Dancing With the Stars 6, March 18: Oh Yes, It’s Ladies Night

Whee! Dancing With the Stars is back and I’m so excited! Your top-notch re-capper, Jill Jones, is a little under the weather so she asked to have someone fill in for her tonight. Girl, I hope you’re curled up with a good book and a snuggly blanket tonight. We’ll see her back next week, I’m sure.

I wasn’t able to watch last night’s show, but the handy recap at the beginning of the episode makes me drool over the boys I missed. It looks as if they did a pretty good job for their first night. Let’s hope the ladies do just as well or better tonight.

First up is Shannon Elizabeth, who says she’s best known for her character in American Pie. She’s paired up with the cutie-patootie who danced with Jennie Garth last season, Derek Hough. We find out that she’s a tomboy and she’s worried about not doing everything perfectly.

They get the show started with a decent cha-cha. She looks like a hot tamale in her little red dress. It’s a little stiff and counted, but overall, for the first time out, it’s not all that bad. Len and Bruno tell her to work on her leg action and extension, especially if she is wearing such short skirts. Carrie Ann agrees about the legs, but also adds that Shannon has so much energy and confidence.

The judges give her sevens all the way across, so Shannon Elizabeth and Derek are off to a good start with 21.

Oh my! There’s a commercial for one of my favorite musicals, Mamma Mia! with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan and even Colin Firth! Oh my! The last time I sang “Dancing Queen” was at the annual Halloween Bash we have at Southwest Airlines headquarters every year. Let me tell you, that was a party and my group wound up taking first in the talent competition that year. You should’ve been there.

But let’s get back to the show, shall we?

Tom introduces Monica Seles with her partner Jonathan Roberts. Monica tell us that she also grew up quite a tomboy, which I can understand as she’s been on the tennis courts since she was very young. The first time they met, you can see the look of fear in Jonathan’s eyes as he tries to teach her how to glide with for the foxtrot. Oh my, this poor girl may be graceful on the court, but she has the dance technique, so far, of an elephant. Let’s hope that the man who transformed Marie Osmond into a doll can do even better this year in transforming Monica into a graceful princess.

Monica looks very much a delicate flower in her pink flowy dress and hair pulled back just right. The choreography in the beginning kills some time, but amazingly enough it looks as if she’s gained some confidence and grace with all that practice. Their foxtrot seems to flow well, especially for a beginner, and she does it with nary a grunt.

Bruno liked the dance at first, but then it went downhill for him. He says that she should work on her core more to help move the dance better. Len tells her to lift it and shift it (talking about her core as well). Carrie Ann recognizes that ballroom dancing is way out of Monica’s comfort zone. She tells her to use her space, just like she did in tennis.

In her post-dance interview, we find out that Monica was playing in the French Open Tennis tournament for her prom, so this made her feel as if she didn’t miss a thing. To me, she’s much better off experiencing it this way instead of having to deal with all the teenage angst of the prom. Lucky!

The judges give her fives all the way across, for a grand total of 15 points her first time out. I’m a little surprised that they all scored her so low. The audience clearly doesn’t agree with the judges either.

Next up is the cutie who won a Tony for her starring role as Tracy Turnblad in the show Hairspray. Marissa Jaret Winokur and her huge smile are teamed up with Tony Dovolani, five-time competitor on the show. Marissa is a huge fan of DWTS and is excited to be competing. She is all giggles and her exuberance is infectious! Tony tells her that she may have to tone it down a little since she isn’t performing for such a large live audience like she was on Broadway.

Oh I love this girl already! She starts her cha-cha with a huge grin, huge hair, and a lot, and I mean A LOT of hip action. I can’t wait to see what the judges say about that. This isn’t the most technical dance and seems more appropriate for a nightclub, but her excitement should gain her a few points with the judges. The crowd seems to love her as much as I do, as they’re screaming loudly.

Carrie Ann starts out that she’s overwhelmed with Marissa’s energy, but underwhelmed with the cha-cha. Bruno also comments on her personality, to the point of mimicking the hip action (his version is scary). He knows she can do better. Len agrees with Carrie Ann, but then chastises Tony for not giving his partner enough to do. He thinks that she is capable of much more.

Well the judges, once again, are straight across the board with their votes at six each, for a total of 18 points.

Tom interviews a few of the guys competing in the show. Adam is hysterical as he goes off on this being the best dance show he’s ever seen!