(DWTS logo from wdtvpress.com)
Each week, Watermark writer Kirk Hartlage provides a recap of the latest episode of “Dancing With The Stars.” If you missed last week’s recap, go here.
It’s television’s most meta night of the year! It’s Disney night on “Dancing With The Stars!”
Once a season the show plays its part in the Disney juggernaut of entertainment, paying homage to, well, itself … or at least its brothers and sisters from the company’s massive catalog.
Among the expected classics (“Cinderella,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Little Mermaid”), are also some surprises (“Newsies,” “Up,” and the recently released live action take on “Mulan”).
The show kicks off with a very unexpected tribute to the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” the popular nighttime Disney theme park cavalcade. It’s an interesting choice because, thanks to the pandemic, California’s Disneyland is still closed, and Florida’s theme parks aren’t open late enough to warrant running an evening show. And though we’ve come to lower our expectations for all types of entertainment these days thanks to the pandemic, it’s still sad to see this iconic parade “honored” by a single solitary float meandering its way across the dance floor.
For all the cross-promoting that goes on under the Disney umbrella – hell, even “The View” has done live shows from the company’s theme parks – it’s surprising the Mouse House hasn’t capitalized more on the phenomenon that is “DWTS.” No one engages in corporate synergy quite like The Walt Disney Company: Fictional characters on ABC sitcoms take trips to Disney theme parks; the dolls your niece wants for Christmas are child-sized plush re-creations from their favorite Disney animated feature; and, television’s top new drama is based on storylines from a decades-old science fiction movie franchise, now owned by Disney. Plus, it’s only available on the company’s very own self-titled streaming service.
For all the love “DWTS” gives to its corporate family members, you’d expect some in return. My hope is for a theme park show centered around the ballroom franchise. “American Idol” once had its own Disney’s Hollywood Studios show: why not “DWTS?” Frankly, the whole idea of having paying theme park guests be the entertainment for themselves is not only a brilliant move of budget-saving genius, it’s shocking the practice isn’t done more often.
Also shocking, as far as tonight goes, is that Tyra appears in just one very high-waisted ballgown, inspired by Minnie Mouse, complete with Mouse ears atop her head, for the duration of the show – no costume changes! Perhaps as her own homage to former host Tom Bergeron – no stranger to “dad jokes” – Tyra’s goal tonight is to not let a single bad pun opportunity pass by her. As she’s introducing the Electrical Parade kickoff, Tyra says she could not be more “lit,” though we’re not completely sure she doesn’t mean that she’s a little drunk.
Typically, Disney Night on “DWTS” includes pre-taped segments of the dancers and stars frolicking their way through Disneyland. Not tonight. But just because the parks are closed doesn’t mean the costume staff can’t raid through The Mad Hatter millinery and dress everyone up in a variety of Mickey Mouse ears and other character-themed headgear.
On with the show!
· Spending nearly a third of her life on the Disney Channel, it stands to reason Skai Jackson would kick off tonight’s show. Her jive with Alan Bersten, themed to “The Princess And The Frog,” keeps her in the middle of the pack.
· Those judges have also embraced Disney Night. Carrie Ann Inaba is a head-to-toe pink princess, Derek Hough is a regal prince, complete with sash, and Bruno Tonioli wears … well, despite the presence of Tyra, Carrie Ann and Johnny Weir, Bruno knows he’s the true queen of the ballroom, so a “simple” glittery silver jacket will do.
· “Cheer” coach Monica Aldama and Val Chmerkovskiy dance a Viennese waltz to “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid.” An improvement over previous performances, it’s filled with proper content and scored as such.
· “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from “Mary Poppins” provides the soundtrack for Justina Machado and Sasha Farber. Unfortunately, their Charleston doesn’t quite match the energy levels seen in her previous dances. Derek attempts to explain some of the ballroom dance’s nuances, so Tyra “interprets” by referencing 1990’s duo Kid ‘n Play and their signature Charleston-inspired Kickstep new jack swing dance move. Looks like someone’s been doing her homework!
· AJ McClean is Aladdin and Cheryl Burke is Princess Jasmine for a “Prince Ali” quick step. In his post-dance interview, the Backstreet Boy is asked what he’d wish for were the Genie there in the ballroom. Rather than request for an end to the pandemic, AJ hopes for very high scores for his performance. His pleas go unanswered.
· Though committed to the role, Anne Heche and Keo Motsepe start off well enough, but seemingly lose their way during a quick step to “Zero to Hero” from “Hercules.” Her scores land her near the bottom of the pack.
· An “aged” Jeannie Mai and Brandon Armstrong perform a Viennese Waltz to “Married Life” from “Up.” It’s a fun and beautiful homage to the movie, despite the song being from the most heart-wrenching opening to an animated movie ever. Thankfully, tonight’s version does not include the on-stage death of Jeannie’s character.
· Rapper Nelly and partner Daniella Karagach advertise the upcoming Disney/Pixar film “Soul” with a fox trot from the movie’s soundtrack. We learn the animated feature is about – spoiler alert! – following your dreams, and Disney hopes to release the film to theaters on November 20.
· Even Tyra acknowledges that “everyone knew you’d dance to ‘The Lion King’,” while interviewing Carole Baskin after her attempt at a Samba to “The Circle of Life.” In her defense, the song’s rhythms are more suited to a Contemporary interpretation, or perhaps a rumba, and not the more syncopated samba.
· This season’s token “Bachelor”/”Bachelorette” franchise representative Kaitlyn Bristowe turns in another beautiful performance with Artem Chigvintsev. Her “Moana”-themed rumba properly encapsulates the fluidity and flow of both the dance and the movie.
· Footballer Vernon Davis was excited to play the Beast when he first learned he’d be representing “Beauty and The Beast.” He was then dismayed when partner Peta Murgatroyd informed him he’ll be dancing as the candelabra. Their quick step to “Be Our Guest” starts off slow, but soon picks up, adequately capturing the spirit of the song and character.
· Performing to “Pirates of The Caribbean” is, no, not Johnny Weir as expected, but “Catfish” host Nev Schulman. Thankfully, the reality show host took pictures and videos during his family vacation to Disneyland last year, as it’s the night’s sole opportunity to showcase a performer in a theme park. His Argentine tango with Jenna Johnson contains a proper balance of camp and performance to earn high marks from Bruno.
· Johnny Weir bends more than genders during his rumba themed to “Mulan.” (The live-action remake, now available for an additional fee on Disney-plus, and not the animated original.) While watching Johnny camp it up ala Jack Sparrow would have been entertaining, his performance to “Reflections” by Christina Aguilera makes just as much, if not more, sense. The lateral tic-toc and rotational figure 8 hip movements required in a proper rumba are unmissable and flawless.
· Jessie Metcalfe and Sharna Burgess feature “Newsies” in their dance. Considering it was a jive to a Broadway number, the performance feels like it should have been “bigger.”
· If there was ever a star to portray a Disney princess, it’s Chrishell Stause. She embodies the look, movements, and expressions of Cinderella perfectly in her show-closing waltz to “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” with Gleb Savchenko.
· Like many of the dancers, Tyra’s performance this week has also improved. The elimination of one performer last week makes for plenty of available time this week for thorough and non-rushed comments from the judges, as Tyra only had to say “Hurry” once.
Following a quick shout-out to the re-opened Walt Disney World, Tyra announces to the shock of no one that Anne Heche and Carole Baskin are in the bottom two. Anne is saved in a unanimous 3-0 vote.
It’s sad really, because you know had she stuck around, Carole’s cat-themed performances would have eventually included a dance to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP.”
Tune in next Monday at 8 pm EST on ABC or check back here the following day to see what you missed!
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