Journalist Geraldo Rivera’s next assignment? Searching for some dance skills.
The Fox News reporter showed zero rhythm and movement in last week’s cha-cha – even he admitted his dance “sucked” – and so he and partner Edyta Sliwinska became the first couple eliminated on the 22nd season of “Dancing with the Stars.” Geraldo and Edyta were at the bottom of the leaderboard after a dance that was so bad, the judges broke out the rarely seen 4 paddles. So much for Edyta’s return to “DWTS” for the first time since season 10.
Joining Geraldo and Edyta in awaiting their fate until the end were Mischa Barton and Artem Chigvintsev and Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff.
Oh, yes, it’s Latin Night, and the feeling’s right – or at least the couples hope the feeling’s right as they paso, cha-cha, salsa and rumba on this week’s edition of “DWTS.” The second week often is a more-telling indicator of a star’s trajectory because first-week jitters disappear … but so does extensive rehearsal time. Who’s a flash in the pan, and who has the right stuff to go the distance?
Jodie Sweetin and Keo Motsepe, samba, “Bun Up the Dance”
Jodie is first to dance and first to discuss the pressure of learning a routine in only four days. She emerges from flames and plays to the camera more naturally than she did last week. She’s surrounded by female Troupe members in what resembles a Mandy Moore-choreographed show opener. Where is her partner? Ah, Keo: He’s flashy and fast, which pulls focus from Jodie. She can’t keep up, especially when they’re next to each other. Still, Jodie’s moving those hips and feet nonstop. Len Goodman likes the recognizable steps. Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba see Jodie still tensing up. Score: 21 (7s from each judge).
Marla Maples and Tony Dovolani, Argentine tango, “Don’t”
“Marla leads a very healthy, spiritual life,” Tony says during the rehearsal package, which focuses on her clean diet, meditation and yoga. She demonstrates the flexibility yoga provides with some amazing lunges and lines that give the Argentine tango a sultry, moody vibe. Marla and Tony handle the lifts with the ease of a couple who has danced together for months instead of weeks. They seem to stay close to the chair, though; it would have been nice to see them use the floor more. Bruno swoons but demonstrates how he also wants Marla to be down and dirty. “He wants us on cable,” host Tom Bergeron says. Carrie Ann disagrees, applauding the different, elegant take on the dance. Len needs more intimacy. Score: 20 (7/6/7).
Geraldo Rivera and Edyta Sliwinska, salsa, “Ran Kan Kan”
In a parody of a President Trump, Marla’s ex-husband, as played by Geraldo, interrupts a call with Vladimir Putin to salsa with Melania (Edyta). While he’s dancing a little more than last week, “little” is a relative term. He turns here and there, and he shuffles his hips from side to side when he’s next to Edyta. She covers for him a lot, especially when the camera pulls in on them. In the skybox, Marla is golf-clapping and looking away. Carrie Ann says Geraldo didn’t make dance great again, but he did make her laugh. Len sends us to the dictionary with the term “trumpery.” (It means showy but worthless.) Bruno: “impressive, for all the wrong reasons.” Score: 13 (5/4/4).
Paige Van Zant and Mark Ballas Alan Bersten, salsa, “Danza Kurdodo”
A back injury at Sunday’s camera blocking left Mark on the sidelines for Monday’s show, so Troupe member Alan replaces him. Paige and Alan look as if they’re running in place sometimes. They’re frantic and excited and energetic, and in her enthusiasm, she occasionally gets ahead of the music. Bruno and Carrie Ann spot it, too. The dance ends with a lift that skates this side of raunchy but still looks strong. Paige and Alan came together on two hours’ notice, Tom reveals. Amazing: You’d never know Alan and Paige don’t dance together regularly. Len declares it the best dance of the season thus far. Backstage, Mark tells co-host Erin Andrews he’s had an MRI and has a bone scan and CT scan Tuesday. Score: 24 (3 8s).
Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess, rumba, “Adorn”
Sharna coaches Antonio to invade her personal space even though they’ve known each other for just a couple of weeks. Ew, “DWTS,” please don’t go showmance here – but given the talk of chemistry, it seems we are. Antonio strokes and rubs and touches his partner, but the dancing content itself is lacking. He needs to move nonstop and to lead Sharna, which he isn’t doing. Grinning and gazing aren’t enough. Is there a lift? (Yes, Lift Officer Carrie Ann confirms.) The judges want to see more technique and fluidity next week. Score: 19 (6/6/7).
Kim Fields and Sasha Farber, salsa, “Conga”
Kim cries when Sasha says she can’t get the turns right. She’s back to last week’s giddiness, though, when her inspiration, Gloria Estefan, Skypes with her. Kim and Sasha are really working together on these turns and the footwork. Kim represents what “DWTS” is about, a burgeoning celebrity dancer who needs refinement. She practically flops to the floor for the final move – ah, because her foot got stuck. Len sees great promise despite the mistake, especially for week 2. Carrie Ann praises Kim’s “Tina Turner legs, with Beyonce on top.” Score: 19 (7/6/6). Ooh, Kim teases next week’s most-memorable-year tribute to “The Facts of Life.”
Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd, rumba, “Stole the Show”
Last week’s Internet sensation – the deaf model was trending on Twitter, and his cha-cha had 2.2 million views on the “DWTS” Facebook page as of this afternoon – is being pushed to new levels now that people see he can dance. This is such a contrast with the Antonio/Sharna rumba because Nyle flows and stretches throughout, dancing with Peta instead of pawing at her. However, it would be OK to slow down a little. Nyle and Peta end oddly, after the music – did he miss a cue? Grumpy Len spots a “massive” lift and says the dance has too much attack. Bruno needs Nyle to finish his moves so his lines don’t stop at the hand. Score: 20 (7/6/7).
Mischa Barton and Artem Chigvintsev, cha-cha, “Pata Pata”
Mischa lacks confidence after last week’s Len takedown, and she’s testy all week with Artem. This is one unflattering package, featuring a distracted, disengaged celebrity. When it counts, Mischa smiles and attempts to get into character, an improvement from last week. Artem is smart to keep the choreography simple, with a lot of basic steps. She makes tight, tiny movements that often are off time. Mischa tells Tom and Erin she was thrown off with the live band. Bruno says the cha-cha didn’t fit with the music. Carrie Ann and Erin are playing life coach again to a woman who, frankly, needs an attitude adjustment more than gentle uplifting. Score: 15 (3 5s).
Von Miller and Witney Carson, cha-cha, “Ain’t Too Cool”
“Barbie Drill Sergeant” Witney charges Von $100 for every minute he’s late to rehearsal and then $100 more for other infractions. (The money goes to a good cause, the Skin Cancer Foundation.) The height discrepancy isn’t as bothersome this week because they don’t have to be in hold. The dancing is just OK: It has its moments, but Von looks too casual. He doesn’t nail his moves, practically shrugging in spots. Bruno thinks Von’s personality is taking over, and the cha-cha content is missing. Score: 20 (7/6/7).
Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold, salsa, “Echa Pa’lla”
Wanya balances Boyz II Men touring with salsa rehearsal around the country. “I’m going to bring my A game. I’m going to bring the whole alphabet.” Wanya may be our quip man of the season. He also may be one of our finalists: This is the most fun, content-filled number of the night. As with last week’s cha-cha, he’s remarkably light on feet. He’s really leading Lindsay and throwing her around, and she doesn’t use a crowd scene as an excuse to go light on content as other pros have done. Wanya’s solo shimmy toward the end evokes a music-video move from the 1990s, “Go for it, man!” Bruno yells. Score: 24 (8/8/8).
Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff, paso doble, “Buster Voodoo”
Once again, Doug and Karina play on his underdog, fighter persona. His dancer daughter stops by rehearsal, as does his son, who is fighting against autism. Doug rages and battles in this dance. He makes an impressive, almost balletic leap, and his arms are defined and strong. It’s recognizable, basic paso done well. Gone is the happy-go-lucky guy from last week. He has stompy moments, but in all, this is a huge improvement. The judges say the same and appreciate the attempts at more-complicated moves. Score: 20 (7/6/7).
Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy, samba, “Sorry”
Ginger giggles at the idea of sexy and swag and “getting her flirt on” now that she’s married and a new mom. Ginger and Val take a while to get into the samba, play-acting on a bench. The whole dance feels solid but choppy, which is a criticism of Val’s choreography. It has spins and pretty side-by-side moves, and it’s a sweet little number. Samba shouldn’t be sweet, though. It also features a mid-dance slip-up when Ginger gets tangled in her feet, which she covers nicely. Bruno says she brings on the feel-good factor. Score: 21 (three 7s).
Readers, were you surprised by this week’s elimination? Are you interested in any of the footballers? (I’m bored.) Whose storyline will choke you up the most next week? Leave your thoughts on these and other matters below.
Finally, this marks my last “DWTS” recap for Speakeasy, as family matters require more of my time. It’s been a joy to write about judging, dancing, pros (sigh, Tristan!) and celebrities for the past four and a half years. Thank you so much for reading. We’ll be back in May for a finale live blog. Do stop by then!
