DANCING WITH THE STARS Recap – Week 4

This week introduced the theme of “classical night” which proved that traditional music can be as dynamic and interesting as trying to translate the newest Jennifer Lopez song. Why were all the contestants upset that there were no lyrics when all they had to do was create lyrics by themselves? I’ve heard enough people put words to the Super Mario theme that placing words in the Harry Potter theme would be really easy. Even better? How about adding the dance steps?

With such a large music ensemble, the stars emerged from the sides of the stage, but I thought it would have been more interesting if they emerged from the back side of the stage. After weeks of songs dedicated to dancer’s names, I’m surprised that Romeo & Chelsie weren’t given the theme to Romeo & Juliet. I’m happy a more mature couple got to translate the music.

Kirstie continues to remind us that we are watching live programming and I thank her for that. Somehow the live mistake kicks in and she does better. She wasn’t the only one with live issues as Dmitry’s microphone caused him and Petra some issues, too.

But let’s get down to business and really talk about the dancing…

DWTS Pro Demo – Paso Doble – Oksana & Kiki provided the demo but there was something about Kiki’s dancing that I found a bit too feminine in his lines. Luckily, most of the focus was on David Garrett instead of the pros.

Romeo & Chelsie – Paso Doble – Romeo wanted to work harder after all the criticism, but was excited to dance to classical music. Chelsie wanted to make sure that Romeo could nail the aggression, so he learned to translate his basketball aggression to the dance floor. As much as I hated Chelsie’s hair, I quickly got over it to see some of Romeo’s small stumbles. Romeo’s steps looked odd in several points and his stomps were off to me.

Len thought the dance had passion and attack, but he suggested working on precision. Bruno loved the focus and action, but he emphasized how well he understood the music. Carrie Ann deducted a point for a lift, but she felt his swagger. Score: 23 (7,8,8)

Kendra & Louis – Viennese Waltz – Kendra was worried that she couldn’t be a lady, but she loved the idea of being a gangster. She was worried about the three big tricks that Louis wanted in the routine. They started off decent enough, though Kendra looked like she had to shuffle at several points and the spin sequence was a bit wobbly. There were further points of uneasiness, but she made it all the way to the final spin sequence.

Bruno knew that Kendra messed up, but he suggested becoming the character. Carrie Ann saw Kendra was trying hard, but she thought that Kendra was afraid of being elegant. Len understood that she was a beginner, but she had movement and flow. Score: 18 (6,6,6)

Sugar Ray & Anna – Viennese Waltz – Anna wanted to make sure Sugar Ray understood the theme of the dance, but Sugar Ray was confused. Anna had no time to be nice so she pushed him to his limits; she decided to bring him to ballet to teach him posture and technique. Anna looked graceful during the whole routine, but Sugar Ray’s face went back and forth between excitement and this nervous fear. I thought some of the choreography was a bit too simplistic and Sugar Ray couldn’t even get that. There were too many moments where he stood in place while Anna did all the work.

Carrie Ann compared the dance to a sixth grade performance; she pointed out his jogging and bounce. Len thought the dance got better as the performance went on and he was entertained. Bruno loved the cartoonish charm. Score: 21 (7,7,7)

Petra & Dmitry – Paso Doble – Dmitry pointed there was no defined beat this week so Petra had to work hard to make sure she was timed. Petra was worried that she couldn’t channel her inner aggression so Dmitry decided to create a photoshoot where she would channel the character. Though we started with extra unnecessary orchestra shots, Dmitry and Petra started apart and eventually got in hold. Petra was a bit wobbly in her first lift and turn sequence and didn’t have as much lift or movement as I expected. I wasn’t a fan of the section where Dmitry held Petra’s skirt, but they had a strong sequence near the end. Petra looked uncomfortable because of Dmitry’s microphone falling off.

Len thought there needed to be more authority, but he was still impressed by the routine. Bruno compared her to a femme fatale. Carrie Ann thought she gained confidence and had strong lines; she suggested working on her core strength. Score: 23 (8,7,8)

DWTS Pro Demo – Waltz – Peta & Tristan had the “dancing on a cloud” smoke effects which shouldn’t be allowed for the celebrities because it would cover up bad footwork. Interestingly, they had a lift at one point, so they would have been deducted a point from Carrie Ann.

Ralph & Karina – Waltz – Karina was excited by the Romeo & Juliet theme but Ralph was worried that he wouldn’t do the song justice. Ralph worried about his hands and Karina tried her best to make sure his fingers were better. They had the disadvantage of performing right after the pros, but Ralph got straight into character as Romeo, but unfortunately lifted Karina too high so that she was above the ground. I didn’t think his hands were too bad this week, but the dance needed the more open hands to get the emotion of the song. I loved the ending where they both ended on the bottom.

Bruno loved the storytelling and appreciated the lines. Carrie Ann loved the honesty in his dance and believed the performance. Len thought he regained the top score. Score: 25 (8,8,9)

Hines & Kym – Paso Doble – Hines had several events to attend so he was stressed out and it was made worse when he realized his crutch was gone. Without lyrics he couldn’t figure out timing. Kym knew Hines had potential so she pushed him harder to keep consistent. After the commercial, the couple set up for their 20 second introduction and the couple benefitted from the extra flash and fire in the beginning. Hines tried his best to keep up with Kym, but there was something uncomfortable about his posture in several of the shots, but he never faltered. Some of his marching was a bit wobbly but he never faded from character.

Carrie Ann thought he was in the zone. Len loved Hines’ determination. Bruno appreciated Hines’ killer instinct. Score: 25 (9,8,8)

Chelsea & Mark – Viennese Waltz – Chelsea wanted to be pushed to the limits so this week Mark crushed her pride. Mark wanted to be traditional in hold, but creative out of hold; Chelsea was worried that the lack of lyrics would be her downfall. The couple danced to music from Harry Potter with Mark getting to show his inner break dancer. When the couple went in hold they were gliding across the floor with ease. I was mixed on the sections out of hold, but it worked with the theme of the dance.

Len thought that Mark was a good choreographer and Chelsea was a good dancer, but he didn’t like the fact that they didn’t honor the dance. Bruno thought it was a bewitching performance and was technically the best. Carrie Ann agreed with Bruno about the choreography and creativity. Score: 26 (9,8,9)

Chris & Cheryl – Paso Doble – Cheryl thought that the aggression that Chris had in the wrestling ring would come to his advantage, but he didn’t have enough attitude during practice. Chris got into character quickly and it helped that Cheryl tried her best to choreograph to the beats to help Chris. I’m sure his dramatic hair was a big advantage. I liked Chris’ knee slides and I found it interesting that they didn’t end with Cheryl on the floor.

Bruno thought it was majestic and he hit the accents in the music well. Carrie Ann agreed, she loved the connection to the music and appreciated his form. Len thought he needed to grow power in the routine as the music got louder. Score: 23 (8,7,8)

Kirstie & Maks – Waltz – Kirstie wanted redemption from falling and wanted to make sure that she wasn’t tense. During rehearsal, her hip gave her pain and the couple hoped that it wouldn’t inhibit her. She admitted that she wanted the same choreography a 25-year-old would have. Kirstie started out with a small solo section and looked graceful even with her large frame. The spin sequence looked good until Kiristie’s shoe fell off. The two recovered without too much of a hitch. They ended the sequence with a similar pose that caused Maks’ leg to buckle last week.

Carrie Ann gave her credit for recovering, but she wasn’t in the number. Len thought the routine was okay. Bruno thought Kirstie did well and she got the ethereal theme of the song. Score: 22 (7,7,8)

Scores:

Chelsea & Mark – 26

Hines & Kym – 25

Ralph & Karina – 25

Petra & Dmitry – 23

Chris & Cheryl – 23

Romeo & Chelsie – 23

Kirstie & Maks – 22

Sugar Ray & Anna – 21

Kendra & Louis – 18

It was sad watching the end with Kendra because she almost knew she was going home since she has a three point deficit and is up against a competitor that has a long legacy. I think Kendra deserved at least a 20 if Sugar Ray’s over-the-top performance was given 21. I find it interesting that Sugar Ray & Anna and Ralph & Karina could channel the Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet, but the moment Mark & Chelsea played up Harry Potter they were criticized.

Who do you think should go home?