Strictly Come Dancing Recap: Is this a joke?
No, seriously, that’s an honest question. Tebogo’s ridiculous scores, Jason Goliath, the elimination – it just all added up to a big WTF.
Tebogo giving Nkuli Tshirumbula’s performance her 2nd highest score of the night, a performance filled with two very clear errors, where she gave Leigh-Anne Williams’ very advanced and difficult choreography a six, it was just a little bit bonkers.
Then there’s Jason, the comedian, the clown, the jokester, who can’t dance for shit, but here he is, escaping the bottom 2 after a terrible drunk man’s dance. Nope, big daddy doesn’t have shit, Jason. Jason Goliath is singlehandedly making this show a joke, and the viewers voting for him, frankly, barely have the brains to judge a toddler dancing competition. It won’t end here. Several more equipped and talented dancers will get the boot for this joke to stay in this competition.
The elimination, too, was kind of a disappointment; with the judges opting to save a dancer they say has more natural ability, yet has never scored higher than the dancer eliminated. The judges chose to save a dancer who has not yet shown much improvement, over a dancer who has improved so much, a dancer who has no business improving so much.
But anyway, let’s get to it, I guess.
The first couple to take the stage was 5FM DJ Sureshnie Rider and her partner Obed, doing the cha-cha. This girl is improving. Her movement seems more fluid, and her body as a whole just looks stronger. There wasn’t a lot of hip action, but the improvement is there. Her personality, like usual, shone through. Michael said he was “all about the bass”, mentioned her improvement, but wants her to work on her legs and feet more. Sam also sees the improvement in her core strength, while Tebogo wants to see more dancing. Overall, pretty good. Judges score: 19/30 – a personal best.
Nkuli Tshirumbula and his partner Nombulelo were up next with the Viennese waltz. It looked graceful. They glided across the floor. His body looked great. Until he dipper her, lost his balance, and almost fell forward with Nombulelo in his arms. Few seconds later, another big slip-up. Another dance-off is what I saw coming, but nope. Tebogo gave it a seven! Michael thought it had too many mistakes for this stage of the competition, but Tebogo did not mind it. She likes the recovery. She gives dancing of a much higher quality a six, but what do I know? Judges score: 18/30
Queen Leigh-Anne Williams and her partner Johannes took to the floor next, dancing the season’s first sumba. They had a real dance competition theme, their couple number on their back, like a real professional dance pair. The choreography was advanced and really asked a lot of Leigh-Anne, and although not as great as normal, it was still a very good performance. Tebogo was disappointed with the quality, but doesn’t take into account that, in her own words, the dance “had everything”. Sam and Michael loved it, loved the real technical dancing, while Michael applauded their non-reliance on gimmicks. Judges score: 22/30
Stanton Fredericks and Erin followed with a Viennese waltz. It was solid. Really, Stanton is turning into a possible finalist. Just maybe. The judges agreed. Michael thought it was sticky in parts, but said it had flair and finesse, Tebogo thought it was solid, but not the best and Sam said he has the best arms of all the guys in the competition. Judges score: 20/30
Poor Gary Botha and his partner Jeanné attempted the cha-cha. Yup, I thought it would be a disaster too, but no, it was a lot of fun – great character and very strong lifts. Gary really brought it. “Smile, sparkle, shimmer, and shine” were Michael’s words. He thought Gary was growing into a dancer, and Sam loved his commitment and energy, as well as his focus and discipline. Tebogo told everyone to “Bring on the dancing!” but when Leigh-Anne did, she scored a six. Judges score: 20/30 – a personal best.
Afrikaans pop singer and eventual runner-up Karlien van Jaarsveld and partner Devon stunned with a Viennese waltz. It started with Karlien singing/lip-syncing to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” as Devon walked up to her. She stopped singing/lip-syncing and flowed into the dance – beautiful, elegant, and graceful – as they took the audience on a spiritual experience. They looked like possible winners. Man, can the finale not come already? The judges loved it. Michael said it best: “When you dance with the soul, your feet take control”. Judges score: 26/30 – now equalling Leigh-Anne’s best score thus far.
Jason Goliath and his partner Sammy gave dance a bad name with an awful sumba. The less said the better. Can’t dance. Just cannot. Stop. Voting. For. This. Dude. The judges said he broke every rule there is to break. Tebogo called it the “most enjoyable entertaining disaster”. Judges score: 13/30!!!
The last pair to take the stage was Pearl Modiade and her partner Grant, dancing the Viennese waltz. They flowed across the floor, and it was solid – adequate. Pearl, at the moment, just does not have the gracefulness that Leigh-Anne and Karlien have. Tebogo thinks for Pearl to do better, she needs to understand what the dance requires. Overall, they say an improvement. Michael gave them an eight. A little undeserved. Judges score: 19/30
Results in no particular order:
SAFE – Karlien van Jaarsveld and Devon
SAFE – Leigh-Anne Williams and Johannes
SAFE – Stanton Fredericks and Erin
First couple into the DANCE-OFF – Pearl Modiade and Grant
SAFE – Sureshnie Rider and Obed
SAFE – Nkuli Tshirumbula and Nombulelo
Which leaves Gary Botha and Jeann, and Jason Goliath and Sammy.
Jason and Sammy are SAFE which means that...
Gary Botha and Jeanné go into the DANCE-OFF against Peal and Grant.
I guess the judges thought Pearl had more to offer during the dance-off, but none of the season’s scores suggested that so far. Gary always had the one up on Pearl, and yet, the judges saw more in her.
Judges decisions:
Samantha saves Pearl and Grant.
Michael saves Pearl and Grant.
Gary Botha and Jeanné are eliminated from the competition.
So that’s it. Gary gets a red card and is kicked off the show. Again, I thought he showed us more of what he can do than Pearl did, he improved and the scores this season reflected that. Who’ll be the next to leave? What injustices will Jason Goliath and his fans deliver next week?
Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
