Hate Watch: DWTS Dedication Night (aka Cry Night)
So, I’m a crier. And the implications of Dedication Night were perhaps not considered, because up til now, I simply never watched the series long enough to get to it. But, I don’t like being manipulated into tears by television shows, reality or otherwise, so I have no idea if this will increase or decrease my hatred (?) for this series. So far it’s leaning a little more 10 Things I Hate About You than I expected, and that’ll be especially true tonight, as my future self knows Julia Stiles will be doing a tribute to Heath Ledger and Tatyana Ali will be in tribute to James Avery. We’re doomed. Let’s see if they earn the tears with genuine thought and emotional maturity or just try to wrench ‘em out of you any way they can.
First off, let me interject in my own train of thought to say that Julianne either fired her stylist or made up with them, because she finally looks elegant and appropriate for the situation. I don’t usually hate on someone’s wardrobe much at all, but I swear someone just had it in for her, “elevated style” or no.
Kinda thought they’d mention why Val wasn’t there. Oh well. We all know. Returning champion judge Kymmy, interesting. Voting opens for people before anyone dances? Is that weird cuz it seems weird. Nevertheless, we persist.
Ezra-Contemporary - Bloodline (Mon Rovia)
Dedication to: Mom
First things first? His mom is famous? I didn’t know. I love that she didn’t hide him and she made sure he knew he belonged anywhere he went. That’s top tier momming. They’re certainly going for the tears here. But he’s really dancing. I’m loving the symbolism in the movement. She picks up his chin, and when she stands on the prosthetic. This one made me cry before I knew it. There’s so much skill and strength here, and no one can stop crying.
Kicking it off with Kym, who says he was “so good” and Bruno, who says that the dancing was great and calls Ezra a ‘real talent” and I agree. Carrie thanks Ezra’s mom. Sometimes I feel like I want her to critique more. Then again, sometimes it’s too much more.
They get 3 9’s and a 10, so they’re doing just fine.
Tatyana Ali - Viennese Waltz - “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am’ (Nancy Wilson)
Dedication to: James Avery
I am going to admit something right now. Where I thought he was relegated to the cheese dimension and probably hated it, I realize now that Alfonso is fine. Not just fine: Alfonso steals the show for me. He’s so genuine and nice and talented.
I think it’s cool that Tatyana Ali went the extra mile and sang the song. She’s a great singer, even if she did look like she started crying the moment she went out. But it was graceful and pretty and magical.
Bruno said she was “guided by angel wings” and glided. No one’s doing hardhitting critique this week, I see.
Carrie said she was honored to have the pleasure of the reunion here on the show. Derek made a joke about Alfonso, but then mentioned that Tatyana was the “most improved” and Kym actually did go for some light criticism calling her beautiful and lovely but noting she needed more rise and fall.
She gets straight 8s, and that’s …ok.
Maura Higgins -Pasa Doble - “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” (Dropkick Murphys)
Dedication to: Ireland
Go big or go home. Which I guess means dedicate the dance to an entire country full of people. I totally get it though. And while “illegal” for her fans to watch her back home, we’re sure they do. Meanwhile, they got Michael Flatley to weigh in on this? Haven’t thought about that guy in a while, but makes sense here, and they’re incorporating Irish step dance into this by sending a champion dancelord. Neat!
I’m not entirely sure what’ll happen when we Irish pasa doble, but I guess I’m into it. Shipping Up to Boston was a really odd choice but I love that song. They’re both aggressive enough to pull off a pasa even if it’s odd. I wish they’d incorporated the step dancer a little more, other than to just trot him out and let him do cool stuff. I’m glad she got into the step dancing too, even if that could’ve really been harmful to her chances because (and this is key) Irish step dancing is SO HARD.
Let’s see what the judges thought.
Derek mentions that she had nice attacks, mentions her shoulders, but says he was totally locked in from moment one, and on this part I agree. Bruno calls her a “storm in the Irish sea” and then warns her to be careful of her shoulder lines.
She ends up with 3 9’s and an 8 and if I’m being honest I’d rather have seen Tatyana with those marks because that dance felt like it was better executed.
Jackson - Quickstep - “L-O-V-E” (Nat King Cole)
Dedication to: his Mom
So Jackson Olson’s mom is a special ed teacher. And she seems super sweet. I love how vulnerable he was about being shy, though as he takes the stage I’m glad they’re still letting him cheese out, because he comes by it naturally. I do feel like he’s doing an exceptional job though, and I’m forgetting the cheese. He has great energy in this. His mom wasn’t in it much but that’s ok. Alfonso says he rocked it, and I think he actually might have!
Throwing to the judges, Derek says it was a great quickstep and he was doing great travelling, but cautions him to maintain the frame. Kym says he’s the ultimate showman, and yeah, like I said, that part comes naturally. Bruno, similarly, says he’s at his charming best, notes his theatrical touches and how they’re actually appropriate for quickstep, and says he’s expressing himself better than ever. See? He can be nice and still give good criticism. I love Bruno. Carrie notes that his confidence is expanding and calls it “top notch performing.”
He gets 8s across the board. Ok.
Amber Glenn - Contemporary - “Breathe Me” (Sia)
Dedication To: Her sister
Now you might think Amber was close to her sister growing up, but according to the intro package, she wasn’t. She spent all her time skating and in home school while her sister did “normal” things. By 11 though, Amber was burned out, and unhealthy in her habits with her sport. She developed an eating disorder, and needed help.
Enter her sister, who was there for her in the hospital and beyond, and who she credits with still being here. That’s heavy, and this is going to be emotional. Pasha, who choreographed this, is putting himself in the role of her mental health issues. I love contemporary because it’s so expressive, but I don’t think I’ll live through this and it hasn’t even started yet.
And she is SO GOOD AT CONTEMPORARY. I should’ve guessed. It seems close to how skating can be. This was a great routine, the choreo was incredible, and this transcended the show to being an all time favorite tv dance performance. And yes, cried like a little child.
To the judges:
Kym said it was so “athletic and emotional” and while I normally think athletic is something that’s part of her all I saw was emotion and grace here, and that’s good. Bruno says the structure and dramatic tension was incredible and thanks Pasha, because you really did this thing. Carrie thanks her for tackling an important topic and using her platform and that’s worth doing. She praises her precision and raw, powerful vulnerability. This is a thorough and great criticism. Derek is touched, and says it was really powerful. He reminds people to seek help if they need it, before simply calling it an “incredible” dance. I think his lack of specificity means it was amazing.
An aside: Amber looks JUST LIKE her mom.
Scores? Split 9s and 10s, and I mean…yeah.
We ruin that to announce that Pasha is the sexiest Dancing With the Stars pro. Ok, whatever. He gets a sash, because of course he does. Alfonso heartily notes that Pasha is “one sexy man” and I appreciate when game knows game. Meanwhile, Amber keeps breaking the show, and I hate to admit it.
Jenna - Viennese Waltz - “Unchained Melody” (The Righteous Brothers)
Dedicated to: Her mother
Who killed a wookiee for that couch?Rude.
In this intro, we find out that Nancy sacrificed a lot for her daughter, and see her interacting with her mom straightaway. They’re so good to each other. As the dance opens, they mouth “I love you” to each other and it’s not canned or scripted. It’s just a mom and her daughter. And it’s really nice. I’m a softie.
Her lines here are so good. She’s so light and graceful. I hope they mark her properly. I love that Alan gets a kiss here. There’s also an INCREDIBLE spin at the end of the dance. I thought her carriage was wonderful and her lines looked great, and I loved that last little run back to her mom.
Alfonso loved it and I agree. Also, the cast of The Rookie is here, including a personal fave, Nathan Fillion. Now, to the judging!
Bruno loves when she gets lyrical and says she never lost the frame. He also says she’s exquisite. Carrie says that this dance was the ultimate breakthrough, but I thought she already done broke through. She says that she was free, light, and her mom must be proud. Derek says she was gentle, graceful and gorgeous, and is a class act who is “pure light, love and joy” and that she was “effortless and fantastic” and it is RIGGED if they don’t score her right here.
Kym says something that should’ve ought’ve been said and that’s that she does everything Fred Astaire did in heels and backwards. I love that quote and it’s giving her her flowers. RIGHT? “You had the biggest expectations and you exceeded it.” RIGHT?
She gets one ten and 3 9’s. I think another ten was due, but I’m not flipping a table
Harry - Foxtrot - “Stop this Train” (John Mayer)
Dedication to: his Wife. Take notes. This is the way.
Harry talked a lot about how he has been together with his wife for 20 years and at the same time about growing up as the child of immigrants struggling to give him what he had. He talked a lot about the pressures, and credited his wife with teaching him how to live and find the fun, and thought that this dance would be the perfect way to give her her flowers. No one’s fighting you on that one, man.
And she’s adorable and fun, and he REALLY loves her. You can see it. I’m crying from the intro. I have problems. His parents are here too,a nd start off the dance. I have concerns because it’s a hard dance but he’s up to it. HIS DAUGHTER IS IN IT? Oh stop it. This is killing me.
Anyway, judges?
Carrie thanks him for the Asian American representation, and Derek tags on to that that this is what DWTS is all about - do what you love with people you love. He mentions his control and how he was skating like he was on glass. Kym says all 3 generations being present was beautiful, and yes. Bruno says he had it, he proved it. He praises him for being smooth and fluid, and mentions a Balanchine moment in the choreo.
9s across the board, and I think that makes sense here.
Connor and Rylee- Viennese Waltz - “Piano Man” (Billy Joel)
Dedicated to: his dad
The story here really hit me. He basically said his dad went through cancer like nothing hurt or was scary, and still kept being his dad, and you can see the love and admiration for his strength. His dad takes the whole thing like a dad. Awkward, but appreciative.
I wasn’t sure how they’d have him participate but I love that he just swung out on the floor. Connor, meanwhile, has a weight and seriousness to him and I think it’s to emulate his dad. I like this moment for him. He’s got more innate confidence.
I like this. He is doing better. It’s gonna be hard to see almost anyone go at this point. This is how it’s supposed to be.
8 8 8 8. It’ll do.
Tyler Cameron - Contemporary - “Supermarket Flowers” (Ed Sheeran)
Dedication to: mothers everywhere - but actually, to his mom, who died of an aneurysm, and to his wife, Tate.
Tyler's mom died suddenly and it was horrible for him, and his wife was the light there. He talks about how he wanted to tell his mom all about her and how she saved him. I really, really get that, as someone who never got to tell my dad about my husband, and I’m feeling like if he goes on this one, which there’s a real risk of, I would feel like this was mean. I also am really invested in this because it hits home for me.
He does beautifully and manages to tell the whole story through the choreo from his pro, Sharna - who did an amazing job, and it turns into a baby announcement. A real, absolute on the show baby announcement. I shouldn’t be on board for this but it’s so cool to turn something so sad into something so happy.
They’re doing a gender reveal for them on the show right now. And it’s a girl.
Up in the booth after, Julianne asks how Tate is feeling about this and she’s sobbing and just says “I don’t know” and that’s the realest this moment could get, because how are you supposed to act on cry night at DWTS when you announced your baby to the whole world and found out it’s a girl but now we critique your husband’s dance? Tell me.
Kym says he’s an incredible dancer. Honestly, Sharna did this, and she did it well. Bruno loved that it turned into a celebration of new life, and so did I. Carrie says that the dancer has come out, and I feel like she’s right. She mentions a potential third dancer. But she also says he opened his expression and his heart. Derek has mostly lost his damn mind because he’s so full of emotion about being a girl dad, since he’s one too.
Alfonso congratulates him as a fellow “girl dad”
And WHIPLASH, because we cut Immediately to a Cat in the Hat promo in dance form. Did i hate it? No. I actually really like it. More people should do Dr Seuss dances. But do I hate it? Also yes.
Also CATastrophe? Come on. At least go with CATaclysm. They spent so much money and time on this.
Julia Stiles - Contemporary - “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Frankie Valli)
Dedication to: Heath Ledger
They keep calling her a “movie star” and I get it, she is, but like, everyone’s a celebrity and I feel like it’s singling her out in a weird way that’s not great for anyone.
In her intro, Julia talks a lot about how much Heath taught her - she was young and new to acting, and she mentions how much lust for life Heath had, especially in the football field. She’s trying to channel the spark that he had, and mentions that she was genuinely that charmed by the football field scene and that’s why she seemed so genuine in it. She’s giving herself a lot to live up to and on top of the emotions, she’s a lot in her head. I hope you do this thing, girl!
She’s immediately crying and I get it. The whole cast is there too, and that’s really awesome. But what’s truly awesome is that she breaks out of her shell and she seems like she’s really, truly full of joy and emotion in a good way here. Her dance is really, really good, and when she breaks out in to the “football scene” of it all, it’s really something. It’s sunshine in a way she just hasn’t been able to reach until now.
Bruno says it’s a wonderful tribute to outstanding talent from an equally talented performer. I agree. Carrie says contemporary is about expression and that this was healing and such a good tribute. She mentions that she was proud of her because she came in so shy and scared, and Julia genuinely looked happy. Derek says that this performance will last forever, and says it was full of joy, fun and emotion, and I agree. Kym says it was well done, and a gorgeous dedication.
Up in the booth Julia asks what heath meant to her, and she says he brought out the light. That’s something that he continued to do tonight, and that means this was perfect. He was the leader of the pack, and always about play.
She gets straight 9s, and maybe I wanted a ten for her but I’m ok with where we are.
Next Tuesday we’ve got Horror Night. Ok. That’ll be interesting.
Shirley Ballas is the judge for horror night, and she’s Mark Ballas’ mom and part of a training duo that’s feared and revered, according to the nerdy DWTS research I’ve been doing sometimes to get more lore.
We go all the way through scores only to find out no one gets eliminated. That’s the best outcome because this meant too much, so I’m on board if a little miffed. That means two couples go home next week though. Spooooooky. Well, we lived through this. Let’s hit Hates and Greats!
Hates:
I am not a fan of the random other junk. By this I mean, 30 second interstitial dances, going from real emotion to the Cat in the Hat promos, and all the “People Magazine’s sexiest pro” type stuff. I get that this is like, flagship entertainment for the network, but it turns me off.
Dance style mayhem: I kinda wish everyone did the same style as each other each week so someone didn’t get foxtrot week one, for fairness. Apples to apples and all that. And often there’s several of the same, so why not make it uniform.
Greats:
Dedication night is special. I love that they get loved ones involved.
Alfonso remains a reason I love this show. I think he’s genuine, funny, and just the right amount of cheesy.
On to horror week!
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