photo: abc
Week 4
Original Air Date: Apr 11, 2011
Annette: Associate Staff Writer
annette@thetwocentscorp.com
It’s the first ever classical night on DWTS. The stage has been transformed to hold an orchestra twice the size of what we usually every week. All the music this week will be classical pieces, meaning music without a strong beat making it tougher for the celebs to keep time with the music.
Tonight also included two special guests: mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and violinist David Garrett.
Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas – Viennese Waltz
26 (9, 8, 9)
Len: Mark you’re a terrific choreographer and teacher and Chelsea you are a fantastic dancer, so why is it that every time I see you there’s something I don’t like.
Bruno: It was magical, fabulous, beautiful and bewitching. Best dance of the night.
Carrie Ann: Tonight I agree with Bruno – that was fantastic – great choreography.
My 2Cents: Harry Potter music – I love it! Len didn’t like it because he thought Mark changed the Viennese Waltz too much. I thought the dance was beautiful and inventive and Chelsea did a great job.
Ralph Macchio & Karina Smirnoff – Waltz
25 (8, 8, 9)
Len: You’re back!
Bruno: Achingly romantic, totally heartfelt. Thank you for continuing the lines.
Carrie Ann: When you dance you’re so honest. I was swept in and I was carried through the story.
My 2Cents: I thought it was very beautiful. His hands were definitely better.
Hines Ward & Kym Johnson – Paso Doble
25 (9, 8, 8 )
Len: You are the most determined of all of our celebrities. You come out and give 100%. Work hard because you’re really doing great.
Bruno: You do have the killer instinct. As the song says “truly explosive.”
Carrie Ann: You were in the zone. You nailed it you were in control.
My 2Cents: He rocks my socks! He was totally into character and he nailed it. He could be a little stronger in his posture, but I loved it. No way he should have gotten the same score from Bruno as Petra.
Romeo & Chelsie Hightower – Paso Doble
23 (7, 8, 8 )
Len: It was full of passion; it was full of attack and intensity. You have to work on getting a little more precision. Great dance.
Bruno: Focused, powerful and action packed. The musical phrasing is unbelievably difficult and you managed to get it right.
Carrie Ann: First time I’ve ever seen a Paso with swagger. That was fantastic, powerful, fully confident and fantastic.
My 2Cents: The camera work was so bad it was hard to see a lot of the dance. Carrie Ann did take a point off for a lift (I saw it). He really got into the character of the dance and was strong and powerful. I liked it.
Petra Nemcova & Dmitry Chaplin – Paso Doble
23 (8, 7, 8 )
Len: I would have liked a bit more authority through your feet and legs. I’m more impressed than depressed. You really came out and tried to show the emotion of the dance.
Bruno: (I have no idea what he was saying here but he was stripping out of his jacket – it was disturbing)
Carrie Ann: You are on a roll. This week your confidence showed. It was absolutely gorgeous.
My 2Cents: I was not as impressed as the judges. I didn’t think this dance worked for her. She wasn’t crisp and strong and her posture was bizarre.
Chris Jericho & Cheryl Burke – Paso Doble
23 (8, 7, 8 )
Len: The dance wasn’t bad, but it starts of quiet, it’s got menace. You had that menace. But, the music grows and it gets more powerful and that’s what you didn’t do. The music conquered you, you didn’t conquer the music.
Bruno: You got the accents so well. Excellent.
Carrie Ann: That was a really hard dance and you were so connected to the music. Your technique was really good.
My 2Cents: The music was a terrible choice. It wasn’t strong enough to dance a Paso Doble to. That aside, he did a good job – very strong.
Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Waltz
22 (7, 7, 8 )
Len: Your posture is ok, but it needs to be stronger. Your footwork is ok; it needs to be cleaner. You’re movement is ok, but it needs to flow more.
Bruno: I thought you did amazing well. You’re light on your feet and you’ve got great musicality.
Carrie Ann: It looked like you were waiting for it to be over and then when your shoe came off you looked like you had more joy.
My 2Cents: Yet another catastrophe for Kirstie – her shoe came off in the middle of the dance. She recovered quite gracefully and went on to do a very nice waltz.
Sugar Ray Leonard & Ana Trebunskaya – Viennese Waltz
21 (7, 7, 7)
Len: Sugar Ray Leonard turns into the sugar plum fairy. The more I got into it the more I smiled and the more I realized as much as technique is important so is entertainment. I was thoroughly entertained.
Bruno: It had a wonderful cartoonish charm. Technically it wasn’t perfect … as entertainment it was excellent.
Carrie Ann: You have this sparkle that is unbeatable. There’s something so charming and entertaining. I fell in love with that dance.
My 2Cents: Dancing to “Waltz of the Flowers” from The Nutcracker – I love classical week. I don’t know how much of a true Viennese waltz it was, but it was fun and cute. I loved the choreography.
Kendra Wilkinson & Louis van Amstel – Viennese Waltz
18 (6, 6, 6)
Len: You came out, it had flow, it had good movement. To Bruno: Don’t forget they’re beginners – don’t be cruel.
Bruno: You messed it up and you know that. There were a lot of technical issues.
Carrie Ann: I see that you’re trying really hard. It looked like you were holding back. You’re a beautiful dancer – you just need to have more confidence.
My 2Cents: The little tricks didn’t go over very well and the transitions between movements were very awkward. There was something stiff about the whole thing. She did not look graceful.
I can’t say it enough – I loved, loved, loved classical night. This is what ballroom dancing should be. Most of the time I hate the music on this show – tonight was absolutely brilliant. The only flaw was Jericho’s Paso. Although I love the music from Fantasia, it’s not right for the Paso. Also, I could listen to David Garrett play all night – he’s awesome. I know not everyone will be into the classical music, but I thought this show was brilliant. They can definitely do classical night again and again.
As for the celebs, there’s a leader board mix up again. Chelsea is at the top and Kendra is at the bottom. For the elimination, I’m ready for Kendra to go home. I didn’t like her attitude. She’s the weakest dancer out there. Sugar Ray’s not great, but at least he’s entertaining. What did you all think of classical night? Love it or hate it? Leave me your two cents!
TheTwoCents 
I knew my knowledge of classical music was in trouble when half of the songs made me want to buy a car!
I wish Mark Ballas didn’t come across as so smug! I understand when the professionals use choreography to mask their stars’ weaknesses, but I feel like he too often uses the dance to showboat himself over his partner.
But at least you recognized the music!!!
Mark does have a tendancy to showcase himself rather than his celebrity. I love his choreography, and I think he’s very inventive and creative, but his arrogance tends to come across. He needs to make it less about him.
Yes about the Classical music night, feel like a treat with a mezzo-soprano and a violinist!!!! and a great orchestra, set up with a very colorful stage, perfect set up. Enjoyed every minute of it.
I agree with you classical night was wonderful, this music showcases the dances and choreography. Great evening.
The orchestra was fantastic! While I loved the classical music, I thought the song selection for Petra’s and Jerico’s Paso’s was poor. I love that dance and that music just didn’t go. Mark Ballas’ coreography is too outside the box for me. Their dance just didn’t seem like a waltz but I am not a ballroom dancer 🙂 Of course, I loved Hines. He’s awesome and I thought Ralph was good too. I was disappointed with his scoring and felt like the scoring was all over the place tonight. My vote though is for Kendra to go. She’s the weakest dancer and she’s not positive. We shall see …