Dancing With The Stars, Week Four

By Lyall Bradshaw, Fred Astaire National Dance Board member

As I will be traveling to Las Vegas tomorrow, I will not be able to report on the Results show Tuesday night but based on the dancing tonight (Monday), it could be anyone with the exception of Joey Fatone.

Head judge Len Goodman pointed out at the beginning of the show that Season 3 contestants practiced an average of 19 hours a week but that this year contestants averaged only 13 hours a week. And it really showed tonight with some poor performances.

The first dancers were Laila & Maksim dancing the Paso Doble. Nothing really exciting, just an average routine. Len Goodman said that he didn’t see enough fire or aggression, not enough content, not enough fire. Bruno compared her dancing to a blockbuster that is going into re-runs. They received a score of 21 points.

Next to dance were Apolo & Julianne dancing the Waltz. The dance was romantic, yet sloppy. His timing was off at times, his head was constantly in the wrong position, more to the right than to the left. His upper body was weak and his footwork quite sloppy. Apolo’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 9; Len: 8; Bruno: 9; Total: 26

Last week’s bottom two escapee was Leeza Gibbons next to dance the PasoDoble. This dance was a good interpretive dance but certainly not a Paso Doble. Her dancing was stiff. Len called it her worst dance. It is possible that she will be the next to go. Leeza’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 6; Len: 5; Bruno: 5; Total: 16

Dancing fourth was Ian Ziering. A good Waltz but a little out of time in certain areas. His posture was a little forward at times. Bruno gave a hilarious Grey’s Anatomy analogy: “You started off like McDreamy, but you ended like McStiffy.” Ian’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 7; Len: 9; Bruno: 8; Total: 24.

John Ratzenberger & Edyta were next with the Paso Doble – although it wasn’t really a Paso Doble. He is a good showman but had no body shape for the Paso. I didn’t see him being aggressive at all. Bruno hated the dance and argued with the booing crowd. Carrie Ann was confused about whether it was humorous or serious. Len thought the Paso Doble didn’t suit him. John’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 6; Len: 5; Bruno: 5; Total: 16.

Clyde Drexler & Elena danced next with the Waltz. A reasonable job, but no rise & fall at all. His posture is still off when in closed dance position and even though Elena is shorter he needs to stand up straight. One good thing was that he was the only dancer to keep time in the Waltz. His head position was also a little off. Len commented on his effort: “He’s not trying. He’s walking through the dance.” Bruno said there was more romance between Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump than those two. Clyde’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 6; Len: 4 (ouch!); Bruno: 5; Total: 15.

In the seventh slot were Billy Ray & Karina dancing another non Paso Doble. I don’t know what to call that dance but it certainly wasn’t a Paso Doble. Can’t blame Billy Ray though but the choreography was not good at all. Billy Ray’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 7; Len: 7; Bruno: 7; Total: 21.

Heather Mills came next with partner Jonathan. She was a little stiff at times but Jonathan choreographed a nice routine suitable for her abilities. Heather’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 7; Len: 8; Bruno: 8; Total: 23.

Our final dancer of the night with the Paso Doble was Joey Fatone & Kym. This was the best Paso Doble of the evening and also the best dance of the evening. He was perfect, stern, and passionate. Carrie Ann felt he was on fire. Len said, “You captured the flavor of the dance.” Joey’s scores from the judges: Carrie Ann: 10 (first ten of the season); Len: 9; Bruno: 9; Total: 28.

Week 4 Leaderboard:Joey Fatone – 28; Apolo Anton Ohno – 26; Ian Ziering – 24; Heather Mills – 23; Laila Ali – 21; Billy Ray Cyrus – 21; John Ratzenberger – 16; Leeza Gibbons – 16; Clyde Drexler – 15.

Next week, all couples will take on two dances in one week. Who will buckle under the pressure? Who will rise to the top?