'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Semi-finals are here
I'm getting a late start on this recap thanks to the Ravens game, so this might be a little more concise than usual. But hey, maybe that's not a bad thing?
Anyway, it's semifinal time already. Except that when we see the opening credits, it feels like this season has been on forevah!
First up are Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson with the tango. He gets advice from Gilles Marini that he should make everyone uncomfortable. It makes sense in context, but Donny's on the cute end of the spectrum, Gilles at the sultry end, so what works for Gilles won't necessarily work for Donny. It's OK, not great, but the ending maneuver doesn't quite work. Donny sits down on the floor on the way to judging because he is so mad at himself. Head judge Len Goodman says his Argentine tango a couple of weeks ago was great, but this was not. Bruno Tonioli says he lost it completely and it went to pieces. Carrie Ann Inaba says there wasn't push and pull or light and shade, but he did handle the "costume misfortunes" of getting stuck in Kym's dress pretty well. Scores: 7-7-7, for a 21/30.
Next are Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa with the Viennese waltz. They look lovely (I even love Joanna's dress, and I usually think the costumes are pretty awful and gaudy). They are also helped by dancing to "Hallelujah," one of the best songs ever-ever. Bruno says this waltz had the grace of angels in heaven, but there was a slight hesitation throughout. Still, he says, fantastic. Carrie Ann says she was so raw at the beginning, and she has grown so much. Len says their hold when they are together is amazing, and that there was a little weirdness, but mostly it was a beautiful dance. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30.
Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel have the rumba for their first dance. Kelly has to do a solo in part of the dance, and she doesn't look super comfortable in that part, but the rest is done well. Sharon is jumping up and down in the audience; it's so cute. Carrie Ann says she totally gets it, and that she was brought to tears by her performance. Len say she has turned into an "absolutely competent dancer," but he doesn't think this was her best. Bruno agrees that she's endearing, but that the rumba should have a relentless sense of eroticism and this didn't. Scores: 8-8-8, for a 24/30.
Mya and Dmitry Chaplin dance the waltz for their first performance of the night. Their dance is just breathtaking and, yes, in a different league than everything else we've seen tonight. Gorgeous. Len says he loved it and it had romance and total control. "It was an absolute joy to watch." "That was love set to music," says Bruno. Carrie Ann says she loved it too, but that she has the potential to get 10s every single week and she thinks they lacked a hair of connection in their hold. Everyone boos. Scores: 9-9-10, for a 28/30.
Donny and Kym return for the samba. Booty-shaking notwithstanding, this style is much more in Donny's comfort zone. He looks confident again! Mr. Heart on His Sleeve cheers for himself afterward. Bruno says he came back and nailed it. Carrie Ann says this was better but it felt a little sloppy. Len agrees with Bruno and says this was a metamorphosis. Scores: 8-9-9, for a 26/30, for a 47/60 total.
Joanna and Derek dance the cha-cha-cha. Augh, why the return of the fringed pants? The performance is OK, but it seems a little slow, a little restrained. Carrie Ann says they did a great job. Len says it was clean, quick and had great rhythm, but could have been more cheeky. Bruno calls her "natural sex" and says she has set a very high standard. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30, and a 54/60 total.
Kelly and Louis dance the quickstep for round two. Holy speediness, Batman. They are ALL OVER THE PLACE to "99 Red Balloons," and the crowd is in love. Len says two people loved that: "your mum and me." Bruno says she was like Speedy Gonzales, though she missed one teesy step. Carrie Ann says she nailed it and that she stayed with Louis the whole time. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30 and a total 51/60.
Mya and Dmitry are next with the salsa. In the intro segment, Mya calls her self "this Maryland girl," and I'm like, hey, wait a minute ... did I miss a local this whole season? But everything I have read about her places her in the D.C. area. Now I'm confused. They dance to a supercharged version of "La Isla Bonita," and it's FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC. So fast, so amazing, so good. Bruno: "SEN-SA-TION-AL!" Carrie Ann says it was hot beyond belief and that it was good -- and complicated. Len says he was mesmerized by her buttocks (I swear that's a direct quote). He says she should absolutely be in the finale. Scores: 30/30, for a 58/60.
Last is the "knockout round," in which the couples choose the style and the song, for total creative control.
Kym and Donny do the jitterbug. It's goofy fun, fast and silly, and thankfully shorter than the first two rounds. Carrie Ann says he has his mojo back. Len says two out of three isn't bad. Bruno says he's recharged. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30, and a 74/90 total.
Joanna and Derek take on salsa. It's fun, too, but I feel kind of bad for them doing salsa after Mya's amazing performance. I'm a little worried that Joanna is going to shake herself right out of her outfit. Len says it was hot. Bruno says it was delicious and flirtatious. Carrie Ann says she generates heat and that it was excellent. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30 and an 81/90.
Kelly and Louis cha cha to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." It's so cute, but it seems short compared to the others. Bruno says she had precise timing and finishing all her moves. Carrie Ann says she did a great job, especially with her hands. Len says she did three dances to a high level this evening. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30 and 78/90.
Last we've got Mya and Dmitry also with the cha cha. More fast, more fun. Carrie Ann says it wasn't speaking to her. Len says he was disappointed because he wanted it to go on a bit longer. Bruno says it was like an action-packed trailer for a blockbuster. Scores: 9-10-10, for a 29/30 and a total 87/90.
OK, so who is cut tomorrow night? I feel like it should be Donny or Kelly but won't be because of their fan bases. I think Mya's probably safe with those amazing scores and that fab salsa will get people on the phone. So ... Joanna maybe?
What do you think?







Comments
I have no idea who will be cut tonight, SKK, but we voted for Mya until the clipped British accent on the phone told us to cease and desist, just so she won't be taken for granted as a great dancer. I would like to know more about Mya's home--I read somewhere that her "hometown" was Baltimore, but last night her parents were talking about DC. Maybe it's all one and the same to the producers in LA.
Points to Kelly for the most improvement over the season--and high five to Louis Van Amstel for being the best possible teacher for her.
Posted by: Dahlink | November 17, 2009 6:09 AM
"absolutely competent dancer,"
Is this damning with faint praise??
SKK: Well, probably, but also an apt description of her surpassing of low expectations, I think.
Posted by: Eve | November 17, 2009 9:31 AM
I agree completely about who will get kicked off. Kelly and Donny are the weaker two, but I personally love both of them and would like to see them in the finals. Joanna is good, but I do think alot of times it looks like Derek is just pulling her around and also, I mean, how hard is it to sell sexy songs when you're a Playboy Bunny? I was most impressed with her futuristic dance last week because it was out of character. I'm excited to see who the final three are...but what shall I do without DWTS for the winter?
SKK: SYTYCD just got started ...
Posted by: Rina | November 17, 2009 12:40 PM
Yes! Mya is a Maryland girl! Born in DC but raised in suburban Maryland and she still has family ties here.
Posted by: Sarah | November 17, 2009 12:40 PM
Kelly cannot dance. End of story.
Posted by: Emma | November 17, 2009 1:18 PM