Home
Tom was in top form tonight, referring to Mel and Maks as ''my favorite M&Ms'' and acting warm and fatherly with Mama Samantha regarding all the ''kids'' who had returned. (From college? War? Nope, just a tired-out tango called ''trying to remain relevant in Hollywood.'') I particularly loved Tom's nod to Vivica A. Fox's run on Curb Your Enthusiasm, because it was truly hilarious — and, I hope, not over. Tom could've said anything to Kenny Mayne, and Mr. DanceCenter would have responded with ''Certainly a more comprehensive answer can be found in my new book.'' The MVP of all the returning celebs, though, had to be Lisa Rinna, for not letting us down in terms of our expectation that she'd be as ''Lisa Rinna'' as possible. When she said, ''We all know, I'm a freak of this thing'' (''this thing'' meaning Dancing With the Stars), I just wanted to hug her. Had I been in the actual ballroom, I probably would have just poked at her lips with a 10-foot pole instead, and then run away screaming. But I wasn't in the ballroom! So a hypothetical hug it is.
As for the evening's first hour, which showed the judges' top 10 dances to ever score a perfect 30, I thought it was fairly spot-on. Mario and Karina's tango at first seemed like a surprising choice for the best dance ever, but then I watched it for the first time since...well, since it happened, and that thing was damn good. The 30-second block of just their footwork practically hypnotized me into a sequins-loving trance. Mel and Maks' dominatrix-themed paso doble was an interesting choice for second place, seeing as their Viennese waltz could have been included instead, but I think the paso — specifically all that pleather — was more representative of their dynamic partnership. Not to mention, I got to hear the Harold Wheeler Ensemble change the lyrics of ''Free Your Mind'' from ''That doesn't mean that I'm out sellin' dope'' to ''That doesn't mean my life is without hope'' one more time. Worst TV-PG appropriation of En Vogue lyrics ever.
One common thread among the 10 best dances? The music didn't suck! Anyway, I could go over the whole list, but since you probably saw it too, you tell me: Did you think the judges left anything out? Did Kelly Monaco's freestyle belong in there? What about Helio's quickstep? I'd have rather seen Tia Carrere's season 2 waltz than either of those, myself.
There'll be no DWTS Talk this week, so I leave you with a virtual magic-wand wave and the very unsettling Sequins vs. Fringe tally of 39-37. Let's do this, fringe! Two weeks left!
What did you think about the elimination show? Are you happy with the four finalists? Are you like me and could you have watched a four-hour 100th-episode special of just M&M and A&J? And who do you think was really with Mario in the bottom two this week?
Write a recap, start a fan group, or challenge other fans on EW.com's TVFan
