Cue that theme music again!

Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 by Travis Cody in
28

Before we get to the dancing, I just want to wish my dear friend Julie a Happy Birthday. These are for you darlin!



One other piece of business...I didn't get a chance to make complete rounds tonight, so I'll catch up with anyone I missed in the next few days.

Now, last night was so much fun that I think we'll just have to do it again!



The ladies take to the ballroom to dance Cha Cha Cha and Foxtrot.


Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough dance Cha Cha Cha. We start immediately with questionable music. She looked a little awkward. There wasn't much hip action. We had a tough time getting past the poor music and focusing on Cha Cha Cha. It did have energy but her technique wasn't very good. It was ok for the first dance. She definitely needs to work on being a little more relaxed. Judges say 7's across for a total of 21.


Monica Seles and Jonathan Roberts dance Foxtrot. He did a very good job of hiding her awkwardness. Jonathan is a great teacher and an excellent partner. It was smart to go for the slow smooth Foxtrot. She looked beautiful and even though she was clearly nervous, she was able to do the basic steps and perform the story. It was good to start with ballroom and they had wonderful chemistry. Judges say 5's across for a total of 15.


Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani dance Cha Cha Cha. She makes you watch her. She lost the steps several times. It wasn't much of a Cha Cha Cha. She didn't have the hip action but she had the energy and the cheeky quality of it. She's really a performer and she obviously enjoyed herself. But it was a little too wild. Tony tried to choreograph to her personality, but he left out the steps. We like Marissa the performer and we'd like to see her do well because she's just so excited to be on the show. Judges say 6's across for a total of 18.


Priscilla Presley and Louis van Amstel dance Foxtrot. Louis gave her difficult choreography and guided her through it very well. She was elegant and she looked comfortable with what she was doing. That was the most difficult routine of both nights and she nailed it. She has some technical issues to work out, but it didn't detract from the performance at all. Welcome back Louis! That was really very good. We had no idea what to expect and that was just wonderful. A great American Smooth Foxtrot. Judges say 8's across for a total of 24.


Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas dance Foxtrot. As a figure skater she understands how to finish every move. Her technique and extension are beautiful. Her posture is elegant and she made the dance look effortless. It looks like she's been doing this her whole life. She performed the character and she had fantastic chemistry with Mark. This is exactly what I expected. That's about as close to a perfect score on the first night as you'll get. Mark's choreography was excellent and they have set the bar very high not only for themselves, but for everyone else. Oh my! Judges say 9's across for a total of 27.


Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez dance Cha Cha Cha. She did terrific. She does have a natural rhythm and Fabian handled the choreography so well. It was inspiring because she's deaf, but she danced so well that she made it a non-issue. She performed the character of the dance. It had energy and it was fun to watch. And Fabian is a great addition to the cast of pros. Judges say 7,7,8 for a total of 22.

Here's how the ladies stack up:

27 Kristi & Mark
24 Priscilla & Louis
22 Marlee & Fabian
21 Shannon & Derek
18 Marissa & Tony
15 Monica & Jonathan

We loved Kristi and Priscilla best, and split our votes between them. We also enjoyed Marlee. In fact, we enjoyed all six ladies. They are all charming and beautiful.

Here's the full leader board after the first performances:

27 Kristi & Mark
24 Priscilla & Louis
24 Mario & Karina
22 Jason & Edyta
22 Marlee & Fabian
21 Cristian & Cheryl
21 Shannon & Derek
18 Steve & Anna
18 Marissa & Tony
16 Penn & Kym
15 Monica & Jonathan
15 Adam & Julianne

They'll all have one more dance next Monday, followed by that nasty double elimination on Tuesday when one of the men and one of the ladies go home. Bummer.

We are so glad to have this show back. It gets our week off to a good start.

Encores!! You need encores from Monday!

How about our favorite performance from the fellas last night? This is the Foxtrot from Jason and Edyta.


And here's the hot Cha Cha Cha from Mario and Karina.


This is for my friend Dana. She didn't get to see Steve, so here is the very charming Foxtrot from Steve and Anna.


There you go!

28 comments:

  1. Schmoop says:

    You really love this stuff, don't ya? Cheers Trav!!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Bravo for Priscilla! We have been supporting her even before she took a step, as she supports horse rescue, having adopted Max, our rescue horse saved from slaughter. He now lives at Graceland. Ms. Presley is a champion of animals, and I think she's proven with last's night performance that she is a champion in general, an elegant and graceful woman. Dance on, Priscilla!

  1. Matt: Yup! I really do.

    Carole: I didn't know what to expect from her, and she really surprised me in a good way. Thanks for stopping by.

  1. Travis, I don't have to watch this on TV I just have to come to your blog every day and read your reviews and watch the videos! Thanks! :D

  1. DrillerAA says:

    I think Kristi Yamaguchi threw down the gauntlet and said, "Catch me if you can." Once she determined in her own mind that this was a competition, she put herself into full game face mode. She will be difficult if not impossible to beat this year.

  1. Kimmie says:

    Well, shoot...I missed all but the first two dances! I fell asleep. Ugh!!! I can't believe me! Sorry Travis. I thought the first dancer did pretty good, and the gal from hairspray was good, but I agreed with the judges, her partner should have given her more steps. She obviously can dance.

    I am a little out of the box today...I can't even remember the gals names and I just read them a minute ago. Forgive me. I will have to wait and watch how Priscilla did on next weeks show when they dance again.

    Thanks for the recaps Trav.

    Smiles,
    Kimmie

  1. TopChamp says:

    nice performance from Mario there. Not quite getting how it all works exactly but... could it not be dangerous for a chap to dance a dance that sexy in public wearing tight troosers?

    A figure skater surely has a bit of a huge advantage does she not? You SURELY have dance training for that.

  1. I never watch this, but last night I had to tune in because I follow figure skating (and Kristi was one of my faves), and I wanted to see how Marlee did.

    Great reviews, Trav, and I agree with your assessment of those two!

  1. I really enjoyed last night and as you know this has been just an off an on show for me, but the women were wonderful. Priscilla showed what a 62 year old grandmother who keeps herself in shape and has a good facelift can do. She really deserved the praise. Christi did what I expected. She has had years of dance and basically just needs to learn how to do with without skates. Marlee is a treasure as an actress and now as a dancer.

  1. I'm afraid I just can't get excited over the dancing thing, man. But I'm glad you enjoy it.

  1. BeckEye says:

    I hope there are no crazy people in the audience waiting to stab Monica Seles.

    But I hope Elvis shows up, alive and well, to steal the show right out from under Priscilla.

  1. I am going to have a problem with Tuesday nights and will have to work it out until they go to one night.

    I am glad Priscilla did well, as Monday night she looked so uncomfortable every time the camera was on her...

    How about the video for Priscella and Marlee...

  1. Ivanhoe says:

    I must say I enjoyed the show last night. I really liked Kristi, Priscilla and Marlee. I think Monica looked s.t.i.f.f.
    Cannot wait for next week!

  1. I anticipated Kristi's ability...she was great!

    I was totally impressed with Priscilla....the practice clips showed how much she worked to perfect that dance. Obviously the judges are in awe of her status...

    Marlee was fun and obviously well led....

    it's gonna be a great season...but if Kristi has the fan base it won't be much of a competition.

    I can't BELIEVE you people have me watching this show from the beginning....

  1. Linda says:

    I have always thought that Kristi was elegance in motion and this really proves it out. Bravo!

  1. Akelamalu says:

    Mario and Karina are fabulous on that clip!

  1. Liz Hill says:

    You write the best reviews--even if I miss the show I feel like I've seen it.

  1. I don't know much about the dancing but I love those tulips.

  1. Kimmie says:

    I Love the Tulips also Sarge! Just stunning!

    Kimmie

  1. Teach: So far so good on the video clips. Last season some of them were hard to find.

    Drilleraa: Indeed. But I still want to see how she handles Latin.

    Kimmie: Don't worry...I'll have some encores videos up on Friday.

    TC: LOL! I'm sure she's had some dance training that will help with technique...it clearly showed last night.

    Songbird: Lots of people I know around here have checked it out because they recognized one of the celebrities...and then they got hooked!

    Jamie: Agreed on all points.

    Charles: To each his own and more power to us all.

    Beck: Let's hope not!

    V: I think you'll be ok. It was only this first week that had two performance shows. Next week everyone dances on Monday.

    Ivanhoe: Me too!

  1. Katherine: Bwahahahahaha! Converted another one, didn't we!

    Linda: I expected a lot from her and she delivered.

    Akelamalu: I thought so too. It will be interesting to see how he does with ballroom. Clearly he's fine with Latin.

    Turn: Awwww shucks.

    Sarge: I thought those tulips were spectacular.

    Kimmie: They are lovely aren't they?

  1. trav those tulips are beautiful!!!

    smiles, bee
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  1. I know that you're on Cloud 9 right now... I just can't get into it again this season... oh well...

  1. j says:

    I'm about to go to bed and I will have to admit to skimming (sorry) BUT I had to say...."Kristi Yamaguchi? If I were dancing against her I would just go home!"

    Doesn't she have an unfair advantage being in figure skating and knowing so much already about movement and body placement? I would put my money on her without even knowing who she was up against. I'll be a better reader next time and I'll try to come back and read thoroughly tomorrow.

    Jen

  1. Grandy says:

    I didn't get to watch Monday, so thanks for the encore. I did watch the ladies. I think poor Monica was so nervous she almost cried. I hope that having the first one under her belt she'll have more fun at next week's prom. ;)

  1. Bee: That was only one of so many nice photographs too.

    Dix: That's ok. I don't expect everyone to love it like we do.

    Jennifer: She has an advantage, but skating is still different than dancing. This show is as much about popularity as it is about skill at dancing.

    Grandy: I agree about Monica. Hopefully she'll get a chance to get over those nerves.

  1. Unknown says:

    You are too precious - thank you!

    :snog snog snog:

  1. Julie says:

    **swipes Travis from Dana**

    Biggie hugs my dear! Thanks for the tuplis and I'm SO sorry it took forever to get here! I can't believe how far behind I am!

    Well at least Dana got ya for a little while! Tee hee hee!