Dancing With the Stars Lifts Galore: Bottoms up!

The semi-semi final saw a bit of a change in the rules, with lifts being allowed. Priscilla would have had an advantage this week because she just walks on the floor with several lifts already. But let us talk about our couples. At this point personality is what starts making the votes count. All contestants have demonstrated dancing capabilities. A little flare for drama and the unexpected goes a long way today. Personality plus technique is what counts tonight.

Kristi Yamaguchi’s first number was nearly flawless technically, and she knows how to woo a judging panel. Shades of Ethel Merman’s hands start showing and somehow appear again with Marissa’s number. Kristi’s second number includes a lot of ice skating without the skates, including some on the spot spins that Marissa also does. The hands, the spin… was Marissa spying? Once again, Kristi’s complicated routines looked, however, effortless, as the accomplished artist she is. Kristi takes advantage of her strengths, but has not shown as much development as Mario, for example. And it seems as her strength is also her weakness: Her obvious technical advantage places her high technically, but low in viewers’ hearts. Her low scores tonight also place her in danger. Technique rating: 9.5 impressive! Personality rating: 6.5 a bit too much of a nice girl.

When Mario did that lift of Karina the first time it was amazing. I think Carrie Ann liked Mario’s stiff this time, and Len’s initial comment makes us wonder: how many times has he seen Britney Spears getting out of a Limo? Odd comment… Britney is probably not going to watch the show anymore. When Mario repeated the almost exact same lift in his second number (granted, with a little over the head twist) it looked as if we had seen it before (about ten minutes ago!) Give me a break, the anticipation and buildup was greater than the delivery. The bit in the swimming pool was also déjà vu all over again, Karina trying to show off in a bikini after Cheryl already did it. Mario had a lot of missteps in his second number, Karina eying him all the time to make sure he was getting it right. Mario will be lucky if he stays out of the bottom two. Technique rating: 8.2 stiff and not at the same time, a little too much of the same. Personality rating: 7.5 of a brazen hip hop youth.

Marissa can do sexyyyyy! Both her numbers were safe, but her second one was hot! Marissa is the underdog tonight, and she knows it. She brings out the smiles, the fun and the charm. She ain’t a size two, but she sure can make us fluster. She has become the heart of what this show is all about but, were they sneaking at Kristi’s rehearsals? The hands? The “pepper pot” at the end? Technique rating: 6.5 for some copy-catting and little risk taking; Personality rating: a Bruno’s dirty TEN! (despite Len’s comment that she should be sleazier).

Jason has fans but Len is not among his most devoted tonight. The judges’ table was polarized, with Len’s geography a little off, what with his problem in the dance being that what he saw was a Tango from Argentina, nonetheless! Carrie Ann said that Bruno was possessed, given his sharp reaction against Len. Personally, the first dance did seem like a great routine, but wardrobe was not up to par, despite Edyta’s near state of undress that drew most of the focus of the dances to her. Both of the dancers in the same shade of dark in that first number made them blend rather than clash, as the choreography suggested. Edyta’s dress should always be red. Carrie Ann did mention new shades and colors in the competition perhaps reflecting Jason’s new (spray) tan (was that really necessary?) and whitened teeth (reminded us of Ross’ from Friends). The first routine was almost perfect: the expressions, the choreography, the movements. Great! Jason has charisma and star power and in this number he showed why he is the one to beat. In the second number he really did not do well, perhaps trying to hold off: afraid of looking too gay? Techinque 7.9 (well executed lifts, lousy samba); Personality 9.5 for taking lunches with Denzel Washington and Al Pacino.

The one armed dancer and his partner Cheryl come in trying to play the sympathy card. Once again not in good graces with the wardrobe department in that first number, although the reference to “the gloved one” (Michael Jackson) in relation to Cristian’s injury was kind of funny. But what, no Moon Walking? Cristian uses the injury, clearly detailed in scary-CSI detail so that skeptics will believe, to try and play up the athlete angle: Remember more athletes have won DWTS than entertainers. No Pain no gain, no ten no gain, no Len no Mirror Ball… His pain was apparent from our camera angle almost as much as his spray tan. Although the judges say they did not see his pained face, will our seeing it garner votes? Cheryl peering through a feather duster (Tom does have a way with words) is not a good sign of things to come in that department. The mambo was a show stopper, not gay at all (Jason, take note), biggest pleasant surprise of the night. Technique: 8.9 for the second number, Personality 7.5 improved substantially this week.

Only five couples left, next week is the semi finals and tomorrow is the 100th show. DWTS is a guilty pleasure, a high rated program that used to go under the radar in most popular entertainment news, but has always been really funny. The fake drama, including padded butts getting kicked out as they cry, the light comedy, the innuendo and the paso-double meanings, make us want to watch the show… all… the… way! This Monday Night the finish line is in sight, the line of scrimmage set, and a touchdown seems almost inevitable.

PS: Mario and Marissa in the bottom two, a tossup between both: Mario will not be making lifts tonight. A possible big upset, however, could be Kristi skating away.