Dancing With The Stars competition is fierce

by Jennifer Squires Biller

The toughest challenge of this season’s Dancing With the Stars may be finding a favorite couple to root for.

Going in, I was siding toward Jennie Garth (loved her on 90210), Jane Seymour (loved her on Dr. Quinn) and Cameron Mathison (he’s pretty.) But after this week’s performances, I also fell in love with Sabrina Bryan (amazing dancer), Helio Castroneves (so sweet and nice) and Albert Reed (oh my Lord, the hip action.)

My favorite three performances were Sabrina and Mark, Helio and Julianne, and Albert and Anna. Yes, I know. Shocking. I didn’t know who any of them were before this show began, but it doesn’t matter. It’s about the dancing, people.

Sabrina’s cha-cha-cha shocked the judges and the audience. Judge Carrie Ann said no one in the history of the show had done a cha-cha-cha like that. Bruno agreed that it was incredible. Len marked her down for the adding in the hip-hop moves, but the couple still scored two nines and an eight in their first performance. Incredible.

Helio and Julianne did a delightful foxtrot that bewitched the audience. Usually, the foxtrot is my least favorite of the ballroom dances, but Julianne’s stunning choreography to the song Bewitched made me love it. I think she may be usurping Cheryl Burke’s title of best choreographer.

It was Albert and Anna’s cha-cha-cha that raised the temperatures in the ballroom. Channeling Elvis, chest exposed and hips gyrating, Albert made the crowd go wild as he and Anna danced to the King’s A Little Less Conversation.

This year’s contenders all seem somewhat skilled. In other words, I didn’t see a Master P or a Kenny Mayne.

Wayne Newton and Marie Osmond don’t have the skills the others do, but they’re still fun to watch. Newton should be the first to go, if voters are truly judging on skills. But, we all know that doesn’t always happen.

Pretty Boy Floyd has some fierce hip-hop moves that he expertly demonstrated, but his posture was horrible. He seemed hunched over during the whole performance, yet none of the judges took him to task for it.

In contrast, supermodel Josie Maran got nothing but harsh comments from the judges. Frankly, I thought she did a better job than Marie Osmond and Wayne Newton.

The competition is fierce this year. For the most part, they're all good. Garth and Seymour have both had dance training. Floyd and Bryan have natural dance abilities. And the rest of the field has charisma that often translates in to votes.

See who goes home tonight, when the results show airs at 8 p.m. on ABC with special musical guest Dolly Parton. As always, don’t try to watch it live or you may lose your patience and throw out your TV. This show loves its recaps as much as its live performances.

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