DWTS - Week 9

Hello everybody. Here is my summary of the results show for week nine of “Dancing with the Stars,” the Semifinals.

We started off with flashbacks to the action last night, and we see Len saying that the competitors need to really up their game tonight. Tom Bergeron says that tonight will feature “the cruelest cut of all.” Then they show the four remaining couples coming out to the ballroom from past shows with an “elimination clock” over their heads, ticking to zero. It finally reaches zero when it is over Kristi Yamaguchi’s head. (Oh I hope not!)

We have the opening credits. Only four of the twelve couples that we see here remain in the competition tonight. We see a clip of Jason doing his ballroom number from last night, and telling Len afterwards that he loves him… like a play cousin… after Len gives him a 10. After his Paso, Jason says he is like High Octane, after Len tells him that like the price of gas he is going up, up, up.

Tom Bergeron talked to Cristian De La Fuente and Cheryl Burke after the show, and said Cheryl looked great. He also said Cristian was doing great and carrying her. Kristi, who did well and retook the lead, said that the fans should keep her around so she could show her freestyle moves. Then Mr. Bergeron told us that Marissa faltered with the judges during her first dance, and that her second one left Carrie-Ann Inaba cold. Marissa says she will be back next week, and if she isn’t dancing she will be in the audience. Then she laughed. Marissa rallied back after some early problems and really put in some nice dancing, so she certainly has much to be proud of at this point in her dancing.

Tom Bergeron said that last week they didn’t reveal a true Bottom Two so the couples didn’t know where they stood. Then Samantha Harris says that a visiting group of performers will do a tribute to the Michael Jackson “Thriller” album.

After a break, we hear that next week, a singer named Usher will be doing a couple numbers here. We also hear that the Judges’ rankings after last night’s dances were completed were as follows:

4 – Broadway Actress Marissa Winokur and Tony Dovolani

3 – Miami Dolphins Footballer Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska

2 – Actor and Chilean Air Force Pilot Cristian De La Fuente and Cheryl Burke

1 – Figure Skating Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas

We then have the encore dance from last night. Our host Tom Bergeron wonders if the Judges could agree on one. Head Judge Len Goodman says that they have picked Kristi and Mark’s Tango. It was very well done, very pretty and a nice dance. I didn’t get to see it last night so I am even happier that I got to see it tonight. After this nice dance to start the evening, we go on to our Dancing Stars Junior Champs Finals.

The first couple will be the “9 and under” champs, Rashell and Aaron. They have a rally at their school and meet Australian dance pro Kym Johnson, who gives them some advice as they prepare to dance here tonight. They come out in green to Cha-Cha to “Please Mr. Postman.” They do a fun dance with very advanced moves for their age, or any age, and then we go to the judges.

Len Goodman is first to comment on their dancing. He says that he thought it was fantastic, it was sharp and quick, and he said that he liked their Cuban break. Bruno Tonioli praised them for their arm placement, and said it was a sharp and clipped dance. He also said it was like they were triple jointed and he wondered what they would be doing in a few years. Carrie-Ann said that she thought they were so cute, like little Munchkins. 

Then the four semifinalists, sans professional partners, are interviewed. They seem to be lined up shortest (Kristi) to tallest (Jason.) Asked about being able to come back and re-take the lead in the scores, Kristi says that it is good to be able to get out and dance well. Marissa, asked about getting this far, says she is shocked and thankful that she is here and that she thanks the fans for keeping her here. Samantha Harris says that Cristian is risking a major injury by staying in the contest. Cristian says that hopefully after the contest the injured arm will go back to normal after surgery. Ms. Harris then asks Jason Taylor about his friendship with Cristian, and Jason finally says that he and Cristian will be friends again on the 21st, after the show is over.

Then we have our guest dancers and singers do the Michael Jackson “Thriller” tribute. It is for the whole album so it features “Billie Jean” and other songs as well as the title track. The routine was packed with a lot of Michael Jackson style moves, and really showed the influence he had on generations of dancers. Personally, whenever I hear the song now I think about Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey’s “Thriller” dance from a couple of years back. Also, it showed the talent level of the show’s band, as they got through the whole set as well as covering all of the other music for the show tonight. Finally, one of the dancers in the “Thriller” show reminded me a bit of the girl with was Benji Schwimmer’s partner on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Donyelle, I believe? They had a very powerful group of dancers tonight.

Then it was time for the second of the three ballroom kids’ couples dancing tonight. This was Jaryd and Cara, representing the 10 and under division. They talked to some firefighters and then they had a pep rally at their school. They also said that people recognized them now and said hi to them because they had seen them on the show. Before they came out to dance tonight, they met dance pro Maksim Chmierkovskiy, who smiled and helped them with their dancing, and finally said “If you ever forget, just stop, and look cute…” They came out in red to do the Samba. The song was “Istanbul” by They Might Be Giants.

After the dance, Tom Bergeron got down on his knees to interview the kids and asked for their autograph. As they gave him one, Carrie-Ann said that she was choked up and felt like they were her kids and she wanted to put them in her pocket and take them home. He said that they had the perfect blend of entertainment and technique, and that they used the floor well. Len Goodman said that he hoped he didn’t upset the people backstage, (the celebrities and pros) but that he’d rather watch the kids. Bruno said he liked them too.

Then it was time for the final couple of ballroom kids, and the oldest: The 13 and under champs, Brandon and Brittany. They have a rally at their dance class and we see his baseball team giving him a boost on their shoulders as well. They also get a visit from a dance pro. “Dancing Stars” professional Ashly DelGrosso visits them. We hear that she was once their teacher. If so they were quite lucky. If she put up with Master P. she must be truly gifted. Also, she is a great dancer. She gave them some pointers. Then it was time for them to dance.

They came out into the ballroom dressed in black to dance the Paso Doble. The music is from the Phantom of the Opera. It is a very sharp and very cool Paso. After the dance, Tom Bergeron turns to look at the judges, and he says “I rarely see all three of your jaws hit the desk at the same time.”

Bruno Tonioli tells them that they have danced a Paso Doble worthy of the Final. Carrie-Ann Inaba said that they hit every line with grace, and nailed it. Len Goodman told them that the others were cute but that they were the real deal. In fairness, they had a few years on their competition. However, all of these kids were very impressive. I hope they make out OK in dancing and with the rest of life in years to come. There was great dancing from all of them tonight.

Afterwards, Samantha Harris interviewed all the ballroom kids. She asked Aaron and Michelle how it felt to dance on the show tonight. Aaron said it was better than ever and Michelle said it felt very good. Ms. Harris asked Cara and Jaryd about their getting to meet the dance pros. Cara said that all the pros were really, really good and that they were better than all of the kids. Ms. Harris reminded Cara that the pros had a few more years of experience. Jaryd said that the pros had taught them to dance with clarity. Then Ms. Harris asked Brittany and Brandon about what people they would like to dance with if they ever became dance pros on the show. Brittany picked a boy band singer and Brandon said that any Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader would do. Then host Tom Bergeron said that all the kids and their parents would get a trip to Disneyland courtesy of the show, even though he thought that Brandon really wanted to go to Dallas instead.

Then they talk with the remaining stars about the competition. Cristian says “We all want it; it’s who can take it.” Kristi and Jason agree that it is competitive, and Kristi, Cristian and Marissa agree that Jason has competitiveness from being a football player. They then talk about each others’ strengths. Cristian says that Marissa brings the Broadway acting skills, and Kristi says that Marissa also has the public on her side. They say again that Jason is competitive. Jason says that Kristi is the total package, grace, talent and beauty. Cristian says that since Kristi is an Olympic Gold Medalist, if someone can do that they can do anything in life. James says that Cristian wants it, wants to win. Kristi says it’s about when it counts and then advises Jason to bring his “A Game” and go all out if he wants to win it.

Then it is time to find out who will be safe to come back for the Finals next week, and who we will leave the competition tonight. The first couple safe tonight will be Kristi and Mark. He lifts and hugs her as they cheer. The second couple that will be safe will be Jason and Edyta. This leaves two couples: Marissa & Tony and Cristian & Cheryl. Tom Bergeron tells us this isn’t a true final two but it’s still tense as we wait to hear who will be eliminated tonight.

The couple leaving tonight will be Marissa and Tony. Cristian and Cheryl are safe.

Marissa said “Aw, so close.” She said that it had been incredible and that no one expected her to get this far and she didn’t either. She said that Tony had worked hard with her. Then we saw a video package on Marissa and Tony working together in practice and in the ballroom. Tony said he loves her bubby personality and that everyone should have a Marissa around because she was always uplifting. Marissa said that she wanted to prove that not only size zeros could dance. She accomplished that mission for sure. Marissa went on to say that the show had been everything that she wanted. She’d never felt sexier and that it made her feel that she can do anything. Tony said that he was proud of her, because she never quit and she became a dancer. They danced their final dance in the ballroom to “The Best is Yet to Come” before the other couples came over to join them.

This leaves the final three couples as Kristi and Mark, Jason and Edyta, and Cristian and Cheryl. It should be a heck of a Finals this year. It has been sad to see very couple go because they have all done so well this year.

Until next time (and until I can get my review of last night’s show’s dances up) your friend in New Jersey, David.