Monday, March 16, 2009

DWTS 8 - Week 2

Week Two and two more injuries! This week it's Steve-O and The Woz! Tom Bergeron said he was just glad when the stars could make it to the competition.

This week's dances are the quickstep or the salsa. Be sure to read Jim's recap here! Can you tell who he's voting for? :-) Check out Rookie's recap here. If it's not there, it will be soon.

Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 6/6/6 = 18 Combined with last week's score: 18 + 18 = 36

Critique: While trying to get to know each other better, Holly asked 20 questions and discovered that she and Dmitry are opposites. Her mantra is, "Every day is a Holly day." Dmitry wasn't sure how clever that was but laughed anyway. The judges thought she didn't hold her own in the dance. She might have heard this before.

David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson

Dance: Salsa

Score: 6/5/6 = 17 Combined with last week: 19 + 17 = 36
Critique: Rehearsal was not a pretty picture! Their dance looked better than expected. He sort of stood there part of the time and really got into it and had some moves most of the performance. The judges said he could dance but that it isn't coming together yet. He was funny during the interview and said he has two words for the judges: Hope and Change. He hopes he improves and that the judges change their minds.

Denise Richards & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 7/7/7 = 18 Combined score: 18 + 21 = 39
Critique: Denise thinks the posture for this dance is unnatural and that the person who invented this dance didn't like his partner very much. She should understand that concept. Maks tried to get her to relax and have fun with it. She managed to improve from last week, and the judges were complimentary. She followed along and had good foot and leg work. Hmmm. She's still a skankapotamus to me (and for the record I think Charlie Sheen is,too). But I like for Maks to stay on as long as possible.

Belinda Carlisle & Jonathan Roberts
Dance: Salsa

Score: 6/6/6 = 18 Combined Score: 17 + 18 = 35

Critique: Jonathan said this salsa would be more like what she did with the Go-Go's and incorporated some of those moves into their dance. Something was missing but it looked like she was having fun. The judges said she was lacking hip action and that her performance was better than last week.

Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 7/6/7 = 20 Combined score: 14 + 20 = 34

Critique: He really improved. Ty said he got bucked off the Cha-Cha and that it was only a Cha because he forgot half of it. He said it would be redemption this week. He moved his feet and was sort of a stiff cowboy at times but did so much better!

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas

Dance: Salsa

Score: 8/8/8 = 24 Combined Score: 23 + 24 = 47

Critique: Shawn was really worried about shaking her booty for the salsa. her footwork was good and her hip action was OK. She looked a little self-conscious but her Olympic training came through because she was focused and

Steve Wozniak & Karina Smirnoff

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 6/5/6 = 17 Combined Score: 13 + 17 = 30

Critique: With all the rehearsal Steve has a hairline fracture in his foot. His doctor advised that he could continue dancing as long as he understood the danger of it. Steve said he was having the most fun he's ever had and wanted to keep on. The pink boa returned briefly! You can tell he's having a blast! They danced to a Buddy Holly song, and Len said he saw Buddy Holly and that he would probably look like Steve today if he'd lived. They like his enthusiasm and attitude but not his technique. Kathy Griffin was in the audience cheering him on after breaking up with him. Sorry, guys, I'm not a fan. I am of his, though.

Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough
Dance: Salsa
Score: 6/7/7 = 20 Combined Score: 20 + 20 = 40
Critique: They are cute together. He said the salsa went against every masculine bone in his body but said he would tackle it "Derek style" because Julianne asked him if he'd ever seen Derek move his hips. "Like a girl?" he asked. He's motivated to impress her since they're still early in their relationship, and he did pretty well. The judges said what I thought that Julianne did most of the work. They were disappointed because he has potential he didn't use. He said he had fun. The stars of Castle were in the audience. It's on ABC right after DWTS, so the network probably had them go.

Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 7/6/7 = 20 Combined Score: 16 + 20 = 36

Critique: Well, the quickstep is difficult, and he improved from last week. He won't last as long as other NFL players have but is trying hard. The judges praised his performance, so maybe he will keep getting better. That happens sometimes.

Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer

Dance: Salsa
Score: 5/4/5 = 14 Combined Score: 17 + 14 = 31

Critique: Steve-O hurt his back during rehearsal and planned to dance Jackass-style since he got low scores last week. Because he landed on his mic-pack and exacerbated his injury, so they had to judge the dance based on watching the tape of their dress rehearsal. Lacey faced the judges alone because he is in the hospital. The judges said it wasn't a salsa and that the performance was lackluster, partly because of not having the adrenaline that comes with doing it live.


Lil' Kim & Derek Hough
Dance: Quickstep
Score: 8/7/8 = 23 With last week: 21 + 23 = 44

Critique: She danced well and performed it. It looked fun and energetic. The judges said it was a vivacious and uplifting performance. Len criticized Derek for some aspects of his choreography (not enough body contact) and said she and Shawn need to learn from each other. She's been a surprise to me with her attitude and personality - very upbeat and enthusiastic!

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani
Dance: Salsa

Score: 9/8/9 = 26 Both Scores: 23 + 29 = 49

Critique: Wow! Tony did a great job teaching her, and she really danced it! The judges raved! Her cheerleading back ground helps her connect with the crowd and perform. Len said he was gyrating in his chair. After giving her an 8, Tom wickedly asked him how much gyrating it takes to get a 9. I love Tom!

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke

Dance: Quickstep

Score: 9/9/9 = 27 Combination: 24 + 27 = 51

Critique: Oh great! Gilles separated his shoulder during the first week's performance and has pain in it. They danced to "Kryptonite" and he wore Clark Kent glasses and opened his shirt to show a Superman "G" at the end of the dance. He is so sexy, and I just love Cheryl! She's such a good choreographer and has another worthy partner. This was a riveting performance with chemistry and charm and hotness! The judges praised them! I don't know who the guy is that they kept showing in the audience. Usually they focus on a family member, co-star, or spouse. Anybody know?

So how is it stacking up so far? Who will be the first to go and who will hang in there?

4 comments:

#Debi said...

Gilles is very hot, and probably my favorite guy. I think Melissa will end up being my favorite girl.

Denise has never been a favorite of mine, even before her deal with Charlie Sheen (hard to know who's more at fault there). She always looks like a Barbie doll brought to life and slightly confused about the process...

Joy said...

Good one, Debi! Perfect description! LOL

Unknown said...

I am thrilled for SteveW having so much fun. He is such an unlikely contestant, but works hard, stays cheerful no matter what, and puts his heart into it though he must know he hasn't a chance. somehow i don't think dental college ( so he can go back to his village and serve his country) or an operation for his mother depends on it, but I really don't want to see him go home yet.
There are still so many of them, but slowly my opines are drawing closer to the judges. I am learning a little.

Mistress Maddie said...

I cannot lie, I don't watch the show. But your recap was very well done.I have to check it weekly to keep abreat to see who's on and off. Lil' Kim does look better than I have seen her in years. Maybe prison softened her. And her partner Derek I think is just adorable!