Motown week on "Dancing With the Stars" was a glorious trip down memory lane for Boomers. Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, and the Temptations were all on hand to warble their classic hits from our youth. Here at ThirdAge, we were overjoyed that the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight, survived results night last week so she could dance again on the evening when her Detroit era pals, including Motown founder Berry Gordy, were there to cheer for her.
Gladys did a reasonably creditable rumba with partner Tristan McManus to the Temptations hit "My Girl," but by this time no one expects the 68-year-old to do much more on the dance floor than exude charm and stage presence. Len, who is her age, put it well when he said:"If I could judge purely with my heart, you would be top of my leaderboard."
The Motown Marathon at the end of the show, though, proved that the younger competitors are the ones with staying power. Gladys was the first one to be tapped and eliminated. To almost no one's surprise, Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins won the marathon. She's been a clear favorite since the first week of season 14, and she in fact has genuine dance talent. Teamed with Mark Ballas, she is the obvious contender for the Mirrorball Trophy at season's end.
Still, anything could happen. We'll be tuning in for results night on Tuesday. Who will be left to compete during week 7? We shall see!
