Originally Posted by
EyesOFire50:
“The British public has asked...and Raphael has delivered! All dances from week 1 in their entirety are now up on his site.
Dances To Watch: Drew and Cheryl's Cha-Cha-Cha
Giselle and Jonathan's Waltz
Tony and Stacy's Waltz
Anna and Jerry's Cha-Cha-Cha
Nick and Tatum's Waltz
I'd add P Miller and Ashly's Cha-Cha-Cha to the mix...but only because of her. As I've said before - she's young , incredibly explosive and talented...and it all came out that night. 
Have fun, and debate away! but at all times, have fun! *LOL*
Cheers!
EyesOFire50”
Thanks again to King Raphael and the Duchess of Dance EyesOFire for the links.
Well, that was a entertaining first week. I apologise in advance for this rather male and Cha Cha centred discussion, but when I started typing this there was actually daylight outside. It's now much later than I anticipated. I guess I'll have to be more economical with my thoughts.
Drew Sashay
That was a superb eye-catching Cha Cha, which really looked the part. Drew looked like he was concentrating very hard on delivering a top-notch performance. Sharp movement that I would love to emulate - in particular, his arms cut through the air like razor blades slicing through silk and his footwork hit the beats of the music in a rhythmically rich fashion. I liked the way that he interacted with Cheryl to create a very passionate and fiery atmosphere on the dancefloor. They've got great chemistry and I can't wait to see what they're like at the Quickstep next week.
Not much more to be said other than, to paraphase Bruno, Drew kicked some proverbial posterior.
Master P: Here to Represent or Just taking the P?
Barely one week in and this guy has already divided opinion. On the one hand, I actually enjoyed the routine, although that was probably down to "I Want You Back" as a funky music choice and the tireless industry of Ashly Delgrosso, who I think I am starting to develop a crush on.
Is P just doing it for his people or is there more at stake? From a sympathetic angle, he didn't have much time to train, having stepped in for his son Romeo at the last minute, and he seems to be doing it for a good cause. I thought he had good rhythm and exerted a swaggering and imposing presence on the dance floor. Perhaps, coming from a background where reputation and being the epitome of cool is paramount, P was a reluctant participant because he was thinking of how he would be portrayed in a world that is indeed far removed from the gangster image of hip hop.
There is another school of thought that says he demonstrated a lack of respect for this performing art and a lack of courtesy towards his partner Ashly Delgrosso. The partnership on the dancefloor relies upon the contribution of two people, two halves which fuse together in a union of elegance and grace in Ballroom or passion and flair in Latin. In Master P and Ashly's Cha Cha, there appeared to be one person who clearly gave a lot more than the other.
A lot of celebrities in the past Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars series have said that they are dancing for their professional partners. Others have recognised how much time and effort that the professionals put into this endeavour. Whether you are a fan of his or not, Bill Turnbull was right in recognising that this is the dancers' livelihood, their passion and their calling. When someone fails to respect the most basic of traditions, etiquette and conventions on the dancefloor, let alone showing up for training sessions - Should this have been the case - then it is not surprising that this is bound to be an emotive issue. It was interesting to see Len Goodman mention that he should "commend your partner". If Master P fails to make the most of this rare priviledge of learning from a gifted and talented dance professional, then it is the most regrettable of circumstances, but it is ultimately his loss.
I don't know how Ashly will be able to motivate a partner whose heart is not in the dance and who appears not to want to take part to the fullest extent of his ability. That is the most difficult student of all. Kenny Mayne was not the best dancer, but no-one could deny his effort and fullest partipation. Still, it is only early days. Master P could be either turn himself into a serious proponent of Gangster Ballroom and take to it just as Darren Gough did in
Strictly. Or he could provide the detonator for the self-destruction of his partnership with Ashly.
Hero of the week: Kenny Mayne
I am thankful to Kenny for demonstrating that not all the American celebrities are flawless specimens on the dance floor and that there are some who instead of cutting a rug, manage to get tangled up in it instead. At the risk of incurring the wrath of his fans, his routine was more hot scuff than hot stuff.
However, I do recognise though that it was a shame that Kenny was eliminated. He has immortalised himself by joining the ranks of Quentin Wilson in terms of being the plucky contestant who was a rhythmically challenged participant. It could provide entertainment gold though if he decided to face Quentin in an international dance off. The winner should face
Diego Maradona.
This sports commentator provided the audience with a sporting effort. He slipped during his routine, some of his movements resembled what Craig might have called a drunken hoedown and his was the most frenzied flapping seen this side of a airplane traffic controller. I liked his wave as well, the kind you do when you see a familiar acquaintance in passing, but unfortunately are on your way to a previous engagement.
Still, kudos to Kenny for a brilliant effort and it was taken in such good humour as well. His self-deprecating explanation of the dancefloor story that he and Andrea were offering was hilarious. Even Bruno, who was decidedly psychotic that evening with his axe-wielding gesture, could not fail to be amused by Kenny's amusing turn of phrase. I miss him already.
Sidestep Notes
Some beautiful Waltzes. Liked Tatum although she appeared very hyper post dance. Nick Kosovich is a class act - the guy does not walk around like other human beings, there is something ethereal about his movement. I wonder why Lena Kosovich didn't take part? Maybe she wanted to support her man Nick instead or wasn't offered a role? Stacy and Tony's routine was classy and elegant, but I too would have liked to have seen them glide around the floor in Ballroom hold. Jerry Rice is going to be great - loved his American Football warm up on the spot choreography in the Cha Cha. It amazes me that Tia Carrere is on the dancefloor three months after having a baby, she did well despite the low marks. Lisa Rinna and Giselle Fernandez simply embody the height of the glamourous allied with hard work. And I would not mind sharing a dry martini with George Hamilton, after watching him attempt to bring Ballroom sophistication into the Latin Cha Cha.
All in all, looking forward to the second week and thanks for reading.
That songs makes me sad too! For the same reasons!
And it's sad - because it's obvious. She's tired and drained...not as much joy or happiness in her as before - and it's getting lower by the day.