Here's a review of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" for the performance night of 4/21/08. We'll have reviews of the dances from the night, who got elimination and who might be next.
Also we'll have a review of "The Bachelor London Calling" and Matt Grant's quest to find an American bridge.
Matt's going to be visiting his top four choices' home towns and families and we'll have all the scoop.
All with pics and video you'll find nowhere else on the Internet.
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Top 12 Contenders Pic Montages "Dancing With the Stars" 2008
Shannon and Derek Lose Their Cool-Marlee Matlin Sent Home
First, as we understand it, the next performance round will have the contenders of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" 2008 dancing TWICE with each dance judged by a judge. This would be the coming episode to be aired on Monday 4/28/08.
On the performance round aired Monday 4/21/08, there were no two dances singled out as in the past. Instead, the dance as would be performed was announced at the time of the dance.
First up was Jason Taylor, whose partner, Edyta, had a costume that was barely there. Jason danced a cha-cha and as always, Jason looked limber and fluid on the dance floor. Although judge Carrie complained that Jason seemed to have problems with his arms.
Jason and his partner received a score of 24.
Shannon Elizabeth and her partner Derek performed a Rumba. My notes, taken as the dances were being performed on 4/21/08, specifically state that I thought the judges were pretty hard on Shannon.
My notes also state that Shannon made some pretty spectacular moves doing that Rumba.
Still judge Carrie Ann said, and my notes indicate this, that Shannon was “not a natural”.
Now the reason this is significant is that on the elimination round of 4/22/08 a video of Shannon and Derek was shown. They both complained about how they thought the judges were very mean to Shannon and how referring to Shannon as not being a natural dancer served to pick her out even though, in theory and by the show’s very nature, NONE of the contenders were “naturals” in terms of the dance.
Which is actually very true. This is why I bothered to write down that rather condescending comment by judge Carrie Ann. Shannon Elizabeth has all the potential of most any former contender on that series to grow with practice and training. When I think of a Dance With the Star’s contender who is “not a natural” for the dance and will likely never be, I’m thinking Penn Jillette with the size 14 shoe. Of course Carrie Ann might lump Shannon in with the likes of Jillette and Adam Corolla and goodness knows Carrie Ann knows more about the dance than this humble Blogger. I disagree is all and I think labeling Shannon like that can damage her in terms of how the voting audience views her.
Later in the elimination round, Shannon and Derek apologized for their moment of anger. They said that it was the pressure of the moment which caused their rant. I think it was probably the pressure of the judges, frankly, as I think Shannon was very justified in her anger.
Anyway, Shannon and her partner received a score of 24 for that notorious Rumba.
Next up was Marlee Matlin and it was to be Marlee’s last dance on the Dancing With the Stars 2008 series, which I could not know at the time.
Marlee performed a Mambo and she too wore a skimpy but sexy outfit.
Marlee dances even though she can’t hear the music being played. Perhaps I was paying closer attention, but as she and her partner danced the Mambo I could see Marlee plainly taking cues from her partner. Which is fine please understand except that after the dance the judges all said that Marlee looked uncomfortable during the performance.
I’m not sure she looked uncomfortable, at least from the vantage point of the TV viewing audience but as I’ve stated, the cues given by Marlee’s partner were evident during this dance and it certainly was awkward to say the least.
Carrie Ann was kind of tough on Marlee and the following night Marlee was, indeed, eliminated. Which I’d offer as proof that the judges comments are critical and affect public perceptions of a performance.
During the pre-dance vignette Marlee brought in nobody less than “Da Fonz”, Henry Winkler. She introduced him as her “special friend” and, indeed, when Marlee was eliminated, she again paid a verbal tribute to her friend Winkler.
So are Marlee and the Fonz an item?
I’m just askin’ …
Marlee and her partner received a score of 21 points for their performance.
Christian de la Fuentes ended up in the bottom two last week and he vowed to try even harder this week that this not happen again. Christian danced a Foxtrot to the tune “Come Fly With Me”. I thought Christian looked excellent and elegant during the dance. The judges all liked and pronounced the performance was the best ever for de la Fuentes. Bruno said Christian demonstrated “excellent footwork”.
The judges awarded Christian and his partner a nice total of 27 points.
Marissa Winokur danced a Viennese Waltz. Marissa, as do most contenders, has lost some weight during this series. So with that pretty long dress hiding Marissa’s somewhat chunky legs, Winokur looked stunning as she moved about the dance floor to the tune made famous by Tom Jones-“Delilah”.
The judges were kind to Marissa and awarded her and her partner a respectable 26 points for the performance.
Next up the lady that no one can keep up with, Kristi Yamaguchi.
If anyone other than Kristi wins this thing I will be surprised.
Speaking of surprise, I was very surprised to learn that Kristi had been born with club feet! Sometimes coincidences happen I must suppose. But who would think a baby with club feet requiring casts through toddler-hood would grow up to be an Olympic gold medallist skater and now, likely the winner of the 2008 “Dancing With the Stars” series?
Kristi danced a jive and it was great to watch. The judges agreed in that they awarded Kristi and her partner the first perfect score of this year’s series…30 points to be exact.
Mario was up next and he danced an almost x-rated Rumba. The judges liked Mario’s performance although Len groused that the dance was almost too raunchy for television. Heh.
Mario was docked for a lift that shouldn’t have happened per the rules for the Rumba and Mario got a bit of an attitude about it.
Still, Mario and his partner received a total of 28 points from the judges, the second highest score of the night!
Below is a short remix of the performances on 4/21/08, including Jason’s cha-cha and the problem with his arms, Christian’s best dance to date, Mario’s steamy Rumba and a little bit of that group dance in which one strong male dancer picked up Marissa!
That group dance looked great, by the way, with Kristi and her closes competitor, Jason, as team leaders.
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