Dancing with the Stars Recap: The Top 7

Elisa Camahort — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:35:41 -0500

"Ignore that country group dancing in the corner...nothing to see here, move along now."

It's nice, this season, that there is no inexplicable, lingering bad dancer hanging around to make my head explode every week. No Billy Ray, no Jerry Springer. Everybody has basic skills, and mot of them are really quite good. Which is nice.

This week they each had to dance a style they hadn't danced before, and then they had to harm our eyes with a group country dance. That included lots of flailing and flinging, and we shall speak no more about it! Instead we will get to the Top 7 and their "real" dances of the night.

1. Jason & Edyta danced the Cha Cha

Well, when the judges said they needed to see Jason dance a bit more without the distraction of Edyta spinning and writhing about him, they nailed it. Because on his own, you do see his weaknesses a lot more starkly. He's a bit awkward. He can hit poses with long, elegant lines, but in between hitting those poses his arms seem a bit disconcerted, like they don't know how to get there as elegantly as they are when they arrive. All that being said, you can't deny he is charming and definitely understands the words "hip action."

Bottom line: Despite some mistakes and some awkwardness I think he'll be safe.

2. Shannon & Derek danced the Rumba

Speaking of "hip action", Shannon truly has none. And I find that ironic, don't you? Not that I've seen anything in the Shannon Elizabeth ouevre, but doesn't she typically play the vixen role? Or at least the airhead bombshell role? Am I thinking of someone else? Shannon is very good at the sharp moves and spins, but she doesn't seem to be sustaining the gracefulness that marked her earliest performances (maybe a nice long dress really does hide a multitude of flaws.) And they completely missed what I think of as the slinky nature of the Rumba.

Bottom line: Could be at risk...not least because she always acts quite put out when the judges criticize her, as though she thinks she was perfect. That never goes over well.

3. Marlee & Fabian danced the Mambo

Another quick, highly rhythmic dance. Not a lucky draw for Marlee. This was better than last week, but it was still tough to watch. Those fast rhythms give her a hard time, and those little inaccuracies add up, make it awkward and therefore difficult to watch. She clearly has a lot of people rooting for her, but she's gotta be hoping that next week she can go back to doing some nice Ballroom instead of the Latin dances!

Bottom line: I would think she's at risk, but I was wrong about that last week.

4. Cristian & Cheryl danced the Foxtrot

OK, I guess I need glasses, I really didn't understand the raving and ranting about how great this was. I thought that indeed he was charming and light on his feet half the time, but I also thought he was stiff and mechanical half the time. Sometimes his face looked like he was about to be marched off to a firing squad, instead of to do another spin.

Bottom line: Well, since I clearly saw a different performance than the judges, I'm a bit stumped. It was definitely better than last week, so he'll probably be saved.

5. Marissa and Tony danced the Viennese Waltz

This was her best performance yet, and it showed off her actual dancing talent, not just shimmying and smiling. She was quite graceful and lovely. Not that her costume helped her any. They were back to hating her this week.

Bottom line: She may be the comback kid, because I think she'll be safe.

6. Kristi & Mark danced the Jive

Wow. Kristi is really just miles beyond the others. She looks like a Pro pretty much. Great footwork, great spins, great speed, great choreography, greta spunk and sparkle. I thought this was terrific.

Bottom line: safe, safe, safe.

7. Mario & Karina danced the Rumba

There goes Len with his crochety, prudish reaction to true sex appeal on stage. OK, I admit it was a bit creepy for Mario to dedicate this dance to his little brother...I mean, if he has to close his eyes, then he doesn't get much out of the dedication, now does he? But I thought this was very hot, with lots of actual dancing content. Mario has great posture and great hip action, and just a great sense of confidence and masculinity on that stage. I bought it. (I will also admit I was distracted by that horrible white sheet tacked to Karina's costume...what was up with that look?)

Bottom line: Safity, safe, safe, safe

Bottom Line for the Bottom 2:

If it were me the Bottom 2 would be Shannon and Marlee, and I still think that Marlee is the least capable of the remaining, if the most admirable.

It's hard to predict who will really go. Maybe Shannon? Two bad weeks in a row never bodes well, and she may not have the fan base of Marlee, who also had two bad weeks.

But what did you think?

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Dancing with the Stars Recap: The Top 7