So the semi-final. The four remaining contestants were Jason Taylor, Cristian de la Fuente, Kristi Yamaguchi and Marissa Jaret Winokur. The two – ballroom and latin – dances they had to perform were apparently chosen by a random draw. And I have to warn you, if you’re looking for positivity, better read last week’s review because this semi-final? Was a big dull dud.
Jason opened the show with the Foxtrot and, I don’t know, it just bored me. I wasn’t sure if it was the same choreography as last time – some of it seemed vaguely familiar – but I wouldn’t have been able to tell, since it was just blah. Len Goodman said the whole thing was great. Bruno Tonioli said Jason was a showman tonight and he was, but only for a couple of seconds. They scored 28.
Much as I love Marissa’s enthusiasm, I was a bit bored by their Quickstep too. The choreography was just dull (I couldn’t help thinking about Julianne and Helio’s Quickstep). The audience booed Bruno when he pointed out that Marissa missed a step, which she did. “For a dance so technical and so fast,” said Len, “I thought you did a great job.” They scored 26.
Cristian was a revelation last week and I obviously wasn’t the only one to think so since he finished top for the first time. But this week, I found their Viennese Waltz a bit, yes, boring. Is it me? I also felt he looked a bit uncomfortable. The judges loved it though, Bruno calling it “A Viennese Waltz with a wow factor.” No. Remember Mel and Maks’s Viennese Waltz last season? That had a wow factor. This one was only okay. And Cheryl’s dress was utterly hideous – “Is anyone missing a weather balloon?” host Tom Bergeron asked. They scored 27.
As for Kristi’s Tango, well … I thought it was brilliant, but there’s just no chemistry between she and her partner, Mark, and I think that’s why it just didn’t thrill me. I almost did, but then not quite. Len thought it was sometimes a little bit hectic and Bruno said he was barmy. Carrie Ann Inaba tried to jump up to tell Kristi she was “Queen of the dancefloor” but got her dress caught on her chair. They scored 29 (the 9 was from Len).
Jason’s Paso Doble could barely be considered dancing on his part. It was more stomping around and a series of poses and it, yes, bored me. Carrie Ann said there were difficult steps. Well,, I saw one difficult step. Len and Bruno loved it too and it scored 27.
Thankfully, Marissa’s Rumba costume was a big improvement on last time, but I’m not sure the routine was. I love to watch her, but it wasn’t exciting. Carrie Ann said it didn’t do anything for her either. Len said the Rumba is a precise dance, but without the wow factor of some of the other dances and, for him, it was a wow of a Rumba. Bruno said it was sexy and she sold it well. They scored 26.
Cristian had been worried about tackling the Samba again, since that’s how he got injured, but it was the first dance of the night to make me smile. It wasn’t perfect technically, but I love to watch him dance and he definitely captured the spirit of the Samba. Len said it was occasionally a bit flat-footed. Bruno said it was exciting and fun. Carrie Ann commented that he brought so much energy to the dancefloor. They scored 29 (a 9 from Len).
I felt the same way about Kristi’s Jive as I did the Tango. It was technically great – no-one can deny that she’s an incredible dancer – but it didn’t do anything for me. Carrie Ann pointed out that it was very difficult choreography, but they were “a hair out of sync”. Len thought it was sometimes a little bit stiff, but Bruno disagreed. They scored 28.
At the end of the show, Kristi was top and Marissa was bottom (but only 5 points behind).
In the previous seasons of Dancing With the Stars (and Strictly Come Dancing) I’ve felt quite passionate about the finalists, but this time I’m just not that bothered. I wish I knew what it is that’s missing, but I guess it must just be chemistry. You win some, you lose some, I suppose, but it’s disappointing. .
After a load of faff and that creepy ballroom kids competition, Kristi and Jason were through and Marissa and Cristian were in the bottom two. Of the two, I wanted Cristian to go through – since he dances with the most joy – but I also realised that I would have preferred Jason to go rather than Marissa. He bores me.
Anyway, it was Marissa. So the finalists are Jason, Kristi and Cristian. I’m predicting a shock first exit for Kristi and then Cristian to win.
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