Well the problem with that is taking the spirit of the song and re-interpreting it for Cha Cha. It was just all kinds of awkward imho, whereas the Robert Palmer song, did not take the costumes literally, it just was a sexy dance.
Ah. If I’d ever seen the video, I’d forgotten about it. I knew Peta’s top hat was a nod to Shania, but had forgotten the rest of it.
I am sorry Gilles looked totally gay and this was awkward for Country night… It felt more like Frankenfurter in Rocky Horror Picture Show, and I almost expected him to wear the corsette. He might as well have, given he’s dancing far to feminine. They FINALLY pointed out the arms that I’ve been harping on since the Foxtrot. And the legs were a little ungainly not sharp.
Apolo and Karina can’t stand each other. At least that’s the vibe I got during the package, and I don’t think all the masking it in the world is going to change it. That whole business about Apolo being sick last week , only Karina said it, interesting how he never mentioned it, and now I suspect that’s why he didn’t do the media, he needed space. I thought the VWaltz was quite good, but Apolo still isn’t vulnerable. I saw a distance there I didn’t see last week. Yes he did a very nice routine (I thought Melissa was much better) but he’s got a fanbase that’s going to keep him around to the end.
Shawn and Derek come on, the tricks again… a lift in the routine and not one word about it, except Len referenced the “trickster”. Now if you can find the cha cha you get a cookie, because side by side country line dancing isn’t cha cha. Wow. Her solo was awful, I mean this girl is a zombie dancer, gets the steps down like a stepford wife, but absolutely no emotion.
Kelly and Val, I just love Val’s choreography. How tough was that? Viennese crosses, contrabody checks, the whole nine years. Wow. I’m not sure that Kelly kept up and her legs are spongy as opposed to taut and precise and the dance position faded here and there, but I loved their costumes. Definitely Scarlett and Rhett and that was so dang cool.
Melissa and Tony Now this is a Viennese Waltz I understood. She is a lovely dancer and this is in her wheelhouse of ballet. Her solo was really nice. These two floated, and I could tell they genuinely LIKE each other.
Sabrina and Louis while I’m sure there’s lots of emotion there, the girl just wants to ramrod through a routine. It was Rumba though, finally and I appreciated it. The crying was a bit out there, I thought it was more about fear of going home than some drugged out ex-boyfriend.
Kirstie and Maks This is a definitive Maks’ rumba and while it was good, it’s been done better by Laila Ali, Mel B and Brandy. Kirstie did lose hip action on the opening outs, Len saw it and that was a good catch.
Emmitt and Cheryl Islands In the Stream just wasn’t the song Rhinestone Cowboy could have been, I was sort of hoping that he’d do a “Cowboy” tune for obvious reasons. It was lacklustre and a little flat footed in spots. If Emmitt was Rhinestoned out in the Dallas Cowboy’s colors it would have got a lot more visual impact to put that dance across. I’m not sure why he’s shy about that, I remember both Hines in particular and Donald weren’t afraid of the colors. He came alive on the solo though, that was absolutely great and that was by far the best solo of the night.
Pretty much in agreement with most of your comments. Emmitt has lost his pizzazz somewhere along the line and all his dances are starting to look alike. Did love his solo though. Lots of energy.
Giles’ outfit was picked by Peta and I totally agree about the inappropriateness of the decision. Especially on country western night. Any guy wearing that outfit to a cw bar would probably end up with beer dumped on his head and shown the door. What in the world were they thinking?
I think the exhaustion factor is going to become apparent more and more. As routines become more intricate and the pressure to improve mounts even more, they will need to spend more time in the studio. And for those with other job commitments this will become a problem. I think it is already starting to show with Giles and Kelly. I totally do not envy any of them.
As far as Derek and Shawn go, yes he does like to put in the tricks, but that’s what the viewing audience and voters love. I personally don’t have any dance experience and I’m sure most people watching don’t either so we have no idea if something is a cha-cha or not. All we know is that it looks cool and it’s fun to watch. Derek has the ability to give the audience what they love in his routines which is why he usually ends up winning or at least in the final four.
Ugh. I HATE the way they’re doing this elimination. And I can already tell I hate the result.
How the hell is Kirstie still here :-/
All the pros are drained and exhausted. Mark coming in fresh next week will have an advantage. He’s rehearsed with Shawn before and replacing Derek won’t be a problem. If Derek returns then he’ll be rested too. I’m sure the other pros are painfully aware of that.
After tonight I need to think long and hard if I want to finish watching this season. I’m so disgusted with the elimination. It makes a joke out of even calling this a dance show. She was the leader board winner the last two weeks in a row. It’s pretty hard to have any respect for the show at all. It’s a bad joke at this point.
The only reason to continue watching is Melissa and Tony. Even though I know they have absolutely no chance of winning. I am curious to see how long it takes America to chase off the 2nd best dancer that’s appeared on dwts.
I am right there with you.
I just wonder how much those two points from the group dance helped Kirstie. I’m guessing it was a lot since the judges are giving out half points in the solos.
I’m a day behind thanks to Sandy - fortunately everyone I know here on the East Coast is AOK!
I honestly don’t know if it’s hurricane emotions or what, but - and I say this as a lifelong hater of “country” anything - I fucking LOVED this night!! Yeah, there were weak moments in every performance but I genuinely enjoyed it.
Question out of left field: how many of you who follow this thread throughout the seasons are dancers? I’m just curious. Me, I’ve been playing around with ballroom, salsa and swing (mostly WC) for about 12 years. Performed in 8 showcases, no competition. Just for fun. How about youse?
I danced in a few college plays. Met my wife in a dance club and we still go out when there’s time.
Most of the styles on dwts are new to me. I learned some cha cha and jive steps in my theater classes. But, it’s been twenty years since I did any.
Just a fan.
Well Team Gangnam smoked Team Cheerleader, 3 cheerleaders left and the choreographer of Team Cheerleader goes home.
I’d say that’s a vindication for having a bit of fun and not taking yourself so seriously. It’s a dance show for pity sakes. Sabrina made it a life or death thing, and ugh, the desperation is a little draining. I knew there was a reason for the blubbering the night before, they knew they were probably tracking low just as she did in season 5.
Even though Apolo is “not necessarily” the bottom 2, he’s been down there once before and I wonder if they’re trying to whip up the support for him.
Next week sounds like fun and the pressure isn’t quite as bad as no elimination. I am glad the “fusion” dances are at least Ballroom or Latin.
Sorry, to answer the questions, yes I’ve taken ballroom and latin dancing. International syllabus.
Yes, I’m a former Eastern US Amateur Smooth champion.
Andie, the choreographer for Team Cheerleader was Derek and he didn’t go home.
I’m just a fan, but I love dancing.
I don’t decide whether or not to watch a show because of something I can’t control like popularity voting. I just watch if I’m entertained or mentally stimulated. Obviously, mental doesn’t enter the picture here, but I am entertained. There are many good dancers that I look forward to watching and this season is full of many more than usual.
Also just a fan. Everything I know about how a particular dance is “supposed” to look, I’ve learned from this show.
I know that makes me less critical of dances that don’t necessary follow the rules. For that, I do put weight on the judges comments of how well they followed the style. But, in the end, I vote mostly on what entertains ME. And Sabrina entertained me. I’m very sad to see her go.
Partner dancing? swing and salsa (social, not competition) for years, some tango, a tiny bit of ballroom.
I think you’re confused about the show’s premise. It’s not a dance competition, per se. It’s dancing WITH STARS - if you want to consider Palin a star. The idea is to take celebrities and teach them to dance. They make no bones at all about this being a popularity contest with rhinestones and steps.
It sucks when a favorite person of one of the better dances is eliminated. But it’s not like it’s a serious dance competition that took a wrong turn. It is what it is.
Just a fan. I do the White Man’s Overbite at weddings, and that’s it.
Sabrina has got to be feeling a little bit hurt today. Twice she’s been a judge’s favorite, and twice the voting public has given her a big rousing “meh”. It was ironic that she thanked her fans…she apparently doesn’t have any. Hard not to take this personally.
I didn’t know that, cool!
Interesting that the bottom of the leaderboard people all made it through, due, presumably, to their very strong fan bases. Kelly’s is a juggernaut – it gave her the championship S1, despite the fact that she was outdanced by John O’Hurley – and apparently they still love her. The fact that she and Val are just freaking adorable together doesn’t hurt either.
Time for Kirstie to go home also, though. Poor woman is exhausted and no one is doing her any favors by forcing her to continue.