Dancing with the Stars Episode Recap: Monday, April 22, 2013
Dancing with the Stars' top 8 perform to Stevie Wonder - literally. The Motown legend is in the house for Stevie Wonder Week, along with Hunter Hayes. Plus: Who prevailed in the team dances?
Is Stevie going to be on the stage the full two hours straight? Unlikely, but that'd be awesome. Am I the only one who missed his bromance with Hunter? But looks like they performed together at the ACM Awards and now they're working on a collaboration. Tom thanks Stevie for being there because otherwise it would be really awkward on Stevie Wonder Night. "I'd rather watch it here than watch it on TV," Stevie cracks.
Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy: cha-cha
Zendaya wants a 10 from Len to get that perfect 30. Zendaya's not totally perfect, but the routine is pretty damn fantastic. She's sassy, rhythmic, precise and has major hip action. Len says she sums up great dancing, but wished she had straightened her legs. Bruno calls it "gobsmacking gorgeous." "You can cha-cha me anytime you want!" Uh, she's 16! Carrie Ann feels sorry for everyone who has to follow her.
Score: 29
Andy Dick and Sharna Burgess: samba
Neither of them want to get by on Andy's personality anymore, so Sharna's pushing Andy on technique. Oh, Andy. Maybe his technique will get there in about a year, but it's not here. He's too loose and jumpy, and the rolls are nonexistent. But it's still fun as hell and he's playing up the mailman bit (their song is "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"). Bruno found it entertaining, but couldn't see the samba steps. "It's in there," Andy declares. Carrie Ann says he's dancing too vertical and he needs to get horizontal. Len likes it because sambas are fun and says he's climbed mountains. Andy delivers Tom a box and Brooke a rose. Sean must be pissed! What's in the box, Tom?!
Score: 18
Sean Lowe and Peta Murgatroyd: samba
Sean says his biggest competition is Andy because they're both doing the samba. But you're also teammates on Team Samba! They were also stressed because Sean's "schedule" took him out of town for a whole day. Insert Liz Lemon eyeroll. Sean is ever so slightly better than Andy, but I'd still watch Andy's dance 10 times over before this one. Sean's still got the Tin Man movement going on - stilted, choppy, and he has absolutely no bounce. He does take off his shirt for the first time and has a Ken doll chest situation. Did he not get to the abs spray tan booth in time? I love how Peta's banking on skin to make up for the lack of technique. Classic Peta. Carrie Ann says he needs musicality. Len berates him on the bounce and shirtlessness and tells him to set his sights higher than Andy. Ouch! " "Sean, look on the bright side. You can always get a job as a stripper," Bruno says.
Score: 21
Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas: foxtrot
Aly still has the Boston bombings on her mind and has a heart-to-heart with Mark. This is a lovely, great routine and Aly's timing is better, but her frame is a bit off. Still, this is a much welcome follow-up after Sean's debauchery. Len says Ali's butt was too outward, but loved the feathersteps. Bruno says her frame lets her down. Carrie Ann says she brought out her "Bostonian elegance." Is there such a thing? I just know wicked Bostonian badassery.
Score: 27
Ingo Rademacher and Kym Johnson: tango
It's Ingo's birthday. Don't let it skate by without acknowledging it! Ingo hopes to break out of the bottom four and also wants to take down Andy. Why is everyone targeting him?! You will all rue the day when he's safe tomorrow and you're not. Ingo doesn't get off to an auspicious start, stumbling over Kym, but he recovers well and this is the best of the guys' routines so far. He has a great posture and is sharp, but it's still not a complete breakout dance that would skyrocket him to the upper echelon and ensure him safety. Bruno says he maintained his intensity. Carrie Ann welcomes him to the "game." "Bingo, Ingo in the tango," Len says.
Score: 24
Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough: quickstep
Guys, the Golden Boy is human. He makes mistakes too! "It makes me excited because then I can rub it in his face," Kellie says. "To get 10s, Derek and I will have to dance a great quickstep. I just hope Derek can keep it together." He does. They both do. It's kind of weird to see a straightforward traditional routine from Derek, especially a quickstep, but this is what it is, and it rocks. Kellie doesn't miss a step and maintains the breakneck pace throughout. It's fluid, zippy and rich with choreography. Carrie Ann says everything was perfect except for some space in their hold. Len says it's the best dance of the season and defends the space issue by saying it's impossible to stay perfect the whole dance. This is... so unlike him. Bruno calls it sumptuous. And so Len dishes his first 10 of the season. Sorry, Zendaya!
Score: 29
Victor Ortiz and Lindsay Arnold: rumba
"You've danced romantically with a girl you've loved," Lindsay says. "No," Victor says. Don't re-open fresh wounds, Linz. His girlfriend just cheated on him! Poor Victor. He'll probably have another bottom two visit, if not elimination, after this. Dancing's just not his thing and Lindsay's not skilled enough to choreograph to mask his flaws. There are some nice moments, but nothing atones for the zero hip action that makes Wynonna look like a world champion. Len likes his fighting spirit. Bruno says it looked like an airline safety drill. Carrie Ann likes their chemistry.
Score: 18
Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff: quickstep
Karina's trying to fix Jacoby's pigeon toes. "My feet are made like that. They're not going to turn out," he says. "So I'm just going to dance." Good idea - dance in the audience so no one can see your footwork. See, Lindsay, that's how you hide flaws! Jacoby's feet are a little better, but he still reverts back to his pigeon toes. It's a buoyant dance, but not quite as tight as it needs to be. Bruno loves his energy. Carrie Ann says he made up for his funky feet with his personality. Len starts scolding Jacoby's footwork, but hedges and says it's not his best, but not his worst once Mama Jacoby gets out of her seat.
Score: 23
Team dances
Team Paso (Zendaya/Val, Jacoby/Karina, Victor/Lindsay, Ingo/Kym)
Team Paso has a great first rehearsal, but struggled in their second one. It all comes together. Sort of. It's an OK routine. They're all fine in their solos, but there is no cohesion in the group parts. Needless to say, Victor was the weakest and Zendaya was the strongest. Maybe it would've been better had Val not been the only male pro on the team. The male celebs (ahem, Victor) clearly needed more work. Len calls it a spirited effort. Bruno thought he was watching WrestleMania. Carrie Ann says it was too messy and Zendaya was the glue trying to hold it together. OK, stop kissing her ass.
Score: 22
Team Samba (Kellie/Derek, Andy/Sharna, Aly/Mark, Sean/Peta)
On the other hand, as Derek blogged, the team dance was in shambles after the first rehearsal, but, they get it together in the second one. They go with a '70s disco theme, complete with polyester, porn 'staches and a giant Mirrorball. Obviously they have the edge now. This is won't be going into the Team Dance Hall of Fame either, but it's a clearner, more dynamic routine, and the group segments were well-choreographed and in sync. Even Sean and Andy don't look that bad! Bruno calls it a Boogie Nights reunion. Carrie Ann says they worked completely as a group. Len gives them a well done.
Score: 25
This means Derek maintains his perfect team dance record at an absurd 9-0. But the biggest win: We weren't subjected to any "Gangnam Style"-esque hot mess like last season.
Kellie and Derek are on top with 54, and Victor and Lindsay are last with 40.
What did you think? Did you like Stevie Wonder Night? Which team dance was tops? Why is everyone after Andy? Can Jacoby ever point his feet? What is "Bostonian elegance"? Is Sean meant to be a stripper? Who do you think is going home?
View original <i>Dancing with the Stars</i> Episode Recap: Monday, April 22, 2013 at TVGuide.com
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