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DWTS 15 Week 4: DWTS breaks out the gimmicks
Usually “Dancing with the Stars” confines itself to one gimmick a week, but this is the All Stars season so why not pack one week with as many gimmicks as one can to jump the shark? That doesn’t diminish the first tens of the season that left Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson and actor Gilles Marini tied for first.
Vote online through the ABC.com website or by Facebook.
As if taking a few plays from “So You Think You Can Dance,” the week started with each team picking a dance for another team because it was Opponents’ choice week. The dances were not all new. DWTS has done Charleston, rock n’ roll, disco, bolero, mambo and jitterbug before. The Charleston and bolero were used on season 9. The mambo was performed during seasons 3 through 7. The jitterbug and hustle were seen on seasons 7 and 9. Rock n’ roll was performed season 5 and 11. Disco came back for season 3. What’s new is contemporary although that’s happened in the freestyle and Maksim Chmerkovskiy tried that with Erin Andrews (remember the bedroom dance). Hip hop has also come into a freestyle before as well as giving flavor to a few other traditional dances. Also Bollywood was performed and given to Gilles Marini who performed it well enough to inspire many I Dream of a Male Genie dreams.
DWTS has had guest judges before, but this time they had Paula Abdul. At least we know that Paula Abdul can dance. That’s not always true for celebrity judge on other shows. What I loved was Paula Abdul playing around with Bruno Tonioli, particularly when she was giving her critique of Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough dancing or…hotter, for Gilles Marini and Petra Murgatroyd.
- Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 39.5 (10.0,9.5,10.0,10.0) Mambo ”Para Los Rumberos”—Santana (Hélio & Chelsie)/Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 39.5 (10.0,9.5,10.0,10.0) Bollywood ”Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)“—Pussycat Dolls feat. A. R. Rahman (Bristol & Mark)
- Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 37.5 (9.0,9.5,9.5,9.5) Contemporary ”Fix You“—Coldplay (Emmitt & Cheryl)
- Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 37.0 (9.0,9.0,9.5,9.5) Jitterbug ”This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof”—Brian Setzer Orchestra (Apolo & Karina)
- Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 36.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0,9.0) Bolero ”Better in Time ”—Leona Lewis (Kelly & Val)
- Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 35.5 (9.0,9.0,8.5,9.0) Disco ”You Should Be Dancing“—Bee Gees (Kirstie & Maks)
- Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 34.5 (8.5,9.0,8.5,8.5) Hip-Hop ”Poison“—Bell Biv DeVoe (Melissa & Tony)
- Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 32.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0,8.0) Rock n’ Roll ”At the Hop”—Danny and the Juniors (last option left)
- Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 30.0 (7.5,7.5,7.5,7.5) Charleston ”Forty-Second Street”—from 42nd Street (Sabrina & Louis)
This is the first time that Palin and Ballas have beaten Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy although I’m not sure that I’d put Lindy hop and jitterbug in a rock n’ roll routine or perform to that particular song “At the Hop.” Alley didn’t flick her legs sideways and her movement could have been crisper. I don’t think this was one of Maksim’s most inspired routines. I think they should have gone for something down and dirty like the original, less refined Charleston.
Although I’ve truly hated this season, I have to admit that the Bollywood routine almost makes the week worthwhile. Please Disney. Find Gilles Marini a chance to be Aladdin. Broadway, how about Marini as the next King of Siam? Also, any time you can pair Paula Abdul with Bruno Tonioli–totally watchable TV.
You can still vote online through the ABC.com website or by Facebook.
Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 39.5 (10.0,9.5,10.0,10.0) Mambo ”Para Los Rumberos”—Santana
Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 39.5 (10.0,9.5,10.0,10.0) Bollywood ”Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)“—Pussycat Dolls feat. A. R. Rahman
Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 37.5 (9.0,9.5,9.5,9.5) Contemporary ”Fix You“—Coldplay
Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 37.0 (9.0,9.0,9.5,9.5) Jitterbug ”This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof”—Brian Setzer Orchestra
Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 36.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0,9.0) Bolero ”Better in Time ”—Leona Lewis
Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 35.5 (9.0,9.0,8.5,9.0) Disco ”You Should Be Dancing“—Bee Gees
Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 34.5 (8.5,9.0,8.5,8.5) Hip-Hop ”Poison“—Bell Biv DeVoe
Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 32.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0,8.0) Rock n’ Roll ”At the Hop”—Danny and the Juniors
Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 30.0 (7.5,7.5,7.5,7.5) Charleston ”Forty-Second Street”—from 42nd Street
You can still vote online through the ABC.com website or by Facebook.
DWTS 15: Week 3 has Melissa Rycroft and Kelly Monaco tied for top spot
Last night (Monday, Oct. 8, 2012) on “Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars,” there was a tie for the top between Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani and Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy. At the bottom again was Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas with 22.5. Tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 9) is a double elimination so there’s double trouble.
Palin and Ballas improved over their score from last week (18), but still were at the bottom of the leader board with 22.5 after performing the paso doble that originally was performed by Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa. That’s a controversial pairing–daughter of the family values Republican Sarah Palin and the Playboy model who has a reality TV celebrity habit and a live-in relationship still.
At least Ballas couldn’t go bonkers with this one. Still the oldest contestant, Kirstie Alley, scored better with a 24. She and Maksim Chmerkovskiy tied with Drew Lachey and Anna Trebunskaya.
Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough were in third place. Last week’s top scoring team, Sabrina Bryan and Louis van Amstel were in a four-way tie for fourth with Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd, Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff and Helio Castroneves and Chelsie Hightower.
You can still vote online through the ABC.com website or by Facebook.
- Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
- Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
- Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 26.5 (9.0,8.0,9.5)
- Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 25.5 (9.0,8.0,8.5)
- Helio Castroneves & Chelsie Hightower: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 25.0 (8.5,8.0,8.5)
- Drew Lachey & Anna Trebunskaya: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
- Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
- Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 22.5 (7.5,7.5,7.5)
Take iconic and be more iconic.
[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkAI3LSuQYI]
Cha cha cha
Trebunskaya sexed it up with the costumes and stripping Lachey’s shirt.
Drew Lachey & Anna Trebunskaya: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
- “Crazy in Love“—Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
- Joey McIntyre & Ashly DelGrosso (Season 1)
- Song: “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé
Score: 20 (7,7,6)
Did you like Maksim with the long hair? Of course, we always like Maksim without the shirt. The strategy here was to improve the technique and camp it up. This almost made iconic night worth it.
Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24.0 (8.0,8.0,8.0)
- “Moves like Jagger“—Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera
- Carson Kressley & Anna Trebunskaya (Season 13)
- Score: 17 (6,5,6)
Foxtrot
Is it possible for Apolo Anton Ohno to be steamier than Gilles Marini? Marini and Burke received two tens when they performed this and here’s where being an actor really helps. Marini was suave but sexy as the devil. Ohno was sophisticated but not with the same intensity as Marini.
Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff: 25.5 (9.0,8.0,8.5)
- “Fever“—Michael Bublé
- Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke (Season 8)
- Score: 29 (10,9,10)
Paso doble
With this dance and partner, Val finally rises out of the shadow of his brother Maksim. Kelly and Val have chemistry, but Kelly doesn’t bristle with the kind of powerful physicality that Laila Ali had–few women do. With Laila Ali, you thought that she and Maksim could punch it out and Maksim would lose. With Kelly and Maksim it’s more a match of forceful personalities.
Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
- “España Cañí“—Erich Kunzel
- Lalia & Maks (Season 4)
- 21 (7,7,7) Week 4
- 29 (10,9,10) Week 10
Can Bristol Palin ever equal the sex appeal and technical skills of Joanna Krupa. You know the answer is no. Ballas goes kooky and they get to play white queen and black king. This is a chess metaphor and has nothing to do with race.
The judges felt it was their best dance of the season–that’s one out of three. It had the most content and attack.
Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas: 22.5 (7.5,7.5,7.5)
- “Living on Video“—Trans-X
- Joanna & Derek (Season 9)
Sabrina Bryan is a strong woman, even if she’s the youngest contestant. However, judge Carrie Ann Inaba thought this team brought nothing new artistically to this routine.
Sabrina Bryan & Louis Van Amstel: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- “Free Your Mind“—En Vogue
- Mel B & Maks (Season 5)
- Score: 30
Scary Spice was definitely scarier than Sabrina Bryan. Bruno called her an “adrenaline charged dominatrix.”
With Emmitt Smith, there were some awkward moments, but he is already a commanding presence. There was a scary moment, but it all ends well.
Emmitt Smith & Cheryl Burke: 25.0 (8.5,8.0,8.5)
- “Canción Del Mariachi”—Los Lobos feat. Antonio Banderas
- Mario Lopez & Karina Smirnoff (Season 3)
- Score: 30
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke had already seen this paso doble–twice. He competed against Mario Lopez and won.
Quickstep
As expected Derek Hough decided to up the acrobatics and even included an illegal lift and a lot of drama at the end.
Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough: 26.5 (9.0,8.0,9.5)
- “Hey Pachuco”—Royal Crown Revue
- Helio Castroneves & Julianne Hough (Season 5)
- Score: 30
I think Johnson and Hough lacked the sophistication that Castroneves and Julianne had. When Castroneves and Hightower performed their own quickstep it had an amazing amount of joy–even with the slight bobble when Castroneves stepped on Hightower’s dress.
Helio Castroneves & Chelsie Hightower: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- “Mr. Pinstripe Suit”—Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
- Apolo & Julianne (Season 4)
I can’t choose. I love both versions and both sets of costumes.
Samba
Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani: 27.0 (9.0,9.0,9.0)
- “Conga“—Gloria Estefan
- JR Martinez & Karina Smirnoff (Season 13)
- Score: 28 (9,9,10)
Of course, Martinez didn’t have to perform all the drops and turns that Rycroft did because he’s the guy.
Tango
Don’t you love Gilles Marini doing the tango. Menacing and erotic, Marini delivered another solid performance, but lost points for his hold and some footwork mishaps.
Gilles Marini & Peta Murgatroyd: 25.5 (8.5,8.5,8.5)
- “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)“—Eurythmics
- Erin & Maks (Season 10)
- Score: Technique: 18 Performance: 21
Week 1, it was Drew Lachey and his partner Anna Trebunskaya who were in the bottom two. Week 2, it was Hélio Castroneves and his partner Chelsie Hightower who survived the bottom two.
I’m hoping that Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas will be eliminated and most likely Drew Lachey will go as well. With Joey Fatone gone, the entertainment factor is low with this cast so I’m hoping that Kirstie Alley and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy will continue to dance.
Remember, you can vote online until 8 a.m. PST by going to the ABC DWTS official page for voting or by using Facebook.
DWTS: Original dances
Mel B and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
- Season 5
- Week 7
- Paso Doble
- “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue
- Score: 30
Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 35 (10, 9, 8, 9)
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke
- Season 3
- Week 3
- Tango
- “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer
- Score: 19
Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 34 (10, 8, 8, 8)
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel
- Season 9
- Week 1
- Viennese Waltz
- “Trouble” by Ray LaMontagne
- Score: 23
Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 33 (9, 8, 8, 8)
Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough
- Season 5
- Week 8
- Quickstep
- “Hey Pachuco” by Royal Crown Revue
- Score: 30
Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 37 (10, 9, 9, 9)
Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
- Season 9
- Week 9
- Foxtrot
- “Fever” by Peggy Lee
- Score: 29
Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 37 (9, 10, 9, 9)
Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke
- Season 2
- Week 6
- Tango
- “Shut Up” by the Black Eyed Peas
- Score: 30
Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
- Season 11
- Week 7
- Score: 37 (10, 9, 9, 9)
