A “Dancing with the Stars” staple — the bait and switch — turned up on Monday’s “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.”
After sweating through two competitions, the dancers were told “nobody’s going home,” largely because Natalie Jolley was injured early on and couldn’t continue. Her “medical” dismissal cleared the way, even though Selena Hamilton and Tristen Sanders were called out as the worst of Team Paso and likely to go home.
Selena Hamilton and Tristen Sanders are shown speaking with host Robert Irwin on “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” July 27.
When they didn’t, they got another staple — the collapse into each other’s arms move.
The night was designed to see how well the dancers worked in a group. “DWTS” regular Britt Stewart was the guest judge and mentor. She ran them through their paces, and then Natalie got whacked in the eye. Deliberate? No one questioned some of the moves (or the hair flips), but there clearly wasn’t the camaraderie that the judges have tried to thrust upon the contestants.
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Judges Shirley and Mark Ballas have not been fans of A.J. Pritchard, a pro on “Strictly Come Dancing,” but they had to admit he was a plus for his team, able to correct moves so they looked unified.
Take this as a sign: He’s in the finals for the gig on “DWTS.”
The remaining dancers faced a group performance on “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” July 27.
The dynamics between mom and son heated up over A.J. Frustrated, Mark said, “Do a show with your mom. It’ll be fun, they said,” and got the audience on his side. Still, mom Shirley reigns. She’s cool in a motherly way and looks like she’d be a force on the dance floor.
What we’ve learned so far:
— Long hair is a weapon. Use it wisely.
— “Commercial” dancing is just a way of saying “not ballroom.”
— Bonding is for insurance salesmen. Dancers don’t want to make friends when they’ve got to compete.
— A.J. is the one to beat.
