RECAP: “Dancing With The Stars” Season 33, Episodes 3 & 4
BY Amy Pilott & Allie Pilott (age 9)
It was a two-episode special this week, so buckle up as we cover both Episode 3 AND 4.
SPOILERS AHEAD! Consider yourself warned!
RELATED CONTENT
Best Reality TV Competition Show
EPISODE 3 (“SOUL TRAIN” NIGHT)
This first of the two-night special focused on different genres of dance. Rosie Perez, who got her start as a “Soul Train” dancer in the 1980s, joined as guest judge for “Soul Train” night.
Phaedra Parks and Val (Quickstep)
Tons of soul, not a lot of quickstep. Phaedra knew this wouldn’t be her dance, and she was right. She looked the part, and I guess that was enough reason for the judges to give a 30/40.
Ilona Maher and Alan (Foxtrot)
Our favorite rugby player looked feminine and fierce for her foxtrot. Some minor footwork issues, but she received a well-deserved 30/40.
Eric Roberts and Britt (Foxtrot)
A slow “Soul Train” number was fitting for the old man. He actually looked decent and had a sweet sashay with his wife. But he’s still past his prime, and received a 24/40.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee (Quickstep)
Adorable as always, Stephen’s quickstep was super fun! Popping out the gymnast moves throughout gives him a solid leg up. Another 30/40.
Brooks Nader and Gleb (Rumba)
Can we please stop pushing them as a hot and steamy couple? This is a family show. Dancing to “Sexual Healing,” their rumba was actually very good. We don’t need the side story! I think the judges were harsh with a score of 28/40.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna (Jive)
A very fast-paced jive was well suited for the puppydog-like Bachelor. The judges gushed over his action-packed performance, and he received the season’s first 9s, for an overall score of 34/40.
Dwight Howard and Daniella (Cha Cha)
Dwight’s body looked comically large and out of place in this week’s performance. It was like watching a giant. As Allie points out, “She’s like a whole kid-sized person less than him.”
Cha cha was not the right dance for them; it looked awkward. But they did not deserve the lowest score of the night (so far), a 23/40.
Danny Amendola and Witney (Foxtrot)
Danny showed his athleticism with a fun flip in his foxtrot, but his musicality just isn’t there. In our opinion, the judges were VERY generous with the score of 30/40.
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma (Foxtrot)
Once again leaning on some background dancers to make up for the lack of dancing in his foxtrot, Reggie looked uncomfortable throughout his performance. They clearly have a sweet relationship and he’s having fun, but he deserved the 21/40.
Jenn Tran and Sasha (Vinenese Waltz)
Jenn performed a fun and flirty Viennese waltz to Alicia Keys (not really “Soul Train”-esque, but OK). She is a gifted dancer and leaps and bounds ahead of some of the others. Clearly they are scoring on a curve, because she only received a 31/40. She deserved more!
Chandler Kinney and Brandon (Cha Cha)
This dance reminded us that Chandler is a Disney Channel star, and has a level of comfort performing that many others do not. Thius hip-hop cha-cha was packed with complicated choreo, and Chandler mastered it all with a smile. All well-deserved 9s for a 36/40!
EPISODE 3 (“HAIR METAL” NIGHT)
KISS star Gene Simmons joined as a judge for “metal” night, but it’s unclear from the beginning why. He doesn’t really know anything about dancing! And Allie wants to know if that’s really his hair, because he looks older than Grandad?!? Given that his commentary bordering on sexual harassment, hopefully he won’t be back!
Danny Amendola and Whitney (Paso Doble)
A paso doble to Bon Jovi! This guy looks phenomenal with the jacket off, but I still don’t see what the judges see. Even taking the jacket removal lacked finesse. Honestly, another undeserved 30/40.
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma (Cha-Cha)
Again joined by a team of dancers, Emma literally danced circles around Reggie. It’s almost cruel to have this guy out there. The paintings in Disney’s Haunted Mansion move more! They received a 21/40.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon (Jive)
It was clear that Chandler was not going to take low scores for her jive! Channeling her werewolf character from Disney’s “Zombies,” she rocked the bad-girl vibes for her fast-paced metal dance. They admitted they were judging her harshly because they expect a lot from her. She received a modest 33/40.
Brooks Nader and Gleb (Cha-Cha)
These two really are having nothing but a good time. They did well, and Allie was impressed with their stunts at the end. Gene Simmons kind of gave a 10, but then really gave a 9 (I don’t think he can see through the black sunglasses). They received an overall score of 33/40.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee (Foxtrot)
Focusing on musicality, Stephen knew he needed to wow with his timing this week while dancing the foxtrot to Whitesnake. His performance definitely took it a notch up, and the judges noticed. He received a 32/40.
Dwight Howard and Daniella (Paso Doble)
This paso set to Aerosmith was fitting for the giant and his little dance partner. He actually was able to dance on his knees for this one, which was totally appropriate! A nice comeback from last night, as they received a 29/40.
Eric Roberts and Britt (Paso Doble)
Eric started with more movement than in previous dances. As Allie noted, “He did a full 360 and kicked his legs.” But he also had a number of missteps. Significantly stronger than Reggie, but still probably the end of this guy’s journey. He received a 22/40.
Ilona Maher and Alan (Jive)
We loved seeing Ilona jive! She lost a little footing mid-dance, but found her way back and continued to rock out. She is as attached to this competition as she was in the Olympics and we love it! She received an emotional 26/40 (though we think she deserved more!).
Jenn Tran and Sasha (Paso Doble)
A fiery paso doble. Allie can’t help but wonder if the special effects were to distract us from the dancing. Personally, we didn’t think this was Jenn’s best performance, but the judges gave it a 31/40.
Phaedra Parks and Val (Paso Doble)
We were shot through the heart with this paso, because Phaedra is simply fun to watch. Sadly Phaedra’s charisma is no longer going to carry her through the competition, and she is going to need to strengthen her moves going forward. They received a 26/40.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna (Tango)
Last up, Joey tackled the tango, and he rocked it like a hurricane! He didn’t look like he was having as much fun as in previous dances, but maybe he was just concentrating and playing the part of a moody rock star. We don’t believe he should have been atop the leaderboard, but the judges came in with unanimous 9s: 36/40.
SPOILER: This week’s double elimination was fitting. For a scary final moment, it looked like Ilona could go home, and Allie was understandably freaking out! Good for the old guys taking a chance on “DWTS,” but let’s move on from the dancing circles around statues! Goodbye to Eric and Reginald!
What did you think of the episodes? Leave your takes in the comments!
