DWTS--Semi Finals

Is it really that time??  Is next week REALLY the finals!  It went way too fast.  But then I guess it always does.  We are down to four couples:  Brandy and Maks Chmerkovskiy, Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas and Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer.  It's getting so close.  And because it is so close these celebrities must put out all the stops!  Tonight, they must step away from their partner for a 10-20 second solo.  It isn't much, but those 20 seconds could make or break you.

Brandy and Maks Chmerkovskiy  1-800-868-3406

Brandy and Maks are dancing the Paso Doble.They dedicate their dance to anyone who has ever been bullied.  Her solo is right at the start, and it was, to say the least, disappointing.  And it didn't help that the camera shot made her the background and Maks the foreground.  The dance itself wasn't their usual standard.  It was danced well, but I felt it was lacking their skill.  But what do I know...

Len said that everyone should be fighting for the final. And that she came out 100% and gave it everything she had. However the aggression was a little quiet. Bruno said, "I wanted to scream, 'STOP! STOP! Someone is going to get hurt!  There was so much aggression and power!"  He told her that she was almost too into it and missed some steps. Carrie Ann told her it was an amazing performance and that she was  locked into her character.  "Great posture.  Beautiful job."

Scores:
CA: 9
Len: 9
Bruno: 9
Total: 27

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough 1-800-868-3411

Jennifer and Derek are dancing the Cha Cha Cha and her solo is way better. And the dance was awesome.  Bruno was excited!  "That was really an illumines, vibrant sexy Cha Cha!  The execution was flawless!"  Okay Bruno, but tell us how you really feel.  Carrie Ann exclaimed that she had been waiting all season to see Jennifer Grey do a sexy cha cha,  "And I was not disappointed!  You even did the shimmy boobie thing on Bruno!"(In her solo, Jennifer danced around each of the judges and from behind him, she did the "shimmy boobie thing.")  Len told her she combined good technique with good performance and introduced fun and entertainment.

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  10
Len: 10
Bruno: 10
Total: 30

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas 1-800-868-3407

Bristol and Mark are dancing the Paso Doble.  Her solo is good, and the dance is probably her best dance the whole season.  But still I am left wondering what she is doing in the semi-finals.  Carrie Ann gave her a hug and tells her she is on fire, and praises her for coming out of her shell and nailing it. Len pointed out that she has been in the bottom two six times and yet comes back each week more determined. "You have fired a few blanks, but tonight you had all guns blazing!"  And Bruno, had this to say, "I'll be damned!  The little lamb has turned into a tigress!"

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  9
Len: 9
Bruno: 9
Total: 27  highest score ever.

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer 1-800-868-3403

Kyle and Lacey are dancing the Samba.  Kyle's solo was good though it did start with a moon walk that was....well the rest was good.  Their dance over all was awesome.  He put it all out there.  Len told him was a great entertainer and dancer and that he must have a bionic bum.  Bruno called him a bouncing bundle of joy.  A natural generator of fun.  Carrie Ann said she had never seen so much pelvic action ever. And that it was an amazing blend of entertainment and technique.

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  10
Len: 9
Bruno: 10
Total: 29

Maks and Brandy's second dance is The Argentine Tango.  It's good.  Much better than their first dance.  Len commented on the ease in which the lifts were executed(remember lifts in the Argentine Tango are legal).  He told her that she created an atmosphere with great emotion and that it was well done. Bruno said it was: lush voluptuous and full of  flavor.  "Great emotional depth.  Stunning!" Carrie Ann told her that in her first dance she had some trouble, but in this dance it was gone and that her power and passion were amazing.

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  10
Len: 10
Bruno: 10
Total: 30/57


Jennifer and Derek's second dance is the Waltz and it is beautiful.  Another one of those dances that sweeps you away.  I love those.  Bruno called it a gem of a waltz full of stylish elegant detail. Carrie Ann told her that dance shows the soul and that her dance was beautiful.  Len said it was quiet, delicate, poignant and ended with, "If this is a dream, don't ever wake me up, because that was fabulous!"

Scores:

Carrie Ann:  10
Len: 10
Bruno: 10
Total: 30/60  Love it when I can type the score before they are given!

Bristol and Mark's second dance is also The Waltz.  The music is so dramatic and powerful that it is a shame how much Bristol is not part of the dance or the moment.  It could have been so powerful.  The dance was right and performed well, but her emotion was missing. Carrie Ann told her there were moments where she drifted out. She got booed for this, but Carrie Ann just smiled and said, "I hear ya!" Carrie Ann was right.  Emotion was lacking. Len said that there is a  vulnerability  about her dancing.  "I thought it was beautiful and haunting."  Correction:  It COULD have been beautiful and haunting.  It wasn't.  Bruno agreed with Len, liking the way she approached the dance and that she has had quite a journey.

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  8
Len: 9
Bruno: 9
Total: 26/53

Kyle and Lacey's second dance is the Argentine Tango.  Kyle has wowed me again. I must say his footwork has really improved!  You go Kyle! Len told Kyle that he is a star, and that he has never seen anyone come out and perform with such attack and enthusiasm.  "Look at you all strong and masculine! No matter what happens  You are season 11's Mr. Charisma!"  Bruno exclaimed.  Carrie Ann paid Kyle quite the compliment when she told him that he reminded her of Emitt Smith.  Nice! 

Scores:
Carrie Ann:  10
Len: 9
Bruno: 10
Total: 29/58

So who makes it to the finals?  Derek and Jennifer!  Woot!  Kyle and Lacey!  WOOT!  And....Bristol and Mark?  Are you freaking kidding me!  Please...vote for these numbers:  1-800-868-3411 or 1-800-868-3403.   And notice my poll...please take it!  It is on the left.  A little hard to see so bear with me.

Photos from ABC