| Episode 4 of season 3's Dancing with the Stars | | | | movement of the matador's. She danced last night as |
| featured the beautiful, graceful slow waltz and the | | | | if her heart was not into the dancing at all. Clearly the |
| dramatic, intense paso doble.In general the | | | | paso doble does not match her sweet, laid-back |
| contestants fared significantly better with the slow | | | | personality, yet as a ballroom dancer, you can't just |
| waltz than they did with the paso doble. Of all the | | | | dance the steps; you also need to be able to 'act' |
| stars performing the paso doble, sadly no one was | | | | and become your character.The best performances |
| able to embody the true character of the | | | | of the evening last night belonged to the waltz |
| dance.Mario Lopez, with his mariachi-infused style of | | | | dancers, which comes as no surprise considering the |
| paso doble, lacked the definitive posture of the paso | | | | slow waltz is often the first dance beginner ballroom |
| doble fundamental in portraying the essence of the | | | | dancers learn because of its slow tempo and easily |
| matador. While he managed to hold his head down | | | | recognizable beat.In my opinion, Monique Coleman and |
| with a slight tilt to appear as though he was defiantly | | | | Louis van Amstel's waltz was the best of the bunch |
| looking down upon the bull, he failed to shape his | | | | and deserved higher scores. Once again, Monique |
| body to achieve the position of the matador who | | | | proves to be versatile and consistent. She illuminates |
| has to hold the cape to his side with his hips swung | | | | and moves the audience in the standard/smooth |
| as far out from it as possible to avoid the bull's | | | | dances just as well as she thrills and amazes them in |
| attack. Had Mario been a real matador, the bull would | | | | the Latin dances.While beautiful and well-performed, |
| have rammed right into him and tore him to | | | | Willa Ford and Maksim's rendition of the waltz did not |
| shreds.Furthermore, Mario's facial expressions lacked | | | | strike me as extraordinary as the judges made it out |
| the fierce intensity that a matador would display in a | | | | to be. Willa Ford's posture in dance hold was not |
| real-life bullfight scene. Challenging a bull is no walk in | | | | always consistent and faltered in promenade position. |
| the park. Blood and sweat are shed, clothing is torn | | | | From the slight rigidity of her movements, I also got |
| apart, adrenaline is rushing. A paso doble dancer has | | | | the feeling that her partner Maksim was carrying her |
| to convince the audience he is right inside the bullring | | | | through the entire routine to ensure she would move |
| with the bull and must stop at nothing to show | | | | farther and faster.In the standard/smooth dances, |
| dominance and control over his mighty adversary | | | | the man holds the responsibility of determining the |
| with an arrogant stance, strong body shapes and | | | | pace and the length of the steps. Hence, a female |
| movements, and a powerful use of his cape.The | | | | celebrity partner dancing with a professional male |
| paso doble is the one Latin dance where the man | | | | partner will usually have a greater advantage over |
| really ges to shine and show off. Taking on the role | | | | the male celebrity partner dancing with the |
| of the cape, the lady takes the back seat and | | | | professional female partner whose job is to follow |
| frames the matador. Vivica Fox, with her | | | | the leader and not lead him. Though without a doubt |
| over-the-top diva attitude, overshadowed her | | | | a much better dancer than Willa Ford, Joey Lawrence |
| partner by coming on too strong. While swift and | | | | could not compete with professional dancer Maksim |
| passionate, the cape does have a feminine side to it | | | | in the waltz.Who should go? I'll say it every week |
| as it swirls around the matador. A good dose of | | | | and I'll keep saying it every week until he finally goes: |
| fabric softener was in order as Vivica looked stiffer | | | | Jerry Springer. He's done the waltz already; he can |
| than an air dried towel in the role of the | | | | go home now.Who will end up going? A toss |
| cape.Meanwhile, Sara Evans did the very opposite by | | | | between Jerry Springer and Sara Evans (although |
| looking like a flimsy chiffon cape that floats gently in | | | | you can never be too sure with the voters at home). |
| the air, but will not move swiftly with every | | | | |