Competition At Half-Way Point On Dancing With The Stars
By: Mary Cavaliere

We are now down to eight couples, and this week four new dances were introduced on the show.  The West Coast Swing, the Hustle, the Salsa, and the Jitterbug caused not only frustration for the stars to learn, but for the professionals as well. Personally, I think it was an exciting addition to the show because it challenged each and every participant.

Here’s my comments on each of the dances and the judges combined score for this week along with my individual rating for the performance:

Lance & Lacey’s West Coast Swing ~ This was very complicated choreography and I thought Lance recovered from his fall like a true pro!  I thought the judges were completely unfair to Lacey in pointing out that she didn’t choreograph for her partner.  My goodness, MANY of the pros are guilty of this and also using the art of distraction with their exceptional dancing AND their naked bodies so why pick on Lacey?  Judges Score = 21 ~ My Score =9

Toni & Alec’s West Coast Swing ~ I loved the choreography in this number.  My 12-year old came into the room while I was watching, and she’s not very familiar with who Toni Braxton is. She turned to me and said “Mom, which one is the pro?”  THAT’S how good Toni is!  I thought the judges were wacked in their critique of her. Judges Score = 21 ~ My Score = 9

Susan & Tony’s Hustle ~ I love Susan like everyone else, but this week’s performance was pretty bad.  It was the same step over and over again.  She just isn’t getting what the judges want her to do.  They keep telling her to come out and give it her all but what her dancing lacks is precision and finesse.  Maybe they’re just not explaining it to her in a way she can grasp.  This looked like a week number one performance.  Judges Score = 22 ~ My Score = 6

Warren & Kym’s Hustle ~ I smiled through this entire performance.  It was a damn good hustle!  Susan needs to take lessons from this football teddy bear.  He’s got it going on and his size is no detriment to his talent and his willingness to give it everything he’s got. Judges Score = 25 ~ My Score = 10

Cloris & Corky’s Salsa ~ Cloris looked absolutely stunning, and as usual she was hilarious, but again, at this point in the competition, it is really unfair to the others that she is still competing.  The judges gave her the same score as Lance and Toni?  C’mon, there’s definitely some skewed judging going on.  Now I don’t know about you, but I do NOT believe Len is only 64.  Maybe 74 - but definitely not 64!!!  Judges Score = 21 ~ My Score = 6

Maurice & Cheryl’s Salsa ~ Cheryl’s choreography rarely disappoints and in spite of her frustration in learning how to do this dance herself, she made her partner shine and they once again pulled it off spectacularly!  Judges Score = 27 ~ My Score = 9

Brooke & Derek’s Jitterbug ~ In spite of the fact that Derek had to “research” the jitterbug on the internet, he did a phenomenal job choreographing this number.  They both looked adorable and once again Brooke showed why she is a frontrunner!  Judges Score = 29 ~ My Score = 10

Cody & Julianne’s Jitterbug ~ Wasn’t Julianne one of the cutest Lucille Ball’s you’ve ever seen?   As usual her dancing was spot on and she once again made her partner look fantastic.  I will admit I liked her brother’s choreography better, but Julianne is still the bomb. Judges Score = 28 ~ My Score = 9

This was the first week anyone has gotten close to the 30 mark.  The top two couples were Brooke & Derek (29) and Cody & Julianne (28).  Cloris & Corky, Toni & Alec, and Lance & Lacey all had the lowest score of 21, but I don’t think Toni & Alec or Lance & Lacey are going anywhere because I believe the viewers will save them.  So this may finally be the week Cloris goes home.  

You can read more of Mary’s television blogs at www.myspace.com/italiangirl57

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