Watching the “Dancing” results on Tuesday night had me thinking at times that I was catching “American Idol” instead, complete with performances from season three’s Jennifer Hudson.
The ballroom bash’s results episode kicked off with the 46-piece orchestra from Monday’s performance show still in place, but instead of the classical tunes I was expecting, it launched into a lively rendition of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.” Don’t get me wrong. It sounded great, but I half expected animated violinist David Garrett to tear away his own face and flowing mane to reveal a rowdy Steven Tyler underneath. That would’ve been quite the surprise.
But even that might not have been quite as shocking as who didn’tend up in jeopardy. Sure, host Tom Bergeron pointed out as he always does that the couples in trouble aren’t all necessarily the lowest vote-getters, but the producers sure stirred up some drama when they left Petra Nemcova, Sugar Ray Leonard and Chelsea Kane standing under the lights.
Yes, you read that right. Chelsea Kane, the Disney actress who delivered a magical, leaderboard-topping Viennese waltz to “Hedwig’s Theme” from “Harry Potter.” The charming actress with the best dance of the night was left to squirm on stage while bratty reality star Kendra Wilkinson was safe.
And boy, was she a pill on performance night. As you may recall, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out after Wilkinson’s faulty Viennese waltz – the worst dance of the night – that it appeared the former “Girls Next Door” star was “afraid of elegance,” Wilkinson snapped back, “I just don’t care about it.”
If that response rubbed you the wrong way, you’re not alone. The results show aired a clip of her pro partner, Louis van Amstel, clearly annoyed as they walked backstage after the dance. “I must say I was quite disappointed by your comment,” he snapped.
When co-host Brooke Burke asked her about the incident, Wilkinson explained that “the hormones took over yesterday.” That’s who you voted for, America. Someone whose dancing has gotten worse, can’t take constructive criticism, doesn't take responsibility for her actions and gets on the bad side of the kindest of pros.
Instead, “Dancing” is now down someone cranky judge Len Goodman referred to as “the heart of the show this season.” Granted, boxing legend Leonard was far from the best dancer (he beat Wilkinson by three points last night, but has been consistently among the bottom). But he tried -- he even went to ballet lessons! -- and he brought humbleness and charm to the dance floor that was fun to watch.
He will be missed, especially as viewers will likely witness yet another tantrum next week.
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