My 1st impression was that Bruno and Carrie-Ann had been tango-ed to the point they made the dancers look pale!!!

David & Kym - great effort at jitterbug, but I thought he was holding back - something lacking? [22]

Lil Kim & Derek - Len said their Argentine Tango wasn't sultry enough, and maybe he was right, but it was a great routine, really well danced. [29]

Chuck & Julianne - Really entertaining... LH is a geat dance for the fearless Julianne, so not surprising that by comparison Chuck looked as if he was dancing with the breaks on - just slightly. Thought he deserved higher marks than David [22]

Lawrence & Edyta - Hunched and awkward looking, Lawrence mostly stayed still and let Edyta tango around him. [19]

Ty & Chelsie - Amazing entrance, and a LH that kept up high energy right to the end [25]

Stve & Karina - Poor Karina!! However, Bruno's comment that his AT "stunk" was out of line. [12]

Melissa & Tony - this was a LH that was just WOW! Terrific lifts - loved it [29]

Holly & Dmitry - A great AT routine, but Holly has such weak legs, it was danced really badly. And ohhhhhhhhh that irritating giggle everytime someone says something to her.

Steve-O & Lacey - The worst LH of the night; Steve clearly has no sense of rhythm and I don't need to hear how "well" he has done just to get through the show without his fix of drugs and drink or whatever. [15]

Gilles & Cheryl - This AT was amazing: the routine, the way it was performed, faultless!! [30]

Shawn & Mark - This wasn't so much a LH as Shawn just showing off her gymnastic moves, it would have been better if she had learnt some of the dance! And both she and Mark looked awful. [25]


Overall : I thought the standard of the show was far higher than the previous weeks, and a thoroughly enjoyable show altogether.

I felt the 2 who went out were the right 2; but was surprised they have a double elimination this early in the series - would have thought it would have been wiser to have left it until later in the show in case someone has to drop out.

Great show this week and here's my thoughts -

David & Kym - Good routine, but not enough bounce from David - he is a good entertainer but needs to focus on getting a good finish to the steps a bit more. Good partnership.

Lil Kim & Derek - I don't know enough about the differences between the Argentine and Ballroom Tango dances but I though I loved it! She has fantastic legs for a small woman! I'm liking her more and more every week - a dark horse me thinks!

Chuck & Julianne - I liked the routine a lot, but Chuck definitely has a problem with rhythm and his movements are loose and unfinished. I think Julianne needs to simplify the choreography a little for a week or two so that Chuck can concentrate on doing things properly because although the performance looks great he is thinking so much about what he has to do that he doesn't quite hit the mark all the way through. They are a popular couple and I think they could afford to step it down a notch for a week or two which would benefit them in the long run.

Lawrence & Edyta - If edyta was just going to dance around him he needed to at least look arrogant while she did this! Clearly not comfortable with that dance.

Ty & Chelsie - Good routine again from Ty, although he did lose it a bit in the middle. Every week he surprises me by producing the goods. I love this couple - he is such a hard worker and tries really hard and clearly has a lot of time for Chelsie!

Steve & Karina - I think they were getting desperate as Karina seemed to leave her dress behind in her dressing room! I've never seen such a brief AT costume - not even a dress really! Steve's posture was really ugly, but he does give it his all.

Melissa & Tony - Great opening and ending! A fab routine and I'm liking them more every week - loved it!

Holly & Dmitry - The fab choreography should have been ideal for Holly as a lot of it was on the spot, but Holly's legs needed to be so much sharper and for once I felt sorry for her when the nervous giggle slipped out.

Steve-O & Lacey - Just dreadful.

Gilles & Cheryl - Giles was born to dance the AT - superb.

Shawn & Mark - I loved this, but even before they danced I knew the judges would say there wasn't enough dancing in the routine. I felt that was a bit unfair really because it made sense to choreograph a routine that plays to Shawn's strengths and I've watched the performance again and I think there were plenty of steps in the fast and furious routine. Bit miffed with the judges on this one. But what on earth were they wearing???!!!

I though the bottom three were right, but I would have preferred the two Steves to have been eliminated even if Holly only lasted one more week. I was never a fan of Steve-O but now his is really getting on my nerves.

I was also surprised at the a double elimination so early in the series.

I was surprised to see you say that as you always seem so knowledgeable I thought you were an experienced dancer?

No, just very opinionated!

I don't know if it counts, but I have watched SDC since it started so I am an armchair qualified judge!

Nothing wrong with being opinionated --- I'm bound to say that because I am as well!!

If your dance experience comes from watching scd etc then clearly you watch with a very intelligent eye, as I always think you write a lot of sense.

Going back to the Argentine versus Ballroom Tango - given the above - the reason it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish one from the other (when danced on scd/dwts) is that they seldom dance a true ballroom tango, but mix in elements of the Argentine as well.

At one time tango was classed as one of the Latin dances; the shoes and costume for AT being more Latin than ballroom. But it was considered as far too 'saucy' for ballroom dancing, and the Ballroom version used in competitions today, was adapted on the continent.

While AT is very tight hold, and can be danced in a very small area, and has little true technique (i.e dancers can use any speed of music etc) the ballroom version flows around the room in the same direction as waltz, quickstep etc., with strict tempo & technique.
Last edited by kaycee : 04-04-2009 at 17:50

Thank you for the compliment!

Your description of the differences between the two dances makes a lot of sense to me, as I can now recognise from watching SCD that the dancers move around the floor much more in the Ballroom Tango than in the AT which as you say has that very tight hold and a lot of takes place almost on the same spot. Thank you - I've learned something new today!

Great show this week and here's my thoughts -

David & Kym - Hmmm I'm not really liking him and I've no idea why - to me he's not really giving it his all but that could have been first dance nerves this week.

Lil Kim & Derek - Loved their interpretation and agree with Len completely both on the sensuality and the choreography - well done Derek (assuming they had no outside help). Really like this couple and hope they go far.

Chuck & Julianne - He needs to losen up - let himself go and enjoy the dance - he seems too self conscious.

Lawrence & Edyta - Really don't like this partnership and Edyta irritates me immensly - everytime she comes onto the floor I think "goodness woman, put some clothes on" - I tend to make a cuppa when they come on so I can't really comment.

Ty & Chelsie - Surprised at how well this went and it's a shame he lost it a bit in the middle. I am loving this partnership and he seems so sweet - hope they go far.

Steve & Karina - Bruno was bang out of order for his comment but have to agree it was the worst AT I've ever seen. Praying Karina gets a decent partner next series as she continually seems to have duds

Melissa & Tony - Love the routine, love the couple and love the fact that Tony finally has a decent partner (and his obvious joy at this).

Holly & Dmitry - I find her irritating beyond belief and I'm very glad she's gone - shame she messed it up as the choreography looked good.

Steve-O & Lacey - Just dreadful. Agreed

Gilles & Cheryl - Giles was born to dance the AT - superb. Yep, this was A MAZ ING to quote Craig, he definitely had the right looks and Cheryl definitely played to his strengths - lucky girl!

Shawn & Mark - I loved this, but even before they danced I knew the judges would say there wasn't enough dancing in the routine. I felt that was a bit unfair really because it made sense to choreograph a routine that plays to Shawn's strengths and I've watched the performance again and I think there were plenty of steps in the fast and furious routine. Bit miffed with the judges on this one. But what on earth were they wearing???!!! Agreed - great dance for me, hideous costumes.

I though the bottom three were right, but actually would have preferred Steve O to go instead of The Woz as at least he's endearing - to me Steve O is just irritating and his voice makes me reach for the FF button each time.

Puffle : I'm sure Derek definitely had outside help with his Argentine Tango; he said that he had never danced AT before, so he was having to learn it as well.

But there is nothing new in that - both dwts and scd pros call in extra help when they need it. I think it is a shame that these 'helpers' are not shown on the training tapes - but that's for personal reasons!!!!

[quote=kaycee;31749796]Puffle : I'm sure Derek definitely had outside help with his Argentine Tango; he said that he had never danced AT before, so he was having to learn it as well.

But there is nothing new in that - both dwts and scd pros call in extra help when they need it. I think it is a shame that these 'helpers' are not shown on the training tapes - but that's for personal reasons!!!![/QU

Agree with you
They always take some helpers even in DWTS, and Derek did the AT before on tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AirwM...om=PL&index=23

Although not the best dancer, I love watching Ty. He is improving so much, and kudos to Chelsie, who takes on board what the judges say and choregraphs a routine to show off his strenghts. I hope these two go on for a good few weeks.
Giles - superb
Melissa - what a fabulous last minute replacement, great dancer.
Lil Kim - pretty darn good too.

David and Kim:
I feel the same as Puffle. He's not doing anything wrong and he's dancing quite well, but there's just something missing. I thought he did quite well this week, nothing to write home about but competent.

Lil Kim and Derek:
A little clinical but an extremely clean dance. I thought Kim had some beautiful lines throughout. I was pre determined not to like her when the season began due to all the stuff that I'd read about her. I thought she was going to have an ego and an attitude. How wrong was I?! She's got a natural exuberance that really shows throughout everything she does, well except for the AT...

Chuck and Julianne:
This couple make me want to scream and throw things at the television. Julianne had always been one of my favourite pro's until this season. Chuck looks like he's phoning it in.

Lawrence and Edyta:
If I hadn't been copying the couple order from the first post I would have forgotten these two. Thats all I can say really. I don't even remember what their dance was like.

Ty and Chelsie:
My favourite couple in the competition. I adore both of them. Ty is coming on great, and while he's still got a long, long way to go to catch up with the front runners it's actually their personalities, their teamwork and their sheer determination that make them so watchable. I'm so rooting for them to do well. In the short space of time that Chelsie has been on the show, she's become one of my favourite pro's. At the end of their Lindy I clapped and cheered, soemthing I haven't done since I saw Alesha do the Cha for the first time.

Steve and Karina:
At least he's enjoying himself!! (looking at you Chuck)..

Melissa and Tony:
Eeek. I can't take to Melissa at all. I appreciate she's a naturally fun and bubbly person, but her and Tony together set my teeth on edge. I've never been bothered by a star's previous dance experience before (I was a Kristi voter) but I don't think it's quite fair due to the extent of training she has. She pointed her toes all the way through the Lindy, and was slightly ahead of the beat throughout but the judges didn't say anything. (Whih I know contradicts my last sentence but she can make a dance look good due to her training, especially if the judges don't mention her mistakes)

Holly and Dmitry:
Oh Dmitry, how I shall miss thee...
Great choreo. For anyone that wants to see it without the chair slip you can here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ5c-...e=channel_page

Steve O and Lacey:
I so hope he is voted out soon, for his own safety. It was a little bit of nothing really.

Gilles and Cheryl:
My guess is that he'll take the MBT this season. He's got the looks, the personality, the partnership with Cheryl and most importantly, the dancing chops. His AT was great.

Shawn and Mark:
Didn't watch this. As soon as I saw Mark with the 'dork' glasses on, I switched over.

I wish the show didn't do dances that none of the judges know anything about. From what I have read, Ty's was the only one with any Lindy in it, and he was the only one that led from the waist correctly. I'm sure the Lindy hoppers are fuming at the misrepresentation of their dance, just as Len does when standard or latin isn't done correctly.

I agree about Lil Kim - I took an instant dislike when, in week 1, she started talking about her prison experience; thought it was wrong time wrong place, but have changed my opinion as she comes over as really nice - also hard working and enthusiastic without being "in-your-face".

I just don't see it as a good idea to have a life-couple dancing together in the comp; too much pressure or something! It isn't working.

Lawrence - I forgot him last week!

I didn't switch tv over when Shawn & Mark appeared, but their appearance made me cringe! So unnecessary.

Agree with you
They always take some helpers even in DWTS, and Derek did the AT before on tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AirwM...om=PL&index=23[/quote]



Just goes to prove then that they're not above the odd porky, doesn't it? 'Cos he definitely said he was having to learn the AT as well!!!

[quote=lady latina;31750493]
I have it recorded and just went back and listened to the entire segment. Derek never said he had never danced AT before. He said he wasn't very familiar with it. Which doesn't mean he knew nothing about it, or had never danced it, or couldn't familiarize himself with it sufficiently to accomplish the assignment for the week, just that he wasn't as comfortable with it as the other dances with which he has a lot more experience.

I was sure I wasn't going to like Li'l Kim either (got her completely confused any way with Kim of Mel & Kim ), but I like her more and more every week!

[quote=mslissy;31757427]
Whoops! I stand corrected and apologise! But I still think it indicat he perhaps didn't do the choreography. Whatever, he and Lil Kim danced it very well, and Derek is one of my favourite dwts pros.

I love Giles and Cheryl, Ty and Chelsie and Melissa and Tony. I'm thrilled for Tony and I wish he can go further in ths competion. I have the pleasure to met Tony and his dancing partner Elena, and their amazing human being. He's very humble and a gentleman. And Elena is like Krsitina, very sweet.

I've never met Tony but a friend of ours, who lives in US, is a friend of his, and he (our friend) always says what a nice guy Tony is.

Hurrah! I've found other people who are watching Dancing with the Stars. There's not many around here, sadly. I've caught the past few seasons (since the one Apolo & Julieanne won) and been addicted ever since.

This series, I'm loving Derek & Lil' Kim - their Argentine Tango made me cry - and, of course, Gilles - well, what girl wouldn't?

Looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series along with you all...

Have you had a look at Gilles Paso Doble yet worldofsmudge? Makes the heart beat faster lol

Hi, Force Ten. I'm still recovering from his Argentine Tango. A girl can only cope with so much I never thought I'd find a celeb dancer who'd match Mark Ramprakash, but I think he may well be the new Ramps! Glad to know I have something to look forward to if I can manage to wait til it's on Watch this Friday

Well if you can't, all the links for this week's show are on the Links to Watch and Read about DWTS thread! I can't wait til Friday, that's why I post the links lol.

Thanks! Will try & hold off for a Friday night Dance-Fest, but temptation may well get the better of me

I resisted for a long time ...and then gave into temptation (plus I hated all the ads)!

Now that you mention it I can see similarities between Gilles and Ramps!

Agree completely about the ads. Now have a bit of a Friday night routine - banish the boyfriend to the other room from 9pm (although he pops in occasionally to marvel at the whiteness of Tony's teeth) and me & the cat watch DWTS, then bf rejoins us for the results show and immediately becomes an 'armchair expert'

Mind you, last week, I discovered the vote-off result during the week thanks to a Twitter entry, but still watched the entire show. I guess Watch coupled with the Web means I can see DWTS as many times as I like. Hurrah!

V glad to have found like minded people here.