crayonskies

Well, that was a great run for James. Better luck next time Sharna!

For me, his timing and "musicality" were actually his stronger points , so I don't know how big of a difference hearing the music would have made. His weaker points were his posture and frame, things that didn't really need hearing for. But anyway, back to this season...this part of the recap is on point: It reminds me of the trio package, when Witney called out Lindsey on her high-fiving habit and Calvin looked so elated to have someone who understood what he had to deal with, haha!

I didn't think Nyle DiMarco was good at either but he won anyway. :p

Sharna does seem to be rather fond of that, and I can kind of understand the mentality of doing all of the things to try and leave an impression on the voting audience. But like I said, just didn't work for me tonight. Hopefully it worked for most of the viewers.

James and Sharna had managed to exceed my (rising) expectations every week, but this was the week that they didn't. I had hoped that their redemption dance would be a straight-up foxtrot to showcase pure dancing and their amazing chemistry. Aside from the improved technique, an area of improvement I would have liked to see is James just really enjoying the dance as himself, not playing another character, and not looking like he's thinking through the steps (which was my "one thing" about him). I wasn't moved by the freestyle either; it felt like it was trying too hard. My favorite freestyle was Calvin's (also my favorite pre-dance package of the night, and I'm so glad they made final 3), and I enjoyed Laurie's as well. But still, all of James and Sharna's prior weeks are enough for me to want them to win in the end, so all my votes go to them.

I think both of the songs are great, and I'm really looking forward to the two dances. I'm also very much looking forward to him dancing to Bruno Mars' 24K and see if he can find his groove. I mean the only male celeb who has swag/groove is Calvin, maybe Vanilla Ice. Should be interesting. :p

James is her muse, lol. He's got dancing ability, he's got an excellent work ethic, plus they get along extraordinarily well. I wouldn't be surprised if he's her favorite among all the partners she's had on the show.

Between the blindfold and the Indycar on the floor, I'm a bit wary that they might come off as too gimmicky unless James' dancing is really strong. But who knows, maybe America would like and vote for gimmicky.

I would like for her to be a pro next season too. I remember Witney in her SYTYCD days and I thought she camera-mugged too much too, but I think she improved with that through a few seasons of being a pro. I actually think Jenna's improved a bit with that from partnering James (and working very closely with Sharna, I guess).

Sharna mentioned in her Just Jared Jr. blog that they have the Paso. That would be the team dance then, since you can't repeat styles in solo dances right? In Lindsay's latest interview with ET, she was asked about Calvin and James' friendship, and she said during Team Dance week they would text each other and meet up early to go over their steps together. Awww. They must be stoked that they're teamed up for the duet dance. Oh, and James attended Emma and Sasha's engagement celebration dinner still in full Joker hair/makeup. LOL.

I was anticipating that they'd start Laurie's "redemption" arc soon so that it leads in nicely to her winning the MBT, and it looks like it starts now. I loved it and thought was her best dance, and it's hard for me to imagine anyone doing better than that tonight. Edit: I guess I spoke too soon? LOL.

Tonight's dancing order for round 1 according to ABC7's George Pennacchio: Terra Laurie Marilu Calvin Ryan Jana James

I personally prefer watching Sharna rather than Jenna, but I'd be interested in seeing James dance with another pro. It's too bad they didn't do switch-up week this season. ABC must be pleased with their decision to cast him; he makes for good "family fun" TV. Just his sound bites last night: "The physics of that is mind-boggling, I don't even know what that means!" "Jazzercise!" and the whole faux Steve Irwin narration.

Glamour interviewed Sharna last night and she said it was an MCL sprain (on the same knee that she had an ACL reconstruction in!!), and that she'll probably get Jenna to do the most of the rehearsals with James. The article also has some info on other couples' dances next week: Marilu will do an argentine tango, and Ryan will do either a tango or AT. I'm hoping James will get to do an AT at some point, but maybe it won't be next week if Marilu and/or Ryan will do it?

And they missed a day (or two?) of rehearsals because Sharna didn't make her flight, right? He's been my favorite this season since I saw his first dance, and I'm so impressed with how well he's learning and improving. I kind of get what Julianne said though about tonight's dance; I feel like I can see him thinking about the steps sometimes. I have no doubt Laurie is winning this season, but I hope James can make it to the finale. I just don't think he's getting the votes, but I hope he keeps getting good enough scores to make up for it to some degree and get him through to the finale. My favorite dance of the night was Calvin and Lindsay's though. I thought the choreography was great, but I do think Calvin's execution was a bit short of a 10. When I was watching Laurie and Val dance, I actually wished they'd put the troupe in to raise the energy, because for some reason just the two of them wasn't cutting it for me. But I didn't have that feeling at all with Calvin and Lindsay; they captivated me. I would love to see Calvin in the finale as well.