Dancing Semi-Finals: Who’s Pulling Ahead?

May 13, 2008

It was a night of do-overs, a few 10s and barely-there dresses. But what’s new in the ballroom?

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas took the lead once again, scoring the night’s combined high of 57/60 with a fun jive that had her hair flying and their second try at the tango — a dance that had onetime critic Carrie Ann Inaba feeling emotional and calling the Olympian the “queen of the dancefloor.”

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke were the night’s comeback kids, as the soap star twirled his way through the dance that left him injured two weeks before: the samba. Their nearly flawless performance earned two 10s and a 9, and along with their Viennese waltz left them with a 56/60.

For Marissa Jaret Winokur and pro Tony Dovolani, though, the night flew by without a 10 — a score that Jason Taylor and pro Edyta Sliwinska scored in the first few minutes with their fox trot. Still, both couples were lowest in the judges’s eyes, with Marissa and Tony ending with 52/60 and Jason and Edyta with 55/60 (though Edyta deserved an extra point for wearing her paso doble costume like a Shakira number).

Tell us: Who’s moving into the final round? Did Marissa deserve the lowest score? Who impressed you the most?

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Jethro the Pig Farmer May 13th, 2008

Everyone has their favorites, and that’s fine…but…

Did Cristian really deserve perect 10’s? I thought 10’s were for a perfect dance. Was his dance REALLY flawless? We can pull apart every dance and wonder what the judges were thinking.

It really is insulting to the audience that the judges are pulling scores out of the air on their whims and not on the dancing aspects which they are supposed to be technical experts of. What exactly are we watching here? I won’t say that favoritism is being played, as all of the contestants have been through this, but I will say that the judging makes no sense. The judges want no part in determining the outcome, so they seem predetermined to keep everyone’s scores as close as possible, whether it is justifiable or not.

Might as well make it a popularity contest like “Idol” and let the people vote outright. The judges serve no purpose, and at least one is far from qualified, as dancing topless for Madonna and being a “Fly Girl” doesn’t exactly make a ballroom expert.

Gail May 13th, 2008

Is it just me, but are the judges being extremely unfair this time around? They keep giving Jason low scores on his second dance, I believe so the total score doesnt put him in the top two. He has danced better than some who has received 10’s. Last week he received a very unfair 7!!!!!Kristi and Christian had obvious mistakes and got 10’s. The judges did not say one bad thing about Jason and he got 9’s!!!!That’s all I’m saying!

becsgal May 13th, 2008

I agree. The judges are being very generous to Christian again this week. Yes, he is improving but how is he getting 10s when they are picking apart every little thing Kristi does. They even admitted last night that she is doing much harder steps than everyone else and that she is doing them well. That should be rewarded. I am really getting sick of people whining that she has too much experience. She has way less than several other past favorites. She has been consistant and solid since week 1, despite the judges nit picking everything she does now. Kristi deserves to win this year hands down.

Mindy May 13th, 2008

I think that in some ways, the judges have been stingy with scores this season. I don’t remember another season where we got to the finals with only one dance getting a perfect 30.

I think the judges expect more from Kristy and judge her more harshly.

Sometimes I feel the scoring is off. Mario got 9’s for dances that were much better than other dances he got 9’s for. His samba should have been scored higher than his Jive, which was only a point lower. He got two 9’s for a Jive that was full of mistakes and Kristi got two 9’s for her jive last night which was much better (and I loved Mario and wishes Marissa or Jason had gone home instead). Last night, I felt that Cristian deserved the two 10s for his samba, but that it was a much more complex choreography than the mambo he did last week where he got the two 10’s.

Beth May 13th, 2008

I think they are pumping Cristian for a reason: to keep Marissa out of the top three. She seems like a nice person, but she should have been voted out two weeks ago. They need a solid top three, and she is the weak link.

Donna McCallum May 13th, 2008

I’m sorry, but Marissa looks like MISS PIGGY on the dance floor!!!!

Laura May 13th, 2008

The judges are doing the same thing to Kristi that they did to Apolo a few seasons ago. They hold the one who is the best to different standards and judge that person much more harshly. I don’t like it and I think it is terribly unfair. The steps and routines Kristi and Mark do are so much more difficult than what the others even attempt much less pull off. Sorry but Christian basically just stands around and twirls Cheryl (even before his injury). He is very handsome and seems very nice but I think his injury has caused too much sympathy. He was not that good before he got hurt. I used up all my votes last night by giving one vote to Jason because I thought his first dance was so good. I gave all my other votes to Kristi. Sabrina and Mark went out early partially because the judges decided to be “clever” and go harsh on her even though she was clearly the best. I hope that does not happen to Kristi; she deserves to win.

Frenchie May 13th, 2008

Gail- I agree 100% with you. The judges were too nice to Christian, and to low on Jasons 2nd dance. I think they are trying to keep him out of the top spot, and they are really showing it. I hope people vote! GO JASON!

Tia May 13th, 2008

It seems to me that the judges are really pulling for a girl to win. I mean don’t get me wrong I would love to see another girl win, especially since men have been taking the title for the last 5 seasons I believe. However, I don’t believe that Kristy is the best. I think Jason does really well considering he is 6′6 and spinning like twinkle toes. He hardly ever gets 10s from the judges, while Kristy receives a lot of 10’s, which sometimes she does not deserve. A woman should have won last year, (Mel B) and now I think people are all on the woman needs to win bandwagon and Kristy will win and they are trying to make up for last year. Oh, well I’d love it if a woman won, but this year unfortunately I think one man (Jason) is better considering he has never learned choreography before. Think about it…!

msmick May 13th, 2008

I agree 100% with you Laura, they DEFINITELY are harder on Kristi, especially Len, he really needs a reality check! Also did anyone else see Samantha push Cheryl out of way backstage so she could talk to Christian! She really is a no-class dumb-ass co-host and needs to stay home with her baby!! I wish I knew the real reason they keep her on year after year, maybe she’s keeping someone in charge “happy”!?!?

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