Dancing with the Stars: Week 4 10/13 - 10/14

[Stuart Sweet]

Here's a bit of depressing news: This is ABC's number-one rated program. I've liked every season I've seen more or less, but this program and American Idol are the highest-rated series of the years in which they've aired. This tells me the rating system is very very flawed. The reason: DVR penetration is now about 30%. That means that a reality program has a real advantage in the fast overnight ratings, as 3 out of 10 programs are now timeshifted. A lot of good work gets bad ratings because people record it to watch later. When the television industry finds a way to model advertising rates to take DVRs into account, I bet shows like this won't do so well.

One more bit of business before I get to the review: Last night's audio on KABC (DIRECTV/MPEG-4) was the worst yet. I generally find there is too much rear-channel but there was some sort of real issue with both the DD and stereo feeds of the show last night. It was echoey and tinny. I think the LFE channel was completely absent from the DD feed for a while. ABC, this is your number one show— spend a little money and get this fixed.

OK, on to the good stuff... LIIIIVE... tthhiiss iiss DDaanncciinngg WWiitthh tthhee SSttaarrss!! (audio problem simulated :) )

It looks like we are in for some improvement in general for this show this season. Both the costume design and music choices were back on track this week, after some real disasters last week. I do think that by and large, all the women dressed a bit like Ms. Sliwinska (with the thankful exception of Ms. Leachman) but there's nothing wrong with that, right? I am concerned about the wig people though, I think they're a little off kilter still.

Tonight's dancing, however, was not up to standards. This is the point in the competition, as the judges said over and over again, that more technique is expected. Two couples stepped up, one kept up their standards, and the rest... did not.

Big applause for Ms. Leachman tonight! Of course, she gets automatic 30's from me anyway but she put it all on the line and did not disappoint. There is very little chance she'll last more than another week or two, but she proved that she could get down to business and do a proper dance if she wanted. Her technique was still easily the worst of the pack but her dedication made up for it.

Tonight's other standout, as always, Ms. (Brooke) Burke. It's clear she's going to the finals, and although she didn't need the props and gags as Mr. Goodman said, she dispensed with then quickly. Her sunny disposition and natural talents make her a great fit for the samba, and she did a great job with it. I'll say it again, I'm surprised and pleased by her.

Finally, finally... jodyguercio can rest easy, knowing he doesn't have to chide me about my review of Mr. Bass and Ms. Schwimmer. They have wandered around in the past, but finally found a good track to follow this week. Their combination of tradition and flash was perfect. I put them on the block two weeks in a row, but if they can keep up with this level of sophistication without breaking the rules, they could go all the way.

Now as to the other dancers, I did not see enough dedication or enough technique, plain and simple. The usually-reliable Mr. Sapp shows he needs to move past his nightclub moves or he won't go much further. Ms. Lucci certainly acted the part (no surprise) but let us not forget she is also over 60 and that is hurting her technique. Ms. Braxton, who is a pleasure to watch in general, was probably the top of this second tier but needs to work a little harder. Mr. Greene had the style but like the rest, not the substance. Mr. Linley was surprisingly forgettable.

Bringing up the rear:Mr. Dispirito. His dance recalled some of the finer moments from Mr. Springer in seasons past. I think it's a fair bet... when your best move is using your partner as a drum, you're done.

My pick to go home tonight: Mr. Dispirito. Did you have to ask?

Next week, four new dances. I'm excited, but a little worried about what the hair people will do with the hustle. :eek2:

[jodyguercio]

Here's a bit of depressing news: This is ABC's number-one rated program. I've liked every season I've seen more or less, but this program and American Idol are the highest-rated series of the years in which they've aired. This tells me the rating system is very very flawed.

One more bit of business before I get to the review: Last night's audio on KABC (DIRECTV/MPEG-4) was the worst yet. I generally find there is too much rear-channel but there was some sort of real issue with both the DD and stereo feeds of the show last night. It was echoey and tinny. I think the LFE channel was completely absent from the DD feed for a while. ABC, this is your number one show— spend a little money and get this fixed.

OK, on to the good stuff... LIIIIVE... tthhiiss iiss DDaanncciinngg WWiitthh tthhee SSttaarrss!! (audio problem simulated :) )

It looks like we are in for some improvement in general for this show this season. Both the costume design and music choices were back on track this week, after some real disasters last week. I do think that by and large, all the women dressed a bit like Ms. Sliwinska (with the thankful exception of Ms. Leachman) but there's nothing wrong with that, right? I am concerned about the wig people though, I think they're a little off kilter still.

Tonight's dancing, however, was not up to standards. This is the point in the competition, as the judges said over and over again, that more technique is expected. Two couples stepped up, one kept up their standards, and the rest... did not.

Big applause for Ms. Leachman tonight! Of course, she gets automatic 30's from me anyway but she put it all on the line and did not disappoint. There is very little chance she'll last more than another week or two, but she proved that she could get down to business and do a proper dance if she wanted. Her technique was still easily the worst of the pack but her dedication made up for it.

Tonight's other standout, as always, Ms. (Brooke) Burke. It's clear she's going to the finals, and although she didn't need the props and gags as Mr. Goodman said, she dispensed with then quickly. Her sunny disposition and natural talents make her a great fit for the samba, and she did a great job with it. I'll say it again, I'm surprised and pleased by her.

Finally, finally... jodyguercio can rest easy, knowing he doesn't have to chide me about my review of Mr. Bass and Ms. Schwimmer. They have wandered around in the past, but finally found a good track to follow this week. Their combination of tradition and flash was perfect. I put them on the block two weeks in a row, but if they can keep up with this level of sophistication without breaking the rules, they could go all the way.

Now as to the other dancers, I did not see enough dedication or enough technique, plain and simple. The usually-reliable Mr. Sapp shows he needs to move past his nightclub moves or he won't go much further. Ms. Lucci certainly acted the part (no surprise) but let us not forget she is also over 60 and that is hurting her technique. Ms. Braxton, who is a pleasure to watch in general, was probably the top of this second tier but needs to work a little harder. Mr. Greene had the style but like the rest, not the substance. Mr. Linley was surprisingly forgettable.

Bringing up the rear:Mr. Dispirito. His dance recalled some of the finer moments from Mr. Springer in seasons past. I think it's a fair bet... when your best move is using your partner as a drum, you're done.

My pick to go home tonight: Mr. Dispirito. Did you have to ask?

Next week, four new dances. I'm excited, but a little worried about what the hair people will do with the hustle. :eek2:


1) Ms Leachman finally lives up to your 30s this week Stuart. She finally gave a somewhat techincal dance and was entertaining as well.

2) I told you Lance and Lacey would shine. She just needed to find the balance between their style and the technique required.

3) All the rest, to me anyway, were forgetable. This is not to say that Ms (Brooke) Burke and, again my opinion here, Mr Sapp werent at the top of the rest of the pack. I think Ms Braxton could also fall into this category as well. These three couples are so much better than the rest, yes even L&L dont compare, that so much more is expected of them and when they dont deliver its a let down so to speak.

4) If Mr Dispirito has one ounce of musical ability, then every conspiracy theory ever known to man is true. He was horrible. He better go home tonight or this is going to be even more painful next week with him still in this competition.