It was a night of backflips and surprises on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Monday, in the first of two competitions, “Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei made a move that impressed the judges and put him at the top of the leader board. A jive (complete with one of those backflips) showed he has the most musicality of the contestants and a real way with charming the audience. He got a 34 and clearly made “Soul Train Night” his date for destiny.
The only one to best him was Chandler Kinney who did Run-DMC proud with a cha cha that included a lesson from “Soul Train” dancer Reggie Thornton. It got a 36, but Kinney has been a consistent leader since the season began. She’s likely in the finals but she also has a smaller learning curve.
Also making a move: “Bachelorette” Jenn Tran, who earned a 31 for an elegant waltz. She took the judges’ advice to heart and they were quick to point out she learned something from them.
Those who didn’t got those hollow compliments and praise for just getting out on the floor.
In other words, that was what greeted Reginald VelJohnson and Eric Roberts, two who are likely to go home after Tuesday’s "Metal Night." VelJohnson hugged the bottom of the list with a 21; Roberts got a 24.
Thirties went to Phaedra Parks, Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik and Danny Amendola. Brooks Nader got a 28, which was close, but she and her partner Gleb Savchenko, were visibly miffed, probably because they’ve been feeding the “showmance” rumors when they’re not on the show.
Basketball superstar Dwight Howard, who’s usually game for something like “Soul Train Night,” wore a Lord Farquaad wing and stumbled throughout his “what was it?” dance. Because he’s so tall, it is always a challenge to partner Daniella Karagach, but this was a complete flop.
Like “Oscar Night,” Monday’s theme started out strong – with “Soul Train” dancers in the audience and Popin’ Pete on the floor – but then it waned and included numbers that would seem out of place on "American Bandstand." Because "Soul Train" had its own vibe, “Dancing” producers should have let everyone do a freestyle and avoid shoehorning ballroom into soul.
Early on, the judges (including guest judge Rosie Perez) fell over themselves trying to praise the so-so dancers. Words like “wonderful” and “fantastic” spilled out. Parks got a 30 largely because her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, pulled her tight throughout.
Maher got one of those generous 30s, but she has a desire to improve every week. She has personality plus but there’s something so effortless about Graziadei that he bears watching. He admitted he was a cheerleader in high school, but it wasn't a “serious” position. Still, it gave him the confidence to step out on “Soul Train” night.
Look for the two senior citizens to exit after Metal Night. If they’re saved, Howard or Nader could be packing those dancing shoes.
