio. WHY.
The evening kicks off with a Disney extravaganza, led by none other than DWTS alum Alfonso Ribeiro (and shout out to So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generations little nugget J.T.). Could Alfonso love Dancing With the Stars any more? Like, why don’t you marry it, Alfonso? YEESH. Anyway, the opening number is very fitting for the theme, and also it gives us Sharna as Ariel, and that is like No. 7 on my life dreams list. See? On Disney Night, dreams do come true!
Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater
Foxtrot, “Evermore” by Josh Groban from Beauty and the Beast
Rashad and Emma have a tall order to fill after their sobfest of a contemporary during “Most Memorable Year.” With the highest score of the season and the top place on the leader board adding extra pressure to their rehearsals, Rashad and Emma have to nail their foxtrot. Unfortunately, they are handed a pretty “meh” song from the new Beauty and the Beast. Josh Groban sings like an angel, but “Evermore”? Pass. Rashad’s technique is great - he is the perfect leading man - but some of the spark is missing from the routine. On the plus side, I’ve never loved Emma more than when she does a sneaky double-take at Rashad in a towel during their pre-dance package bit. She’s only human.
Judges’s Score: 32/40
Nick Viall and Peta Murgatroyd
Jazz, “I’ve Got No Strings” as sung by Dickie Jones from Pinocchio
Who knew all it would take for Nick Viall to have a ballroom breakthrough would be a clean shave and pair of lederhosen? Nick’s apprehensive about taking on Pinocchio after carefully working to build a “sexy” persona. Raise your hand if you, too, were whispering, “Do not make Pinocchio sexy, do not make Pinocchio sexy” during this entire package. Thankfully, Peta hears us. Although, she does turn herself into a Sexy Jiminy Cricket... and I’m not sure which is worse. Thanks to her fun and clever choreography though, this number is what Disney Night is all about: canes! Okay, also: joy! The judges are impressed.
Judges’s Score: 34/40
Erika Jayne and Gleb Savchenko
Viennese Waltz, “Unforgettable” by Sia from Finding Dory
Erika is having a rough go of it on Dancing With the Stars. After her middling “Express Yourself” number did not go over as planned, she is spiraling. She’s never felt so beaten down, she cries into Gleb’s pectorals. If nothing else, that’s a pretty good silver lining. The other nice thing Erika has going for her: She’s dancing to one of her favorite songs. She thinks that if she can better connect with the music, she’ll be able to connect the way Gleb wants her to. She’s right! It’s easily her best dance of the season. Her arm extensions are gorgeous, her connection with Gleb is strong, and they choose not to wear giant fish costumes. This whole thing is a real victory.
Judges’s Score: 32/40
Heather Morris and Alan Bersten
Jazz, “For the First Time in Forever” by Kristen Bell from Frozen
Maks is the captain now. Has he been watching too many Tom Hanks movies or is the guy just itching to get back in the ballroom? The answer is probably both. Either way, Maks may not be dancing this week, but he is very hands on with the choreography. He wants to bring in da magic, bring in da funk on Disney Night, you know? Heather and Alan’s Frozen jazz receives mixed reviews from the judges: Carrie Ann and Len want some more dancing and feel the whole thing is a “missed opportunity,” but Julianne and Bruno are completely smitten with the performance-heavy and character-driven routine. Who’s even paying attention though? I’m still thinking about Maks turning into a breakdancing Olaf. MORE DREAMS COMING TRUE.
Judges’s Score: 34/40
Bonner Bolton and Sharna Burgess
Tango, “When Can I See You Again?” by Owl City from Wreck-It Ralph
Bonner got through a tough “Most Memorable Year” week with his best dance of the season. It’s helped him loosen up in rehearsals, and he and Sharna are hoping to continue with their upswing. So they’re doing a tango to a song from Wreck-It Ralph... which is a weird sentence to write. It’s much more playful than your typical tango, which is a little disorienting, but the judges love watching Bonner in hold. His frame is great, and he leads with ease. Carrie Ann and Bruno both want more dynamic in his routines, both physically and emotionally. Julianne and her top knot are huge fans of the entire thing. And everybody knows the top knot’s opinion is the most precious of all.
Judges’s Score: 30/40
Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Paso Doblé, “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” performed by Donny Osmond from Mulan
Much like Normani, I am very excited that Mulan and this song are both getting their DWTS due. Val is excited because there are notes of martial arts and combat built into the song and character, and that is perfect for the paso. Donny Osmond, performing live, is excited because he finally gets to break out his glitter blazer again. Everybody wins! You guys, this performance is phenomenal. Strong and full of attack, but with gorgeous shapes. As Julianne gushes, the performance doesn’t overshadow the technique and artistry. Can you guys finish this recap yourselves? I need to go watch that performance on repeat. BYE.
Judges’s Score: 39/40
David Ross and Lindsay Arnold
Jive, “Ride” performed by ZZ Ward from Cars 3
We all knew the jive would be a tough dance style of David to tackle. He’s starting to feel the aggressive DWTS schedule in his old man bones (oh, BTW, David: FORTY ISN’T OLD), and all the flicking and kicking isn’t helping. Surprisingly, once the routine gets going, David looks like he has no problem keeping up with Lindsay and her hot leather pants. As Carrie Ann points out, he hits every single step. Could his kicks be quicker and his flicks be sharper? Sure! Always! But when the judges hold up their 7 paddles, it’s a bit of a shocker. Lindsay does not look happy. Girl, you cannot cry while wearing leather pants. It’s a rule.
Judges’s Score: 29/40
Nancy Kerrigan and Artem Chigvintsev
“That’s How You Know” by Amy Adams from Enchanted
Like David, Nancy is feeling old and inept in this competition. Those troupe dancers Artem has surrounding Nancy in this big Enchanted routine are hotties, so I get it. But, as Erin repeatedly reminds her, she is NANCY KERRIGAN. Regardless, she’s nervous she won’t be able to keep up with all of her back-up dancers. She is wrong. Our little ice skater-turned-Giselle holds her own in a flashy number. It is very, very cute, and Artem is really proving himself as an excellent partner this season. Serious question: How is this routine any different from Heather and Alan’s Frozen jazz routine? Carrie Ann and Len seemed to dislike one but love the other. JUST SAYING.
Judges’s Score: 36/40
Simone Biles and Sasha Farber
Contemporary, “How Far I’ll Go” performed by Aulii Cravalho from Moana
Listen, I love me some Simone and Sasha, but what is up with them constantly getting the primo finale spot? Spread the love around, DWTS! And not for nothing, but if you have Auli’i Cravalho performing “How Far I’ll Go” live, know that I am only partially going to be paying attention to the dancing because that song is such a jam. Okay, enough hating. This routine is fun and joyful, and as Bruno points out, Simone does seem to defy gravity. She nails the strength and power portion of the dance. She’s still working on her emotional performance, especially after last week’s breakthrough - and when she finally gets that, Simone will be tough to beat.
Judges’s Score: 38/40
Even though Tom and Erin don’t bring Ursula out to announce the eliminated couple, AS THEY SHOULD, we still get down to the business of the night. The latest poor, unfortunate souls in jeopardy are Erika and Gleb and Nick and Peta. It’s a shame because both couples had their best dances of the season this evening. Oh well, the ballroom cares not about redemption stories. And so, we say goodbye to Erika and Gleb.
Next week: I have no idea what a “Boy Band versus Girl Group” theme entails, but I am already squealing.
