['Dancing with the Stars' - 'The Semi-Finals']'Dancing With the Stars' finally reached the semi-finals with four characters that represented four different traits. Brandy had the best musicality, Jennifer the best acting, Kyle was the best entertainer, and Bristol had the better luck. The last two dances for each of the couples were fragmented into two rounds.In the Latin round, the dancers had to contain a solo, but there didn't appear to be much emphasis placed on it. Previous seasons stressed a time component, or yet the contestants suffering from nerves, but we saw none of that. In turn two, the Ballroom round, we got the stars' really truncated life stories. Brandy had the most celebrity fan-fare, and she still had Monica in the audience cheering her on. The producers avoided another potential booing incident by showing Bristol's mom, Sarah Palin, speaking but in recorded packages and not live, just in case.Round One - Latin Brandy & Maks - Paso Doble - The two settled their differences about the Carrie Ann/choreography debacle. Brandy talked about the strengths and weaknesses of the contestants and the editors played up the "Jennifer was Baby" defense. It's odd that Brandy has had two Katy Perry songs for the preceding two weeks, and I wasn't happy that "Firework" was their call for the Paso Doble. I liked the tip of Brandy's solo section, but it didn't receive enough content; she wasted too much time removing her jacket. Maks did his best with the choreography, but since Brandy didn't get a cool flowing skirt, the dance didn't get the same trick as other Paso Dobles in the past. Len thought that Brandy gave 100 percent. Bruno appreciated the aggression, but there were moments of unsteadiness because of the anger. Carrie Ann thought the dancing was passionate and she comprehended the upper-carriage. Score: 27 (9,9,9). Jennifer & Derek - Cha-Cha - "Mercy" by Duffy was really the low song that Jennifer grooved to several weeks ago. Ironically, "Mercy" was likewise used in a Team Cha-Cha back in Season 7. Jennifer spent time flirting with the judges as division of her solo. The tie section was very interesting especially seeing that Derek didn't choke. Jennifer had a lot of love and captured the fun nature of a Cha-Cha. The dance looked very high-impact with all the hip motions and dancings and Jennifer kept up with the dance and showed no pain. Bruno loved the Cha-Cha: He thought the moves were flawless. Carrie Ann was not disappointed. Len thought that Jennifer combined entertainment with technique. Score: 30 (10,10,10). Bristol & Mark - Paso Doble - Mark tried to twist the Tea Party telephone voters as people who think Bristol is "real." They don't yet see the "Ballot for the Worst" mentality, or the fans who are simply wait to see a train wreck. In the dance, Bristol played up the fact that she was wearing a skirt, which added more play than Brandy's curling hands. The band did a horrible job with the song: The synths didn't fit the vocals and it threw off the song connecting to the dance. Bristol's skirt covered up a few flaws and a want of motion in her legs. She was still too stiff and stood there most of the clock with her arm up in the air. Carrie Ann gave Bristol a big hug and told her that she nailed the dance. Len commended her decision and thinking she was all guns blazing. Bruno thought that she was a tigress and comprehended the flamenco Spanish lines. Score: 27 (9,9,9).Kyle & Lacey - Samba - Kyle wanted to remind America that despite the jokes he's serious about the competition. He started off with a moonwalk and jiggled his whole body. I was concerned that their Samba still had a Brazilian nature but was very Kyle. His leg placement was great, though some of his movements focused too often on his upper half than hip motions; there were several instances of him shaking from his shoulders too much. Len loved that there's no drama in his ground and loved the entertainment factor. Bruno called him a bouncing bundle of joy. Carrie Ann loved the pelvic action of the whole dance and appreciated how the whole dance was balanced. Score: 29 (10,9,10).Round Two - BallroomBrandy & Maks - Argentine Tango - Brandy was ever a perfectionist, even back at age 15. Whitney Houston, Kelly Rowland and Brandy's brother Ray-J were her celebrity cheer squad. Brandy had musical failures, though she never mentioned the judging stint on 'America's Got Talent,' her VH1 show, or yet the fact that she was Moesha. Brandy also discussed her fatal car accident and how she felt the earth was against her, but she came back fighting. The dance took the right amount of set-up and I loved how Maks incorporated the staircase into the routine. Brandy's movements were shrewd and her kicks were good on. There were occasional moments that Brandy led with her chin, but Maks quickly brought her back into place. As often as I detested the Bristol-on-a-chair a few weeks back, Brandy-on-the-judges-table looked well-executed and fit better. Len loved how Brandy created atmosphere above all the nice movements. Bruno thought that the dance had emotional depth and liked her extensions. Carrie Ann saw no troubles in the dance. Score: 30 (10,10,10).Jennifer & Derek - Waltz - Jennifer was worn to acting because of her father, Joel Grey, and her father paralleled that her playing is her strength in the competition. She was in a black car accident and her neck was never the same. For the point they put braces into her neck, but ironically most of the issues we followed in the packages this season were around her knee. Jamie Lee Curtis was the main celebrity rooting for Jennifer. As the couple danced, the first spin won me over and the relief of the procedure was still and a joy to watch; the fact that they bookended it with a closing spin was wonderful. The leg was a really beautiful sunrise/sunset and you could find the emotion of the whole dance. Bruno thought the dancing was a gem. Carrie Ann saw the person of the routine. Len compared the dancing to a soft whisper; it was fabulous. Score: 30 (10,10,10).Bristol & Mark - Waltz - Bristol was an independent girl that made up her own mind even when it came to dating Levi Johnston, and her world started to go when she became pregnant. It was obvious that the producers wanted to give Bristol a strain that would match Brandy's "Dark Waltz" routine. I loved the play of the cap in the beginning, but something around the want of any emotion in her face made it feel like Mark was dragging a competent robot around. The choreography was stronger in the 2nd half and Mark made certain that Bristol looked as awesome as he could. Carrie Ann thought there were moments where she drifted in emotion. Len loved the exposure and thinking it was beautiful. Bruno loved the access of the waltz and comprehended the travel of the show. Score: 26 (8,9,9). Kyle & Lacey - Argentine Tango - Kyle's history emphasizes his energy. We got a time of 'Grandpa's Garage,' and launch out that Kyle's mother made much of sacrifices that eventually led to him landing a spot on 'That's So Raven'. I was taken aback by the alternative of the song: Bollywood meets Argentina? Lacey tried her better to save the life of the Argentine Tango with a very up-tempo routine. She also made certain that the lifts that Kyle executed were actually do-able but sexy looking; it led to several steps that I haven't seen in a while. Kyle's flicks were surprisingly sharp and he was on the beat throughout the whole dance. Len called Kyle a star; he had fire and enthusiasm. Bruno loved the force and sharpness. Carrie Ann was reminded of Emmitt Smith. Score: 29 (10,9,10).Final ScoresJennifer & Derek - 60 (30 30) - 26.31%Kyle & Lacey - 58 (29 29) - 25.44%Brandy & Maks - 57 (27 30) - 25%Bristol & Mark - 53 (27 26) - 23.25% Whoever picked "Fireworks" for Brandy might be nervous now that they may have left a little hole for Bristol & Mark to squeak by. The fact that Bristol has never scored a 10 (Kelly Osbourne managed one 10 during her Team dance) is plenty in my word to pass her. Also, eliminated contestants Rick, Kurt, and Audrina still get a better average. I trust that Kyle will get adequate support from fans at home, because he is a joy to watch. Who do you believe will be eliminated? Leave your comments below.'Dancing With the Stars' airs Mondays, 8PM ET on ABC. Results show airs Tuesdays, 9PM ET on ABC.
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