Shame on you. We all know lifts aren't allowed this early on Dancing With The Stars.
Before we recap, let me apologize for my lateness. I had some technical difficulties this week in the form of a little tabby who pressed a button on a remote she shouldn't have, leaving me the victim of a kitty practical joke...and I am not amused. Instead of Monday's DWTS, when I played back my tape I had Guiding Light and Judge Judy. It isn't the first time she's pulled something like this. Last week a forty pound box of catnip toys was delivered, and I know I didn't order it...although the fish shaped one is kind of fun.
Deceptively cute culprit.
Luckily, I saw portions of Monday's show live, and I watched some of the rest on the ABC website...although I couldn't watch all of it, as the gerbils who run my overworked laptop went on strike. From what I saw, here's what I know:
Samantha Harris has returned to her rightful place - stage left of Tom Bergeron - and she looks lovely in a silvery satin gown with a black bow, slightly askew, stuck on the front. Anyone following these columns since the beginning of the season knows just how grateful I am that she's back.
Raise your hand if you miss Lachey. Didn't think so.
We began the show with Mark Cuban and his partner Kym. The intro video stressed how hard they're working, but unfortunately for them all that practicing only produced a lackluster waltz. And I thought I saw a little lift in there, which, if I remember correctly, is verboten. Cuban then stood before the judges with his perma-sneer...chin tipped up and peering down his nose, as though he's merely tolerating these mortal pronouncements about his performance. The judges are non-plussed, and give the pair only 22 points...which is still more than it deserves. And Bruno gives an inspired speech during which he called Mark "Big Foot in a suit." Whether Bruno meant Sasquatch or the appendage at the end of a leg, it's still an apt description. Samantha, however, is more enthusiastic, telling Mark and Kym they had the best dance of the night so far. Brilliant commentary, Samantha....they were the first couple on the floor. I'm so glad she's back!!!
The Cheetah Girl and pro-dancer Mark are next. Sabrina has a smile so big, it looked like she borrowed a set of Osmo-chops. There are plenty of dramatic movements, and the two produce a pretty good Paso Doble, but there's still something about her I don't like. It might have something to do with the make-up she's applied with a trowel...or maybe I just don't appreciate the producers foisting off someone with dance experience as an "amateur." Regardless, amid florid accolades, the judges award Sabrina and Mark the first perfect score of the season...and Bruno gets confused as to which feline the girl represents, calling her a "little lynx on the prowl."
I don't want to go to school!
The lovely Jane Seymour and her partner Tony then perform their Viennese Waltz, and the beauty of the dance gets lost amid the Biggest. Controversy. Ever. Was that a...gasp...LIFT???? Carrie Ann was nearly apoplectic as she insisted she saw Tony lift Jane. Apparently she forgot the near lifts in the other two dances we had just seen...for someone reason this assisted spin sent the woman over the top, and a near fight broke out at the scorers' table. Geez...a crash two weeks ago in their best Nascar imitation. Now a Hockey-worthy fight. What's next? An NBA style brawl on the court or an NFL-like arrest for wife beating?
The problem actually seems to stem from Carrie Ann re-writing the rules. She was suddenly insisting there can be no moves a dancer could not singly execute. Well, Carrie Ann, that would mean no death drops, legs held over the shoulder, or the ever-popular arms around the neck while being dragged. Half the stuff they do can't be done all by yourself...that's why they compete as couples. Did Tony and Jane come close to violating the rule? Maybe...but no closer than the other pairs, and on the replay, it's questionable. The move certainly didn't deserve the undue attention it was given, and the endless replays weren't nearly as fun as watching Jennie's fall. In spite of the railing, the score is a respectable 26.
Dr. Quinn is gonna be burned at the stake after this short commercial break.
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Comments (5)
Thanks for the recap! I'm pretty sure Cameron had a big "C" on his chest and not an "S", but the superstiff comment was pretty fitting.
Also, I don't know that the couples get to pick their dances as you suggest...maybe they do...but it always seems as though 1/2 the women and 1/2 the men do the same dance and the other 1/2 do the other dance of that week. I always assumed they were assigned the dance by the producers. I'm not entirely sure, but that's what I think.
1 of 5 | Posted by LNNC92 | Posted on October 19, 2007 10:13 AM
I think the deal is the producers pass out the music/dances and the couples can swap, so there's a pretty good chance they may get the dance choice they want...but still may end up with some lousy music.
And now, back to playing with the cat toys...
2 of 5 | Posted by cattyfan | Posted on October 19, 2007 11:15 AM
I never thought I'd feel this way, but it sure is good to have Samantha back...what's-his-name made her look like a freakin' champ!
But anyway...Sabrina and Helio have been my favorites from the start, but I have to say...while Sabrina's dance was, once again, very good, I don't think it warranted a perfect score.
And what was with Carrie Ann? Man, she was in a bad place the other night. Sometimes these judges take this stuff a little too seriously. They're actors and singers, and billionaires-NOT future professional dancers. Ease up a tad!
Thanks for the recap, CF!
3 of 5 | Posted by ThisShowRocks! | Posted on October 19, 2007 12:04 PM
Cameron deserved a 27 just for wearing those pants and tank top so well.
It was a C for SUPER CAMERON.
Next week I want some white cake with white frosting = CAMERON.
4 of 5 | Posted by weasel dearest | Posted on October 19, 2007 12:43 PM
The couples definitely do not pick their own dances- they've talked about it before in interviews. If you've ever noticed there is always an equal number of each dance and the producers also need to make sure that each couple won't always do latin throughout the season, for example, just because it's their strength.
5 of 5 | Posted by iheartreality | Posted on October 19, 2007 6:36 PM