Tonight on Dancing With the Stars they are continuing with themes and rolling out “Movie Night”–a theme with great possibilities. We’ve already seen The Mask from Julianne and Helio, and Star Wars from Kym and Joey (seasons 5 & 4), which were absolutely unforgettable. Can we hope for some more unforgettable dances tonight? I really hope so!
So a few dances in and everyone is doing fine, I’m just not very…excited. The scores are a little on the low-end as well. When will I sit up in my seat and my pulse quicken?
Here comes Erin and Maks! They’re doing their ode to Pulp Fiction, Uma Thurman/John Travolta and the Jack Rabbit Slim’s twist contest. Here is some fun, excitement and great dancing. I thought they did really well, even if there is a little too much cute bickering before in the rehearsals (but are they really dating? That’s the rumor…). They are basically saying there’s something going on, but being very coy about it. Judges’ Scores: 8-7-7
And surprise, surprise (for me), Jake and Chelsie’s tribute to Risky Business was also really fun and well done. I think Jake is a real underdog that might last a while more. I was delighted to see that he did the first 8 bars without pants–a true ode to that iconic image of Tom Cruise from the movie. Judge’s Scores: 8-7-8 (big improvement for him)!
Pam and Damien’s Quickstep to “9 to 5″ (from the movie of the same name) was amazingly cute and Pam is improving even more, every week. I felt that the dance itself had odd musicality with the song, but what do I know–pretty much nothing about the Quickstep. Oh, and Len blasted them for waiting to dance for 16 bars (big no-no in Len’s book). Judges’ Scores: 7-6-8
At this point with Kate (SAVE TONY!!), I am fed up and really tired of watching her. I have never felt this negative about a star on Dancing With the Stars before, and it brings me down, man, and I don’t LIKE being negative. The show would feel so much lighter without her (hint hint, America).
Nicole and Derek bring me back up to happiness with a truly amazing (and really really fast) Tango to “Pretty Woman” (from the movie of the same name). Their cute little comedic timing bits fit in really well with the lightning quick movements–and also made the slow moments matter even more. Super work from the two of them. Judges’ Scores: 10-9-10 (woo hoo)!
Finally Evan and Anna’s Rumba to “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” from Armageddon. FINALLY a Rumba costume that I actually like!! Let me tell you, Evan knows how to do lines and arms like nobody’s business. His hips are good, but could use a little more looseness, but I’ll take it. Gawd, I love that dress. Judges’ Scores: 9-9-9
I know I didn’t talk about everyone, but I just want to leave the other dancers be, especially since my favorite, Niecy hasn’t done well for the judges two weeks in a row. If you have a spare vote, she could use it!
Who will be eliminated tomorrow night? Will Kate survive another week to whine more? Will underdogs Pam and Niecy stay out of the bottom 3? Let’s all tune in to find out tomorrow night on ABC.
This week on Dancing With the Stars, it’s “Double Score Showdown”–one score will be for technique and the other for overall dance performance (they also must do three specific moves). The dances this week are the sexy Rumba and passionate Tango. The Rumba can be hard if you don’t have chemistry with your partner, the Tango, too. But since the tango is more force, precision and passion and less pure sex (the Rumba is of course called “The bedroom dance”), usually there is less difficulty with that.
Let’s get started!
Erin and Maks are up first with the Tango. Erin is stressed because Len picked on her footwork, even though she’s very graceful. That, and she’s having severe back pain. I feel for her, and she’s going to push through it and dance. I wasn’t completely thrilled with the dance, which looked just fine but seemed to have no spark (interesting for a couple who I believe is now dating). She gets points from Len for the content, but still needs to handle the footwork. She still has the “deathgrip” on Maks according to Carrie. Too much thinking on the dance floor can be dangerous. To her credit, we learn in the fishtank that her heel got caught in the strap of her other shoe. Near miss!
Tech Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 7-7-7
Evan and Anna are next with the Tango as well. Immediately as the dance starts you see real passion here, real dynamics. I love the bit with Anna in the chair at the beginning. They’ve got it together and this is an amazing Tango, and technically super good. Evan and Anna are a winning pair.
Tech Scores: 9-8-9
Performance Scores: 9-8-9
Ok, Niecy (whose name I’ve been spelling wrong, sorry!) and Louis are up and I’m already tearing. Louis tells Niecy that the Rumba is also a spiritual dance–this I was not aware of, although it could make complete sense. Louis wants to dedicate it to Niecy and have her dance out her feelings for her brother, who died 17 years ago. This woman is full of emotion and I so hope she can put it right into the dance. The technique will take care of itself.
I just love this woman. She put all that emotion into the dance and even though she was really dancing for her brother, it really read so well as a sensual, celebratory dance of love and life with Louis. True emotional connection. Unfortunately, the judges really didn’t like it and were pretty hard on her. And I can always tell it’s so hard on the stars when they bare all and get no love from the judges. It’s tough. But to hell with them!
Tech Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 6-6-6
Aiden and Edyta are up next with a Rumba, and Edyta really wants to be felt up every time in rehearsal (sorry, my tee hee moment). The Rumba is all about feeling up, baby. I am so distracted by Edyta’s strategically placed bits of tinfoil for a dress that I can barely pay attention to their dance. It seems like they danced well and he was more comfortable, but he was very stiff in his shoulders. Bruno said he had the “Blue Steel” down, but there was no flow to the dance. Sigh.
Tech Scores: 5-5-5
Performance Scores: 6-6-6
Best Tom Bergeron Moment: “Would you guys like a candy bar or some orange juice to get the blood sugar levels back up?” Referring to the judges harsh scores during the evening. Thanks for the levity, Tom!
Derek and Nicole are up next and after their rule-breaking Quickstep last week we’ll see how they do on their Rumba. Can she quell her giggles during the dance of love? Once again, I am distracted by costumes. Why is she wearing an ill-fitting toga? Thank gawd Derek’s shirt is closed. Wow, great display of technique and dance ability and absolutely sexy. Mixed bag with the judges on comments, but better on the scores.
Tech Scores: 9-8-8
Performance Scores: 8-8-9
Jake and Chelsie are up next with the Tango, and for someone with as much trouble as he has in rehearsals, he usually looks pretty good. Very sharp, great attack, looked confident and they looked good moving together. Wow, up and down the stairs! That was a super move. They really looked damn good, even with some slight stumbling.
Tech Scores: 6-7-6
Performance Scores: 7-6-6
And now we come to Kate and Tony. And Tony looks…tired. Her world is just too big for this show. But good for Tony to try to get her to put it into the dance and just work and stop getting upset. She’s lamenting that she’s the most inexperienced and she has big self-doubt. I feel ya lady.
Their tango is just fine, but seems to be very on automatic and careful and stiff. And she still clomps a bit. A measurable improvement from the Paso Doble last week. The judges are positive that she is improving, and this is her best dance so far. She says she’s beginning to have fun and she wants to stay and do more. Hmmmm…..
Tech Scores: 4-5-5
Performance Scores: 6-6-6
Chad and Cheryl. Chad, oh Chad. I’ve never seen a guy be so full of himself yet be super charismatic. And I love him. And he gave Cheryl a ring?? Is that thing real? Their Rumba is very hot, even though he seemed to drag and throw her around the floor pretty hard (was that just me?). The judges loved it and praised his fluidity and improvement on posture. Well done to them.
Tech Scores: 7-6-8
Performance Scores: 8-7-8
Are Pam and Damien always last? What’s up with that? They’re doing the Rumba and she’s warned by Len to not be raunchy, a comment that I find unwarranted, because I have not found anything raunchy about any of her dances so far. Pam is my new underdog, she could go far.
You know what I realized, I really don’t like the costumes they do for the girls for the Rumba. They just don’t drape like clothing. It’s like half a sheet going down their bodies. Very unflattering on even the most flattering bodies. Ugh. Well, onward.
Damien and Pam are really truly lovely in the best Rumba of the night, just enough sex and sultryness, and even love thrown in. Technique was great and smooth. The song choice was really great for this (“I Can’t Make You Love Me”), as it helped tone the “come hither” down a bit and make it something more refined.
Tech Scores: 7-8-8
Performance Scores: 8-7-9
Wow, such a tough night for most of our dancing couples. Looks like Nicole/Derek and Evan/Anna came out on top, with many of the others dropping well below them. And what was up with the judges tonight? Take a happy pill, folks. Who will be eliminated tomorrow night? Tune in and find out!
Tonight on Dancing With the Stars, the judges submitted a NEW challenge to the stars and their pros: Telling a Story! This is so up my alley I can barely contain myself. Dance as a Story is MY BAG.
Whew! Let’s start the show.
Ooh! We get examples of the Waltz, the Paso Doble and the Quickstep from our beautiful pros, what the stars should aspire to do. And THERE’S Lacey Schwimmer! So fantastic to see her on the DWTS floor.
First up is Evan and Anna, doing the Quickstep to the “Hot Honey Rag” from Chicago. OMG the Quickstep is really a super, super hard dance and Evan did wonderfully. I didn’t see a tremendous story except in the very beginning. The lady kept the man waiting. But then they just danced. Ok, not an A+ in my book, but really great on the dancing! OH, and just to add to that: THEN we find out in the fishtank that Evan has two broken toes. Cripes boy, what a pro! Judges’ scores: 9-8-8
Before we go to commercial, they give us previews of what’s to come in the rehearsal rooms: stress stress stress, drama drama drama, tears tears tears. Looks like we’re in for it, folks!
Next is Buzz Aldrin, who is hangin’ in there and promoting the space program, by gum! They have a story that could really be a tear-jerker; a daughter greeting her father back from war. Ashly his pro is so really sweet to him and just keeps him on the right track. He did a great job and he looked good. The judges try to be as kind as possible, but he knows that he’s not really that great and it’s all good. Judge’s scores: 5-4-4
Jake and Chelsie are up after the break, and they’re doing the Quickstep to “Walk Like an Egyptian”. What? Ok, gotta see if this can work. And there is stress in the rehearsal room. Frustration! Put it into the dance, folks. Seems like the frustration paid off, they do very well. Lots of props, too, which I thought they weren’t supposed to use. Anyway, they are super fast across the floor and the performance and storytelling is good. The judges pick at his frame and legs, which are a bit soft. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7
Nicey and Louis are next and they choose a story that is close to both of them (if I’m not mistaken, Louis is gay), a interracial couple falling in love in the 60′s, a time when in some places it was actually still illegal. This is a different side to Nicey, and very genuine and sweet. It affected her to put herself in the place of the role she was playing. ACTING! BRILLIANT! Louis did a fantastic job on choreography, and her ivory dress with the various panels really brought the most out of it during the spins. I felt that she was very graceful, even in the face of a stumble at the beginning. Their song was a world class duet from Billy Preston and Syreeta (“With You I’m Born Again”) and really added to the story. The judges really love Nicey, but were picky about the stumble and her technique, which she needs to work on. I disagreed with Carrie Ann that the story was confusing, and it didn’t have a happy ending. But that wasn’t the point of the story. I felt Nicey’s intoxication with a love that fills her heart, but the danger of knowing how society will react and possibly retaliate. She was super vulnerable, and Louis, too. This is first-rate dance as a story. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7
Mr. Ochocinco and Cheryl are next with the fiery Paso Doble, set to this fantastic song sung by Antonio Bandaras in the beginning of the movie “Desperado” (love it). Chad does pretty darn well with it (even after the rehearsal drama). Very powerful and dynamic. He really focused on Cheryl and wanted the girl. Great comeback from last week! Judges’ scores: 7-6-7
Miss Pam and Damien are next. They were the surprise in the bottom two last week, since she was such a crowd-pleaser. This week they’re back with the Paso Doble–their story is of a woman and the bull-fighter. She loves him, but she hates what he does as an animal activist (they are very cruel to the bulls in bullfighting). She looked fabulous and did a great job telling the story. She’s not just a blonde bombshell, that’s not all she can do. The routing seemed at times a little sloppy, but I think that was just her passion. She did great. Judges’ scores: 7-7-7 (lots of 21s tonight)
Aiden and Edyta are next and we see that even though he had a comeback last week, he was super nervous and actually vomited backstage (thanks ABC for blurring the gross stuff out). They are doing the Quickstep tonight and things are lighter for the two of them as they celebrate his birthday and his wife and beautiful 7 month old girl come in with cake (Edyta eats cake?). Their dance is pretty good, but I realize that I completely missed what their story was supposed to be. Len says that he was a bit careful, and I didn’t see that, but I did see his shoulders way up by his ears. I’m sure he’s nervous as hell, with a stomach to match. Judges’ scores: 7-6-7
Erin and Maks are next with a Waltz telling a story of trust: Erin has to dance over half of their waltz while BLINDFOLDED. It was pointed out to me by a reader that Erin actually does have prior dance experience, so I’m not looking at her in quite the same way this week, but she really is graceful. I thought it was a really beautifully done by both of them. Judges’ scores: 8-7-8
Kate and Tony are next with a Paso Doble done to “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga, a song that speaks directly to Kate, because they follow her wherever she goes. Kate can’t seem to connect with Tony for the passion and anger, and he calls in an acting coach. She sees a lot of emotion that is bottled up inside, and it needs to come out. Do we really want Kate Gosselin letting all her emotions out? Hmmm…During the dance she comes at Tony with intention and anger, but she steps around the floor like she has clogs on her feet. Not a lot of grace. Tons better than last week, though. Carrie Ann said it was “odd”. Judges’ scores: 5-5-5
Nicole and Derek have the Quickstep and their story is two sailors slacking off to “Anything Goes”. Nicole freaks out a little at the difficulty of the dance, she’s scared. The dance is A-MA-ZING. Really first rate. And I love that this wasn’t Nicole’s “Pussy Cat Doll” card. It was completely opposite of what she is used to doing. Super cute and technically hard as hell. And…not a Quickstep, according to the judges. Too bad. But true. Loved it. Judges’ scores: 8-6-9
And who will be the surprise elimination this week? Tune in tonight to ABC and find out! (then be like me and watch LOST, because you just can’t get enough suspense) ;o)
Oh, it was SUCH an interesting week on Dancing With the Stars. And we’re only in week two! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much drama from both stars and pros. Tears, walking out, and little pouting rounded out the week. Frankly, it kind of exhausted me to just watch it.
In these early weeks with so many stars, I like to look back at all the dances and think who I am going to vote for. And THAT’S who I’m going to highlight in my post. We’ll see if that surprises and intrigues you. Hopefully so.
Once again, I was surprised by Shannen Doherty. She can dance, even if she throws hissy fits every once in a while. It’s good for her partner Mark Ballas to push her into doing the harder stuff, and it shows in the performance. Their Jive was super hard, and she had fun doing it and really engaged the audience. Plus I loved her outfit. She just needs to be a little sharper in those flicks and kicks. Judges’ scores: 7-6-7
Nicey Nash did not fail me, she is still my favorite star on the show. Her ability to handle everything with charm and humor really helps her get through her rehearsal time (“When did I become a white man?” she quips when partner Louis Van Amstel tells her he wants to be her “mirror”). Could she do as well in her Foxtrot as she did in her Cha Cha Cha? Their performance was light, airy, used a great song (“I Love You I Do” from Dreamgirls), had great choreography and was just lovely. Carrie Ann made the comment that Nicey knows why she’s moving. It’s the difference between “I’m pointing right at you!” versus “this is the part where I lift my arm up because my pro told me to.” A++ in my book! Judges’ Scores: 7-7-7
It seems that Erin Andrews has real dancing talent and ability. Her solo moments in her Foxtrot with Maks were so really amazing, I almost couldn’t believe it. For someone with no prior dance experience, for her to turn with those lovely arms is a testament to natural talent (and I will give credit to Maks, too). Usually someone does well in the beginning, but the arms are limp, or the toes not pointed, knees bent, that sort of thing. She was really stunning, and their Foxtrot was sweet. Judges’ Scores: 8-7-8
Pam Anderson–darn if she doesn’t know how to get a character (and I’ll grant you Marilyn Monroe isn’t a stretch for her) and keep it in, even after the dance and getting her scores. First of all, you will probably never see one moment of drama from this woman. She really knows how to just try things, do it or mess up and go on with a little giggle. She looked lovely and like a dead ringer for Monroe. Their Foxtrot was solid and very good. Smooth, easy, sexy and smashing. I loved it. And Tom Bergeron said her Marilyn was so good that “a bus load of Kennedys just showed up.” Judges’ Scores: 7-7-8
And those were my votes for the night. Needless to say, I don’t care for drama very much and found myself rolling my eyes a little bit. Of course, I am not in their shoes and putting it all out there for the world to see on the dance floor. But some of it’s just necessary. Yes, I’m hinting at Kate and Tony. Tony was the big man there and accepted responsibilty. But really, no more, please.
You may ask “But why is she not talking about Nicole and Derek’s Jive?” Yeah, wow! Two 10′s in the second week! Technically well done, sharp, sexy, and the audience loved it. For me, though, it wasn’t really exciting. It was unbelievably fast, in my opinion almost too fast. Too frenetic, too pushed. I dunno, I just didn’t get it. Nicey’s Foxtrot was so much more enganging than Nicole and Derek’s Jive. But that’s just my opinion, let me know what you think!
Who will be leaving the ballroom in the first elimination? We’ll all have to wait until tomorrow!
Ugh, after waiting and waiting and listening to all the rumors and guessing which ones might be true–premiere night had arrived for season 10 of Dancing With the Stars!
And, after doing numbers 1, 7 and 9 on this great list from EW.com (thanks Doxietrek!), I settled down for the night.
What a night it was. The red room is officially out–we now have the balcony instead for after dance interviews with new co-host Brooke Burke. I miss the red room and all the antics of the other couples in the background.
It is a little taxing to do a dance-by-dance rundown, so I thought I would change it up a bit. You always have expectations for the first show, and I thought I would give “DWTS First Night” awards. Here are my categories:
Biggest Potential: Shannen Doherty. Shannen handled really difficult choreography that Mark gave to her with a ton of enthusiasm and all the finesse she could give. And after all the gossip about her supposedly bad attitude, I didn’t see it anywhere in the footage. She seemed sweet, and boy does she love her dad.
Biggest Surprise: Pam Anderson. I thought she was going to be stiff as a board, but she surprised me with a lot of grace and ability to smoothly walk across the floor and shimmy those hips. Now if she could just work on that extension…
Biggest Disappointment: Aiden Turner. For some reason I thought that he would bring more dance ability to the party. Oh well. Good try, hopefully he’ll get better. I’m still holding my breath for Edyta Sliwinska. It’s her time to win a mirror ball.
Favorite Couple: (not technical) “If I lose my jiggly parts you gon’ git it,” big girl Niecy Nash tells her partner Louis Van Amstel. This gal is a hoot. After being made wrong all her young life in performances for being the chubby girl, Niecy has come to embrace her body, jiggly parts and all. I love this gal, and Louis is the perfect partner for her, he’s willing to train her hard and really play with her. Love them both.
Best Couple: Cheryl Burke and Chad Ochocinco. They pretty much rock together. Very well done on a hot Cha Cha Cha!
Best Choreography: Mark Ballas’ Viennese Waltz to “The Killing Moon” by Nouvelle Vague. This was such an interesting take to put a goth twist on the Viennese Waltz, and have Shannon be like a doll or a puppet. I liked it, very fresh!
Best Outfit: Anna Trebunskaya’s beautiful lavender Grecian style dress with velvet burn-out pattern. And the flowers in the hair to match were nice, too.
I-Don’t-Get-It Outfit: Cheryl Burke’s drop waist, bubble bottom dress. I really liked the grey/peach color and tulle on the outside, but I just didn’t get the whole thing as a concept, nor did it match the music she picked for their Cha Cha (“It’s Just Begun” by the Jimmy Castor Bunch, a really funky groove song).
Craziest Judge Comment: “At times it was a sassy ol mamma, and at times it was a born again virgin.” Bruno Tonioli (of course) speaking about Niecy Nash’s Cha Cha Cha.
Best Tom Bergeron Moment: “Ok…for those of you who do not believe in parallel universes…” (referring to Len Goodman’s tirade on Nicole Scherzinger’s really good Viennese Waltz)
Season Ringer: Nicole Scherzinger. Pussy. Cat. Doll. Need I say more? They’re all practically (if not really) professional dancers. But she really was super lovely in the dance, I have to say, and although Evan Lysacek was super good, I have a feeling that he won’t fare as well in the Latin dances as Nicole will.
Go For It Award: Buzz Aldrin. You still got it, Buzz. Nicely done.
All in all, it was a pretty fun night. But NOW–the competition begins!
