Marissa Needs Some Improvement

Megan Smith — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:58:37 -0500

I agree with you that last week Marissa's jive could have been more intricate, but I also think the judges were somewhat harsh.

This week I actually thought the choreography was pretty good and she executed it well.

And yeah, she, Kristi and Mario are this season's ringers, but I also think ballroom dancing is a whole other animal, so it does take some doing to translate it.

Can't wait to see who goes home tonight though. Hopefully Adam. Blech!

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute
Video Runway

Well, yes, she's a ringer like Kristi

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:29:08 -0500

The truth is that my expectations for Melissa might be high because she's the most ringer of them all. Her Tony win was for a role that was just as heavily focused on dancing as singing, despite what Tony said last week. Sure, it wasn't ballroom dancing, but she has a huge advantage in being able to learn choreography, musicality and grace, just like Kristi.

So, from my perspective, I'm surprised she hasn't wowed me more...and the more I think about it, the more I blame choreography that's too repetitive and not challenging enough for her skills.

I don't dislike her, I just want more :)

Elisa Camahort
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.org

I Love Marissa

Megan Smith — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:13:59 -0500

Hi Elisa,

Though I agree with you about her outfits---they haven't been the most flattering---I think she did very well last night.

I think she's a good dancer and I love seeing a woman who's plus sized up there strutting her stuff.

In fact I have a post coming up tomorrow on Video Runway about why I'd love to see her win.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute
Video Runway

Dancing with the Stars Recap: The Top 9 Tackle the Paso and the Viennese Waltz

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:54:29 -0500

So far America has been getting it right with Dancing with the Stars. The celebs being booted are celebs who really aren't great dancers. Sure once could argue about who's worse, Steve Guttenberg or Adam Corolla, but as long as Adam doesn't stick around too long, it would be a short argument.

Unlike this past season of Project Runway, where I really didn't have a favorite even at the end, favorites are emerging for me here. And I'll reveal them now...

1. Kristi and Mark kicked things off with a Paso Doble

What can you say about Kristi? Yes, I understand skating and dancing are different, and this may not be a piece of cake for her, but I do believe she has a huge advantage in a) learning choreography, b) musicality and c) grace. All of this makes her the one to beat by a pretty long stretch. This was so fast, skillful, precise. I think maybe I saw a couple of little footwork mis-steps, but it was pretty near perfect. And as I mention every season: I enjoy watching people who are actually good at it much more than watching people who suck try valiantly to suck a little less.

Bottom line: The one to beat, and safe, safe, safe

2. Priscilla and Louis did a Viennese Waltz

I'm a little surprised when they talk so much about her expressive face, given her face looks pretty immobile to me. I will say she has the ability to focus in on her partner's face with a laser-like gaze...which does help her look dramatic. Also, I'd like to recommend to Priscilla that she always wear more natural colored lipsticks. It looks so much better than when she wears those heavy dark lips! Enough with the beauty advice, I agreed with the judges here that there was a bit of awkwardness, some visible balance problems, and of course...a forbidden lift!

Bottom line: I've been surprised by her fan support thus far, because she really seems like such an odd bird. Could this be the week we see some cracks in her fan armor? Just about everyone else did really well, and someone has to end up in the Bottom 2.

3. Adam and Julianne did a Paso Doble

Oh, come on. This was ridiculous with the unicycle and the mustache and the cape. If he is getting so into the dancing, let him dance! He's got to be on the chopping block, if not this week, then soon. And it will be a shame since Julianne is such a talent, but I won't weep tears when he goes. Which could be tonight.

Bottom line: Well, now that Monica, Penn and Steve are gone, shouldn't he obviously be in the Bottom 2? He should.

4. Marlee and Fabian danced the Viennese Waltz

Marlee seems to be going downhill, not improving. This was awkward, with plenty of mis-steps, and her posture (which has seemed fine thus far) wasn't holding up to the elegant requirements of the Viennese Waltz...her neck and upper back seemed a bit hunched and tense. I didn't like this much at all.

Bottom line: She could be at risk, but I'd love to have her stick around a little longer and go out on a higher note.

5. Mario and Karina danced a Paso Doble

They have great intensity and strength, but it was a bit wild and frenetic. Still, I appreciate the energy, and the difficulty of the tricks they were pulling off. I hope Mario sticks around for quite a while...I think he has great potential.

Bottom line: I think he'll be safe.

6. Jason & Edyta danced a Viennese Waltz

I confess I did not get the judges' rapture and perfect 10s for this routine. Besides the obvious slip and stumble, I felt the whole thing was not really that smooth and lovely. Why did no one mention the lack of rise and fall they're usually blathering on about? Edyta of course hides a multitude of sins, and Jason does impress with his grace and lines for such a big guy, but I would never have given this routine a 10, no way.

Bottom line: Quite safe, I think.

7. Cristian and Cheryl danced the Paso Doble

This seemed like kind of a mess to me. Kristi's routine proved you can be fast, furious, and yet seem totally in control. Some of the other Pasos were just wild. The other thing I noticed is that didn't watch him at all...I was watching Cheryl the whole time. I'm sure it's to his advantage, but still...

Bottom line: Another guy I think might start to show some cracks in his fan support, bare-chested cuteness or not.

8. Shannon and Derek danced the Viennese Waltz

Although I was worried about poor Derek's neck the whole time, this was a lovely, smooth, elegant waltz. It had a very sweet and romantic vibe. They are surprisingly well-matched, given she could probably take him in kickboxing match!

Bottom line: I hope they are very safe.

9. Marissa and Tony danced the Paso Doble

OK, clearly the costumers have it in for Marissa. She looks adorable, and maybe just a bit zaftig, during their rehearsal scenes, and then she shows up on stage in outfits that make her look as short and squat as they possibly can. Is she a diva backstage, and this is the costumers' revenge? Seriously her costumes have been SO unflattering. But, to the dancing: They had some good intensity, and it was generally OK, but again I felt it fell a bit flat compared to some of the others. I can't quite describe what it is. I don't think Tony's choreography is really stepping up to the level of the others...that would be my guess on the problem.

Bottom line: She may be at risk!

Bottom line for the Bottom 2:

If it were me, I'd have Adam in the Bottom 2 and going home. No question about it.

As to who should join him in the bottom 2? Lots of candidates: Cristian, Marissa and Marlee being the main contenders in my book. I think it might be Marissa.

But what did you think?

BlogHer - Dancing with the Stars Recap: The Top 9 Tackle the Paso and the Viennese Waltz - Comments

Marissa Needs Some Improvement

Well, yes, she's a ringer like Kristi

I Love Marissa

Dancing with the Stars Recap: The Top 9 Tackle the Paso and the Viennese Waltz