Inaba's Blog:
'Dancing with the Stars': Carrie Ann Inaba blogs week 5Hello again...
First of all, I wanted to thank you for the well wishes for my cat Shadow. I do want to share with you that this week he had an exceptionally good week with his health. I think the love and support you sent him really had a positive effect. His energy was better this week than it's been in a while and his appetite is great..I think he may have even gained a few ounces. So once again, I thank you.
Okay, now, on to what you are all here for! Week 5 was quite a week!!! Another OUTSTANDING performance by Gilles and Cheryl. I think that Gilles does his homework with the movement and the character. And Cheryl does her work with him in the studio. His movements are powerful yet graceful. He really is quite a sight out there on the dance floor. It is a joy to watch someone bring out the authenticity of the dance the way he does. He is not afraid to immerse himself completely into the dance and the essence of it. There is pure commitment and there is a real connection between his dance performance and his passion. Yes, unfortunately, some of you heard his injury is acting up again and you are correct. I have heard the same thing. So, I hope that you will all send him your healing thoughts so that he will also have a speedy recovery and will not do further damage to his body. (This is a grueling process for these performers, both the dancers and their celebrity partners.)
Shawn Johnson was also wonderful this week with her partner Mark Ballas. Her VW was so sweet and pure. She looked like a little princess out there. I was noticing that Shawn really listens with an open ear to hear what the judges are saying. It's so wonderful to see when the couples are really listening to our critiques. I'll tell you that you can tell when they are listening and you can tell when they just want to take off their shoe and throw it at us. Shawn is of the first type. She really listens to us and graciously tries to take our notes back into the studio with Mark. I think this may come from her gymnastics background. All gymnasts are used to performing in front of judges. So they understand that feeling. Shawn is no stranger to being judged and I think that will help her go far in this competition.
Melissa and Tony did a really nice and dynamic routine this week also, but she lost her footing and stepped into her dress and ripped it. It was unfortunate to see because this could have been a stellar performance if she had found her footing and not lost her balance in the routine. However, it was quite good and she should be very proud of herself for what she did bring to the dance floor and how she handled the misstep.
What an special routine created by Derek for himself and Lil' Kim. They were very good this week. Lil' Kim was referring to something during the comments that was confusing everyone. Before the season starts, I try to find a gift to give everyone of the contestants as a well wish because I know how hard it is to do this (but of course, the rewards of doing DWTS are also great both emotionally and physically). I don't actually give it to them in person, because we aren't allowed much interaction with them and our schedules are so different from theirs, but i write them each a little "Good Luck card"
and my assistant puts it in their trailers at the start of the season. This year, I gave everyone Buddha Boards, which are these little rice paper-like canvases that you can do calligraphy on, or paint pictures on with water. But they dry up and the board goes back to neutral and blank every time. It's a stress reliever and a wonderful creative tool. So I thought with all the time they have in their trailers it could be a nice notepad and or stress reliever. Anyway, that is what she was referring to when I commented to her. I couldn't hear her in the studio because it's so loud in there with the audience cheering and booing the way they do. I had to ask Tom during commercial break what she said. I think she was saying that she was using it in reference to her developing grace. I think Samantha thought she said, "Voodoo" and was talking about dolls. That just goes to show you that it's very exciting in the studio and it's also
difficult to hear things because of all that energy swirling around! Anyway, Kim's performance was quite ethereal...it wasn't quite perfection, but she's on her way, it seems. We'll have to see how she does next week with the dance she gets.
Okay, I finally wanted to comment on Steve-O. He has this wonderful ability to touch the audience. Tonight when he was announced as safe, the audience went crazy -- in a good way. It seems he has become quite the fan favorite. He is so endearing with his performances. There is an innocence that comes across in his performance that resonates much more than does the fake, "shiny on the outside, nothing on the inside" performances.
Chuck and Julianne had a mixed review and then tonight he said he wanted to make me get up and shout...it was a strange impression of me but okay -- let's hope they can do it!
Lawrence Taylor and Edyta had a very difficult week with their Paso Doble. There is improvement according to Len and Bruno's scores, but I would like to see a bit more from him as far as content goes. Since he's back next week -- which was a shocker (with no disrespect intended) -- I hope he puts a bit more content into his performance. With the two-dance weeks coming up, it should be easy for them to do exactly that and add a bit more flair.
Ty fell back this week -- but as he said tonight, let's hope he brings back my little dancer!!! But let's move on to the biggest shocker of this week. David Alan Grier was eliminated.
What???!!! Oh and by the way, I know some of you were very happy to have the "dance off" removed but as you can see, it was not forever. Last week we had a double elimination so we didn't have the dance-off. This week we had a judges' encore and a dance-off. So, I think the producers are listening to the feedback and are really trying to find the right balance for our loyal viewers. Trust me, our producers work very hard at trying to keep the show fresh while keeping it familiar to our loyal audience. It is quite difficult to please everyone all the time. But they are trying to make good choices that will keep our show fun and enjoyable to watch while remaining compelling with the competitive elements. I do go back and share with them your thoughts as well, but the picture is big picture and they are the ones in charge. ; ) And they are doing a great job.
So, back to DAG. Well once again, we prove that DWTS is also a democracy. You all have a say and you spoke last night. But I wanted to remind people, especially David, that our audience -- all of you who vote -- don't vote people off, they just vote different people to stay on. It's not an "I want this person off" choice. It is rather that people sometimes can't vote for everyone they want to vote for, or maybe they just didn't think the person needed the votes. This is when you start to realize that no one is safe...this is when it starts to get even more exciting. It was sad to see my old, In Living Color alumni go so quickly. I think he was just finding his stride with the show...unfortunately, the stride came maybe too late. Anyway, DAG is a brilliant comedian. I've watched him in action and he is fabulous. He is also an incredible thespian. And now we know he's got great extension. And has a beautiful arabesque. : )
Now, onto the question that has been raised many times. By the way, thank you for your questions. I love them. The pairings of the celebrities with their partners. The answer is quite simple. The pairing is left up to the producers' discretion. It seems to me that the producers pair them up based on what they think will be the most compelling partnership -- with two people who will complement and challenge each other and will have the right balance. I think they do a great job. Of course, they are also partnered up by height as well for the reasons of the hold. I'm going to ask around though and see if I can get more answers for you.
Demi Lovato did a nice performance with Benji Schwimmer dancing with a new partner...and doing his own choreography for his performance. He's such a great talent out there with such fun energy -- and for those of you who didn't know, he is Lacey's brother.
Le Reve was so poetic. My friend and old friend from my Madonna's Girlie Show Tour days, Christopher Childers, is the director of artistic coordination for the production -- and was there supporting the wonderful performance. The shaved heads of the performers added something ominous to the performance that was so intriguing!
But -- what about Etta James. STANDING OVATION one more time!! WOW. That was a special moment. I call that an "I can't believe this is my job" moment. I am so grateful for having a job that allows me these moments to see these incredible performers live and up close the way we do. This performance by Etta James was an honor to witness. What an incredible voice she has.
Okay, a quick wrap up -- I was at the USA Dance Nationals this weekend giving out the Carrie Ann Inaba "Star Quality" Award -- for those who have that special something extra when they dance. Sometimes, it was a grace that seemed to be unmatched by any other -- or that they had incredible charisma and charm, and sometimes, they just took my breath away. Judging by the way the audience reacted, we were often on the same page with our choices. The category was created to give encouragement to those who many not take home the medals based on the normal standards of judging, but who had something that deserved some sort of accolade. And it was my honor to give out that award. My category was outside the normal standards of judging and was quite difficult to choose at times since I could only choose one winner in each of the categories I judged. I saw some familiar faces -- some of the kids who competed in the junior dance competitions we had in seasons past and Valentin Chmerkovskiy -- Maksim's brother who you might remember from the "Billie Jean" performance a few seasons ago where they danced in red, and when the Chmerkovskiy brothers danced together in that incredible "dance-off" performance. He won the adult Latin competition with a new partner and will be competing for the U.S. in the international competition. The competition was wonderful and exciting and for all of you who haven't seen a competition in person, you should try to get to one.
And on one final note, my mom was in the audience on Monday and Tuesday this week. It was special for me to have her there.
Well, that's all for now and I hope you all have a wonderful week -- have a safe and happy Easter as well...Thank you for writing your thoughts...
See you next Monday ---- LIVE!!!!!
Take Care,
Carrie Ann
http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/04/carrie-ann-inab.html
