Episode Report Card Kim: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Paso Doble from THE FUTURE
By Kim | Season 9 | Episode 16 | Aired on 11.09.2009
Last week, Joanna and Derek ended up at the top of the scoreboard. This week, they have the quickstep, and you can't really make this dance sexy. In rehearsal, Derek uses footage of Mya to show Joanna what she should be doing. I find this really bizarre since Len just got done talking about how Mya has lacked technique until this week. Suddenly, I feel like the show is promoting Mya as the frontrunner when that hasn't really been the case previously. Like why did we just spend most of Joanna's segment talking about how awesome Mya is? Or are they trying to set up a final two here? Anyway, the quickstep. It's really fast-paced and Derek is selling the hell out of it, but Joanna has a bouncing problem. I don't know if she doesn't bend her knees enough (or at all) or what, but she looks like she might break. The parts where they run around the floor look good, but the parts where she's supposed to be bouncing are not so good. Derek does inject a lot of energy into the routine, though and the audience gives them a standing O.
Carrie Ann points out that the routines are longer than usual, and they had a lot of content, but she didn't point her toes enough. Len doesn't think it's the standard for the quarterfinal and Derek nods like he knows it wasn't good enough. Bruno knows it was difficult, but there were some issues with her footwork and legs, and overall it wasn't one of her best. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 7, and Bruno 8. The audience boos Len's score.
I think this is make-or-break week for Kelly. She's never really lived up to her routine the first week. She hasn't been TERRIBLE, but she's kind of been skating by on personality. Louis shows in rehearsal how Kelly finds excuses to take time off during rehearsals, like stopping when people come by to say hello, or bringing her puppies to rehearsal, or answering the phone. Finally, Louis locks all of her stuff in a box (except the puppies) to get her to focus. Well, I for one think that Kelly has shown great improvement with her foxtrot. She's actually dancing instead of thinking about the steps, and she's performing instead of looking terrified. And her technique is great for the most part. I really liked this routine --it's my favorite of the night so far.
Len says that she brought grace and elegance to the routine, although her footwork was not great. Bruno thought she was light and ethereal, and she sustained the performance throughout. Carrie Ann says that Kelly's secret weapon is that the audience roots for her, but she needs to work on her turns and extensions if she's going to stay. Scores: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, and Bruno 9.