It could have been because I’ve had a crazy last few days — computer crashing, iphone dropping calls like mad, internet access intermittent, possessed cursor on computer I’m momentarily using, and now serious fights with upstairs Godzilla and her monster mother — we’ll call her Grendel or Mother Grendel rather — it ALL happens at once! Anyway, I watched DWTS last night but I honestly can’t remember much — just too much on my mind.
Generally, I just can’t stand the Paso Dobles done on these group shows. I love the Spanish dance elements — the flamenco taps and the matador posturing and the cape and all — but I can’t stand it “modernized” and danced to pop music. People just go too crazy with it and it doesn’t make any sense.
Still, my two favorite moments of last night’s show (besides the costumes and wigs used in the group Hustle) were Kelly and Louis’s Paso to Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and Michael and Anna’s more traditional version of the dance (thank you Anna Demidova!) What I liked about Kelly and Louis though was mainly Louis’s eyes. They were done up to look like Ozzy (of the y 80s of course, not now) along with the hair. He was once so serious (Louis that is) and he looks like he’s having a lot of fun with dance these days, so good for him. He really makes me laugh. The dance though — she tried hard and he of course is excellent at everything he does, but you could tell she kept wanting to jump up and down and pound her fist into the air, mosh-pit-like. And who wouldn’t — “Crazy Train” is not Paso music! I understood why Louis chose it — and Ozzy in the audience looked like he was about to burst into tears of pride (what is happening to the world?)- but still.
And I loved Michael’s attempts to attain correct Paso posture by placing a nickel between his butt cheeks (at Anna’s suggestion). And I agree with Len that it worked! It is a really odd posture — pushing your hips so forward like that and standing up so straight from the waist down but then with kind of rounded shoulders. It seems so unnatural — like you’re ultra aware of your shaping — unlike with the other Latin dances. And it ended up being Michael’s best dance.
I wasn’t that impressed with much else. I thought Mark’s Paso was strong and his movements sharp but something didn’t look quite right, and I’m not sure what it was. He looked too dainty or delicate or something even though he was trying hard not to. And did Lacey blow out of a cannon or something? What was that entrance about?
Oh — I also really liked Karina and Aaron’s Argentine Tango. Really nice choreography and really intricate hooks with those legs. And complicated lifts with her legs wrapped every which way around his.
I thought it was rather funny when Joanna tripped in her A.T. I honestly thought it was Maks’s fault (who she danced with since Derek’s sick with flu, as is Mark Ballas — what’s up with those two?) Anyway, they recoverd nicely (Joanna and Maks that is) and seemed to score okay. In fact, I actually thought she did better after the flub. Her legs straightened and she had nicer lines and a really gorgeous ronde en l’air — whereas the first one was bent-kneed and rather blah.
Louie and Chelsie had some cute lifts but I think someone else needs to choreograph for them. Judges loved it but I think she’s not giving him enough to do and he ends up being more like her escort around the dance floor than a dancing partner.
And Mya’s A.T. was really gorgeous, expectedly. I honestly can’t remember the other two blondes or much of Donny’s though I remember thinking Donny’s was decent.
I’m sorry I’m so out of it you guys! No sleep in quite some time! What did you guys think?
Judges seemed to like everyone; I have no idea who’s going home tonight.
I am afraid that I have to pass when they do paso on DWTS because I can't stomach the way they choreograph it not only to non-paso music, but to non-paso rhythms. I wrote a long rant about it this summer…it just makes me tired. Add to that the fact that I boycotted watching DWTS because of Tom Delay, and I am not invested in any of the dancers now. but I may have to peek at the KellyO/Louis number to Ozzy's song, just because it sounds like fun!
Ever since I started learning A.T. I have issues now with the show but hey you know me, what's new 😉
I so pissed off about eliminations…
First of all, your comment about Lacey and her entrance made me literally laugh out loud! Oh that Lacey, with her drama!
I am totally in agreement with you regarding the music that's being used for the pasos. Jeez, horrible. As I have no technical knowledge of the AT, I enjoyed seeing it: after reading your review and the ladies comments, I suspect that ignorance is bliss. What I don't know won't hurt me and I love watching the intricate foot movements of the AT. Anyway, I watch DWTS only to see the pros dance, rarely am I interested in the “stars”.
Try to get some sleep Tonya! Shoot a poison dart at Godzilla!
I agree with just about everything you've said. The Louis/Kelly paso wasn't perfect but damn I just love those two together. She really is quite striking looking isn't she?
I really think Donny Osmond is going to win this thing. You can see the upward progression of his dancing week after week and he really appreciates having Kym as his partner.
Except for the midway stumble I thought Maks/Joanna had the best Argentine
Tango! It impressed the heck out me how she recovered from the flub like a pro. She's really winning me over and I hope she stays for awhile.
I loved the opening of Mark/Lacey's Paso. When she charged through the smoke she looked like an angry bull (a rhinestone encrusted angry bull, but still) intent on goring Mark. The costume and hair were over the top cheesy. I actually like a little bit of cheese on this show.
Sorry to see Natalie go. She had potential and seemed like a hard worker. I think Louis Vito should have gone.
And can anyone tell me the correct pronunciation for Argentine Tango? The DWTS announcer pronounces it ArgenTINE with the emphasis on the long i. I thought it was ArgenTEEN tango.
I hope to God Donny doesn't win and I will do everything in my power to stop it. To me he hasn't improved one iota.
As for the pronunciation, it depends where you're from. I pronounce it Argenteen but I've heard both.
I've always said ArgenTEEN like you, because I don't think there's an I sound as in TINE in Spanish. But I've noticed the English always pronounce I's that way. The announcer is English – right? Now I'm forgetting — I just remember at Blackpool and the competitions they'd always say the I that way!
I totally agree about Joanna's recovery — amazing! And I agree about the “cheese” — haha, I don't mind cheesiness on this show either, although it bugs me like crazy on SYTYCD.
Try to get some sleep Tonya! Shoot a poison dart at Godzilla!
I agree with just about everything you've said. The Louis/Kelly paso wasn't perfect but damn I just love those two together. She really is quite striking looking isn't she?
I really think Donny Osmond is going to win this thing. You can see the upward progression of his dancing week after week and he really appreciates having Kym as his partner.
Except for the midway stumble I thought Maks/Joanna had the best Argentine
Tango! It impressed the heck out me how she recovered from the flub like a pro. She's really winning me over and I hope she stays for awhile.
I loved the opening of Mark/Lacey's Paso. When she charged through the smoke she looked like an angry bull (a rhinestone encrusted angry bull, but still) intent on goring Mark. The costume and hair were over the top cheesy. I actually like a little bit of cheese on this show.
Sorry to see Natalie go. She had potential and seemed like a hard worker. I think Louis Vito should have gone.
And can anyone tell me the correct pronunciation for Argentine Tango? The DWTS announcer pronounces it ArgenTINE with the emphasis on the long i. I thought it was ArgenTEEN tango.
I hope to God Donny doesn't win and I will do everything in my power to stop it. To me he hasn't improved one iota.
As for the pronunciation, it depends where you're from. I pronounce it Argenteen but I've heard both.
I've always said ArgenTEEN like you, because I don't think there's an I sound as in TINE in Spanish. But I've noticed the English always pronounce I's that way. The announcer is English – right? Now I'm forgetting — I just remember at Blackpool and the competitions they'd always say the I that way!
I totally agree about Joanna's recovery — amazing! And I agree about the “cheese” — haha, I don't mind cheesiness on this show either, although it bugs me like crazy on SYTYCD.