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

Dancing With the Stars - Season Six - Week Four - Latin Week

Because I was traveling last week, I didn’t get to blog on Adam and Julieanne’s departure. Au Revior! So instead of dancing tonight, Julieanne is presenting at tonight’s CMT awards show.

The Sexy, smoldering Samba and the romantic Rumba. Darn, Julieanne missed her favorite dance, the Rumba, but oh, boy did her brother Derek deliver, that man can dance.

This week’s Latin dances offered up some interesting food for thought. It also drew some distinct lines in the sand for our Celebs. So let’s cut to the scores…

Mario & Karina - Samba’d I missed their dance, because, er well I was with a bunch of teenagers. Literally.

The judges scored them straight nines, for a 27 total

Priscella and Louis, Rumba’d.  I didn’t like the beginning of the dance, a few bad steps, a bit shaky once or twice.  And I definitely did not like the musical choice. 

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

Marisa & Tony danced a Samba. That girl can shake her bootie. Great energy, good shake - shake - shake, fun dance.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for 24

Cristian & Cheryl delivered a hot Rumba. Their chemistry is great, the dance was good, Cheryl was hot, I want to take smoldering classes from her.

The judges scored them 7 - 8 - 8 for a 23 on the night.

Marlee & Louis danced a Samba.  This woman amazes me, the judges saw things I apparently missed, but I am so in awe of her courage to over come dancing. And her hand are getting much better.  A few stumbles, but good musicality, good movement.

The judges scored them 7 - 7 - 8 for 22

Kristi & Mark danced a Rumba.  It wasn’t as smoldering as I’d have liked, but it was romantic and perfect. Her lines and grace are phenomenal.

The judges scored them 9 - 10 - 10 for the highest score of the night, 29 points

Shannon & Derek performed a Samba.  It was fast, fun, sexy.  Good footwork, nice hands, but still a bit stiff.

The judges scored them 8 - 8 - 7 for a 23 on the night

Jason & Eydta closed out the night with a Rumba. Very nice, good chemisty, good musicality.  But she always shows off herself instead of her partner, even Ducky noticed this and he adores Eydta.

 

The judges scored them straight 9’s for 27 (and said the same thing about her needing to show off her partner instead of posing.) 

Tomorrow night another celeb will go home, the leader board places Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas at the top with a total 29 points, while Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel sit at the bottom going into tonight’s voting with 21 points.  Who will go home? Tune in tomorrow.  Until then…

Sith,

Cele 

Dancing With The Stars - The Paso Dobles and the Viennese Waltz

We are two celebrities down, and eight to go on the way to crowning the victor of Dancing With The Stars Season Six. Even after tonight’s performance Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner Mark Ballas seem the front runners, but tonight’s performances showed they had competition.

 

The fiery passion of the Paso Dobles and the sweeping romantic Viennese Waltz were tonight’s two dances, let’s see who did  what…

 

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas opened the night with a fiery Paso Dobles it ha great attitude, fast footwork, and sucky music.

 

The Judges liked it, they scored them 10 - 9 - 10 for a total of 29

 

Priscella Presley and Louis Van Amstel danced a lovely Viennese Waltz; personally I thought they spent too much time apart on the dance floor. The movement was lovely and lilting, but they definitely did a lift.

 

The judges scored them 7 - 7 - 8 for a total of 22 on the night

 

Adam Carolla and Julie Ann Hough danced a Paso Dobles.   Maybe CarrieAnn Inaba summed it up best, and I paraphrase, “It was beautiful, with graceful spins and turns, and then you got off the unicycle.”  Adam just isn’t a dancer.  But he is entertaining.

 

The judges scored them 6 - 7 - 6 for a total of 19 on the night

 

Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez danced a Viennese Waltz.  Not bad, she kept her feet on the ground, nice and romantic movement and attitude, she does need to learn to finish her movement with her hands.

 

The judges scored them 8 - 8 - 8 for a total of 24 on the night

 

Mario and Karina Smirnoff drew the Paso Dobles this week.  Great dance, great body attitude, great foot work, and wonderful posture.

 

The judges scored them 8 - 7 - 9 for a total of 24 on the night

 

Jason Taylor and Eydta Slinwinski performed a very nice Viennese Waltz.  He carried wonderful body posture and attitude through out the entire dance, very lilting and romantic.

 

The judges scored them 10 - 9 - 10 for a total of 29 on the night

 

Cristian De la Fuentè and Cheryl Burke danced a fiery Paso Dobles. It was loud, and Cheryl’s choreography was fabulous. Great passion.

 

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

 

Elizabeth Shannon and Derek Hough Waltzed a light and airy, romantic and timeless Viennese Waltz.  Very nice footwork, lovely lines, and movement.

 

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

 

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani finished out the night with the Paso Dobles.  She works so very hard, but she doesn’t have the attitude in her fingers.

 

So the top of the leader board at the end of performance night was Kristi Yamiguchi and Mark Ballas, and Jason Taylor and Eydta Sliwinsi both teams having garnered a 29 from the judges.  In the bottom of the pile is Adam Carolla and JulieAnn Hough.  Who goes home tomorrow night? That is up to the voters.

 

Until then,

Sith,

Tanglefoot

One Less Tangos In To The Next Round

Dancing With The Stars brought us the up beat Jive and the sultry, tumultuous Tango. Who is going home, is somewhat of a surprise to me. So let’s get to it.

During the week, Steve Guttenberg’s dance pro, Anna Trebunskaya, was sick so her husband Jonathan Roberts stepped in to her place to tutor Guttenberg in the Tango.  This week’s encore performance was really a first as Guttenberg and Roberts, both resplendent in black tails and ties, took to the floor in a steam Tango.

This week’s musical guest was the Australian superstar Kylie Minogue. Macy’s Stars of Dance featured the awesome technique of the Alvin Alley Dance Troupe performing a segment of their signature dance, “Revelations.” Mesmerizing.

The bottom two of the night…

Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya

Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Going home this week:  Adieu

Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya

Until next week,

Sith,

Tanglefoot

Dancing With The Stars - A Little Tango and Jive

The action stepped up tonight as half the teams took on the tempestuous Tango and the jumping Jive.  But I was left a little confused and wanting.  The musical selections tonight were peculiar to say the least.

I missed the majority of Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez’ Jive. What I saw rocked, it seemed maybe her arms could have been a little more controlled and her fingers finished, but wow, I saw a whole 30 seconds of the dance.  To me Matlin is a marvel.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for a total 21 on the evening

Steven Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya performed a Tango. I personally don’t’ think it is possible for Guttenberg to look angry or aloof, but the guy gave his all and best to the Tango, performing very good footwork.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for an evening total of 21

Christian De la Fuentè and Cheryl Burke danced a Jive.  I did not like the musical selection. I did not like the choreography, although it might have fit some other piece of music.  And I noted a few missteps on both dancers parts.

The judges disagreed and scored them 8 - 8 - 9 for a 25 total on the night

Mario and Karina Smirnoff danced a Tango. Mario was definitely off his mark tonight, but the music selection didn’t help. No musicality at all, weird, just really weird music for a Tango.

The judges scored them 7 - 6 - 8 for a total 21

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough drew the Jive. The dance really fits her, but she had some floppy toes, instead of sharp pointed kicks. The energy was great through the whole dance.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for 24

Adam Carolla and JulieAnn Hough danced a Tango. Great choreography and Adam’s sucked in cheeks.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for 21 points

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani danced a Jive. Some missteps, but I feel the choreography let them down. It seemed a bit pause dance, pause dance. And I give credit to Marisa I would have had tears running down my face. She’s a trouper.

The judges scored them 6 - 7 - 6 for a 19, the lowest score of the night

Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amsted delivered a sultry Tango.  Good foot work, good body attitude and facial expression. Very nice choreography and classic Tango music.

The judges liked it too, scoring them 8 - 9 - 9 for a 26 on the night

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska performed the last Jive of the night. Good choreography that fit his physical build, good footwork, and fun.

The judges scored them 8 - 7 - 8 for 23 on the night

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas served their Tango piping hot.  The music was just too darn weird again, but the great choreography shown through. Good physical attitude and position, great footwork.

The judges liked it too, scoring them straight 9’s for 27 on the night.

Tomorrow night one will go home, and nine will remain. Who will it be? Hard to tell, Marisa Jaret Winokur received the lowest score on the night from the judges. But Adam Corolla, while scoring better was necessarily a better dancer.  Tomorrow night will tell.

The night will also feature another Macy’s Stars of Dance, Tuesday’s treat, The Alvin Alley Dance Company.  Can’t wait.  Until then.

Sith,

Tanglefoot

Dancing With The Stars - Season Six - The Double Elimination

  Two weeks of dancing over three weeks and now two dance teams are being eliminated; one male celeb and one female celeb will be taking the last dance of the night. So who will it be?I’m think it won’t be Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinskia who were tonight’s encore performance, giving us a second look at their Mambo. And darn it was even hotter the second time around.

You have to love a man who is confident in himself enough to wear spandex and a cape on to the streets of New York. No I don’t mean Kenny Mane (no I shadow was involved) Cameron Matheson returned as the Dance Machine to find out who New Yorkers liked to date on Season Six of Dancing With The Stars.  I believe the favorite was Monica Guchi.

Macy’s Stars of Dance returned for season six with a Cirque du Soleil style performance to I Would Do Anything For Love.  These people make you believe flying is humanly possible without a plane that is.

So who are going home tonight?  Well the not necessarily in the bottom four couples were:

Penn Jillette and Kym Johnson

Cristian De la Fuente (don’t you just love saying his name?) and Cheryl Burke

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani or

Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts

Going Home:  Penn Jillette and Monica Seles

Up next week our teams will either dance a Jive or perform the Tango on Monday night, next Tuesday the next elimination will be made and we’ll get to experience another Macy’s Stars of Dance.

Until next Monday night,

Sith

Tanglefoot

Dancing With The Stars - Even Stars are human too

Season Six of Dancing With The Stars extended open continued with a second round of first round dancing.  Are you confused yet?  It’s simple to follow, kind of like Mitch Miller’s bouncing ball if you can read.  Except in this version you don’t have to know how to dance and they do the math for you. This season opener covers two weeks of dancing, tonight’s scores and voting will be combined with last week’s scores and voting. Tomorrow night will offer up the first victims of the season when one male celeb and one female celeb are cut from the list.

Last week in the opening episodes Kristi Yamagutchi and Jason Taylor both threw down gauntlets that said, “Here, Take that and btw, catch me if you.”  Tonight the competition stepped up to the plate with little let down in comparison to the first dances.

Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya opened the action with a Mambo.  Very enjoyable although he began a bit stiff he seemed to heat right up. 

The judges score: 6 - 5 - 5 for a 16, combined with last week’s 15, for a total 34 out of 60 points

Cristian De la Fuentè and Cheryl Burke danced a Quickstep that was spunky with good footwork and nice shoulders.

The judges score: 7 - 6 - 7 for a 20, combined with last week’s 21, for a total 41 out of 60 points

Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts delivered  a Mambo that showed she was trying, I mean really trying.  But the poor girl doesn’t have a rhythmic muscle in her body and she is pigeon toed.

The judges score: Straight 5s for a 15, combined with last week’s 15, for a total 30 out of 60 points

Penn Jillette and Kym Johnson were dealt a Quickstep. This man is an entertainer, but try as he might he’s not a dancer. He is a bit flat footed, a lot droopy shoulder, but he always looks like he’s having fun.

The judges score: 6 - 5 - 6 for a 17, combined with last week’s 16, for a total 31 out of 60 points

Priscella Presley and Louis Van Amstel Mambo’d. Last week she wowed me, this week she put me to sleep.  I didn’t like her upper body attitude, she was stiff and had bad arms. The dance was boring.

The judges score: Straight 7s for a 21, combined with last week’s 24, for a total 45 out of 60 points

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough danced a lively energetic Quickstep. What improvement, this dance definitely fitted her.  Good feet, good posture, her physical attitude was wonderful.

The judges score: Straight 8s for a 24, combined with last week’s 21, for a total 45 out of 60 points

Jason Taylor and Eydta Sliwinska Mambo’d, oh yes they did.  Very nice, very fluid, great musicality, sharp footwork, snappy turns and twist. I hope he brings these moves to the field next season.

The judges score: Straight 9s for a 27, combined with last week’s 22, for a total 49 out of 60 points

Marisa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovalani drew the Quickstep this week. I like this girl,she is so spirited and ready to conquer.  The dance had good energy, nice footwork, and was joyous. She needs to smile just a bit less, but I think that will be hard she is thrilled to be there.

The judges score: Straight 7s for a 21, combined with last week’s 18, for a total 39 out of 60 points

Adam Corolla and JulieAnn Hough danced an entertaining Mambo.  He really got into this dance and was much more fluid in his movement this week over last.

The judges score: 6 - 7 - 6 for a 19, combined with last week’s 15, for a total 34 out of 60 points

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez Quickstepped tonight. Wow. Each week I think I am going to be wowed by her ability to dance despite a lack of music. Tonight’s Quickstep was entertaining, offered great action, nice footwork, nice body attitude, and musicality.

The judges score: Straight 8s for a 24, combined with last week’s 22, for a total 46 out of 60 points

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas Mambo’d, and damn they’re good. I thought she missed some hand work, but the judges didn’t comment, but the footwork was great, their chemistry is great, good musicality.

The judges score: Straight 9s for a 27, combined with last week’s 27, for a total 54 out of 60 points

Mario and Karina Smirnoff ended the night with a Quickstep that offered up tight footwork, great energy, good shoulders.

The judges score: 9 - 8 - 9 for a 26, combined with last week’s 24, for a total 50 out of 60 points

The best of the week by scoring and in my opinion was Kristi and Mark, they are going to be hard to beat.  Those I think that are outside the bubble and contenders to go home based on my opinion and the scoring: Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts; Adam Carolla and JulieAnn Hough or Penn Jillette and Kym Johnson.

Tomorrow night will tell all. Until then.

Sith,

Tanglefoot

Dancing With The Stars - Season Six - Week One the Ladies

Right off I have to say, “Wow! What a great first week to open a new season.” The women stepped it up and passed the guys, and truly I wasn’t sure that could happen. A few surprises were in store for us. So let’s get to it.

Shannon Elizabeth partnered with the ever so cute Derek Hough opened the night with the Cha Cha.  My first impression, “Wow, what long legs.”  She needs to loosen up a bit and step into the dance. She does more of a move/pose, but there is definite potential there if she can relax.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for a 21 total.

Monica Seles is dancing with Jonathan Roberts, the duo drew the Foxtrot, which for Monica is a lucky choice, the woman doesn’t have a dancing bone in her body.  What she does have is acting talent and sellability. The dance was lovely, had good musicality, she was a bit stiff but you could see her come un-stuck as the dance progressed.

The judges scored them straight 5’s for a total 15 points.

Marisa Jaret Winokur is dancing this season with debonair Tony Dovalani, their first dance the Cha Cha. I love her vitality, she just has so much joy in her, but she needs to tone down her animation to fit dance. It is nice to see a big person dance so well. But she tried a bit too hard and needs to move away from the Broadway over acting.

The judges scored them scored them straight 6’s for a total 18 points.

Priscilla Presley is dancing with Louis Van Amstel, choreographer for three Dancing With The Stars Tours.  The pair pulled the Foxtrot for their first routine of the season. I was amazed. Presley has nice physical attitude, lovely grace and lines, beautiful hands and toes.  And doesn’t she look like Jocelyn Jackson’s not as pretty much older sister? I’m just saying.

The judges scored them straight 8’s for a total of 24 points.

Kristi Yamaguchi is dancing with Mark Ballas (what a cutie.) This was a performance of magnificent joy.  Their Foxtrot drew total smiles from me, great musicality, great physical attitude. Yep, joy.

The judges scored them straight 9’s for 27 points. Great score for opening night.

Marlee Matlin is dancing with Fabian Sanches, their first number of the season, the Cha Cha. I’m sure the numbers are up in viewing this year for several reasons, but many will be watching just to see if a deaf person, excuse me a profoundly deaf person can dance. And the answer is a resounding yes. Matlin had good timing, good fluidity, one or two little miss steps or stops, but the performance was much more than I expected.

The judges scored them straight 7’s for 21 points.

At the end of the evening the leader board (from both nights) was as follows:

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas:               27

Mario & Karina Smirnoff:                                24

Priscilla Presley & Louis Van Amstel:                       24

Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez:                     22

Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinski:                    22

Cristian De la Fuentè & Cheryl Burke:            21

Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough:             21

Steve Gutenburg & Anna Trebunskaya:                18

Marisa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovalani:            18

Penn Jillette & Kym Johnson:                     16

Monica Seles & Jonathan Roberts:                      15

 

The couples will dance one last dance Monday, March 24^th, and then on Tuesday, March 25^th Dancing With The Stars will have it’s first ever double elimination with two couples being pared from the competition.

Until then,

Sith,

Tanglefoot