The winners on Nach Baliye 3 is a numbers game

First, I'd like to confess my complete unsuitability to be commenting on these dance shows like JDJ and NB. Not only can I not dance better than any of the worst contestants but I have only marginally more class than Jay Bhanushali (although you could argue who doesn't).

But even with my layman's knowledge of nach, I can say that the Farah Khan-driven episode this week contained some fine dancing. And I'm including that Alexx-Shweta jodi when I say that.

However, dancing aside, I tuned in to the elimination episode and for the first time was completely transfixed at the circus that unfolded.

Prem Jyotish shows up: First, a jyotish showed up and started some number crunching of a very different kind. His job was to look at the stars (planetary) and lay the odds for each jodi in the show. Armed with a sheet of paper - much like a newsreader - jyotish threw out some highly confounding explanations as to how he rated the chances of each jodi. To borrow from Jerry Macguire, he had me at one. Never have I have been so dumbstruck watching this show.

Funnily enough, the numbers for each jodi (expressed as a percentage chance to top the show) seemed to follow the judges scoring so far. In other words, our jyotish seemed to have spent most of his time watching the show rather than consulting with the planets. Hilarity!

"I've been had!" Later yet, when the Alexx-Shweta jodi were given a 65% chance, Alexx grabbed the mike and revealed that the same jyotish had convinced him to add an extra 'x' to his name. "I expected 100%!" he complained loudly. Dude, if you get the feeling you've been had, the quiet train is the best one to take home.

The ambush of Rakhi: No sooner was this over than Rakhi Sawant got ambushed by Hussain. In typical reporter fashion - Hussain raised the self-manufactured issue of everyone (read: people he knows including himself) labeling Rakhi a drama queen.

Now I would have dismissed this as a lame attempt at injecting life in an elimination episode. After all, accusing Rakhi of manufacturing drama is like stating Mika is annoying. But Rakhi Sawant immediately rose to her defence - and had me fascinated! Why? Because she defended herself using the exact behaviors (self-aggrandizing statements, little-girly voice modulation, mood turns on a dime) that she was being accused of. A future in entertainment is assured!

Bye, bye item girl #2: Finally, Kashmera Shah and her rather amiable boyfriend got kicked off. Her poor boyfriend tried to say goodbye to the judges but a furious Kashmera cracked the whip and insisted they walk off dramatically. "Let them be!" she commanded, making her partner scurry to her side. This - I'm not ashamed to say it - was also much fun to watch.

Farah Khan takes a bow: All of this almost reduced Farah Khan's appearance on the flagship episode of the weekend to a mere sideshow. That episode started off with a montage to show what a biarch Farah can be to her crew - a strange way of welcoming a celebrity guest if there ever was one.

Much good natured ribbing followed between Farah and Hussain. Clearly in her presence - which I enjoyed immensely - everyone took a back seat - including Isha Koppikar, sporting a rather scrumptious Wonder Woman hairstyle and Vaibhavi Merchant, whose hair couldn't decide which direction to point in.

"I'll be sending Shahrukh to this show for Diwali" Farah announced. When in the mood, SRK can make a slice of bread sound like the eighth wonder of the world, so I can't wait to see what he will say to Rakhi Sawant. But more importantly, I await to see what face she'll pull on him.

Also:

• Sidekick is fascinated by numerology and its impact on TV shows



• Leera enjoyed NB and thinks Hussain has finally come into his own



• SkD gets hungry whenever Vaibhavi praises someone



• Joules links to this picture of SRK on NB with Rakhi and is leaning towards OSO this weekend over Saawariya



• Tania proposes a new name for the Drift



• Sania is cut up about what's left on the cutting room floor on NB3



• Parveen thinks Ranbir has potential
  



• anu g thinks Krushna got roughhoused like a pet puppy by Kashmera