TVSquad

(S08E06) "The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth" – The Woz

Tonight was the breakout night where the leaders all blasted past everyone else. Three of the last week's top four contestants in the front all received 10's. I'm a little nervous for Ty and Chuck now, and although I like both of them, if the four in the front progress the way they are, then the rest of the pack will slowly be eliminated.

This week introduces new dances in hopes that they will reinvigorate the competition and take people out of their comfort zones. The double elimination is looming and the contestants tried their best to be safe. We start the night with another trip on the stairs with Karina, and that isn't the only thing that proves this show is live. Len accidentally uses the term "Jitterbug" instead of "Lindy Hop," but quickly recovers. Also, throughout the whole show, Samantha goes through puberty. More analysis after the break.


David & Kym – Lindy Hop – David got lucky because he did a lot of solo work last week. Kym wants to keep the positive momentum going, so they practice lifts. David just hopes that he doesn't have a constipated face while lifting Kym. David needs more visual help, so the two go to Lindy Groove. After watching the professionals go crazy, David and Kym do their dance. Overall, the dance just wasn't what I expected. One lift/split sequence didn't seem right. They do incorporate the Charleston.

Len appreciated the fun and energy, but there were points of lost rhythm. Bruno liked the energy, but he needs to work on his timing. Carrie Ann thought it was great because he was both older and he picked up tempo when the song modulated. Score: 22 (8, 7, 7)

Lil Kim & Derek – Argentine Tango – After showcasing her bionic booty, Kim and Derek want to progress. The two can't seem to keep a straight face when they practice. Kim is nervous that she can't do the footwork and keep her face serious. Derek is stressed because he doesn't know the Argentine Tango's steps. When they dance, Kim keeps this face that Tyra Banks would call amateur, where they put all the intensity in their lips. She gets great air in the lifts and oozes sensuality. I'm always surprised by the legs on Kim for her height.

Bruno gets over-passionate and continues to retell the story of the tango. He thought it was terrific. Carrie Ann called her the real deal. She loved the beautiful lines, and she danced like she was four inches taller. Len was knocked out by the choreography, but he didn't get the sensuality. He thought it lacked the smoke-filled intensity. Score: 27 (9, 8, 10)

Chuck & Julianne – Lindy Hop – Julianne wants to do a trick where Chuck flips over her and mentions that the Woz did it before. He gets paranoid because he got a scar on his head when he was a kid. There was fear in his eyes, so Julianne decided not to do it. As the couple danced, I couldn't help but think that I've never seen a diner with such hot waiters. I was afraid that Chuck would drop Julianne at points, but everything connected. I didn't get the storyline of the dance, but it looked like fun.

Carrie Ann thought it was good, but she wants to see him go for it. He's too safe. Len thought it was competent, but he needs to raise the bar higher. Bruno wants a crispy pizza. He thought the dance was loose on the edges. He's got it, but it's not all together. Score: 22 (8, 7, 7)

Lawrence & Edyta – Argentine Tango – During practice, Lawrence gets the steps, but can't get into character. His learning curve comes from knowing the steps first and then getting the character second. Edyta brought in her husband, Alec, for some tips. He put it all together for the dance. The choreography is easier for the guy in this dance, but Lawrence does well with the steps he was given.

Len knows that the dance could be hard for non-actors. He thought the performance was heavy, lacked passion, and was uncomfortable. Bruno thought it was menacing and intense. He knows that he was walking at points. Len wants him to stalk like a panther. Carrie Ann liked the execution of the steps, but said it lacked the intensity. Score: 19 (7, 5, 7)

Ty & Chelsie – Lindy Hop – After a smooth set of dances, we're reminded that this show is live when the producers accidentally play Steve's video. Now where were we? Right. Ty recovered from the dress malfunction. Chelsie asked for forgiveness, and Ty wittily suggests a shorter dress. Chelsie wants to make sure that he can keep his own tempo. Chelsie knows how physical Ty is, and this can help the Lindy Hop tricks. I'm pretty sure that Chelsie lands on her microphone pack during the practices. They start the dance with some strong jumps, and it's high intensity from there. I don't like his open hand. It's like a limp fish. Ty shows his strengths with several of the lifts, but had this nervous look on his face.

Bruno thought he was a young stallion. He's still rough around the edges, but he's progressing leaps. Carrie Ann calls him a dancer and appreciates Chelsie as a teacher. Len thought Ty was beyond his expectations. There was a little blunder in the middle, but it was great. Score: 25 (9, 8, 8)

Steve & Karina – Argentine Tango – Steve knows that the fans and family helped keep him around. Steve wants to be strong and practices his angry face. Karina wants to kick up the intensity. Steve brings out the Segway crew to help get votes. He starts with a rose in his mouth. He walks to his places in the beginning, but in the hold, he definitely shows strength. He still seems to dance like a little kid who wants to impress his parents.

Carrie Ann loves him being an underdog, but the whole thing was long and there wasn't much going on. It's not just about faces, it's about passion. Len gives him some credit for trying a real tango, and he sees a small improvement in his steps. Bruno thought the whole performance stunk. Score: 12 (4, 4, 4)

Melissa & Tony – Lindy Hop – Last week's Foxtrot was great, but Carrie Ann wanted more of a challenge. Tony wants to make sure that the dance is intense. Tony uses toilet paper stuck on the shoe to get her flicks. She calls him a friend and a brother. I like seeing that she had fun the whole practice. The dance looks like a lot of fun. A few tricks looked like almost misses, but it happened.

Len sees Melissa as a contender. He thought the last lift was a little off. Bruno thought it was eye-popping fun. He liked that the full range of the Lindy Hop steps that were used. Carrie Ann gives them high fives because she loved the difficulty and the choreography. Score: 29 (10, 9, 10)

Holly & Dmitry – Argentine Tango – Holly just survived elimination so she decided to work really hard. Dmitry wants sophistication. During the practice, Holly's ribs kept hurting, and she's upset with herself because she can't practice. According to the doctor, she only strained muscles. She decides to fight through the pain. Holly trips on the chair a little bit, and it never recovers from there. She is off on a few of her steps. She then awkwardly stands at one point because she forgot her steps. She does do this amazing flip sequence and strong lift to end.

Bruno saw the bad start and it just kept going. It had potential, but she just stayed there. Bruno wants her to be a vixen. Carrie Ann appreciates that she stood through the pain. Carrie Ann suggests to intensify her strength. Len loved the routine, but Holly lost it the whole time. Len still thinks that she needs more core strength. Score: 16 (5, 6, 5)

Steve-O & Lacey – Lindy Hop – Steve-O cracked and forgot his steps last week. The Lindy Hop isn't helping because it is so fast. Lacey decides to give him a clown costume. It turns out that he was a clown back in the day. Somehow he needs to channel his inner clown. Speaking of clown, Lacey is dressed like Katy Perry tonight. He still seems a little out of place, like he was thinking too hard.

Carrie Ann knows that he had a rough road, but she liked that he did the whole routine. She feels like Steve-O is a step behind. Len agrees, the timing is a very big issue. Bruno thought it was "hopping mad." He thinks that Steve-O needs to listen to the music. He has a problem with timing. Score: 15 (5, 5, 5)

Gilles & Cheryl – Argentine Tango – Last week's Samba was steamy and sexy. During practice, Gilles started to struggle, but she wants him to make sure that he uses his acting skills. Cheryl pushes him really hard. They get really, really closely sexual. It's almost as if I shouldn't be watching.

Carrie Ann has to fan herself with her book, so Len starts. Len calls it fantastic and loved the mix between opposites in the tango. It had every element. Bruno thought that he was the quintessential Latin lover. Carrie Ann can't feel her face. She loved that she couldn't tell who the professional was and who the celebrity was. Score: 30 (10, 10, 10)

Shawn & Mark – Lindy Hop – Shawn wants to separate herself from the pack and Mark gets her gymnastic skills. She brings him to the gym and she tries to teach him some steps. Shawn is happy that she can be young and crazy and not worry about demur. She starts off with a few gymnastic tumbles, and it's tricks and intensity til the end. I didn't think it was better than Melissa's routine, but it was a lot of fun to watch

Bruno loved the feast of tricks, but he wanted more dancing. Carrie Ann loved how polished she was dancing, but the steps were heavy. Len thought there were too many tricks and not enough dancing. Score: 25 (8, 8, 9)

So who's going home? I'm expecting Holly to go into the dance-off but survive after actually doing the choreography. I'm expecting the two Steves to go home, but I wouldn't mind if Lawrence bit the dust. Tomorrow night: Boys II Men, Kevin Rudolph, and Louis van Amstel perform.