DWTS - Week Three

The dances this week are the Jive and the Viennese Waltz.

Jive Fast Facts:

- Jive is a rhythmical and swinging dance which was influenced by the Boogie, Rock & Roll, African/American Swing and the Lindyhop. The roots of the Jive are in New York's Harlem.
- It is the fastest of the Latin dances and should show lots of kicks and flicks and twirling of the woman. Although on first impression it might look like the feet are all over the place in every direction, the feet/legs should actually be under the body and the knees should always be close together.
- Jive doesn't move around the dance floor like other dances.

Distinctive moves:

- The basic movement is chassez to the left chassez to the right and a rock step (changing weight from one foot to the other).
- Look out for the flick, ball, change movement - where you stand on one foot and kick down at the same time.
- Look out for the distinctive kick action in jive where toes are always pointed to the ground when kicking.
- Watch out for the American Spin - when the man lets go of the lady and lets her spin on her own.

Viennese Waltz Fast Facts:

The Waltz developed in Central Europe from the Austrian dance known as the Landler. The fast whirling of partners held as if in an embrace shocked polite society. The music of Johann Strauss and the famous ballrooms of Vienna popularized the faster version known as the Viennese Waltz.
Distinctive moves:

- Sweeping turns that gracefully move around the floor characterize this dance. The Viennese Waltz is known for its rotational movement, which is simple and elegant.
- There should be no foot rise on the inner turns.
- Rotating and swinging spatial movements.



Dance: Jive
Score: 21

Susan seemed tentative during her dance. We found out later that she had an Ace bandage on her ankle and had hurt it this morning. There are so many injuries on this show! I'd have been in physical therapy long before now if I'd been on there. Tony took her to Radio City for the Rockettes to show her how to kick and flick. OK. She did pretty well.


• Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Score: 22

I'm glad to have them over with early on and get it over with. They just bother me with all the PDA. Weird and slutty. They went to a senior citizen's home to make sure their dance was traditional enough. Bruno and Len weren't as complimentary as Carrie Ann was but still gave them 7's to Carrie Ann's 8.


• Maurice Green and Cheryl Burke
Dance: Jive
Score: 24

Warren had trouble with his footwork, so Cheryl had him jump rope and run through those tires the way football players do. It helped. The judges praised him and said it was his best dance. I like Cheryl.


• Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Score: 20

Because the judges said he lacked musicality, Karina had him rehearse in a blindfold. It helped, and he's doing better. The judges had mixed reviews. Bruno - 6, Len - 7, and Carrie Ann - 7. He's so nice and such a classy gentleman!


• Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Score: 25

What a teddy bear he is! He was smooth, graceful, and versatile. He gets into character for each dance and does them so well. The judges likee. Those big football players are not to be underestimated! He'll be in the finals.


• Cody Linley and Julianne Hough
Dance: Jive
Score: 21

The judges said the beginning was great but then the dance became repetitious. It was energetic and fun, but, yes, we've seen better. They are cute together but not as adorable as she was with Apolo Ohno.


• Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Score: 22

Toni kept calling it the Vietnamese Waltz and told Alec she was the girl no one ever wanted on their sports team. Their costumes were period (Marie Antoinette), and the music distracted from the dance by being so jarring. That made the dance seem odd and disjointed, but I liked it better the second time I watched it. Bruno and Len didn't like it because of the gimmicks and over-production. Carrie Ann liked it because the dance originated as a scandalous one.


• Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas
Dance: Jive
Score: 16

They hammed it up this week with the jive. I'm not sure if pulling her wig off was intentional, but Corky did it. She did some of the steps pretty well, but mostly they went for the laugh. Bruno said it was beyond comprehension and wacky.


• Brooke Burke and Derek Hough
Dance: Viennesse Waltz
Score: 28

This was beautiful - elegant, graceful, and lyrical! The judges said all this. They did so well and will definitely be in the finals and might just win it. Wow! First 10 of the season and from Len!


• Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Oh no! Misty has to drop out because she ruptured her achilles tendon. She had planned to take some time off next year from volleyball, so the timing wasn't as bad as it could be. I was looking forward to what they could accomplish and like both of them. I watched her during the Olympics and will watch Maks any chance I get. No more Maks. :-( Now I'll have to lech after Alec.