Week 5 On DWTS - The Halfway Point

Now that we're half way through the season the judges have pre-recorded some commentary with clips for each of the remaining contestants.  Some praise as well as constructive criticism.  And this week is TV Theme week!  First impressions: Tony's bare chest - yum yum!  Kyles afro, um...  Rick Fox can arrest me ANY time!  Florence Henderson, what. the...  lady lumberjack?  And is Jennifer Grey dressed up as June Cleaver? 

Brandy & Maks were up first and based on their pre-recorded packet, they seem to be getting along a little better this week.  They did The Quickstep to the theme song from Friends and it was a really cute routine with a few playful elements, like you might see on the show.  Her footwork was great, the characters were fun...  I loved it and will probably call in a vote for Brandy.  Len was very impressed with the energy & sassy fun.  Bruno thought they finally found the right combination and Carrie Anne said she felt their relationship is improving and bringing them to a whole new level.  Everyone was pleased.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 9-9-9
Call 1-800-868-3406 to vote for Brandy & Maks for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.


Florence & Corky were up next with The Tango to the theme song from The Brady Bunch.  I'm wondering if this was a bad idea just for the possibility of too much focus on the Brady aspect, or if it will be to their advantage that The Brady Bunch plays on the hearts of so many of us.  Anyway, her steps & footwork looked good but her head seemed to be more shaken around than it needed to be.  Bruno said he didn't like the sudden switch from good tango characters into "rag-doll mode".  Carrie Anne liked it and called her a "sexy senior".  Bruno wished to be a sexy senior and Flo hopped up and kissed him!  He said parts were excellent, parts were frantic, she needed a bit of calmness, but possibly her best dance yet.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 7-7-7
Call 1-800-868-3409 to vote for Florence & Corky for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.

Next, Kurt & Anna danced The Quickstep to the theme from Bewitched - they had little nose-twitches and musical tinkles in the dance that made Kurt "better" or more cooperative.  It was a cute routine and he looked pretty great except for a bit of slouching still showing in his posture.  Carrie anne said she thought she saw the spirit of gene Kelley enter his body, he made it look so easy!  Len said after last week the only way to go was up and up he went!  Bruno announced the magic is back & being bewitched was working for him.  Both Len & Bruno mentioned his posture but everyone loved it.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 8-8-8
Call 1-800-868-3408 to vote for Kurt & Anna for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.

Audrina & Tony are dancing The Rumba to the theme song from The Hills with absolutely no intensity.  She's beautiful, graceful, accurate... and boring.  Bruno thought she had lovely feet & legs and nice hip action.  He thought she needs to open up a bit ut overall a good dance.  Bruno thinks she's improved technically but he wants more passion!  "Don't be plastic, be fantastic! Because you can."  Carrie Anne mentioned to many technical details she admired but felt from the waist up she was dead.  And she suspects there was a lift.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 7-8-8
Call 1-800-868-3401 to vote for Audrina & Tony for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.

Kyle & Lacey were next with a Foxtrot set to the theme song from Charlie's Angels and can I just say I love Lacey's rump in those bell bottoms, and look at those abs...  Oh!  Anyway, uh, nice dancing Kyle, or something.  Bruno wasn't pleased - he thought it was fun but no Foxtrot.  Carrie Anne disagreed wholeheartedly - she loved it!  Bruno said it started bad and gradually got worse and worse.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 8-5-7
Call 1-800-868-3403 to vote for Kyle & Lacey for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.

Rick & Cheryl came to the floor next with The Rumba to the theme song from Hillstreet Blues - that was my dads favorite show when I was a kid and I was always in bed by then but I knew the tune.  I loved it and thought Rick was great.  Carrie Anne loved it.  Len didn't get the romance.  Bruno said he went from Megatron to Mega-smooth.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 8-8-8
Call 1-800-868-3404 to vote for Rick & Cheryl for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.

Bristol & Mark did a Jive to the theme song from The Monkeys.  Right now they're in a couple of full body gorilla suits so I'm not sure how that's going to work.  She lost several steps while she was still in the monkey suit, she was out of sync with Mark on several occasions and you could see him trying to pep-talk her mid-dance.  Not great in my opinion.  Len liked the monkey suits & thought it was a high degree of performance.  Bruno liked the suits but felt the technique fell to the side.  Carrie Anne felt she saw a great transformation in Bristol but still pointed out that she forgot a lot of the steps.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 6-6-6
Call 1-800-868-3407 to vote for Bristol & Mark for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.


Jennifer & Derek were dancing the Foxtrot to the theme song from Married With Children and it was beautiful.  Beautiful lines, perfect symmetry...  Bruno thought it was pristine & elegant.  Carrie Anne said it was good but not nearly Jennifer's best and a bit out of sync.  Bruno thought the dance was lovely but a bit too theatrical. I guess they didn't like it as much as I did.
Scores from Carrie Anne, Len & Bruno are: 8-8-9
Call 1-800-868-3411 to vote for Jennifer & Derek for another 30 minutes, or go to abc.com to vote online till tomorrow morning.


So Brandy is at the top of the leaderboard this week and I definitely think she earned the spot.  We'll see tomorrow night who goes home!


Brandy & Maks: 27
Jennifer & Derek: 25
Rick & Cheryl: 24
Kurt & Anna: 24
Audrina & Tony: 23
Florence & Corky: 21
Kyle & Lacey: 20
Bristol & Mark: 18

DWTS Gratuitous Fashion Post

So this is the mid-week lull where I distract myself with fashion critiques and Glee commentary while I impatiently wait for the next competition night!  So here are the facebook pictures from week 4 of competition along with some of the thoughts I didn't have time to share on last Monday night.

I think my favorite costume of the night was...  well it definitely wasn't Bristol.  She looked like she was wearing black sequin granny-panties and her dad's work shirt.  I get that certain styles are appropriate for certain dances.  Each dance has a sort of "look" if you will, and it surely helps set the tone for all of us watching and for the dancers getting in character.  And I know that The Rumba means the gals get to wear some sheer flowing number that looks like my grandmothers curtains have been turned into a poncho.  No objection here.  And though I'm not a huge fan of what Brandy wore, it seems to fit the bill for Rumba costume pretty well - sequined granny panties and Grannies sheer drapes.  Not loving it, doing nothing for me...  but I get it.  Bristol's costume though...  I mean come on Mark - she's a young girl on a dance competition, not Tom Cruise a la Risky Business. 


Not exactly the best shot of the awful costume but you get the idea. And as for Brandy's, like I mentioned, it's DWTS traditional Rumba-wear, but I'm not loving it. I've seen similar costumes on previous seasons that looked better and showed the movement of the dancer more easily. This was just long enough and just wrapped enough that it hid a lot of her hip action.


I wasn't crazy about Florence Henderson's dress either. The high-waist and belt were both terrible ideas. They made her look a little thick and shortened her torso. Also I'm not loving the orthopedic dance shoes she's wearing. Come on Flo, this is DWTS and you're a card-carrying woman! Suck it up and rock those high-heels girl!


I feel pretty neutral about The Situation & Karina's wardrobe choices, and I also wasn't raving over what Anna chose for Kurt & herself.


So that leaves my favorites. I thought Rick & Cheryl looked stunning in their shared black & white. Unfortunately for Kurt I thought Rick pulled off his tux better and was more nicely complemented by the colors & style of his partner.


I often wonder what on earth Lacey is thinking with her wardrobe choices, but just as often she's found something fun, unique and very appealing. Last week she was wearing a skin tone top with black-lace applique floral trails snaking around her body, over her puffy pink tutu-ish skirt & down onto and around her stocking-clad leg. I thought it was an interesting and adorable effect.


Tony dressed Audrina in a sparkly red number with a sort of strange strappy transition between the bottom and top but I think overall it worked well.


And Derek and Jennifer once again looked great. Her traditional short black lace dress was perfect for their Argentine Tango and the cut of the top showed off her shoulders beautifully.


So there you go, just a few of my thoughts on last weeks show. I can't wait for tonight... come back in just over 12 more hours for my thoughts and opinions on Week 5 tonight!

Unplugged in Week 4 of Dancing with The Stars

Tonight's show is in the round, acoustic and will include 2 score for each couple!
First, Kurt & Anna will be dancing The Rumba. This could be a bit of a trick for Kurt since it's got a lot of hip action and Kurt's not really got a lot of swing in his hips! But then again... I could be wrong, I think as he swivels around like a pro. And the frying-pan hands are getting better every week! Len thought the technique was alright, lateral hip action was great, and the performance was good but not over the top. Bruno is still having a hard time with the frying pan hands and thought the romance was more brother/sister than lover. Carrie Ann loved the chemistry & performance between them but agreed with Bruno that his arm movements need to start within the body as opposed to his elbow.
Technical Scores: 5-5-5
Performance Scores: 7-6-6
What ridiculous scores. I didn't think the big hands warranted such a drop in the scores
Call 1-800-868-3408 to vote for Kurt & Anna or go to abc.com

Next we see a Rumba from Brandy & Maks. Yeah, Brandy mentioned she has a hard time feeling secy when she hasn't been with anyone is 6 years and wow is she right - she looked a little awkward at times. Maks on the other hand, can Rumba into my room any time. And if he could wear that bare chested outfit that would be a bonus. Bruno said it was a moment of passion in a moonlit garden but warned her to be careful of erratic hands. Carrie Ann said the performance was fully committed & great but thought she could be a little bit bigger in her movements. Bruno thought the performance was great but also felt she could put a little more power into her legs, as both other judges mentioned.
Technical Scores: 7-8-7
Performance Scores: 9-8-9
Okay I thought it was better than Kurt's performance but it certainly wasn't THAT much better. In fact it didn't grab me enough to call in a vote before seeing all the other dancers as I sometimes do, so I don't think it warranted a 9.
Call 1-800-868-3406 to vote for Brandy & Maks or go to abc.com

Rick & Cheryl has prepared a smokin' Argentine Tango for us and I'm pretty excited to see some crazy foot action and impressive lifts. I love the intensity of the Argentine Tango & they didn't disappoint me! But ti looks like they might not have impressed the judges. Carrie Ann thought it was one dimensional. She didn't see the motion and the passion but she saw too much concentration. Len loved the lifts and what they did for the dance but felt they could be a bit sharper. He thought it was a great performance but felt a little like the intensity faded as the dance went on. Bruno seemed to agree. He also felt some of the passes were a bit like Megatron... whatever that means...
Technical Scores: 6-7-6
Performance Scores: 6-7-7
Call 1-800-868-3404 to vote for Rick & Cheryl or go to abc.com

It's time for Kyle & Lacey to show us their Rumba and we'll get to see if Kyle's footwork has improved at all since last week. He's got to point his toes... I'm loving the hot pink tutu and hardly anything else that Lacey is wearing but it still can't hide the fact that Kyle's hips seem almost fused they're so stiff! His arms were good and so were his feet but his hips... oh boy. Len thought the footwork was much better but the whole thing was just a little too sharp with not enough flow. Oh, and he liked the performance. Bruno said he has moments of fluidity but sometimes Kyle isn't on it. Carrie Ann liked what he did with the performance but felt because he was focusing so much on his footwork he lost track of his upper body a bit.
Technical Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 8-7-7
Call 1-800-868-3403 to vote for Kyle & Lacey or go to abc.com

The Situation & Karina are up next with another Argentine tango and as much as I didn't want to like this guy, he's not so bad. He's goofy & personable, not proud or cocky and willing to work. Even though he goofed just a few steps in, his footwork is looking better than previous weeks but it's possible this is just because he's stood still a large portion of the dance while Karina danced around him. He's definitely the weakest of the bunch technically and I'm afraid he's going home soon. Bruno felt it never quite made sense and there were an incredible amount of mistakes. Carrie Ann first welcomed The situations Abs tot he show on behalf of all the women. She felt it was a good time to bring ont he distraction because it was pretty bad, but good job on the lifts. Bruno said it was consistent: bad through out.
Technical Scores: 4-4-4
Performance Scores: 6-5-5
I still gotta admire the guy: he said had fun, he said was glad Karina was in one piece and all he said about the judges scores: That's definitely a situation.
Call 1-800-868-3410 to vote for The Situation & Karina or go to abc.com

Next, Florence & Corky are dancing The Rumba, which Corky describes as a vertical expression of a horizontal desire! You can definitely see Florence struggling with the hip movements but it was a sexy dance. Carrie Ann felt like it went just a little too far. Len thought it was better than he expected and Bruno thought the performance was a bit much and the hips could be better - he's seen better. But I thought it was an improvement on last week at least!
Technical Scores: 6-6-5
Performance Scores: 6-6-6
I think Carrie Ann felt uncomfortable with the sex of The Rumba because it was Florence. I don't think she would have felt that way if it were Rick & Cheryl doing the same dance. She has Florence in her head as Mrs Brady and I think that puts them at an unfair disadvantage.
Call 1-800-868-3409 to vote for Florence & Corky or go to abc.com

Jennifer & Derek are doing an Argentine tango and I love how hard Jennifer pushes herself despite her physical limitations. I love the bit at the piano but Len will say it was wasted bars. Wow. She's sharp tonight. And Derek is always sharp. The choreography was intricate and beautiful. I loved it. I dare say Jennifer Grey is back on top. Len said it combined excellent technique & great performance skills, Bruno said it was prime time delight and Carrie Ann said it was A. May. Zing! I agree.
Technical Scores: 9-9-9
Performance Scores: 10-9-10
The first tens of the season and they get a pretty pair of them! I'm definitely calling in a vote for Jennifer.
Call 1-800-868-3411 to vote for Jennifer & Derek or go to abc.com

Bristol & Mark are dancing the Rumba and as Mark says, "The rumba and Bristol have absolutely nothing in common. She's still a little young to understand sensuality so it all looks a little awkward. It;s unfortunate since this might mean she goes home. I'd bet both Florence & The situation have more fans in their own right than the daughter of a political figure. Bruno says she's always very technically clean but the moves never go anywhere & she kind of goes vacant in her performances. Carrie Ann thinks her dancing can be really beautiful but she seems to not really be dancing for the audience. Len was of course disapproving of the topless Mark portion and wants to see more we and less me from Mark.
Technical Scores: 6-6-6
Performance Scores: 4-5-5
It's true that her performance is not as impressive as her technical skill. She's not a great dancer but she works hard on her steps and technique.
Call 1-800-868-3407 to vote for Bristol & Mark or go to abc.com

Audrina and Tony are dancing The Argentine Tango. I really like Tony and despite the dubious nature of her star status in my eyes, I'm willing to give her the same benefit I've given the Situation. She seems sweet and she's a decent dancer so far this season so we'll see. Her technique is nice, her steps are clean, but it's not the intense dance we saw from Jennifer & Derek. I think it was partly Jennifer's mistake last week that landed Audrina at the top. Carrie Ann said she needs to work on extending her foot and she was floppy on the dismount, but she liked their performance. Len said it was clean & clear with good lifts & a clever routine, but he didn't get transported to a seedy club in Buenos Aires. Bruno said it was effective, but she was sort of like an ice queen. He said it wasn't bad and enjoyed the difficult embellishments but she didn't point the feet.
Technical Scores: 8-8-8
Performance Scores: 8-7-7
Call 1-800-868-3401 to vote for Audrina & Tony or go to abc.com

And so tonight the leader board is as follows:
Jennifer & Derek: 56
Audrina & Tony: 46
Brandy & Maks: 41
Kyle & Lacey: 40
Rick & Cheryl: 39
Florence & Corky: 35
Kurt & Anna: 34
Bristol & Mark: 32
the Situation & Karina: 28

Dancing With The Stars - Week 1 Results Show

The results show started out with a one hour show that recapped last night by showing each dance and the judges comments.Then the live results hour began with a quick montage of pro's, hosts, judges & guests all getting ready for air.  Carlos Santana played Oye Como Va while Maks & Cheryl, Tony & Kym and Corky & Anna danced a lively Cha-cha-cha.  My mom comments "Wow, for an old guy Corky can really move!"  She's allowed to say this because she's older than Corky (I actually have no idea if this is true).
For the results, the contestants are split into 3 groups of 4 and first they showed us two safe couples from the 4 at the bottom of the leader board: Michael, The Hoff, The Situation and Margaret.
Michael & Chelsie are safe.
Margaret & Louis are safe.
Next there was a little bit with Adam Carolla (a season 6 contestant), Adam Carolla's Tour de Dance, where he took us on a world tour of dance styles... on a unicycle.
We start in NYC w/the Jive and a very unconvincing ride on a unicycle.  Next stop, Cuba for The Rumba which has been described as making love on the dance floor.  On to Brazil where they dance the Samba. Crossing the Atlantic on his unicycle, Carolla lands next in Vienna where we find the Waltz dating back to the 16th century, and over to England which gave us the Quickstep - a combination of The  Charleston & The Foxtrot.  Finally we finish the Tour de Dance in Southern France from whence came the Paso Doble, a dance heavily influenced by Flamenco.  Intersting...  I assumed the Paso was Spanish or Italian.  Not that I know anything more than what I've heard the judges say for the last several seasons. 
Next, Daughtry performed September while 2 couples danced a little number.  At this point I decided I'd keep track of how many dances the various Pro's have to learn while still in competition.  It's got to be hard to be dancing, choreographing, teaching, learning new numbers...  what an intense job!
After the Daughtry number, Brook went backstage to chat with the 4 contestants who will next learn their fate - the 4 at the top of the leader board.  She morbidly points out to Brandy that two contestants at the bottom are both safe, which means anything can happen!  So next up, Brandy, Kyle, Rick & Jennifer are sent to find out who are safe and who are sill in jeopardy.
Jeniffer & Derek are safe.
Rick & Cheryl are safe.
Next, India Arie sang While My Guitar Gently Weeps, accompanied by Carlos Santana.  It was truly beautiful. Louis & Karina did a Rumba maybe?  I really enjoy the growth, change, risk and suspense, when watching the contestants.  But there's also something so captivating about watching the perfection of the pros.
The last group of 4 was the middle of the pack: Audrina, Kurt, Bristol and Florence.
Audrina & Tony are safe.
Florence & Corky are safe.
At this point in the show we knew of six safe couples and were still waiting to hear the fate of the other six. Brandy, Kyle, Kurt,  Bristol, The Hoff & The Situation were still waiting to hear.
Daughtry sang Photograph (yes, a cover of the Def Leppard song), accompanied by Santana while Derek & Lacey and Marc & Chelsie danced a rocking Cha-cha-cha (I think).
Tom Bergeron spoke with Daughtry & Santana for a minute after their song and asked who they're rooting for.  Daughtry is a Michael Bolton fan because last night he danced to a Daughtry song "I never saw that in my future." Daughtry said. LOL  And Santana told us he's rooting for Kurt Warner.
For another time-filler, they played a little video montage of the Pros talking about how it feels to be the first couple eliminated.  I'm sure that's got to be hard getting sent home right away.
Brook had The Hoff, Brandy & Bristol, on one side and The Situation, Kurt and Kyle on the other side of her, in the celebraquarium, talking about how they felt going into the final minutes of the first results show.  Everyone has enjoyed themselves & hopes to stay.  And so off they go to hear who is safe and who is going home.
Brandy & Maks are safe.
Bristol & Mark are safe.
And of course Tom had to go to commercial before telling us any more.
Kurt & Anne are safe.
The Situation & Karina are safe.
Wow - I'm kind of surprised that they still have Kyle up there on the chopping block!  Either way, I'm surprised at who will go home.  Kyle danced a great dance and The Hoff I thought would have a better voting fan base.
So who's going home?  The Hoff!

I think that's the right choice.  While The situation & Margaret Cho were pretty bad, this gives them a little time to show us if they can do better.  The Hoff was eliminated and his daughter said she was so proud of him for dancing with his bad knees.  He wouldn't have made it much longer anyway.  It was a good elimination.
See you next week!