'Dancing With the Stars' results recap: Time to say goodbye to Sugar Ray Leonard
After two weeks of expected exits, the third elimination of this “Dancing With the Stars” season turned out to be one of “those nights,” where top scorers Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas were deemed “in jeopardy,” Bruno started a passionate relationship with his dress shirt and the lowest scorer wasn’t sent home.
All the sparkly paddle signs pointed to Kendra Wilkinson and Louis Van Amstel’s exit this week, what with her not-altogether-there routine (which she later attributed to hormones) and a mopey “whatever” attitude that left Louis Van Aspirational disappointed. Heck, it looked like she didn’t even do her hair for this results hour. So it was with more than two fuschia-bra cupfuls of surprise to discover that the former Girl Next Door wasn’t even in peril this week. Maybe her gangster-themed dance won the favor of the Mafia? Ostensibly, they are an untapped yet no doubt powerful bloc in the “DWTS” voting universe.
Instead, the star sent home in this fourth week of competition was...
...boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, along with his pro partner Anna Trebunskaya. At least their utterly charming "Nutcracker"-themed Viennese waltz ended them on a high note. That, and Sugar Ray blurting out “I love this show!” in a pure moment of ballroom bliss. Sure, he was no Mirrorball trophy contender, but the boxer was certainly on an upward trajectory, and I thought Sugar’s sports devotees would have kept him buoyant in the competition at least a little while longer. But Leonard held his head up high and took his elimination like the champ that he is. “That’s life,” he shrugged good-naturedly. “I put up a good fight, and I cherish this moment.” We cherish you, Sugar! Now go play back your routine on TiVo and cheer yourself on. Go Sugar! Go Sugar!
The rest of the results hour brought an end to Classical Week with a mix of random and classical filler. David Garrett came back with his disheveled locks and violin to open the show in a decidedly less traditional version of “Rock WalkThis Way,” accompanied by the “DWTS” Troupe.
Chelsea and Mark were chosen for the encore performance shortly after being told that they were still in jeopardy. Maybe it was the fire of peril under their magical garb, but I thought their Harry Potter-themed dance had more verve to it this time around.
Lt. Len Goodman taped a Patton-esque segment to motivate the ballroom troops for next week’s patriotic-themed event. The very British head judge conveyed his best tough-talking American military impersonation, growling that he wanted “no piss-poor performances” and “if you’re not puking, you’re not moving.” “The Olivier of spray tanning!” saluted Tom. Then the pros talked about how hard it was to keep the choreography fresh and the competition exciting for their stars and the viewers after nearly 1,000 dances.
Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson came out to perform “Don’t Look Down” and get the party started over by the celebraquarium. After getting the audience up and on their feet, she sashayed her newly slim figure down onto the dance floor in an itty bitty dress that gave accompanying pro Karina Smirnoff’s barely there fringe unitard a run for its money. Love how she and Louis went for the gusto with their performance. Great hairography from Karina. And there was another shower of confetti in the end! The show’s confetti budget must be astronomical this season. JHud came back to do a rendition of “Feeling Good” that showed off both her pipes and that 46-piece orchestra, as well as the considerable dancing talents of Damian Whitewood, Snejana Petrova and Ashleigh and Ryan DiLello (“So You Think You Can Dance” alert!).
The Macy’s Stars of Dance performance was a real treat. Of course, they were capitalizing on the Oscar and box-office success of “Black Swan,” but I absolutely loved this rendition of "Swan Lake" created especially for “DWTS” featuring sisters Lorena and Lorna Feijoo (San Francisco Ballet and Boston Ballet, respectively) and Jose Manuel Carreno (American Ballet Theatre). Love how the show has gotten so classy with the serious ballet pedigree, yet still maintains its fun-loving “DWTS” disposition with the audience cheering the dancers on. Hoity-toity and hoi polloi unite. Bravo to all!
Final thought of the night goes to Chris Jericho, who gave us all some perspective. “I wish my score was better,” the wrestler told Brooke, “but I wish the economy was better too.”
What did you think, ballroom fans? Did the right star leave this week? Will Bruno’s affair with his dress shirt continue, or will it be discarded with last week’s laundry? Will Kirstie have another mishap? How many more shout-outs can Romeo possibly squeeze into his interviews?
— Allyssa Lee
Related:
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Classically trained
‘Dancing With the Stars’ results recap: Boomboxed out
Complete ‘Dancing With the Stars’ coverage on Show Tracker
Top photo: Kym Johnson and Hines Ward. Bottom photo: Anna Trebunskaya and Sugar Ray Leonard. Photo credits: Adam Taylor / ABC
Sugah Ray never seemed comfortable on the show. He would have gone home next week if not last night.
Pretentious judge Bruno thinks he is bigger and better than the show. His antics are difficult to stomach. I would like to see all 3 stooge judges replaced.
Kendra and Petra are the likely next contestants to depart.
Posted by: DOUG | April 13, 2011 at 12:58 AM
I think Carrie Ann favors the male dancers--is she a little jealous of the women stars?
Posted by: andrea | April 13, 2011 at 07:22 AM
I usually think Bruno's shenanigans are pretty humorous, but this week he was pretty over the top, and Doug is right, hard to stomach. He needs to simmer down a little. I'm glad Kendra didn't get sent home (mostly because Louis is my favorite pro) but the girl does need an attitude adjustment if she wants to make it past next week.
Posted by: Jordan | April 13, 2011 at 07:24 AM
The opening song was "Walk This Way," not "Rock This Way."
Posted by: Mark | April 13, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Please send Kendra home next. She does not seem to be enjoying a moment of this, she has zero personality, and I was glad to see Louis call her out. When he's working his butt off for her, she should at least make some effort. I don't know why people like this even bother going on DWTS.
Posted by: lesliemd | April 13, 2011 at 09:48 AM
Kendra is very immature and needs to take some attitude lessons over dancing. She looks too much like Kate Gosselin and spoils the whole show.
Jennifer Hudson looked fantastic........
Posted by: Denise | April 13, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Bruno is funny. He supposed to be over the top. I think Carrie Anne is very fair. Lenny come off as cranky but he is a traditionalist and keeps true to the dance. Kendra has to go. Her actions showed a real lack of class and it's time to take out the trash. The "I don't care" remarks and her mock barfing over the music was just to much. Then Kendra's statement afterward about her and Carrie Anne having different views of what graceful is. I got news for you Kendra you graceful is what it is as well as class is what it it and you are lacking in both. Then Kendra blames everything on her period. Yup it is time to take out the trash.
Posted by: Steve | April 13, 2011 at 10:18 AM
I am glad Chris and Cheryl were not in the bottom this week. I really like these two and I hope they stick around for a while. But I was disappointed to see Chelsea and Mark in the bottom. That was crazy that they put them there since they did so well this week. On the other hand I am sad to see Sugar go it should have been Kendra. I know Sugar would have eventually went but it sucks he was eliminated before her. I had some high hopes for Kendra before the show started. I don't think she is a terrible dancer but her personality on this show makes me dislike her. She is an average dancer but her personality kills her. She needs to be more positive and uplifting.
Posted by: Bret | April 13, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Your writer forgot to add Lorena Feijoo as the third ballet star. Lorena is from San Francisco Ballet, her sister, Lorna is from the Boston Ballet, and the great Jose Manuel Carreno is with American Ballet Theater. He did the best dancing of the evening, hands, down. All three Cuban trained dancers that defected to the USA. Glad to see DWTS is getting some class along with the glitz. Room for all.
Posted by: John Clifford | April 13, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Thanks, John, for pointing out the error. The missing Feijoo sister has been reinstated.
Posted by: Allyssa Lee | April 13, 2011 at 12:47 PM