DWTS 8 - Week 7

This week the dancetestants participated in a 60's group dance and performed a dance they haven't done yet.

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani

Dance: Argentine Tango

Score: 10/9/10 = 29 (last week 27)

Critique: Intense, passionate, and precise. The judges were pleased and praised her dancing and Tony's choreography. It was beautiful to watch.

Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska

Dance: Waltz

Score: 7/7/7 = 21 (last week 22)

Critique: Edyta was completely covered! She usually wears skimpy costumes to show off her perfect body. She removed that long coat and now has on a ballgown that still covers more of her than usual. Then dance was graceful and elegant, and LT did pretty well. Bruno said it wasn't terrible but not brilliant. Edyta said she was wearing so many clothes she got tangled in them.

Lil' Kim & Derek Hough

Dance: Rumba

Score: 9/8/9 = 26 (last week 28)

Critique: Derek tried to tone down Kim's sexiness this week and really worked on his choreography. The judges thought they went too far and that she needs to be herself. Bruno said it was a good rumba but that taking the raunch out of Lil' Kim was like having a Margarita without tequila. It was as if they were being too careful. Sorry, Derek, back to the ol' drawing board!

Chuck Wicks & Julianne Hough

Dance: Samba

Score: 9/9/9 = 27 (Last week 23)

Critique: Well, Chuck! They were both in red, and this might just be Chuck's best performance! Wow! He won't make it to the finals, but Julianne is so popular, and they are a couple who are so cute together that it will help them stay longer. Len said it was by far his best dance yet! Bruno and Carrie Ann loved it! All right!

Ty Murray & Chelsie Hightower

Dance: Waltz

Score: 8/8/8 = 24 (last week 18)

Critique: Ty was having trouble with the romance part of the waltz because he said Chelsie was like his adopted daughter. Jewel came to rehearsal to help Ty be romantic during the waltz by telling them to tap into the sincere feelings they have for each other and not try to make it more than it is. He said this waltz was for Jewel. It worked. The waltz was sweet. Ty had good posture and some smooth moves. I like him. Bruno said it was a bigger comeback than Mickey Rourke. Len and Carrie Ann also liked it.

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas

Dance: Cha-Cha

Score: 9/9/10 = 28 (last week 26)

Critique: Shawn was on the road and had to learn the dances with Mark teaching her the group dance on her own. She got tired and stressed out which made her have trouble learning the steps. Mark was dressed like Michael Jackson with the sparkly socks. Their cha-cha was energetic and happy. Carrie Ann said she brought the dance to life. Len liked it, and Bruno said it was flamboyant and vibrant like a young Debbie Reynolds or Mitzi Gaynor. Wonder how many in the audience besides me know who they are?

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Score: 9/9/9 = 27 (last week 26)

Critique: Cheryl took him to a synchronized swimming coach to learn how to move during the dance. All I could think about was how he looked getting in the pool. Their dance was elegant, smooth, and graceful. It was also sexy. I will say every week that I hope he wins that tacky mirror ball. He is sooooo fine!! The judges praised his performance and Cheryl's choreography.

The group dance was a 60's homage. Ty came out dressed like a hippie for rehearsal, bu they said that was the wrong era of the 60's since that part didn't happen until after JFK's assassination in '63. That era was mostly between '65-'75. Early sixties when I was in high school and college was what they had in mind with go-go dancing, the mashed potato, the twist, and the swim. I did some of those dances when I was in school.

The group dance costumes were the Mary Quant style of go-go boots, mini skirts, heavy eye-liner, and long straight hair. Ah yes, I remember that! They all wore black and white. It was entertaining and fun. I couldn't stay still in my chair and wanted to dance!! Cool! Len said it took him back to '64 when he went clubbing in London. It made me miss dancing because it was such a part of high school, college, and several more decades of dating and going out. It can be so sexy and romantic to dance with a man, moving together to the music, anticipating, hoping, and enjoying. Maybe it's time to make some more memories. ;-)