Chelsea Kane Gets Her Wish - Recap/Review of Week 4 of "Dancing with the Stars"

It’s the first-ever classical week on this week’s installment of Dancing with the Stars. From the outfits everyone is wearing, I can tell immediately this week’s dances will be the Paso Doble and some form of Waltz. The band has been doubled in size to 46 members and classical musicians, David Garrett and soprano Catherine Jenkins, will be performing while the contestants are dancing. To start us off, Dance Troupe members Kiki and Oksana, he in a black sequined jacket and she in a red and gold gown, dance the Paso Doble while Garrett, the fastest violinist in the world, plays. What an awesome performance!

First to dance are Romeo and Chelsie, who have to come back from a less-than-stellar performance last week. Chelsie certainly has her work cut out for her as Romeo tends to be somewhat timid on the dance floor and the Paso Doble requires the exact opposite. He needs to be “passionate and confident,” according to her. As they begin their dance, it appears to me as if Romeo is counting his steps. I particularly didn’t like the “twinkle toes” part of their routine, and poor Chelsie – Romeo appeared to drop on top of her at the end of the routine. The judges, however, didn’t see it like I did. Although Grouchy Len complained about Romeo being bare-chested at the end of the dance, he liked the routine, as did Bruno. Carrie Ann, of course, saw some small lifts, for which she deducted a point, and commented, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen the Paso with swagga!” Score: 23.

Kendra and Louis are next, dancing the Viennese Waltz. It will be fun to see if she can handle such a lady-like, proper dance. According to Kendra, “Yeah, I’m totally screwed.” But as she and Louis come out onto the floor, with Catherine Jenkins singing in the background, it appears to me Kendra has mastered the dance. And wow, what a finish! Bruno thought there were a lot of technical issues that I apparently didn’t see, and said she needed to become one with the music. Carrie Ann commented she could see how hard Kendra was trying and Len said it had flow and good movement. Score: 18.

Sugar Ray and Anna danced the Paso Doble last week so this week they’re dancing the Viennese Waltz to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from the “Nutcracker.” How funny that Sugar Ray wanted to insert his boxing moves into the waltz! Could you imagine what that would look like? Anna took Sugar Ray on a field trip to a ballet school and I couldn’t believe how funny he looked in blue tights! But ever the professional, he took part in the class. Anna looked just beautiful in her baby blue tutu knee-length gown and Sugar Ray certainly seemed like he was having a good time. Len commented, “Sugar Ray Leonard turns into the Sugar Plum Fairy…the more I got into it, the more I smiled, and the more I realized as much as technique and performance are important, so is entertainment and I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.” Bruno thought the dance had a “wonderful cartoonish charm,” and Carrie Ann totally agreed. Score: 21.

Petra and Dmitry are dancing the Paso this week and Dmitry is a little concerned Petra won’t be able to handle the mean and aggressive side of the dance. It’s funny that no matter how hard Dmitry tries to get her to make an angry face in rehearsal, she keeps laughing and smiling. As they dance, I was a little confused by the music the orchestra was playing. It didn’t seem to fit with a Paso Doble at all. I wonder who picks the music anyway. However, Petra managed to keep her “angry” face on and danced a pretty decent Paso Doble to a standing ovation. Len said, “I would have liked a little more authority in your legs,” but thought she did an ok job. Bruno went a little over the top with his gyrations trying to imitate Petra’s movements and Carrie Ann thought it was absolutely gorgeous. Score: 23.

Peta and Tristan from the Dance Troupe took the floor next to show us what the Viennese Waltz should really look like, with the mesmerizing soprano, Jenkins, singing in the background. What a lovely, ethereal waltz they did! Just beautiful!

Ralph and Karina had a bit of a problem last week because Ralph didn’t seem to know what to do with Karina’s sexiness during their Rumba. This week, they’re dancing to “Romeo and Juliet” and must pull off a most romantic performance with their Viennese Waltz. I thought Ralph did a good job conveying the emotions necessary and connecting with Karina beautifully throughout the dance. I was happy the judges agreed with me with Bruno commenting “It was totally heartfelt,” and Carrie Ann saying, “There was an honest connection to the emotions, I was swept in.” Len said, “You’ve been in the wilderness for two weeks, you’re back!” Score: 25, the highest score of the night so far and their highest score of the season.

Next up wide receiver Hines Ward and Kym Johnston who shared the top spot on the leader board last week. Hines wants desperately to stay at the top with this week’s Paso Doble, and to tell you the truth, I’d love to see Kym and Hines win the season. I think she’s a beautiful dancer, who has been robbed of the trophy in past seasons. Wow, what a sexy costume she’s wearing! Right off the bat, I can tell this is going to be one powerful performance. Hines was quite the matador! Standing ovation well-deserved! The judges agreed with Carrie Ann saying, “You were in the zone my friend…you nailed it;” Len commented, “You are the most determined of all of our celebrities…you are really doing great.” Bruno offered, “Oh yes, you do have the killer instinct…truly explosive.” Score: 25, tied at the top with Ralph and Karina, but I was disappointed they didn’t receive a 27 at the very least.

Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas were up next with the Viennese Waltz and are looking to break out from the middle of the pack this week. She’s such an adorable girl and I have to say, Mark choreographs some beautiful dances. I knew from the get-go, Len wouldn’t be happy with it and I wasn’t wrong. While he appreciated Mark’s ability in choreography, he had this to say about Chelsea –“You are a fantastic dancer so why is it, there’s always something I don’t like?” As I expected, he didn’t like the modern day interpretation of the dance and would have preferred it to be a correct interpretation of a 300 year-old waltz. However, overall he did like it and said Chelsea was “a fantastic dancer.” Bruno strenulously disagreed, saying “It was magical, fabulous, beautiful and bewitching. Technically speaking, it was the best of the night.” Carrie Ann totally agreed with Bruno, saying “You’re in your stride.” Score: 26, taking the top of the leader board.

Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke were next to dance. Last week they delivered a heartfelt Rumba. This week, they’re dancing the powerful Paso Doble, and with Chris’ attitude in the wrestling ring, he shouldn’t have a problem with it. Again the music didn’t seem fitting, it seemed much more appropriate for a ballet than a Paso Doble. Bruno loved Chris’ performance, as did Carrie Ann, who pretty much summed it up by saying, “The music was so soft and you were like powering through it…but you were so connected to the music. You didn’t dance over it, you didn’t dance ahead of it. I love your form, I love the way you frame, Cheryl. Watch out for this guy!” Len disagreed, saying, “The music conquered you, you didn’t conquer the music.” Score: 23.

Last up were Kirstie and Maks, who, if you remember, took a nasty fall last week during their Rumba. This week, they’re doing the Viennese Waltz and in their rehearsal tape, Kirstie seemed to be having a problem with timing. She also was having a problem with her hip – a muscular injury that hopefully will resolve. Kirstie came out on the dance floor first, looking beautiful, but she didn’t seem connected to the dance, which was almost derailed when her shoe fell off. Carrie Ann commented she felt Kirstie wasn’t really in the number, but who could be after having such a mishap, I ask? Len said everything was ok about it, but she needs to improve. Bruno said, “You did amazingly well. In spite of what happened, you did a fantastic performance.” Score: 22.

So Chelsea got her wish and is at the top of the leader board. Tell me dance fans, who did you love this week?

Don’t forget to check in with me tomorrow night, as I recap Dancing with the Stars – The Result Show.

Tune into Dancing with the Stars every Monday at 8/7 central on ABC.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!