All My Children Discussion Group

Topic: Dancing With The Stars - 11/01 - Performance

Tonight we are down to 7 couples as two went home last week and another two go home this week. The show included another replacement for a sick pro and the Team Dances. It all started with several pro couples showing us the Paso Doble and the Tango for the Team Dances. As always, these were very good to watch.

Michael & Anna--FOXTROT-"Sunny Afternoon"--Michael is trying to be more elegant and Fred Astaire-like. ~~ Very good job. Michael is improving well. Judges--L-Foxtrot was brilliant! B-Your musicality has improved. Your bum sticks out so remember the nickel. Well done. C-Your dance was gracious, it was fluid, it had content. C-8; L-8; B-7 = 23
NOTE: As Michael walked away from the judges, he kissed Tom on the cheek. Tom says, "Michael is just really happy".

Donny & Kym--QUICKSTEP-"Sing, Sing, Sing"--Donny is having trouble with posture and Kym brings out the posture bar. ~~ Fun, lively! I thought Donny did well. It was hard to catch any mistakes. Judges--B-You are solid as a rock. Nobody could cover up the mistakes as well as you did. C-Your footwork is very light. You were good but it was not your best. L-Good for the way you attacked the dance. C-8; L-8; B-8 = 24

Mark & Lacey/Anna T.--SAMBA-"Switch"-- Mark has to do his show in N.Y. so they practice there. Lacey is sick and can't continue. Tony happens to be in N.Y. so helps coach but when Lacey can't return back in L.A., Anna T. steps in to be Mark's partner and throws a whole bunch of new choreography at him. ~~ Mark seemed to do okay with what he was given but I didn't like the routine. It didn't seem like a Samba and was just weird. Why couldn't Anna go with Lacey's routine? Mark had to learn this in just two days. Judges--C-That was a mess. It was completely disjointed. L-I didn't think it was that terrible, but it was not your best dance. B-It was a little like watching Kung Fu Panda doing the Samba on the Planet of the Apes. C-6; L-7; B-6 = 19

Mýa & Dimitry--FOXTROT-"Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby"--Dimitry gets help from of all people, Cloris Leachman because she is from the era of the Foxtrot. Cloris gets serious and tells Mýa that she needs to connect with Dimitry with her eyes. ~~ Wonderful dance! Loved the whole routine yet they stayed with the traditional Foxtrot. Judges--L-Parts were traditional, but again, too many gimmicks. I'm not interested. B-This Foxtrot perfectly captured the glamorous aura of Hollywood's Golden Age. C-I loved it. It was dynamic, it was fluid, graceful. Your footwork moved as one. C-9; L-7; B-9 = 25

Aaron & Karina--JIVE-"We're Not Gonna Take It"--Aaron is having trouble with getting his feet fast enough. Karina takes him to Elite Athletics where Aaron went through several training techniques for fast footwork. ~~ Great job, fast & fun, but they didn't dance much together. The majority of the dance was apart. Judges--B-You danced like a fury on a ride to the Galaxy and Beyond. Your best performance. C-You're like a little roadrunner. It was sooo good. High energy. L-That had enough energy to light up Hollywood. C-9; L-10; B-10 = 29

Kelly & Louis--SALSA-"Good Lovin'"--Kelly is having problems with the stepped up practice sessions that Louis is doing. Note: Tom quips that to get back at Louis, Kelly designed the fringy pants for Louis for their dance. ~~ Her best performance. Cute costumes. Slight mistep in middle. Judges--C-Your posture was up. You were unafraid of the dance. L-So glad you finally controlled your nerves, however, all aspects of your dancing needs to come up another level. B-You've got to find the character. Be sexy, flirty. C-8; L-8; B-8 = 24

Joanna & Derek--RUMBA-"The Look of Love"--Derek has an imaginary dream about romancing Joanna to prepare for their dance but ends up kissing himself in the mirror. ~~ Too much positioning for me and not enough Rumba. It was done nicely, although there was a stumble. Judges--L-A little bit of basic. Well done. B-So Sexy. Tiny stumble. C-You dance at your edge. You got caught in your costume, but otherwise, well done. C-9; L-9; B-9 = 27

Team Dances --TEAM PASO DOBLE-Mark & Anna T.; Aaron & Karina; Mýa & Dimitry; Michael & Anna D.-"I Hate Myself for Loving You"--Practice-Michael says that it is okay to have debates just as long as we have one heartbeat as a team. ~~ It was okay. I think I liked Mýa & Dimitry's solo the best but I just didn't care for the routine as a whole. Judges--B-Strong, dramatic, you did all that but got out of sync in one area. C-Very Intense, but lost sync. L-It was an attack. As routine went on it got better. C-8; L-8; B-8 = 24

TEAM TANGO-Joanna & Derek; Kelly & Louis; Donny & Kym-"You Give Love a Bad Name"--Practice-The pros choreograph the whole thing first then teach to the celebs. Donny is having trouble concentrating because he thinks he is getting the flu but won't let that interfere. ~~ Loved it! I thought this was much better. I liked Joanna & Derek's solo the best. Judges--C -Why did you put in a lift? (as she spanks all the men) It was perfect without it. It wasn't Argentine Tango. It was Awesome! L-This was a much superior dance. B-Excellent individuals, superb as a team. C-9; L-9; B-10 = 28

The Team Dance scores are added to everyone's score putting Joanna & Derek at the top of the Leaderboard with 55 and Mark and Anna T. at the bottom with 43.

Results show will have another dance-off and double elimination. I'm afraid Mark might go this week. He was showing so much potential but that routine of Anna's might have done him in. Too bad Lacey got sick. Michael might be the other one, but who would he have a dance-off with…Kelly? She tied with Donny but I think his fanbase is bigger. It will be an interesting night.

Replies: (list all replies)

Yes, I think Aaron & Karina's Jive was the best routine, with Donny's running a close second for me. Even if he did mess up, he did a great job covering it up and it could have been due to his having the flu. Hopefully, no one will be sick next week. Aaron did do a good job on the costume design, so did Michael for Anna D. I got a kick out of the Barney reference. The Team Tango was really great. I like Mýa's tribute to Fred & Ginger too. I feel sorry for Mark. Too bad Tony couldn't have kept rehearsing him because Tony stayed with Lacey's routine. Anna should have done that. Kelly & Louis Salsa was very good, liked all the shaking fringe. Kym had a very interesting dress with the strips of material on top making it look like there was a top there. Derek's video reminded me very much of the one he did with Shannon on the beach a few seasons ago. I wonder if it was the same beach. ~ eom. Linda

---

Posted by: songbird
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 18:38:52 2009
Message:

You would think that Michael, Mark, and Kelly would be the bottom three with Joanna, Mya, and Aaron / Donny being the top vote getters. However, after spending some time scanning the forums, I now realize that people seem to detest Joanna & Derek and many feel that Mya shouldn't even be on the show due to her dancing background. Aaron is NOT well liked either. After reading so many negative and nasty comments, I wouldn't be surprised to see Joanna & Aaron in the bottom.

Michael, Donny, and Mark are well liked by the fans AND Mark may get a break from the voters due to his terrible week. The man did his best under the circumstances, especially with Anna changing the choreography. WHY was that necessary? Let's remember that Kelly is Ozzy's kid and has a large fan base because of it.

Could we see an upset tonight based on strong voter likes/dislikes? ''Forum'' comments are focusing more on personality than dance. The dislikes are STRONG.

The bottom three should be Kelly, Michael, and Mark. IMO, we may see personality play a big part in deciding who stays and who leaves tonight. Then again, maybe not.

Replies: (list all replies)

That's the way I look at the list but I haven't had a chance to look at some of the other forums. The DWTS forum seems to be really cruel a lot of times and I don't always care to read it. I wouldn't doubt that they are going by popularity instead of dancing performance or ability. I've been questioning Anna's motives for Mark since I saw the show. Maks didn't change Derek's choreography for Joanna. He was just a replacement for Derek and went along with Derek's routine. Why couldn't Anna do the same with Lacey's routine? Afterall, Mark had already put two days work into it. I so hope every year that dancing ability gets voted on over personality but it never seems to change. We can always hope. With the contestants getting better and closer in scores, this will be a tough season. ~ eom. Linda

ITA with your comments about Anna changing the choreography. It proved to be the downfall of Mark.. My other issue concerns Len's problem with Mya. He fawns over sex pot Joanna but always disses Mya. Just an observation. /sb

Someone else mentioned this with Len, too, and I agree. Why is he (and the rest of the judges) constantly praising Joanna and he never seems to like what Mýa is doing? I loved her tribute to Fred & Ginger. You would think he would have liked that too. Len did this with Lil' Kim last year, I think. It seems there is always someone he keeps picking at and someone he fawns over. Mark had no time to perfect this routine which was all the more why Anna should have left things as they were and helped him work on Lacey's routine instead of starting something completely new. ~ eom. Linda

---

Posted by: Patem111
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 13:34:00 2009
Message:
I would be really happy to see Joanna go this week.  Not only like everyone else do I not like Derek, but I'm sick of the judges pimping her every week.  Her samba in the group dance last week to me bordered on obscene.  But I fault that with Derek.  I'm sorry that Mark will likely be leaving, I enjoy his dances and wish it were the football guy, Michael to go, but the NFL fanbase will surely keep him there for a while.

Replies: (list all replies)

I like both Mark and Michael the same. I feel for them both. Mark shows true ability but this week he got the short end of the stick. Michael isn't great but he's shown more improvement than everyone left. I think Mark, Michael and Kelly may be bottom but I wouldn't mind Derek's ego not getting more of a boost. He saw her strength and is overdoing it as much as Mark is overdoing those barrel leaps and turns. eom/WE

I've been really surprised at how much they fawn all over Joanna and how Len does just the opposite to Mýa. If it wasn't a double elimination, Mark might just stay, but with the double, Michael is in trouble as well. Both were the lowest scores. It does depend on the fanbases, though. I wish people would just vote on dancing and not popularity. ~ eom. Linda

---

Posted by: Eve
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 10:11:12 2009
Message:

Derek annoys me so that makes me not want to vote for his partner.  Sorry. 

Kelly -- quit whining already.  Your pro partner is right to push harder.

I didn't think Mark's dance was that awful but agree the jumps are old.

Didn't see that many mistakes with Donny's solo.

Team Tango was really good.  Will rewind later to watch again.

It's a matter of the popular voting as to who stays or goes.  Could be an upset tonite?

Replies: (list all replies)

Donny is a showman that knows to NEVER let them know there was a mistake. I saw one but he covered it beautifully. Other than that I have no idea what the judges saw. Derek is a BRAT. If he were with anyone else (think Kelly) they surely would be on the floor. When he was doing his turns he whipped so fast I don't know how she stayed on her feet. He needs to remember SHE is the competitor and stop upstaging, pulling focus and chancing she make a mistake or fall. Little jerk! eom/WE

Derek has done that before to people. Kelly mustn't have seen this show before or paid much attention to the later dances. She will learn or go packing. Yes, those flips, etc. in Mark's dances aren't necessary anymore. He has been doing well without them. I didn't see all the mistakes the judges saw in Donny's dance either. I saw one and if he did do so many (he, himself, admitted to 5) then he is just very good at covering them up. Team Tango was great, wasn't it? I'm thinking upset especially with a double elimination. I wish people would vote for dancing and not popularity. ~ eom. Linda

---

Posted by: krisa225
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 8:44:25 2009
Message:

I really enjoyed last night's show and the team dances I thought were very entertaining and good. 

I was so sad for Mark that Lacey was not there and seriously, what was that routine... unfortunately this could do him in (altho he was better in the teaM dance).

I think it could Michael and Kelly this week and possibly Mark. 

Thanks for the recap.

Replies: (list all replies)

I agree with your three bottom but I was happy Carrie told Mark he did better in the team dance. he got the shaft this week. eom/WE

I really enjoyed the Team Dances myself. I agree that Anna's change in routine might be Mark's downfall. Those are my three also. If it wasn't a double elimination this week, Mark might just survive due to the Team Dance. ~ eom. Linda

---

Posted by: W.E.
Date posted: Tue Nov 3 8:22:25 2009
Message:

Michael & Anna: This man is improving each week BUT is it too little too late? That, and, there's no way he can beat some of the others. Nice job though.

Donny & Kym: This showman is coming out of the gate full force. One obvious gaffe (he went right on) but I didn't see as many as the judges claimed to see.

Mark & Lacey/Anna T: What a holy mess. Mark has ability but I am so tired of his barrel leaps and turns. Is that all they think he can do? NOT his fault. It appeared Tony was helping him with Lacey's moves then Anna said he had to learn something different. They done him wrong and that might cost him his spot tonight.

Mýa & Dimitry: Lovely. I'm not a fan of hers but this was right up her alley.

Aaron & Karina: He nailed it and then some.

Kelly & Louis: I couldn't believe she didn't realize as the competition goes on the dances get tougher and so will your partner. At least she hung tough and pulled it off with little problems here and there. Nice to see.

Joanna & Derek: I get so ticked off when Derek forgets he's NOT the competitor. Constantly pulling focus from his partner. THEN he goes so wicked fast in his turns he near falls and takes her with him. I don't know how she stayed on her feet at times. He's a brat and because of that I don't find any of his skits even slightly amusing. JMO.

TEAM PASO DOBLE: I enjoyed this very much BUT there were so many problems and gaffes. The pros really have to rein it in sometimes.

TEAM TANGO: This was clearly the better team dance. The pros went with the strengths of their star partners and utilized the showman and the girls.

Sorry to say but Mark is surely in jeopardy. Not sure who will join him as fanbases get squirrely.

Replies: (list all replies)

M&A--I've thought the same that he is finally improving but there isn't enough time left. ~ D&K-I didn't see as many as the Judges claimed either, but Donny admitted to 5. ~ M&L/A--This was terrible. I really don't understand why Anna had to teach him a completely new routine. He had studied for two days on Lacey's, why not continue? Maks continued with the routine Derek laid out for Joanna and didn't change it. I think Anna really messed Mark up. ~ M&D- I'm not big on her either but I loved the tribute to Fred & Ginger. ~ A&K-He picked up those kicks brilliantly. ~ K&L-No matter how many filler segments we get with showing problems contestants have as the dances get tougher, you will still find people that don't ''get it'' until they're in that spot. Kelly's dance was good after all. ~ J&D-I wasn't thrilled with his ''fantasy'' either. Is he still with Shannon? They did a similar thing on the beach. I wonder what she thinks? ~ TPD-Too many complicated moves for too many people making the dance overcrowded. ~ TT-All individual solos were great and fit right in with the rest of the dance too. ~ I'm thinking Mark will be going. If it wasn't a double elimination, he might be safe. ~ eom. Linda

---

---