As we head into the second half of Dancing with the Stars Season 12, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli have taken stock of the remaining contestants and offer up their expertise on what it takes to be a contender in the finals. From here on in, only the strongest can survive, and as Len says “the fewer the flaws, the higher the scores”. So what guidance do the judges give the 7 remaining contestants? Read on.
Kendra: First let me say she should have been elimated already, period. (Yes, pun intended.) But for some reason, she’s still on the show. It can be said that technically, she’s not that bad a dancer, it’s more her attitude and behavior that are hurting her scores (and her image.) And Len seems to echo this point when he says “It’s not the physical that stands in her way, it’s the mental”. Carrie Ann feels Kendra doesn’t believe in what she’s doing, and if she doesn’t believe in it, they’re not buying it.
Hines Ward: He was my pick from the beginning to win it all, and so far, he still is. Hines has surprised the judges with his awesome performances all season, but they want to see him take more risks and really push himself to the limit.
Chris Jericho: Carrie Ann says he’s a great performer but lacking in musicality. And without musicality she says, you’re not dancing, you're just going through the motions. I don’t think musicality is something you can learn. Either you have it or you don’t. So I don’t think Chris can overcome this particular flaw.
Chelsea Kane: The biggest risk taker, but Carrie Ann says sometimes it works for you, sometimes against you (a callback to the spankings she and Mark received over his choreography.) Len says she needs to blend the traditional with the modern ideas. Now, this is outright unfair. Chelsea is at the mercy of the choreography conceptualized by pro Mark Ballas, and that’s exactly what these comments are about, the choreography. So if the judges were doing an accurate assessment, they would have to say that Chelsea has been able to handle whatever is thrown at her, but it’s up to partner Mark Ballas to give their dance the right blend of the old and the new.
Ralph Macchio: With his performances thus far, he makes you believe he’s good, but the judges can see past it. Their consensus is he has to overcome some jerky movements. Still, Ralph has great showmanship and personality, so hopefully partner Karina Smirnoff can work on the jerk.
Kirstie Alley: Carrie Ann marvels at her grace and elegance, but the judges agree Kirstie needs to work on her stamina. She must be able to maintain the energy in the last 10 seconds of the dance at the same level as the first 10 seconds. The pros know how to build and maintain stamina, so Maks Chmerkovskiy should be able to make Kirstie stronger.
Romeo: Carrie Ann says he has heat, but Len notes a lack of refinement. Bruno touts his passion but says that passion must be tempered with control to make a winner.
Those contestants who can overcome these flaws will be the ones battling it out for the mirrorball trophy in the finals, so say the judges. Do you agree?
