Semi-Finals Details For DWTS

Now that we know Kym Johnson will be appearing, we can look forward to
the semi-final!

On Monday the four remaining couples will perform three routines - one
ballroom and one Latin dance they've not yet done, and one
winner-takes-all Cha Cha. Sounds like whoever wins the Cha Cha is a
lock for the finals.

The first part of the Results Show is a "Freestyle Special," in which
Anton Ohno, Donnie Osmond and Warren Sapp provide color commentary on
their memorable individual freestyle routines.  In addition, the pros
and the dance troupe perform two medleys to some of the music from
previous Freestyles.

On the Results Show Stevie Nicks (woo hoo!) will perform two songs,
"Landslide," accompanied by Tony and Cheryl on the dance floor, and
the new single "Secret Love" from "In Your Dreams" - accompanied by
Dmitry, Anna, Peta and Damian. Also Pittbull featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer
performs his single, "Give Me Everything".

Oh, and we'll find out the finalists!

Kym Johnson Cleared to Dance On Monday

Despite having to wear a neck brace for the immediate future, Kym Johnson has been cleared to perform on the show on Monday according to WJLA TV.

Earlier on Friday she fell while practicing with Hines Ward. An ambulance was called and she was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

I must admit I was worried!

Who Was Eliminated in an Instant in "Instant Dance" Week?

The first hour of the Results Show (technically it was two shows but they just blurred together) were highlights of previous results shows.  This is how bad it's become.  Highlights of shows that are mainly highlights.  Sheesh.

Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed Derek and Julianne Hough's "Great Balls of Fire" dance in season 7!

On to the Results Show proper.  I was thoroughly confused.  Adele wasn't singing all the songs she was supposed to but someone called Delta was filling in with an hour's notice.  They were both very, very good though.

Kirstie and Maks were asked to do the spotlight dance.  I figured they were definately leaving because I couldn't remember if they'd done a spotlight dance before.  Anyway I didn't have to think for long because both Kirste and Hines were safe!  That meant another 40 minutes until more results!

Oh, I forgot Dancecenter was on - Iit was funny in an understated way as always.  As Tom Bergeron said on Monday - "Throughout the years we've had some very good dancers and some very bad dancers.  And we've had Kenny Mayne."  That Tom.

At the end Chelsea, Ralph and Romeo are on the stage with their partners.

Chelsea and Mark are safe.

And Rome and Karina have been eliminated.  Romeo felt it was his best performance and I agree with him.  Ralph was (understandably) not very good and should have gone home.  I think Romeo enjoyed his journey and I enjoyed watching him.  "New York, New York" was one of my favorite dances ever.

Next week is the semi-final!

Judges' Scores for DWTS Week 8 - Instant Dance

This week was instant dance - the couples know the type of dance they are doing, they just don't know the music they will dance to until about 30-40 minutes before i.e. when they finish their first dance!

The big news of the night was that Ralph Macchio had a bad knee and could only practice for nine hours.  He did seem to be in pain (he had a ruptured cyst!).

Here are the scores (Instant Dance second):

Romeo and Chelsie Hightower - 27 & 25 = 52
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff - 25 & 21 = 46
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson - 28 & 26 = 54
Disney actress Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas - 29 & 26 = 55
Actress Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy - 28 & 25 = 53

The judges seemed to squabble a lot and both Carrie Ann and Bruno were booed a couple of time, but the disagreements didn't really show up in the scoring.

So, Ralph and Karina are a ways behind everyone else.  It's going to be hard to stay in, but we haven't really had any major upsets yet and there is no data to evaluate how popular the stars remaining are.

We shall see tomorrow!

Instant Dancing on DWTS

It's "Instant Dance" week on Dancing with the Stars.  I really enjoyed this last season.  Each couple dances once and then finds out the music for their second performance (they already know the type of dance).  That means they only have 30 minutes to practice!  The hidden mikes should have some gems this week!

The first hour is the best performances from previous results shows which will be good but will be too much for me I think.  The second hour features Grammy Award-winning artist Adele singing two songs, "Natural Woman," with Cheryl Burke and Louis Van Amstel on the dance floor, and the first single from her album, "21."

And at the end we'll know who the semi-finalists are!

We Say Goodbye to a Ballroom Grate on Dancing with the Stars

Warning:  Spoiler below


Team Hines and Team Chelsea



It's "ballroom greats" week this week, but other than Maks' brother guest-greats were absent from the Results Show.  Even the fourth judge wasn't there, although I'm sure the regulars were happy they didn't have to squish up again.

The results show was regular results show fare, Nicki Minaj and James Blunt sang, there was a story about a ballerina that I didn't really understand but she danced very well.  Team Chelsea were asked to dance again and were probably the best part of the show.

I was particularly disappointed with the Macy's Stars of Dance tribute to James Brown.  I really like Wayne Brady but there was too much messin' abaht in the choreograghy and it seemed more like a James Brown impersonation that a tribute.

Back to the reason for the show - the final three staring into the red lights of elimination were Chelsea/Mark, Kirstie/Maks and Kendra/Louis.

Kirstie was first to be announced "safe" and for a fleeting moment I thought there might be an upset.

Fortunately I was wrong and Kendra & Louis were eliminated.  Glad to see she's finally gone!

Who Was Great on "Ballroom Greats" Week on DWTS?

"Ballroom Greats" were the theme of this weeks show.  This ws demonstrated by having Donnie Burns, Head of The World Dance Council and a pretty good Latin dancer, as the guest judge.  We also had guest instructors for the couples - Shirley Ballas (Mark's Mom) or Luca Baricchi depending on whether they were doing a Latin dance or Ballroom.

It was also the Team Dance this week with the members being chosen in playground style by Hines and Chelsea.  Hines chose  Kirstie Alley & Kendra Wilkinson (he left Romeo on the bench!) and Chelsea got Raplph and Romeo.

The started the show with the team dances (I think I prefer them at the end).    And each team scored 30 points.  Which, from a scoring point of view was a real waste of time.  For the record I thought Chelsea's team was the best.

The scores were very variable between the judges - one couple got a 6,7,8 and 9!  Here are the scores:

Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff - 30 & 36 = 66
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson - 30 & 36 = 66
Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas - 30 & 34 = 64
Kendra Wilkinson and Louis Van Amstel - 30 & 31 = 61
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower - 30 & 30 = 60
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy - 30 & 30 = 60

So the scores are very close indeed which means it's down to us again!  Vote!!