Despite outrageous afro wigs, all the glitz you could ask for and a funky jive routine,
Thembisile and
Thabo were the second couple eliminated from the
third season of
Strictly Come Dancing on SABC2.
A number of TVSA readers said they felt bad because they didn't bother to vote, assuming that Thembisile was a shoo-in and that someone else would be going home.
Even though
Lesley and
Sara's performance last week impressed the judges, it didn't excite the audience into voting for them. It has become clear that none of the remaining celebrity contestants are safe from elimination.
The audience sat in anticipation in Carlton Hotel's ballroom to see who of the glittering performers had upped their game in the third episode.
Unfortunately, a couple had to go and this week it was Thembisile and Thabo who got the fewest votes.
Thabo commented in the insert that they were definitely aiming for a 10, but Thembisile's illness did not play in their favour.
Even though they ended in a spectacular slide on the floor that had the audience on their feet, they failed to impress the judges.
Salome scored them a seven and
Tyrone a five.
Lillian commented that they lacked concentration, but that she loved the concept of the routine.
The tension and excitement got the audience going when Ian announced the first couple of the evening.
Erald, who finally impressed the judges, and
Mary seem to have overcome their relationship issues.
They received cheers from the audience and moved up to joint fourth place this week, according to the judges' scores. Tyrone commented that he scored them a four as "lifts are not allowed during routines."
Later in the show we saw
Hayley Hammond asking her partner
HHP whether he wanted to do an illegal lift anyway - her (clever) point was that although the judges would mark him down for it, it would score good points with the voting public.
So clearly it's a definite strategy this year: defy the judges and try impress the viewers instead.
Lieschen and
Ryan, who received the lowest marks from the judges last week and were very worried that they would leave during last week's episode, were determined to show what they can do.
"We never thought we were going to stay," said Lieschen.
Tyrone said that although the foxtrot is technically very difficult, they interpreted the music well...but he scored them his first three of the season and put them in last place for the second week running.
Hezekiel, Tyrone's dark horse, and
Lindsay foxtrotted their way to "New York" in a fabulous performance that scored them the first nine of the evening.
Dave commented that they were absolutely wicked!
They are currently second according to judges' scores.
Patricia, with her usual smile (last week she was über-serious in her tango), and
Marcel went all out in their Jive this week.
Patricia threw her hands in the air and had to stifle a tear when she said, "I remembered the routine for the first time!"
Lillian believes that she is the celebrity who has improved the most during the first three episodes: "She was confident, comfortable and committed. She really was competing this evening."
The judges scores placed them in third position.
Like Hezekiel,
Candice has shown tremendous improvement, according to Dave. "You can see they've been working really hard," he said.
Candice and
Quintus scored the first triple eight of the season. The confetti and twirl at the end must have blinded Tyrone: he scored them a seven. They stand, jointly with HHP and Hayley, in first place.
The crowd and judges' favourite HHP and Hayley yet again greased their way into first place – a feat they achieved during the two episodes.
The audience cheered their way through their Jive and HHP's quirky smile and glasses impressed Salome. "You're hot!" she said, despite initially looking extremely disappointed.
Their routine netted them the second nine of the show (from Lillian), but Tyrone commented that it was not light enough for him. He scored them a six.
Heinz Winckler's performance ended the show, although he seemed as wooden as always and didn't always stay in key.
Ian von Memerty assigning him the tag of "South Africa's best-loved singer" was a bit much - especially considering the enormous influence and fan base of one of the contestants on the show, HHP, who has already sold many more albums in his short career than Heinz will in a lifetime.
Viewers can still vote until the end of episode 4, by either sending an sms to 34766 at R2 per sms or by phoning 083 913 4766.
| STRICTLY COME DANCING: EPISODE 3 |
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