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« Dancing With the Stars
October 31, 2006: The Monster Mash
This show really knows how to take a theme and run with it.... And we’re talking marathon lengths. This Halloween checklist had it all: smoke on the floor, black lipstick, songs about witchcraft, and fangs. I thought for sure someone was going to dance to "The Monster Mash," but they proved me wrong. (However, they weren’t about having someone dance to Ghostbusters.) I guess you could say the show was a little excessive with its Halloween enthusiasm, sort of like a coworker who decorates his or her cubicle for every holiday imaginable... oh wait, I do that. OK, so I liked the Halloween cheesefest of an episode. It was different, and it made last night’s show stand out. And at this late stage in the season, when the shows can start blending together, that’s a good thing.
One contestant who really got into the theme was Joey Lawrence. From his playful opening tango to The Addams Family theme song to his confident, heck-of-a-costume paso doble, Joey was on his game last night. He was having fun and dancing strong. There’s such an earnestness about him that it’s hard not to root for him. One notable criticism Carrie Ann Inaba gave was that he sometimes leads with his chest too much. There were a few times during his tango where Joey reminded me more of stiff Lurch than suave Gomez; he just doesn’t have the same ability to glide across the dance floor as Emmitt Smith and Mario Lopez do. Nonetheless, his dancing is still enjoyable to watch, and I don’t think he’ll be going home this week.
As for Emmitt and Mario, what can I say other than thst these two continue to impress every week. Emmitt consistently improves – last night the judges couldn’t say enough good things about his rumba, and his hip movements throughout that dance were simply great. And though he scored lower on his fox-trot, I actually like that performance better, because it was highly entertaining with lots of soft-shoe and in-sync moves. But the judges really picked on him for that dance, with Len Goodman complaining that it was not a proper fox-trot. Len was also a bit cranky regarding Mario’s samba, saying it was choppy and didn’t flow. Apparently he was watching a different dance than what I was watching, because all I saw was near-perfection. Mario has a way of moving his hips and then his chest without a hint of stiffness. And while sexiness is never a problem for Mario, he stepped out of that comfort zone with his first dance, a soft waltz, and that 180-degree turn impressed the judges. His “death waltz” had some ballet-like touches and the story it conveyed was reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. I was glad he took a risk and stretched like that (no doubt digging deep into some of the acting lessons he learned when vying with Zack for Kelly’s attention on his Saved by the Bell days).
Meanwhile, vying with the guys for the judges’ attention was Monique Coleman, and she succeeded with her cha-cha-cha, earning her first 10s in the competition. (Louis noted that these were his first 10s in three seasons on this show.... Hmm, does that maybe tell you something Louis?) What impressed me most about this dance was that Monique was really keeping up with Louis throughout it, and that’s not an easy thing to do, with the way he dances. The same could not be said about her first dance, the tango, in which she noticeably struggled to keep up with her partner. Louis continually bragged that Monique’s dances are more challenging than the other contestants’ dances (because of the way he choreographs them), and the judges countered this point with the wise advice that “sometimes less is more.” I know Monique says she appreciates the high bar Louis sets for her, but I think ultimately his overly difficult choreography will be her downfall.
And I think that downfall will come tonight, with Monique being sent home. As for other random highlights from last night: the shout-out to the TV Guide photo shoot and the fact that Cheryl has her very own ballroom in her house! And though he’s no longer on the show, I have to mention that Jerry Springer appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman Monday night to present the Top 10 Things He Learned from Dancing with the Stars. No. 5: “The definition of 'star' has really loosened up"; No. 1: “I need a new agent.” That Jerry — still poking fun and cracking us up.
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Nov 1, 2006 12:08 AM
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I totally agree, Jennifer! The dancing is at such a high level now that it is fun to cut loose and do a gimmick show. I enjoyed Samantha's Bride of Frankenstein hair and Louis's extra-sharp sideburns. Samantha has taken some grief on this blog for her innocuous patter, but last night she stood out with her scary laugh. Did NOT enjoy the fangs - why mess with such pretty faces and nice white teeth?
Because the dancing was so good, I have to nitpick at a couple of visual effects. Monique seemed to be chewing gum during her second dance, it was very distracting. Also the shirt Emmitt wore for his rumba - it was cut so it almost looked like he was wearing a big ol' training bra underneath. I call that an unfortunate costume.
I think Monique will be going home this week, and a large part of the blame rests with Louis. The job of a male partner in ballroom is to showcase the girl. Instead, Louis often grabs the spotlight. He seems to think this competition is more about the professional dancers than the stars. Major props to Monique for elevating her game to such a high level as his partner.
Of the men, Joey was the most Halloweeny, with the fangs and the costumes and the distorted moves. Because he totally gave himself over to the theme, I was the most impressed with Joey's performance last night. He danced great and had a lot of fun.
Having said that, I do respect Mario's and Emmitt's choice to wear more conventional costumes and not camp it up so much. We are, after all, in the home stretch of the competition. I thought both were awesome. Either one deserves to be champion. They are so different - Mario the feisty, Latin, swivel-hipped wonder, and Emmitt the definition of class with a killer smile.
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Nov 1, 2006 8:04 AM
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With everyone performing at such a high level, it doesn't take much to mean the difference between moving on and going home. For Monique, that difference might be the point that separates her from the rest.
With the scores being virtually even, it all comes down to the fan voting. Monique, with frequent appearances in the bottom as recently as last week, clearly doesn't have the fan base as some of the others. I just can't see how she makes it past tonight. That said, she certainly held her own all season long. It's no shame to lose out to the three who'll be left standing.
Speaking of which, I could honestly see any one of these guys taking home the crown. Each week, another steps it up after seemingly falling behind the rest. At this point, I don't see myself being disappointed regardless of who ultimately comes out on top.
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Nov 1, 2006 9:46 AM
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It was trick or treat night, so I had to tape the show, just finished watching it now. (There is so much chatter you can fast forward through, but I do like live tv) The theme night was great, its unusual that a show can be timed like it was, so go with it..the music choices were appropriate, or as appropriate as you can be for the type of dances. I believe Monique has worn out her welcome, you go girl takes on a whole new meaning tonight, though it is kind of too bad its all guys. But, that pc comment aside, the guys left are HOT, and Mario and Emmitt are the hottest. I can't get into Joey, he likes himself too much, (hated the teeth) and the other two are all about having the fun of the dances. I look forward to having a show in two weeks being the Emmitt and Joey show. (does anyone else think that the male judges are really a bit too into the male dancers?!)
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Nov 1, 2006 10:07 AM
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I love all the 3 guys left and respect their dancing ability very much, but I do have to say in Monique’s defense that in this kind of dancing, the majority of the work really does fall to the woman. The men have to hold up their end, but let’s face it, they don’t have to do all the fan kicks, splits, and everything else of a contortionist nature that the woman has to do – and, as Ginger Rogers pointed out, in high heels and backwards. Just pay attention to how much more the woman is doing in comparison to the men in the remaining shows and I think you’ll see what I mean. So even as we will likely be saying farewell to Monique tonight, I wanted to make sure she gets her props.
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Nov 1, 2006 11:33 AM
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I wasn't too crazy about Joey's paso, mostly because he appeared to be attempting to copy the moves of Drew Lachey's perfect-30 paso from last season, from the cape twirl to the knee-walk.
Too bad Mario already used "Thriller" this season; it would have been perfect last night.
I don't remember if I've remarked on this before, but major props to the singers on this show. They're the vocal equivalent of RockStar's House Band, just simply amazing. From Frank Sinatra to Gene Kelly to Stevie Wonder, they nail them all perfectly. I think they've improved on last year.
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Nov 1, 2006 12:36 PM
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I differ in these opinions only with the part about Joey liking himself too much. I think just the opposite. He seems very normal, a little under-confident, and nervous all the time. I don't think he's the dancer that Emmitt and Mario are.
As for women having it the hardest, I totally agree. All you really have to do is realize that when you watch anyone dance, it's always the woman (be it pro or not) whose footwork you're watching. It's the same in ice skating/ice dancing. BUT, Emmitt and Mario are still better than Monique..and I do blame that on Louis. Talk about full of yourself!!
GO EMMITT!! Last night he was at his sexy best.
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Nov 1, 2006 1:38 PM
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Go Emmett, Go!!!!!! I think that overall I enjoy Emmett the most. Joey tries too hard and Mario is just too good (even the judges think he's as good as a professional). I like to watch Emmett because he's out and has a good time, and dances like a real person would not, not a professionial. He's fun to watch and is just so smooth!!!!!
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Nov 1, 2006 2:55 PM
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I thought last night's show was good. They should have had the hosts, judges and audience dress up in costumes for Halloween. They could have made the dancers come out in costumes in the beginning and then change for their dances. Anyway, I hope that Monique goes home tonight. I think it will be her and Joey in the bottom 2 and then she leaves. I have this feeling it is going to be Emmitt and Mario in the final 2. I think all 3 are great and whomever wins, I wouldn't mind but I do want to see Joey make it to the final 2 as well. Although I think Emmitt and Mario are a little stronger and better dancer than Joey. I still think at times Joey looks weird when he does certain moves. I liked that his 2 brothers were shown in the rehearsals and can't believe how the younger brother grew up so fast. They are all really cute/hot. Well, I can't wait for tonight to see who is going home. If this is Louie's first 10 in three seasons, then maybe that might be telling him something. Something about him I just don't like.
On another note, I read somewhere on another blog that Jerry Springer's daughter is physically challenged and someone said that she is legally blind. Does anyone know if that is true and if not, then what exactly is wrong with her?
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Nov 1, 2006 4:27 PM
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I have read that Jerry Springer's daughter is legally blind, deaf or partially deaf and was born without nasal passages. Sad, but apparently she is leading a normal life.
I still get emotional remembering that waltz Jerry did. How wonderful was that?
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Nov 1, 2006 6:12 PM
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If I hear Monique's partner tell the judges to keep in mind the difficulty level one more time, I'm going to heave.
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Nov 1, 2006 9:59 PM
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