DWTS Week 6- Diva’s Dish on Guilty Pleasures

“Guilty Pleasures Week” on DTWS!  Can this be any more perfect for me to talk about?  I am all over this theme!  Yes, I’m guilty of singing in the shower and while driving to work (yes, I’m that girl on 280 Northbound). I have no shame letting it all out and thinking “What student can I get to dance to New Kids on The Block? Britney? *Nsync?” Mmmmm….And the show had the “pre-Jonas Brothers” band Hansen as the house band singing more guilty pleasures songs between commercials.

Chris & Cheryl: TANGO score 22

“Don’t Stop Believing”, can this night get any better?  Bruno and Carrie Ann are on drugs and Len was spot on! (Happy Birthday Len)  I was so impressed with Chris’s toned and relaxed shoulders throughout the routine.  He looked strong but yet was flexible when need be, which is a challenge for most guys that have alot of muscles.  He needed to have a way higher score, give me a paddle board!

Romeo & Chelsie: WALTZ score 28

Who doesn’t love a hopeless romantic? Titanic’s “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion would have been a great routine to pull off, but I felt it fell short. Don’t get me wrong, he totally pulled off the facial expressions and created a feel of the story, but his transitions, once again, is the small detail that would put him above Hines, in my eyes.  But Carrie Ann’s 10? I told you she was on drugs. She claimed that it was a magical night for Romeo, I think not!

Ralph & Karina: PASO DOBLE score 24

Ok, when Karina put in the famous “wax on, wax off” arm styling, I was thinking for the love of God, pleeeeease tell me they are dancing to “You’re the Best Around” from The Karate Kid. Oh but no, an even better song, “Everybody Dance Now” (ps. it’s one of our teachers’ favorite songs.  Don’t tell Dustin I told you America).  Now for the actual performance….. Loved the way it started with the high energy and even I was getting pumped up and wanted to start dancing around my house.  I know you all are wondering my thoughts on Karina’s fall.  The combination of tripping over Ralph’s foot (which was not mentioned) and landing on his coat which made her slip and fall, all I can say is poor thing! Once again kids, the professionals are humans too!  Even as frazzled as she was she knew she had to get back up and get back into it.  Once that was, the routine picked up from where it was left off. For those of you who think knee spins and that last run to dip was not a big deal, it was! Those elements are difficult and great job to Ralph for pulling them off.

Hines & Kym: VIENNESE WALTZ score 27

Oh, Boys II Men songs.  Taking me back to the good old days of high school and all things cheesy. But his routine was far from cheese, I loved everything about it.  The choreography was one of Kym’s best and amazing.  If I’m being super picky, I would say watch for the footwork during the pivots, no spinning on the heel.  Now, any ladies who want to volunteer to take the place of Hines’s pillow?

Now the ladies….

Kendra & Louis: SAMBA score 25

Some may agree, some of you may not, but that was by far her best dance ever!  Finally, we were able to see her shine and have fun and not march around like last week. Her voltas were a little weak, but you have to give it up to her letting loose on the dance floor.

Chelsea & Mark: QUICKSTEP score 28

OK, I love this one. Super cute and fun from beginning to end, I couldn’t help but smile the whole time. Yes, Mark, I have nothing but positive nice things to say tonight. This one was deserving of the score but was hoping for a 29. Go girl!!!

Kirstie & Maksim: SAMBA score 26

Yes, welcome back to the competition Kirstie!  I mean come on, dancing to Britney’s first hit “Baby, Hit Me One More Time”?  Loved it and her dancing. She tends to look down, which shows a lack of confidence from time to time, but when she makes eye contact with Maks or the crowd, it’s hot! I would like to see her hold her feet to show off the “1 a 2″ rhythm better and more twist action during the stationary copas.  As for the famous Shadow Samba Rolls……..not bad.  Usually, I’m against these patterns because they are so hard to do correctly, but I am not hating them on her (Rachel, don’t pass out!).

All in all, I think every week needs to have this theme.  At least I was fully entertained. So who is going home America? I think with the combination of a low score (compared to everyone else) and a feeling that America has been trying to get her off the show.  We’ll send home Kendra.

But, then again…Who knows.  See you in 24 hours with my thoughts about the results.

DWTS Week 5- Diva’s Dish on the Red, White and Beautiful

It’s American Week at DWTS, so bust out your Red, White and Blue!

Chris & Cheryl: VIENNESE WALTZ score 26

Love this one! Great natural turns in closed and shadow position.  I agree with Len on Chris being a little flat footed. But for a guy, he had fluid movement with his arms.  That impressed me. His last run around was frantic and I hated his costume, so unflattering. But once again, watch out for this one, I pick him to remain top ranked for the rest of the season.

Romeo & Chelsie: FOXTROT score 26

Dancing to “New York, New York”, Romeo did not let me down! Wow, see what happens when you get over that attitude about not looking cool? He really got into his character and added his own flavor to it. That’s why I love the Fox Trot!  It’s the perfect blend of elegant ballroom with a splash of sassiness.  Great job Chelsie! Just watch Romeo’s left arm that it does not extend too high in closed position during rotations.  Timing was mostly danced correctly, had to give him credit for that.  It’s challenging for any dancer to really control the “slow”. Overall, I’m a sucker for anything Old Hollywood.

Ralph & Karina: SAMBA score 22

What happened here? Started off weird and I had no idea what was up with his facial expressions? This seemed out of control and looked like he tried too hard. With his scrunched shoulders and bad attempt at a Shadow Samba Roll (as one of our students, Rachel would say, “They’re a priviledge, not a right”).  Sorry to say, Ralph was no Urban Cowboy tonight.

Hines & Kym: RUMBA score 27

Here’s where I like to see the clips of practice.  Dropping partners, head butts and punching them in the ribs are not so romantic.  Thank goodness none of that came out during their performance. Now, I’m not going to lie, I had to rewind my DVR to see the routine again, due to how hot Kym looked in her costume.  I could not take my eyes off of her. Now when I finally paid attention to Hines, I noticed too many heel leads and toe releases on most basic components.  He usually has strong lines and ankles, but seemed weak this week.  His costume and shoulders distracted me and I felt it hindered his movement.  I do disagree with Len.  True it was not his best dance, but for sure not horrible.  As well as Carrie Ann, he had better hip motion in his Samba. I mean come on, he can carry me (or any woman) off the floor anytime he wants to.  Btw, that’s an open invitation should he read this article.

Now the ladies….

Kendra & Louis: FOXTROT score 22

Ok, how more cheesy can you get?  What producer picked that horrible song and purposely gave it to poor Kendra?  I mean, it was cute for a 6 year old to dance to at a Little Miss Beauty Pagent, but really?  I guess you can say that the performance as a whole embraced the theme for the week perfectly.  At least her pivots were spot on. Either America will love it or end her time for sure this week.

Chelsea & Mark: SAMBA score 26

Don’t let booty shaking fool you for correct hip motion. I’m surprised that she is not flexible in twisting her hips more. It was fun and cute, like all things Disney, but she had a little rough spot on the Promenade Runs that were forgivible.

Petra & Dmitry: QUICKSTEP score 22

I love all things Vegas, but not this routine.  All I can remember is her hidious left shoulder popping up like the Hunchback of Notre Dame (harsh, I know).  It made it impossible for poor Dmitry to establish any connection with her to create a true lead and follow.  As a result, his frame was a mess and looked like she was clinging on for dear life. On the flip side, her feet were much better than last week and finally took that much needed heel lead on forward steps!

Kirstie & Maksim: FOXTROT score 23

Well…..um…..where do I begin with this one? After wiping up the drool from my chin due to a shirtless Maks, I had to once again rewind my DVR to take a second look at his bodacious body and then again for the dancing.  Now don’t start hating me, but that girl in that semi 2 piece outfit was not OK!  And if you are going to flip your hair around, commit to it.  Her dancing was lifeless and flat, not to mention she moved her feet as if they weighed 20 pounds each. Her sassy attitude was a great match for the song, but not enough to pull off this dance number.  Carrie Ann and Bruno are way off their rocker with their praises for this last number of the night.

My guess is that Petra or Kendra will get voted off today,  Petra was a gawky mess and Kendra had way too much cheese this week.  Then again, I guess we’ll have to see.

See you in 24 hours with my thoughts about the results.