Marie, Jennie, Helio & Mel are in the semis….

Ballroom round first…each couple chooses their own dances…

First up, Marie and Jonathan dance Quick Step. It was lively, fun, up beat and perfect for her. The judges loved her and the audience gave her a standing O. Just a guess, but I’m thinking she’s a good bet for the finals…. Judges - 10, 10, 9 = 29. (Boo, Bruno!)

Mel & Maks are next up with a Viennese Waltz. Wow, quite the choreo Maks is putting her through. Spins after spins, long split steps that make my thighs hurt, and covering the entire floor like sprinters. Beautiful, fun, and the ending was cute. As are they. I heart this combo. Big. Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30. (Loved the Wrath of Maks. Now that is eyebrow porn at it’s finest. Sorry, Phil!)

Jennie & Derek take on the tango. So….the dance is pretty good. But it’s almost impossible to tell because of the horrible, bombastic music. What IS that? Yikes! In triplicate. Even Derek’s very innovative choreo couldn’t overcome it. I finally rewatched it with the sound on mute. I mean, that was just shriekingly unlistenable.
It’s a real shame. I would love to see that danced to something else, just so I could really watch it. Judges - 9, 10, 9 = 28.

Julianne & Helio do the Fox Trot and I thought they were really lovely. I thought everyone had pretty flattering outfits on tonight, but I think theirs was the most elegant and flowy and fun. Nicely done! (And having great music certainly helped!) Judges -10, 10, 10 = 30 I do love how sincerely thrilled each performer is to get good comments and scores. It so matters to them and that carries over and makes me care, too.

So, after round one, I’d say Mel definitely in the finals, Jennie, not so much. But I’m torn between Helio and Marie. He’s great and she’s fun. Torn, I tell you, torn!

Everyone gets a dance lesson from Uncle Lenny! Woo hoo! LennyDance!

Latin Round!

Marie and Jonathan take on the mambo. And, so, they start off strong with some fast choreo, but I can’t see because MY EYES MY EYES! WHAT is she wearing??? Oh. My. God. Okay, he strips off that hideous skirt and she yanks off his sleeves and it’s very playful and cute and pretty much her only chance to get in the finals is to be playful because the others have her totally outgunned in actual skill. And? It is fun and playful. Very Lucille Ball. The judges might call her on being over the top, but I enjoyed it. Loved the ending with her on her brother’s laps!! Hilarious. Judges? 9,9,9 = 27 Fair score. Fun!

Mel & Maks take on the paso. With whips! It was wonderful, powerful, great. Judges are speechless. Then Len sings “you can whip me if I misbehave” and everybody loses it. Oh my god, hilarious!! Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30 very well deserved points. Wow. And these two are just stinkin adorable.

Jennie & Derek up next with cha cha cha. Okay, great song (Mustang Sally), Jennie looks incredible in that outfit and Derek knows how to choreograph. This is as good as it gets for her and it’s pretty damn good. Enough to launch her past Marie & Helio into the finals? Ehhh….not so sure. But it was a great way for them to end the night. A shame she didn’t bring that earlier on! Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30

Julianne & Helio close out the night with their cha cha cha It’s fast and furious, but while Julianne unsurprisingly shines, you don’t really find yourself watching Helio much. I’m sure he was good. I guess. It’s a lot of red they’re wearing, isn’t it? And Julianne has a whole lotta Edyta-leg showing. But, to be honest, I liked Jennie’s better. Whoda thunk that? Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30 I so don’t agree with Len on them being the couple to beat. That would be Mel and Maks to pretty much anyone you talk to, I think. But….whatever.

So? Who stays? Who goes? If you guess right, there could be a free book in it for you! Check yesterday’s blog for details, but don’t delay! Deadline is 8pm EST tonight!

Tags: Writing //