Whenever a “Dancing with the Stars” judge says “you look like you’re having fun” you know the contestant is in trouble.
That was Tyson Beckford’s fate Tuesday night. Dancing a foxtrot, last week’s “most improved” fell back into his old ways and moved his arms like he was swimming upstream. The judges’ votes landed him at the bottom of the leader board and all but guaranteed an exit visa. Sure enough, the fans dumped him, too, on “Motown Night.”
Football star Adrian Peterson wasn’t much better but he got to move on (to next week’s “Disney Night”). Peterson pulled out a 22 for a not-so-quick quickstep.
Still impressive: singer Jason Mraz, who moves like a Broadway star. He got a 34 for his jive and topped the leaderboard most of the night. When “Vanderpump’s” Ariana Madix got her chance to quick step, the score was tied.
That set them up as the ones to beat, even though “Bachelorette” Charity Lawson was right up there (with a 32 for her foxtrot); she was just getting back in the groove with partner Artem Chigvintsev after he was out with COVID.
Mraz is the most consistent; the other two are nipping at his heels.
While the judges made a big deal about dancers rebounding, we didn’t see it. They raved about Mauricio Umansky, but he was lucky he got a 23. When judge Carrie Ann Inaba questioned Mira Sorvino’s “characterization," the actress seemed miffed. Oh, well.
Alyson Hannigan, Barry Williams and Harry Jowsey were forgettable.
Only Marvel star Xochitl Gomez and social media star Lele Pons have a hope of moving up.
While there were Afros and pastel eye shadow to help set the scene, “Motown Night” needed a guest star worthy of the label. Michael Strahan was a guest judge but, why, we don’t know.
What we’ve learned thus far:
- Inaba is trying to be the unpopular judge. She likes to point out lifts and timing problems.
- Derek Hough, however, wants to be the one beloved by everyone. He’ll deliver a critique, then quickly follow it with praise so the last thing anyone remembers is the love.
- Julianne Hough is doing a great job as the skybox reporter. Her experience gives her the kind of generosity we haven’t seen since Erin Andrews.
- Jowsey is a big question mark. While he comes off as humble, he has the look of someone who can’t be bothered. His dancing isn’t all that, either, but TikTok has different rules.
- “Moana” will be one of the Disney characters included in “Disney Night.” There’s a new attraction at Epcot and that would be the perfect tie-in.
