Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Dancing With the Stars Week 3 Recap

DANCING WITH THE STARS - WEEK THREE

By Armando Martin

Week two on dancing with the stars already showed what a popularity contest this show really is. Sending Albert Reed home after a very good performance was a real shame. He had lots of potential and a great personality, but c’est la vie.

Week three started with a bang with Mark and Sabrina dancing a Jive that could have won any professional Rising Star competition in the U.S. This girl is an absolute dynamo. She picks up the character of every dance like she’s been doing it for years. The only negative thing was her feet were a little messy, but as a couple they are unbeatable so far.
Score 27

Cameron and Edyta danced a piece of music that just wasn’t very good. Cameron did a great job - good form, great top line and balance. If he continues to improve at this rate he will be around for a long time in this competition. He will have to work on the characteristic of each dance to look complete.
Score 23

I give Mark Cuban a lot of credit for all the work he is doing to be in this show, but I think that if you give him center stage anywhere, he will do his best to stay there as long as possible. His dancing is a little awkward; his feet and his arms don’t quite connect, but like him anyway because of his exuberance and energy. He will not last too long, but he’s enjoying every minute of it.
Score 18

The next couple was Jennie and Derek. Their Tango was superb. Their strong movement and sharp actions made this one of tonight’s best numbers, and a great departure from last week’s quickstep. It is nice to see the improvement in her dancing and especially her performance level tonight.
Score 26

Mel B. came out ready to make sure Sabrina doesn’t run away with this competition. Although Mel has a very different quality than Sabrina, she is still a big threat. Mel is softer and more feminine and has better feet, legs and shoulder line. It will be very interesting to see how she continues to improve in the next few weeks.
Score 27

Wayne and Cheryl danced the Tango tonight - a far better performance than last week. I was not crazy about the mustache and the ponytail - I think that he looked like a caricature. But the dancing was better. All his fans from all those years in Vegas better call a lot because his dancing alone won’t keep him in the competition for too long.
Score 18


The boxer came out strong this week. Floyd did a good Jive with lots of energy and natural rhythm. While his interpretation was good and energetic, it was interesting for me to see that a guy who makes a living on his toes was incredibly flat-footed in the Jive, which is a dance that requires one to be on his toes at all times and to bounce all during the number.
Score 21

After losing her mother last week, Jane Seymour came on to the floor sad but well composed, looking beautiful as always and in complete character for the Tango. Her top line was impeccable and so was her dancing. Tony showcased her talents beautifully in this dance with a combination of slow and quick movements that truly spelled Tango through out their performance.
Score 27

Helio and Julianne came out with an absolutely fantastic Jive. Helio is either the most natural and quickest learner in the world or he has danced before. He looks so at home on the floor, and his technique is very good for a supposedly new dancer. I would like to see where this couple is going to go. I feel that the judges were very critical about Helio’s performance without reason; he was great.
Score 24

Marie came out again this week looking good and ever so cute. I was surprised last week at her very flirtatious performance, but that’s her personality. Tonight her Tango was absolutely charming and very good. Her top line was great as was her movement. She used her natural comedic talents to bring a little extra to the floor and it worked like a charm. Marie can’t win this competition with her dancing but she will make it interesting with her other talents.
Score 26

The results show on Tuesday night was packed with great performances. Seal performed a beautiful song while Eddie Stuts and Valentina, a fairly new partnership and already U.S. finalists, danced a breathtaking Viennese Waltz. We also saw the return of the self-proclaimed hillbilly Billy Ray Cirus, who performed with his daughter while Karina and Maks danced a great Rumba. There is something about live music and great dancing that is irreplaceable. What a fantastic show it was.

The bottom two this week were no surprise. Wayne Newton and Floyd Mayweather were the obvious choices to go home, Wayne just did not bring enough to this competition and was voted off by America. Although his dancing was not great, his graciousness and class will be missed in the coming weeks.

I will be back next week with more comments on your favorite DWTS contestants.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's always so great hearing your professional opinions. Nothing like an expert giving unbiased expert commentary.

You wondered if Helio ever had any dance experience. Here's what he said in an interview: “My only dancing background was at Carnival in Brazil when you have some beers on your head, you know, and I guess you don’t count those times,” he said.

It's amazing to me how someone like him can compete near the same level as the career dancer Sabrina.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your very enjoyable comments about my favorite TV show. I especially liked your observations about Helio's naturalness (no he has no experience) and your trying to say at least one thing positive about everyone, while still giving constructive criticism. I thought your comment regarding Sabrina -"She picks up the character of every dance like she’s been doing it for years" was more true than you intended, as she HAS been dancing professionally and training in various (though not ballroom) dances for years.