Trav's Thoughts

It's encores and results!

No dodging eliminations this time.  Someone is going home after just two dances. 

Of course, before we get to the results, we must have encores.  Here's what we liked from Monday's performances.

Sherri isn't the best dancer, but she sure is fun to watch.  We liked her Jive with Val.  I wish she hadn't missed that trick in the middle of it!  Click here if the video doesn't play.


So Tristan didn't design a "proper" Quickstep for Gladys.  It was funky and fun and we liked it anyway.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


Oh we like the legsses.  But we liked the Quickstep Maria danced with Derek too.  If not for the little footwork bobble about halfway through, I say that's 9s across.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


I didn't expect Roshon to be able to pull off sophisticated and elegant, but he did it in this Quickstep with Chelsie.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


Donald controlled his exuberance and danced an outstanding Quickstep with Peta.  What set it apart for me from the other Quicksteps was the romance.  It was fun and sweetly romantic.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


Dance of the night goes to the fun and sexy Jive from Katherine and Mark.  Near perfection for me.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


Alrighty then.  Ready for results? 

Here's a reminder of our combined leader board after both dances.

52 Katherine and Mark
49 Roshon and Chelsie
49 William and Cheryl
48 Jaleel and Kym
46 Maria and Derek
46 Sherri and Val
45 Donald and Peta
44 Jack and Anna
42 Gladys and Tristan
41 Gavin and Karina
40 Melissa and Maks
37 Martina and Tony

Our pros lead off the show with an outstanding group Jive, joined by the kids from our Dance Troupe.  Kevin Maher and Kym choreographed the piece.

First results...Melissa and Maks are safe.  Gladys and Tristan are safe.

Matt Nathanson visits the ballroom with Sugarland, accompanied by Peta and Tristan.  That was an outstanding performance...loved the song and loved the dancing.

More results...Jaleel and Kym are safe.  William and Cheryl are safe.

Dance Troupe!  Peta and Tristan come from the Troupe, so maybe one or two of these kids will step up one of these seasons.  The dancers are Daria Chesnokova, Sasha Farber, Emma Slater, Teddy Volynets, Kiki Nyemchek, and Henry Byalikov.  Jason Gilkinson choreographed the piece.  If you're a cross-over...that means you watch DWTS and SYTYCD...you'll recognize Jason's name and his work.

Oh gosh!  Maria has a couple of broken ribs.  She's got a great attitude, but that's going to be tough to dance with.

More results...Katherine and Mark are safe.  Maria and Derek are safe.  Sherri and Val are safe.

Sugarland returns, accompanied by our Troupe.  That whole performance made me smile. 

Here we go with final results...Donald and Peta are safe.  Jack and Anna are safe.  Roshon and Chelsie are safe.  Gavin and Karina are safe.

That means Martina and Tony are out.


Drat.  I wanted her to be good.  Even though she's not a ballroom dancer, she's still the best tennis player ever.  

I found something you might be interested in.  One of my favorite pro teachers, Louis van Amstel, is blogging about Season 14.  You can read his recaps for Week 1 and Week 2.  See what a pro has to say without any of the snarkiness you often find on the entertainment pages.  I'll try to remember to post the link each week for you, but if you want to get there ahead of me just go to the entertainment section at GoodMorningAmerica.com.  And after reading Louis' recaps, I might actually know what I'm talking about sometimes!

Tune in next week!

Later gang!