Pop Culture Kitty

Dancing With The Stars 9 – The Semi-Final Performances

Aired 11-16-09

Our celebs had a lot on their plates in the semi-finals.  They had to perform an individual Ballroom and Latin number (including a brief solo dance section) AND then perform the dance they had prepared in case they were ever in a dance-0ff. 

Round One

Donny Osmond & Kym Johnson:  Donny was nervous about the semis since he had been in last place the previous week.  To help him get into character for the Tango, Kym brought in last season hottie Gilles Marini.  His advice was that Donny needed to make people feel uncomfortable watching this Tango.  Well, that’s what happened – but not in the way Donny wanted.  During the dance it almost looked like they were fighting against each other and the missed steps were obvious. Donny looked really upset when it was over.  He said he lost focus when he saw sister Marie in the crowd but we also saw that Kym’s heel had become tangled in the hem of her dress.  Head judge Len Goodman called it a shame because the Argentine Tango had gone so well for Donny.  Bruno Tonioli said that, normally, Donny’s a master at hiding mistakes but he couldn’t cover it up this time.  Carrie Ann Inaba called it rough but congratulated them on making it through.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 7, Len – 7, Bruno – 7.  Total = 21.  Donny said the judges were very kind.

Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough:  I loved this setup clip.  Derek was shown getting very frustrated during the rehearsals with Joanna so his former partner (and DWTS champ) Brooke Burke showed up to get him grounded.  They both did hilarious impressions of him.  Derek may get himself worked up sometimes but the guy does create some stunning choreography.  This Waltz was lovely and some of the moves were striking.  Joanna struggled to get into one of the poses but, overall, it was classy and graceful.  Bruno said it had the grace of angels in heaven but there was the slightest hesitation that kept it from being paradise.  Ah, Bruno.  Carrie Ann said Joanna can take her breath away when she dances but, when she does a reaching move, she needs to have a reason behind it.  Len thought her hold was as good as any professional.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.

Kelly Osbourne & Louis van Amstel:  In their rehearsal clip, we saw Kelly get a call from her dad saying that one of their dogs had died.  She, of course, was in tears.  Louis said it was a sign of how much Kelly has grown that she stayed and kept rehearsing.  The old Kelly would have gone home.  As I mentioned above, the celebs had to do a brief solo in the Latin dances.  Kelly & Louis were given the Rumba and that’s a tough one to solo in.  I thought it turned out to be a bit dull.  On the other hand, Carrie Ann said that Kelly brought her to tears.  She added that Kelly isn’t the best dancer but she reaches into Carrie Ann’s heart.  Len didn’t feel it was one of Kelly’s best dances but it certainly wasn’t the worst.  Bruno said Kelly is endearing but some parts of the dance weren’t as perfect as they should have been.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 8, Bruno -8.  Total = 24.

Mya & Dmitry Chaplin:  Their setup piece was meant to show us how devoted Mya is to the competition.  I don’t think we needed that proven since she already seems like one of the pros.  Their Waltz was absolutely stunning and was the kind of dance that wins the trophy.  It was the best characterization Mya’s had so far.  Len thought it was a joy to watch.  Bruno called it “love set to music”.  Carrie Ann said Mya always has the potential to get 10’s but she felt they were slightly disconnected in the hold.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 10.  Total – 28.

Round Two – This round featured biographical clips of all the celebs and, frankly, I don’t know how any of them could dance after watching these tearjerkers.  I was a mess!

Donny & Kym:  This was a great comeback dance for Donny.  They performed to “One Bad Apple” and, yes, I’m enough of an Osmond geek to recognize the classic Osmond Brothers moves.  As unhappy as Donny was after the Tango was how happy he was after this Samba.  Bruno said that a bit of a stumble doesn’t stop a professional.  It was carefree and fun like a Samba should be.  Carrie Ann said it was certainly better than the Tango but it seemed a bit sloppy.  Len agreed with Bruno.  He called it a “metamorphoses”.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 8, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 26.

Joanna & Derek:  Their Cha Cha was good (and I got a kick out of Joanna singing along) but it was an oddly low-key dance.  Carrie Ann loved it and said Joanna truly was a dancer.  Len thought it was clean and crisp but could have been a bit more “cheeky”.  Bruno called Joanna “natural sex”.  Tom just shook his head.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.

Kelly & Louis:  Their Quickstep as uneven.  Parts were very good but there were also some pretty clear missteps.  Len said it was beyond his expectations.  As a performer, and a person, Kelly had blown him away.  Bruno acknowledged there was a mistake but added the dance was light, fast-footed and in sync.  Carrie Ann thought Kelly nailed it.  Kelly then tearfully thanked the judges for all their comments saying it was part of what has been giving her the confidence to keep coming back.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.

Mya & Dmitry:  Wow, wow and wow!  That was about as hot as a dance can get.  I’ll say it – the girl deserves to win this thing.  Bruno said only one word could describe it – sensational.  Carrie Ann called it hot beyond belief.  Len declared, “Tutti frutti, what a booty.”  He said Mya deserves to be in the finale.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 10, Len – 10, Bruno – 10.  Total = 30.  It’s times like this when you wish there was an 11 paddle. 

Knock-Out Dances

Donny & Kym:  They chose to dance the Jitterbug.  It was the perfect kind of dance for Donny – very energetic.  Carrie Ann said Donny needed to be good and, thank God, he got his mojo back.  Len told Donny that 2 out of 3 wasn’t bad and Bruno called it upbeat and full of vigor.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.  Total for the night – 74.

Joanna & Derek:  They picked the Salsa.  It was fun, but not as flashy as I expected.  Len called it hot, tasty and full of spice.  Bruno said it was delicious and flirtatious and Carrie Ann told Joanna that she would love to see her in the finals.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.  Total for the night – 81.

Kelly & Louis:  They went with the Cha Cha.  It was short and cute – just like Kelly.  Bruno said it might have been a “quickie” but it worked for him.  Carrie Ann thought Kelly did a great job with finishing her lines and Len was pleased that all three of her dances were well done.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, Bruno – 9.  Total = 27.  Total for the night – 78.

Mya & Dmitry:  They picked the Cha Cha as well.  Mya had a great night and seemed to be having the time of her life.  Carrie Ann said the beginning of the dance didn’t speak to her.  Bruno replied “You’re deaf!”  Len was disappointed because he wanted it to go on longer and Bruno called it an action packed trailer for a blockbuster.  Scores:  Carrie Ann – 9, Len - 10, Bruno – 10.  Total = 29.  Total for the night 87 out of 90.  Wow! 

So, we ended the evening with Donny & Kym in last place but my guess is that Kelly & Louis are the ones in real jeopardy.

Full episodes of DWTS are available at ABC’s website here:

http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars