Let’s put it out there: Joey Graziadei is now the one to beat.
After a strong Monday night performance (for “Soul Train Night”), the former “Bachelor” sealed the deal with a hot tango that included a drum solo and a lot of ‘tude on “Hair Metal Night” on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Also in the hunt: “Bachelorette” Jenn Tran. She included plenty of content in her paso doble and received a respectable 31.
Above her: Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and model Brooks Nader. They’re contenders, too, but it’s now down to Graziadei and Kinney. Watch for one to stumble.
Chandler Kinney and partner Brandon Armstrong, right, get good marks from host Alfonso Ribeiro on "Dancing with the Stars."
Those who did: Eric Roberts and Reginald VelJohnson, two actors who barely moved on the floor. Both were eliminated at the end of the night.
Rugby star Ilona Maher was standing in the final three (even though that may not have indicated her vote totals) but it was an interesting possibility. Maher had some missteps on her jive and was near tears when she heard the judges’ assessments. When they came in with a 26 for her work, the crowd booed and gave her incentive to push on to next week. She will be one to watch, based on that determination.
Interestingly, guest judge Gene Simmons had a wild swing on his scores. He gave NFL star Danny Amendola a 9, largely because his partner, Witney Carson, is “one of the most beautiful women on the planet.” The other judges gave him 7s, thanks to his dancing ability. Amendola has potential to become another Graziadei but he needs help counting his steps.
“Real Housewives’” Phaedra Parks was sure she was headed for the heavy metal scrap heap but used a Tina Turner wig to advantage and hung in. Simmons, however, gave her a 5. Go figure.
While the night featured a guest performance from Whitesnake’s Joel Hoekstra, most of the hair metal responsibility fell to the hair, makeup and costuming departments. They delivered, turning Nedoroscik into another Garth from “Wayne’s World” and Kinney into “Flashdance’s” Jennifer Beals.
Reginald VelJohnson said "bye bye bye" Tuesday night to "Dancing with the Stars."
Derek Hough (sporting his own metal-do) offered up another dance lesson (or, as we call it, filler) and moved closer to assuming the Len Goodman seat as the “one, true expert.”
Now that Roberts and VelJohnson aren’t around, we won’t hear those “you’re really trying” critiques from the judges. NBA star Dwight Howard was better Tuesday than he was Monday but he has a height disadvantage and should be given a break. He’s a good entertainer – and should stay a while.
Before Roberts heard his scores, he was very terse in his answers to Julianne Hough's questions. She asked if he was offering up a “nothing” moment (shades of Anna Delvey) but quickly pulled the conversation out of the fire.
Where this goes in the next week is anyone’s guess but we’re still on team Joey. Monday we learned he had cheering experience; Tuesday, he revealed he had been a drummer. If he pulls out the tap dance shoes next week, we’ll know he’s a ringer.
