As folks in comments have already noted, these were a tough set of dances for the couples this week. Those who improved last week, Rocco and Karina and Susan and Tony, regressed right back to where they were the week before.
My favorites tonight: Warren and Kym, Brooke and Marc and Lance and Lacey. Who I think will go home? It’s a toss-up between Cloris and Corky and Kim and Mark. Cloris made the mistake of actually trying to dance well, rather than hamming it up. Nobody cares about her dancing. She’s there for the entertainment value only, and tonight, she was not very entertaining. Kim’s dancing isn’t getting any better. She’s not only having trouble connecting to her partner Mark, but to the viewing audience as well.
I’ll have to sleep on deciding who I’ll pick in the pool…
Coming out on top tonight–Warren and Kym and Brooke and Derek with 24 points each. Cloris and Corky are at the bottom with 15.
Tonight the couples dance the Paso Doble and the Rumba! I’m imagining the Cloris Leachman antics as we speak.
The couples only had 4 days to learn their routines! Oh Noes! They’ve never introduced such difficult dances this early in the competition.
Videos and recap…After the JUMP!
Toni and Alec – The Rhumba – Toni takes Alec out to karaoke and she makes fun of him singing “Unbreak My Heart.” The off-key singing seems a leetle put on. Ohhh this choreography is perfect for Toni, it allows her to be a dramatic and diva-like. Very nice. Len was surprised how good the performance was, he liked the chemistry. Bruno said they compared her to a mistress. Ha. Carrie says she moves like she sings. Toni makes Alec sing at a karaoke bar. Carrie Ann – 7 Len – 8 Bruno – 8 – 23 – 1-800-868-3403
11 couples, ya all get to vote 11 times…
Brooke and Derek – Paso Doble – Brooke and Derek are in the lead. Whoo hoo! Wow. This is stunning. Brooke is a natural, she dances like someone who has studied dance. But she says she hasn’t. Hm. Carrie Ann says, “I was mesmerized..you were just a hair off balance…but you nailed it.” Len says, “I thought you portrayed the aggression very very well.” Bruno says there were moments of breathtaking artistry.” He thinks she’s a natural born dancer – Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 8 Bruno – 8 24 – 1-800-868-3405
Rocco and Karina – The Rhumba – Rocco says he’s having trouble channeling his emotion. He’s Italian, dammit! He cooks for Karina, and she becomes jealous of the risotto. Very odd. Ok, this is gimmicky, with Rocco dressed as a chef, and Karina in a trench coat. I suppose we’re to imagine she’s naked underneath? Eep! Rocco is a little awkward. His movements aren’t very fluid. After last week’s comeback, Rocco is back to square one. Bruno says “The stallion has run out of juice, the hip action was poor…the Latin lover wasn’t there.” Carrie Ann says, “I’m sad…what’s lacking is musicality…you weren’t quite with the sway.” Len says, “There were more tears than cheers…it wasn’t really tasty.” Carrie Ann – 5, Len – 6, Bruno – 5 – 16 – 1-800-868-3402
Lance and Lacey – Paso Doble – They decide to go more traditional with the choreography this week since Len didn’t like last week’s modern twist. This feels really modern too, but it’s pretty hot. They dance to “I Kissed a Girl”. So cheeky! Ohh, Lance kissed a girl, but he probably didn’t like it. Ha ha. Len says throwing in a couple of traditional moves but then loading it with other stuff isn’t working for him. Carrie Ann says she likes that they take big risks. Bruno says, “You go for it 100%, but you have to present it like a matador.” He thought it was too hip-hop. Carrie Ann – 7 Len – 6, Bruno – 7 – 20 – 1-800-868-3407
Kim and Mark’s Rhumba was the most watched dance on the internet last week. Uh, that’s not a compliment.
Kim and Mark – The Rumba – Kim says Mark is like a brother, so she’s going to have trouble amping up that sexual chemistry. Erm, it’s called performance? The head chick of the Pussycat Dolls helps Kim “Bring Sexy Back.” Uhhh…This is better than last week, but she still barely moves on stage. She’s clearly uncomfortable up there, like a lifeless blob. Bruno says, “That was more distant than Siberia…grab the character and sell it.” Len says, “I think you’ve got so much potential…you come out and it’s cold.” Carrie Ann says, “You have to watch playback…we want you to do well.” – Kim keeps repeating that she’s “trying my best.” She’s clearly not comfortable enough in her own skin to just let go. Carrie Ann – 6, Len – 6, Bruno – 5 – 17 – 1-800-868-3410
Misty and Maks – Paso Doble – Maks gets mean with Misty! And then Misty says she wants to cry. But after, Misty says she’s used to tough coaches! Misty in black leather = skeery as hell. Misty looks a little uptight and stiff. Carrie Ann likes her energy but says she needs to work on her shoulders. Bruno calls her a “warrior princess, ” but she needs to work on finesse. Len says, “I thought it was a very very good attempt… but once you’re focused, you lose the connection.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7 21 – 1-800-868-3412
Maurice and Cheryl – The Rumba – Maurice is having trouble isolating his hips, so Cheryl takes him out to watch belly dancing. He’s so ready now! And that was very very nice, but not jump-out-of-your-seat awesome. However, the judges don’t like it so much. Len says, “You talk the talk, but you don’t dance the dance…you lack finesse..not bad.” Carrie Ann says, “There’s so much energy…the choreography was holding you back.” Bruno says, “usually you’re all smooth and slinky but that was all rough and clanky.” I don’t know, Maurice has lots of showmanship up there, but I’ve never found his dancing very smooth. Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 6, Bruno – 6 – 19 – 1-800-868-3404
Cloris and Corky – Paso Doble – Of course these two got the Paso Doble. Just perfect for Cloris to really ham it up. They dance to “Bolero”. Cloris’s old lady shoes look really funny with her outfit. Well, that was better than last week. Considering. She didn’t chew the scenery as much as I thought she would. Bruno says, “Surreal…you started like [character she played in Young Frankenstein] and you ended up like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd.” Len says, “It was a lovely traditional dance, your solo spins were excellent.” Carrie Ann says, “I hope when I’m 82, I’m half the woman you are…and I’m stopping there…I missed your wit.” Cloris adlibed and adlibed until the judges finally came back with the scores. Carrie Ann – 5, Len – 5, Bruno – 5 – 15 1-800-868-3408.
Susan and Tony – The Rumba – Susan is sooo busy they had to rehearse on the set of All My Children. Nice bit of cross-promotion there! Ok, they’re dancing to “Waiting on the World to Change” and Susan is ripping off Tony’s shirt. Weird! This isn’t very sexy. Carrie Ann says, “You transported us to someplace else…very smooth, very elegant.” Bruno says, “It was a very good rumba..but you still dance a little like the virgin queen.” Len says, “The rumba is an active dance…you came out and acted the dance floor.” Carrie Ann – 7, Len, – 7 Bruno – 7 – 21 – 1-800-868-3411
Warren and Kym – Paso Doble – I’m continually amazed by how light on his feet Warren manages to be. This was, hands down, the best paso doble tonight. It was very tough and intense without being stiff and rigid. Len says, “I thought it had a lovely stark menacing feel to it…intense.” Carrie Ann says, “You are the Paso Doble killer! In the House! It was filled with dynamics…that was fantastic.” Bruno says, “Big, bold, heroic.” Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 8 Bruno – 8 24 – 1-800-868-3413
Cody and Julieanne – The Rumba – Cody is having trouble learning the dance, because he has ADD. And he says romance isn’t one of his strong points. Nope, he doesn’t do romantic..or sexy well. He moves like a 12 year old. It’s like Julieanne dancing with her little brother. It almost seems wrong. Bruno says, “You’ve got to learn to control…sell it properly…you have the talent.” Len says, “It lacked a little bit of polish and finesse…good job.” Carrie Ann says “It was a very age appropriate rumba…you’re off to a good start.” Age appropriate? Cody is 18, not 11. Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7 – 21 – 1-800-868-3401
