Dancing With the Stars – Motown week

The stars shook it to the tunes of my Detroit city this week on Dancing With the Stars. And believe me, you can’t grow up around the Metro area and not be an expert on the music of Motown. Besides our fantastic automotive industry, it’s what we’re most proud of, after all. (Oh and The Wings and The Tigers, but I digress.) Suffice it to say? I’m geared to start my engine and put the pedal to the metal concerning this episode …

Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, and The Temptations: kicked off the night and got us in the mood. They all looked and sounded fabulous. Bravo!

Gladys and Tristan: The Temps accompanied Gladys with their legendary hit “My Girl.” (How great was that?) But Gladys’ rumba was just aight for me. Kind of slow and boring. Len got booed for saying she’s not the best dancer. Um … really? Everyone is so sentimental when it comes to Gladys, that the judges are being extra soft on her. Especially Len, who waited until the end to backpedal and say that if he was at home, he’d be on the phone right then voting for her. C’mon! I’m sure she’s a nice person and all, but she can’t dance. Let’s just say it. Score of twenty-one.

Maria and Derek: Maria was in the top two last week, despite all of her broken and fractured lil ole bones. This time, we saw her and Derek fox trot to Martha Reeves singing “Jimmy Mack.” It was lighthearted yet full of style and excellent moves.  I gotta say though, that I prefer these two when they’re all steamy hot. Shrug. I guess you can’t have that every week. The judges liked them, pointing out some slight mistakes. Hell, with Maria’s dress that long, I missed them. Score of twenty-six. (Geez, Carrie Ann she slipped on her dress. Cut her some slack.)

Roshon and Chelsie: These two were lucky enough to do their rumba along with Smokey Robinson, which I’m certain was lost on Roshon because of his youth.  (Oh Smokey … you’re the only singer I can stand that does falsetto in my old age.)  And you know? I like Roshon. He makes it all look easy and fluid. I’m just not sure he has the fan base to sustain him much longer. Carrie Ann called him over-exaggerated and pointed out his foot left the ground. My, she was a might bit crabby tonight. Len said he was “jerky.”

Huh. Dammit, Jim! I’m a writer, not a dance instructor! Score of twenty-three.

Katherine and Mark: The Temptations were so solid with “I Can’t Get Next To You,” that I almost didn’t want Katherine and Mark to distract me. But I’m glad they did. Katherine is just amazing, and I’ve always been a fan of Mark’s choreography. The judges agreed with me. Score of twenty-nine. (Have a drink, Len!)

Donald and Peta: Donald fox trotted to “The Way You Do The Things You Do” with The Temps. (My Motown heart swelled yet again.) For such a big dude? Donald is graceful. And his hands are not all strange in extensions like a lot of the other guys. Darn that little slip up towards the end. And seeing Donald’s great reaction to Len’s positive comments were just fun to watch. He’s really been after getting Len’s approval. Score of twenty-seven.

Melissa and Maks: Maks was in fine form at rehearsal wasn’t he? Poor Melissa. She really isn’t “not learning quickly” on purpose. But this exacting teaching method is what you should expect as Maks’ partner. He does not fool around. Melissa seems to get that, and at least she’s not crying hysterically. Yet.

As far as their performance? Smokey was back (“Ooo Baby Baby.” Sigh!)  I think Melissa continues to improve week after week. I’m still on her side. The judges see stuff starting to happen as well. Good for her! Score of twenty-four.

At this point, I have to give kudos to Human Nature, who did a respectable job of covering the Motown tunes during the breaks.

Jaleel and Kym: Heheheh, he was in the bottom two last week. That made me happy. Sorry. If you’ve read my past reviews? You know I hold no love for this guy.

The Temps were back to help Jaleel through his cha cha with “Ain’t to Proud to Beg.” I just can’t look at Jaleel with any perspective. He was such an ass when I met him. And then he was rumored to be mean to Kym. Also, there are charges of girlfriend abuse circling. But the judges loved him and said “He’s back!” So, I guess he was good. I don’t know. Whatever. Score of twenty-nine.

William and Cheryl: Last week, William was in the top two with a hot dance. So no surprise, Cheryl went for more of the sexy factor. (Hey, if it ain’t broke — right?)

Smokey started it off singing “Being With You.” He sounded perfect. As far as the dance? Um … I think there should have been much more slow runs up and down each other’s bodies, don’t you? (Yes. That was sarcasm.) This guy is just sex on a stick with some dancing thrown in for good measure. Did you hear Bruno? He pretty much said what I just did. At least Carrie Ann called for more content next time. And Len echoed my sentiments as well. Score of twenty-seven.

Huh. Dammit Jim! Maybe I’m not just a writer but am becoming a dance instructor too!

Then! We got more Smokey performing his classic “Tears of a Clown!” Dang. The music in this episode has far and away been the best of the season.

The Group Cha Cha: The scores in this dance off will be added to each individual’s score. Gladys and Tristan were the first ones out, not surprisingly. They got three extra points. Maria and Derek went next, with four points added to their score. Then Roshon and Chelsie with five points. Melissa and Maks left, with six extra points. They were followed by Donald and Peta (seven points). Jaleel and Kym earned eight more points. William and Cheryl got nine. And the last couple dancing was Katherine and Mark, who won the dance off, and received ten extra points.

So the dance-off put Katherine two points ahead of Jaleel, knocking him out of the first place tie (HA!). As you well know, however, anything can happen once America’s votes are counted. Gladys should go. I’ve been saying it for weeks. But she won’t be leaving on Motown week. That would just be crazy. So? I’m fearing for Roshon.

All in all? I loved it that Tom Bergeron asked Smokey Robinson et al to come back every week. Yes indeedy. They did my city proud.

What did you think of Motown night? Who should cha cha out of the ballroom? Feel free to leave your choice in the comments section below!

“Couldn’t you have imagined back in 1959, that over 50 years later you’d be celebrating your music at a celebrity ballroom competition?” — Tom Bergeron to Barry Gordy

“William and Cheryl, Smokey Robinson, and a cold shower for Bruno.” — Tom after William’s rumba

“You two are wired for sex.” — Bruno to William and Cheryl
“Okay! Stop being an electrician.” — Tom, cutting Bruno off

Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Apr 24, 2012 @ 00:53 EST5EDT