Dancing with the Stars – Recap & Review – Week 9 Semi-Finals

photo: abc

Dancing with the Stars
Week 9 Semi-Finals

Original Air Date: Nov 15, 2010

Annette: Associate Staff Writer
annette@thetwocentscorp.com

Here we are at the semi-finals.  As Brooke put it at the beginning, it’s the most important week of competition as the stars battle it out for a place in the finals.  True?  Yes.  Overly dramatic?  Of course, it’s Dancing with the Stars.

The stars performed two original routines.  The Latin round required the stars to dance a solo.  The Ballroom round was just a style they hadn’t done yet.  Judges threw out 10s left and right and every one of them was absolutely deserved.  Read on to find out more about this spectacular night of dancing.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough – 60/60
Latin – Cha-Cha-Cha
30/30 (10, 10, 10)
Judges’ Comments: Bruno called the dance a luminous, vibrant, sexy cha-cha-cha and said her execution was flawless.  Carrie Ann said she’d been waiting all season to see Jennifer to a cha-cha and she was not disappointed.  Len said she combined good technique with really high performance level and introduced fun and entertainment. 
My 2Cents:  I didn’t like it.  Her solo consisted of her flirting with the judges and I think that was a bit of a copout.  Like Brandy, it was technically very good, but I felt the entertainment value was a bit lackluster.  Perhaps I’m having a bad day?

Ballroom – Waltz
30/30 (10, 10, 10)
Judges’ Comments:  Bruno said it was a gem of a waltz, full of stylish elegant detail.  Carrie Ann called it one of the most beautiful things she’s ever seen.  Len said “Be still my beating heart… if I’m dreaming, don’t wake me up because that was fabulous.”
My 2Cents:  Her spin right off the bat was so graceful and lovely and the rest of the dance was elegant and perfect and ended with another perfect spin.  It was simple and emotional.  Wow.

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer – 58/60
Latin – Samba
29/30 (10, 9, 10)
Judges’ Comments:  Len noted Kyle’s refreshing lack of backstage drama and histrionics (thank you Len for recognizing that) and then told him he has a bionic bum, more bounce for the ounce and great rhythm.  Bruno called him a bouncing bundle of joy and a natural generator of excitement and fun.  Carrie Ann said she has never seen so much pelvic action and called the dance an amazing blend of entertainment and technique.
My 2Cents:  Ok, I love Kyle, but he has what has become a signature move that I never liked, and now is starting to irk me.  Whenever he dances by himself he shakes his hips and does this “come toward me” gesture with his fingers.  Enough already.  Other than that – he rocked!  Bounce, Bounce, Bounce!!!  I loved this dance and I thank Carrie Ann for not only commenting on his entertainment value, but complimenting his technique because he has improved so much.

Ballroom – Argentine Tango
29/30 (10, 9, 10)
Judges’ Comments:  Len told Kyle he was a star.  “In 11 seasons no one has performed with so much attack and enthusiasm.”  Bruno called Season 11 Mr. Charisma.  Carrie Ann said that he reminds her of Emmitt Smith.
My 2Cents:  A comparison to Emmitt Smith?  High compliments indeed.  Kyle came off so sexy and suave in this dance!  Another great one, but come on Len – where’s the 10!

Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy – 57/60
Latin – Paso Doble
27/30 (9, 9, 9)
Judges’ Comments:  Len said she came out 100% and gave it everything she’s got – overall a great dance.  Bruno said she danced like a fury but said there were a couple of little unsteady moments.  Carrie Ann called it amazingly passionate and complimented her beautiful upper body shapes.
My 2Cents: Her ending looked like a pop star not a paso doble.  It was technically very good, but there was something about it I didn’t like.  I know the paso is supposed to be passionate and dramatic, but there was a bit too much anger in it to be entertaining for me.

Ballroom – Argentine Tango
30/30 (10, 10, 10)
Judges’ Comments:  Len said the thing he loved most was the atmosphere she created and he complimented the ease in which she moved in and out of the lifts.  Bruno called it lush, languid, voluptuous, full of flavor, stunning (and a few others I may have missed)!  Carrie Ann said she may have had trouble with the first dance, but the trouble was gone.
My 2Cents:  This was brilliant.  The choreography was unbelievable (I love when they dance up and down the stairs) and Brandy nailed it.  The lifts were awesome.  Very, very well done.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas – 53/60
Latin – Paso Doble
27/30 (9, 9, 9)
Judges’ Comments:  Carrie Ann gave a Bristol a big hug and said she was glad to see her come out of her shell and nail it.  Len said she had all guns blazing calling it her best dance.  Bruno said the little lamb is turning into a tigress and noted that she did all the beautiful flamenco lines the judges look for very well.  My 2Cents:  Her solo involved a little too much skirt swishing and not enough dancing.   If I don’t watch her face, this dance was actually very good.  Her hands are very good as well.  A lot of stars never quite get what they’re supposed to do with their hands and fingers but hers were beautifully held.  Unrelated to her dancing, I want her sparkly boots – gorgeous!

Ballroom – Waltz
26/30 (8, 9, 9)
Judges’ Comments:  Carrie Ann said she felt like she drifted in and out of the emotion of the dance and also said there was too much space between Bristol and Mark.  Len likes the vulnerability of her dancing and though it was beautiful.  Bruno liked the different approach they took and complimented her beautiful lines. 
My 2Cents:  Her waltz followed Jennifer’s which is a lot to live up to, but again, if you don’t watch her face, the dance was lovely and graceful and passionate.  Her technique really has improved, but she was once again quite detached from the music.  Maybe it is very hard for her to remember her steps, so she’s too focused on what to do next and can’t relax and just dance.

A very, very good night of dancing.  I was immensely impressed with how well the stars handled two full new routines, with very little whining in the rehearsal packages.  If tonight is any indication of the finals, it should be a rockin’ good time next week.  That being said, who do you think will be sent home?  I’ve said it so many times, but Bristol needs to go home.  She does not deserve to be in the finals over any of the other three.   But obviously many others feel differently.  How do you feel?  Leave me your two cents.