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« Dancing with the Stars
Episode Recap: You say Mambo, I say Mango
Phew! Tonight was a marathon, not a sprint. As much as I love this show, 2 hours and all 12 competitors was a bit much for me. Luckily, there was nothing a good mambo couldn't fix.
Raise your hand if you totally fantasize about being a competitor on this show. I do, I do! I always have the coolest dress, the best technique and a song that doesn't stink! Oh, and Maksim is my partner every time. Yeah, you know it!
But enough about my delusions of grandeur, it's D-List casserole time. So get yourself a plate and I'll serve up some recap for ya!
Mahoney — Could he be any cuter? Despite some major stiffness (hehe), he seemed to be enjoying himself. I hope he sticks around long enough to revive his career. ABC — get this man a pilot!
Mambo 16
Cristián — The military bit was ridiculous but his dancing was not. Thankfully, Cheryl has someone who can keep up with her this year.
Quickstep 20
Monica — It wasn't as big of a disaster as I thought, but it wasn't pretty either. Dancing just isn't her thing, and that's ok. At least she went for it.
Mambo 15
Random thoughts: How do they find rehearsal space in Tokyo? And who pays for it? ABC? What kind of a budget does this show have anyway? Hmmmm...
Penn — A tough dance for someone who isn't light on their feet, but he managed to entertain me while he was fumbling through it. I lost it when he tripped up those steps.
Quickstep 17
Priscilla — Was that Cilla or Peggy Bundy? I couldn't tell. Whoever it was, I liked it. She impressed me immensely.
Mambo 21
Shannon — She looked fabulous and did a great job. Derek put together an entertaining routine and it was one of the best of the night.
Quickstep 24
Jason — I have a girl crush on Edyta so it's always hard for me to critique her partners because I'm usually watching her! I thought he could have been a little looser, but it was a challenging routine and he did well.
Mambo 27 A bit high, no?
Marissa — Geez, I felt bad seeing her cry. She improved a lot this week and her energy came in handy, so she had no reason to shed any tears tonight. She has a way of pulling attention to her face which is good since the judges don't seem to think she has the best technique.
Quickstep 21
Adam — Hilarity at its finest. What works for him is he can get away with being horrible because he's funny. He brings a goofy quality to it so we can all have a good laugh.
Mambo 19
Marlee — She delivered another beautiful and impressive performance. Not quite as good as Shannon, but still a solid dance.
Quickstep 24
Kristi — I adore her so obviously I thought this was a great dance. For someone who has a hard time "shaking it," she was quite fierce out there.
Mambo 27
Mario — What I loved about this dance was that he looked completely in control. He may be the first person to not look like they were being lead around by their partner. Saved the best for last, for sure!
Quickstep 26
Are you still awake out there? Good, because what I think matters very little. What were your thoughts on tonight's dances? Show me your top three and I'll show you mine. Let's meet back here tomorrow for the first eviction of the season. See you then!
For more Dancing with the Stars, check out our Online Video Guide.
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Mar 24, 2008 10:14 PM
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Ok I am awake now. Trying to get my online votes in while I can. Great recap Krista. Here are my two cents for what it's worth. I think the professionals are great teachers I really enjoy watching all of them. Well not the new kid, Fabian, I am not liking him just yet. As for my top three I think will be: Kristi, Mario and Jason or Marissa, but I fear she won't get as far as I would like her too. She did do much better tonight. I think the two going home tomorrow will be Monica-boring dancer and Penn-too magical for the judges or was it his feet? Who can remember from two hours ago. I am not sure how long Pricialla will stay on, but she was definitely better then last week even though her facial expression never changed, but her dancing was better. It was fun to see Sabrina in the audience rooting on her man, Mark. Keep on dancing.
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Mar 24, 2008 10:44 PM
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I always want them all to win for trying so hard! But that aside, I find Penn obnoxious as hell. If not for his big mouth (not big feet!) he might go farther. He makes a stupid remark about every critique. Half the time I cannot hear what someone is saying because he has his mouth going. He has got to go before anyone else!
Other than that, for a good share of the dancers, it was hard to believe it was only the second week. This, as usual, will be a fierce competition. Good luck to all!
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Mar 25, 2008 12:17 AM
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I sure hope Samantha gets voted off, but then again I say that every week and yet I never pick correctly.
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Mar 25, 2008 12:22 AM
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I didn't get to see everyone, but I LOVE Steve Guttenberg (for his enthusiasm, and I was a fan of his as a kid), Shannon Elizabeth, Mario, and Kristi Yamaguchi (who I also loved when I was younger). I'm not really attached to anyone else. I'm more of a fan of the professional partners than I am of the other celebrities.
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Mar 25, 2008 1:52 AM
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That Pricilla Presley is a year older than my own mother and out there looking fabulous is awesome. I keep trying to picture my mom (who was a disco babe back in the day) moving as well today as Cilla, and there's just no way. So kudos to the true lady of this year's ballroom!
And three cheers for Kristi who I think may FINALLY be the woman to break the men's winning streak! That girl can MOVE. And so can Marlee, who is so lovely and smooth on that dance floor.
Of the men, I think Mario and Jason are the best, but I just love Mahoney! I want him to stay as long as is reasonable so he can grow and we can enjoy his experience vicariously. That he called Anna a Faberge (sp?) Egg was a lovely, if unusual, compliment. 
I think Adam or Penn will be the first man to go, and Monica will be the first woman. But no matter that they weren't the best, I enjoyed seeing them give there very best for us and themselves.
I'm with Steve . . . this show is so great for all of us. Cheers!
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Mar 25, 2008 5:58 AM
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Like you, Krista, I think about what it would be like to be on this show and then realize I don't have the stamina. I think that's why I like Pricilla so much. She's got 10 or 12 years on me and I know I'll never move like that. I was just disappointed that she didn't smile more. I know she can do it because I saw it in the taped piece.
I remember back when Kristi was in her prime skating and thinking how big her thighs were (as they are for all women skaters, not just her)so I was surprised to see how well shaped they are now. I think she has a real good chance of taking this competition.
I think Monica is going home tonight from the women. I like Penn until judging time when he doesn't shut up so I'd like to see him stick around another week but I think it will be between Penn and Adam as to who goes home from the men.
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Mar 25, 2008 7:31 AM
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Krista - I agree with you that I thought the score for Jason's mambo was a little high. I definitely didn't see a 3 point difference between him and Shannon Elizabeth. He's really REALLY good, but then there are some inconsistant patches, at least too inconsistant for a solid 27.
Ither than that I think everyone's pretty much on the same page here...prolly Penn and Seles to go this week. I know Adam will be gone fairly soon but I'm hoping they'll keep him around in some capacity - he has been so much fun to watch.
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Mar 25, 2008 8:25 AM
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I think Shannon and Derek should have been in the top spot. That routine was beautiful and they performed it really well.
Kristi is no doubt doing well, but she is already too good- it's almost boring. Mario's just a little too cheesy for me and not enough ballroom.
I think PP did a good job too (really impressed with her), but she's needs to do something about the facial expressions. Marlee also was impressive, although you could see where she struggled a little bit.
Jason was probably my second favorite, after Shannon. They did give him inflated scores, however. Maybe the judges were distracted by Edyta too. Can't hate on the Gute because he tries so hard and seems unnaturally happy to be there.
And Poor Monica, she just isn't meant to be a dancer. Penn should definitely go - almost wish Monica could stay and let Adam be put out of his misery (he seems like he wants to go home and let Julianne concentrate on her recording career).
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Mar 25, 2008 8:47 AM
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Awesome night.
Again, Priscilla surprised me. I think she may last longer than Jane did last season. I really liked her sexy crawl at the end of her Mambo.
My stupid DVR didn't record the first half so I missed all the dances up to Penn.
Jason: As much as I liked him last week, I thought his Mambo was pretty stiff.
Priscilla:See above.
Shannon: vast improvement over last week, but I noticed her footwork was a bit off. But what do I know?
Marissa: I really enjoyed her Quick-Step. Hope she sticks around. She just may be this season's underdog.
Marlee: She continues to amaze me. And I disagree with other posters on other blogs that say that she's sticking around because of pity votes. To use a term from Clueless: "Whateverrrr!!!"
Adam:Ummm, wasn't paying attention? :o
Mario: I don't know. It looked like he kept sliding his feet. After what Bruno said last week, I think he's the judges' pick to win. I hope not. I truly believe it's the women's year.
Kristi: If she can't shake it, like she said, then Kudos to Mark for bringing it out. Wow. If it is the women's year, she's my pick.
But I sure do miss Maks. 
To go? For the men, I think it might be Penn, as it was going around how he accused Kristi of being a cheater because of her experience as an Ice Skater, and that she shouldn't be in this competition. Not cool, Penn.
~Sangeeta
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Mar 25, 2008 8:49 AM
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My 3 faves from last night are Jason, Shannon and Kristi.
IMO, I thought Shannon had the best choreographed dance. Derek did an amazing job.
Marlee scored some points with me when she pushed the microphone back to Samantha.
I think Monica and Penn will be eliminated tonight. I feel really bad for Monica b/c she worked so hard but she just can't dance. Kudos for trying, though. I'm getting tired of Penn's mouth. Enough already.
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Mar 25, 2008 9:03 AM
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I agree that Penn is very annoying. I really don't like that he talks so much. It's a big turn off and he's not a good dancer either.
I do feel that Kristi has an unfair advantage. She already understands how to count music, memorize routines hold her arms and perform in front of a crowd. She should be good.
Really liked Shannon and Jason last night. He does have huge potential and I think we'll see big improvements week after week. Steve G. seems like such a nice guy. He is having fun and is so excited to be there. Monica, time to go. It just is.
Is it just me or is Edyta much prettier during rehearsals without all that makeup?
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Mar 25, 2008 9:14 AM
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Yeah, I'm kind of tired of Penn rehashing the whole "well he/she has experience" argument. Kristi Yamaguchi and Mario are both naturally graceful or she would never have been an ice skater nor he an R&B performer. Training and experience enhanced that, but it's natural. And in the past there have been contestants who had that natural talent but never put it to use in their respective careers. Some people are going to bring certain things to this competition. It's called Dancing with the Stars - there's nothing in the title to suggest that being a klutz is a pre-requisite to be on the show.
Ballroom is different from ballet is different from hip-hop is different from figure skating. A good example is something a friend told me about Patrick Swayze. My friend was a club DJ at a bar where alot of the cast and crew of North and South hung out, including the then-relatively unknown Swayze. My friend said he was so surprised when he saw PS in Dirty Dancing a few years later b/c from what he had seen he couldn't cut it on the club dance floor.
That being said, I would love a special DWTS that did feature celebrities who have been professional dancers like Paula Abdul, Patrick Swayze (get well soon!), Summer Glau. I know, dream on....
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Mar 25, 2008 9:42 AM
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My 3 favs -- Kristi, Jason & Shannon. Even though Kristi & Mark got a higher score (and I love them a bunch!), I think Shannon & Derek were better - they at least deserved one 9. Derek always seems to create amazing routines.
The 2 I think should go -- Penn & Monica. I think these are the obvious two, but let's see if the rest of the country agrees...
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Mar 25, 2008 9:57 AM
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I have to agree, they saved the best dancing for last. Marlee, Kristi and Mario all have the best performances in my opinion. When I voted though, I also threw a couple of votes to Mahoney, cause like many of you, I've enjoyed all the movies he did when he was younger. He is so delightful, I want him to stick around. Yes! I agree! ABC give this man a sitcom!
I also voted for Priscilla. She amazes me! I personally think she has gone too far with her face lifts, (her face just looks strange) but I've really got to hand it to her because she is ten years older than I am and though I was a serious disco dancer back in my day, I could not begin to do what she is doing now. You go girl!
I also feel sorry for Monica...she is just not a dancer. It hurts to watch the videos because it shows just how hard she is working, but she just does not have any natural rhythm...for the women, she should be the one to go first. Among the men...I am now hoping Penn will go. I liked him last week, but this week I was wishing he would let up a little. His mouth just got too carried away and he did come off as obnoxious. Besides that, he really is NOT a good dancer, so he is a good choice for leaving.
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Mar 25, 2008 10:13 AM
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