'Dancing With the Stars': Priscilla's reversal of fortune

As a ballroom-dancing novice, I find “Dancing with the Stars” to be highly instructive. For example, this week I learned the following: First, for the paso doble, the male partner should dress as a matador (either traditional or shirtless), and the female partner should dress as either a harlot or a beer wench. For the Viennese waltz, the male partner should wear a suit or tails, and the female partner should dress as if she might at any moment need to go undercover at a Renaissance Faire. This sort of knowledge will help guide me if I am ever invited to an Inaugural Ball.

On a more macro level, does anyone other than me prefer traditional music to the tailored (or, dare I say, bastardized?) contemporary songs? This week, every single one of the Viennese waltzes was adapted to contemporary music, as were several paso dobles. Once again, Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark were offenders on this front. Although I listened to New Order’s “Substance” every single day on the way home during my senior year of high school, and even though if you were to cite any one line from that entire album, I could then recite, as if in a trance, the lyrics of the rest of the album, I still didn’t need to hear “Blue Monday” paso-doble-ized. And sung live. Perhaps this speaks to my naivete, but the paso dobles with traditional, dramatic paso doble music seemed much more striking to me. Discuss.

Now, onto the dancing. This week saw the judges start to get a bit more generous/profligate with their higher scores: Five 10s were awarded, with both Kristi/Mark and Jason Taylor/Edyta receiving 29/30. We also saw some reversals in fortune, most notably a big dip for Priscilla Presley and Louis. Although Bruno liked Priscilla’s “Merry Widow” look, and Carrie Ann inexplicably complimented the drama Priscilla creates with her facial expressions (seriously?), the judges threw down a yellow card for an apparent lift that occurred during the dance in direct violation of Viennese waltz statutes. Score: 22/30. Priscilla was undaunted and expressed confidence that she’ll be back next week.

And, you know, she’s probably right. Adam Carolla and Julianne seem the most likely to get the heave-ho, even though I sure would like them to hang in there; as Adam says in the practice scenes, “I’m in it not to lose it.” Despite performing a paso doble that involved Adam riding a unicycle in Zorro garb, they just weren’t smooth. Well, Julianne was smooth, and the choreography seemed designed to minimize Adam’s dancing while maximizing Julianne’s spinning. The judges weren’t fooled. Score: 19/30. In the post-dance interview, Adam tells Samantha Harris that the Spaniards tried to come to America en masse on unicycles, but then they drowned in the Caspian Sea. “Google it, kids,” he says.

Marlee Matlin and Fabian recovered some ground from last week with their Viennese waltz, which Len called “poignant” and which apparently actually made Carrie Ann cry. Bruno says that Marlee always seems totally immersed and focused, which does actually capture something she’s got going for her. In the post-dance interview, when Samantha asks what it’ll take to beat Kristi, Marlee signs, “An asteroid hit?” Score: 24/30.

Mario and Karina also recovered a bit from last week, though the judges still showed the most divergence of opinions that we’ve seen, by which I mean that there was a two-point gap between top and bottom. I thought there was a bit of desperation to Mario’s intense expression during the paso doble, but overall the dance was solid. So were Karina’s boobs, which you could get a good look at through the circular cutout in her dress. Score: 24/30 (Carrie Ann with 8, Len with 7, Bruno with 9).

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony rose to the challenge and did what I thought was a dramatic, well-synchronized paso doble. The acting was particularly good –- they nailed what other contestants and pros referred to as either the “love/hate” or the “life/death” nature of the dance. Technically, they even looked strong, at least in comparison with their past performances. The judges tell them that that’s what they wanted. Score: 24/30. Marissa: ecstatic.

Cristián de la Fuente and Cheryl were assigned the paso doble, which they translate to mean “near-nudity.” Cheryl is wearing what appears to be a vinyl bra and hot pants with a cape attached, and Cristián’s full chest is on display. They dance to traditional paso doble music, and their performance even involves Cristián exclaiming “Hey!” or maybe “Ha!” a couple of times (on purpose). I thought it was very dramatic and fun, and it actually seemed as if Cristián were leading Cheryl for the most part. The judges like the passion and drama, and Bruno says something about the “power of the biggest bull.” Score: 26/30.

We find out that Derek injured his neck during rehearsals last week –- he’s even filmed being loaded into an ambulance –- and Shannon Elizabeth has been practicing with Jonathan under Derek’s cheerfully judgmental gaze (over his neck brace). Derek is able to perform, however, and I think Shannon is really making visible progress each week. She started out a bit gawky but now seems quite elegant. Their Viennese waltz was my favorite, even over Jason and Edyta’s, which I’ll get to in a second. There was a particularly nifty pirouette sort of thing at the end, where Shannon stayed fixed like a ballerina in a music box while Derek spun her around. Really, with a vivid description like that, you can just see it, can’t you? Len says it’s his favorite dance of the night and is inspired to award his only 10. Score: 28/30.

Jason and Edyta’s rehearsal scenes were reasonably amusing this week. Edyta tells Jason he needs to treat her like a “proper lady” for the Viennese waltz; insert various scenes of Jason acting boorish. She takes him to learn from the master: A knight at what appears to be a permanently installed Renaissance Faire. The knight then christens Jason “Sir Dance-a-Lot.” Their performance is polished and their movement elegant, and their attire restrained and demure (at least by comparison). Bruno terms it “a majestic swan in a mating ritual.” Score: 29/30.

Kristi and Mark were the lead-off dancers this week, and, as usual, their paso doble was sharp, well synchronized and elegant. Bruno contends that Kristi unleashed her inner “harlot” and “Jezebel,” though Len doesn’t think so. Still, Kristi and Mark remain the ones to beat, even with some very strong performances this week. Score: 29/30.

Tuesday night: Sheryl Crow and some bit about ballroom-dancing 9-year-olds. Who will be eliminated?

-- Sarah Rogers

(Photo courtesy ABC)

Comments

[Sandy]

I agree with you about the music. It's the reason I cannot watch this show. I love dance so I've tried to watch a few times but the music does not fit the dance being performed and to me, they end up looking ridiculous. The paso doble is a perfect example. How much betfter if all the dances were performed to appropriate music.

[Crystal]

I think the judges are idiots. They gave Jason a higher score than they gave Priscilla and she didn't trip!!!! I also think from their judging that they have their favourites and it shows.
Priscilla's Viennese Waltz was beautiful. Jason was excellent with his Viennese Waltz, but he tripped and should have lost points for that. I hope that idiot Adam gets voted off this week. I am REALLY disappointed that Steve Guttenberg is off. He was so fun to watch because he was just glad to be there and it oozed out of him.

[Joan]

I really enjoy Dancing but I have trouble with Samantha Harris' interview technique. I find her to be scarcastic and the questions really "dumb"!

[Larry]

I have been complaining about the choice of music since the start of the show. These "modern songs" are not appropriate for the Paso Doble or the Tango. Not even close! Samantha Harris was and is still terrible. I don't agree with the comment about the judges or the exit of Steve Guttenberg, but we are all entitled to our opinion. I just wish they could get more stars that are decent dancers to make it really interesting.

[Kathy]

Adam & Pricilla need to go. I mute the TV everytime Adam opens his mouth. he is such a pig. he thinks he's funny. He's not. He's disgusting. Pricilla is painful to watch and she's starting to act like she has the whole thing sown up. Just cuz she was married to Elvis. And looking at her face makes me sick. She looks like the Joker in those Bat Man movies!!! I wish they could have a double elimination this week and get rid of these two and then next week get rid of Marissa. She can't dance.

[Janet Lee]

Carrie Ann must have a crush on Jason (football guy) because she "overlooked" him stumble.....but downgraded Priscilla for the "lift" - UNFAIR.

[Jeannie]

I agree with the music problem, how can you do a proper paso doble to contemporary music. The music and the entire body must go together. There is so much emphasis in the proper music that suits the dance. What they are doing is wrong, maybe if enough people e-mail the network, they will change it. I don't enjoy watching the dancing when the music is not right. BTW, Priscilla needs to go. She has had so much work done to her face and it is obvious, she does look like a "merry widow". I guess Adam can go as well, not one of my favorites. My favorites are Kristie, Marlee, Christian and Shannon Elizabeth. Hard to choose only one. I give Marlee two thumbs up for what she is "able to do".

[Rosa]

The music is not chosen by the dancers, they are given the music at the end of every Tuesday night show along with the dance they are going to do the next week. They showed this behind the scenes last season.

[JB]

Adam needs to go. He can't dance and his so-called humor is disatrrous. He is NOT funny.

I like Priscilla. As for her face, she was the victim of a very bad face lift.

[JB]

Another comment from me. Marissa needs to go too. She may be having a great time but she can't dance and those short dresses are not flattering. The girl has the biggest mouth and at least 2 sets of teeth.

[Janis]

I agree.....I would like to see them get away from the contemporary music. I think it takes away from the dance. I was slightly taken aback with Derek and Shannon. The music and most of the choreography came from last season's So You Think You Can Dance. I remember it well as it was one of my favorite dances that season. It was a Viennese Waltz performed by Danny and Lacey. Hmmm.....

[margaret]

Dying to know where Carrie Ann Inaba got the gorgeous one shoulder dress she had on Monday (4/7/08) night. Anybody know?

[CTS]

HA! LOL! Priscilla couldn't make a facial expression if all the Botox in the world were at stake!
:0)

[ghrtt3]

Love Priscilla. Don't care what the judges scored. Her foxtrot and tango were the best of the season.