Did I miss something?I mean, I've watched every single episode of this show, so maybe I'm just too close and I can't see the forest for the trees. Or, more appropriately, I've been blinded by the shining light of the disco ball trophy. I guess I missed the moment where the producers decided this show needed to be reinvented.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all for making carefully calculated tweaks to improve the quality of long-running shows. I didn't even totally hate the introduction of four completely new dance styles earlier this season, despite the fact that we're not likely to see the salsa, hustle, jitterbug or west coast swing again on this show, making them pointless. Still, what happened last night was a damn shame.
I'm talking, of course, about the introduction of team dances. Look, if they want to split up the "theater geeks" and the "popular kids" and have them perform an exhibition, that's fine. Well, actually, it's still kind of a waste, but it's better than what we saw last night. By making the team dance half of the celebrities' scores, it placed an unnecessary burden on something that has little to do with the rest of the competition. It also brought down anybody who had the misfortune of being on the same team as Susan Lucci.
It's a shame too because she actually showed a glimmer of improvement last night during her paso doble, a dance whose slow, stilted style fit Lucci perfectly. Of course, there was no chance in hell that her dance was an "8", but her receiving that score was the most predictable thing in the world after her mini-break down in rehearsal and a Stuart Smalley-like "I AM DOING GOOD!" declaration.
Bad grammar aside, any "good" that may have been done was quickly done away during the Team Cha Chas group dance. I get that she had to miss some rehearsal, but I have a feeling that, even with two weeks of rehearsal, she'd still be her clunky, tentative, rhythm-challenged self. I don't think it was an accident that the camera kept cutting to her and showcasing how bad she looked. Methinks they might be trying to discourage people from voting for her. Carrie Ann even said it was "brutal to watch." It's time for her to go.
Unfortunately, I don't see her leaving just yet. I feel like another member of Team Cha Cha will be packing his bags. It'd be a shame because Cody has barely gotten to know new partner Edyta.
After a quick trip to the hospital to visit a groggy Julianne, the two got down to work and delivered a Viennese waltz that was pretty, if a bit awkward. You know, like most of his dances. I still think the judges were a bit too harsh and underplayed the fact that Cody was dancing with a COMPLETELY NEW PERSON. Now Cody finds himself at the very bottom of the leaderboard (no thanks to Lucci's performance in the group dance) and without the support of that rabid soap opera fan base. I fear that, even if Julianne were able to come back next week, Cody won't be around.
It was just a bad night overall for Team Cha Cha. Sure, Lance and Lacey saved the day during their fierce solo (the best during the group dances), but they were taken to task for performing their rumba barefoot.
That was actually the second problem, following a questionable mini-breakdown by Lacey during rehearsal in which she accused him of complaining about everything, after he expressed concern about dancing barefoot, and got fed up with him. Of course, we never know what the show chooses to show us, but I can't ever remember Lance complaining about anything, so this entire exchange made Lacey look like a huge bizzotch.
On top of that, Len slammed them for performing barefoot and with the assistance of a park bench (pictured, left), while Carrie Ann brought up her incessant need to "rebel against nothing." I actually couldn't care less that they were barefoot. I probably might not even have noticed if they hadn't brought it up. Then again, what exactly is the point of performing the dance barefoot? I don't really see how that enhances anyone competing in a ballroom (not contemporary) dance competition and only serves to bring more attention to Lacey, rather than Lance. When you combine these repeated slams by the judges with the way she looked in the rehearsal footage last night, you can't be too optimistic about Lacey's future on this show.
It's a shame too because they happened to pull off an outstanding rumba, which is, in my opinion, the toughest dance to master. Lance is finally getting it.
Things went a lot more smoothly for Team Paso Doble, comprised of Warren, Maurice and Brooke. Their teamwork was more dynamic and coordinated and their solos had an incredible amount of energy. Even their outfits were better! (Team Cha Cha looked like a bunch of pumpkins.)
The solo dancing for the male members of Team Paso Doble didn't go quite as well. Warren got off to a nice start in his fox trot, but quickly faded. He made several missteps for the second week in a row, and appeared to be thinking about his dancing more than he appeared to be enjoying himself. On the other hand, Maurice and Cheryl were CLEARLY enjoying themselves during their cha cha, which means I was enjoying myself. Sure, Maurice is still not a technical master, but he's improved to the point where he's just as good as Warren or Cody (but not Lance). I'm liking this guy more every week.
Finally, there's Brooke Burke, who scored the first perfect 30 of the season. There's not too much to say. Her fox trot WAS pretty perfect. Derek appears to be right about her becoming as good as the pros because they looked like they'd been dancing for years. I mean, the producers couldn't even cook up any rehearsal drama because she was getting it right from the beginning.
So what'd you think of this episode? Does Susan need to go or do you want to see her hang in there? Is there a more random group of celebs to be sitting together than Kathy Griffin, Constance Ramos (HGTV's "Color Splash") and Danielle Fishel (Topanga on "Boy Meets World")? Finally, is there ANY way Lacey is back next season?
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