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

photo: abc

Dancing with the Stars
Semi-Finals

Original Air Date: Nov 14, 2011

Annette – Associate Staff Writer
annette@thetwocentscorp.com

It’s the semi-finals and that means three dances! Round 1 was individual dances; Round 2 everyone danced the Argentine Tango; Round 3 was a Cha Cha Relay.

Three new dances is a lot to learn in one week. Were all the celebrities up for it? Well, an injury took down one of our contenders and one celeb really stepped up. And we got one more perfect dance for the night. So how did everyone do? Read on to find out.

Round 1

Hope Solo & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Paso Doble
21 (7, 7, 7)
Len said it lost control and finesse because of the attack. Bruno said she was unchained and untamed but that it lacked artistry. Carrie Ann told her she nailed the character of the dance but said the hold was out of sync.
I missed the dance because my satellite went out in a nasty storm we were having here. I have no idea how she did – I only saw the beginning with the chains and her stomping out of the dance floor – I wish someone would tell her what to do with her face.

J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff – Paso Doble
23 (8, 7, 8 )
Bruno said the roll playing was great – the posture wasn’t there all the way through. Carrie Ann gave him credit for attacking the routine with such intensity but said the ankle injury affected his posture. Len said this dance didn’t suit J.R. – calling it more zero than Zorro.
They definitely had the character of the dance. A couple of times he looked like he might be favoring his ankle (which he twisted badly in rehearsal and again during the dance). Hopefully he can still dance the next two dances and redeem himself.

Robert Kardashian & Cheryl Burke – Samba
28 (10, 9, 9)
Carrie Ann called it amazing and said the musicality was fantastic and he was light on his feet. Len and Bruno both enthusiastically gave Rob a good review, but I’m having trouble deciphering them!
Technically I don’t know how good it was – but he was having a ball doing it. I was so distracted by all the colored lights and the giant inflatable rainbow! It was definitely party time – lots of fun.

Ricki Lake & Derek Hough – Samba
30 (10, 10, 10)
Len called it fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. Bruno said it was sizzling hot, bright and brilliant from beginning to end. Carrie Ann complimented her on keeping her shoulders down and called it fabulous.
It was as flashy as Rob’s dance and maybe the choreography wasn’t as difficult as Derek usually brings but she nailed it – it was perfect, flirty and fun and she nailed the performance aspect.

Round 2 – Argentine Tango

Hope Solo & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
24 (8, 8, 8 )
Len said it was far better than the Paso Doble – well done. Bruno called it a full on display of athleticism – much better, more controlled. Carrie Ann said there was more fluidity in the movement but said the ins and outs of the lifts weren’t graceful, but she gives points for the difficulty.
The lifts were amazing – very different. I agree with Carrie Ann – they weren’t always graceful going in and out, but she’s so tall, you sort of have to forgive that.

J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff
27 (9, 9, 9)
Bruno told him he was in Latin lover mode and said he did an incredible job. Carrie Ann said it looked like there was a true fire burning between them and she complimented on how well they did the mounts and dismounts of the dance. Len said it had mood and intensity – well done.
He was in obvious pain when the dance was over, but you would never have known he was injured during. It was intense and the lifts were great. They have unbelievable chemistry also – there were moments that were intensely sexy.

Robert Kardashian & Cheryl Burke
27 (9, 9, 9)
Carrie Ann called it good strong dancing. Len told him it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish – and he’s finishing strong. Bruno told him he now looks like a leading man – slick, dark and in control.
You can see how much he has improved and how much more confident he is – his movements were crisp and sharp. He looks in command and in the lead. It’s really remarkable. I think he deserves a place in the finale.

Ricki Lake & Derek Hough
29 (9, 10, 10)
Len called it a lovely contrast of movement – telling her it was really, really good. Bruno said mood spot on, dancing peerless. Carrie Ann says she sees the core strength developing adding pop and shine.
It was perfect – her poses are beautiful and her movements are so quick and sharp. Wonderful.

Round 3 – Cha Cha Relay
Each couple will dance a portion of one song and the judges will award 10, 8, 6, or 4 points.

The order of the dance:
Ricki & Derek – 8
Hope & Maks – 4
J.R. & Karina – 6
Ron & Cheryl – 10

The leader board after all the scores are added up:

Ricki & Derek – 67
Rob & Cheryl – 65
J.R. & Karina – 56
Hope & Maks – 49

I felt so bad for J.R. – his ankle injury really brought him down. It affected his dancing – particularly in the Cha Cha relay – you could see how gingerly he was dancing and he wasn’t his usual cheerful, smiling self. I hope he’ll be able to compete in the finale if he makes it through tomorrows elimination. On the flip side – congrats to Rob for winning the Cha Cha and really bringing it tonight. He was terrific.

As far as tomorrow’s elimination goes, I think Hope should be sent home. She’s been consistently below those who are left. What did you think of tonight’s competition and who do you think should be sent home? Leave me your two cents!