Five couples are left. Who will falter under the pressure this week?

Ballroom Round

Ian and Cheryl
Foxtrot

Cheryl’s costume is very wintery which fits the music perfectly. By the way, I love the music, except it seems a little slow tempowise for this dance. But a really nice foxtrot.

Judges scores: 8 + 7 + 7 = 22

My score: 8

Joey and Kym
Waltz

Kym’s costume is gorgeous too. Kudos to wardrobe this week! But, um, why does Joey have a numbe ron his back? I just thought the lines of this dance were so beautiful. But the judges are rough tonight. Wow.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 8 = 26

My score: 9

Billy Ray and Karina
Foxtrot

Billy Ray does try. And I know he wants an 8. And I know he wants to make Karina proud. But he looks like he’s galumphing all over the stage. And it just. needs. to. stop.

Judges scores: 7 + 6 + 5 = 18

My score: 6

Laila and Maks
Waltz

Laila’s dad (you know Muhammad Ali) was in the audience this week and this dance was dedicated to him. And it was beautiful. Befitting greatness. I’m going to go on a tangent for a minute here and talk about the time I was in the same room with Laila’s daddy. Admittedly it was a sports arena, but still. The thing I remember is that even though my friend and I were up in the nosebleed seats (watching my Suns play the Chicago Bulls), when Muhammad Ali came out at halftime and was driven around the basketball court in a golf cart type vehicle, there was electricity in the air. It doesn’t matter that Parkinson’s disease has taken a terrible toll on him, because he is truly a superstar and you can feel his magnetism even in a crowded arena. Back to the dance. Laila may not be her father, but she has his “it” factor and on the dance floor, she makes magic. A beautiful dance.

Judges scores: 9 + 9 + 9 = 27

My score: 9

Apolo and Julianne
Tango

This was crisp and sharp and there was speed and it was awesome. The music was kind of weird, but her choreography made it work.

Judges scores: 10 + 8 + 10 = 27

My score: 10

Latin Round

Ian and Cheryl
Rumba

Okay, first of all, Imagine is NOT the song you should be using for a Rumba. I mean, are you serious??? The Rumba is a sexy dance, and Imagine is not about sexy. So, for me the dance was kind of spoiled by the stupid musical choice. I guess it was okay, though. *sigh*

Judges scores: 8 + 8 + 9 = 25

My score: 8

Joey and Kym
Mambo

There was some really amazing choreography in this dance, and it was fast and fun and a great job! And might I say, Tom Bergeron is seriously the wittiest host in reality television.

Judges scores: 10 + 9 + 10 = 29

My score: 10

Billy Ray and Karina
Mambo

Billy Ray actually did some moving in this dance, which was good to see. But really, it’s time for him to go. Bye bye.

Judges scores: 6 + 7 + 7 = 20

My score: 7

Laila and Maks
Jive

This was a good jive for sure, but Laila’s costume wasn’t very “jive-ish” to me, and it was distracting. But a good job as usual.

Judges scores: 9 + 8 + 9 = 26

My score: 9

Apolo and Julianne
Paso Doble

Julianne really does some amazing inventive choreography. And she’s only 18. Wow. This was awesome. The music was bizarre, but what else is new?

Judges scores: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30

My score: 10

Judges ranking:
1. Apolo and Julianne (58)
2. Joey and Kym (55)
3. Laila and Maks (53)
4. Ian and Cheryl (47)
5. Billy Ray and Karina (38)

My ranking:
1. Apolo and Julianne (20)
2. Joey and Kym (19)
3. Laila and Maks (18)
4. Ian and Cheryl (16)
5. Billy Ray and Karina (13)