When Paula Abdul emerges as the “serious” judge you know there has been a sea change. And that was “Dancing with the Stars” Tuesday night.
Guesting on Music Video Night, the veteran choreographer and performer had the most salient comments and the most encouraging criticism. She blew the other three away and, honestly, should be considered for a chair if a fourth is ever added.
What made Abdul’s participation so valuable was her experience – she was a part of many of the early music videos and helped guide Janet Jackson to icon status.
While others were willing to criticize moves that resulted from nerves, Abdul pointed out how the rest of the work fit nicely in the bigger picture. A 10 for Paula? Oh, yeah.
While she didn’t play the “old” card, Barry Williams did, grousing about his inability to do something new because he didn’t want to hurt his team (Team 4 Everybody). He also tried to explain away his oh-so-slow quickstep in the individual dances. He offered up “I’m Still Standing,” but got the second-to-worst score (Harry Jowsey had the worst) of the night.
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The shocker? Lele Pons got booted, even though she was well in the upper middle ranks of the scores.
Jowsey, flush with those social media votes, wore a Justin Timberlake wig the whole night and had some good moves in the group number (which got the first perfect score of the season). He also got that Abdul support that should set him up for next week.
What’s clear now, past the halfway mark, is how the dances are designed to get high marks. Jazz, which is just as nebulous as contemporary, was performed by four of the contestants – four who stand to be in the finals: Xochitl Gomez, Jason Mraz, Charity Lawson and Jowsey.
Because she’s part of the Disney/Marvel world, Gomez appears to have an inside track. Lawson was part of the “Bachelor” franchise and could be a spoiler, but she has had several less-than-impressive weeks. Mraz was an early starter and did well with free-form dances but has been held back in recent weeks.
Those unpredictable judges fell over themselves trying to congratulate middle-of-the-packers on their ability to improve But those folks are just waiting to be picked off.
If there’s one who’s a threat, it’s Ariana Madix, the “Vanderpump Rules” star who got the highest individual score of the night. She did a fine cha cha (to Britney Spears’ “I’m A Slave 4 You”) and separated herself from the jazz pack. Watch her – she’s like to breeze past the others, particularly since the others have been dropping hints about injuries.
The week’s takeaway? Better judging would make it easier to understand who really is making strides. Straight up, Abdul cleared the path.