Dancing with the Stars Season 6, Week 9: Semi-Welly

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	Published: 05-14-2008
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Dancing with the Stars Season 6, Week 9: Semi-Welly

Len's sole advice for the semi-finalists was to give their performances a bit of welly. Despite still not knowing what exactly welly is, how to actually give it and if giving it is even legal in the US, we can interpret this as the Brit version of bringing your A game. This being the most tame season of DWTS yet, it would take lots of welly to up anyone's game to the level we've seen during other semi-finals. Can these stars find their inner Cha Cha DiGregorios in time to land in the finals (and stop me from endless yawning)?

Ballroom Performances:
Jason & Edyta: Foxtrot
Dance: Jason's come a long way and this routine showcased his Gene Kelly transformation. Unfortunately, it was a little bland and low-key. The shocker was that I didn't recognize Edyta in nearly nun-like coverage.
Judges: Raved about his grace and improvement.
Scores: CA: 9 L: 10 B: 9

Marissa & Tony: Quickstep
Dance: Poor Marissa. She could do the whole routine on her hands and the judges would still give her 8's ("that's not proper"). Her train-centric dance was choo choo cute but does it even matter?
Judges: Bruno pointed out a minor missed step while Carrie Ann and Len thought that the degree of difficulty warranted some leeway.
Scores: CA: 9 L: 9 B: 8

Cristian & Cheryl: Viennese Waltz
Dance: I kept wondering why I wasn't bored with the waltz this season but just as I started to imagine a seismic shift in my dancing preferences, Cristian's sweet but bland routine set things back on course.
Judges: Also back on course? Blind judging or "we know who we want to put in the finals.". They were all enamoured of the performance.
Scores: CA: 9 L: 9 B: 9

Kristi & Mark: Tango
Dance: Since Kristi's assured a spot in the top 2, she really could just phone it in so I appreciate that she came to compete. Mark's choreography was amazing but yet again wasted on someone who only has happy and perky as expressions. This was the smiliest tango I've ever seen.
Judges: Len thought there was too much going on but Carrie Ann and Bruno's paddles leapt to her defense.
Scores: CA: 10 L: 9 B: 10!

There was a cute bit about Len's practice-time visits to all the stars. Like newscasters, you forget that Len has a lower body or can speak without using a paddle. He had a special move he wanted each star to focus on and delighted in demonstrating with the men and the ladies.

Latin Performances:
Jason & Edyta: Paso
Dance: And she's back. After highlighting Jason for a few routines, Edyta needed more spotlight. Jason was relegated to background, flinging her around occasionally. More bull than doble.
Judges: Saw the complete opposite.
Scores: CA: 9 L: 9 B: 9

Marissa & Tony: Rumba
Dance: Yes, it was elegant. Yes, it was romantic. No, the judges don't care.
Judges: CA thought it wasn't semi-final caliber but Len loved it. I don't remember what Bruno said so let's just go with "I love sunsets, ogling the ladies, inappropriate comments and when Len yells at me."
Scores: CA: 8 L: 9 B: 9

Cristian & Cheryl: Samba
Dance: Will the curse of the samba come back to claim Cristian's other arm? Cristian seemed to think so. But he didn't have to worry because Edyta's showboating must be contagious. Cheryl did everything while Cristian stood on the sidelines.
Judges: Oh, they felt the flava.
Scores: CA: 10 L: 9 B: 10!

Kristi & Mark: Jive
Dance: Is it me or did Mark lose his spark since breaking up with his Cheetah girl? Kristi's first jive was better. This time she wasn't as high energy or into it.
Judges: Bruno loved it but Carrie Ann and Len noticed mistakes.
Scores: CA: 9 L: 9 B: 10!

Results:
The encore went to Kristi and Mark for their tango. It seemed like Kristi recovered her mojo because she performed it even better the second time out.

The kids were back and more adorable than before. The two mini's were like dancing muppets but the tween couple was pro-ish. Imitation Joan gave them all a trip to Disney (thanks ABC!) which will be a great consolation prize for the two that don't win "most entertaining.".

There was yet another Michael Jackson-inspired bit with Omarion (why not Mario?) singing a medley. Sounds cool but it looked like a mashup of a less cool group dance from So You Think You Can Dance and an old Janet Jackson video.

And finally, the results. Hope you can handle the shock - Marissa (gasp!) is out. I'm not going to go off on a rant about the judges, the season or the stars because let's save a treat for the finals. But I thought Marissa's inspirational last words were a great message so in her honor and for all those who couldn't be with their moms on Mother's day, take a moment this week to shake what your momma gave you. She’d be proud.

Mali Perl can be reached at mali@realityshack.com. She advises that the shaking should take place in a controlled, safe environment and preferably while wearing safety gear. Just in case.

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