Watching Reality TV

If you want to get caught up on last weeks performances, check out this post. I didn’t blog about the elimination like I normally do but in case you missed it: Jennie was booted. Better her than Mel or Helio, but not as good as if Marie had been given the heave-ho. Ah well.

So now we’re down to it here. The top three couples (eeehhhh… if they say so) in a fight to the finish to win this thing and call it a night. I think we’re all expecting fantastic routines tonight. These guys had better perform, the bar is high. Wow, Mel has quite the skimpy outfit this evening! First up, we see the “judge’s choice” and it’s a routine that they think the dancers could have performed better initially. So they’ve got their work cut out for them! Second, we have “freestyle” which will be fun, I’m sure!

First up are Mel and Maks. They picked the cha cha for them, which was their first dance together. Perhaps the judges want to see improvement? They get off to a cute start with some antics before getting into the meat of the routine. I think their personality really shows in this dance. And I like it. I don’t know it ranks as a cha cha, specifically, but it’s fun. Mel is obviously interested in having a great time tonight. Len thinks she definitely deserves the final, judging from the cha cha they did. Very crisp. Bruno says she has improved incredibly. She has stunning visual impact. Carrie Ann says she looks great, it was really good but she was expecting more excitement. (I’m totally amused by Mel fidgeting with her costume while talking to Samantha) Scores? 9, 9 and 10 for a total of 28. VOTE, ya’ll!

Marie and Jonathan are up next. I’m trying not to be too bitter here. Their judges picked the samba for them. Why? It’s the dance she fainted afterward and she thinks the judges want a chance to critique it. Oh dear me. Let’s just hope she breathes this time. It’s a good dance, I don’t know if it’s better than her last one though. And definitely not as good Mel and Maks’ dance. That’s totally objective, people. I can’t believe, based on this dance, that she’s in the final. Bruno says Marie always gives her heart and soul, but technically it wasn’t there. (Breathe, Marie! Breathe!) Carrie Ann had similar comments, as did Len. She was there with entertainment value, but the technical ability wasn’t there. Uhm, YES. Scores? 8, 8 and 8 for a total of 24. They’re definitely disappointed. But the score is deserved.

Helio and Julianne hit the floor next. He’s so excited to be doing so well and be in the final. The judges pick the jive or him, because they were disappointed with how he did. Ooh, I hope he brings it. They have a totally adorable and completely goofy start to the dance. They’re doing a really good job though, the foot work seems great to me and the routine is fast and fun to watch. Carrie Ann agrees with the raucous audience that it was exciting. but she did think the dance lacked something. Len called Helio “flat footed” and he really had some harsh words. Bruno says he has a gleaming personality but the footwork wasn’t good enough. Scores? 8, 8 and 9 for a total of 25 and just edging out Marie and Jonathan.

Mel and Maks are up again with their freestyle. They have a lot of hip hop moves in their dance and a lot of jumps and lifts and fancy moves. We even get a costume change halfway through. They have some impressive stuff here, but I liked their first dance better. And it is fun to see Maks let lose for a change. He did a great job with some different material. Carrie Ann enjoyed the routine but thinks they’re better than that dance. Len loved the lifts and the humor, it was great. A little disjointed and didn’t flow but it was a great job. Bruno says it was spectacular and they did a good job with something they don’t see very often. Scores? 9, 9, and 9 for a total of 27. Not shabby indeed. She was expecting a 4 or 5. Maks was hoping for 7. Samantha calls the judges “grumpy”. They have a 55 out of 60 for the night.

Marie and Jonathan hit the floor next and I’m not digging Marie’s “fake doll” routine here. It’s like an excuse for her dance poorly or something, and even I think she’s better than that. She’s trying to be hip here, I get that. But I don’t love it. Good lifts though, I gotta give her that. Of course, then she falls at the end of a lift so the one good thing I had to say is taken right out of my mouth. Len says it was a good idea, but wasn’t working on the floor. Marie deliberately flaunts his comments. Bruno says it was the loopiest thing he’s ever seen, he can’t even criticize it. Carrie Ann gives her that she is a risk taker. However, she agrees with the guys and it was an odd choice, not a good one. Scores? 8, 7 and 7 or a total of 22 out of 30 (Marie holds hands over her ears in order not to hear them). Oy! That was awful. She has a total of 46 out of 60 for the night. Ouch.

Last up, we have Helio and Julianne. They’re decked out in racing gear. Of course, there’s a wardrobe change almost immediately and I think Helio holds his own, guiding Julianne through some pretty difficult lifts. It’s a lot of fun, as their dances always are. They have some great moves too. He has done marvelous things with this competition. They’re very excited with how well they did. Bruno calls him Mr. Irresistable. It was a difficult routine, but they took it on and did great. Carrie Ann says she’s worn out just watching it. He’s got technique and entertainment. Len thinks it was the best freestyle of the night, by miles. Scores? 9, 10, and 10 for a total of 29 out of 30. They have a 54 out of 60 for the night, just beaten by Mel and Maks’ score.

Vote, everyone! This is it!