Dancing With the Stars – Week 8

Another week of DWTS!  This week the Top 5 perform for a chance to crack the semi-finals.  Two dances tonight, including the insta-dance.

Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke – Quickstep – Cheryl says she’s the picture, and Rob is the frame.  Lots of emphasis on Rob’s butt.  Rob is definitely becoming more comfortable.  His moves are all there, but there’s not a connection.  Still sloppy in a lot of parts.  A 9 would be absolutely pushing this, that deserves 8’s at most.  That’s the problem with this season.  Everyone is “good,” there’s no amazing, even at the Top 5.  They’ll be overpraised for being okay.  Len opening section was horrible, but he maintained his hold, and stuck his butt in.  Bruno said he spent the whole time staring at his butt.  Bruno called him skinnier than a drag race.  His lines were the best yet.  Carrie Ann said he started off weakly, but he has grown and was elegant and quick tonight.  Carrie Ann – 9 (GAH!) Len – 9 Bruno – 9 – 27. That was SOOO not a 27! That was so sloppy in parts.  This is honestly the least talented season of DWTS so far.  Their song for the instant jive is “Man Eater.” – VIDEO

Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Quickstep – Maks is taking responsibility for being overly rough.  He thinks they became too competitive.  She asks Maks for his guiding hand.  maks is the momma’s boy in the family, and he cried every day!  Nice hold, fantastic footwork.  She’s keeping up 100%.  Amy Winehouse being sung, but the singer is trying too hard to sound like her.  I actually LOVE this quickstep.  Hope loses control sometimes, but she’s doing great.  I think that’s her best dance yet.  Seriously.  Bruno called her bright, breezy, radiant, and never has she moved so well.  Her best dance yet.  Called it!  Carrie Ann gives her a hug because it’s so amazing.  She compliments Maks-all is forgiven.  Len called it a blend of speed and elegance.  She fulfilled her potential!  I’m excited about something!  That’s 9 worthy, maybe even squeeze a 10 in there?  Carrie Ann- 9 Len – 9 Bruno – 9. THAT WAS ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEVEL FROM ROB. JUST BECAUSE HE HAS A BUTT.  Sorry.  Hope chooses the song “The Best Damn Thing” by Avril Lavigne. – VIDEO

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough – Waltz – Random fact: Nancy’s been the only star to perform a waltz so far.  If Ricki can top a 21, she’s got the highest waltz score this season.  Ricki’s friend and past DWTS champion gave her some motivation.  The curtains looks great.  Lots of passion and emotion.  Wow, this is great.  It’s to Aretha’s “Natural Woman.”  There’s not too much to critique here, the mvoements are fluid and connected.  Lines are gorgeous.  It’s a night of best dances, I’m going to call it again for Ricki.  That was beautiful.  Carrie Ann said they had a small stumble, but her movements were exquisite.  When she came out of hold her shoulders came up a bit, but when she dances she loses herself completely.  Len says she was Ricki River, beautifully executed the whole way through.  His heart wants to give her a ten, but unless she nails her footwork, she will never get a ten.  Pivots, heel lifts, etc.  Bruno called it deliciously dreamy.  He’s standing in excitement.  Her interpretation was beautiful.  Carrie Ann – 9 Len – 9 Bruno – 10! – 28.  They’re in first!  If they scored equally with Rob I’d turn off my TV.  Their song is “Land of 1000 Dances!” – VIDEO

Nancy Grace and Tristan McManus – Tango – Last week Nancy was in the bottom 2.  Nancy says she’s convinced that she’s a better dancer than Tristan!  Tristan is very frustrated, but they won’t back down.  Nancy says she’s the underdog, but “it ain’t over yet.”  The concerntration is there.  Nancy knows her stuff.  It’s just a little too “walky.”  I do like this though.  So many props given for her doing what she can at her age.  Hahaha oh my goodness, I love Nancy.  She tries so hard and takes this so seriously.  Len said Week 2 was her best dance, but she’s been on a plateau since then.  Finally up she goes this week!  Bruno said she was hot and on fire.  Carrie Ann called it clean, sharp, and dynamic, BUT her toes weren’t as pointed as possible.  Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 8 Bruno – 8 – 24.VIDEO

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff – Waltz – Last week they were near the bottom.  They’re waltzing.  Beautiful chemistry, beautiful movements, great fluidity.  Strong key change!  This is great.  The crowd goes crazy during the dance.  So much passion-this was really phenomenal.  I’ve never loved J.R., but that was good.  Bruno said he made beautiful music with Karina.  It was divine.  Carrie Ann says J.R. has a fluidity and grace, but something in the middle happened was just magic.  I think it was the key change, and when he spun Karina on one foot.  Len calls him out on his lack of a tie.  Last week’s battle he retreated, this week he came back full throttle.  Carrie Ann – 10 Len – 10 Bruno – 10 – Perfect 30!  First perfect 30!  It only took 8 weeks, DWTS.  Their song is “Tutti Fruitti.” – VIDEO

Rob and Cheryl – Instant Jive – The beginning lacks substance.  His movements are good, but they’re not sharp, which they MUST be in the jive.  Again, he’s good, but not great.  Sharpness and acuity would make him great.  I get that he only had..well…an hour to work on it.  How does that work with people like J.R. and Nancy having less time?  Len says he got through it well with few mistakes.  He needs to be sharper and flick his feet.  Bruno wants him to be sharper.  Carrie Ann is focused on his butt still.  Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 8 8 Bruno – 8 – 24. Total night score is 51. – VIDEO

Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Instant Jive – Hope is used to moving with the song.  Hope’s got the jive kicks in here.  She loks good.  Her work ethic is incredible.  Hope is selling it to me big time tonight!  Her movements are strong and supported, but still flexible.  Lots of fun.  Synchronization is great!  I loved that.  Bruno and Carrie Ann liked the tempo.  Her kicks looked great.  Her hands were just a little crazy though.  Len explodes!  He says they delivered a perfect jive!  It was strong and quick and overall great.  He’s really frustrated!  Go Len!  Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 9! Bruno – 8 – 25. Total night score is 52. – VIDEO

Ricki Lake and Derek Hough – Instant Jive – It’s quick, but not clean.  Ricki is losing steam.  She actually looks lost.  All three judges are lukewarm, didn’t love it or hate it.  Carrie Ann – 8 Len – 8 Bruno – 8 – 24.  Night score is 52. – VIDEO

Nancy Grace and Tristan McManus – Instant Jive – Nancy says she’s going to fight for a place next week.  Her jive isn’t connected and she gets lost in the music.  The judges come down hard–they don’t want here there.  Len even says her time is up, and it’s time for her to go home.  Carrie Ann – 7 Len – 6 (come on) Bruno – 7 – 20. Night score is 44. – VIDEO

J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff – Instant Jive – So. Corny.  But it works, and people will eat this up.  Movements are clean, and there are plenty of leg flips.  As always, hip action is there.  Actually, the flicks are great.  Lots of fun, a real crowd pleaser.  We can all go home now.  That was great.  Bruno compared him to a rocket.  The crowd is wild.  His side flicks were incredible and his timing was impeccable.  Carrie Ann put him in a class of his own.  Len said J.R. has the X Factor and the feel good factor together.  It was the most fantastic jive.  X Factor reference?  Carrie Ann – 10 Len – 10 Bruno – 10 – 30 again.  Perfect night total is 60.  OVERSCORED. OVERSCORED. OVERSCORED. – VIDEO

J.R. and Karina – 60

Ricki and Derek; Hope and Maks – 52

Rob and Cheryl – 51

Nancy and Tristan – 44.

About Stavros 33 Articles
American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, X Factor, and Dancing With The Stars fan! Check out a review I wrote for the site at https://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idols-live-wilkes-barre-pa-recap.htm