SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2012 – The top four couples will fight for their spot in the finals with two new dances on week 9 of “Dancing With The Stars” Monday, May 14.
Each couple will dance a new Latin dance, and a new ballroom dance. Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd dance the Waltz and Samba. Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas perform the Salsa and Quick Step. Maria Menounos and Derek Hough drew the Jive and Argentine Tango. William Levy and Cheryl Burke dance the Tango and Samba.
Mark Ballas says the Quick Step and Salsa are favorite dances for him. He was quoted in TV Guide Magazine saying that he is going to remind people “how sassy and sexy Katherine can be” with their salsa and promised some “Welsh Wiggles.” On Twitter, Ballas said he and Jenkins stayed up Friday night until 1 a.m. rehearsing, likely due to Jenkins’ appearance singing on “The Tonight Show” which is recorded in the late afternoon.
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas will dance the salsa and quickstep in their bid to get into the finals. Photo: ABC/Adam Taylor.
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd have drawn dances that are strong for them. On Access Hollywood, Driver was asked about his quest for the perfect score, which he hasn’t received yet. “If we don’t ever get that perfect score, then I’ll feel like I just didn’t give it more… The fans have been given us 10s, 10s, 10s the last few weeks. It’s the fans getting us to the next rounds.” Driver said he wants to put the Mirror Ball Trophy right next to his Vince Lombardi Trophy from winning the Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers. “I don’t think there was ever a doubt we could win it. We’re only a few weeks away. It’s like playoffs for me. You have only one shot to win it.”
Derek Hough says because the competition is so tight, he and Maria Menounos will have to pull out something show stopping. Hough promised sexy but tasteful.
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd want that perfect score of 30 to vault them into the finals. Photo: ABC/Adam Taylor
William Levy says he feel confident he will be ready on Monday. On Twitter, Levy said, “The samba it’s getting better and Tango too… I think will be in shape for Monday. We are rehearsing like crazy.” Partner Cheryl Burke said she and Levy completed two full rehearsals Friday, and Levy is “coming along” well. “Productive day today! Got both dances down to music. Tango and Samba is really coming along. Now time to rest,” tweeted Burke.
After all the couples dance on Monday, one more will be eliminated on Tuesday night. Expect William Levy and Cheryl Burke and Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd to make it into the finals. The last spot will go to either Maria Menounos and Derek Hough or Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas. It will come down to avoiding mistakes, and whether injuries have finally taken a toll. Menounos has struggled with injuries all season and it could be the difference, a tough way to go out if so.
With Ballas and Hough, their choreography choices may also factor into the scores. Both are creative and adventurous, but this is not the week to take a chance. Menounos found herself in jeopardy after judge Len Goodman disliked her Bollywood-themed samba.
Finally, we should watch how the fans vote who were supporting competitors that are now gone from the show. Melissa Gilbert and Maks Chmerkovskiy enjoyed an incredibly loyal fan base. If word went out to this group to vote for one of the semi-finalists, it would make a serious impact. Val Chmerkovskiy commented in an interview this week that he though Donald Driver would go all the way.
At this level, everyone is dancing extremely well and it’s a joy for fans to watch. Don’t be late: the show is only 90 minute long this week.
“Dancing With the Stars” returns for week 9 of the competition on Monday night, May 14, 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific Time, on the ABC Television Network.
Voting Numbers:
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd: Waltz and Samba
Voting # 1-800-868-3403 or text VOTE to 3403
Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas: Salsa and Quick Step
Voting # 1-800-868-3410 or text VOTE to 3410
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough: Jive and Argentine Tango
Voting # 1-800-868-3401 or text VOTE to 3401
William Levy and Cheryl Burke: Tango and Samba
Voting # 1-800-868-3408 or text VOTE to 3408
Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR, is President/Owner of the Falcon Valley Group in San Diego, California. Read more Media Migraine in the Communities at The Washington Times. Follow Gayle on Facebook and on Twitter @PRProSanDiego.
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