flipit
07-09-2007, 10:31 PM
Dancing with the Stars, Season 4, Week 9: Ten-tastic
By Mali Perl
With the finale coming up next week, the stars and their dancers finally reached that mysterious and much talked about next level, just in time. Even Len got in the act when he visited practices to help the stars with their weak points, proving that he can still walk the walk. Even Joey respected him and his “95” years of dancing experience. Heh. And what were the results of all this effort? Some of the most technically sound routines in DWTS history. How good were they? The judges were handing out 10’s like it was a fire sale and in some cases, it was because the dances were just that hot.
Apolo & Julianne
Going all eye of the tiger, Apolo pushes himself to master ballroom and win the coveted disco ball trophy. Every week, I’m liking him more and more and think Julianne is too.
1. Quickstep
The dance: They really are a perfect partnership because they’re so in synch with each other. Their moves and technique were flawless and I loved their big, flashy finish.
The judges: Len thought it was fantastic and praised their control. Bruno called him the Apolo Express and Carrie Ann thanked him for setting the standard.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Cha Cha Cha
The dance: Wow! I’m still hosing myself off just to make sure that I get all the embers still burning from this caliente dance. You could have gotten heatstroke just by standing close to your TV during this sassy, scorching routine. Ay papi!
The judges: Bruno called it a shot of adrenaline. Carrie Ann said she felt dirty just watching it. Len took issue with the raunchiness, saying he wanted more cha cha cha and less gyrations. Len, with gyrations? More=better.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, Bruno 10!!!!! Total: 29
Ian & Cheryl
In an effort to work through his dancing issues, Ian brings in a motivational coach (seriously) to help him find the root of his problems. Magically healed in about ten seconds and teary-eyed, Ian was ready to rumble.
1. Tango
The dance: I didn’t see much evidence of the new Ian as the routine seemed slow and rather dull but he did seem more confident.
The judges: Bruno said the demon is emerging and I’m still not sure whether that’s good or bad. Carrie Ann said that he started out strong but lost it in the middle. Len, wearing his happy pants apparently, thought it was his best dance ever.
The scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 10, Bruno 9. Total: 28
2. Jive
The dance: Wearing an Elvis jumpsuit and a big black wig, finally Ian found his inner dancer. All it took was getting into character but you could see him relax and let it flow. Thank you, Ian, thank you very much.
The judges: Carrie Ann rejoiced with a hallelujah. Len said the wig was obviously the key and that Ian really sold it. Bruno said he wasn’t sure if Ian was channeling Sanjaya or Liberace but that he finally achieved a breakthrough.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
Laila & Maks
On this week’s episode of Fight Club, Laila and Maks go at it yet again, with Laila finally walking out. Instead of giving herself into Maks’ capable hands (something I long to do), Laila continued to challenge him. Flowers from Maks and a poolside BBQ at Laila’s house helped the healing.
The dance: Dancing to the Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian, they worked the theme with a clean but safe routine.
The judges: Carrie Ann said that she knows that Laila, as the only woman, has it toughest and said she appreciates the vibe Laila brings. Len said it was light but more basic than Apolo’s which led to some talking back from Maks. Bruno called her Cleopatra Ali.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Cha Cha Cha
The dance: Another solid performance but lacking the sizzle. If only they could harness their fighting energy for good, instead of evil.
The judges: Len said they won him over. Bruno went with “a knockout,” which he must have been dying to use. Carrie Ann said that their technique shone through.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
Joey & Kym
Last week’s visit to the bottom 2 scared Joey into pulling out all the stops. In addition to loading up his routines with details, he hustled votes in Disneyland. Way to be subtle, ABC.
1. Foxtrot
The dance: Smooth and solid with lots of tricks, you could see that Joey didn’t want to go home.
The judges: Len said that the razzmatazz blended well with the dance. Bruno called him Mr. Showbiz. Carrie Ann said he won the ballroom round.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Jive
The dance: By the end of this slick, original and athletic routine, Joey left his heart on the dance floor. It deserved an 11.
The judges: Bruno said that it had more flash than Vegas and more tricks than Houdini. Carrie Ann went with a succinct fantastic. Len said that Joey has something that everyone has but that his is bigger… personality (get your mind out of the gutter).
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
While we’re all equal under God and the law, I don’t think that every 30 is created equal. Throughout the competition, I’ve felt that the judges have buoyed up Laila because they wanted a woman in the finals (she hasn’t taken nearly as many risks as Monique did last year) so I’m sure we’ll see her in the top 3. While Ian should be commended for making it this far, he’s not in the same league as Apolo and Joey, who bring flair and perfectionist streaks to their routines. I’d love to see what they’d come up with for the finals. Let the best man win.
By Mali Perl
With the finale coming up next week, the stars and their dancers finally reached that mysterious and much talked about next level, just in time. Even Len got in the act when he visited practices to help the stars with their weak points, proving that he can still walk the walk. Even Joey respected him and his “95” years of dancing experience. Heh. And what were the results of all this effort? Some of the most technically sound routines in DWTS history. How good were they? The judges were handing out 10’s like it was a fire sale and in some cases, it was because the dances were just that hot.
Apolo & Julianne
Going all eye of the tiger, Apolo pushes himself to master ballroom and win the coveted disco ball trophy. Every week, I’m liking him more and more and think Julianne is too.
1. Quickstep
The dance: They really are a perfect partnership because they’re so in synch with each other. Their moves and technique were flawless and I loved their big, flashy finish.
The judges: Len thought it was fantastic and praised their control. Bruno called him the Apolo Express and Carrie Ann thanked him for setting the standard.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Cha Cha Cha
The dance: Wow! I’m still hosing myself off just to make sure that I get all the embers still burning from this caliente dance. You could have gotten heatstroke just by standing close to your TV during this sassy, scorching routine. Ay papi!
The judges: Bruno called it a shot of adrenaline. Carrie Ann said she felt dirty just watching it. Len took issue with the raunchiness, saying he wanted more cha cha cha and less gyrations. Len, with gyrations? More=better.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 9, Bruno 10!!!!! Total: 29
Ian & Cheryl
In an effort to work through his dancing issues, Ian brings in a motivational coach (seriously) to help him find the root of his problems. Magically healed in about ten seconds and teary-eyed, Ian was ready to rumble.
1. Tango
The dance: I didn’t see much evidence of the new Ian as the routine seemed slow and rather dull but he did seem more confident.
The judges: Bruno said the demon is emerging and I’m still not sure whether that’s good or bad. Carrie Ann said that he started out strong but lost it in the middle. Len, wearing his happy pants apparently, thought it was his best dance ever.
The scores: Carrie Ann 9, Len 10, Bruno 9. Total: 28
2. Jive
The dance: Wearing an Elvis jumpsuit and a big black wig, finally Ian found his inner dancer. All it took was getting into character but you could see him relax and let it flow. Thank you, Ian, thank you very much.
The judges: Carrie Ann rejoiced with a hallelujah. Len said the wig was obviously the key and that Ian really sold it. Bruno said he wasn’t sure if Ian was channeling Sanjaya or Liberace but that he finally achieved a breakthrough.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
Laila & Maks
On this week’s episode of Fight Club, Laila and Maks go at it yet again, with Laila finally walking out. Instead of giving herself into Maks’ capable hands (something I long to do), Laila continued to challenge him. Flowers from Maks and a poolside BBQ at Laila’s house helped the healing.
The dance: Dancing to the Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian, they worked the theme with a clean but safe routine.
The judges: Carrie Ann said that she knows that Laila, as the only woman, has it toughest and said she appreciates the vibe Laila brings. Len said it was light but more basic than Apolo’s which led to some talking back from Maks. Bruno called her Cleopatra Ali.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Cha Cha Cha
The dance: Another solid performance but lacking the sizzle. If only they could harness their fighting energy for good, instead of evil.
The judges: Len said they won him over. Bruno went with “a knockout,” which he must have been dying to use. Carrie Ann said that their technique shone through.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
Joey & Kym
Last week’s visit to the bottom 2 scared Joey into pulling out all the stops. In addition to loading up his routines with details, he hustled votes in Disneyland. Way to be subtle, ABC.
1. Foxtrot
The dance: Smooth and solid with lots of tricks, you could see that Joey didn’t want to go home.
The judges: Len said that the razzmatazz blended well with the dance. Bruno called him Mr. Showbiz. Carrie Ann said he won the ballroom round.
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
2. Jive
The dance: By the end of this slick, original and athletic routine, Joey left his heart on the dance floor. It deserved an 11.
The judges: Bruno said that it had more flash than Vegas and more tricks than Houdini. Carrie Ann went with a succinct fantastic. Len said that Joey has something that everyone has but that his is bigger… personality (get your mind out of the gutter).
The scores: Carrie Ann 10, Len 10, Bruno 10!!!! Total: 30
While we’re all equal under God and the law, I don’t think that every 30 is created equal. Throughout the competition, I’ve felt that the judges have buoyed up Laila because they wanted a woman in the finals (she hasn’t taken nearly as many risks as Monique did last year) so I’m sure we’ll see her in the top 3. While Ian should be commended for making it this far, he’s not in the same league as Apolo and Joey, who bring flair and perfectionist streaks to their routines. I’d love to see what they’d come up with for the finals. Let the best man win.