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RSS'Dancing with the Stars': Prelude to a Double Elimination
Ever seeking to make subsequent seasons new and exciting, the "Dancing with the Stars" Powers That Be decided to let everyone dance two weeks before making the first cut. The cost is that this week we get two eliminations for the price of one. Fear for The Woz. Oh...and not only do we get the first 10's of the season, we get a perfect freakin' score.
Spoilers!
This week, Karina was the one to almost trip on the stairs. And, forgive a moment of girl-to-girl admiration, Cheryl's rack looks amazing in her dress. Another big difference this week is two new scored dances - The Lindy Hop and the Argentine Tango. Len explains that lifts and throws are allowed in the Lindy and the hold of the Argentine Tango is much more flexible than the standard.
1. David Allen Grier & Kym
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/The Theme from "American Bandstand"
DAG is immediately intrigued by Kym's description of the dance but he's not getting it so they go see some live Lindy in Pasadena. He seemed inspired and revitalized, but did it really help? What's good about this dance is that David can make all the faces he wants and it works. They're characters are great but the music seems a couple beats too slow so it looks kind of looks like they're working harder than they have to. But it was good choreography, fun and very cute number. I dig it. Oh, and great cartwheels.
Judges: Len thought it was fun but noted they seemed to lose the beat at times. Bruno agrees but compliments the performance. Carrie Ann half agrees stating she didn't think he lost the beat but instead kicked up the energy at the modulations.
Score: 22 (8-7-7)
2. Lil' Kim & Derek
Dance/Song: Argentine Tango/A fitting instrumental piece
First of all, Kim is working that look. She probably has the best natural legwork of all the female celebs, which is showcased fantastically in this number. It was great, it really was. I can't say for sure that her hold was always solid because I was staring at her legs practically the hold time. She got a much deserved standing ovation afterward and Kim was a little emotional afterward.
Judges: Bruno was so into it he stood for his entire oration. Carrie Ann called her "the real deal" and complimented her lines. Len loved the choreography but didn't find it entirely steamy, which C to the A and The Big B vehemently disagree with.
Score: 27 (9-8-10) - Wow, I wasn't expecting that 10 but the total score is fully earned
3. Chuck Wicks & Julianne
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/"Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochran
Chuck fell and landed on his head one time and now has a completely understandable phobia about it. So clearly he was having a lot of trouble with flipping over her back but she took it out. Let's see what they replaced it with. They have a drive-in waiters theme to their outfits - cute. Given the height/size discrepancy, flipping and launching Julianne looked fairly effortless. Instead of the back flip, he leap-frogged her which worked. It seemed like the most fun he's had so far but, aside from the costumes, I didn't find it particularly memorable.
Judges: Carrie Ann liked it but really wants to see him go for it more. Len and Bruno agree, the former wanting Chuck to kick it up a notch and the latter wanting crisper movements.
Score: 22 (8-7-7)
4. Lawrence Taylor & Edyta
Dance/Song: Argentine Tango/A fitting instrumental piece
Lawrence was having a hard time learning the whole vibe of the dance - enter Alec Mazo to lend a helping hand. Learning by example seemed to do the trick. His presence was very powerful but Edyta seemed to be doing a lot more work. I think that's partially because LT wasn't really connecting all the moves. To her credit, she fully took advantage of the lift allowance. It wasn't great but it wasn't horrible.
Judges: Len thought he looked uncomfortable through the whole dance. Bruno liked the quiet menace of his character but noted he was heavy footed. Carrie Ann agrees that the choreography was executed well but it lacked some chemistry.
Score: 19 (7-5-7) - Both Carrie Ann and Bruno cut Len a look when he held up his paddle
5. Ty Murray & Chelsie
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/"You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)" by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Chelsie apologized for slipping on her dress, he said it was okay, they'll just have to get her a shorter one. Speaking of strength, she's throwing in all kinds of crazy lifts. He got off-beat quite a few times but the lifts were very well-done. It started a little slow but as soon as they were dancing together, he settled down. Ty was really high energy the whole time. I was entertained for sure.
Judges: Bruno loved the energy and strength but says he's still rough around the energy. Carrie Ann was very excited by how far he's come. Len was also very impressed. Both he and C to the A commended Chelsie on being such a great teacher.
Score: 25 (9-8-8)
6. Steve Wozniak & Karina
Dance/Song: Argentine Tango/A fitting instrumental piece
Dude...Karina's outfit is crazy. The opening stuff with the chair probably went on a little long (I'm sure Len will hate that part) but The Woz was trying. She smartly put in a moment where he smiles at the judges. His technique wasn't great but the lifts were well done. Kudos to you sir.
Judges: Carrie Ann loves what he represents but it just didn't really do anything for her at all. Len appreciates he attempted a proper Tango and reacted surprisingly favorably. Bruno, however, was far less kind.
Score: 12 (all 4's)
7. Melissa Rycroft & Tony
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/"Brown Derby Jump" by Cherry Poppin' Daddies
I like her outfit, though it looks kinda like something Edyta wore before. They danced a very clean routine, the lifts were good, but I wasn't really feeling anything from them. Except when they did the lifts. Maybe she was concentrating too hard because I was getting recital face (where they make different facial expressions but there's not a lot of "in the moment" emotion behind it).
Judges: Len says she has the potential to go all the way, Bruno thought it was "eyepopping fun," and Carrie Ann thought it was the best choreography she's seen from Tony.
Score: 29 (10-9-10)
8. Holly Madison & Dmitry
Dance/Song: Argentine Tango/
During the Smaba last week, Holly hurt her ribs and they hadn't gotten better which really upset her. She went to the doctor and basically it's just a muscle strain. Holly wasn't really giving me the proper face but Dmitry is deliciousness-on-a-stick. Holly's biggest problem is that she takes such small steps that it lessens the impact of the moves. The choreography was good (there was a great pretzel flip in there) but she just couldn't carry it off. Falling off the stool at the beginning sabotaged her mentally.
Judges: Bruno noted that Dmitry was doing all the work and advises, if she should stick around, to "drop the Barbie." Carrie Ann commends her for sticking it out even after such a rocky start and wants more strength from her in the future. Len compliments the choreography and reiterates the other judges' comments.
Score: 16 (5-6-5)
9. Steve-O & Lacey
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/"Dance Little Sister Dance" by The Rolling Stones
Poor Steve is super-stressing out in rehearsal so she gets him a clown costume (he started out as one and has got great tricks...though I hate clowns). It totally helped him loosen up. he looked like he was having fun, though it took a little bit for him to really loosen up. It kind of sucks that they couldn't do any big lifts or tricks because of his bad back but a more rudimentary routine is better for him mentally at this point so that okay.
Judges: Carrie Ann appreciates that he's letting go but noticed that he's still falling Lacey. Len also notes his timing was a bit off but congratulates him on getting through the routine without incident. Bruno suggests to stop over-thinking and really listen to the music.
Score: 15 (all 5's)
10. Gilles Marini & Cheryl
Dance/Song: Argentine Tango/A fitting instrumental piece
Gilles is giving me Young Antonio Banderas. Part of the reason this Tango is so good is because he's actually connecting all his movements. This season is clearly the best choreography Cheryl's done in years. All I can say is it was fab. A standing ovation and Carrie Ann was straight fanning herself.
Judges: Nothing but love and puppies with Carrie Ann saying she couldn't tell which was the professional.
Score: 30 (all 10's) - Totally deserved
11. Shawn Johnson & Mark
Dance/Song: Lindy Hop/"Ready Teddy" by Little Richard
Shawn brings Mark to her gym for some playtime and to get some inspiration for the Hop. Oh yes, she's going to throw some flips. If fact she starts with a tumbling pass. Mark is wearing these little shorts and giant nerdy glasses. Awesome. It was a really cute number.
Judges: Bruno thought it was entertaining but advises to bridge the gap between dancing and tricks better. Carrie Ann liked it but thought she was a little heavy footed. Len thought it was a little too much tricks, not enough dancing.
Score: 25 (8-8-9)
Overall Thoughts: I think DAG was slightly underscored but that tends to happen with the first number. I'm surprised I wasn't more entertained by Melissa & Tony and Chuck & Julianne - I just wasn't feeling them. Gilles and Lil' Kim continue to impress me greatly.
Bottom Two...er, Three?: I'm not sure how double eliminations will affect the dance off. I'm guessing there'll be three celebs in the bottom - Holly, Steve-O and The Woz with an outside chance of LT as he's the next lowest vote getter.
Who's Out: Definitely Holly. I'd like Steve-O to get one more chance but there's a high probability The Woz's army of nerd supporters might keep him afloat one more week.
Your guesses of who's on the way out? Were you surprised by the Gilles' perfect score? Favorite number(s)? Disappointed by anyone? And was it just me or were most of the Lindy songs played just a few beats too slow? P.S. Feel free to follow me on Twitter!
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
I missed the first five, but I essentially agree with you on the rest, except I probably liked Melissa more than you due to the great choreography. Gilles was fabulous. I actually had tears in my eyes when they were at judges table, don't know why, maybe it was all that sex appeal. I thought Shawn treated her dance like a pairs floor routine. She really needs to smooth her moves out, but even in gymnastics she was always the athletic powerhouse and not the graceful flyer.
I honestly think that Woz was the one who was underscored if anyone was. While his performance was less than stellar or adequate, I had lot more problems with Steve-O and Holly with their mistakes and missed moves than the judges obviously did. There is going to be a time when the Nerd Nation should abandon Woz, but it wasn't tonight.
This season has really surprised me . . In Week 1, I thought they should've just given Gilles the trophy. Now, I think, depending if America votes right and cuts out Steve, Steve-O and Holly, we're going to have a real competition, the strongest 6 since the Kristi Yamaguchi season and a Top 3 where who knows who'll win. Definitely leaps and bounds over last season.
i thought Holly showed signs of improvement (more than the judges acknowledged, altho Len gave her a little credit). and Steve-O was better too. Woz was underscored, c'mon 5's judges? at least they're fun to watch.
i'd rather see LT go out. or boring Chuck W. (altho i love Julianne) but i'm so done watching them.
Melissa did NOT do a proper lindy (steps) but her lifts were good. she was the most overscored tonight IMHO. and was it my imagination--but i thought she almost fell at the end on the last lift and Tony was so relieved because she managed to catch herself on his leg. (no, i don't think that was on purpose.)
Gilles Marini was PERFECTION. and lovin' L'il Kim too! :)
i thought Shawn's lindy steps were better than the others who did that dance, maybe just not enough of them in the routine.
final point: the least appreciated part of the show? THE JUDGES. they make it the show it is. (along with Tom B. of course.) but the judges really bring the energy and rock it.
I think it's LT's turn to go. He's just isn't shaping up the way we've seen other footballers turn out.
Derek's choreography was beautiful and Kim did a really great job. To see her nervous was really touching, too. I am liking 'Lil Kim more and more and she is turning out to be quite the dancer.
I'm afraid Woz was a little ****y tonight with the whole "I've got the people" thing. Might've been a turnoff to some who liked him for his effervescent charm.
Steve-O looks so much better in rehearsal than he does on the stage, which is all about nerves. But he did much better tonight with the routine and it looks like he's on his way to conquering the fear. I hope he's sticks around to improve some more.
I really like Melissa, but her pointed toes were bugging me. Shouldn't that have been a flexed foot thing? Tricks were awesome, though. It's good to see Tony have someone he can really work with.
Gilles totally deserved the 30. That number was rockin'! Didn't love Cheryl's little upside-down ending move, though. It was flippin' awesome at the end of her and Drew's freestyle, but I don't think it belonged in an Argentine Tango. But that's a little quibble in an otherwise fabulous routine.
I thought there was absolutely nothing that would ever get me to watch Sex and the City but now I've got to check out Gilles' wee wee.
I enjoyed Lil Kim, Gilles, Melissa, Shawn and to a lesser extent Ty and Chuck. Favorites were definitely Lil Kim and Gilles- love the Argentine tango!
-Gilles was awesome but what impressed me most was Lil Kim. In the tango, the average viewer's eye goes to the female and she was amazingly beautiful in her footwork and lines for a nonpro. Cheryl, of course, is excellent, as she is a pro.
-Shawn's dance was a little too trick oriented but my biggest thing with her is working on projecting her expressions. Otherwise they are terrific. Love Melissa too but I agree with the review- I feel like she just beauty-pageant smiles her way through every dance like she enjoys dancing but doesn't connect with the music or character. I think she could bring more drive behind her movements too.
-Ty and Chuck are pleasant but just need work all around in technique and performance. They have great partners so hopefully that will come. I have enjoyed the newbies and loved Chelsie on SYTYCD and think she's a great new addition.
-The Steves and Holly just aren't very good, but seem like nice people. And DAG and LT just are either boring or their personalities aren't clicking with me. Edyta's choreography is very stale too.
-Its obvious who the bottom 3 should be but we'll see how the people vote. Not sure which of the 3 will be the 2 to go home either- Its all up to the fans.
2 HOURS OF NO-STOP ENTERTAINMENT. A GREAT SHOW THIS SEASON
Lil Kim and Gilles Marini did the best dances for me of the night. Ty Murray and Chelsea Hightower were enjoyable, too. He's really stepped up and is becoming a good dancer, IMO.
C to the A turned into Paula Abdul tonight over Giles and Cheryl. The difference is Paula stands up during nearly all the performances on AI and turns all theatrical way too often delivering her word salad judging. When Carrie Ann reacts that way, you know she means it. Judges not loving Lil' Kim, but I like her. She was underscored I think for what she did.