Aw. Poor Ralph Macchio. He was a contender when the season began, but now it looks like he’ll be limping out of the season with an injury. His Viennese Waltz was solid, despite his effed knee. But that cha cha was painful to watch. He never stopped smiling, though.
Chelsea and Mark sit atop the leaderboard, as they should. She’s the best dancer left in the competition. I would not mind if she took it all. But it will probably be Hines, the football player with the easy charm (and a killer on the field!). He’s not the best technical dancer, but he’s light on his feet and a pleasure to watch.
Kirstie and Maks came back strong with their Argentine Tango, but that salsa was all kinds of awkward. Romeo and Chelsie might be going home this week. The pair’s performance was solid tonight, but nothing that would make a viewer pick up the phone.
Leaderboard:
Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas – 55
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson – 54
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – 53
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower – 52
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff – 46
We’re down to the Final Five! Recapping DWTS right here.
For some inexplicable reason, Casey Abrams is in the audience. Don’t you love how Idol and DWTS are like, totally BFFs now? lmao
The stars have to complete two routines–one is an instant dance. That means they are given their music before they take the dance floor.
Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas – Waltz – Chelsea lectures Mark on his bad attitude. Oops. There’s nothing not to love about this routine. It’s traditional, graceful and beautifully danced. Chelsea is extremely consistent, week in and week out, even if the judges don’t care for the choreography. They deserve good scores. Len: I think you put too much emphasis on the story. It becomes too theatrical. It was very musical, great hold, posture. I liked it. Bruno: You found the perfect setting for Chelsea to shine. Dancing of the highest quality. Fabulous. Carrie Ann: Tonight, something very different happened. You finished every move. You earned perfection tonight. – Carrie Ann – 10 Len – 9 Bruno – 10 – 29 – (first couple to get 2 10s) 1-800-868-3401 – Chelsea and Mark pick their instant dance song: “Get Busy” by Sean Paul. Casey Abrams sighting right after Chelsea and Mark finish their routine! LOOK FOR IT – VIDEO
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson – Foxtrot – The story is: Hines will propose to Kym. Hines studies the competition, just like in football! Kym says the routine is “super cheesy”. When is DWTS NOT super cheesy? Hines is smiling this week. Some very graceful moves from the Pittsuburgh Steeler. Twirl it baby! Hines is not technically perfect, but he’s light on his feet and a pleasure to watch. Bruno: YES YES YES. It was beaming with a blissful sense of happiness. Carrie Ann: I don’t think Fred Astair. I think Gene Kelly. You’re such a guys guy. I loved it! Len: Your dancing has such great appeal. Your personality radiates. Joyful. It’s fluid, it moves through. Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 28 – 1-800-868-3403 – Instant Dance: “Chantilly Lace” by the Big Bopper. – VIDEO
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower – Tango – Romeo was at the bottom of the leaderboard last week. He’s treating this week’s dance as if it were his last. Laser beams and black and red PVC. Whee hoo. Well, definitely better than last week. Romeo was so awkward last week trying to move his hips–he’s way more comfortable with the straightforward tango. Carrie Ann – That was amazing. The intensity is so incredible. When you’re in it, I can’t take my eyes off you. One of your best routines ever. Len: You have upped your game. So far the dances have been fantastic and you’re right up there. Bruno: You danced like a real man out there. You’ve done marvels. Carry on. Carrie Ann – 9 Len – 9 – Bruno – 9 – 27 – 1-800-868-3405 – Instant Dance: “Tequila” – VIDEO
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff – The Viennese Waltz – He missed 4 days of rehearsal this week due to his knee finally giving out. Between the injury, and lack of rehearsal, it could be rough this week. He had a ruptured baker’s cyst. Whoa. On Saturday’s rehearsal, the injury flares up. THAT LOOKS PAINFUL. Karina is doing most of the heavy lifting, but that was very elegant. Good job from Ralph. Len: You did a great job. Good hold, nice movement. It lacked polish. Well done. Bruno: Mesmerizing, dangerous, creatures of the night. Astonishing how you managed to do what you did. Credit to you. Carrie Ann: You did have a few moments where it took away, so we have to judge you on your dance. – 1-800-868-3408 – Carrie Ann – 8 – Len – 8 – Bruno – 9 – 25. Instant Dance: “Stuck in the Middle” by Stealers Wheel They plan to whip together a cha cha cha. – VIDEO
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Argentine Tango – “There’s enough steps there to stomp out all the cockroaches in New York” – Kirstie on tackling the technical tango. Kirstie isn’t eating enough. Maks tells her to eat more. Alrighty then. Maks has no problem lifting Kirstie. I take back anything I’ve said in that regard. There are some pretty sweet tricks in this routine. Kirstie is doing a great job. The crowd loves it. Bruno: Just the right amount of passion. Your footwork was brilliant. Your body is shrinking your talent is huge. Carrie Ann: I actually felt like I was watching real life acting out in front of me. You just topped your cha cha. Len: It was hot. I’m surprised Maks only took his hat off. Carrie Ann – 9 Len – 9 Bruno – 10 – 28 – Her first 10 of the season – 1-800-868-3411 – Instant Dance: “Cobrastyle” – VIDEO
Instant Dances are next!
Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas – Salsa – “Get Busy” by Sean Paul – Disney pal, Kyle Massey drops by rehearsal to help. Great hip action from Chelsea. Good stuff–despite the jumped cue. Doesn’t look thrown together at all. Len: I thought the waltz was cool the salsa was hot Bruno: So many steps! You didn’t take any shortcuts. Fantastic job. Carrie Ann: I did not feel a connection to the music. I felt you were rushing at times. Bruno does NOT agree (neither do I). Carrie Ann – 8, Len 9 – Bruno – 9 – 26 – 55 – VIDEO
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson – “Chantilly Lace” by the Big Bopper – Jive – Hines cannot dance without the beats! Hines throws himself into the routine–lots of fun to watch. Bruno: It was like watching Mr. Happy Feet. Energy fantastic, but it was flatfooted, like a penguin. Carrie Ann: You did an amazing job. You were on every beat. I loved it. You relaxed into the moment. Len: You have worked hard this week. This is a tough dance and you’ve done a fantastic job. Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno- 8 – 26 – 54 Crowd is booing. Not really sure why. I think the scores are fair. – VIDEO
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower – Salsa – “Tequila” – Chelsea is the one shining here. Wow. Definitely doing most of the heavy lifting. Thanks for not thrusting around like a crazy person this week, Romeo! Carrie Ann: Felt like we were in a club. It felt a little off at the end. Len: You got it right. It’s a club dance, and you danced. There was some nuances in the music. There was a tiny incident–what did it matter? I loved it. Bruno: Did Len change his medications. The Salsa is all about fluidity. When you lose it–we have to point that out. Romeo PIMPS HIS NEW MOVIE Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 9 Bruno – 8 – 25 – 52 – VIDEO
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff – Cha Cha Cha – “Stuck in the Middle” by Stealer’s Wheel – No preparation for this routine at all. EEP. That was rough. Ralph kept a smile on his face all the way through, despite looking like he could barely move. Karina kinda cha cha’d around him while he shuffled his feet. What a bad break for Ralph! Len: I admire you perseverance. Bruno: The circumstances are incredible. Carrie Ann: Amazing you were able to pull it off, without any rehearsal. There was no hip action Carrie Ann – 7 Len – 7 Bruno – 7 – 21 – 46 – VIDEO
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Salsa – “Cobrastyle” – “You have the biggest hips on the show. Move them!” – Maks. Not really shaking those hips. Some of her footwork is nice, but she lumbers at times. Bruno: I love the angle you went for. You lost sync. SWEARING. bleep. Carrie Ann: I thought they were totally in sync. Your energy is nicely matched. Len: Slower, more rhythmic. For me, your hips were working, it was oily. Well done. Carrie Ann – 8 – Len – 9 – Bruno – 8 – 25 – 53 – VIDEO
