'Dancing With the Stars': more performances
The dancers get a second chance to dance before someone gets kicked off tomorrow on Dancing With the Stars. Last week, Joey Fatone, Ian Ziering, Apolo Anton Ohno and Laila Ali were standouts. We'll see how they all do tonight.
In the intro, Shandi kind of looks like she is wearing her bathing suit. Tonight, the women will do the mambo, and the men will dance the quickstep.
First up is Apolo Anton Ohno. His partner Julianne annoys me, but one can only hope she is a good teacher. They dance the quickstep to "Two Hearts," and they sure appear to have nailed it. They definitely had the syncopated footwork the judges are supposed to be looking for. Len Goodman says he is going to "stay for weeks and weeks." Bruno Tonioli: He said it was a "dancing tonic" and that he's an inspiration. Carrie Ann Inaba: "It's so not expected for you to be this good." She also tells him to watch the sliding. Scores: 8, 9 and 9, for a 26/30. Nice score for the second week. Two week total: 47/60
Next is Shandi Finnessey with her and Brian's mambo. I don't really have anything to say about it, so let's go to the judges. Carrie Ann says she looks good, but "there wasn't anything special about it." I guess that's why I didn't have anything to say. Len says their footwork was good, good movement, but that she didn't really sell it. Bruno says she should "forget about Barbie and turn into a brat." (I'm not translating Bruno this evening.) Scores: 6,7 and 7, for a 20/30, and a two-week total of 39/60.
Clyde Drexler was told last week to use his size for big moves. He and Elena quick step. They definitely had some fast footwork, but it still looked a little clunky. Bruno: "It's David and Goliath rewriting history and making music." My dad says, "It was a fight, dude, and somebody died at the end." Bruno says he moved better, but he is moving in the right direction. Carrie Ann says he traveled across the space better than anyone she's seen. Len says it was a case of "We Shall Overcome," and at my house, we go, "Huh?" But he means overcoming Clyde's height and working with it. Scores: 6, 6 and 6, for an 18/30, and a two-week total of 34/60.
It's Leeza Gibbons' 50th birthday. Can I just say that she is the perfect cheesy person to cast on this cheesy show? She and Tony mambo to Destiny Child's "Independent Women." In the middle, she tries to shimmy, but it just doesn't happen. They are having fun, but she's still pretty stiff. Len says he hopes he looks like her when he's 50. He says it was precise and exact, but just a tad careful. Bruno says she danced like a "debutante on her first date ... let your tramp out." Carrie Ann says it was very good. Scores: 7, 7 and 7, for a 21/30 and a two-week total 36/60. Someone gives Leeza a bouquet of flowers bigger than Samantha. Tom says: If 50 is the new 30, then 30 is the new 10." Ew. If that's true, I shouldn't be up this late.
Ian Ziering is next. They quick step to "Don't Get Me Wrong." They are pretty much outstanding. Carrie Ann says he looked more relaxed, and that he has so much more potential. Len says it was a good all-around performance, but he needs to work on his frame and not be so skippy and hoppy. Bruno says his elbow was low, and he was hopping around like a hare. Scores: 7, 8 and 7, for a 22/30 and a two-week total of 43/60.
Paulina Porizkova says she didn't expect the critiques to sting quite so much. Paulina says she knows Alec won't drop her; cut to Alec saying he has dropped people. They mambo to "La Bamba." Paulina has a better week this time, I think. After they finish, the cameras cut to Brian Austin Green in the audience, who looks pretty bored. Bruno says it was a "mambo on Fifth Avenue." He tells her to let go more. Carrie Ann says her extension is good, but it's clear that this is not natural for her body. Len says it was a little "stiff and starchy" and could have been a little more "raunchy." My dad predicts all sevens. Scores: 7, 7 and 7, for a 21/30 and a 40/60 for both weeks.
Billy Ray Cyrus is having confidence issues after last week. He and Karina quick step to "Ring of Fire." (WHAT?) It's a million times better than last week, but not exactly in sync. He looks pretty pleased with himself. Len says it started out crazy, but the rest was very good. Bruno says, "Forget about the bear, you are a Southern gentleman." Carrie Ann says he is most improved of the week. Scores: 7, 7 and 7, for a 21/30, and a 34/60.
Heather Mills is next. In rehearsals, it looks like she can shimmy pretty well. This proves true in the performance, too. She was really good! Carrie Ann is speechless. She says the level of difficulty was the highest of the evening. Len says he was worried, but she was absolutely great. Bruno says she was on "warp drive ... red hot Heather ... I cannot believe what you did tonight." Scores: 8, 8 and 8, for a 24/30 and a two-week total of 42/60.
John Ratzenberger says he was excited about all the hopping. He and Edyta quick step. Again, he's better than you might expect from Cliffy Claven. Bruno says there is life in the old wolf, and he sold it. Carrie Ann says he seemed out of sorts at the beginning, and in the end, he pulled it together. Len says it was a great performance. Scores: 7, 7 and 7, for a 21/30, and a 38/60.
Laila Ali's parter Maksim says he needs to bulk up to look better next to her. So she kills him in the gym. They do their mambo, starting at the top of th stairs, and they are amazing. She definitely works the whole floor, and gets the technique. My dad predicts eights across the board, or two eights and a nine. Len: "It had rhythm, it had great moves ... It was the best mambo of the night." Bruno calls her "the mistress of the art of seduction." Carrie Ann: "That was hot. Hot, hot, hot!" She says Laila worked it and "worked him." They get three nines, a 27/30 and a two-week total of 50/60. Samantha has her first totally non-scripted moment when she tells Maksim he was "crying earlier" about his arms hurting after the workout with Laila. Hee!
Joey Fatone and Kym are going to close the show, with a quick step to "Tell Her About It." It's fast, in step, and even incorporates some of the silly aspects of Joey. Carrie Ann says she expects the complete package from him, and that he did it again. Len says it was a light, bright and fast-moving; "well done." Bruno says he was worried at first, when he started with the "George Michael dance," but that it was great. Scores: 8, 8 and 8, for a 24/30, and a two-week total of 48/60.
Here's the leader board: Laila / Joey / Apolo / Ian / Heather / Paulina / Shandi / John / Leeza / Clyde / Billy Ray. I can't really argue too much with that. How do you think everyone did?
Categories: Dancing With the Stars



Comments
Heather Mills was mind-boggling and awesome!! While the others danced ok, there was no pizzaz. Heather has an explosive energy, and her performance was mind-boggling. I give her tons of credit. She's a real inspiration. I know the others deserve some praise, but, to be honest, they're boring. If Heather wasn't on the show, I wouldn't continue to watch. it. I hope she wins.
Posted by: Shell | March 27, 2007 3:02 AM
Apolo Ohno will remain a faithful favorite for many people! I like both his athletic & dancing performances - he has a 'silent' way of quickstepping into our hearts.
But I was also impressed with Heather Mills boldness and her take-charge attitude that made her dance moves glow under the spotlight...I enjoyed her determination.
Tonight is the night of the first elimination. Apolo's here to stay!
Posted by: MariaG | March 27, 2007 12:52 PM
Can anyone tell me what the name of the artist and song was that Laila Ali and Maksim danced the Mambo too on Monday night, 26 Mar? It was a great dance by the way; absolutely loved it!
Posted by: Scott | March 28, 2007 3:50 AM
Apolo and his partner blew me away!!! I can't get over how poised and professional he looked on the dance floor. He's going to be wonderful to watch in the coming weeks and it's great to see more of him outside the Olympic arena.
Posted by: Alexa | March 29, 2007 10:45 AM
I found the name and artist of the song Laila and Maksim danced to during week 2. ABC's webpage for Dancing with the Stars lists all the songs that are played during the show. It was Maracaibo Oriental by Benny More.
Posted by: Scott | April 2, 2007 12:53 AM