Liveblogging: Dancing with the Stars, Show #3

I found an excellent blog that covers everything Dancing with the Stars 1 & 2. The webmaster, Raphael Pungin, is an avid dancer and musician. Below I’ve linked to Raphael’s video feed of every couple’s performance which he uploads after every show. He also tracks the couples’ scores and maintains reader polls. Make sure to pay him a visit.

On to the competition.

Jerry Rice & Anna Trebunskaya’s jive was probably their weakest performance to date. It was sluggish and didn’t have as many flicks and kicks as I would like. Len called it a “jerry-atric” performance. Ouch.

Scores: 7,6,6. The 6s are a tad too low.

Gisselle Fernandez and Jonathan Roberts performed a serviceable tango, but it didn’t have the oomph of last week’s rumba. It looked rote and lacked snap. Len liked it fine but Bruno called it a “Robocop” performance.

Scores: 7,8,8. The 8s were fair.

Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke’s jive was snappy and energetic. Great timing and showmanship, with some gymnastics to boot (Len cautioned them on that, as lifts aren’t allowed in jive). The judges were enthusiastic, though like Len I thought what this performance proved more than anything was that Drew wasn’t a one-hit wonder.

Scores: 9,9,9. A tad high; I think an 8 would have been just right.

George Hamilton and Edita Sliwinska’s were as usual, charming and entertaining with their tango performance, thought it wasn't strictly tango. Great show, and the judges agree, although Carrie Ann correctly noted that the holds could be firmer.

Scores: 7,7,8. The 8 was a bit high.

Lisa Rinna and Louis van Amstel’s jive was a knockout performance. It was lively, fun, full of high kicks and flicks and showed off Lisa to best advantage. “Great bounce”, Bruno said, tongue in cheek. I agree.

Scores: 8,9,8. I think two 9s would’ve been better. It was that good.

Stacy Keibler and Max Dovolani came in as the couple to beat and I think their tango showed the strain. I agree with Carrie Ann that she had great lines, but except in the end, their performance could’ve used a bit more passion and snap.

Scores: 9,9,9. An 8 thrown in would’ve been more fair.

Master P. and Ashly DelGrosso did the jive. What can you say about Master P? He’s trying hard and hustled more than I ever saw him hustle before, but it wasn’t a jive they performed. Len was harsh, but I agree: it’s time Master P. and the show parted ways.

Scores: 6,4,4.

I would give him 5s overall for effort. Tia Carrere and Max Chmerkovskiy’s tango was a breakthrough for Tia. It was a smoldering, passionate performance. Great dramatic choreography as well. I would’ve liked more snap, but this was Tia’s best performance to date. The judges were unanimous in their praise and it’s well deserved.

Scores: 9,8,9, Great going, Tia!

Summary: On every episode, a couple or two stand out with breakaway performances. In show #1, it was Drew & Cheryl, Jerry & Anna. In show #2, it was Stacy & Tony, Giselle & Jonathan. Tonight, it was Lisa & Louis, Tia & Max. With the exception of Master P, the overall quality of the couples in DWTS 2 is more impressive than DWTS 1. The judges mean business and the competition could only get better.

I think tomorrow night is the night Master P. gets booted. Jerry Rice would probably be in the bottom two with him and I think viewers will vote for Jerry. The novelty of Master P's poor performance is getting tiresome and is in stark contrast to the quality of the other couples’ performances. This is a competition after all, not an exhibition. Ashly is a great dancer and did all she could, but he’s got to go.

posted at 11:11 PM by City Muse

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