Trav's Thoughts

It's encores and results!

We've got a double elimination coming up to get us to our Final Four for Season 14.  But let's not think of that yet.  Let's see what we liked from Monday's performances.

That's right, friends and neighbors...Maria got jobbed by Len last night, not once but twice.  I'm not saying he didn't have legitimate criticism to offer about Derek's choices, but I felt that he penalized Maria for something other than her dancing.  Bad form, Mr Goodman!  This is the Viennese Waltz from Maria and Derek, which we thought was excellent.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


I thought Roshon had a break out night.  The first outstanding effort was his Foxtrot with Chelsie.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


The second excellent performance was the Paso Doble Roshon danced with Chelsie and trio partner Sasha.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


William also danced a terrific Paso Doble in the Latin round, with Cheryl and trio partner Tony.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


Dance of the night honors go to the stunning Foxtrot from William and Cheryl, for which they scored a perfect 30.  Click here if the video doesn't play.


If you'd like to see what Louis van Amstel had to say, you can check it out here.  He was as confused by Len as I was.

Here's a reminder of our leader board after both dances from Monday:

57 William and Cheryl
56 Roshon and Chelsie
55 Donald and Peta
55 Katherine and Mark
53 Maria and Derek
51 Melissa and Maks

The judges select the Jive from Donald, Peta, and Karina as the encore selection. 

First results...Donald and Peta are in the Final Four.

Oy.  Still with Kenny Mayne and Dance Center?  Yeesh.

Chris Brown is in the ballroom.  Meh.

More results...William and Cheryl are in the Final Four.

But Roshon and Chelsie are eliminated.  He had a great night on Monday with two outstanding performances.  This is a talented kid.


Macy's Stars of Dance features a tribute to the late Dick Clark and American Bandstand.  That was excellent!   Our pros, joined by young dancers, kicking it with a high energy Jive, in front of a crowd of some of the original cast dancers from the Bandstand of the 1950s.  Great stuff.

Dmitry Chaplin and Anya Garnis are in the ballroom.  They are performing in DWTS live in Vegas.  The only thing that would have been better than that would have been to see Anya dance with Pasha Kovalev.

Final results...Maria and Derek are in the Final Four.  Katherine and Mark are in the Final Four.

That means Melissa and Maks are eliminated. 


Well it's a lousy present, but Happy Birthday my dear.  She wasn't the best dancer by far, but she hung in there and did her best.  And she stood up for Maks when the producers yet again painted him as a complete jerk with the way they edited the rehearsal footage.  He can be abrasive and caustic and a bit of a tyrant, but so can every other pro.  Melissa also pointed out the bias in the footage that we get to see.

Maksim Chmerkovskeiy is an excellent teacher and an outstanding choreographer. 

I'll say it now, this is going to be a great Final Four.

Len still gets the stink eye.  I say he unfairly marked Maria down not for any deficiencies in her dancing, but for the style choices Derek made.  Len, and the other judges, in the past have overlooked mistakes in favor of entertainment value, and heaped lavish praise for "effort" over dance quality.  At least this latest bout of inequity didn't cost Maria a chance in the Final Four.


Stink eye...right at you Mr Goodman.  Leave your style bias at the door, Sir.

So you know...tune in next week, and stuff.  Final Four baby!  Our pairs dance for that Glittering Ball of Glory...the Fabulous Mirror Ball!



And then guess what premiers on 24 May.


YAY!