Tonight it gets really hard. The stars will be doing 2 dances from here on out. Tonight it’s a couples dance and a group dance. Who will rise to the challenge?

Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska

Dance: Cha Cha

Wardrobe: Weird. Just weird. Edyta had on a bikini with half a coverup.

Music: Good song, not a good Cha Cha song.

Performance: Very nice performance and the ending pose was awesome. A very fun routine.

Judges: Len said he went off time a little bit but he thought he did marvelously. Bruno said he was flamboyant and having fun but that his footwork wasn’t as good as it could have been. Carrie Ann said there was some awkwardness in his arms.

Judges scores: 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score: 8

Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough

Dance: Rumba

Wardrobe: Her dress did her no favors. It looked like a onsie that was on backwards and came open. But does Derek ever look bad? I think not.

Music: I love the song, but not for the Rumba.

Performance: Shannon looked awkward and I haven’t seen that in her performance before really. And I think it was the fault of the choreography which is usually always very good when it’s Hough-style. So, unfortunately, I didn’t really care for this dance.

Judges: Bruno said the romantic interplay was sizzling but there was no hip action. Carrie Ann says she has great potential and she needs to sustain her shapes. Len said it had great chemistry and overall he was pleased.

Judges scores: 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score: 7

Side note: The story about them kissing on the beach has been all over the internet today and idiot Samantha tried her best to get a confirmation that there is a romance going on, but Derek and Shannon fended off the questions very well.

Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez

Dance: Mambo

Wardrobe: Sexy!

Music: Good music. Better be since Fabian is a world champion Mambo king.

Performance: I love Marlee so much. I really want her to do well because I think she is just so brave and courageous for taking this on. And it was okay. It felt a little slow and tentative for me, but it was a fun routine and she looked hot. I hate having to be critical of Marlee. It makes me sad!

Judges: Carrie Ann thought they were struggling and she wanted to see so much more. Len thinks she is an inspiration but that it looked uncomfortable. Bruno thinks watching her is life-affirming but there were a few stumbles.

Judges scores: 7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score: 7

Cristian de la Fuente and Cheryl Burke

Dance: Foxtrot

Wardrobe: What is it with the pink? Cheryl’s sleeves were all over the place and in her face and the dress looked like a giant pink ostrich died on it. A little distracting.

Music: Great music but a little slow for my taste.

Performance: I thought he looked a little nervous and the pace of the dance felt too slow to me. I know it’s a slower dance, but it felt kind of like slogging through mud. The slowness took away from the brightness and happiness of the dance.

Judges: Len said if they’re in the bottom 2 tomorrow he’ll show his bum in the supermarket and that was their best dance. Bruno said he was at his dashing best and his footwork was excellent. Carrie Ann said he was refined and every detail was fantastic.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 9 = 27

My score: 8

Marissa Jaret Winoker and Tony Dovolani

Dance: Viennese Waltz

Wardrobe: Is wardrobe ever going to treat her kindly? Sheesh.

Music: What the heck were they thinking? Good grief. Horrible.

Performance: I think it was actually a very good performance. Very elegant and nice lines and extensions, but the music made it feel cheesy. Ugh.

Judges: Bruno said she was light and frothy. Carrie Ann said she showed a whole new side of herself. Len said she was a true princess.

Judges scores: 9 + 8 + 9 = 26

My score: 9 (but a -8 for the stupid music)

Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas

Dance: Jive

Wardrobe: Adorable

Music: Perfect

Performance: This was the best Jive I’ve ever seen on this show. It was my favorite performance of the night and my favorite Kristi performance so far in the competition. This performance more than any other reminded me of Kristi on the ice. I could totally see her doing this on skates. It was awesome. It was full of personality and fun. And for me? Perfection.

Judges: Carrie An said it was fantastic and her favorite dance this season. Len said it was absolutely great. Bruno said it was top notch entertainment.

Judges scores: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30

My score: 10

Mario and Karina Smirnoff

Dance: Rumba

Wardrobe: Karin’s outfit looked like a negligee with a bedsheet pinned to it. Not good. Mario looked good. Good. GOOD.

Music: Very sexy.

Performance: It was very good. Very sexy. The only thing that bothered me really was that the movements felt a little fast and sharp for a Rumba. But they performed the dance very well, although I think there was a lift.

Judges: Len said he did a good job but that it was too raunchy and there was a lift. Bruno said he needs an ice bucket. Carrie Ann said that it was better than good sex, but there was a lift.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 10 = 28

My score: 9

Now it’s time for the group dance which is always a season highlight. As usual, it’s choreographed by Christian Perry. The actual performance was a crazy mess, but it was fun to watch.

Judges ranking:
1. Kristi and Mark (30)
2. Mario and Karina (28)
3. Cristian and Cheryl (27)
4. Marissa and Tony (26)
5. Jason and Edyta (24)
5. Shannon and Derek (24)
7. Marlee and Fabian (21)

My ranking:
1. Kristi and Mark (10)
2. Mario and Karina (9)
3. Marissa and Tony (9)
4. Jason and Edyta (8)
5. Cristian and Cheryl (8)
6. Shannon and Derek (7)
7. Marlee and Fabian (7)

I think Marlee is in trouble this week and that makes me sad, but she’s got nothing to be ashamed of. She’s done an amazing job and she should be proud no matter what. I also think Shannon or Cristian might be joining her in the bottom 2.