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Episode Recap: Eviction Night and Injury Update!
Well it's eviction night but the big story was Cristián's injury. Was it not all over the news? Good Morning America, my local ABC affiliate and all the various internet news sites fed into the juiciness that was, apparently, exploiting a DWTS contestant's injury for ratings. For a second, I thought it might surpass Miley Cyrus' Vanity Fair photos as the hot news item of the day. I was wrong. Was it me or was the photo of Miley lying seductively in Billy Ray's lap creepier than her wrapped in a sheet? And if it's so horrifying that she posed that way — why are the pictures all over the news? But back to the topic at hand! The story was so big that the powers that be decided the real first paragraph to my blog last night didn't cut it and wrote their own. My writing, of course, started with another one of those lame D-List casserole jokes. Sorry to disappoint anyone who thought I learned to write overnight. I'm back in all my mediocrity! I might even throw in a spelling error or two — just to keep you all on your toes. Just kidding.
I was surprised that we got through the whole first segment without an update on his injury but I guess I should know better. Of course they teased it and in one of his famous voiceovers, Tom ominously pondered if there'd be "another ballroom casualty." You know ABC is just chomping at the bit for it. Obviously they don't wish real harm on anyone, but any sort of drama equals ratings. RE: Marie fainting, Derek's neck spasm and food poisoning.
Still waiting for an update, we watched Jason and Edyta do their quickstep again in the encore dance and I must say I enjoyed it more the second time. Maybe the pressure was off him since he already scored a 29 for it, but I definitely think he looked more comfortable.
As the first part of evictions started, I realized we're probably going to have to wait until 9:58 to find out if Cristián will be returning. Oh that ABC, they know what they're doing! I can just see some old guy in a suit smoking a cigar trying to figure out how to get more ad dollars out of this injury. Think Jack Donaghy — only not at all funny.
Dance Center never fails to entertain me! Another fantastic bit and I wish it would be a weekly staple. It would certainly make the results shows more bearable. I remember last year I thought he just had a botched make-up job until someone pointed out it was supposed to be that way. Yeah, moron party of one right here! I'm glad to see Kenny was in full make-up again. Even Jerry had some glitter eye shadow. Kristi Yama-hoochie! Classic!
Def Leppard performed "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and it was so obvious they were lip-synching. No way do they still sound that good almost 30 years later. Trust me, I'm a fan so this is not really meant to be a dig. Regardless, it was still good fun! They also performed a song off their new album which drops...um today. Def Leppard didn't do this out of the kindness of their hearts after all.
When we returned from the last commercial, we finally learned that Cristián will remain in the competition — if he has the votes. Apparently he needs surgery for a ruptured tendon, but he's willing to tough it out and go on. This is very cool, albeit risky. Less than 10 seconds later, it was revealed that he had escaped eviction! Marissa and Shannon ended up in the bottom two tonight. This was a fair bottom two — especially since Mario wasn't there! Hurray! Marissa has been stepping it up but I still don't think she has the goods. Yet America didn't think it was her time to go and sent Shannon packing. I liked her but I think this was the right decision. She just wasn't getting it done on the fast dances. What do you think? Was it Shannon's time? What do you make of Cristián's decision to remain in the competition? Will he make it through the rest of the rounds? We'll see how he fares with two more dances next week. So check back here and we'll chat about it! Bye for now.
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Apr 29, 2008 10:28 PM
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I agree. Shannon had definitely hit her peak and it was time for her to go. Glad to hear Christian is doing better.
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Apr 29, 2008 10:57 PM
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As my husband said, Shannon and Derek's whining last week probably did them in. That, and her tango was not as good as the judges thought, and her mambo was as bad as ever. It was definitely her time to go.
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Apr 29, 2008 11:17 PM
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I sure agree with you on Jason's Quickstep tonight. It was much better than last nights. I watched his footwork last night, and the timing was not all that good. I marvelled at his getting a 29 with the bad timing. Tonight he did it right.
Yes it was Shannon's time to go. The voters got it right.I'm glad Cristian stayed, but I don't know if it will do much good. Just don't know how he can do justice 2 dances (not to mention getting through the rehearsals) with a ruptured tendon. But I sure wish him well.
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Apr 30, 2008 12:03 AM
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I tried to like Shannon Elizabeth even though I could see that she was not going to be much of a dancer. She seemed young and vulnerable. But alas, I found out in the last few days that she's in her 30's, not some young hurt girl, but a grown woman acting like a brat! Blech!! So I'm glad to see her gone. She is quite pretty and has long legs, but she's certainly not graceful. In fact she's so gawky and gangly she reminded my family of a newborn giraffe just learning to walk!! (Certainly not nice of us, but seems to be an apt description!)
Loved Dance Center and hoping we get more of that.
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Apr 30, 2008 12:14 AM
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The whining and sour grapes from Shannon and Derek ruined it for me. I'm glad they're done. I really like Derek and it upsets me that this so called romance is being played the way it is and that Shannon is so obnoxious with him and that he turned in to a poor sport. Hopefully, I'll get over my negative feelings about Derek before next season because he truly is gifted. Shannon is a spoiled brat-period.
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Apr 30, 2008 12:16 AM
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So any thoughts on who will attempt a lift next week? I am guessing definitely Jason/Edyta and Mario/Karina. MAYBE Kristi. Can't see Tony lifting Marissa too gracefully or Christian wanting to risk more damage lifting Cheryl. Should be fun.
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Apr 30, 2008 12:26 AM
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Yeah, Shannon and Derek were probably done in by their "show" last week. However, everybody has a "bad night" and let's not get too carried away with branding Derek as a "bad sport". After all, over the seasons quite a few other dancers and contestants have cried about the results and the critiques and the unfairness. Maks and Tony Davolani have complained about how the show was going every season (I mean, that's some of the reason Maks isn't on right now). Derek flamed out on camera and he seems suitably apologetic, so why make more of it than that.
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Apr 30, 2008 1:22 AM
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I knew the tide had turned on Shannon - just surprised that it turned into elimination. I do think it was right, though, based on dancing. She was the most awkward one left (good analogy Pinkie, Shannon=newborn giraffe).
I'm also glad that voters sent the message that people do not like angry, whiny inappropriate displays of emotion.
I am glad Mario was not in the bottom two. Even though he lacks refinement in his dances, he deserves to continue dancing.
I am also glad that Cristian gets to continue (he has potential for top 3), though I am concerned how well he can do with that injury. I am confident Cheryl can choreograph around it but, as others have said, it is risky. Even so, I was glad he chose to stay so that Shannon could go home and we could all be spared her whiny attitude, uncomfortable dancing and even more uncomfortable "show-mance."
Dixiebelle, ITA with your predictions about lifts. For Mario and Jason it's about being manly men. For Mark & Kristi, it will be about grace and flow in the routine.
Totally enjoyed Def Leppard and Dance Center - keep it coming! I wish every results show was tiny dancers and DC.
Next week should be fun and definitely looking forward to the highly touted 100th episode on Tuesday.
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Apr 30, 2008 1:24 AM
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Krista, you'll probably get your wish and Marissa will be sent packing next week. Don't understand what you have against his gal; seems like every week your on her case. I hope it isn't because she's fat. Gosh. She is a Tony award winner.
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Apr 30, 2008 1:31 AM
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I'm also a major Def Leppard fan. My jaw dropped when I noticed that they were lip synching... booo!!! They should have gone the live route... unless someone (er, Joe) had a vocal injury.
Sorry... I just had to bust that out! I really don't like seeing rock bands (with real live instruments) faking the fudge.
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Apr 30, 2008 2:15 AM
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I am surprised that no one has mentioned what Christian said after he was asked if he was willing to risk further injury. His comment about a deaf girl dancing seemed completely inappropriate, I wish he would have finished his thought, because the fact that Marleee was able to dance despite her handicap has nothing to do with him risking a further injury. Very weird statement from him.
I am glad that Shannon left too, she was much too gangly and awkward at this stage in the competition. Derek is a cutie, but I would say that he is somewhat of a poor sport and his true colors showed last week. I am sure that more of the stars want to bite back at the judges, but they hold back when they are on camera; Derek and Shannon didn't and it probably did contribute to their lack of votes. My call is for Marissa to go next week, unless she gives an amazing performance!
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Apr 30, 2008 7:34 AM
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I took Cristian's comment about the deaf girl dancing to mean he was inspired by Marlee and felt his tendon injury was a minor challenge compared to her deafness. Not sure the two should be compared when you're talking about dancing, but in general I felt it was a gracious nod to one of his colleagues.
The right team was eliminated IMO. They can apologize all they want. Their remarks were inappropriate and can't be unsaid,and Shannon is just not going to turn into a graceful dancer overnight.
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Apr 30, 2008 7:41 AM
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Pinkie, you hit the nail on the head with the baby giraffe comparison. I noticed last night during the recaps how awkward her legs looked and couldn't figure out what it reminded me of until I read your comments.
Am I the only one who thinks even the show didn't know if Christian was staying until he announced it on the show? Tom made it sound like he had changed his mind several times before the show. Not that I am on Shannon's side, because she did deserve to go, but I got the impression that the show really didn't want Christian to risk further injury (read "lawsuit") and wanted him to quit. I personally think he is an idiot to go on and risk permanent injury. Even simple arm movements are bound to have consequences considering where the injury is.
Glad Marissa was safe because she has been making the most improvement over everyone. I don't know that she can make it to the finals, but she could surprise me since she improves every week.
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Apr 30, 2008 7:46 AM
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Well, in the paraphrased words of Simon Cowell, "America got it right!"
Shannon deserved to go home because she had reached her peak in terms of dancing ability. I wasn't nearly as offended as some others about the "pushback" from Derek and Shannon, and I'm not convinced that it weighed heavily in the voting either. Rather, I think others noticed the "gangbly giraffe" (great imagery!!!)quality and just didn't feel compelled to vote for them.
It's great that Mario was spared! But to be honest, when they ran the clips from Dance Center, I finally saw what the critics were saying about his lack of refinement. But he can improve that, and his innate talent and pure entertainment value are worth keeping him around.
Loved, loved, loved the bit in Dance Center about Jason's singular extended arm-lunge pose! Spot on, and sadly, reinforces the perception around Edyta's limited choreography skills. On the other hand, his Quick Step was marvelous again last night.
I do think Marissa is getting better week after week, and she deserves to stay around a little longer. Has anyone else noticed that she seems much more "loose" and sexy in rehearsal footage, but seems to get inhibited and self-conscious during the actual performance? If she could bring that playfulness and adventure to her live performance, I think she would be even more awesome!
Bravo to Christian for electing to continue. I do agree that he was trying to give a salute to Marlee in his comments, and to say that if others can overcome adversity and go on, he's willing to try too. But, Christian, there's no shame in walking away either. I just didn't want to see him voted off.
Catty alert: didn't think the professional dancers on Def Leopard's second song were very good. At all.
Can't wait until next week!
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Apr 30, 2008 8:46 AM
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