Photos
Video
RSS'Dancing with the Stars': Ty Murray & Lawrence Taylor on chopping block in Week 7
Tonight's "Dancing with the Stars" packed way more extras in it than a Disney movie bonus disk.
We start out with the encore - the ode to 60's Group Dance, as I predicted. Shawn changed things up by doing a handstand and kicking her legs on her go-go box, Chuck decided to dance without the blonde wig, and Derek, again, owned. He looked like he was having ridiculous amounts of fun both times. Also, I neglected to mention last night that watching Melissa Rycroft doing The Pony made me smile.
Post recap package and a commercial break, we get a bit of time-filler about the physical impact of Ballroom/Latin dancing. I think this was one of the most interesting packages this season. The health benefits are yet another great reason for people to try it at home - the celebs burn up to 15,000 calories per week!
Natasha Beddingfield takes the stage next to sing "Soulmate" while Dmitry and Lacey Rumba. That's a good looking couple of dancers there. I really liked the choreography - it was pretty and dynamic. Natasha sounded good, which I dont' think she gets enough credit for. As we've seen in past weeks, not everyone consistantly sounds great live. I like her in general and I'm glad to see she's not scary-skinny like she was last year.
After more adverts, the cast of "Burn The Floor," a Broadway show featuring international Ballroom champs, performs to the House Band's version of "History Repeating" by the Propellerheads feat. Shirley Bassey. I give it up to the singer because she actually nailed this song. The crazy red lighting made it hard to see what was going on at times but it was a great freaking number. Just wow. If I lived in New York, I'd be all over this show.
Finally, after almost a half hour, we learn that Chuck Wicks & Julianne, Melissa Rycroft & Tony, and Shawn Johnson & Mark have been saved in no particular order.
With more newness this season, for the first time the viewing audience gets to decide who the new pro will be next time through (since Julianne's leaving). Six dancers will perform in couples but only one will be guarenteed a spot.
Brent Borban and Afton DelGrosso are the first two to dance. They dance together for the Vegas espectacular "Le Reve" and Afton is Ashley's younger sister. They do a Cha Cha to "Damaged" by Danity Kane. They're both very good but I'm not totatly feeling them (though I like Brent a little better). Len and Bruno slobbered all of Afton while Carrie Ann was much more even in her praise, saying Brent's personality will shine through on camera.
Next up Anna Demidova, who sort looks like a cross between Vanna White and Ali Larter, and Mayo Alanen. They're good friends but have never danced together. Their Waltz is to "Weekend In New England" by Barry Manilow. Strangely, I found this more interesting than the Cha Cha. They did a great job with choreography. All three judges were equally complimentary and really liked them, though the highlight was when Len wondered how they'd do in Latin, they did a brief showcase - very smart.
Last up is Snow Urbin and Genya Mazo. If they both look familiar it's because Snow was on the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance" and Genya is Alec's brother. They've competed against each other so their rehersal package seemed a little more combatative than the others. The Rumba they perform is to "Stop and Stare" by OneRepublic. They have great stage presence. Lots of happy thoughts from the judges with Len saying Genya dances like a man and that Snow was a great balance sexy and technique.
Good grief they're packing a lot into this episode. The quasi-operatic four-woman group Celtic Women sing "You Raise Me Up" as Showdance Champions Eric Luna & Georgia Ambarian show off. Eric & Georgia were on that farce "Superstars of Dance" earlier this year. It's a lift-fest for sure.
Looks like they've done completely away with the Dance Off as it hasn't reared its ugly head once again. With four couples remaining on stage, Lil' Kim & Derek and Gilles Marini & Cheryl are safe. No surprise.
Between LT & Edyta and Ty Murray & Chelsie, it's Lawrence's time to leave. He's all smiles though and is grateful for the experience. As much as people didn't like him, I thought LT did really well considering he's the most beat up out of all the NFL players who've been on the show.
Your thoughts on tonight? They sure packed in a lot of special segments. Are you glad there was no Dance Off once again? What do you think of this new pro-picking system?
Post a comment
Zap2it Twitter Talk 
thank god no dance-off. didn't enjoy the group dance the first time, so i didn't want to see it again either. but mercifully, chuck wicks wasn't wearing that wig. glad LT went.
Yea seriously there was a lot going on in this results show! I liked Dmitri and Lacey's dance very much.
As for the new pros I wasn't really loving any of them at the moment (it seemed obvious that most of them were much weaker than the pros we already have on the show-- but maybe it was just nerves). I do like the idea of the competition though and gives the new pro, whoever it ends up being, a little familiarity with the public before next season.
From interviews I have seen, LT really wanted to go, so I'm glad he did and not someone else who deserved/wanted to stay. Next week should be another week of great dancing and hopefully a more fair and balanced team face off than last year!
I don't like it that Julianna is leaving. The show will lose alot without her. Did anyone see the grab Chuck made on Julianna at the beginning of their dance Monday night. I know it was a mistake but WHOOPS don't do that again.
Wow, this show is practically going the way it should be, with the weakest dancers going first and no big surprises. Yea!
As for the audience picking the next pro dancer, I don't know about that. I think they've done a great job recently, selecting Lacey and Chelsie, and none of these dancers really impress me that much -- especially that Mayo guy. OMG!!!!!!! He's like a scarecrow. I can't imagine him working well with any of the "stars," but you never know.
As for the "Burn the Floor" dancers, that was just too frantic for my taste, but they are all very talented.
I am really glad the dance off disappeared. It was a ridiculous idea, since it ended up being meaningless.
The rest of the season should be very entertaining and interesting. I think once Ty (the sweetheart) and Chuck go, the rest are pure joy to watch.
To Me: I sure did see that! I was totally amazed, and waitied in vain for somebody to make some reference to it.
For those who missed it, Chuck reached around and grabbed Juliana's left breast full on, as they both faced the camera directly, and with a close up shot, no less! (He may have grabbed her right one too, but my eyes did not stray that far!) I could not figure out what he was trying to do, it was so blatant.
I enjoyed Mayo's dancing, but it looks to me as though he calls attention to himself. The show has always had the situation where the pro dancer must show off the abilities of the celebrity - they are often scolded in the early episodes "We know YOU can dance, we want to see what he can do."
So Genya seems the best.
It was nice to see a celeb who was happy to leave. Worked for me. Ty next week...
uhhhhh... if they're looking for a new pro, why don't they take pasha? if anyone knows who i'm talking about, they'll know why i'm mentioning him!
pk, I think Pasha is a great dancer, but he is too wrapped up in himself. One of the great things about the pro dancers on this show is that they are so good at bringing out the best in the stars they work with. Really, I don't know how they do it and they all seem as though they enjoy what they're doing.