It’s Dance Night! LIIIIIIIIIIVE!

We have five couples left, each will do two dances this evening. Hello Tom! Hello Sam! Hello judges! Hello, couples!

WHO will make next week’s semi-finals???

Round One:

Jenny gets a moving pep talk from Richard Simmons (no, I’m serious) and then she and Derek perform a bit of a frantic jive, but it was entertaining. Judges gave a critique and she got 8,8,8 = 24

Cam and Edyta get pumped up from the soap fans and give us, what I thought was a pretty lyrical Viennese Waltz (to the soundtrack from the Harry Potter movies, which is lovely, but not the easiest to build any real suspense to.) Nice job, I thought, and judges gave him a 9,9,9 = 27. Still no 10 for Cam, the only contestant left without one.

Marie and Jonathan performed the rumba. Considering she lost her dad this week, she did a great job, I thought. I liked her interviews about her father and really felt for her this week. Judges thought it was lovely, but that the technicality needs to be increased. 8,8,8 = 24.

Helio gets help from a Julianne arranged “pit crew” including three multi time world champs (Hi Tony!) which does help as he and Julianne do the paso. For me, it was a bit overblown (I know, it’s the paso, and it should be, but…) I’m not sure what I’d have changed, but it just didn’t get me revved up. However, the crowd totally loved it. Judges did, too. 9,9,9 =27

Ending round one is Mel and Maks with their tango. Yow. FINALLY, cool, non-circus music that actually works with Personal Jesus. I’m not kidding. Seriously. These two are definitely the team to beat for me. I love their off stage camaraderie, and on stage? Yowza, baby! And, honestly, it wasn’t even the best dance for her. She kind of walked through it a little bit, but something about their stage presence (and the music didn’t hurt) made this my fave dance of Round One. (Cam/Edyta were a close second.) Judges - 9.9.9=27

Round Two -

Jenny & Derek do the Fox Trot. He has such great choreo. It was playful and fun, to I’ve Got You Under My Skin. A little off here and there, but all in all, very lovely and graceful. I think she’s kind of on par with Cam and Helio. With Marie lagging slightly behind, skill level-wise, and Mel a step beyond. Judges - 9,9,8=26

We learn that the 4 semi final couples will get a private lesson from Uncle Len!

Cam and Edyta get the cha cha cha. So, I thought a slowed down (and really poorly sung) Brown Sugar was odd for a cha cha, but since the music has been, overall, appropriate tonight, I suppose I can’t complain. But I am anyway. Boo, Stoned Music Guy! Cam’s pants, on the other hand, well…eye catching is all I’ll say. And nice tush, too. Judges - 8,8,8=24

Marie and Jonathan show us their jive. Going western with Who’s Bed Have Your Boots Been Under, it’s right up Marie’s alley, and much needed light-hearted number. She’ll get grief again for it being too simple, and it was, but I just enjoy watching her. I don’t want her to go home. But then, I don’t really want anyone to go home at this point. (And, I don’t care what people say, I love it that Donny is there cheering her on with such heartfelt joy. Siblings who care. We need more of that!) Judges - 8,9,8= 25

Helio and Julianne give us the quick step. We get the zoot suit version and I have to admit, I loved Helio’s outfit and this suited his personality to a tee. The choreography was fantastic, the music perfect. I think this was one of my favorites of their dances, and of the night. I also think it’s great that Helio so obviously leads her in this dance. Hard to do for the non-pro and he did a great job. And is it just me, or do you think that kiss at the end wasn’t scripted…..Enquiring minds….. Judges - were ecstatic. Well deserved, too. 10, 10, 10 = 30.

Mel and Maks close the show with their a mambo. I wish they didn’t have to come out on the heels of the previous performance, as I think Helio really brought it, and I already know Mel can, so I’d have liked them a bit further apart, entertainment wise, but I’m happy enough that they’re closing the show. These two are so infectious, and their obvious pleasure in dancing with each other is so evident. I think this is, by far, Maks best partner. He’s far more likable and enjoyable this season. Choreo was great. Absolute fun. And I so love how she pats Tom’s fanny every time. Love them! Nice to hear Carrie Ann has noticed that, too. Judges - 9, 10, 10 = 29

Great night, very enjoyable! I have NO idea who is going home. Everyone brings something special and different.

Hmmm…. if you go by skill, then Marie goes. If you go by pure entertainment value, probably Jenny. And I enjoy them both, dearly. Just, comparitively. Cam is a tough call, because he gives so much to it. And Helio was dipping there, but totally sold it in that last dance. I think the only ones who are truly safe are Mel and Maks, and yet it’s that very assumption that puts them in danger of people not voting for them, thinking they don’t need to. Can’t wait for tomorow night!

Okay…..let’s dish!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Details in Monday’s post.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, a show of hands for everyone who wanted to take grandpa’s bog soaked undies and shove them in Ron’s mouth? Christina has the patience of…well, not me, to deal with that man. He just can’t Shut Up. Ever. I was SO ready for her to take that bog pole and do Very Bad Things with it. Sheesh!

Okay…now I can do a team recap:

The Good:

First, I loved Pat and Kate (married ministers) for being human enough to roll their eyes at Ron (and worry about the well being of his daughter) but totally cheered them for FINALLY being the “religious” team that says that the Big Guy really doesn’t care who wins Amazing Race. (Weavers!) I knew they likely wouldn’t get far, but wished their level-headedness and absolute joy in the race would have been around longer.

Kynt and Vyxsen. I know! Whoda thunk it? But…girls with macrame skills! Boys who hate getting boggy! These two race very, very well and appear to have a solid, respectful and very productive relationship. Go Hello Kitty Goths!

Christina. For making it through two legs and not being thrown in an Amsterdam prison for first degree murder.

Shana and Jennifer. I know! (squared!) Wasn’t too keen on Team Blonde the first leg, but you can’t say they didn’t work hard and race well this time around. Impressive. And they didn’t seem to feel the need to get nasty. (Other Jennifer!) Plus, we have to be nice to Shana. After all, as his former girlfriend, she’s had to see Ryan Seacrest naked.

The Bad -

TK and Rachel. Nice people who seem to get along well with one another, but somewhat clueless. I don’t see them lasting a long time.

The team who came in first (the guy who looks like Marky Mark and the girl who shrieks when upset.) Lorena and Jason, yeah, that’s them. (Not a good sign when you can’t remember their names. At all.) Other than his funky goatee thing, they did well this leg, but I’m thinking as soon as adversity hits, it’ll be right back to shrieking (her) and passive aggressiveness (him.)

Azaria and Hendekea. Okay, okay, so they aren’t bad. They’re good racers, seemingly pretty nice, and moving along at a good, solid pace. So why don’t I like them? I don’t know. They just bug. Mostly Azaria. Maybe I’ll figure it out at some point. I think they are more The Meh. I will have to amend the Good, Bad, Ugly list to the Good, Meh, Bad & Ugly list.

Also Meh are Julia and Marianna. Okay racers, a bit wound too tight, and therefore missing out on major race points. A bit Too Much for me, but we’ll see how they play out.

The Ugly:

Nicholas and Grandpa. So, okay, the ugly was having to see Grandpa in his skivvies. My eyes! But these two, while seemingly charmed by each other, and quickly learning how to deal with each others shortcomings (Ron!) still aren’t a lovely team for me.

Nathan and Jennifer. Wow. Just….wow. He’s a mysoginistic ass and she’s just a stone cold bitch. (I mean, not only does she call the Team Blonde bitches…and hey, Jen? You’re blonde. Just sayin’. But she also said the same thing of the Minister Couple. Yikes. Karma????) They deserve each other, but I don’t really want to watch their dysfunction on my television screen. Please go home next.

Ron. Why, you ask? Well, watch the show. Any segment of, oh, five or ten minutes will do. You’ll know exactly why he’s listed here. My. God. He reminds me of the team with the one-legged racer and her prosthetic-maker boyfriend. I had a late-in-the-race level of disgust for him by leg two, and Ron is Right There. I don’t want Christina to go, but boy do I want Daddy Boy out of the race. I’m sorry, but I’m thinking it was probably a very good thing he wasn’t around much during her childhood.

Aaaaaand….discuss.

PS - did anyone else think the huge bra and undies behind Phil at the Amazing Bathmat of Elimination was hilarious?

Now, it’s time for this week’s SHaQ Attack contest! As I promised, due to skipping the contest last week, this week I’m giving out two books…copies of my January 2008 release, The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty! Woo hoo! And because this is a Reality Week Extravaganza (Amazing Race, Dancing With Stars, Project Runway with My Tim!!!, and Survivor) we are doing the Who Will Be Eliminated contest! Since Survivor is on last this week, we’ll go with that one. For those who don’t watch, your remaining castaways are: Frosti, James, Courtney, Denise, Erik, Pei Ghe, Todd, and Amanda. Who is getting voted off the island this week? Send your vote by Thursday, 8pm EST to donna@donnakauffman.com with Eliminated! in the subject line. I’ll draw two names from the correct entries…or two names at random from all the entries if no one gets it right. So, even if you don’t watch, it can’t hurt to give it a shot!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, did you catch the new opening credits? I’m amazed I did, what with my super fast fast forwarding fingers, but now they show the new Hae Da Fung merged tribe, then they show the Jury (hi Jaime!)…so I guess all those who went before just don’t count no more. Poor early bootees!

Okay, I enjoy Todd and his enjoyment of the game, but last night was a little too close for comfort for me. And I can’t even say that James is my favorite player — although I do like him — I just didn’t want him to go home while sitting on two immunity idols. He would never live that down during his lifetime. And when he said that thing about aligning himself with JimBob as being the stupidest play in Survivor history…I was like OH NO! Foreshadowing!! So glad I was wrong!!

Courtney is also not my favorite player, but I have to admit it was really satisfying watching her beat every single person for immunity. Go skinny girl! Go Frosti singing! Loved that. Loved James being all tickled when talking about Erik trying to be a playah during Tribal Council. Fun episode all around. Mostly because JimBob? Yeah, you are SO gone!!! Ha! Your own team would rather get rid of you than a member of the former opposing tribe. I wonder if, sitting at home, he gets that, no, JimBob it wasn’t because you were such a fierce competitor…. Probably not.

Well, it feels so odd not giving away a book today that I will make up for it next week and give away two! I just got in my promotional copies of my January 08 book, The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty, so they will be up for grabs in next week’s SHaQ Attack contest.

Have a great weekend everyone!

So…discuss already. Who do you think will make the final three this season? I’m thinking Todd, Amanda, and ____________.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Monday Night….

Six couples are left and they dance two routines tonight; one ballroom, one latin. Given last week’s surprising elimination, it will be interesting to see the remaining teams go for it this week in an effort to stay in the game.

Having watched all the routines now, I would have to say that most teams saved their best for their second dance. The judges were pretty nitpicky and grouchy Uncle Lenny was back in fine form, but they also tried to give good criticism to help the couples get that edge they need over the very tight competition and did also allude to how hard it was to prepare for two dances. Overall, although it was a tad uneven, I was okay with the judging. The critiques were sharper than the scores, and almost everybody was left in the middle of the pack. Leaving it up to us to figure out. Oh, thanks!

Dance recap:

Jonathan and Marie - First dance was a quick step which they dedicated to her parents, who danced early on in their relationship during wartime as a way to earn money. It was fun and cute and I loved the kiss on Len’s cheek at the end. He was so cute about that! Second dance was a cha cha. Harder for Marie, but also cute. Not as sharp, but the judges were kind. She’s always funny and self deprecating and it feels like it’s your soccermompal up there, trying to pull this off. I heart her.

Julianne and Helio - they did the tango first and I really liked it. The judges were hard on them, but I thought the choreo was good, loved her dress, and just really liked it. Second dance was a samba, which was really good and fun. All in all, for me, a solid night for these two.

Maks and Mel - first dance was a foxtrot, which was good, if not specatular. I did agree with Len that they seemed a bit off step, or off beat, but it was still a good routine. However, their second dance, the paso? My god. That? Was insane. Loved her outfit, loved the song, loved all of it. My fave of the night and worthy of that 30 on sheer entertainment value alone. I agree with Bruno. Top that!

Tony and Jane - lovely tribute to her friend Johnny Cash with their quick step, and the most elegant cha cha I’ve ever seen. She’s such a lovely and very proficient dancer, but down n dirty she will never be. And I’m okay with that, it would be weird seeing that from her even if she was capable of it, which I don’t think she is. But again, I agree with Len that she needs to find some kind of “pow” if she wants to stay in the running. Elegant is lovely, but it lacks that passion and sizzle that keeps us interested. Comparitively speaking only. Otherwise, I do enjoy her.

Edyta and Cameron - high high caffienated energy, but these two are a good match, and I will say, based on previous seasons, I wasn’t sure how great an instructor Edtya would be if given an actual viable partner, but she’s really proven herself with Cam, as he is a far, far improved dancer from the beginning of the season. And despite his less than perfect form, I just think they’re entertaining as all hell. It doesn’t hurt that they’re both gorgeous together. I hope he stays. Yes, yes, I’m shallow like that. But I actually like him and his absolute sincerity in wanting to do well for the sake of the competition.

Derek and Jenny - I thought their Viennese Waltz was okay, lovely, if not breathtaking. But yowza, that second one, the rumba, was all kinds of sensual hotness. Who knew? I really enjoyed that. Second fave of the night for me.

Final scores after two dances? Of a possible 60:
Mel - 54
Jennie - 53
Helio and Marie - 52
Cam - 51
Jane - 50

So….who goes?

I honestly have no idea who will go home. It is truly anybody’s game now. If I had to pick, I’d say Jane is the one leaving. And for a finalist pick, Mel is a frontrunner as a performer, and her charisma with Maks only adds to that. I think that is where Sabrina lost a bit of steam, despite her fan base. She was a very good dancer, but I don’t think she connected charismatically with the audience. Or….maybe that’s just me. But truly any of them could make it to the end, for a variety of reasons, and I’d understand it. I enjoy watching all of them perform, so, in that way, it’s really my favorite season yet.

Aaaaaaaaand……..

Onto the results show.

Right off the bat, we learn Marie’s father has passed away. This has certainly been about as tumultuous a season as you can have. So she is not in attendance, but they let them off the hook immediately by telling Jonathan up front that he and Marie are through to the next round. To the surprise of no one, Mel n Maks get the smmmmmokin hot encore. I am all for that!

Leann Rimes sing accompanied by Julianne and Tony dancing. Lovely. Then we learn that Cam and Edyta are safe. Which makes my shallow little heart very happy. Also making me happy? The return of Kenny and Jerry and DanceCenter! Ha! Loved it. Rock Steady Crew? Okay, but I’m spoiled by So You Think You Can Dance. Good, but, maybe it was the music choice because they were good, but it didn’t engage me like I thought it would. Until it got to the pop n lock dude. Liked that.

Also safe? Mel n Maks. And then they drop a mini twist - there are three couples left, but rather than announce a bottom two, they will just tell you who is going home. Perhaps it’s a response to Sabrina going home, so no gets the sympathy rally votes next week. Aaaaaaanyway……so, safe is Helio and Julianne (muc to their obvious relief - I tell ya, after last week, everyone is worried. It definitely amps up the suspense.) Derek and Jenny are also safe, which means going home tonight are Jane and Tony. So…no surprises tonight! And, now that I think about it, I wonder if Marie wasn’t the other one in the bottom two, so they did it this way so poor Jonathan didn’t have to stand there alone, and out of respect for Marie and her family during a difficult time. So, if that’s the case, well done. Good decision.

Wow, so it’s not going to get any easier! Two more dances next week. Can’t wait! Who’s next?

Tags: Writing by Donna
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…or steal someone’s taxi. Because, you know, Karma? A bit bitchy.

But first!! Woo hoo! Sunday nights have meaning again!!! I know, I’m on vacation, but PHIL!!! I have to MAC Phil!!

Yes, it’s true, Our Phil, the man with the eyebrow, is back on our screen, and in our hearts. Yay, woo hoo, pass the cookie dough ice cream!

Aaaaaaaaand, that pretty much ends my list of people I like on this show. Well, Phil and the stubborn donkey’s both kicked ass. (And by ass, I mean Ari and Jen.)

So, Amazing Race 12. Which is awesome. 12 seasons. The 11 teams…not so much, really. I’m still struggling with who I will come to root for. No one completely stands out, although some are less annoying, irritating, boring, or just plain forgettable than others. Hopefully this will change. For the better. (Producers!)

And, can I go on record as saying, that if you’re going to cut the all buff all cute guy teams from the show this year (which - yay, field leveling, but boo, less eye candy) then it’s only fair you cut Team Bimbette’s too. No, not Julia and Marianna. Those girls may be pretty, but, well, lets just say if I was putting together an all female sports team that involved my team beating the crap out of the other team, I’d want them. They can’t help it if they’re beautiful. Team Blonde (with NewImprovedBoobs!) however, ugh. Every year, people. EVERY year. It’s just getting old. And cliche. And I can already tell you, these two? Ain’t no Dustin and Candace.

Alright, one good thing? Ireland. It was great to see the Auld Sod. That bike-on-wire thing looked ridiculously fun and terrifying at the same time. I can’t decide which position would have freaked me out more, but I know I would have loved it. If I could have only opened my eyes.

Individual Team MAC…yeah, too many of em, and I’m not enthused enough yet. I’ll do Good, Bad, and Ugly next week. Okay, maybe just Ugly. If I have that much time on my hands, because these people? Yikes.

Still, despite being less enthusiastic than I have been with previous season openers, I am excited that My Show is Back, My Show is Back! So, come on, SHOW. Get with it, already. Make me love these people. (How much editing can they do, anyway?)

Tune in Wednesday for Double Dance MAC…and a week from today for the next SHaQ Attack contest. Now you may return to your regularly scheduled, MAC free Monday.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Noooo, Jaime’s no Jessica Simpson. Not her. She’s SMRT smart. So, that was possibly the Most Entertaining Tribal Council Ever. (It’s definitely been an interesting “results” week for reality tv, hasn’t it??) I’m not sure which was more entertaining, Jaime playing her “hidden immunity idol” or James’ unmitigated glee the entire episode just thinking about her possibly using it. Or Jeff carefully detailing all the rules, then tossing it in the fire. It was almost satisfying enough (and I liked her!) that I wasn’t totally upset that JimBob didn’t head out.

The good: James’ joy. Frosti winning immunity with his self-professed “bad memory.” Todd being the national spokesperson for Survivor. The short bike in the back? Okay, I laughed.

The bad: Jaime saying she was too nice for this game. Hunh. I guess she forgot about throwing the challenge and digging through James bag. The other bad? Well, Jim Bob, of course. Duh.

The ugly: See above. Threatening Our Todd. The nerve. (Loved that Todd was totally unfazed by him.) And honestly, who does Jim Bob think he’s going to intimidate on the jury into voting his way? I’m pretty sure that everyone will shout a hearty hurrah when JR leaves, possibly even building a statue in honor of the person responsible for it. And if telling everyone on the jury that Todd is a little back stabbing weasel surprises ANYone by the time this thing is over…yeah. I know. Todd has been so hard core since the begining, I think they’d be more shocked if he didn’t. Everyone there knows he is in it to win. Period. So please, put JR on the Samantha Bus home. Or even the short bike. Ha!

In other news, tribes merge, and for the most part nothing really changed, so I’m glad it was an enjoyable episode anyway. Next week? Oh no, don’t target James! No, Todd, no!

So…yesterday was actually National Author’s Day. I did not know that. I wish I had. I’d have lobbied for more time. I mean, shouldn’t it then be a law of some kind that an author gets an extra day to turn her book in if her deadline falls on a National Holiday? I mean, the cruelty of making a deadline be on National Author’s Day. Seriously. It’s like having your birthday on National NO CAKE Day!

Okay, time for some winners! Check out Lucy Monroe’s blog to see the winner from my Monday blog challenge. (Link in Monday’s blog.) So who won the SHaQ Attack contest? I asked you to name Erin MacGregor’s hero. The answer? Dylan Chisholm from The Great Scot. A slew of you got it right, but you’re Fabulous Blog Babes, so of course you did! But there can be only one fabulous winner. And that is…….Phyllis from Idaho! Woooooooot!

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, I am taking a long weekend with my son, so I will return next Wednesday with all the Dance MAC you can stand! After this week’s shocking elimination, it should prove to be an amazing and interesting week of competition. I’ll cover both Dance Night and Results Night in Wednesday’s MAC. Who do you think is going to go???

In the meantime, have a safe and wonderful weekend. And don’t forget, you get an extra hour Saturday night!!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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D Day = Due Date Day for me. Deadline Day. ACK!!! Day.

So, I will be umbilically attached to my computer for the remainder of the day, putting the finishing touches on Finn Dalton’s Black Sheep book (and really, putting the finishing touches on him is not a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!) Just didn’t want y’all to think I’d forgotten about you.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. You have until midnight tonight, EST. Winner announced in tomorrow’s blog, along with some Survivor MAC. I think it’s merge week, so it should be a good one! I’ll also be posting the free book winner over at Lucy’s blog tomorrow, so if you posted over there, go check it out and see if you’re the Big Winner! (Link in Monday’s blog, too!)

Happy TGIF-eve, everyone!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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