Are You the Next Dance Champion

Week 4 of Dancing With The Stars, Season 6
April 7, 2008

Dancing ... Mario and Karina race around the floor at unprecedented speeds

     I was a little disappointed with the April 7th show in some ways. The judges did a 180 with Marlee, changing from being a bit too critical to being overly effusive in their praise. I thought she danced well, but that her Jive from last week was better than the 4/7 Viennese Waltz. And just where are the costume police? I didn't care for Cheryl Burke's outfit at all. I didn't like that style of outfit when Mel B wore it last season, and I still don't like it and don't want to see it used to represent Ballroom dancing. Christian's outfit was just as bad. Of course, I also think that Co-Host Samantha should go with a more flattering style than the totally "flattening" one she wore last night. But that may just be me...

Kristi & Mark - Paso Doble
     Good lines and quick moves. Very strong on her part when dancing solo, not quite so good when partnered with Mark, probably due to her being totally in charge of skating solo and not being used to dealing with a partner. The routine seemed a bit frenetic to me and seemed lacking in fundamental Paso Doble actions. I felt the judges were a bit too praiseful and that 29 was a bit high for this one.

Priscilla & Louis - Viennese Waltz
     Definitely not her dance. Stiff looking and "bumpy" in closed hold basics. Lacked fluid movement and used the dress to camouflage a lack of proficiency. The gimmicks were good, but the posture, frame and general dancing was terrible and I just felt that this one - at 22 points - received what it deserved.

Adam & Julianne - Paso Doble
     Her dress was terrific and I really liked the unicycle bit. I feel that Adam is much improved, that his timing is strong and that he put a lot of serious drama into this routine. His lines were weak and his overall dancing is not "top drawer", but it was certainly on par with Madame Presley's. I think the judges were too critical of his dancing and gave him no recognition of or encouragement for having worked so hard on improving his basic skills. His score of 19 was about right for the quality of the dancing, but the overall showmanship and content of the routine made me want to see him receive higher marks.

Marlee & Fabian - Viennese Waltz
     Marlee had a very weak frame and a truly bad head position in this dance, which really surprised me but which is probably related to discomfort with being in closed position. She did have good rhythm and fairly neat feet and moved around the floor a bit better than did Priscilla, but this was really far from being her best dance of the season. The judges were FAR too complimentary about this routine, so Michael Schedler and I wonder if they've heard our remarks about how critical they've been in the past??? 24 was an OK score for this one.

Mario & Karina - Paso Doble
     ????? Was there a fire somewhere? What was all that frenetic racing around? This didn't look like a Paso Doble to me, though the dance is a good one for Mario as he seems rather comfortable with stomping around the floor. ABC needs to consider hiring someone new for wardrobe - Mario ended up with no neck in that outfit when Paso needs a long, tall and sleek look that includes a neck! He was fast and dramatic with lots of flash, but I feel that the choreography was too fast for him. He was more focused and did try very hard, but the routine was just too busy for his current skill levels and a 24 was about right for what he presented.

Jason & Edyta - Viennese Waltz
     Sir Dance-a-lot was a very charming and suave performer. I am always impressed by his control of that big body, the fast turns he makes, the quick changes of position, the good posture and very strong and fully finished arm lines he creates. One of the most impressive things about that routine was how much of Edyta was covered up in that dress and how well she looked in it! Although Jason got off time a bit in the middle - not remarked on by the judges! - he did a great job with good drama and he and Edyta created a very elegant, sexy and vibrant performance. The 29 points awarded were well deserved.

Chrisian & Cheryl - Paso Doble
     Well, I just didn't like this one. The music was - as noted by the judges - a bit too powerful for someone with just basic dance skills. Cheryl - as Michael noted - pushed herself into all sorts of dramatic lines and poses, but out-danced Christian by a mile. And, since this is PARTNERSHIP dancing, I just can't forgive that sort of transgression. While some parts of this routine were good, it just wasn't my cup of tea and I REALLY didn't like their outfits. Overall, I liked Adam Corolla's Paso better than this one and feel that Christian did not deserve more than 21 points. Imagine my surprise when the overly effusive judges awarded this 26! (Bruno - take a cold bath, boy, and judge the DANCING)

Shannon & Derek - Viennese Waltz
     Do you think they are paying Jonathan Roberts extra for teaching the other pros' stars? What's the deal with all the injury drama on this show? Wasn't Marie Osmond's full-to-the-floor collapse last season enough? I don't want any of these people to get hurt, but I was very surprised to see all that to-do over Derek turning his head and getting a neck twinge. (Maybe I'm just not sympathetic by nature). Well, it AS a pretty routine presented with good arm lines, nice leg actions, solid timing and they were definitely pretty together. She has improved TREMENDOUSLY since her first performance. This was very elegant and, as Michael Schedler noted, she displayed fantastic movement around the floor with a marked contrast between her V. Waltz and any other seen last night. She deserved the 28 points awarded.

Merissa & Tony - Paso Doble
     The judges really disappointed me in this one. Merissa is a short and solid gal and I guess the judges have a tall and svelte "diva" in mind when they think of what a Paso should look like. But I think Merissa was VERY impressive last night - good control, nice lines, passion, drama, good footwork, nice hand poses: all the things we want to see in a good and "showy" routine. I thought this was a very powerful performance and that it deserved at least 26 or even 27 points and was surprised that the judges failed to score her as high as their remarks indicated they would. To me, they cheated her by only awarding 24 points to this gal.

The results show has aired by now and you all probably know who got booted off the show. My bets are on Adam Corolla, but this is a hard thing to predict. I'd be satisfied if Adam, Priscilla or Mario were removed, so will look forward to learning who I no longer have to critique after last night's show.

Happy Dancing
and remember

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