Comments on: DANCING WITH THE STARS BRINGS ON THE NEW DANCES: LAMBADA, TWO-STEP, CHARLESTON AND BOLERO

By: SwanLakeSambaGirl

SwanLakeSambaGirl — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:01:26 +0000

Thanks for letting us know about Hingis and Cutler. I'm disappointed! How did they do with that one dance?

It's interesting to compare the two shows. Do you think the US version is more engaging because of all the lifts and tricks allowed or do you think it's more interesting to watch the contestants try to learn real ballroom technique? It's an interesting difference that says a lot about the two cultures!

By: SwanLakeSambaGirl

SwanLakeSambaGirl — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:01:26 +0000

Thanks for letting us know about Hingis and Cutler. I'm disappointed! How did they do with that one dance?

By: Soullldiva

Soullldiva — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:31:28 +0000

I agree with you. I'm not even sure the Bolero needs to be kept, it's so similar to the Rumba. But the Charleston is such a fun dance it makes it easy for the stars to really get into it and do well.

Poor Aaron, I agree with you on that one, too. He really wants to do well and he's putting it all out there. Michael was very sweet giving him encouraging words, I thought, but Aaron is taking it hard.

I personally think that Kelly is experiencing some sort of a revelation in her life through dance. I think this was a great thing for her to do. Maybe she can go back and get the part of Roxy now!

Thanks for the great post!

By: JoannaOC

JoannaOC — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:24:50 +0000

“Social dancing is basically walking with attitude but much of his performance here was just walking.” LOL at this! so true!
For me, the beauty of the country two-step, when it's danced well, is that you are walking but you also are gliding, looking like an ice-skater as you move around the floor. The upper body is erect but relaxed, as the feet go slow slow quick quick/ slow slow quick quick/ so that you have to pay attention because you are not walking with the beat but in and out of it. Then, as you move forward around the line of dance, the man can lead you into all kinds of fancy spins and movements–it's all about lead and follow fun, the way any partner dance is. To appreciate it, I think you have to have danced it, or it doesn't look that hard, but it sure took me a long time to stop counting!
The lambada was never more than a fad social dance that involved full body contact/dirty dancing to Braziian pop music. The Charleston at least allows you to throw in a variety of swing moves.
Now that Tom Delay is gone, I may watch the show again.

By: wow1812

wow1812 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:19:40 +0000

As an avid spectator of strict latin and ballroom (and that's why I love your blog so much) , I thought this episode was going to be a fluff. I don't like the dances but I thought the show was quite entertaining!

By the way, in Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of DWTS which has strict ballroom and no tricks, Martina Hingis was the first one to go home. I think its because everyone thinks she's a ringer (paired with Matthew Cutler) and no one voted!

By: Katrina

Katrina — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:52:51 +0000

I think having Charleston on here is just absolutely RETARDED! It's danced in Lindy, East coast Swing, Jive, and Quickstep so come on, get rid of it.

I think they should keep Bolero as it is a Ballroom dance.

Lamabata is all about sex Go youtube Lambata and you'll see what I mean. It's more of a cross between Bucata (a Mexican dance) and Salsa. It came around in the 80s in Brazil on the beaches.

By: susan

susan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:01:38 +0000

Out of all the new dances danced last night the only one I really liked was the Charleston. Ditch the others! Why do they even need to add these new dances?
I loved the Donny/Kym and Louie/Kelly dances. Lots of energy and style and they all did very well keeping in sync with the side by side moves. I totally got the Louie/Joel Grey reference with his make-up but then I love Cabaret.
I loathed the Chelsie/Louis two-step. He basically just shuffled around as she whirled like a dervish. What the hell happened?
A really underwhelming show for me. I believe next week's dances are Paso Doble and Argentine Tango. Should be a better week.
I have no idea who will go home this week. I'm guessing Louis Vito or Michael Irwin.
Oh, I almost forgot, with her bustier and rolled red hair Anna T. looked like Miss Kitty from Gunsmoke!

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:08:17 +0000

Darn it, I missed last night's episode. Good thing I've got your take on it!

By: SwanLakeSambaGirl

SwanLakeSambaGirl — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:42:45 +0000

Thanks Natalia — that's what I thought. It does look like a fun dance to do. Good to hear from you again!

By: Natalia

Natalia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:15:42 +0000

I went to college in Nashville, and learned to two-step socially… And you're right, in the two-step, the man doesn't do a whole lot. Even the fancy-dancing show-off couples that would hog the dance floor, all the guy had to be able to do was dance facing both forwards and backwards, and lead the woman in some intricate figures.

Overall, I'd say that two-stepping is extremely fun to do, but not really a dance made for watching.