Dancing With the Stars: Semifinals (Nov 18)
Their first dance is a Jive. Is this happening? Um, yeah. Brooke worked a lot on the connecting, but totally forgot the technique, and it was a mess. She looks like she has no idea where she is in the routine and not the least bit like her usual self. Len calls it a disaster, saying he noticed three or four mistakes. I think I did too. Bruno says her technique went down the toilet. He notes that her legs were bent and her weight was on the back of her feet most of the time. Carrie Ann thinks it was “disrespectful” for them to try a blatant lift in the semi-finals. Backstage, Brooke says she missed the first step and was flustered from then on. Derek tries to jump to her defense and manages to sound drunk. And here’s a shocker, Brooke gets a “winner, winner, chicken dinner” score of 21 for her first time ever, at exactly the wrong time.
Cody and Julianne are reunited and it feels so good. Cody went to surprise Julianne at the CMAs, where she was hosting the red carpet. Then, it’s right back to rehearsal with drill sargent Julianne. They are training for the Salsa and the Paso Doble. Cody wants to prove that he deserves to make the finals.
Their Paso costumes are WWII-themed, I guess because there is a lyric about guns, and they mime shooting? I don’t know. Bruno says “that was different” and implies that Cody was robotic. He says the Spanish lines were bad, and the timing was poor, to which Julianne makes a face. Carrie Ann wants to give Cody a 10 for determination, but says he needs to “smooth it out” for the next dance, and she could feel the tension, which is not a good thing at this point. Len says it was stiff & wooden, and thinks Cody will be given his “marching orders”.
Geez, tomorrow night’s results are going to have John Legend, Leona Lewis, Julianne singing her own song, and Aretha Franklin. Is it bad to say that’s a “jam packed” show? Carrie Ann offers an 8 to go with the guys’ 7’s for a 23.
Tom says the judges are “out for blood” and reminds us that Cody just beat Brooke for the first time ever. Now it’s on to Warren and Kym. He has a hectic schedule with all of his various NFL jobs on top of the show, and he’s tired but determined in rehearsal. Kym tells him he’s too hard on himself as angry music plays.
They are dancing the Mambo. The big man delivers a snappy, fluid dance with a ton of personality. He starts out with a black blazer over a sparkly red vest, but eventually strips off the blazer to whoops from the crowd. Carrie Ann wants him to up the old content game, calling it “lackluster”. Len says he doesn’t “mess about” with technique, rather he focuses on the performance. Bruno says he was flat-footed but engaging. They get straight 8’s for a 24. Warren makes an analogy about pressure that no one seems to understand.
Lance and Lacey are doing the Mambo and the Jitterbug. Lance’s grandfather and dad came from Mississippi to watch them rehearse. ” Grandaddy’s” thrilled with Lance’s Jitterbug, which Lance is dedicating to him. Their Mambo is first up. It’s definitely the most accomplished of the four routines so far, as far as style and technique. Lance aparently dove face first into the self-tanner this week. Tom says he’ll be in shock if the judges don’t like it. Len says he knows he’s been tough on Lance, but it’s not where you start but where you finsih, and that this was the best dance of the night so far. Bruno says it was full of content, but also had their “quirky little details”. Carrie Ann calls it a show stopper. Carrie Ann shocks Lacey with a 10 and and Len and Bruno give 9’s for a 28. Lance calls his grandfather his good luck charm and says he expects 2 or 3 10’s for their Jitterbug. Lacey says she’s so proud of Lance that she’s shaking. They seem genuinely excited.
Round two. And now we get Len’s Master Class. The montage starts with Len apparently dreaming of a foxtrot with Cheryl and Kym. He’s awoken by a phone ringing and wakes up dressed in a tie and tails. Ha? In the old DANCMSTR limo, Len explains that he wants to isolate the problems of the four finalists. He says he’s starting with Lance, who is pigeon toed. He arrives at their studio in bare feet. Funny. He spends two minutes and cures that problem.
On to Cody, whose issue is hip action; he’s too stiff and wooden. He helps Cody with his problem and when he leaves, Cody says to Julianne, “He’s not that scary in person!” which was cute. Brooke’s problem is that she doesn’t straighten her legs. She tends to flex her legs, which is freakish-looking. Warren is last, and Len wants to address his flat-footedness. After that’s done, Warren teaches Len how to do his little freestyle move from his solo last week. Len kind of rocks it, which makes Warren giggle.
Oh, look, here are the World Salsa Champs to show us what we should be looking for in this dance. This would have been nice the first time around, huh? No matter….it’s not like whatever Cloris did would have looked like this in the slightest. Deborah (don’t call me Debbie!) Gibson is in the crowd and she’s impressed.
Brooke and Derek are up first under the light of the gaudiest chandelier on television. They are doing the Salsa. Now, this is much more like the Brooke we’ve grown to love. Bruno is thrilled, as is Kristi Yamaguchi. Carrie Ann concurs, even though she saw a bunch of lifts…which I think are OK in this round, so chill, CA! Len reminds her to focus on her strengths next week, should she make it. By the way, Brooke is dressed in a pants that look like a horrible 50’s lampshade or a flapper who exploded. This time, Len gives out the 10 to go with Bruno and Carrie Ann’s 9’s, for a 28.
Cody and Julianne are also dong the Salsa. Again, he is trying so hard, but is still a little wooden and there are a couple spots where they look out of sync to me. He does complete a nice lift and some serious booty shaking. Carrie Ann says it was fun, but it was lacking in musicality. Len disagrees. He compliments Cody’s strength. Bruno worried he might strangle Julianne on some consecutive spins. Backstage, Cody pleads with his fans to let him dance with his imaginary girlfriend some more. He gets straight 8’s for 24.
Now, we get a set of former Swing champs to show us to how to Jitterbug. Of course, it’s performed at about 90 miles an hour. I really love Swing dancing, and not just because it reminds me of the movie Swingers. Have I mentioned that you are so money, you don’t even know you’re money? Because you are.
Commercials. Can’t we get through Thanksgiving before we start the Christmas ads? Honestly!
Warren starts at the judges’ table, pretending to deal cards, as he’s dressed as a casino dealer to Kym’s cigarette girl. The dance itself is at half-speed from what we just saw, and the flat feet are still there, but he’s entertaining as ever. Len compliments Warren’s joy again, leaving the technique alone. Bruno points out that the Master Class didn’t work. Carrie Ann says she liked it. Nice ribs, Kym, by the way. Good Lord! They beg for votes before scores. The guys pass out 8’s and Carrie Ann gives them a 9 for a 25.
Lance and Lacey are all decked out in naval themed costumes for their Jitterbug. It’s very energetic and precise and Lance even loses his shoe in the midst of a kick, yet soldiers on (no pun intended). Tom is blown away. He compares the lost shoe to Kelly Monaco’s wardrobe malfunction. Len jokes that he warned him about dancing barefoot! Bruno compares the routine to Gene Kelly and Ann Miller. (Google ’em, kids!) Carrie Ann calls it magic and gives Grandpa Bass a shout-out. Len gives Lance credit for two fabulous dances. Len holds out with a 9, but they get 10’s for Carrie Ann and bruno for a 29.
Lance and Lacey are atop the leader board, and anything can happen. It’s crazy! Cats are marrying dogs! Pigs are flying! Join EJ tomorrow for the results!
