It’s Ladies Night - Oh What a Night! Week 1 DWTS

Posted By: admin On: March 19, 2008 Comments: ( 0 )

By: Alyssa

All the men can relax tonight. Karina almost fell down the steps - oopsy. Marissa is all smiles and sooo darn cute. Priscilla looks nervous as can be going down the steps. Marlee is cute and all smiles - looks cool and calm. Monica is so darn tall. Shannon Elizabeth looks tomboyish a bit. Hmmm…it’s gonna be an interesting night! I have to add too that Edyta is gorgeous tonight! Oh boy Priscilla Presley looks like she is gonna hurl. As the cameras panned it looked like her lips said “Oh boy!” Hmmm. Of course we start off with a recap (just read our blogs from last night which is even better than a recap). We do get to see their confessions after their dances and Cheryl and Cristian’s was very cute.

OMG! Shannon Elizabeth sitting on the couch backstage - very risque’ outfit I must say. Dang girl! LOL! Len said tonight he is grumpy so the women will need to come out and wow us. Are we PMS’ing Len? Next week is the first ever double elimination, but it isn’t really since one should have went this week and one next week - so we’re all good. One woman and one man will go though which is a bit different.

Shannon Elizabeth is up first dancing the cha cha cha and just admitted she is a tomboy. Yep, if you read the first paragraph you’ll see I had that pegged. Derek Hough says this year he is coming back as a man (as opposed to being female? No, he said last season he was a boy - oh ok)! hehe! I bet he is lovin’ that he’s partnered with her. Shannon is having major issues in practice with her heels - she wears them everywhere to get used to them. Soooo funny. I am starting to like her - so funny and not your typical beautiful girl. She seems like a perfectionist for sure. My kind of girl. I’m excited…here we go of course after the break!!!

They dance to”Shut up and Drive”, but it is way slowed down. She looked stiff at the start, but not now. She’s a little sloppy with her shoulders - kind of like his first partner, Jennie Garth. It seemed a bit sloppy and perhaps I expected more from her. I don’t know. It was just ok for me.

Len thought it was a great start - high energy. Len complained about her hip action and to work on her legs - especially if she is wearing short dresses. Bruno called her sexy and had great extension - needs to point her feet and stretch her back. Carrie Ann said she has great energy and confidence, but agreed with Len on the legs and told her to work on her flexibility. Shannon went backstage and said she messed up a ton and wasn’t happy with it. Derek said he was happy with it. She got 7’s across the board for a total of 21 out of 30. Starting off better than then gents did that is for sure.

I’d like to take a moment while we are at commercial and say that based on this first dance - I believe the women have a chance to win it this year. I’m excited about that.

Monica Seles and Jonathon Roberts are up next. Monica is having issues with grace and elegance. She’s pessimistic about being stiff and boy is she EVER stiff and NOT graceful. She keeps mentioning where is the exit - hmmm…America just might give you one if you don’t get positive. They dance the foxtrot and she is all decked out in pink and looking nervous as ever. They dance to “Bubbly”. How come I know all the songs tonight and hardly any from last night - I had to look them up. She looks like Celine Dion and needs to increase the strength in her back and shoulders. She reminds me of Heather Mills - a little clumsy. Her turns sucked, but she is more graceful than practice. When they glide across the floor she really shines and she’s a good little actress. She’s super excited that it is over with and she looks pleased. It wasn’t as bad as I thought.

Bruno said “I love the fact that you set off a beautiful tone for the dance.” He told her to engage her core center and you will be light on the floor. Len loved the light romance and the story that was told - he thought it was elegant and gorgeous and agreed with Bruno about her core. Carrie Ann said it takes lots of confidence, but you went for it and had the emotional quality about it. She wants her to see that the movement is not so different than tennis. I love Monica’s hair - it is gorgeous up and rarely do I like hair that is in the up-do. Monica compared this to a prom and how she loved her dress. She received 3 5’s for a total of 15 out of 30. She’s tied with Adam Carolla. hehe!

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovaloni are up next. She is such a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars and wants to show that women of any size can go out and dance - we love you Marissa. She’s super excited to see Tony and loved him and Stacy. She’s got a great sense of humor and asked if he has danced with a short girl before. He said yes. Their practices are so hilarious - she is funny all the time and is full of energy. I love this girl - so far. She might annoy me later, but we’ll see. They dance the cha cha cha to “Low” ya know the boots with the fur song. hehe! She has got moves and is a great actress with her facial expressions - great smile. Nice hip action. She messed up a bit on the moves - it was obvious, but the crowd loved her and was on their feet. We see Ricki Lake in the audience cheering her on - hey that’s who she reminds me of. The men are on their feet too cheering her on. WOW! Good job!

Carrie Ann asked what was up with Tony’s pants - sequins! LOL! She loved Marissa’s style, but there wasn’t enough content for a cha cha. Bruno thought she was super peppy, but wanted to see more content. Len was bewitched by the performance, bothered by too much hip hop and was bewildered that Tony didn’t give her more to do. Hmmm. Let’s see the scores - I feel bad for Tony, but let’s see. She got 6’s across the board for a total of 18 out of 30. She is extremely happy for those scores and just had so much fun. She’s kind of manic and can’t stop talking. Bet Samantha won’t like her in future interviews b/c she is always trying to shut people up.

Guys reactions - Steve - girls are so great. Mario - we have a reason to be nervous. Adam - This by far is the best competition and Steve said it sucked off air. Cristian said Marissa is happier than Steve - finally. LOL! Jason is real happy for Monica. Penn says Marissa has him beat on the happy and puts on a straight face.

Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel are up next. For some reason I am very nervous for her. I just want her to do well. During their first meeting - Louis was intimidated and she told him up front she doesn’t want to be treated delicately. She’s also a perfectionist. I like that. An anonymous person - ok my Mom - keeps going on and on about how she doesn’t know how Priscilla will dance because she is always pushing her hair out of her face. Well it appears her hair is pulled back tonight.

Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel dance the foxtrot to “I’m feelin’ good” (I think). She glides nicely and I liked the choreography - nice job Louis. She needs to work on her spins. She did the death spiral excellently and receives a standing ‘O’. Wow, Priscilla. She is out of breath and looks relieved it is over.

Len said it was a proper foxtrot - it was beautiful and fluid, but watch the posture in hold. Bruno said this was a smokin’ hot foxtrot - I saw star quality - you played it well, but work on the shoulders. Carrie Ann said age is just a number - you were the queen of that dance number - so elegant. Lisa Marie was proudly clapping in the audience - guess she’s gotten over the fact that her mom is in this competition. She received 8’s across the board for a total of 24 out of 30. Samantha comments on Louis being back and BACK HE IS! We’re glad you’re back Louis.

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas are up. Kristi is wondering about higher expectations on her. Kristi is use to the flat foot because of the skate - now she is on heels. She loves the process of learning something new and seems very positive unlike Monica Seles. She is very cute and positive - I already knew that though. They also dance the foxtrot (hmmm..why two foxtrots in a row?) Their foxtrot is fast, fluid and smooth. She is graceful as I knew she’d be and a good performer. Honestly I have no complaints at all about this performance. Let’s see if the judges agree and wow - love that ending - fast and complicated footwork. WOW!! Mario, I see, is scoping out the competition.

Bruno said “Absolutely WICKED”, timely, precision, you played it so beautifully, one of the best 1st performance rounds. Carrie Ann said you made it look so effortless - it was just beautiful. Len said the ice maiden has just melted my heart, couple of little things on the pivots, but you are a really talented ballroom dancer. Let’s wait until we get to the latin round before we judge her, shall we? Samantha asked her about having an advantage and Kristi didn’t think so since skating and dancing are different.

She received 9’s across the board for a total of 27 out of 30. She is so shocked - but we aren’t. That was a great 1st performance!

Marlee Matlin is dancing even though she can’t hear the music. That just gave me chills. She is wearing a device that will help her, but she won’t be hearing it like we would obviously. We see newcomer Fabian Sanchez - first season and with a deaf dancer - what a challenge. He was so excited - but then realized she can’t hear. Yeah my thoughts exactly. She admits she has rhythm and she uses her body to communicate. They do the cha cha cha. She wants to feel his A$$ and he lets her..LOL! Cute! They turn the music on to test how much she can hear - it was up loud and she couldn’t hear. She can sometimes hear the beat, but she is profoundly deaf, but she sleeps great. Cute! Fabian will be her music. I’m excited for her - you go girl. I have a few tears too - not sure why, but I’m just really proud of her for trying this.

She’s got a nice actress face on - really doing well on the performance. She kept up with the beat and was spot on - and when they motioned to get on your feet - everyone did in the audience. She looks thrilled and frankly I have tears in my eyes after that. I am in awe and amazement. WOW!

Carrie Ann said that was unbelievable and inspiring. We will be judging you by what we see on the dance floor - that was so fluid and with so much ease. Len said you did a very good job and agreed with Carrie Ann but watch the flinging of your arms. Bruno said it was unbelievable - the music is running through your blood - you hardly missed a beat. Very well done - I can’t believe it.

Samantha asked her how she did what she just did - and she said she just went with the beat of my heart and followed Fabian. She thanked him. She is doing this for her kids and “why not?” Life is short! Her scores were 7’s from Len and Carrie Ann and an 8 from Bruno - total of 23 out of 30.

Now that was inspiring. I’m very emotional right now and I just remembered reading that many deaf kids are lining up to take dance lessons because they are inspired by Marlee. See, anyone can do it - just takes effort and dedication.

Here’s the leaderboard:

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas 27 out of 30

Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel 24 out of 30

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez 22 out of 30

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough 21 out of 30

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani 18 out of 30

Monica Seles and Jonathon Roberts 15 out of 30

My pick for best dance goes to Kristi Yamaguchi, but I’m choosing to highlight Priscilla because she surprised me and Kristi didn’t (I expected that out of Kristi). First to go - Adam Carolla and Monica Seles are my picks.

Update: I was posting this at about 1:30AM and was extremely tired - my mind has changed and I choose to highlight Marlee Matlin because she was inspiring, brought me to tears, and shocked the HELL out of me. So, Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez (dirty - LOL! Thanks Bridget) are the dance of the week! Woohoo - Go Marlee!