'Dancing With the Stars' Recap: Tango and Flash
Maria Menounos takes the lead in the semifinals
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Our four semifinalists finished with just four points between front-runner Maria and Katherine in last place. It's anyone's guess who will be heading to the finals!
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Here's a quick look at how the stars did this week:
William Levy
William opened the semifinals with a smoking-hot tango. He and Cheryl tore up the floor! William's lines were fantastic and his intensity was second to none. Len proclaimed the dance "overall terrific," though he did comment on occasional flat-footedness from William. Bruno called it ace, and Carrie Ann praised the routine as well, though she commented on a slight lack of control near the beginning with William's turns.
William's Technicolor, booty-shaking samba was fantastic. He and Cheryl were really in sync and William's footwork was very nearly as good as his hip shaking. This number had the whole crowd on its feet! Carrie Ann said the routine had her at hello, and Len praised the choreography and William's rhythm.
Tango: 28/30
Samba: 30/30
Score: 58/60
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine's quickstep was lightning-quick and downright incredible! It had 1920s glamor, but plenty of sizzle as well. Her footwork was incredible, her timing was perfect and she really sold the routine. Bruno was left nearly speechless and Carrie Ann said Katherine brought her "A+ game" before declaring the routine maybe the best she had ever seen on the show. Len pointed out a slight hiccup during the beginning of the routine but called it "a fabulous number."
Katherine's belly-dancing-inspired salsa was all quick spins and shoulder shimmies. She and Mark moved well together right up until the end, when Katherine slipped during a tricky spin at the end and couldn't catch her breath afterwards. Carrie Ann loved the routine and praised Katherine for pushing her boundaries. Bruno was blunter, saying that Katherine "unleashed the harlot" and called the routine wonderful in spite of the slipup at the end. It's not clear yet whether Katherine injured her back.
Quickstep: 29/30
Salsa: 27/30
Score: 56/60
Donald Driver
Donald's lyrical waltz showed us his softer side. He and Peta maintained body contact throughout the routine and his lines were gorgeous. He was so solemn and "in character" during the dance that it was a kick to see him grin at the end. Carrie Ann loved the emotional content of the routine but found Donald's footwork a bit lacking. Len called the routine "absolutely charming" and Bruno commented on how well Donald extended his lines.
Donald's tongue-in-cheek samba was more of his usual shtick – great dancing and plenty of sass thrown in. His hip work was excellent and he did a great job staying in sync with Peta. The best part was how he made it look effortless. Honestly, Donald looked like one of the pros out there. Len praised his lines, and Bruno said the routine worked beautifully. Carrie Ann gave out her second A+ of the week, because apparently paddles aren't expressive enough.
Waltz: 28/30
Samba: 29/30
Score: 57/60
Maria Menounos
Maria's smoldering Argentine tango showed off her incredible precision and control. The choreography never let up and Maria matched Derek step for step. There were some jaw-dropping lifts, but what really sold the routine was Maria's intensity. Bruno called the routine "tailored, enticing and exhilarating" and Carrie Ann commented on how much Maria has improved throughout the course of the competition.
Maria's saucy jive never let up for a second! She and Derek really sold it. This routine was fun, flirty and best of all, not something we've seen a bunch of times. Maria's rhythm was excellent and her body contact with Derek during some of the tight turns in the choreography was stunning. She did stumble slightly during the routine, but no one's perfect. All three judges loved the routine. Bruno praised its quirkiness – he said it shouldn't have worked, but it did.
Argentine tango: 30/30
Jive: 29/30
Score: 59/60
Who won over the judges: Maria
Who won over the crowd: William
Who needs to step it up: Katherine
"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
William all the way!!!! He's got natural rythm, and considering he never even heard of some of these dances before the competition, he did great on them. A smart cookie. Imagine with more practice what he could do! Plus yes, he is a pleasure to look at. All last three dancers are good,
but I hope William wins. I am 65 y.o. and glued to the TV when he dances.
Gatehouse,just because Katherine had a back spasm doesn't mean she's out of the running. So far I haven't heard anything about her dropping out of the competition. She got all of my votes last night. Katherine & Mark and Donald & Peta are the two best. Maria is getting by on Derek's great choreography and dancing. She does not do all the intricate steps in the dances but glides around the floor while Derek does all the hard work. As for William,the judges are falling all over him. They gave him tens for a tango that I though was mediocre at best. Donald on the other hand,dances like a pro and can't get a ten from Len to save his life. It's going to be interesting to see who is eliminated tonight. Personally,I'd like to see pretty boy William and Cheryl go home.
Snoopy Dog, look it all matters on your preference of who you feel is the better dancer. I can watch Cheryl and William and find several mistakes that he makes, I could look at Katherine and Mark and find several mistakes that they make, etc. I have been watching DTWS since Season 1, I agree that this has been probably a better group of dancers but all in all, the decision should always be about the best and most original dancer. BTW did you think that Donny Osmond should have one a few years ago? Do you think that Kirstie Alley should have been in the top 3? What is fair? I say no to the latter. But Donny Osmond won and I thought that was bogus. I think Maria has done well, do I think she should win? Who knows.
Maria and Derek are great together, it's all about the chemistry and the drama.
Derek is an incredible choreagrapher and Maria admits that's the reason why she is doing so good.
They are captivating!
Donald has not been scored fairly, he can dance, he puts in alot of effort.
He deserves some 10s!
William and Katherine are also so good, William is great with salsa!
Another break here so here it goes before going back to work. Although they have all been great, 10"s seemed to be flying around like candy on Halloween. I bet the judges are saying, "okay let the viewers/voters choose the winner, that way we wash our hands of it."
William danced great last night, but he grew up with latin dancing. It's in the blood. Advantaged.........................Mr. Levy.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
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