The final four on 'Dancing with the Stars'
This is it folks. We're one week away from crowning the champion of Dancing with the Stars but first, we've got to get through the semi-finals.
Spoilers!
Each couple chose their dance styles at random from a giant disco ball. Also, the lift allowance was temporary only temporary and we're back to the standard rules. Len addresses the couples and tells them essentially that good is not good enough, they've got to be great. But no pressure.
1. Jason Taylor & Edyta
Dance/Song: Foxtrot - "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald
Jason picked the Foxtrot and the Paso Doble out of the Disco Ball of Doom. During rehearsal, Jason's a little tired so Edyta uses football analogies and a video from Dan Marino to help keep his focus. The number was strong as his Ballroom dances tend to be. He moved a lot more than usual (not the standard 4 body positions) and there was quite a bit more personality on his part than there has been in the past.
Judges: All the judges were pleased with how much more content there was and his increased showmanship.
Score: 28 (9-10-9)
2. Marissa Jarret Winokur & Tony
Dance/Song: Quickstep - "Around the World" by Frank Sinatra
Marissa's chosen the Rumba and Quickstep from the DBoD. DWTS poster girl Stacy Keibler comes by to give Marissa some tips and the two of them poke fun at Tony. They're really focusing on refining her technique which really shows in the performance. It was a cute number, full of energy and great choreography. There was a brief hitch in one part (she missed a leap in their diagonal pattern) but overall it was good performance.
Judges: Bruno was much harder on her but they all agree that, despite a slight misstep and since it's such limiting dance since the hold must be maintained the whole time, it was a good job.
Score: 26 (9-9-8)
3. Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz - "Satellite" by The Dave Matthews Band (fantastic song, bad rendition)
Much to Cristian's dismay, he picked the Viennese Waltz and the Samba. Since he injured himself on the Samba, he's having some flashbacks of dread. After they go out and meet some fans on the street campaigning for votes, Cristian's able to get over his issues. Big ups again to Cheryl for her great choreography. The holds were solid and his posture has steadily improved. There was a one-armed turning sequence that I really liked. By the way, Cheryl's outfit is ridiculous yet fantastic. It looks like someone was trying to gift wrap her. Tom Bergeron asks if anyone's missing a weather balloon after the judge's remarks.
Judges: Nothing but positives all around. Carrie Ann states that she likes how he looks so intense and focused at the beginning of the dance but then there's a moment where he just lets go and enjoys it.
Score: 27 (9-9-9)
4. Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark
Dance/Song: Tango - An instrumental piece I don't know the name of but was appropriate for the number
Mark picks for them and they get the Tango and the Jive, which Kristi is nervous about since they got a perfect score on the latter dance. To help fine tune, Mark takes Kristi to a high-level Tango class for tips from other pros. This was definitely better than their first time around. Technically it was solid as ever but the most impressive thing was her level of intensity and that she had a range of emotions.
Judges: Bruno and Carrie Ann were impressed but Len the Tango Scrooge said it was too hectic at times.
Score: 29 (10-9-10)
Before we get to the Latin round, we get to see Len visit the semi-finalists to give tips and a specific movement they must do in the dance. He visits Jason first and gives him a footwork sequence so his Paso isn't so "pose-y." During Kristi's visit, Len corrects one of her spin positions and gives her a roundabout-through-the-arms kind of maneuver to do for her Jive. Len helps Cristian with his promenades for the Samba and gives him a one-armed turn sequence. Finally, Len helps Marissa with her hip action.
5. Jason & Edyta
Dance/Song: Paso Doble - A familiar sounding instrumental piece
It was definitely less with the static poses. He had a good intensity and Edyta gave him much more to do, which was appreciated. It wasn't perfect but it was better.
Judges: All three appreciated the character he brought to the dance and liked that it had more content.
Score: 27 (all 9's)
6. Marissa & Tony
Dance/Song: Rumba - "Just The Two of Us" by Grover Washington, Jr.
I found that the music didn't really match. Once I muted the sound, the dance came through better and I liked it. She could've used a little more hip action but it was an improvement from her last Tango.
Judges: Carrie Ann wasn't excited by it ("no wow factor") but Len countered stating that the Rumba is more about technique and he really liked it, as did Bruno.
Score: 26 (8-9-9)
7. Cristian & Cheryl
Dance/Song: Samba - "Sweetheart from Venezuela" by Harry Belafonte
By finishing and not getting injured, he's already a step above the last time. Cristian had a good energy and hip action and looked like he was having a good time. But he looked like he messed up a few times.
Judges: All the judges enjoyed his performance but it was a little flat-footed at times for Len.
Score: 29 (10-9-10) - I think the 10's were a reward for overcoming past demons and performing well, in spite of the mistakes.
8. Kristi & Mark
Dance/Song: Jive - "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner
It was a fun number and full of all kinds of cool moves. I especially liked the sequence towards the end with the spins and dips and through the legs and back...really impressive.
Judges: Carrie Ann and Len both agreed that she was a touch off but commended her on the difficulty of her routine. Bruno straight up loved it.
Score: 28 (9-9-10)
Bottom Two: I'm thinking it's Marissa and Jason in a "shocker."
Who's Out: This could go a couple ways, but I'm fairly certain it'll be Marissa.
I think all couples did very well tonight, but I agree with you that Marissa should go...the other 3 are a step above and deserve to be in the finals for their consistency throughout the entire season.
I agree, Celia. I've been on here Marissa-bashing before... I'll save all of that and agree with you. Marissa is the weakest and needs to go home. I commend her for making it this far.
I thought that all four couples did a great job tonight. And there are things that I like about all of them. Of course one couple will be eliminated and I'll be sad no matter who it is. I've been one of the Marissa supporters all along and I still am. But I kind of expect to see her eliminated this week.
While I admire what Cristian is doing, but I also find it a sham that the judges are giving him scores that says he's dancing better than any of the non-injured contestants. There's no way you can have the fluidity nor the technical proficiency with an arm bound up like that. This only proves the show is nothing more than fluff entertainment, and the "injury" is just a selling point for it. Very disappointed.
Jason- No wonder he was so happy with their random picks. He got a ballroom dance to show off his lines and smooth movement and the Latin dance that uses the least amount of fast footwork and hip movement. I thought foxtrot was very nice and he did comfortablyperform' the dance more than he has in the past. The paso was just ok- he had the intensity in his face but I don't feel it in his body movement. He lacks crisp snappy movement in all of his Latin dances. One would figure it would be harder for a football player to dance too gracefully- but I feel like he does in Latin and it hurts the energy overall of the dances.
......
Marissa- really liked the quickstep choreography. It wasnt too easy like it has been sometimes- which is maybe why the mistake happened. But I did enjoy this one. She did try in the rumba to bring more sex appeal than the last one but it was just ok. I love how much she loves to dance but I don't think she's up to par with everyone else- but then agam she doesn't have an injury and Marie made it to the finals last year so you never know!
.......
Cristian- the waltz was just ok, nothing special- like always to me he stared into space when doing a more serious dance instead of really feeling the character- surprising since he is an actor. Cheryl's really is wearing distracting costumes, possibly on purpose to divert away from his arm. The samba was much better, he looks much more natural in these dances. I can never really find myself saying anything more than 'pretty good' for him. He seems more awkward to me than the judges say. But its apples and oranges- I see where others would like him I just don't care for it. And I'm not sure how I feel about someone with an bad injury making it over someone healthy- but the show is more about entertainment than a real dance competition in the end.
Kristi- the tango was wonderful- great choreography and much more ntende than before. I liked the variety of steps- quick and slow that were used and didnt agree with Len. I'm used to the nitpicking of the best dancer on the show but so find it a litle annoying they pick at her while not criticizing Jason or Cristians actual dancing much. The jive was good too, not as much as their first, which is still the best dance of the whole season IMO. That's hard to live up to. It shows also how important music can be- their first song just worked better but i appreciate the fact they didnt reuse hardly any moves from the first jive and gave the dance a different feel.
.....
Marissa will probably be the one to go. I have enjoyed this season but I have to say I dont feel like their are even 2 REALLY strong dancers battling for the title like normally (ie: Drew & Stacy, Mario and Emmitt, Apolo and Joey, Helio and Mel B). I can't see anyone that is well rounded enough and proficient enough besides Kristi- so I hope she wins, I'll be voting, but if not Ive enjoyed watching her and Mark all season.
sorry about all my typos. I actually write this on my phone Internet and I can't scroll up in this text box to recheck my typing.....
Kristi& Mark.
I hope they win .
There is no wow factor with any of the couples comparing to the Top 10 of the past 5 years. There is no Drew Lachey/Cowboy song or E. Smith's rock n roll song. Everything is just ok - not anything to say "Wow, did you see Joey Fatone or Helio or Appllo or Mel B or Stacy or Mario's dance - this season is flat for me.
I've definitely found this the least interesting and exciting of all the seasons I've watched - I've seen them all but the first.
Marissa CONTINUES to be distracting when she dances. I'm sorry, but all I can do is watch the way they cut her dress to absolutely ZERO in on her butt and when she gets down on the floor I always wonder if she'll get back up. I've been continually stunned that she's been in the competition this long and disappointed that she has. I'm not being mean - that's just the way she has hit me since the season started. I never really SEE her dancing because just watching her on the floor is distracting.
I have to disagree about Christian - I thought he was amazing and he has NOT been one of my favorites. I love to watch Jason - well, he's gorgeous, who wouldn't. And Kristi's terrific. But I'm really beginning to hope Christian wins. I watched his injured arm and everything he did seemed to fit right in.
Of course, this season has been the hardest to predict so far, so who knows??
TAMARA: I enjoy your recap, as always. Instead of having the celebrities pick their two dances from 'The Disco Ball of Doom', they should have written down the names of the dances and placed them in numbered briefcases. Then the stars choose which numbers they want, while employing some of the models from Deal or No Deal to open the briefcases for them! It would have been a cute cross-over, but Deal or No Deal is on NBC anyway.
ERIN: I seem to agree with most of your opinions every week, so I won't repeat everything you just said. I agree that the judges have been nitpicking Kristi's performances all along. Jason and Cristian seem to get a p*** for their mistakes, being flat-footed, easier choreography, etc.
I think part of the reason that so many viewers are bored this season (as I have been reading a lot of similar comments on different DwtS message boards) is that there is not an exciting rivalry, such as Apolo vs. Joey.
Also, I think the show would benefit if it were on only once per year (like American Idol). Then the producers would probably have a better chance at getting higher profile celebrities, and the professional dancers would have more time and energy to create some fresh choreography. At this point, almost all the pros' dances look so similar to their dances from season 5.
Most likely, Marissa will be the one eliminated this time, but I have been saying that for the past three weeks or so. :-0 However, I am happy to see that both Marissa and Cristian have improved so much over the past 8 weeks.