Part 2: The Nancy Grace 'Dancing' Special (or "Hot, Hot, Hot")

     The title is self-explanatory - Tristan MacManus is smoking hot and flat-out sexy. Now I will move on to the show itself, which, in my opinion, didn’t give us nearly enough Tristan, but what we did see was delicious. Thus, I created the subtitle that comes from the old Buster Poindexter song Hot, Hot, Hot.
      With plenty of Val, Maks, and Carson and the adorably adorable Tristan and Nancy, I knew that Part 2 of Nancy’s ‘Dancing’ special was destined to be an eye-popping show. So maybe it wasn’t eye-popping exactly, but our newly crowned “Reluctant Heartthrob” (ahem, see blog post below) was showing us all of those qualities that earned him that title: enormous talent, incredible charm, a magnetic personality, striking good looks, and tons of charisma. Then there’s that whole electric stage presence – the man is a natural in front of the camera.  More screen time, please.  Please????
      A couple of hours before the show aired, Nancy posted a picture on Facebook of Val and Maks holding her, with Tristan (in full bedhead) pouting in the background. Then, because I had HLN on a full two hours before show time just so I wouldn’t miss anything important, I got to see that wonderful teaser of Nancy dancing with Tristan – the one where he dips her looooow and kisses her cheek. (Too bad we didn't actually get to see that dance).  It was lovely though. As always, MacGrace did not disappoint.  Never have.  Never will.

     In her introduction, Nancy, bless her heart, says again that Tristan is “the best dancer in the world” (Carson interrupts and says, “Oh, Nancy, stop”) and also the “fan favorite” – both of which seem to amuse Tristan endlessly.  We then hear the DWTS announcer introduce Nancy and Tristan’s waltz to Moon River, and we see quite a bit of that exquisite performance from Week 3.  That choreography is beautiful. They were magnificent even then.
     Carson is introduced via a clip of his hilarious jive to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, followed by a bit of Maks and Val’s Dance-Off a few seasons ago with Karina and Valeriya Kozharinova. That’s fine, but I want to see Tristan. We then get a clip of Tony and Chynna doing their Tango while my gorgeous, dancer daughter (who is already bored by not seeing enough of Tristan) insists that Val looks like Mario Lopez. This had been bugging her, so I feel like it’s my civic duty to share this information which isn’t relevant to anything at all. By the way, she thinks she's going to marry Tristan. Snort Snort.  Stand in line, kiddo. Back to the show.  The introduction, however, is nice with lengthy clips that give us plenty of Tristan sightings, and the guinea pigs aren’t really guinea pigs but her pal, defense attorney,  Renee Rockwell (“Baby, Got Back” according to Nancy), Nancy’s pr guy, Josh Sabarra, and 3 others (including Stacey, Rachel, and Corine – sorry ladies, for any misspelling. More about the guinea pigs later.

    We see a little of Tristan and Nancy’s very first Cha Cha rehearsal and as a few seconds of the dance are shown, we get to hear Tristan and Nancy’s voices - already bickering, of course. Tristan says something like, “The best thing for someone who is coming in and learning for the first time is to be considered a non-tret" (non-threat, I assume). Nancy asks Tony (via phone) what he does when his partner freezes on the dance floor, and he indicates that he talks her through it.  Nancy insists that Tristan never gave her instructions while dancing, but that she could “read his eyes.”  Um, I think I would like to do that too, please.
     We get one call-in question. Tristan says that the Spamalot dance is his favorite of the season because of the costume with his town crest, and then Tristan goes on about how they wouldn’t let him make Nancy a topless mermaid. He says that his favorite dance overall is Rumba.  Nancy makes fun of how he says it, and I yell at the tv that Tristan, indeed, says it properly. Room-buh is correct!  Nancy also says she thought he liked the Paso best because he danced it with no shirt, and I am tempted to call in and ask for a Paso encore performance. Then I remember that this was taped a week ago, and Ireland is cold this time of year, so Tristan probably couldn’t walk around shirtless – but we can dream.  But I digress. There is no hesitation in Tristan’s voice.  Rumba is his favorite.  Period.  That whole love/lust thing prevails.
     Carson predictably says that his favorite is the one where Maks has his shirt off and then adds that he feels that he had a good Tango. By the way, Tristan finds Carson extremely amusing and laughs at him the entire time.  Val is asked about his favorite dance and wisecracks that he doesn't have much to choose from since he and Elisabetta only danced twice.  Nancy insists that the judges picked on him because he was too sexy. Yeah, whatever.  I mean, Val is hot, but  he’s no Tristan.
       There are clips of JR and Karina, a little more Tony and Chynna, and some bits and pieces of Nancy and Tristan’s red-hot tango from last week.  Those 2 have such chemistry – WOWZA.

     After the commercial break, we see the entire promotional clip everybody has already seen for this week. We see the sexy dance Val and Daria did last week, and I have just one thing to say.  Dear Tristan, I would like to do that dance with you.  Love, Shakes. 
      Next up are clips of the Flash Gordon Paso and that gorgeous, gorgeous chest.  Crap. I’m off topic again.  There are commercials about every 6 seconds so when we come back, we see the kids from the Rising Stars Dance Academy – Nancy is great with them and puts them at ease.  Now here is your Bombshell Tonight.  I couldn’t do what those kids did.  Ever. These pint-sized dancers can move.  
     Carson takes over as host briefly, doing his best Nancy impression. We see a bit of Tristan and Nancy dancing and rolling their eyes before the next commercial. Carson then introduces the Maks/Nancy Instant Dance.  She dances first with Maks, then he hands her over to Val, who hands her back to Maks. In the middle of it, Carson and Val dance back and forth past them a couple of times, causing Nancy and Maks to stop and stare, and then shrug and start dancing again. This is hilarious.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Maks have so much fun- even though he has to bend over to dance because he is so much taller than Nancy. The dance was full of little spins and turns, laughs and grins.  At the end, Maks plants a big kiss on her and Tristan strolls into the picture with a cup of something (he was probably bringing me some Irish whiskey to calm my nerves), and he is laughing the whole time as he walks right over to Nancy. Or she just kind of slides over to The Man.  Awww.  Tristan is still her dance partner.
     Back to Val who is playing the violin (same as last week) and then another commercial. After the break, Nancy, Tristan, Carson, and Val become judges with scoring paddles so they can score the guinea pigs. The pros are from the studio, I believe.

     Guinea Pig 1 – They are okay.  Corine (sp) is having fun, but not dancing with Tristan must suck. Nancy gives her a 10 based on her rear view, Carson gives the male pro a 10 based on THAT view (peals of laughter from Tristan at this point) and the guy wiggles his backside.  Funny moment.
     Guinea Pig 2 – Another blonde (Nancy’s friend Renee Rockwell) dances with a dude who looks a little like Teddy but isn't Teddy.  Nancy gives her a 3 for no good reason while Carson gives her a 97.  Tristan awards her a “one [wooon] hundred and a 9, and Val, a 10. Val took this whole thing way too seriously, by the way.
     Guinea Pig 3 – Beats me who was who in this one, Rachel is really good, but by now I am bored. Everybody looks great, and she is beautiful and weighs about 95 pounds. Nancy gives her a 10, Carson a 94, Tristan and Val a 10.
    Guinea Pig 4 – Josh Sabarra does this one, and he looks scared to death.  Tristan laughs at him, and then stops paying attention. He randomly gives Josh a 9 because, as he says, “I know you had the most difficult person” [which was absolutely hysterically funny] while Nancy gives a 10, Carson a 97, and Val an 8. Tristan is busy goofing off, and Val needs to work on his sense of humor. I felt like I was watching him pretend to an American Idol judge. It is supposed to be funny, Val. 
     Guinea Pig 5 – Stacey is great. She can move those hips. The great dip at the end earns accolades from Tristan. She gets 10 from Nancy, a 9 from Carson, and Tristan says it was “very, very good…very good” and gives her a 10, as does Val.

     Best part of the night?  Right before the commercial break, Tristan wiggles his butt in the form of a pelvic thrust in the background. Yes, I did just say that.  I’m thinking some kind of Emmy for cinematography is a lock.

     From here on, it was a lot of filler.  We see a little more of the waltz, and some of Val and Elisabetta’s quickstep. More of the Maks/Val dance off. Yawn. I’m bored and want me some Tristan.  We get a little bit of last week’s tango and some delicious close-ups of the man of the hour.
     Val and Daria dance with the 4 munchkins to the same music Tristan, Val, and Nancy danced to last week in the jive. By this point, I’m considering jumping through my tv and grabbing Tristan and bringing him home with me. That is how it works, right?  I mean he is really inside the tv?  Okay, so I thought that when I was 3. But by now I can see the writing on the wall. The clock is ticking, and there are no signs of a sexy dance or even a hokey pokey from Tristan and Nancy. 
     The second best part of the show just might be the group dance which is shown in its entirety.  We all know that Tristan owned this one.  I still get goose bumps when I see how he commands it from the moment that he and the blonde guy – what is his name again? – come in from either side.  Then there are the strut and the thrusts and the way Tristan takes Madame Nancy away.  I love this dance!
     We see a little more JR and Karina, and as I watch clips of their Samba, my mind wanders.  I was thinking - why can’t Tristan do a Samba to that song (Conga) and wear those white pants and red shirt.  That is what I want to see.  I. Want. To. See. Tristan. Do. A. Samba.

     So there wasn’t as much time focused on Tristan as I would have liked – lots of filler, but what we got was exquisite. The show ends with Tristan’s arm flung around Carson as they very hurriedly wish everybody a Happy New Year.  I was sobbing hysterically by this point because I realize that we do not get to see Tristan dance again. Nancy looks a little emotional as she once again talks about how the Best Dancer in the World dragged her through 8 weeks.
     The show ends with more clips of the youngsters, and all I want is to see Tristan.  So I guess I’ll use my husband’s frequent flier miles and take care of that by booking myself on a little excursion to Ireland.  Anybody have a problem with that?  Well, it’s seems fair.  I was supposed to get to see Tristan dance tonight, so I guess it will take place in Ireland.  Tristan probably wouldn’t mind - much.
     A big thank you to Nancy for giving us these special treats the last two weeks.  She is the best! (By the way, I’m not a complete lunatic. I’m not really going to Ireland.  Not yet, anyway.)