SAN DIEGO, November 11, 2012 – Thought you had fulfilled your patriotic duty to vote last week? Think again.
It seems that fan votes are completely overriding the judges’ scores and the great performances on “Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars.” A couple with a perfect score went home. One of the best dancers has been in the bottom two numerous times. And one star keeps getting saved because she and her partner are so dang popular.
So if you were ever going to vote, this is the week. Since no one left last week, there will be a double elimination.
All couples will dance an individual routine with a Veterans Day theme, and a “Trio” routine. Trios were introduced last season, and it’s one of the few DWTS “gimmicks” that really works. It was a huge hit. For an example of a trio dance, take a look at the video above with Season 14 Champion Donald Driver, Karina Smirnoff, and Peta Murgatroyd.
It’s good timing. The show needs a shot in the arm. It’s dragging along. What seemed like such a great idea in the beginning to bring back previous performers hasn’t met expectations. The dancing is great, but haven’t we seen it all before?
Four of the couples will be dancing the Viennese Waltz: Emmitt and Cheryl, Shawn and Derek, Kelly and Val, and Kirstie and Maks. Gilles and Peta and Melissa and Tony dance the Quickstep, and Apolo and Karina dance a tango. The waltzes may get tedious and some couples will suffer with the direct comparisons.
The trios will be where the real fun happens. The routines are primarily fast moving or aggressive styles of dance. The pro and star add a second pro to their trio, which can either be male or female. Shawn Johnson has a big advantage, having danced with both her trio partners: current partner Derek Hough and Mark Ballas. They’ve drawn a samba and I recommend you have a fire extinguisher handy while you are watching.
Melissa Gilbert made her exit in week 8 of Season 14 after the trio dance, her best night of competition as she thrilled fans with a “Chmerkovskiy sandwich.” Photo: ABC
Kirstie and Maks add hottie Tristan McManus for a paso doble. If it’s anything like the paso doble Melissa Gilbert danced with Maks and Val in her exit last year, Kirstie can have some fun and leave with her head held high.
Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovoloni also drew a paso doble, and they add pro Henry Byalikov. Tony and Henry are superb choreographers and they will play to Melissa’s elegance and lines for this, leaving Kirstie in the dust.
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke and Gilles Marina and Peta Murgatroyd both draw a jive for their trios. Emmitt adds Kym Johnson, a superb choice. He needs to step it up and with these ladies he should be inspired. Gilles and Peta add Chelsie Hightower for a blonde on blonde look.
Two couples with a real chance of going home both drew the jive: Kelly Monaco and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Apolo Ohno and Karina Smirnoff. Kelly and Val are adding Louis Van Amstel, a big plus in the energy and choreography department. Apolo and Karina are adding Sasha Farber, one of the resident professionals. According to the fan website PureDWTS.com (the best DWTS website out there), Karina shows Apolo video of Sasha to help him learn proper technique. It sounds like a great pairing.
With a double elimination, it will be a shocker if Kirstie Alley and Maks Chmerkovskiy don’t go home. Apolo Ohno will need a good week and help from fans to hang in there, despite dancing well. He deserves to stay. Emmitt Smith and Kelly Monaco need to have good weeks.
But judges scores seem to mean little this year. So fans, if you care, you’ve got to vote. As a reminder and motivator, here is the leaderboard from last week:
Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani: 29 plus 10 = 39 points
Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough: 30 plus 8 = 38 points
Kelly Monaco and Valentin Chmerkovskiy: 27 plus 9 = 36 points
Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke: 27 plus 7 = 34 points
Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd: 28.5 plus 5 = 33.5 points
Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff: 27 plus 6 = 33 points
Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 24 plus 4 = 28 points
The big news from “Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars” this week is the announcement that co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She will have surgery after the season is over. Thyroid cancer is among the most treatable cancers when caught early. Fans and compassionate people everywhere wish Brooke the best for a speedy and successful recovery.
“Dancing With The Stars All-Stars” airs on Monday, November 12 30, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.
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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