If Kids and Animals tug at your heartstrings in an almost unfair way... Dancing and Disney should take a close second.
The ABC team at Dancing with the Stars pulled out all the stops in showcasing the fantastic music from their parent company, Disney. This was, by far, one of the most impressive displays of production in the show's history, and created entertainment that Walt Disney himself would have been proud to watch.
Things are really heating up in this competition. The expected eliminations are gone, some close calls are coming up next, and before you know it - some of the favorites will be saying goodbye.
Here are our predictions moving forward.
Week 4 Dance: Foxtrot
There was no beast sighting in this Foxtrot whatsoever. That is, unless the Beast is a smooth operator, with the guns of Gaston, and all the momentum of an NFL running back with great blocking.
Moving Forward
Jennings continues his climb through Season 24, and now seems to be the leading male celebrity on the show. He has demonstrated an unwavering willingness to make himself open to the learning process, and vulnerable with his performances.
Prediction: Jennings may be, quite literally, the last man standing in Season 24.
"An NFL Running Back has to be patient. They look for an opening in the defense, they push, get knocked back, and hit the reset button and repeat the process. If all goes well, they find their opening, and break through... Rashad Jennings has broken through."
Week 4 Dance: Jazz
There was nothing wooden about this routine. Viall showed a great deal of precision work in this fun, but demanding, Jazz routine. Unfortunately, Viall possesses all of the physical tools to shine in his performances, but seems to be stuck in "overthinking mode". We refer to that as the Conscious Use Stage. It's the point where you need to trust your muscle memory, let go of
Moving Forward
This is the week that could determine where he goes next in the competition. There is no more low hanging fruit, and he's got to show even more growth going into week 5.
Prediction: He may be the one going home next week, but it's not for a lack of effort.
"Sure, he still is struggling a bit with his posture, but technique for male dancers has a tendency to work from the floor upwards, and we are seeing the positive results of his training from week to week. "
Erika Jayne & Gleb
Week 4 Dance: Waltz
Result: Eliminated
We called her performance in week 4 "forgettable", and avoiding the temptation to call her week 5 routine to the song "Unforgettable" equally forgettable, the second half of her Waltz routine showed some promise.
The Waltz presented a real opportunity for Gleb to utilize Jayne's long legs for something other than a leg lift or the splits - you know, like sweeping across the dance floor. Unfortunately, with the volume turned off, you'd never know she was dancing a Waltz until the last 20 seconds of her routine. All in all, that didn't make her routine "Unforgettable", like the song says, but it was "somewhat memorable", which ain't bad considering her week 4 performance.
Moving Forward
Erika Jayne was eliminated in Week 5. It would be easy to pin this result on the talents of the other celebrities, but that isn't why she's going home. As much as Jayne is a big hit on reality television, she never seemed to make herself vulnerable, to connect with the audience, or display anything that resembled concern for her result. Even if she'd been the most talented dancer on the show, no one likes to watch a joyless expert... and she was no expert.
"Jayne has a great look, and a great music career, but just like a hit single can compensate for a lackluster album, Jayne hasn't shown much more depth beyond her great figure, and daring attitude."
Week 4 Dance: Jazz
In week 4, Normani showed her vocal ability by singing part of her Rumba. In week 5, the Jazz routine by Heather Morris seemed like an equally exclusive advantage. She danced as if she was singing the song, in the movie, and looked like she had personally choreographed her own number. It was an exceptional performance.
Moving Forward
While the top female on DWTS 24 could be up for debate, there's no doubt that Heather Morris is part of that conversation.
Prediction: She's hitting her stride at just the right point in the season, and should be safe until the final weeks of the show.
"Speaking of favorites, Morris should be considered neck and neck with the best of the other ladies in this talented class of female celebs."
Week 4 Dance: Tango
While there may not have been obvious leaps and bounds of improvement, Bonner Bolton took some major strides in his dance growth over the last week. His frame, posture, and picture lines moved up another notch. Now he just needs to smile and relax.
Moving Forward
Physically speaking, the guy just came from a sport where an animal bred to be difficult to read is going to guide the rider's movements. In ballroom dancing, however, Bonner is the animal. His movements need to be less tentative and polite, more direct and powerful - you know, like an animal?
Prediction: As popular as he is with the fans, with competitors like Mr. T and Erika Jayne gone, Bolton is going to have a tough time in comparison to Biles, Jennings, and Kordei.
"Dance wise, you can see there was an incredible amount of attention on Bonner's posture and picture lines. His dance foundation is getting stronger, and each week seems to reinforce the previous one."
Week 4 Dance: Paso Doble
Speaking of direct, bold, and powerful movement... Normani and Val absolutely attacked their Mulan themed Paso Doble, and turned, what could have been a safe and cute Disney routine, into something quite the opposite.
Moving Forward
Normani is motivated and it shows. There's a point in anyone's Dance Journey when things start to click, and the student starts to see themselves as a dancer, not just someone taking dance lessons. Normani is there, but with fire in her belly and daggers in her eyes.
Prediction: She's got her eyes on the Mirrorball trophy, and there may be nothing that can stop her from getting it.
"Normani and Val are creating some legitimate separation, and are clearly poised for a run at the trophy."
David Ross & Lindsay
Week 4 Dance: Jive
This Jive was lively, energetic, fun, and not too serious - which is precisely the point of this dance. David and Lindsey may not have had the moment of the night, but they delivered a solid performance in a dance that could have easily exposed weak areas in Ross' dancing so far.
Moving Forward
Ross has done enough to secure a solid run through this season of DWTS, but to be a serious contender, Ross will need to show a refined and sophisticated side. He's like a Light Beer - It's perfect for a ballgame, but not what you'd serve at a fancy dinner. Here's hoping we see David Ross, the Cabernet, at some point in the near future.
Prediction: He's safe for now, fun to watch, but will need to push the envelope further to edge out Jennings and company.
"His dance improvement has been steady and consistent, and Ross is reaching Steph Curry levels of likability."
Week 4 Dance: Jazz
A Jazz routine can blend a variety of dances into one performance, and this performance seemed to feature all the greatest moments from Kerrigan's routines so far. There was great body rhythm from her Samba, and smooth, joyful movement similar to her Foxtrot. She looks poised, lively, and is dancing without fear.
Moving Forward
We may just be scratching the surface with Kerrigan, the ballroom dancer. Her movement and technique are allowing some of her best qualities from ice skating to rise to the surface.
Prediction: She may have started slow, but at this pace of improvement, Kerrigan could unseat some early favorites.
"Nancy Kerrigan is the surprise performer of the season. Just when it seemed like she'd blend in with the rest of the field, or succumb to younger and more athletic celebrities, she's stepped up."
Week 4 Dance: Contemporary
Aside from the fact that this is the 25th most trending video on YouTube at the time of this publication, or that Auli’i Cravalho, the voice of Moana, sang "How Far I’ll Go" live for this performance - Simone and Sasha delivered one of the best performances of the season.
Biles had the look of a dancer free from burden, unlocked, tuned in, and connecting to each lyric of the song. Sasha demonstrated incredible skill, not just in dancing this piece, but doing it in a way to be the frame to Simone's picture.
Aside from a touching, and fatherly, kiss on the forehead, this routine could have used a few less leg kicks, and a few more beautifully executed basics to demonstrate more Waltz dance skill than just athleticism.
Nevertheless, Biles paid a wonderful tribute to her father, and she delivered a performance that many would feel too emotionally overwhelmed to complete.
Moving Forward
Sasha has done a masterful job of developing and showcasing Simone's softer movements, and not over-indulging on her strength and flexibility.
"It's time for Simone and Sasha to level up the dance technique, pure and simple. Otherwise, the pair run the risk of "gymnast voter fatigue" that could be residuals from Laurie Hernandez in Season 23."
Things are now moving into a stage where every week until the finals, someone who is a fan favorite will be going home. This is just a great reminder of how challenging a show like this is. Where a typical social dance program will take people through a carefully constructed step by step process through the learning process, Dancing with the Stars is like tuning up a car during a high speed chase down the interstate.
Each and every celebrity has made progress, and regardless of placements moving forward, they've all shown their best efforts and growth.
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