“America’s Favorite Ballroom”

The final four couples compete in the Semi-Finals tonight. The couples will perform two routines as usual tonight but, the difference this week is that the couples were allowed to choose their dances without any restrictions. Len went and visited each of the couples during their training sessions for the Latin round. It was interesting to see Len actually dance a little. My favorite part was the license plate on Len’s Limo “DANCMSTR”.

Round 1:

Apolo Ohno & Julianne Hough
Dance: Quick Step
Apolo and Julianne’s goal tonight was to finally get a 10 from Len in a ballroom routine. Apolo wanted to be the first couple to ever get a perfect 60 in one night. This one looked really good to me. I’d give them a 10. Even better, none of the judges had anything bad to say, even Len! On a side not, Apolo shaved his little Fu-Manchu beard. Now he looks like a 12 year old.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30 (Half way there!)

Ian Ziering & Cheryl Burke
Dance: Ive & Tango
Ian & Cheryl were obviously going to focus on helping Ian to emote better during their performances.
Ian said, “I am going to sell it like I have never sold it before.” Their tango was a little unusual. I didn’t think they hit quite the right note with it. I also wasn’t really sure Ian sold it. Bruno and Carrie Ann liked it but they both had small technical criticisms. Len loved it. He thought it was brilliant and full of passion.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 10 (first 10 of the season for them)
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 28

Laila Ali & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Quick Step
Laila and Maksim were not handling the pressure very well during their training sessions. Sparks were flying between those two. Their quick step would have looked good if Apolo & Julianne hadn’t just done a brilliant one. It was good but nowhere near as good as Apolo & Julianne’s. The judges all liked it. I got the impression they were just trying to be nice. Their performance was a little slower moving which Len and Maks explained is harder (Though I’m not sure how).
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30 (It wasn’t that good.)

Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson
Dance: Foxtrot
Joey & Kym spent the week recovering from their trip to the bottom 2 last week. Joey is going to throw in every trick and stunt in the book this week to entertain the fans. Joey & Kym’s Foxtrot didn’t contain any stunts just good dancing, really good dancing. To quote Len, “I thought it was brilliant.” The judges loved it too. Here’s what they said, Len: “Smooth.” Bruno: “Mr. Showbiz at his best.” Carrie Ann: “You won the ballroom round hands down.” Yeh, it was that good.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30

Round 2:

Apolo Ohno & Julianne Hough
Dance: Cha Cha
Their performance was absolutely incredible. It was super hot, especially Julianne. Oh my God! She is super hot. She was hot to the point that Len didn’t like because it was “too raunchy.” He must be dead, thats all I can figure. Carrie Ann and Bruno thought it was fantastic. I could watch this all night long.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 9 (Boo!!!!!!!)
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 29

Ian Ziering & Cheryl Burke
Dance: Jive
Ian went way over the top in this performance trying to sell it. He was dressed as Elvis. I have to give him credit though. He really worked it. I think he may finally have done it. The judges agreed with me :). They all thought this was Ian’s breakthrough night.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30

Laila Ali & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Cha Cha
Laila & Maksim did a great job. Not as entertaining for me as some of the other performances but, all around a good performance. Once again the judges loved it. They had nothing bad to say and in fact complemented them on how well they did technically.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30 (Again, I didn’t think it was that good)

Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson
Dance: Jive
Without a doubt the most entertaining performance of the night. It was fun. It was full of energy. It was full of great dancing. Bruno was so exciting I thought he was going to wet himself. Carrie An thought it was fantastic. Len had the best quote of the night,”Joey you’ve got the same thing everyone else has only yours is bigger… personality.” Len also stated, “If you are not in the final this show will be missing a great dancer.” I agree.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30 (Well deserved!)

Judges Leader Board
Joey & Kym: 60
Laila & Maksim: 60
Apolo & Julianne: 59
Ian & Cheryl: 58

Next Week: The Finals!
Tomorrow Night: Enrique Iglesias will be part of the filler while we wait to find out who doesn’t make next week’s finals.

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