Cue that theme music...
Posted: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 by Travis Cody inMy Lakers were in Denver last night, trying to close out the Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. As much as I love my Lakers, you know what I watched.
Because it's live from Hollywood! And we're only three weeks from crowning a champion!
Well babies, last night our couples had two dances in different styles.
First up is the ballroom round...
Marissa and Tony dance Tango. Sometimes we don't like the props, but they used the chair very well. She has really improved, and now Tony is giving her wonderful choreography. She's dancing this so well. Quite impressive. A solid and classic Tango with controlled passion and drama. Very nicely danced and she looks great too! Judges say 9's across for a total of 27. Yup. She deserved every bit of that score.
Cristian and Cheryl dance Viennese Waltz. That wasn't as smooth as we would have liked. But the spins were nicely performed and the spiral at the end was really good. We didn't actually feel the chemistry they normally have between them. And it didn't feel as romantic as it could have been. I don't know, something was missing for us. Judges say 8,8,9 for a total of 25. We'll agree with that.
Kristi & Mark dance Viennese Waltz. Now that's a beautiful Waltz. It was romantic and elegant, and classy. We're really out of adjectives to describe the way they dance together. Just outstanding. The story was beautiful and we loved the umbrella as part of the drama of the story, another case where a prop worked. The judges picked on her turn into the drop...yeah, maybe she lost her balance a bit. But there isn't another celebrity who could do it. Judges say 9,8,9 for a total of 26. Mr Cranky-Pants Len needs a woobie...or a whack across the back of the head.
Mario and Karina dance Foxtrot. You won't hear me say this often...maybe I need a good thump on the head...but I don't like so much skin showing during a Foxtrot. There, I said it. Foxtrot is about elegance, so put on a proper gown and tuxedo and dance me some elegance and class. Ooops! Sounds like I caught a bit of Len's cranky! Judges say 8's across for a total of 24. We'll agree with that.
Shannon and Derek dance Tango. She doesn't look nearly as awkward when her legs are covered. Of course, I enjoy her LEGS LEGS LEGS LEGS. The choreography was good and they had the sharp movements. The drama and aggression was there, and the dance had plenty of content. Judges say 9's across for a total of 27. Well, if we had to compare that dance to the Tango from Marissa & Tony it wouldn't be favorable. We think that score is too high for that dance. 
Jason and Edyta dance Quick Step. Wow! That was a huge jump! He is tremendous in this dance. I've said all along how impressed I am with his partnering skill. He shows it off to excellent effect in this dance. We thought that the footwork was quick, crisp, and precise. That dance had energy and wonderful technique. Judges say 10,9,10 for a total of 29. Len is a curmudgeon tonight. That easily could have been a 30.
Next up is the Latin round...
Marissa & Tony dance Rumba. That had a nice combination of dancing and posing. It was also sexy and sensual, with some romance thrown in. We thought it was a lovely dance, and she performed very well. The two of them have really come a long way together. She is ready to learn and perform the more difficult choreography, and Tony genuinely seems to be enjoying the partnership. He has turned her into a capable dancer. Judges say 9,8,8 for a total of 25. Maybe another 9, but that's a good score. 
Cristian and Cheryl dance Samba. That had a lot of classic Samba choreography, but Cristian injured his arm part way through the dance. That's unfortunate because they were really dancing well. He tried to finish but he couldn't extend the arm. Back from commercial, they say Cristian had a muscle cramp in his lower bicep. The judges commend Cristian for trying to continue, and will score up to the injury. Judges say 7's across for a total of 21. That's really unfortunate.
Kristi and Mark dance Cha Cha Cha. Now that's how you answer the bell. That was hot! It had energy, cheek, hip action, and fun choreography. It was contemporary and extremely well performed. We didn't mind the hip hop section because it was done with taste and it was danced well. Judges say 10,8,10 for a total of 28. Now Len is just marking down for spite and I don't care for that at all.
Mario and Karina dance Mambo. He's definitely more comfortable with the more relaxed and loose Latin style. The turns and steps in this choreography were very difficult and he did them well. This was a good dance for the two of them. His charm comes across during the Latin dances and you can tell he enjoys what he's doing. Judges say 9's across for a total of 27. Well done!
Shannon and Derek dance Mambo. And there are those beautiful but awkward LEGS LEGS LEGS LEGS. She thinks she's using her hips but she's really not. She's very stiff while she's dancing. Just wiggling about when you're standing still is not the way you throw hip action when you dance Mambo. Sorry, but that just wasn't very good as a complete dance. Judges say 8's across for a total of 24. We think that's generous.
Jason and Edyta dance Paso Doble. Are you freaking kidding me??? We're dancing Paso to the Monday Night Football theme? I can't even describe how bad that was. There was a lift at the end. The footwork wasn't very good. There was too much posing. The Dolphins colors on the costumes was just too much of a gimmick. Now they didn't choose that music and Edyta did what she could with the choreography. But we thought that the choice of music was a real disservice to the pair of them. Judges say 9,8,9 for a total of 26. For us, that score is too high for a dance we didn't think was very good.
Here's the combined leader board after two dances:
55 Jason & Edyta
54 Kristi & Mark
52 Marissa & Tony
51 Mario & Karina
51 Shannon & Derek
46 Cristian & Cheryl
We're done with vote splitting now. The Quick Step from Jason & Edyta was the dance of the night, and Pam chose to ignore her strong dislike of their Paso and threw her votes to them. I voted for Kristi & Mark because they are my favorite pair and I thought their dances were terrific.
Def Leppard is in the ballroom for the results show. Yes, I said Def Leppard.
And next week is the 100th episode celebration!
You know, as I read back through to edit for typos and such, I realize that my tenses are often confusing. I guess that's what happens when you blog something live and then post it for the next day. A reference to "tonight" should actually end up being "last night", etc.
Do you mind the wonky tenses? I hope not.
It's tough to get that 4th win and close a team out in the playoffs. The Nuggets stood up and played the Lakers tough, but LA gutted it out on the road and escaped Denver with a victory to advance to the next round. The Lakers become the second team to advance - Orlando was the first as they eliminated Toronto - and the only team to sweep their opponent so far.
Screw the tenses, full speed ahead. Cheers Travis!!