As with previous seasons, the early eliminations are rarely a surprise - Season 24 is no exception, but all that can change in a single week. So let's analyze who showed something extra, who is putting in a great effort, and who is officially on elimination watch.
Week 3 Dance: Foxtrot
Result: Extra!
One of the all time great songs for this style of dance, Normani and Val set the tone from the first moment of their performance. She ticked all the boxes of a great Foxtrot: Musicality, nice dance frame, jazzy, playful, and sassy in all the right places.
Normani and Val showed a sexy side to the Foxtrot without going overboard. Val has established Kordei's strengths, and put them on full array with this performance.
Next Week
While the public may have been up in arms to see another Olympic gymnast with unlimited strength and flexibility, Kordei is, without a doubt, the most dangerous competitor in the show.
Quote from Week 1
"Quick hitting, well rehearsed, and body aware. Normani has the physical capacity to make Val a back to back professional winner on the show."
- Chris Lynam "Dancing 24: Who Stood Out in Week 1?"
Week 3 Dance: Samba
Result: Effort (Surprise Elimination Watch)
Rashad has been the male front runner so far this season. He's charismatic, has great body awareness, and doesn't seem to lack at all in the confidence department. That being said, this Samba will be one he should consider doing over again if he has the chance.
The Salsa/Nightclub elements were right on, but the Samba elements were not fully cooked. Samba, in itself, is one of the most challenging dances, so this may just be an example of a new dancer going up against an old latin dance nemesis.
Moving Forward
Rashad and Emma have to continue to push. Any coasting at this stage in the competition could be dangerous. Jennings could easily be in the final 5, or the first shocking elimination on the show. Here's hoping they push the dance technique further and rely less on charisma and confidence.
Quote from Week 1
"Rashad has a real shot at being the top male competitor this season. He's motivated (the term "Free Agent" means that he doesn't have a contract), he's got charisma, and he's got excellent body awareness."
Chris Lynam - "Dancing 24: Who Stood Out in Week 1?"
Erika Jayne & Gleb
Week 3 Dance: Jive
Result: Elimination Watch
Jive is a test of stamina. With legs pumping to fast music, the frenetic pace of the dance sets up "character moments". Where the action stops, the dancers hit a pose, and then jump right back into the leg pumping action.
Erika and Gleb's Jive was all stall, and little action. Hitting a "character moment" after plenty of action is like a well earned water break after a lot of physical exertion. Unfortunately, this Jive looked like a series of water breaks.
Moving Forward
While Jayne is provocative and confident, Gleb seems to be stuck spinning his wheels with her. If things don't change next week, you can be that those wheels will not be the Lamborghini she promised him in exchange for the Mirrorball Trophy.
Week 2 Dance: Cha Cha
Result: Extra!
Wow. Double wow. Nancy Kerrigan could leave the show this week and be a total winner. This Samba not only redefined her chances of being a serious contender in Season 24, but this dance may have redefined the ice skating attack victim Kerrigan we all thought we had pegged.
Not only did she take on one of the most challenging Latin Dances on the show, but she did it with skill, control, and a fire in her eyes. Kudos to Nancy and Artem for their execution.
Moving Foward
Kerrigan has just (politely) elbowed her way past two or three others in the middle of the pack. It's only a matter of time where her dance body begins to catch up with her performer brain, and that may vault her into the top 4.
David Ross & Lindsay
Week 3 Dance: Jazz
Result: Extra!
David Ross is having a dream season. From dancing to Bust a Move, to the Magic Mike auditions in Week 3, Lindsay is turning something that could be terrifying to most guys into an incredible experience.
Lindsay has done a masterful job of mixing details with fun, and the result is one of a kind. While it would have been great to see David and Lindsay dance a bit more together, they took something in Jazz that can easily become to serious, and told a Vegas story.
Moving Forward
Secretly, Ross is competing, but with a grin on his face. Even without an incredible fanbase, people enjoy watching people who are enjoying what they are doing. Lindsay knows that, and that's why Ross is set for a long run on Season 24.
Quote from Week 2
"So don't let the fun fool you. Ross Busting a Move, bodyrolls and all, and finishing with a backspin is his way of moderating the stress, and understanding the strategy. His moves aren't subtle, but his attention to detail certainly is."
Week 3 Dance: Quickstep
Result: Extra!
In Elvis costumes, in front of a huge slot machine, and keeping a dance that sweeps across the floor locked on a stage for the first segment could have spelled disaster for Simone and Sasha.
But for being so close to the edge of something that looked more shtick than smooth, this pair delivered in a big way. Sasha seems to understand that the knock against Biles is that she's a gymnast in a ballroom dancers clothing, so he has made incredible strides in thoughtfully using her background, but not depending on it.
Her Quickstep showcased their work on long strides, great posture, and a dance frame that seemed unaffected by the speed of the dance or rotation.
Moving Forward
The more that Sasha can make America forget that Simone Biles is a gymnast, the better her chances are going to be. They did that in their Quickstep, and hopefully that trend emerges just like her dance technique.
Week 3 Dance: Tango
Result: Effort
Not just in the performance, but in the training leading up to their Tango, it should be known that Peta wasn't holding anything back on Nick. This was a Tango routine loaded with challenging changes of direction, mood, and footwork - and Mr. Viall did an outstanding job considering.
The soft, romantic, and Argentine Style of Tango can create a mood that is more intimate, while the American Style of Tango is more fierce and travels more. There were times when Nick needed more power and presentation in his American Style, instead of the Argentine, romantic style. To put it plainly - he had his head down a lot.
Moving Forward
While confidence doesn't seem to be lacking off of the dance floor for the former Bachelor, his greatest burden at the moment is his confidence on it. Peta is taking care of the details, and now he's just got to believe he's got them.
Mr T & Kym
Week 3 Dance: Foxtrot
Result: Elimination Watch
Based on his attitude and determination, Mr. T should go to the finals. Based on his dancing, he probably shouldn't.
So backup dancers with big feather boas can't cover up the fact that Mr. T is not the nimble action hero he once was. Nevertheless, T and Kym served up an appropriate Foxtrot that had enough show, but not at the expense of Mr. T being overly exposed.
Moving Forward
It's painful to even think about it, but Mr. T's time on the show will run out soon - but his time in our hearts will be eternal.
Week 3 Dance: Charleston
Result: Effort
There is a bit of trouble brewing that even Sharna, the backup dancers, and the camera angles can't completely cover - Timing. Yes, the strapping young lad with the bullriding belt has been a step slow at times, and faster dances, like the Charleston, can shine the spotlight on the problem.
Moving Forward
Fortunately, this kid's got spirit, a winner's attitude, and - who are we kidding anyway? - the dude's good looking, girls love him, and they don't care what his timing is as long as he's there every week. So they'll vote, he'll stay, and, hopefully, Sharna can work her magic so guys like Grumpy Goodman don't retire early.
Quote from Week 2
"While his dancing may never catch up with his good looks, with some consistent timing and footwork training Sharna may have another top guy in her stable."
Week 3 Dance: Tango
Result: Extra
The Beyonce backup dancer was paired with a DWTS backup, Alan Bersten, and both looked great together.
For a second straight week, Heather Morris performed with her Maks stunt double, Alan Bersten, and for the second straight week this pair delivered. Choosing to go with a, largely, traditional style Tango, over something more theatrical, was a smart move and showcased the improvement in ballroom dancing for Morris, rather than recycling any of her previous dance experience.
Moving Forward
Maks, or no Maks, Heather is an absolute powerhouse of a dancer. She's shown great versatility in her movement, and also in her learning. While continuing in the competition without Maks could have had a negative affect on her, you'd never know it based on how she carries herself. It says a lot about her character, and the fact that learning and executing is still her responsibility regardless of who is on the other side of the dance frame.
Quote from Week 2
"Morris is looking great moving forward with Maks, Alan, or Tom Bergeron, if necessary."
Week 3 Dance: Foxtrot
Result: Eliminated
All of the Cuchi Cuchi bullets have been used, and the jury is out on whether Charo can convince the public that she's more than just an exciting Latin dancer.
This was, easily, Charo's best dance so far in the competition. Yes, better than her Salsa, and much better than the Paso Doble that didn't seem to register with anyone but Charo. This Foxtrot was tastefully assembled, and Charo and Keo showed consistent Leading and Following in the choreography.
Moving Foward
Alas, this was the final Fiesta for the Queen of Cuchi-Cuchi. While we all may stop and wonder what kind of competitor she would have been had this been the Charo of the late 70's, we should all celebrate her journey. Charo is an accomplished woman who re-entered the national scene, and taught us that you can have fun, shake what your mama gave you, and be as mysterious about your age as you'd like.
Quote from Week 2
"She was living the dream, and unfortunately, Keo didn't want to wake her up from it. While she felt the music and expressed her body in the rhythm of her choosing, that didn't seem to match up well with the pre-rehearsed choreography."
Final Thought
The next two weeks, as early as this season seems to be, will be crucial. Competitors like Jayne, Mr. T, and even early favorite Rashad Jennings will need to push themselves to keep themselves relevant and in consideration for moving forward.
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