TVSquad

(S08E13) Tonight started the Pro Dancing Competition. After finding the list of the professionals, I can't help but notice a degree of nepotism. Having Alec's brother and Ashly's sister competing is somewhat unfair. Having Derek, Julianne, Mark, and Corky is enough of a family of dancers. I'm now just waiting for Lacey's brother Benji, or their cousin Heidi to show up. At least it's up to America to allow nepotism.

On the other hand: Snow! Yay, double standards! I'm okay with So You Think You Can Dance alumni; they danced their asses off to be part of the competition. More Pro Dancing Competition as well as the rest of the show after the jump.


Encore – Group Dance - We start the night abruptly with the 60s dance. Is it only me or when I change the channel one minute late (from American Idol, mind you) I feel as though the show started at the 58 minute point? Ty's even more off tonight. Luckily for America, Chuck's hair was normal.

We're given a few doctors' and nutritionists' analysis about exercise. Basically, they mention that core muscles are sculpted with dance and dancing is one of the best forms of cardio. Okay, show, I get it: I'm overweight. That doesn't mean that I'm going to buy your damn dance video game for the Wii.

Natasha Beddingfield – Soulmate – I love this song. Her brother, Daniel, must be jealous of her success. We also get a performance with Dmitry and Lacey, and I'm brought back to those So You Think You Can Dance days when lifts are allowed and make for great television. The lift sequences are unconventional and beautiful.

Burn the Floor – I really don't have much to say except that, I understand why they have awards. It's good.

Then we start the Pro Dancing Competition. I'm a little confused as to why Afton and Brent, the first couple, had their numbers as five and six and the last performers, Snow and Genya, are one and two.

Afton Delgroso and Brent Borbon – Cha-Cha - The two dance in Le Rêve (we saw them two weeks ago) and they know each other. They work on creating an action/reaction for the Cha-Cha. When the music started, I felt a slight pang of pain for Danity Kane. Overall, I was quite underwhelmed by the performance. If this is going to show their choreography style, I'm bored already.

Len knows it was a great opportunity, but Afton showed more flair. Bruno loved the rising star in the dynasty. Brent brings a pop feel. Carrie Ann likes Brent's TV presence, but he needs to make sure the technique is on. Afton is good, though.

Anna Demidova and Mayo Alanen – Waltz - Anna wants to be a dominating Russian. Mayo's apparently an All-American kind of guy. There are so many mayonnaise jokes that I could make, but I'll leave it to ya'll. The two are good friends, but they need to adapt since they've never danced together. As they dance, they bring a beautiful elegance. I just feel as though Mayo has both an insane name, but also an overactive face.

Carrie Ann loved the beauty and execution. Mayo has a "distinguished character" (read: overactive face), and Anna has a star quality. Len thought it was fantastic. He wants to see the taller contestants tackle the Latin. Bruno thought it was the classic Waltz. Mayo's lines are great, and Anna is more than just a dazzler.

Snow Urbin and Genya Mazo - Rumba - Genya looks insanely like Alec. Again, like the other four professionals it's beautiful. Snow's leg motions are beautiful, but I've been dazzled by her leg motions before:



Bruno loves the power, strength, and he loves that Genya supports his partner. Snow is fierce. Carrie Ann loves the support and the power. Len loved the masculine dancing from Genya and the fact that Snow wasn't raunchy.

Celtic Woman – You Raise Me Up – Sure, I've seen Celtic Woman on PBS, but why does every classically trained vocal group perform Josh Groban? On a good note, the dancers were amazing and the show made no mention who the two were (after some internet searching, I found out that they are Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian). They looked a little aged, and it definitely showed the high amount of trust the two must have built in years of dancing from their lifts. It was like just twisting, spinning and lifts. Hell, he turned her into a helicopter.

We're finally back to the eliminations. I don't even see why they left Gilles to wait with the rest of the lower half. Fear mongering much? Clearly, the bottom two were Lawrence and Ty, and there was no way they could dispute that. It was finally the end of the line for Lawrence and Edyta. Her high amount of clothing may have been her downfall. At least Lawrence gets to go golfing again.

Next Week: The dreaded team dances. We get Team Tango and Mambo; two dances that have some strong passion. Whoever gets Ty probably is at a disadvantage (like Susan Lucci last year). Also, you know where all six of my votes are going for the professional competition; that is, if I voted.