My Ox Is Broken

DwtS 8, Week 11: Performances

The Dancing with the Stars 8 finalists gave it their all, as they tried to impress the voters one last time.

The competition started with all three couples facing off against one another in a Paso Doble. The judges awarded scores to each couple individually.

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas -- 28

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani -- 29

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke -- 30

Then it was time for the Freestyle Round.

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas -- 30

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke -- 28

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani -- 27

Judges' Leaderboard (60 points possible):

58 -- Shawn & Mark, Gilles & Cheryl

56 -- Melissa & Tony

While I liked all of the Freestyles, I think Shawn & Mark gave the most energetic performance. However, I'm giving at least a couple of my votes to Melissa & Tony. The judges have been inconsistent in the way they've scored the couple in recent weeks, and their comments haven't been constructive. It's as though they've been holding Melissa to a different standard, but never explained what that standard was.

I think the trophy will go to Shawn or Gilles, but I want to give Melissa a fighting chance.

 

Posted by Kathy (myoxisbroken@gmail.com) on 05/18/2009.

Comments

BethAnn wrote (5/19/2009 12:27:00 AM EDT) …
I was a bit miffed at the judges during the Paso face-off. While Melissa had a visible stumble--Len and I believe Bruno both mentioned it--she got 10s from CA and Bruno. So much for a 10 being for perfection. Meanwhile, the only criticism I heard for Shawn was that CA felt she wasn't capable of the "emotion" that the other 2 were, simply because she's so young and she lost points. That seems ridiculous to me.

I DID think the judges were right on during the freestyle. Shawn & Mark were high energy, fast, precise, and their tricks seemed well-placed. I agreed that Melissa relied too much on tricks and I felt that Tony looked uncomfortable doing the hip-hop-type choreo. I also felt that Gilles did a minimal amount of dancing but I loved the side-by-side work he did with Cheryl in front of the judges' table. For Cheryl, though, I was underwhelmed by the choreo.

While Shawn got all of my votes tonight, I think Gilles will make Cheryl the 1st 3-peat champ.
Bekah wrote (5/19/2009 9:03:00 AM EDT) …
I did think Shawn's freestyle was cute, energetic and very appropriate for her. I think Tony missed the boat with his choreography for Melissa. I think she would've shown more with something either soft and romantic or along the lines of their Argentine Tango. I had very high expectations for Cheryl and Gilles but, thank goodness, they didn't do hip-hop! So all my votes went to Gilles for a great opening Tango, for handling all the dances well over the season and for not doing hip hop in the freestyle.
stacey wrote (5/19/2009 10:48:00 AM EDT) …
As always, thanks for the summary!

I hear what you're saying about the judges' inconsistent critique of Melissa. Maybe they're as torn as I am with her. She dances with more conviction than some past ballet dancers (Jane Seymour) but doesn't quite excite me. I don't know what it's called but if I saw her leg fly up in the air in a sweeping motion one more time, I was going to scream. Great, you're flexible, have long legs, and can point your toes...but I felt like it was a time eater. That's more Tony's fault than Melissa's.

I didn't agree with the crit that Shawn wasn't emotionally attached during the paso. She was staring Mark down like she'd been on a no-carb diet for months and he was a hot, steamy potato.

Shawn & Mark's freestyle was awesome. Smooth integration of tricks with dance. The other two freestyles were disjointed. I can't believe Cheryl missed the opportunity to highlight Gilles' hips and booty and have him dance more.

Excited about tonight.
Charity wrote (5/19/2009 11:24:00 AM EDT) …
I was so disappointed with Cheryl and Gilles' freestyle. I couldn't believe they scored higher than Melissa on that one. It looked like Cheryl was doing all the work- the only part that impressed me was how effortlessly Gilles rose with Cheryl on his shoulder for (what I believe was) their second lift. Otherwise- boring and unoriginal.

I'm really hoping that Shawn and Mark take the trophy home tonight. IMHO, they deserve it after that amazing freestyle.
jess wrote (5/19/2009 12:10:00 PM EDT) …
i think that shawn or gilles will take it, but i want melissa to win because she really deserves it, and i really want tony to get the trophy.
Steph wrote (5/19/2009 12:43:00 PM EDT) …
Swoon on Gilles paso, it was gorgeous...he's gorgeous. Yes, swoon.

I was underwhelmed by all the freestyles, but Shawn's was the best. Gilles was a HUGE let down, but I still want him to win. I don't know what happened, Cheryl is usually queen of fantastic freestyles, and her Flashdance just fell flat.
Melissa's was a meh...
Steph wrote (5/19/2009 1:04:00 PM EDT) …
After rewatching all the freestyles I'm gonna take back my alliterate comments on Gilles. It was great. Maybe I'm just superbly biased by his looks, but I think it did show just how talented he is. Lifts were smooth, that part in front of the judges was in sync, and yes, he smoldered. It wasn't overly tricksy which may have persuaded me negatively initially, but what they did do was done so well that once again, he looked like a pro.
Then Shawn's, it had tons of tricks, and they were done well and it was all well choreographed. BUT you definitely could tell who was the pro and who was the star.
As Tyra would say, so who goes home?

(Didn't include Mellisa, she's still a meh in my book)
Joanie wrote (5/19/2009 2:22:00 PM EDT) …
First, we all thank you for the handy links to all the reviews; very helpful and brings me here first everytime.
Second, I most definitely think the judges are doing ALL they can to diss Melissa and Tony for whatever reasons. It is so very obvious. I personally love her personality and dancing and would love it if they won because I think they've earned it.

However, given the judges' negativity, I think she'll come in third by design. Getting to really dislike the ends of season with DWTS. Time to get objective judges or take them out of the equation. Sure(!)
Kathy wrote (5/19/2009 6:09:00 PM EDT) …
Stacey, your description of Shawn's Paso performance cracked me up!
We've enabled comments at MOIB, and anyone can post. Just enter your name or nickname, your email (which will not be displayed publicly), and your message.

Post A Comment

Name:  

Email (Won't be displayed):  

Comment (<1000 Characters):  


  characters left.

 

Other Recent Stories...

Ox Notes: December 22, 2009

The final Ox Notes of 2009 is an all-Survivor edition.

Ox Notes: December 17, 2009

SYTYCD crowns a winner. Survivor: Samoa ends on Sunday. And good news for a past Survivor champ.

Ox Notes: December 15, 2009

Golden Globe nominations announced. SYTYCD ends this week. And lots of Survivor interviews.

Ox Notes: December 10, 2009

A bizarre new reality show on ABC. DwtS auction items. And my thoughts on the Top Chef Las Vegas finale.

Ox Notes: December 8, 2009

TAR interviews. An '80s star directs Gossip Girl. And new shows on VH1 and ESPN.

Ox Notes: November 25, 2009

Dancing with the Stars 9 Finale news.

Ox Notes: November 24, 2009

DwtS interviews. V wraps tonight. And Vamp Diaries gets a week-long marathon.

DwtS 9: The Semi-finals

Long-time MOIB reader Aaron was kind enough to recap the DwtS 9 Semi-Finals.

Ox Notes: November 19, 2009

Survivor starts casting for Seasons 21 and 22. Top Chef blog posts. And when to bail on a TV show.

Ox Notes: November 17, 2009

DwtS news, including Julianne Hough's future plans. Plus, Survivor and TAR interviews.

©2005-09 My Ox Is Broken. All rights reserved, whatever that means. Site search generously provided by Google.