Ginger & Mark – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Ginger & Mark

Ginger & Mark

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Dancing a Subpar Salsa to “La Malanga” by Eddie Palmieri, Ginger Zee and her Switch Up partner, Mark Ballas, presented their Week 05 Routine.

Ginger & Mark

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Well, folks, it seems that once again that ABC’s Chief Meteorologist proved Mediocre, as we watched yet another dance pass by for Zee, having had nothing with which to recommend itself, save a notably Great Character Portrayal, and Good Musicality.

Ginger & Mark

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Lazy Lines, Heavy Footwork, and some seriously “So-so” Rhythmic Shaking brought this Routine decidedly low, despite the nifty Choreography Treatment given it by the always genius Mark Ballas (You’re killer, Mark, as always!), and ultimately brought what seemed to be Ginger’s recent, Week 04 “breakthrough”  to an abrupt halt.

Ginger & Mark

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Now, now simmer down, all you Ginger-Fans, I'm not saying that this Salsa was the worst Dance of the night or anything!

On the Contrary, this Dance, by my count, had found itself, by evening’s end, placed firmly in the middle of Monday night’s Dances overall!  … Not at all “Terrible”; and YET, not at all “Great”, just firmly … “Mediocre”.

Ginger & Mark

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Well, “Ginj”, at least in that, you’re consistent …

See video (below) to watch Ginger & Mark's Salsa on Week 05 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!  

Von & Lindsay – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Von & Lindsay

Dancing a, “Country Jive” (to quote Lindsay in the pre-Dance Rehearsal Package) to “Hips” by Beans and Fatback, Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller, and his Switch Up partner, Lindsay Arnold, presented their Week 05 Routine.

Von & Lindsay

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

… Sloppy to say the least!

I’m sorry, and while I’m likely one of the first ones to want to see Von continue his Disney Night Success (SUCH a beautiful Job, Von & Witney, and truly one of my favorite Viennese Waltzes EVER!!); suffice it to say, Midnight has evidently long pass and Von’s Dancing has once again seemingly collapsed back down into its original Country Bumpkin, er, PUMPKIN Status!

Now, the Choreography of this Routine, it should be said, was STELLAR, combining a wonderfully gratifying Balance of Terrific, Texas Fun and all the Crazed Content one could ask for (Great Job, Lindsay!); but, it still wasn’t enough to bring this Number beyond any sort of Half-way Decent Standard!

Von & Lindsay

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Heavy Footwork (I’m sorry, Tex, uh, Miller, but are we slopping Hogs through the mud here, or are we Jiving???), Lazy Lines, and an overall feeling of “Dragging” reigned Supreme in this not-so-Hep-to-the-Jive for Von, resulting in what I believe to be one his worst Dances to Date!

Still, this Performance wasn’t all bad … saving this Routine from the depths of Dismal Dancing Despair, Von’s Endearing and uniquely Very Good Showmanship ...

Von & Lindsay

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

... AND general Affability did bring this Number up from the Status of “Total Ruins!!” to “That was a whole ‘lotta Fun!” (and, of course, that Over-the-Head-Leap was no less than INCREDIBLE!);

Von & Lindsay

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

but in the end, it would only serve to make his Technical Execution for this Jive, “Bearable” at best.

“You’re a very clever, little one,” Judge Carrie Ann Inaba gushed following the Performance, addressing Lindsay directly, “because, you went with his [Von’s] style!  … I thought that was very clever, and THAT’s what this [Competition] is about, there’s ‘Strategy’ involved; and I think that you worked to his Strengths! …”

Oookay, well first off, Carrie Ann, I resent the (in my opinion) CLEAR implication that Lindsay was somehow able to bring something out of Von during this Switch Up Week that Witney hasn’t yet been able to … That is 100%, steaming fresh (for all you Texans out there) bull crap; and, you know it!

… “worked to his strengths”?!  Von’s NEVER looked worst, with the exception of his Week 02 Cha-Cha; and, if anything, Lindsay’s “clever” Choreography made him look like some sort of Sweet but Lumbering, Country Hick, instead of an “Holding his own” Competitor!

In conclusion, I’d call Lindsay’s Choreography “Great”; but, not at all “Clever”.

“… It’s tough,” added Guest Judge, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, concerning the Dance, addressing Von directly, “it’s tough!  You look like you have so much to give … I just … I personally want a little bit more!  Thank God, I’m not judging the Finale, this is just mid-way through the Season, [so] you guys come back, get back with your [original] partners and kick it up a notch! …” 

Thank you, Maksim!, some perspective, some honesty, some fair judging!

Von & Lindsay

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

See video (below) to watch Von & Lindsay's Jive on Week 05 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!  

Paige & Sasha – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Paige & Sasha

Presenting a purely lovely Switch Up Routine, MMA Fighter, Paige VanZant, and her Week 05 Pro partner, Sasha Farber, danced the Rumba to “Perfect” by One Direction.

Paige & Sasha
DWTS Season 22, Week 05
- Switch-up Week

I absolutely loved this next Dance!!

Paige & Sasha
DWTS Season 22, Week 05
- Switch-up Week

Beautiful, Emoting, and exquisitely Romantic Choreography by the purely Professional Talent that is Sasha, was brought richly to life on Monday night’s Ballroom Floor by DWTS’ Dancing Delight, Paige, whose Feminine Execution exuded an Easy, Gentle Grace, brought about by an ever-pleasing and fluid string of Soft Lines, Dainty Footwork, Fabulous Frame and that always important Rumba Hip Action!

Paige & Sasha
DWTS Season 22, Week 05
- Switch-up Week

In all fairness, it should also be mentioned, however (and as much as it pains me to say it!), that, though stunning overall, this Routine’s Choreography DID seem to <Ahem!> sway more toward the Contemporary side of Dance than Rumba (“… There was one Step from Rumba in this entire Routine,” Guest Judge, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, had pointed out, “I have a problem with that …”); but that said, there’s just no getting around the fact that, while this Dance may or may not have technically been an “Enchanting Rumba” per say, it WAS - unquestionably - a positively Enchanting Performance!

Paige & Sasha
DWTS Season 22, Week 05
- Switch-up Week

Amazing Job!!  

See video (below) to watch Paige & Sahsa's Rumba on Week 05 of DWTS, courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!  

Antonio & Karina – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Antonio & Karina

Dancing the Cha-Cha to “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield, NFL Wide Receiver, Antonio Brown, and his Switch Up Professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, presented their Week 05 Routine.

Antonio & Karina

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

Ah, Antonio is “BOOMING” once more!!

That’s right, folks, Booming Brown was BACK on last Monday evening, tearing up the Ballroom’s Dance Floor with one FABULOUS Cha-Cha Performance!

Antonio & Karina

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

“Fabulous” but unfortunately not “Flawless”; however, as this amazing Routine did also serve to once again Showcase Antonio’s Heavy Footwork and Dragging Musicality, along with a Just-not-quite-there!-Cha-Cha Walk.

Antonio & Karina

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

(Although, to be fair to that last pointer, which Celebrities really do truly excel when Exhibiting this Dancing, Latin Gait, except for the very few exceptions???)

Still, Brown’s stereotypical and always enjoyable panache for General Showmanship and Pizzazz remained delightfully intact; and, what’s more, SUPREME within this Routine, having been so effectually aided and shown off by Karina’s immaculate, fun, and stupendous Choreography!  … Another STELLAR Job, Smirnoff, I loved it!!

Antonio & Karina

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

In the end I felt as though the 6’s given by Judges, Len and Maks, to this Performance were more than a little harsh and unjustified; and, I wouldn’t even have minded if one or two 8’s had been tossed around in this Dance’s overall Score either!

Antonio & Karina

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

- Switch-up Week

A TERRIFIC Job, Antonio & Karina; and, I can wait to see what the two of you have in store within your respective, original Dancing Partnerships for next Week!  

See video (below) to watch Antonio & Karina's Cha-cha on Week 05 of DWTS, Courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!  

Doug & Peta – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Doug & Peta

Dancing a Tango to “Black and Gold” by Sam Sparro, it’s Football Legend, Doug Flutie, and his Week 05 Switch Up partner, Peta Murgatroyd.

Another Fair to Middling Performance for Season 22’s Famed, Former Footballer, I had actually found this particular exhibition from Flutie to serve, overall, as one of his better Performances!

… It was (in my opinion) a sight better than Wanya’s Routine, I can tell you that; and, I really cannot understand why Doug’s overall Score did not reflect this fact!

Furthermore, Doug’s Frame was, for the most part, stereo-typically intact and decent, although I would have much preferred it if Doug would have actually Stood Up a little (or a lot!) Straighter during this Performance; and even (for once) DANCED through the Routine instead of just Stomping out the Steps and Motions!

That said, in the end, I really did enjoy this Number; and, I’m very much looking forward to seeing whether or not we’ll soon see better Dancing Days for DWTS’ endeared Doug!

Kim & Keo – Review of DWTS Season 22, Week 05

DWTS Season 22, Week 05

REVIEW: Kim & Keo

Dancing an “Oh, but there was a height difference!”-Viennese Waltz, to “These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding, it’s The Facts of Life Actress, Kim Fields, and her Week 05 Switch Up Pro, Keo Motsepe.

Kim & Keo

DWTS Season 22, Week 05 

- Switch-up Week

Well, first off, I just want it noted that I thought Kim’s dancing of this sultry Motown Routine was no less than excellent!

Kim & Keo

DWTS Season 22, Week 05 

- Switch-up Week

Beautiful Lines, Feminine Footwork, and a surprisingly gratifying Passionate Expression of Emotion and Movement all came together for Fields during this Number, resulting in what could very easily be described as being one of her (if not her absolute) BEST and certainly most “Delicious” (to quote Judge Carrie Ann Inaba) Dances to date!!

Kim & Keo

DWTS Season 22, Week 05 

- Switch-up Week

I mention this first because it’s more than due and I really don’t want to bring Kim (or her Fine Dancing) down, within the following!

 
<Ahem!> …

WHAT IS WRONG WITH KEO?!!!

“That’s a hard one,” began Guest Judge, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, with the Judges’ Critiques of this Dance, “I mean, it’s uh, it’s a beautiful Performance! Uh, [a] very lovely Dance, um, great from beginning to the end, [but] I have to say though … it’s literally NOT a Viennese Waltz!  There’s like half a Step of Viennese Waltz, the rest is just Beautiful Movement.  If we [The Judges] are going to be fair, and we’re going to demand things from others, we have to demand them from everybody.  There was [only] half a Step of Viennese Waltz, there was no Frame … I can’t even criticize the Frame because there was none! … Like I said, it’s a little difficult!” 

Wow!   That was really just, like, PERFECTLY observed and so aptly phrased there, Maks; and, I, where I might usually add a line or two of my own, I won’t, since it appears it would really be repetitive and redundant and repetitive and redundant.

(What?  No Fun lovers out there?)

“Thank God, you’re here Maks,” added Head Judge, Len Goodman, “because it’s normally me against the world!  … Why not ONE Step in Hold?!  Not ONE!  It’s the Viennese Waltz!  You talk about “Pictures” [referring to Judge Bruno Tonioli’s comment that the Dance was like “a series of beautiful Pictures”] - the Viennese Waltz is about Rotation, it’s about Movement, it’s about natural, Reverse Turns … Why not Hold?!”

“It’s a height difference between me and her [Kim]” retorted Keo, clearly (in my opinion) aggravated. 

(Arguring with the Judges?  Really, Keo???)

“If I do a Hold, it looks very small …” he finished lamely.

C'mon, Keo, that’s ridiculous!!  … It’s wasn’t that you couldn't have done any better; it’s merely that you chose not to.  And, Hey! Kudos, Keo!  The dance was, in fact, beautiful!  But you had to have known that the judges were going to "ding" you for your lack of content, right?

“… I also wanna remind people” threw in Maks, following the rest of Keo’s inexcusable excusing, “of Maks & Meryl:  There’s a BIG height difference.”

Yeah, Keo, “Maks & Meryl”, as in, beloved Season 18 Mirror Ball Champions Maks & Meryl!!  … Of course, there wasn’t really THAT great of a Height Difference between Maks & Meryl (but, point taken, Maks!)

… Oh, Oooo!  I have a better example!!  Let’s try, oh, I dunno, VON & WITNEY from last Week?!!!

Von & Witney

DWTS Season 22, Week 04

Disney Night

Hellooo, their beautiful Disney Night VIENNESE WALTZ ... is this ringing a bell, Keo???

You know, that Viennese Waltz that they had (apparently!) so MIRACULOUSLY pulled off, despite the fact that IF they had been asked to dance to a song from fellow Disney Flick, Rapunzel, Von could have easily portrayed The Tower to Wit’s Rapunzel?!!

Von & Witney

DWTS Season 22, Week 04

Disney Night

<Exasperated Sigh> I really like you as a Pro, Keo, so next time curb your own insanity, would you please??

See video (below) to watch Kim & Keo's Viennese Waltz on Week 05 of DWTS, Courtesy of Dancing With The Stars' great YouTube channel!