Dancing With The Stars Week 2: Jive, Tango, Quickstep
Dancing with the Stars this week had the fourteen remaining couples performing the Jive, Quickstep or Tango. Cranky old Len Goodman was off and replaced by Baz Luhrmann. Baz is known for his movies Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet (with Leonardo DiCaprio), Australia, and his debut film Strictly Ballroom. While he was not a professional dancer himself, his mother was a professional ballroom judge.
First up were Joanna and Derek, performing the Jive. I didn’t care for the routine. I thought there could have been a bit more Jive in it, but that’s me. And all her hair extensions were just way too distracting. Carrie Ann thought it had great energy but at times it was a bit out of control. Bruno said he likes the fact that Joanna doesn’t hold back, but she needs to keep the routine clean. Baz thought it was good overall but wanted to see more of a relationship between the two of them. They scored 20 out of 30.
Natalie and Alec were next, performing the Quickstep. I love the dance but was distracted this time by the music. She did look gorgeous in purple though. Bruno said she has to relax a bit more but has everything there and could be amazing. Baz agreed with Bruno, saying that the second half of the dance was much better than the first half and when she relaxed and was in the moment she lit up the room. Carrie Ann said she was one of her favorite performers and she had great potential. They got 21 out of 30.
Chuck and Anna performed the Tango next. I didn’t like it – I think it was too aggressive for me. Baz thought it was fantastic. Carrie Ann said it was a bit frightening but had impact – sexy but scary. Bruno said it was savage and primeval and said that he wants him to stay in the competition and asked everyone at home to vote for him. They scored 19 out of 30.
Melissa and Mark performed the Jive next. I thought it was good but that her outfit was too reminiscent of Minnie Mouse for my taste. Carrie Ann loved it – said she was so happy with the performance since last week she was afraid Melissa wouldn’t be in the competition for very long. Bruno and Baz both told her she had problems with the footwork/steps. They scored 19 out of 30.
Michael and Anna were next, doing a Quickstep. Michael said that he feels as if he has something to prove this week and he and Anna worked long hours to prepare. No one is going to outwork this man, and it doesn’t seem as if he is afraid to do whatever it takes to win. Bruno called it a proper Quickstep with content, but even though it was much improved there is a long way to go. Baz said he is a natural performer and the dance was gorgeous and fantastic. Carrie Ann said that compared to last week it was a touchdown. She said that she liked how they stuck together as a team this week and this is what is going to set them apart. They scored 20 out of 30.
Debi and Maks performed a Tango next, to the Moulin Rouge version of The Police hit “Roxanne.” The song was really bizarre to me. The judges all seemed to enjoy the performance. Carrie Ann said she was a drama queen who worked it on the dance floor. Bruno said she was channeling the feisty ball breaker. Baz said he loved the song (big surprise) and thought they did fantastically well. They scored 21 out of 30.
Louie and Chelsie performed a Jive next. I said to my husband that he was going to get in trouble for too many tricks, but that wasn’t the case. Bruno called him out. Bruno said he was going to go after him because he knows he can do it, and there was too little Jive in the performance. Baz said he thought it was joyous but the costume (jacket) worked against him. Carrie Ann said she loves him because he has so much joy when he dances but at times he lost touch with the music. They scored 19 out of 30.
Aaron and Karina performed a Quickstep next, to the theme from the Muppet Show. I don’t think I was watching the same performance as the judges, because I hated it. I thought it was a stupid song. Carrie Ann said it was truly a pleasure to watch. Bruno said it was spectacular and Aaron was in command of the performance. Baz called it a real Quickstep and a real show. They got a score of 29 out of 30.
Kelly and Louis performed the Tango next. She made multiple mistakes but I didn’t notice – I thought it was a good performance and I’m pulling for her to do well. Baz said she made mistakes in the routine but didn’t give up. Bruno said she could be amazing. Carrie Ann said she needs to stay in character even when she makes mistakes and that overall she likes what she’s seeing with her. They got a score of 19 out of 30.
Kathy and Tony performed the Quickstep. My husband yelled out at the end of the performance “boring” and I think he hit the nail on the head. She did look gorgeous. Her dress was beautiful. Carrie Ann said her presentation was much better but she was still so reserved and she needs to stand out for something. Both she and Bruno commented that they were too far apart in hold when they performed. Bruno said it was elegant but she also needs to be engaging. Baz said the Quickstep is an exciting dance and then made some vague statement that I think he was trying to say she needs to bring excitement to the dance. They got a score of 18 out of 30.
Mark and Lacey performed next, and also did the Quickstep. I guess he had a slip in the performance but I didn’t see it. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing but probably a good thing because I so thoroughly enjoyed his performance that I didn’t even notice a mistake. Bruno said he was a great performer but he needs to get under control. Baz said he made an incredible comeback after a slip in the beginning and that he could be a great ballroom dancer. Carrie Ann said it was a very ambitious and very explosive program and also said he made an excellent recovery. They got a score of 21 out of 30.
Mya and Dmitry performed the Jive next. They said after the performance that they were focused on Baz this week, making the dance theatrical. They succeeded. Baz said she was the real dealand claimed the dance for herself. Carrie Ann said that Len wouldn’t have approved of the beginning but Len isn’t here so….she loved it. She said it was great and had great energy. Bruno called her Mya the Magnificent and said the dance was original and inventive. They got a score of 27 out of 30.
Tom and Cheryl did a Tango next, and I thought he did a really good job. He did stumble at the end and almost dropped Cheryl in their ending pose. Carrie Ann called them a well matched couple and said he made a great frame for her. Bruno said he nearly pulled it off and was distinguished and determined. He gave him credit for trying a proper, correct and beautiful Tango. Baz said he had strong holds and a great dignity and grace. They scored 18 out of 30.
Donny and Kym closed out the performances tonight with a Jive. What a great performance. He kept saying that his age is a problem in such an energetic dance, but you would never know it in his performance. Bruno said it was well executed and a very good Jive. Baz said the dance was accurate and he loved the fact that dance knows no age. Carrie Ann said it was an amazing performance and she really enjoyed it. They got a score of 25 out of 30.
This week I think since so many of the couples are right in the 19, 20, and 21 score range that the two lowest scorers – Kathy and Tony and Tom and Cheryl –are going to be the ones in jeopardy. But then again, since so many of the couples are grouped together the audience votes could play the deciding role. Who knows? I think this is why the show is so interesting. Especially in the beginning of the season you don’t know what couples are going to have the super strong fan vote.
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