There was a moment of perfection in Tuesday’s “Dancing with the Stars” but it didn’t come during the competition.
Instead, it was a tribute waltz done in memory of original head judge Len Goodman. Dozens of pros returned to execute the flowing “proper” performance, no “messing about.” One by one, the “DWTS” favorites flashed in front of the camera, leading fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba to fall into each other’s arms. It was a moving mid-show highlight.
The competition – dubbed “Most Memorable Year” – was a little less indelible. It involved a lot of contemporary dances and tears.
It was clear many of the bottom dwellers wanted to grab the heartstrings by drawing on their relationships. Alyson Hannigan paid tribute to her husband; Mira Sorvino danced with her daughter; and Mauricio Umansky raved about 1996 and his entrée into real estate.
While Harry Jowsey got an 18 for his contemporary dance (which really just means flailing about), he stayed in the competition. Sorvino, instead, went home. She was surprised by the move, particularly since she started the night and managed a 22. Hannigan got a 21 and Umansky edged them both with a 24.
Pros did a tribute to Len Goodman on Tuesday's "Dancing with the Stars."
Charity Lawson and Xochitl Gomez tied with 28 and managed the season’s first 10s.
Close behind: Jason Mraz, who earned a 27 for his very quick quickstep (to “On the Road Again,” a song he listened to on repeat when he left his Farmville, Virginia, home to pursue a career in music).
Lele Pons got the trifecta – a contemporary dance, a tearful origins story and an appearance by her husband, rapper Guaynaa. She got a 24, but her talk of OCD and mental health clearly one-upped others’ stories (like Barry Williams’ claim to riding motorcycles in 1968). Ariana Madix drew on her cheating boyfriend storyline (see: “Vanderpump Rules”) to win audience sympathy and prompt an “armsy” Viennese waltz. She got a 24, too.
That means Lawson, Gomez and Mraz are still the three to beat.
Jowsey must have a large social media contingent keeping him in. He and Hannigan should exit in a “very special” double elimination week.
Tuesday, though, belonged to all those veteran dancers who did the “proper” moves that Goodman championed. Choreographed by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, the number recalled what the show was like in the early days. Clips showed youthful versions of Julianne and Derek Hough and captured Goodman in his dancing days.
An hour-long tribute to Goodman wouldn’t have been too much. He maintained the show’s decorum and didn’t pander to the audience. He gave poor scores when they were warranted and didn’t cower when folks booed.
Today, there’s too much performance from the three judges, standing, posturing and nattering about "growth."
Goodman didn’t mess about. He told it like it was and the competitors had to take it.
We miss that.
