Rosado's Recaps-Dancing With The Stars - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

Rosado's Recaps-Dancing With The Stars

Posted: Tue, 19 Apr 2011 1:18:12 PDT

Photo Credit: Adam Taylor/ABC

Week Of April 18^th, 2011

With temperatures warming up to unseasonable levels in some parts of the good 'ol USA as April winds down, why not celebrate America before the 4^th of July on the latest episode of Dancing With The Stars, eh? Besides, there's quite a few scantily clad patriotic duds on stand-by in wardrobe that could use some (ahem!) exposure before they're relegated to the Bruno Tunioli Museum Of Fashion Appreciation...(actually not a bad idea, Bruno; look into such a venture for real, won't you?)

Kidding aside, this is a very pivotal week in the competition for all the dance pairings being the halfway point of Season 12, so every point is crucial, every mistake is a potential game killer, and as evidenced by last week's shocker of Chelsie and Mark being in the bottom three (a move I still think was a creation of the producers for dramatic effect, but you never know), even being a judge's favorite doesn't mean instant security.

Shall we re-dance?

Ralph and Katrina-You know how these big city folks go into a Western shop to go buy some cowboy gear and they come out looking, well...like Billy Crystal initially did in City Slickers? I felt so bad for Ralph having to squeeze into those way too tight jeans with an oversized belt buckle that probably equaled both his fists combined.

Let's see...a professional Russian female dancer...and a New York lad doing the samba to some Southern fried rock and roll...what's wrong with this picture? But God bless Ralph for soldiering thru a pretty decent samba to the unofficial war song of my homeland (Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama). After an awkward start, he got into a respectable rhythm with the soon to be off the market Ms. Smirnoff, but truth be told? It was a comedown after two wonderful routines in weeks past.

Jeff's Grade C+

Chris and Cheryl-Along with Hines and Kym, Jericho and Burke are not only continuing to dance wonderfully together, a really terrific friendship between these two is growing; it's adding tremendously to their effectiveness, too. Beyond smooth Viennese Waltz to America The Beautiful.

Chris' form and posture continues to evolve, and the fun he's having with Cheryl is irresistible; viewers are FINALLY getting him, too. To boot, the highest score they've ever received from the judges may just put Team Chericho in a position to possibly go to the final two in the weeks ahead.

Like Carrie Ann Inaba so rightly observed, Chris and Cheryl are so “underrated”, After last night, such a term applying to this pairing can be laid to rest.

Jeff's Grade: B+

Petra and Dimitry-After consecutive weeks in comeback mode, the lovely model took a potentially game ending step back with a quick step routine to a horribly arranged version of an Elvis Presley classic. Honestly, the DWTS band's take on Viva Las Vegas? Sounded like it was playing on a turntable in need of an immediate trip to the nearest Best Buy repair department (shameless plug for my all time fave store; please buy ad time, won't you?)....

It wasn't Petra's worst time on the dance floor. What it boiled down to? Her long legs aren't cut out for this kind of routine...and it will be interesting to see if the fan base she's built over the last couple of weeks turns up to save her.

Jeff's Grade: C

Romeo and Chelsie-My only criticism of their foxtrot? I wished it could have been longer. Being a huge fan of classic movie musicals (especially those featuring Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly), they nailed it; huge kudos for Chelsie (and her retro gown which she designed herself) bringing out the song and dance man in Romeo. Elegant, fun, and proof that this adorable twosome are in it to win it. Dead heat with last week's paso doble in terms of their best dance ever.

Jeff's Grade: A-

Hines and Kym-Other than the weirdness of the song choice (God Bless The USA; don't get me wrong I love it, but it's not on my latest love songs mix CD for my girlfriend, you know?), put another notch in the belt of perfection for the most consistent dancers in this thing. Sexy, elegant...and Kym Johnson? I'd go out and fight for you and everybody else in this country if I could..

Just never stop wearing that officer's dress hat okay, luv? (Jeff makes a scrunchy nose Kym's way for added effectiveness).

Jeff's Grade: A

Kirstie and Maks-Hooray! No disaster! Vinnie Barbarino cameo! (sorry, John; still in a nostalgic mood from the TV Land awards, bro)...

Oh, almost forgot...Maks biceps! (that was for all you ladies out there...man, I had ringing in my ears for hours hearing the echoes of your screams from coast to coast, by God).

For what it lacked in technique, the fun, charm and sexiness more than made up for it (and Kirstie? You were pretty doggone hot, yourself...so hot, I forgot to write down the judges score in my review notes..oh well...call me? ).

Jeff's Grade: A

Kendra and Louis-My first thought when all the party favors for the 1,000^th (!) dance had subsided? Oh, cool; they're gonna make Kendra dance on 'em for being such a wuss last week (insert Jeff's wicked Cheshire cat grin, here).

Just teasin', Mrs. K. - Charming, definite improvement, but complete agreement with brother Bruno for her needing her to not be “thinking” during future routines, but involving herself to the max. Also, her arms were pretty much out of synch throughout. But on the plus side, Kendra seems to be losing her fear of the audience and actually enjoying herself for a change. But is it a case of too little, too late?

Jeff's Grade: C

Chelsea and Mark-Yes! The passion is back!

Dear God, I'm going Tunioli, now...scoot back, Len Goodman...

As I stated in my last DWTS blog, I'd felt these two, while enormously talented and creative, had gone a little too technique oriented. Granted, that's a very important part of this show, but to me, you gotta have passion in what you're doing, too...make it enjoyable while hitting on all cylinders.

From the va-va-va voom (!) of Chelsea's hotter than hot please wear that outfit again for Halloween, baby, (please!!) to Mark's superlative choreography (long distance high fives, fist, and chest bumps, ouch), they accomplished that beyond my expectations...Best dance of the night.

(Drum roll) - Sah-lute!!! - (Cymbal crash!)

Jeff's Grade: A+

So, who's going home, gang? My picks for tonight's results show jeopardy trio are:

Kendra and Louis, Petra and Dimitry, and (no tomatoes, please) Ralph and Katrina (however, I feel Ralph's strong fan base will keep him safe).

As always, hit me up on Facebook and Twitter to make your voice heard...and thanks as always for reading!

...and last person out has to clean up that confetti.....

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