Dancing With The Stars – Season 6 – The Semi Finals – The Results

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas Tango opened tonight’s dancing as the encore performance of the week. Kristi & Mark recaptured the top of the leader board after two weeks at number two.

 

Tonight’s competition sees the couples whittled down to the top three going into the final week of dancing, next Monday night. It also saw the junior competition’s final dance off towards next week’s crowning of the first Junior Dancing With the Stars winners.  The three finalist couples that had been gleaned over weeks of competition, were…

 

Rachell and Aaron – 8 and under – Cha Cha

Cara and Jaryd – 10 and under  - Samba

Britany & Brandon – 13 and under – Paso Dobles (Fantastic performance)

 

Tonight’s Stars of Dance presented by Macy’s was a tribute to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. It made me realize how much I don’t miss crotch grabbing and jerking by performers. On the other hand, vocally, Omarrion is no Michael Jackson.

 

The bubbly maybe be out of Dancing With The Stars as tonight Marisa Jaret Winokur and her dancing partner Tony Dovolani drew the short list, but the bubbly will never go out of Marisa Jaret Winokur. You could see she knew before her name was said, and she took it with a smile, grace, and humor.

 

Going into next week’s Dancing With The Stars, Season Six Finals are…

 

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas

Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska

Cristian de la Fuente & Cheryl Burke

 

Until next Monday night

Sith,

Tanglefoot

 

 

Dancing With The Stars – Season 6 – Week 9 The Semi Finals

Four couples dance into the week, only three will dance in next week’s final competition.  The judging this week was interesting; the judges contentious. In my honest, but uneducated, opinion I didn’t feel the majority of the dances were up to semi-final standards.

Shall we?

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska opened the evening with an elegant Foxtrot.  It offered great musicality, wonderful lines, playful characterization, and good footwork.

The judges scored it 9 - 10 - 9 for 28 points.

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani danced a Quickstep.  Not very challenging although the judges said differently.  Too much smile and she did suffer a misstep.

The judges scored them 9 - 8 - 9 for 26 points

Cristian de la Fuentes and Cheryl Burke Viennese Waltzed in the ballroom round.  I thought the dance was flat, not enough up and down dancing, Cristian’s stiff arm was very noticeable tonight. It was an okay dance.

The judges liked it better scoring them straight 9s for 27 points

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas closed the Ballroom round with a Tango. Absolutely no musicality, the music was very fast for the dance.  She fell out of character several times smiling where she shouldn’t.

The judges liked it much better than I did scoring them 10 - 9 - 10 for 29 points

The Latin round for the evening was met with mixed results.

Jason & Edyta drewy the Paso dobles.  The Choreography was wanting, just not a semi final dance.  Jason’s movements seemed a little stiff and lacked sharpness in action and cut.

The judges scored them straight 9s for 27 points and a total 55 on the night

Marisa and Tony performed a Rumba. Nice legs, but it was a boring dance, (this is where the real contention came in between the judges) but well danced.

The judges scored them 8 - 9 - 9 for 26 points and a 52 total on the night

Cristian & Cheryl drew the Samba for the Latin round. Despite misgivings about the Samba Cristian performed a good, if not a bit stiff dance.  Nice hip and foot work, great rhythm.

The judges scored them 10 - 9 - 10 for 29 points and a total 56 on the night

Kristi & Mark closed out the round and the night with a Jive. The dance offered great energy, good attitude, great rhythm, and musicality.

The judges scored them 9 - 9 - 10 for 28 points and a 57 total to lead the night and regain the leader board.

 

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas 57

Cristian de la Fuentes & Cheryl Burke 56

Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska 55

Marisa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani 52

 

Until tomorrow night

Sith,

Tanglefoot

The One Hundreth Episode of Dancing With The Stars

I figure if I am still around for my 100^th, I’ll by pass the Geritol and go straight for the Milk of Magnesia. But when Dancing With The Stars celebrates their 100^th it’s with stars, stars, and more stars and then they throw in some dancing. And what a great episode it was.

The two hour extravaganza opened with a top ten countdown of the Judges: Len Goodman, Bruno Tomioli, and CarrieAnn Inaba’s  top ten dances from the first five seasons. Beginning with…

#10 Kelly Monico and Alex Mazo’s Latin Potpourri from season one

#9   Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas’ Paso Dobles from season five

# 8   Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke’s Cha Cha from season three

#7    Apollo Ono and JulieAnn Hough’s Quickstep from season four

#6   Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson’s Jive from season four

#5   Helio Castroneves and JulieAnn Hough’s Quickstep from season five

#4   Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke’s Cowboy Freestyle from season two

#3   Stacy Kebler and Tony Dovalani’s Samba from season two

#2   Mel B and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Paso Dobles from season five

#1 Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff’s Tango from season two

Hour two of the evening continued the revelry, but contained our normal elimination night results

JulieAnn Hough and Apollo Anton Ono performed a beautiful freestyle to musical guest Rascal Flatt’s performance of Everyday. Mario Lopez and the cast of A Chorus Line offered up a specially choreographed performance of One for Macy’s Stars of Dance. And Mel B and Maks performed to Rascal Flatt’s Life Is A Highway.

At the end of the evening the two couples left standing on stage were…

Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinskya

Going home this week… Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Until next week,

Sith

Tanglefoot

 

 

Dancing With The Stars – Season Six – Week 8 – Splinters In The Ballroom Floor

The second week of double dancing left me wanting a do-over in the Latin round. It just didn’t wow me as week eight should.  And now the judges have allowed each team one lift per dance, but it must keep in character with the dance.

Thank heavens the night started out with the Ballroom round.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas drew the Quickstep this week to open the night’s competition. It was okay but not the eighth week flashy that you would expect.

The judges scored them 9 - 10 - 10 for a 29

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced the Viennese Waltz. Very elegant with clean, elongated lines and a beautiful lift.

The judges scored them straight 9s for 27 points

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani performed a Foxtrot. Very nice, very elegant, great lines, and lovely flow.

The judges scored them 9 - 8 - 8 for 25 points

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinskya danced a Tango. A very sexy Ballroom Tango. Wonderful open, great dynamics, and definite musicality.

The judges scored them 10 - 9 - 10 for 29 points

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke ended the Ballroom round with a Tango. What was the musical director thinking, a Tango to Beat It? His injury hampered it, the lift was not in character with the dance.

The judges loved them 10 - 9 - 9 for 28 points

The night fell apart for me in the Latin Round.

Kristi and Mark danced a Samba, it was fast, fun, and offered up a cool spin to close out the number.

The judges scored them 8 - 9 - 9 for 26 and a total on the night of 55 points

Mario and Karina performed a Jive.  Overall Mario’s performance was lack luster. His kicks were flat footed, no sharp toes. There wer a few slow spots, and the balance at the end of the dance was bad.

The judges scored them 9 - 8- 9 for 26 points, and a total 53 points on the night.

Marisa and Tony offered up a Mambo. This girl gives it her all.  Good hip action, good energy, good musicality.

The judges scored them 8 - 8 - 9 for 25 points, a 50 point total on the night and the bottom of the leader board.

Jason and Edyta Samba’d. I really didn’t like the tempo, very slow. Jason lost his rhythm and energy in the dance. And the lift at the end, not good.

The judges scored them 8 - 7 - 8 for 23 points and a 52 point total on the night

The final dance of the even pitted Cristian and Cheryl against the Mambo. It had good energy, good foot work, good lift (That Fit The Dance - thank you Cheryl) and good musicality. 

The judges scored them 10 - 9 - 10 for 29 points and a 57 point total on the night.

Once again the leader board has changed position placing Cristian and Cheryl in the lead for the night, Kristi and Mark in second, and Jason and Edyta in third on the even.

Tomorrow night is Dancing With The Stars One Hundredth episode and will the top dances from seasons past.  Returning Celebs to dance in the night will include Apollo Ono, Laila Ali, Mario Lopez, Mel B and a lot more to celebrate DWTS Centennial episode.

Until Then,

Sith,

Tanglefoot

POINTE AND SHOOT

The third in the Jenny T. Partridge Dance Mysteries, POINTE AND SHOOT, dances into stores Tuesday!

Keeping readers on their toes!

Studio owner Jenny needs her girls to win the Ultimate Dancer Championship—and the prize money— to expand her business. But first she’’ll have to do some fancy footwork to stay alive.

“Blending the humor of Janet Evanovich with chick-lit quirkiness, Roberts adds sassy prose and a spunky heroine to create a new series to watch.”–Library Journal

If you love dance, love psycho dance moms (as long as they aren’t aiming at you as their next target), and love to laugh, you’ll love Jenny and her crazy world.

www.jennytpartridge.com

Dancing With The Stars Season Six – Week Six – Two Dances, One Elimination

The Encore Performance of The Week…

Jason and Edyta reprised their Quickstep, darn I was hoping for the NFL Paso Dobles. But the Quickstep was great.

Showing defeat to the lift the Judges decided to allow one lift, in character with the dance, beginning next week. Dance Center broke down the remaining Celebs in the competition. Kenny Mayne is really getting into the eye shadow, where Jerry Rice is really into those shiny bright shirts, their break down and humor delightful and a bit bent.

But the strangest turn of events was the night’s Musical Guest….Def Lepard performing Pour Some Sugar On Me. Now I love Def Lepard (side note, a Def Lepard concert was the only concert I ever walked out of…that first tour was hideous…thank heavens they have vastly improved.)

The Bottom Two:

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Donalani

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough

 

Going Home….Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough leave Dancing With the Stars.

They dance again next Monday night, and then remember to tune in for the special 100 episode edition of Dancing With The Stars next Tuesday night.

Until Then,

Sith,

Cele

 PS: So You Think You Can Dance debuts May 22^nd on Fox with a two hour premiere. Happy Dance!

Two Dances One Night - Dancing With The Stars – Season Six – Week Six

 Six Celebs, Six Professionals, and a dozen dances rounded out the first night of double dancing for the dance duos.  Ballroom opened the night, Latin dances closed out the evening with a change in the leader board, the first since the opening week of competition.  So how did the dancers fare in the Ballroom competition tonight?

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani opened the night with a Tango. I missed this dance, but Ducky was impressed.

So were the judges who scored them straight nines, for 27 points.

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke danced a Viennese Waltz for their first number. A lovely dance that showed tight footwork, lilting movement, romance, and wonderful shoulders.

The judges didn’t like it as well as I did, scoring them 8 - 8 - 9 for 25 points

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas delievered up the second Viennese Waltz of the night.  Very nice, good feet, good timing, and very nice musicality.

For the first time Kristi and Mark do not lead in the scoring after receiving 9 - 8 - 9 for 26 from the judges.

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced the Foxtrot.  I thought it romantic, but unremarkable, unmemorable.

The judges were not overly pleased either scoring them straight 8s, for 24 points.

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough danced a Tango for their first number.  Terrible music that made me really lose the dance.  The choreography was good, but that hideous music.

The judges scored them straight 9s, for 27 points.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinski danced their way through a Quickstep.  The footwork was good, it was a fun dance that reflected the upbeat music.

The judges liked it too scoring them 10 - 9 -10 for a 29 to take the leader board after round one.

 

In the Latin Round the couples danced in the same order…

Marisa & Tony Rumba’d. Romantic but for me slow.

The judges scored them 9 - 8 - 8 for 25 points, and a 52 total on the night

Cristian & Cheyrl began a Samba, but a “severer” muscle cramp in Cristian’s left bicep cut short the number. What I did note was a few missed steps and moves, but he injured himself so early it was hard to tell.

The judges scored them straight 7s for 21, a 46 total on the night.

Kristi & Mark Cha Cha’d. This piece offered good musicality, great energy, and fast footwork. I’m not a fan of throwing hip hop into the fray, but I liked the dance overall.

The judges scored them 10 - 8 - 10 for 28 points, and a 54 total on the night.

Mario & Karina Mambo’d.  The judges all commented on how the fast Latin dances suited Mario. I thought they were a bit out of sync. The dance offered good musicality, and footwork.

The judges scored them straight 9s for 27 points, a total 51 on the night/

Shannon & Derek Mambo’d as well.  She tries so hard, but in truth she’s not a dancer.  She doesn’t know how to move from one movement into the next - so it is finish - stand - start.

The judges scored them straight 8s for 24, a 51 total on the night.

Jason & Edyta closed out the night with the NFL Paso Dobles. Being a long time Dolphins fan I LOVED IT!  The dance was…er… interesting. Who knew you could Paso to the Monday Night Football Theme?

The judges scored them 9 - 8- 9 for 26, a 55 total on the night and the Lead.

At the end of the night the leader board was as follows:

55 - Jason & Edyta

54 - Kristi & Mark

52 - Marisa & Tony

51 - Mario & Krina

51 - Shannon & Derek

46 - Cristian & Cheryl

Tomorrow night will see the return of Dance Center, Mario Lopez, and special musical guest… Def Lepard (which just blows Tom Bergeron’s mind.)  Until then

Sith,

Tanglefoot

 

Dancing With The Starts – Season Six – Week 5 - She Dances to a Different Piper

Yes, I know it had to happen, but I am bummed. Marlee Matlin leaves Dancing With The Stars in Week five. I’m not even giving you a build up to the results. Why? Because she has done what so many who can hear couldn’t, she convincingly ballroom danced her way into the hearts of Americans everywhere.  Marlee Matlin you are an inspiration, to me, to little girls who yearn to dance, to the deaf who see what you have over come and conquered.

The encore dance of the night was the country ensemble dance. We could have done without this  encore, the choreography was really lacking.

The bottom two of the night

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez

Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Macy’s Stars of Dance featured Riverdance. I have been lucky enough to have seen the full production twice, breath taking. Even the little snippet we received tonight - Delightful.

Going Home… Au Revoir Marlee and Fabian

Until next week,

Sith

Tanglefoot

 

Dancing With The Stars – Season 6 – Week 5 – The Country Group Dance

We are down to seven dancing partnerships and the action should be heating up. The dances are becoming more complex, the Celebs more daring in the tricks they will take on, and the cream has definitely risen to the top. 

While Kristi Yamaguchi continues to pull down the big numbers on the heels of her beautiful routines, Jason Taylor and Mario continue to challenge her.  Also stepping up to the plate are Cristian, Marisa, and Elisabeth. This is undoubtedly one of the most talented cast of Dancing With The Stars, if not the most talented.

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinski delivered a cheeky Cha Cha. He needs to learn what to do with his hands and he was counting his beat, but the dance was good.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for a 27 on the night

Elizabeth Shannon and Derek Hough Rumba’d. Personally I thought Shannon did a very nice job, she has learned wonderful hands, she sells the dance by staying in character (but I think it’s easy because she’s falling hard) it was a very romantic Rumba.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for a 24

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez danced the Mambo. This woman is a winner through and through. Each week I am amazed at what she tackles and how close she comes to acing it sans hearing. But the Mambo requires a connection with the music that Matlin will eternally lack - a pity because if she could over come that one obstacle, she would be a dancing force to be reckoned with.  Have you noticed how much weight she has lost?  Five weeks ago she had a puffy tummy, now she is borderline rock hard abs and a six pack. She looks great.

The judges scored them straight 7s for 21 and the lowest score of the night.

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke opened the night with an elegant Foxtrot. Very nice lines, wonderful physical attitude - arms - shoulders - hands. The dance was lilting and romantic.

The judges scored them straight 9’s for 27 points on the night

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani delivered a Viennese Waltz to a terrible, hideous music choice. Despite the musical director’s departure from sanity the dance was lovely featuring beautiful lines, flowing rhythm, and lovely hands.  Her eye shadow on the other hand was a train wreck.

The judges scored them 9 - 8 - 9 for 26 points on the night

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas dished up a quirky, fun Jive.  Full of energy, entertaining moves, good character and musicality.  Kristi offers great timing, toes, and kicks.

The judges scored them straight 10’s for the first 30 of the season

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced a smoldering, sexy hot Rumba making Len a bit uncomfortable (actually I think he enjoyed it quite well)

The judges scored them 9 - 9 - 10 for 28 on the night

Tomorrow night the Stars of Dance will be Riverdance (I’ve been lucky enough to see Riverdance twice on stage, it’s one of those things I can’t get enough of.) Ashley Simpson will be the musical guest. Until then…

Sith

Tanglefoot

 

Hot and spicy ruled Monday night’s performance show, with Kristi Yamaguchi and Ballas taking the top numbers for the night with 29 judges points.  Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel garnered the lowest points with a 21 total from the judges.

The encore performance of the week was Kristi and Mark’s Rumba, I love hearing Bruno Tominolli say Rumba, it sounds like Rooomba, like a vaccum.

Bottom Two: 

Cristian De la Fuente & Cheryl Burke

Priscilla Presley & Fabian Sanchez

Going home:  Priscilla Presley and Fabian Sanchez

Until next week,

Sith,

Tanglefoot