Dancing With The Stars 2012 has been one of the best seasons ever. The episode that aired on April 30th gave one couple the first perfect ten score on the show to Maria Menounos and Derek Hough after fangs came out. The team dances were both spectacular. And, of course, the music for Classical Night was over the top (as were the costumes). Here’s a quick run down of the dances of the night and how each of the celebrities did with their professional dance partners. Entering the week, there were just a few brave couples left: Katherine and Mark, Melissa and Maks, William and Cheryl, Roshon and Chelsie, Donald and Peta, and Maria and Derek. How did they score? Here’s the recap and predictions about who will be heading to the final rounds of the Mirrorball Trophy competition…
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas danced a breathtaking Rumba in Roman attire to a classical music piece. Len thought the dance itself was classy, elegant, and totally in keeping with the music. Bruno called her the unattainable object of desire who merely toys with her subjects. He thoughts she was lovely and the dance (although clean) was superb. Carrie Ann said no one serves up a more beautiful line that she does, but said the dance lacked heat. Never missing a beat of timing, the opera singer created a visually stunning dance. Telling Brooke Burke she is having the most amazing time, one can only hope she will be one of the final three. Her 9 – 9 – 9 score (believe it or not) was disappointing.
Melissa Gilbert and Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced to the Argentine Tango first. Maks had a hurt ankle so the pair trained all week with his brother Val as his backup. Starting the dance with a spectacular lift, the dance pro did his very best to perform without a grimace. Melissa seemed to be constantly hurrying to catch up on the timing. The piece was choreographed to the quick tempo Marriage of Figaro. Bruno said it looked (at times) like she was riding the Cyclone at Coney Island. Carrie Ann said Cirque du Soliel went terribly wrong. Saying she was very disappointed, she noted last week her performance was much better. Len thought there was so much intensity that some of the quality was off. Poor Melissa was so disappointed with the critiques it was hard not to feel bad for her. The judges scored her a 7 – 7 – 7. Maks was still smiling, but you could tell they were both irritated.
William Levy and Cheryl Burke danced the Viennese Waltz to Ava Maria. Carrie Ann said the dance was amazing and choreographed with true content. Saying he brings the romance to life, the crowd agreed. Len said he was not transported to Vienna but he was in Austria. Bruno said William captured the vulnerability he had been been missing, saying he looked like the little Catholic boy living on the streets in Cuba dancing for his mom. Noting only a professional dancer could tell such a dramatic story with his movements, his score of 9 – 9 – 9 was surprising. One would have thought at least one 10 would have been thrown in there…
Roshon Fagan and Chelsie Hightower were in the dance duel last week, narrowly escaping elimination. Hoping to do a dance that was flawless for Classical Night, he appeared to train his hardest this week for the Argentine Tango. Needing a little help from Val learning to act masculine on the dance floor, the teen had to practice leading. Dancing to a classical rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” was clever, as the music appealed to teens but did not bore the older generation. However, a wardrobe malfunction must have occurred as there was a DWTS splash screen that appeared briefly mid-dance. Len liked the transitions into the lifts. Overall he thought the dance was clean and confident. Bruno said his lines were slick and clean, but he agreed that he needs to work on his legs. Carrie Ann actually stood up, walked around the desk, kissed the boy, and gave him a hug. Brooke Burke asked how he was coping with the ups and downs of the competition and Roshon thanked Chelsea for pulling him through it. They scored a 9 – 8 – 8.
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd did a Foxtrot last week that was wonderful but it left Len wanting more. Donald wanted to be the first in the competition to make a triple 10. Noting that technique is crucial, Peta choreographed a professional grade routine. Ambitious and competitive, Donald rolled with it. The result was a Viennese Waltz that was spectacular. Not only did their period costumes up the aesthetic value of their performance, the professional football player looked truly gallant. By the time it was over, the entire studio audience was on their feet cheering on the performers. Bruno said he has the sweeping drive and thanked him. Carrie Ann loves his intensity and said the dance had a regal quality. Len said his footwork was spot on and that he also really loved it. Truly becoming a professional dancer, the judges gave him a 9 – 9 – 9. Saying he was happy to not be going backwards, he still wants those 10s, but the judges simply were not feeling that generous.
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough danced the Paso Doble this week but the star was in tears during practice. Maria and Derek have been teasing viewers with remarks that imply the two are dating, but their informality with one another may be compromising their professional connection a bit. When he criticisms her, it seems like he is a bit too personal rather than technical; when she hears constructive criticism, she seems like she is hurt as a woman who is interested in being his girlfriend (rather than just a professional acquaintance). Doing a play on the Romeo and Juliet tragic theme, Derek choreographed a contemporary piece with a vampire twist. Their Paso was dramatic and as intense as her tight fitting red dress. One of her best dances (as well as his), she ended the number by biting him on the neck in the end. How cute! Carrie Ann said, “That didn’t suck!” Len said it was sharp and a razor and crisp as a Pringles chip, he said the dance was fantastic. Bruno called her the queen of the night and said the way the celebs played together was absolutely spellbinding. Her reaction? Maria leaned over and bit host Tom Bergeron on the ear. Saying she loves Derek Hough so much and that she was so blessed to be able to participate in the competition, sweet Maria got the first 10 – 10 – 10 of the year (and of course the crowd went nuts because she was the first performer to do so in the 2012 year). Tom laughed and said, “A perfect 30? Everyone will be wearing fangs now!” As long as Derek is the one choreographing the pieces, we agree with him.
Jaleel White and Kym Johnson returned to form with a challenging Cha Cha Cha. This week, he was up for a new challenge — the Viennese Waltz. Kym tried to put a lot of content in to make it really interesting and beautiful. Noting he trusts her completely, he hopes to become the man to beat in the competition. Dressed like a soldier, he made a great start. Kym looked ethereal in a blush pink tea length ball gown. The audience seemed mesmerized watching him. Focused, passionate and intense, the former child star and host of Lights Out (the new fear based reality show) really did a lovely job. Len said he liked it enough not to be cruel, but not enough to be kind. Saying there was no footwork in the dance, he said it did not really work for him. Bruno noted that it was not executed perfectly all the way through, but said the story was there. Carrie Ann thought the storytelling was so well done that at times he simply lost his hands in the content. They were not friendly with their critiques or scores. They gave the couple an 8 – 8 – 8 which is likely to lend the pair in the dance duel again.
By the time the show went to air the dance team clips, it was clear that everyone — dance pros and star celebs combined — were all getting frustrated with one another.
Team Tango (ed by Katherine) was Derek and Maria, Kym and Jaleel, Katherine and Mark, and Roshon and Chelsie. Doing a dramatic dance dressed in stark black and white tuxedo costumes, the dance routine was fresh and effective. All the star celebs seemed to be on point while the dance pros did their very best to show off the dance skills of their stars. Katherine was the best (again) but Maria was near perfect. Roshon is underrated but held his own. Jaleel really needs to make the move to Broadway or join the DWTS Las Vegas act. The best part of the dance was seeing the performers come together as a team. Len said Maria and Roshon were the stand outs but it was a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Bruno said the creativity in choreography was outstanding. Carrie Ann loved it, gave credit to Jaleel, and said she loved it. The scores reflected a sour puss Len. They earned a frustrating 10 – 8 – 9. Derek told the couples they all should have gotten 10s he was so impressed.
Team Paso was led by William Levy and Cheryl Burke and it was clear the group was randy from the get-go. Donald and Peta as well as Melissa and Maks were on the team and Maksim was thankful their group was smaller. The three men arguably are the best looking men (because they are all fit and taller), but none of them wanted to rely on taking their shirts off to win the crowd cheers from the audience. The ladies were dressed in red Spanish style two piece dress outfits and the men were dressed in high-waist tuxedo pants, suspenders and short Bolero type Jackets. Shirtless, the men all looked devilishly handsome. The women were fierce, stunning, and took delight in helping the men take off their jackets. Spiraling them into capes, the men used their coats like Toreador capes. The number turned out to be one of the best team dances on DWTS history in recent memory. Bruno went nuts saying they were more powerful together than the Avengers. Noting they lost a touch of sync he did not seem to care. Len said they were un-dressed to impress. Carrie Ann got the giggles. They got a 9 – 8 – 9 and the ballroom crowd booed and booed some more.
So which celebrity couples are likely to end up in the finals now? As long as injury does not affect anyone’s performance, it looks like Katherine is in the lead, Donald is behind her, and Maria (who we are cheering for) is doing her best to catch up with them.