Dancing With The Stars 8: There’s A Lil’ Identity Crisis!
Commentary and Rankings by RTVC Staff Writer Joseph Braverman
April 23, 2009
For the seventh week of Dancing With the Stars, the competition heated up immensely, and now it seems it is possible for every contestant left to do well, and possibly make it to the top four on the show.
Even though this is the best top six the show has ever had in my opinion, I am still perplexed as to why this season has not been that amazing. It has some of the biggest celebrities, some of the best talent and tight competition the show has ever seen, and yet it just does not seem as great as seasons past.
Maybe I’ll just never find any seasons that were as brilliant as two and five, but perhaps it’s because we don’t have any true underdog stories like Lisa Rinna and Jennie Garth, who at first were timid and under confident, but made a complete transformation as amazing dancers. Perhaps the high level of talent robs us of any metamorphosis that the celebrities go through when they dance.
As great as Melissa, Gilles, and Shawn are, would anyone deny that they were not as good of dancers at the beginning of the show as they are now? Maybe I am missing a progression in talent that is necessary for this show, but all in all, I am happy with the remaining contestants left.
This week the contestants took on a dance that they had previously never performed and also were able to design their dancer’s outfit. As a person who lives in California, I felt it rude that Lawrence would make Edyta wear a giant fur robe/coat thingy when its record degree temperatures out here that is pushing 100 degrees. Not the kindest decision, I’d say, plus Edyta admitted that the rest of the dress was making her trip all over. Their waltz was a positive disaster, and I was surprised the judges did not rank them lower. I guess at this stage of the competition, sevens are the lowest any contestant is going to get, but I thought they should have been given a five for that ridiculous loss of balance from Lawrence. I am thrilled he left, and he is one of the few celebrities aside from Adam Carolla who seemed genuinely happy to be sent packing. Tee off Lawrence, tee off!
The rest of the celebrities, aside from two all made improvements. Ty Murray had a fantastic frame and hold with Chelsie, and their routine was one of Ty’s best throughout the competition. Yes, he has received higher scores in the past, but technically this was the most proficient I have seen the bull wrangler.
While the red pajama outfits of Chuck and Julianne gave us a little too much information about what goes on in the bedroom, I will say this was their second best dance I’ve seen them do. Truth be told, I thought last week they were even better, but the fact that the judges got behind on their salsa this weeks gives them a great chance of breaking the top four.
Melissa and Tony were easily the best of the night, and while I never saw the blunder that Len described, I thought their scores were valid. It was not quite perfection, but the choreography was intricate, and Melissa pulled off her character brilliantly. Plus, I had a big grin on my face when I saw Melissa and Susan Hatcher interacting. How awesome that my two favorite people are conversing with one another! This week, I felt Melissa and Tony proved that they really have a big shot at winning the entire show.
The night’s biggest disappointment was Lil’ Kim who had an identity crisis. No, it was not as horrible as Lil Rounds, but it did strike me odd that she did not embrace her high sensuality for the rumba. Derek is definitely to blame for over thinking, as the rumba was boring, lifeless, and predictable. I think Lil’ Kim did not do herself any favors this week by letting Derek give out simplistic choreography meant only to please Len. If she wants to win, at this point it is necessary to speak up to the professionals, because their life is on the line. This routine was so terrible, I think it may have just cost Lil’ Kim the competition. I’m not quite sure she can recover from the blunder.
While this was not my favorite routine of Shawn and Mark, I definitely have been warming to their routines for the past three weeks. Shawn was precise with her movements, and finally she pulled out her inner devil and gave the necessary hotness that the cha-cha requires.
Cheryl and Gilles on the other hand left me disappointed. That was the harshest waltz I’d ever seen, and it made Gilles look like a one note dancer, in that his latin routines are far superior to his ballroom ones. Still, Gilles has done fantastically the past two weeks, that his poor routine will not affect him as badly as Lil’ Kim’s in the competition. All in all, a good night for the show, but I’m hoping next week will surprise me even more!
Here are my rankings for the final six contestants:
Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani
Current Ranking: 1 Previous Ranking: 3
Woo hoo, she’s back! Melissa and Tony performed their best performance of the season, and were able to finally to stand alone in first place once all the scores were tallied. I am very excited for Melissa, and this week she brought back her winning spirit. Her mastery of the character of the tango was impressive, considering seriousness is far and away from Melissa’s strong suit. One of the other reasons I brought Melissa and Tony back at the top of the rankings is because Carrie Ann seems to be a true fan and convert to this team. At the beginning, Carrie Ann seemed like she would be harsh towards Melissa the entire season, which would ultimately deny Melissa a shot at the mirror ball trophy. Now, that is not the case, and with all three of the judges behind her, Melissa emerges this week as the frontrunner. I could not be any happier.
Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas
Current Ranking: 2 Previous Ranking: 4
Shawn and Mark really brought it back this week, and most importantly, they got back into the good graces of the judges. Even though Shawn faced an impossible schedule, she was still able to reign in her focus and masterfully pull of the cha-cha. What I liked most about this routine was that Shawn embodied the sensuality of the character. I love when celebrities break out of their comfort zone in the competition, and let their inhibitions go to nail the dance. Shawn pulled off that feat, and I commend her. She may not be my favorite, but she definitely deserves a major boost in the rankings.
Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
Current Ranking: 3 Previous Ranking: 1
This week Gilles and Cheryl underperformed, which resulted in another third place overall finish for the night. Two weeks in a row running, and I have to drop Gilles two spots on the rankings. Have they peaked already? I sure am wondering, because this week it seemed that Gilles was utterly incapable of reigning in the latin intensity and demonstrating softness to master the waltz. His failure makes me, the judges, and perhaps the audience question whether he has the diversity to actually win the competition. Winners master both ballroom and latin, and if Gilles can only do one half of the equation, it may not bode well for his winning chances.
Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough
Current Ranking: 4 Previous Ranking: 5
While the outfits were some of the most ridiculous set of costumes I have seen on the show, the two definitely made a breakthrough. The judging panel unanimously praised the couple, and even though I felt they performed better last week, it was imperative the judges come on Chuck and Julianne’s side. One more week of bad reviews may have spelled disaster on the results night, but thankfully Chuck and Julianne were able to create fans out of the judges, and they now have a legitimate show of breaking the top four.
Lil' Kim and Derek Hough
Current Ranking: 5 Previous Ranking: 2
My, how the mighty have fallen. Lil’ Kim had an identity crisis this week, and in combination with Derek’s boring and timid choreography, the couple may have just blown their chances at winning the competition. For the past two weeks, the judges have had their tongues drooling on the floor, but this week even though the scores were high, I have a feeling the judges were disappointed. Personally, I was disappointed, because at this stage of the competition, you have to bring your best every week. Lil’ Kim and Derek were boring, uninspired, and really fell flat this week. The success of Chuck and Shawn this week may mean Lil’ Kim could potentially finish in fifth place. I am a fan, but when a contestant makes a major blunder that I wonder can ever be recovered, I have to say that perhaps a fifth place finish is deserving. Ouch.
Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower
Current Ranking: 6 Previous Ranking: 6
I was really proud of Ty’s improvement this week. He demonstrated that he had the technique to be a formidable contender within the context of the show. Yes, I agree do agree with Carrie-Ann that Ty still looks a tad nervous when he goes out on stage to perform, but that humanistic nature appeals to a lot of voters. Unfortunately, even though Ty has improved leaps and bounds, compared to the other contestants left his track record has not been as amazing. Hopefully, next week he can sport a winning routine that will win over the judges further, and perhaps even be able to crack into the top five. I find it unlikely though.
Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
7th Elmination
Ding dong, Lawrence is gone! Finally, the least entertaining contestant of the season, who grumbled and stumbled throughout the entire run, was rightfully eliminated. I feel bad for Edyta, because after eight seasons of being on the show, she deserves a win. I think this season the producers thought she had a chance since football players have a great track record on the show, but unfortunately for Edyta, Lawrence had a poor attitude and horrific dance ability. Of every elimination thus far, this was the most deserving and I was thoroughly enthusiastic upon his exit. Lawrence can go tee off, and America won’t have to suffer watching him dance. See, everyone wins!
Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
6th Elmination
Even though I would have much rather preferred Lawrence and Edyta get the boot, I will say this was the first elimination this season that I felt was entirely deserved. Steve-O really did all he could, and I definitely admired his charm and conviction on the show. Eighth place ultimately is a lot further than I thought he would go, and I think he should be proud of his accomplishments on the show. He also made Lacey tolerable this season, something I thought was impossible after her rebelliousness/arrogance last season. Steve-O is every bit a winner as anyone.
David Allan Grier and Kim Johnson
5th Elmination
That poor stepchild! His parents/judges despised him, despite his clear showmanship and natural dance ability, and thus the viewers at home left DAG out to dry. It is a shame, because both last night and during the dance-off, I saw drive and determination on David’s face that I had never seen before. Four weeks ago, I said David Alan Grier and Kym had one of the worst chemistry’s of the entire series, but this week they certainly proved me wrong. And yet it all boiled down to an unfair elimination, which does not surprise me on this show. Football dancers, no matter how terrible they dance, are destined to go fairly far in the competition. As a last note, I would like to say that David Alan Grier turned my whole perception of him around. I at first found him annoying, smug, and obnoxious, and could not wait for him to be eliminated from the show. What a difference four weeks make, because now I have the utmost respect for DAG as a dancer and as a performer.
Steve Wozniak and Karina Smirnoff
4th Elmination
Steve is certainly my favorite worst-dancer of the series. While he may not have brought out more laughs than Cloris Leachman or more outrageousness than Master P, the Woz definitely brought out a witty outlook on the competition. He knew he was not the best dancer, but he did his thing every week, and he never once lost his confidence or grace even after the judges ripped him a new one on a continuous basis. Although I just about had a laugh attack when Bruno said that the only thing Steve was comparable to the Argentine Tango was the stench of the bars, I will give Steve kudos for a witty comeback that he was still standing, even if it was only for twenty-four hours. Good times Woz, good times!
Holly Madison and Dmitry Chaplin
5th Elmination
It’s too bad that the week I was beginning to enjoy Holly was the week in which she was sent packing. I was digging her positive attitude, spunk, and quirky confessionals this week, and while her tango was by no means spectacular, I have certainly seen her dance worse. It is also too bad that Dmitry has the personality of a pencil, but it was endearing to see Holly be truly genuine in her awe of her partner’s choreography. Unlike Kim Kardashian and Shana Moakler, this reality star seemed to really have a ton of fun on the show. I have to say that while I was never really a fan of Holly, at least her personality let her go out with a bang.
Denise Richards and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
2nd Elmination
While I was not the biggest Denise Richards fan, I will say I was pretty shocked she was voted off, especially because of the fact she left before two totally uninspired dancers: Steve Wozniak and Holly Madison. In the dance off, Denise showed that she had great potential, and that when the pressure was on, she really was able to pull out a credible routine. I wish she had been less timid and more personable during the early rounds. I believe that is the reason why she was eliminated so early on in the competition. She just was not exciting enough for the viewing public to keep voting for. In past seasons, I think Denise would have done quite well, but because of the talented crop of celebrities as well as the big personalities, Denise fell short on both counts and was ultimately eliminated second.
Belinda Carlisle and Jonathan Roberts
1st Elmination
I am happy that my prediction was correct that she was the first dancer to be leaving, but after watching the results night, a part of me wanted her to stay a little bit longer. She seemed to have more of a vibrant stage presence in week two, and her dancing was definitely a lot better than the Woz. I suppose viewers were tired of seeing the revamped “old-lady” celebrity attempt to dance alongside the youngsters. While Belinda will not be terribly missed, I definitely would have liked to see more of her.
Joseph Braverman is a 20 year old film student at the University of Santa Cruz,
California. Aside from being a reality tv junky, he loves reading, watching
films, and spending time with friends and family. You can contact him at
jbravj@gmail.com.
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