OLTL Discussion Group

Topic: Dancing With The Stars - SemiFinals 5/12/08

Welcome to the semi-finals. Four couples trying for three spots in the finals.

Tonight each couple will do (repeats of) two individual dance styles and NO LIFTS.

Samantha looks gorgeous and Tom...well, it's always nice to see Tom!!

I've been enjoying Tom's comments about Cheryl's costumes. Last week he said it looked as if she were peering through a feather duster. Let's see what he says tonight.

Len speaks for all the judges as he congratulates the four competitors but all judges expect them to up their game and they want to see GREAT dancing and nothing less will do.

Jason & Edyta: FOX TROT - Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Cute blackboard-football coaching by Edyta and I LOVED the video visit from Dan Marino. Telling him to beat two actors and an ice skater (lol). I feel Jason turned on everything he needs. Nice moves and fun watching him bicker and mouth the words.
Len: like a dolphin gliding through the sea. Whole thing was great. 10
Bruno: plenty of movement. A showman...loved it. 9
Carrie: really, truly beautiful. A lot of content and charisma. 9
TOTAL: 28

Marissa & Tony: QUICK STEP - Around The World I Search For You
Stacey Kiebler visits and she and Marissa rake Tony (in a fun way) over the coals. Nice execution, teriffic ending but an obvious booboo.
Bruno: locomotive to Orient Express but missed a step (and he is booed). 8
Carrie: you're an unlikely contender but great, classic quick step. Really good. (hmmm no mention of the obvious mistake?). 9
Len: takes difficulty into consideration...great job. 9
TOTAL: 26
Note: I'm with Bruno here ONLY because tonight is to gain a spot in the finals. All three judges should have mentioned what Bruno did. Not only a missed step but it was as if she almost tripped, held her own and went on, but still. FINALS!!!!

Cristian & Cheryl: VIENNESE WALTZ - Satellite
(His second dance is the same style when he injured his arm) I enjoyed his sandwich board will dance for votes!! Elegant and smoooth, lovely!! Tom asks about a missing weather balloon (another joke at Cheryl's costume).
Carrie: so enjoyable to watch. Very sweet. 9
Len: better movement, better mix of steps = better marks. 9
Bruno: played off each other beautifully - a wow factor! 9
TOTAL: 27

Kristi & Mark: TANGO - Instrumental
They visit a high level dance class for pointers. Such power and strength - they nailed it.
Len: got drama back. Hold and posture fine but hectic. 9
Bruno: squeezed every drop of drama, passion and sex appeal but questions some footwork. 10
Carrie: welcome back queen of the dance floor. 10
TOTAL: 29

UNDERCOVER WITH GOODMAN...LEN GOODMAN: Len visits each contestant's rehearsal to give them a mandatory step he chooses for each.
Len and Jason = fabulous, fun!
Len and Kristi = cute.
Len and Cristian = Cris gives LEN a seven (heh).
Len and Marissa = Len says she held him a tad tight.
LICENSE TO THRILL!!

SECOND DANCE

Jason & Edyta: PASO DOBLE - Instrumental
It had a fierceness. He is so strong and can lift her with one arm (competing with Cris?? LOL)!!
Bruno: strength and momentum of Iron Man. (Is Bruno in this movie?). 9
Carrie: commend you on difficulty and execution of choreography. 9
Len: attacked like a quarter back. Like price of gas you're going up. 9
TOTAL: 27 and 55 of 60

Marissa & Tony: RUMBA - Just The Two Of Us
Wonderful choreography and exectuion but no semi-final oomph. I just don't feel even with her improvement that she's a finalist over any of the rest.
Carrie: Wasn't excited by it. Not a semi-final dance (yep). 8
Len: no wow factor but a precise dance. very very good job. 9
Bruno: sexy in the city - sold it. 9
TOTAL: 26 and 52 of 60

Cristian & Cheryl: SAMBA - [I love] Juanita
His hips have more moves than a can of worms and I could watch him all night. Fabulous, wonderful...I loved it.
Len: hotter than a chili pepper. Adversity made you focus and stronger. 9
Bruno: rematch of the century!! 10
Carrie: you reminded me of twinkle toes (Emmit Smith who is in the audience) - brought it to life. 10
TOTAL: 29 and 56 of 60

Kristi & Mark: JIV - Nutbush City Limits
Great coupling, choreography and routine. YAY!!
Bruno: cherry on the icing of cake of delicious jive (or something similar to that!!). Fun, cheeky, dramatic. 10
Carrie: Full out but a hair out of synch. Compliments the difficulty of choreography and admires Mark (me TOO). 9
Len: likes the basics/arms but felt it was a little stiff. (I didn't feel it was stiff but it wasn't on a par with the first time they JIVEd). 9
TOTAL: 28 and 57 of 60.

LEADER BOARD:
4th - Marissa and Tony
3rd - Jason and Edyta
2nd - Cristian and Cheryl
1st - Kristi and Mark.

I hope this is how it plays out. I honestly feel Marissa should be next to go and Jason, Cris and Kristi are the final three. If Jason doesn't step it up (come ON Cheryl) it will be Cristian vs. Kristi which is fine by me but Jason deserves the shot TOO.

Can't wait for the freestyle WITH lifts!!!

Jason & Edyta-FOXTROT- He was better than last week but still seems a little stiff although not as bad as in his Latin dances. These dances seem to suit Jason better. Edyta still choreographed those same spread eagle poses for him though.

PASO DOBLE--Much better than his last Paso but he still has that awkward look about him. I agree that there was more choreography in the dance this time. It still seemed to focus on Edyta's gymnastics.

Marissa & Tony-QUICKSTEP--Great dance! A lot of fun and energy. Beautiful dress. Marissa has really improved. It was nice to see Tony in between his tallest partner and his smallest. I really watch her to see how she handles dancing with Tony because the way she and Tony look together is the way my husband and I look. I'm a little shorter than her and Tony is a little taller than my husband. We only look the same in the way of height, though. Dances like these where they remain in hold the majority of the time I can really relate to, LOL!

RUMBA--Very nice but it seems like Tony choreographs the same three positions for Marissa in every dance. He picks up one leg of hers, wraps it around his waist as he does a sideways dip; they lean to one side as she poses one leg up to her knee; and he drops her back and does a half circle with her. I think both Tony and Edyta need to take some refresher course in choreography. I know Marissa is small as Jason is tall but there have to be more moves that they can both do besides the same ones over and over. I think Marissa is doing well for what she is given. Too bad she hasn't been given more because she has improved a lot from the beginning. I will say that her costumes are looking better than they were a few weeks ago.

Cristiàn & Cheryl-VIENNESE WALTZ--Beautiful. He is so much smoother than Jason and flows so well. It is such a pleasure to watch him. Cris deserved better scores than Jason. I got a kick out of Tom's teasing of Cheryl's dress, something he started with last week's feather duster comment.

SAMBA--Oh, can he wiggle and shake those hips FINE! (sigh) I think he played it safe from the last Samba. I liked it and thought that he did great! He had fun with it and you could see the that he was loving it after the first Samba experience. He definitely put the other Samba in the past. A side comment--He has such a pretty wife! They make a good looking couple.

Kristi & Mark-TANGO--Fantastic! Passionate! Just loved it! That was a great idea going to the pros for advice. They should all do that one time during the competition. Loved Len's remark about Bruno's hair!

JIVE--Wonderful Jive! She nailed it! Back on top! I think it will be a Battle of the K/Cris's! JMO!

I think Marissa will go tonight. But then I thought that a couple of weeks ago, LOL!

Replies: (list all replies)

It's great to be back - thanks for the cover!! Jason is more than holding his own. He has posture but there's a Lurchness there sometimes. Marissa has proved she can dance. I watch her closely, too, especially the last few weeks. She executes well but is not a winner for a dance contest. Maybe things would have been different if she got a more talented pro (like Mark) but I think she can only master so much. Cristian is marvelous. I thought it would come down to Kristi and Jason until recently. Always liked Cristian but now...wazoo!! He has those Latin numbers beat (hips and open shirt = faboo). I think Jason and Cristian both have lovely ladies. It will be hard to beat Kristi but who knows what the freestyle might bring. Can't wait.eom/WE

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Posted by: Blinkie
Date posted: Tue May 13 2:03:46 2008
Message:
I like seeing Len working with the contestants. Has he ever actually danced on the show? That would make me happy.

Replies: (list all replies)

I don't recall him dancing but he has done this segment before. It would be nice to see all three judges dancing at some point.eom/WE

Hah! I just read that during a commercial break an audience member told Bruno s/he'd give him $50 if he'd dance. Apparently Bruno got on top of the judges table sending Carrie and Len running and did a little dance. No word whether he got the dough but Tom stopped him and told him to get back to work as they were coming back from commercial.eom/WE

I've seen Len do that segment before, which is what humanized him for me. He was always just a stuffy talking head to me before, but now I really like him and would LOVE to see him ''cut a rug''...Blinkie

That and his bit with Kenny Mayne did it for me, too. Also love when he calls Bruno...Sunshine!!eom/WE

Yep, Sunshine is the best...Blinkie

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Posted by: Lisa
Date posted: Tue May 13 1:11:32 2008
Message:
I'm hoping marissa goes after this. She's a good dancer, but I cna't see her as a winner. I hope it's Kristi vs. Christian, though Jason would be fine. I'd love to see a woman win it, though Christian would be good as well.

Replies: (list all replies)

For a while there I thought it would be Jason vs. Kristi. Now that Cristian is coming on so strong and trying SO hard with an injury he is really shining. It's indeed time for Marissa to go then I'll be happy no matter who wins IF they continue on and hopefully they have a few tricks up their sleeves.eom/WE

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Posted by: W.E.
Date posted: Tue May 13 0:29:17 2008
Message:

WHOOPS that should read come ON Edyta - Cheryl is going full guns.

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Posted by: Tori
Date posted: Tue May 13 0:26:25 2008
Message:

Ballroom

Jason...nice job, his posture has been amazing throughout the competition.

Marissa...she continues to improve and still show lots of determination. Too bad about the mistake. With that said, I don't think she's winner material.

Cristian...beautifully smooth, flowing dance...loved it

Kristi...can we say perfect? Wow! I so disagree with Len on this one.

Latin

Jason...awesome Paso Doble.

Marissa...nice jobe...I think the Rumba is hard...she's made every effort but I think this was her last dance.

Cristain...simply, wow! So much fun.

Kristi...fun dance...oddles of engery

Len's visits were great fun and we get to see him perform some dance moves.

I'm still wanting a woman to win the ugly disco ball. Kristi has the talent and the fanbase. However, I'm loving Cristian and wouldn't be disappointed if he took home the prize. Jason wouldn't be my first choice, but I'd be okay with it. I would be disappointed if Marissa becomes the owner of the mirrored ball trophy.

I'm looking forward to the Kids dancing on the Results Show.

Replies: (list all replies)

Jason is probably the biggest surprise this season. The posture alone and he's had that from the first day. I agree that Marissa isn't winner material but she has every reason to be proud. Cristian and Kristi are unreal as they vie for the finals. #2 dance - Jason has proved he can do it all. Marissa has proved she's lasted longer than she should have but is not up to what the others are. Again, Kristi and Cristian are wowing. You may get your wish. Kristi has showed she's human and can make mistakes and hasn't stayed at the top throughout...but...she is definitely the one to try to beat. I also agree that Cristian might sneak in there and although I'd want either Cris or Kristi I won't be disappointed should it go to Jason. The only problem is if Marissa stays after tomorrow. It's her time to go. I'm also looking forward to the kids and USHER (<--I'm a fan). eom/WE

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