Misty May-Treanor injured herself during practice on Friday.  She and Maks were not introduced with the rest of the the couples at the top of the show.  We’ll revisit this later.

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance:  Jive
Wardrobe:  Cute
Music:  Not too bad

Performance:  I thought Tony kind over overdanced it compared to her.  She was a little too understated and he oversold it a bit.  But I think she did a decent job and the choreography was appropriate for someone of her age. (Note:  She does have an ankle injury that was wrapped.)

Judges:  Len said she did a very good job.  Bruno said she had the look right but her footwork was a bit unsteady.  Carrie Ann thought she seemed a bit timid.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score:  7

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance:  Viennese Waltz
Wardrobe:  Did not like the colors.
Music:  Did not like the music.

Performance:  Liked the performance even though it was very traditional.  I would have enjoyed it more with different costumes and music, though.

Judges:  Bruno said it looked a bit labored and lacked freedom.  Carrie Ann thought it was fantastic and the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary.  Len said it was flat-footed, poor posture, but great musicality and their best dance so far.

Judges Scores:  8 + 7 + 7 = 22

My score:  7

Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke

Dance:  Jive
Wardrobe:  Appropriate
Music:  Appropriate (but the singing was meh)

Performance:  I thought he was a tiny bit heavy in his feet, but it was an enjoyable performance and I thought he really brought out the spirit of the dance.

Judges:  Carrie Ann said it was full throttle and fantastic.  Len said it was fast, bright and lively.  Bruno said it had energy and a sense of fun.

Judges Scores:  8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score:  8

Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance:  Viennese Waltz
Wardrobe:  Weird
Music:  Weird, but kind of amusing.

Performance:  I thought this was his best performance.  Still a little awkward, but he’s making progress!

Judges:  Len said there were elements that were very very good.  Bruno said he needs to break out of the bad habies.  Carrie Ann thought he was the most improved.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 6 = 20

My score:  7

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance:  Viennese Waltz
Wardrobe:  Okay
Music:  Good

Performance:  There were many moments of brilliance.  There were also some moments where he looked a little awkward, but mostly it was great.  There was a part of the dance where he literally looked like he was floating across the dance floor and that was awesome.

Judges:  Bruno said it was big, smooth and beautiful.  Carrie Ann was blown away.  Len said he’s giving the skinny people a run for their money.

Judges Scores:  9 + 8 + 8 = 25

My score:  9

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance:  Jive
Wardrobe:  Perfect other than the glittery pantyhose
Music:  Awesome

Performance:  LOVED IT!  My favorite Jive of the night so far.  This dance was perfect for his personality and Julianne just nailed the choreography.  Awesome!

Judges:  Carrie Ann thought it was a little awkward.  Len said the first half was fantastic and then it got repetitious.  Bruno said he spent too much time playing with her legs.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score:  8

Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo

Dance:  Viennese Waltz
Wardrobe:  Ugly
Music:  Bizarre

Performance:  I’m still trying to get past the ugly dress and the bizarre music.  The performance was okay, but I love the Viennese Waltz for it’s romance and there was none in this dance.  Not their fault so much as the fault of the music.  Just didn’t care for it.

Judges:  Len didn’t enjoy it very much.  Bruno said they took a huge risk.  Carrie Ann liked it.

Judges Scores:  8 + 7 + 7 = 22

My score:  6

Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance:  Jive
Wardrobe:  Appropriate
Music:  Good

Performance:  Hysterical, kooky, and over the top.

Judges:  Bruno said it was beyond comprehension.  Carrie Ann said she was speechless. Len said they did do one basic step.

Judges Scores:  6 + 5 + 5 = 16

My score:   6

Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance:  Viennese Waltz
Wardrobe:  Beautiful
Music:  Beautiful

Performance:  Stunning, beautiful, exquisite, elegant, best dance of the night and the kiss she gave her daughter at the end made me cry.

Judges:  Carrie Ann said it is a pleasure to watch her.  Len said best dance of the season. Bruno said it was dazzlingly beautiful.

Judges Scores:  9 + 10 + 9 = 28

My score:  10

Misty May-Treanor talks about her injury which occurred on Friday.  She was diagnosed with a ruptured achilles tendon, so obviously she’s out for the season.  Which also means my Maks is out for the season.  Sad!  But more importantly, what does this mean for Misty the volleyball player?  She was planning on taking time off anyway, so she’ll go into surgery tomorrow, and maybe she and Kerri will have some babies!  

Judges Ranking

1. Brooke and Derek:  28
2. Warren and Kym:  25
3. Maurice and Cheryl:  24
4. Lance and Lacey:  22
4. Toni and Alec: 22
6. Cody and Julianne:  21
6. Susan and Tony:  21
8. Rocco and Karina:  20
9. Cloris and Corky:  16

My Ranking

1. Brooke and Derek:  10
2. Warren and Kym:  9
3. Cody and Julianne:  8
4. Maurice and Cheryl:  8
5. Lance and Lacey:  7
6. Susan and Tony:  7
7. Rocco and Karina:  7
8. Toni and Alec:  6
9. Cloris and Corky:  6

Who’s going home? Well, with Misty May-Treanor withdrawing, my bet is that everyone lives for another week. But Maks! Boohoo!

Leona Lewis performs her new single.

Now each of the final five get congratulations from artists like Il Divo, Marc Cohn, Brian McKnight, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Wyclef Jean.

I’m not going to even try to describe what happened next.  Acts that didn’t make it performed.  Why? WHY WHY WHY?

Results…

In 5th place is…Queen Emily.  Wow, I thought she’d place higher than that to be honest.

In 4th place is…Donald Braswell.  He probably should have been in 5th place, but he definitely shouldn’t have won, so America pretty much go this right.

In 3rd place is…Nuttin’ But Stringz.  Wow, I rally thought they’d win.  I thought they were the ones that could have put on the best Vegas type show.  But there it is.  I think America got this one wrong.

Jerry says the final result is the closest result they’ve ever had with less than 1/2 of 1% between them. Wow. I have no idea who it’s going to be at this point!

The runner up is…Eli Mattson.  Who was my 2nd choice for being able to put on a Vegas show.

Which means the winner is…Neal E. Boyd.  Great story.  And I’m really very happy for him!

Results!

Toni and Alec are…safe!

Rocco and Karina are…safe!

Jessica Simpson sings.  I fast forward.

Cody and Julianne are…safe!

Brooke and Derek are…safe!

Next up, a piece on Bruno and Len and their travelling back and forth between LA and London to do both versions of the show.

Dancing which I fast forward through because I want results!

Jessica Simpson sings again.  I don’t fast forward only because Maks is dancing.  But if she doesn’t stop tongue kissing the microphone, I might have to anyway.

Susan and Tony are…safe!

Warren and Kym are…safe!

Maurice and Cheryl are…safe!

Lance and Lacey are…safe!

Misty and Maks are…safe!

Cloris and Corky are…safe!

Kim and Mark are…going home.

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  Not much of it
Music:  Great music for the Rumba but the singing was atrocious.

Performance:  It felt a little tentative to me, but I think she did commit to the character of the dance.  It just wasn’t quite as hot as her Cha-cha last week.  And how can you not be hot with Alec Mazo?

Judges:  Len thought they had great chemistry, but it lacked a bit of fluidity.  Bruno said they pitched it right and the figures were great.  Carrie Ann says she moves like she sings and dances with passion.  

Judges scores:  7 + 8 + 8 = 23

My score:  7

Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance:  Paso Doble
Wardrobe:  Perfect
Music:  Atrocious as usual for this dance.  It didn’t match the feeling of the dance at all.

Performance:  The music was so horrible that I had to actually rewind this and watch it without sound to see if it was any better that way.  It was.  But not as much as I would have liked.  I thought the choreography was kind of odd, but I’m sure that had a lot to do with the stupid music.  So, not as good as her dances last week because of the music and choreography but I think she did the best she could with what she was given.

Judges:  Carrie Ann said she was mesmerized and she couldn’t take her eyes off of them, but she was a little offbalance.  Len thought she portrayed the aggression very well. Bruno said she was born to dance. 

Judges scores:  8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score:  7

Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  They kind of looked like they were in their jammies.
Music:  Meh.

Performance:  It was pleasant, but I’m not sure he did very much.  Then again, do guys ever do that much in the Rumba?

Judges:  Bruno said the stallion has run out of juice and the hip action was poor.  Carrie Ann said there is something very natural about him but he lacks musicality.  Len said there were more tears than cheers.

Judges scores:  5 + 6 + 5 = 16

My score:  6

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance:  Paso Doble
Wardrobe:  Weird for the dance, but okay otherwise
Music:  I hate the song.  I hated the song for a Paso Doble even more.  But “I Kissed a Girl” was sort of amusing in this context because Lance is gay.

Performance:  I think their performance was great.  I just hated the song.  but I think the choreography was very good.  

Judges:  Len was not pleased.  Carrie Ann thought it was witty and they take big risks. Bruno said they are always thrilling to watch, but they need to keep the style going.

Judges scores:  7 + 6 + 7 = 20

My score:  8

Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  Toga gone bad.
Music:  Another meh.

Performance:  Getting better, but she really needs to finish her lines and just make her moves a little more dynamic.  Everything still seems really small and quiet.

Judges:  Bruno said it was colder and more distant than Siberia.  Len thinks she has so much potential, but it was a little bit cold.  Carrie Ann said she feels like she’s seen the same dance three times.

Judges scores:  6 + 6 + 5 = 17

My score:  6

Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance:  Paso Doble
Wardrobe:  It was…leathery :)
Music:  Still not the best, but at least it was more in the spirit of the dance.

Performance:  This is such a great dance for someone as aggressive and intense as Misty.  I thought she did very well, but I still want to see more softness in her shoulders.

Judges:  Carrie Ann says she is so committed to every move and to work on her shoulders. Bruno called her Xena, the Warrior Princess and he loves her energy, but work on light and shade.  Len said it was a very very good attempt at the Paso Doble and great choreography.

Judges scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score:  8

Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  Maurice looked good (although the pants were a little tight), but Cheryl looked like she was wearing a tablecloth.  This might take over the worst costume title.
Music:  Another meh.

Performance:  I think this was one of the better Rumbas of the night for me.  Hip action was good and he got into the spirit of the dance, although the music wasn’t as sexy sultry as some of the other Rumbas.

Judges:  Len says it lacked finesse, but it wasn’t bad.  Carrie Ann says he has a lot of bottled up energy.  Bruno said he was rough and clanky.

Judges scores:  7 + 6 + 6 = 19

My score:  7

Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance:  Paso Doble
Wardrobe:  Very good
Music:  The best so far

Performance:  Better than last week!  She took it more seriously and it showed.   I think for 82, she is doing great!

Judges:  Bruno said it was surreal.  Len said it was a lovely traditional dance and the solo spins were excellent.  Carrie Ann said she hopes when she is 82 she hopes she is half the woman she is, but she missed her wit.

Judges scores:  5 + 5 + 5 = 15

My score:  5

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  Everything but the headband was good.
Music:  A little too happy.

Performance:  Not bad - I think she was in the character of the dance, but even my husband thought it was a bit stiff, but I thought the hip action was nice.

Judges:  Carrie Ann thought it was really nice and she transported the audience to somewhere else.  Bruno thought it was a very good Rumba but she still dances like the Virgin Queen.  Len said she acted the part, but he didn’t like Tony’s chest being exposed.

Judges scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score:  7

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance:  Paso Doble
Wardrobe:  Very Matrixy
Music:  Excellent

Performance:  Yes, the ending pose was a little messed up, but the rest of it had great intensity and was a very good attempt at a Paso Doble.  I enjoyed it - best dance of the night for me.

Judges:  Len thought it had a dark menacing feel to it and it was well done.  Carrie Ann said she loved it and it was filled with dynamics.  Bruno said it was big, bold and heroic.

Judges scores:  8 + 8 + 8 = 24

My score:  8

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance:  Rumba
Wardrobe:  A little Elvis wannabe-ish.
Music:  Good music

Performance:  I thought that he did a really great job considering he doesn’t have that “much life experience” as he put it with being sexy.  But very nice.  They are really adorable together.

Judges:  Bruno said he needs to learn control because he has the talent.  Len said it lacked a little bit of polish.  Carrie Ann thought it was an innocent, age appropriate Rumba, but he could loosen his hips a little.

Judges scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21
My score:  7

Judges Ranking:

1. Warren and Kym:  24
1. Brooke and Derek:  24
3. Toni and Alec:  23
4. Misty and Maks:  21
4. Cody and Julianne:  21
4. Susan and Tony:  21
7. Lance and Lacey:  20
8. Maurice and Cheryl:  19
9. Kim and Mark:  17
10. Rocco and Karina:  16
11. Cloris and Corky:  15

My Ranking:

1. Warren and Kym:  8
2. Lance and Lacey:  8
3. Misty and Maks:  8
4. Brooke and Derek:  7
5. Cody and Julianne:  7
6. Maurice and Cheryl:  7
7. Susan and Tony:  7
8. Toni and Alec:  7
9. Kim and Mark:  6
10. Rocco and Karina:  6
11. Cloris and Corky:  5

Who will go home tomorrow? Maybe Cloris, but probably Rocco or possibly Kim.

Donald Braswell:  He’s a nice guy with a decent voice (although he has some diction issues that drive me nuts), but I don’t think I could sit through an entire show listening to and watching him sing.  That being said, this was his best performance of the competition.

Neal E. Boyd:  Perfect song choice - my favorite aria - beautifully done.  I’m not sure Vegas is really the right place for him, but I certainly hope his career goes somewhere after the show is over!

Eli Mattson:  I could see Eli headlining a Vegas show, but I could also see him making an album and going on tour.

Queen Emily:  She’s very good, but I don’t think she was the best tonight.  I do hope that she gets some kind of recording deal out of this!

My ranking:

1. Nuttin’ But Stringz

2. Neal E. Boyd

3. Eli Mattson

4. Queen Emily

5. Donald Braswell

I think Nuttin’ But Stringz will deservedly win because they are readymade for a Vegas show.  But I have a soft spot in my heart for all of them.

Results time…

Brooke and Derek are…safe!

Kim and Mark are…safe!

Next, Jeffrey and Edyta get to perform the Quickstep they didn’t get to do last night.  Nice touch!

Cloris and Corky are…safe!

Hmmm….who is going home?  I think it’ll be Rocco at this point, but who knows?

Jesse McCartney performs.  *yawn*

Adam Carolla does a man on the street bit which was much more entertaining than Jimmy Kimmel and Guillermo.

Maurice and Cheryl are…safe!

The screams tell me the Jonas Brothers have taken the stage.

Misty and Maks are…safe!

Warren and Kym are…safe!

Susan and Tony are…safe!

Rocco and Karina are…safe!

Well, there went that guess.  I guess I’ll have to switch to Ted unfortunately.  The first few weeks are so hard to figure out!

Lance and Lacey are…safe!

Cody and Julianne are…safe!

Toni and Alec are…safe!

Which means that Ted and Inna are going home.  Too bad - I thought Ted added some manly class to the show.

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  Lacey might give Edyta a run for her money.
Music:  Absolutely atrocious.

Performance:  It was actually very good.  Lance was light on his feet and seemed to keep his posture pretty well.  There wasn’t quite enough skipping around for me and the music didn’t help the routine at all, but I think if you turned off the sound it would be much better.

Judges:  Len didn’t like the posture and the hold and it wasn’t his cup of tea.  Bruno said they bring a fresh take and have an incredible quality.  Carrie Ann was very much entertained but not impressed.  Seems like it’s going to take awhile for them to win Len over.

Judges Scores:  7 + 6 + 8 = 21

My Score:  7

Misty May-Treanor and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  Wardrobe, why do you hate Misty?  Why make her look like a neon bird?
Music:  Great awesome music

Performance:  I thought this was spectacular.  The only criticism I have for her is her shoulders need to relax a little more.  She’s so muscular there that she just needs to soften them a tad.  Other than that, this was a fabulous job.

Judges:  Carrie Ann said it was fierce.  Len said her hips were working well.  Bruno said she has power and attack.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My Score:  8

Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  I love the gold since he’s a gold medalist and all.
Music:  Meh

Performance:  This dance suited him so much better than the Foxtrot, but he has just a natural joy to him and you can tell he’s enjoying himself.  Very entertaining.

Judges:  Bruno said it was dynamic, energetic and exuberant.  Carrie Ann thought the transitions were very smooth and the music pumps through his body.  Len thinks the Latin dances suit him, but didn’t like the worm.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21
My Score:  7

Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  Beautiful and elegant
Music:  Lovely

Performance:  Who knew Brooke could be elegant and graceful?  I was impressed last night and I’m impressed again tonight.  I think she might be a contender!

Judges:  Len said it was the best dance so far.  Bruno said it was sensational!  Carrie Ann said she was grace and strength and beauty and class.

Judges Scores:  9 + 8 + 9 = 26
My Score:  9

Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  Stop making poor Cloris look like a stuffed sausage!
Music:  Very good

Performance:  I’m really glad that Corky was able to bring some of Cloris’ great humor to this routine.  It was funny and entertaining, if not a lot short on technique.  But you have to love her for getting out there and giving it her all!

Judges:  Carrie Ann gives her points for entertaining.  Len thinks Corky has done a fantastic job.  Bruno said he’d never seen a Mambo like that.

Judges Scores:  6 + 5 + 5 = 16
My Score:  6

Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  Beautiful and appropriate for the song
Music:  Lovely

Performance:  Toni was worried about this dance with her heart condition, but it didn’t show that much.  She did a great job, if a bit tentative.

Judges:  Bruno said she has all the qualities of a fine champagne.  Carrie Ann said she has a natural movement quality and the move well together.  Len said it was very very nice.

Judges Scores:  8 + 7 + 8 = 23
My Score:  7

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  I loved it.
Music:  Great music.

Performance:  I just cannot help but smile when I watch him dance.  And good for Kym for making a 300 pound man look light on his feet!  Entertaining and fun.

Judges:  Len said for entertainment it was fantastic but the technique wasn’t so hot but he liked it.  Bruno said it was a ton of fun.  Carrie Ann said he didn’t miss a step.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 8 = 22
My Score:  8

Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  That may have been the ugliest dress wardrobe has ever made.
Music:  Good music, though.

Performance:  Ted looked much more relaxed doing the Mambo than he did last night. You can tell he’s working hard and enjoying himself, and he’s a nice guy who did a decent Mambo!

Judges:  Carrie Ann said there is a bit of an awkwardness to the way he moves but he has a good spirit.  Len said that with hard work anything is possible and he did a commendable Mambo.  Bruno said he squeezed every ounce of fun out of the Mambo.

Judges Scores:  6 + 6 + 7 = 19

My Score:  6

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  Appropriate
Music:  It was okay.

Performance:  There was a bit of a wildness to it and it sometimes felt like they were a bit out of control, but there was also a nice youthful exuberance as well.  I enjoy watching them dance together.

Judges:  Bruno said they had charm and energy.  Carrie Ann said they had all the elements of the dance.  Len thought he danced with great maturity.

Judges Scores:  8 + 7 + 8 = 23

My Score:  7

Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  They looked good!
Music:  Great music.

Performance:  Well, it was better than last night.  It’s still obvious he’s out of his element, but he is having fun and playing to the crowd and that goes a long way.

Judges:  Len said it was much better than last night.  Bruno called him the Italian stallion. Carrie Ann said it was super sexy.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My Score:  6

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance:  Quickstep
Wardrobe:  Lovely
Music:  Very nice

Performance:  Her performance still feels a little tentative to me, but this was a very nice Quickstep.

Judges:  Carrie Ann said it was so much better and she had so much power.  Len said he thought ballroom would be her forte.  Bruno said she had class, elegance and glamour.

Judges Scores:  7 + 7 + 8 = 22

My Score:  7

Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Dance:  Mambo
Wardrobe:  It was fine.
Music:  An homage to Kim’s not so petite derriere.

Performance:  I still don’t see any chemistry just as the judges pointed out yesterday and I think that has more to do with Kim’s lack of entertainment experience than anything else. Maybe when she gets a little more comfortable on stage, the chemistry will come.  I did actually prefer her Foxtrot to her Mambo, though.

Judges:  Bruno said she drives him crazy because of her wasted assets.  Len said she needs to come out and sell it.  Carrie Ann said she could tell she was trying.

Judges Scores:  6 + 6 + 6 = 18

My Score:  6

That of course means that Jeffrey Ross and Edyta are going home.  I mostly feel bad for Edyta.  She’s been on every season and has yet to win, but at least last season she made it to the final.

Judges ranking

1. Brooke and Derek:  26
2. Toni and Alec:  23
2. Cody and Julianne:  23
4. Warren and Kym:  22
4. Susan and Tony:  22
6. Misty and Maks:  21
6. Lance and Lacey:  21
6. Maurice and Cheryl:  21
6. Rocco and Karina:  21
10. Ted and Inna:  19
11. Kim and Mark:  18
12. Cloris and Corky:  16

My ranking

1. Brooke and Derek:  9
2. Misty and Maks:  8
3. Warren and Kym:  8
4. Toni and Alec:  7
5. Cody and Julianne:  7
6. Lance and Lacey:  7
7. Maurice and Cheryl:  7
8. Susan and Tony:  7
9. Rocco and Karina:  7
10. Ted and Inna:  6
11. Cloris and Corky:  6
12. Kim and Mark:  6

Who will go home tomorrow night?  Tough call, but I’m going to say it’s between Cloris and Kim although I ranked Cloris ahead of Kim for the entertainment factor.

Cody Linley and Julianne Hough

Dance:  Cha-Cha
Wardrobe:  Not bad
Music:  Not horrible

Performance:  I think they did a respectable job for the first week out.  He looked a little stiff at times, but I think he definitely has some potential, and he should also have the fan base.

Judges:  Len said he had high energy and good job.  Bruno said he has to focus on the feet.  Carrie Anne said she is looking forward to the next dance.

Judges scores:  6 + 6 + 6 = 18

My score:  7

Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  I really loved her dress and Rocco looks mighty fine in a tux.
Music:  Awesome music

Performance:  Well, it wasn’t horrible.  I think he actually did a decent job.  He’s a little tentative and stiff, but he did look like he was having fun at least!

Judges:  Bruno said it was a Foxtrot on the brink of chaos.  Carrie Anne thought it was cute.  Len said Rocco dances like Len cooks.  (Which is apparently not all that well?)

Judges scores:  5 + 4 + 5 = 14

My score:  5

Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  hot!
Music:  awesome!  (one of my favorite songs - Smooth)

Performance:  I think Toni really knows how to work a crowd and I think she really had a good time and put on a good show.  Very enjoyable.

Judges:  Carrie Anne thought it was fantastic.  Len said there was a good mix of basic steps and clever choreography.  Bruno said she was slinky, sultry and sexy.

Judges scores:  7 + 7 + 8 = 22
My score:  8

Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  interesting
Music:  A funky foxtrot?  Um, no.

Performance:  It felt really slow and I’m not sure if that was the choreography or the limitations of Maurice.  And I just couldn’t really get into the whole “funky foxtrot” kind of thing.  But he looked like he was having a great time.

Judges:  Len said parts that were wild, parts that were wacky and parts that were wonderful.  Bruno said he has a great presence on stage.  Carrie Anne said it felt stiff and slow in hold.

Judges scores:  6 + 6 + 6 = 18
My score:  6

Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  She looked pretty hot.
Music:  loved the music

Performance:  I thought she looked very hot and very sexy and she and Derek had a good connection and the dancing was not too bad either.

Judges:  Carrie Anne said she had great energy and great strength.  Bruno complimented her hip action.  Len said it was the best dance so far.

Judges scores:  7 + 8 + 8 = 23

My score:  8

Ted McGinley and Inna Brayer

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  very nice
Music:  sappy but it worked

Performance:  Ted looks totally out of his element physically, but he’s such a great actor that if you just watch his face you’d think he was one of the best dancers out there.  Stiff, but he committed.

Judges:  Bruno said at moments he had the elegance of Cary Grant and then he turned into Steve Carell.  Len said he had style and elegance.  Carrie Anne said she could tell he was nervous.

Judges scores:  6 + 6 + 6 = 18

My score:  5

Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  Different
Music:  It was okay

Performance:  Lacey is such a high powered dancer that it’s hard to keep your eyes off of her and I had to keep reminding myself to watch Lance.  Singers tend to be very musical dancers because they are musical after all, and Lance is no exception.  I wasn’t sure from the rehearsal footage how good he was going to be, but he did a very good job.

Judges:  Len said it was young and modern and he is old and traditional.  Carrie Anne thought it was hot, hot, hot!  Bruno said it was edgy and fun.

Judges scores:  8 + 6 + 8 = 22

My score:  8

Cloris Leachman and Corky Ballas

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  Appropriate
Music:  lovely
Performance:  Well, I can’t say it was as good as some of the younger contestants, but by gosh for an 82 year old woman to be out there doing that is simply awesome.  She kept a smile on her face even when there was a little boo boo and she sold it.  Very sweet.

Judges:  Bruno called her battleship Geriatric.  Len thought she acted the dance beautifully. Carrie Anne thought she was nothing but grace on the dance floor. 

Judges scores:  6 + 5 + 5 = 16

My score:  5

Jeffrey Ross and Edyta Sliwinska

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  Typical Edyta
Music:  Good

Performance:  Well, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it wasn’t good either.

Judges:  Carrie Anne said the flirting was good but the musicality was off.  Bruno said nothing really worked.  Len said everyone is a winner because of the commitment they made.  But he didn’t say anything about the dancing, which says a lot.

Judges scores:  4 + 4 + 4 = 12

My score:  4

Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  She looked great but I didn’t care too much for his pink jacket.
Music:  Meh

Performance:  It didn’t seem to have a lot of content, and she looked a little bit wobbly here and there, but overall, it was a respectable performance for the first week.

Judges:  Len said it was clean and had nice musicality but there was no chemistry between them.  Bruno said she needs to make her treasure trove more available because he didn’t connect with her while she was dancing.  Yes, he really said that.  Carrie Anne said she moves very well.

Judges scores:  6 + 7 + 6 = 19

My score:  6

Susan Lucci and Tony Dovolani

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  She looks great!
Music:  Meh again.

Performance:  I think they did a good job, and her hips and legs look pretty good, but she seems a little stiff in her upper body.

Judges:  Bruno looks like a lady but it was too careful and that she lost her footing here and there.  Carrie Anne thought she looked a bit frail.  Len said it was neat and precise and a bit too careful.

Judges scores:  5 + 5 + 5 = 15

My score:  6

Misty May-Treanor and Maks Chmerkovskiy

Dance:  Foxtrot
Wardrobe:  She looked lovely and Maks looked yummy.  So glad he’s back!
Music:  Good music

Performance:  She needs a little more softness to her, but I think that will come.  I thought considering the fact that she’s not used to being an “entertainer” really, she did a really good job out there.  I hope she sticks around for a good long time so I can enjoy my Maks eye candy!

Judges:  Carrie Anne said she loves her intensity.  Len thought it had an elegance and her arms were really nice.  Bruno said she is truly glowing on the dance floor.

Judges scores:  6 + 8 + 7 = 21

My score:  7

Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson

Dance:  Cha-cha
Wardrobe:  Classy
Music:  Good

Performance:  Football players just always seem to make great ballroom dancers.  Whatever he lacked in technique, he totally made up for in enthusiasm and entertainment.  He was having a great time and I had a great time watching him.

Judges:  Len said he is a great big bundle of joy.  Carrie Anne said he brought joy to the dance floor.  Bruno said big boys can dance and that he was light on his feet.

Judges scores:  7 + 7 + 7 = 21

My score:  8

Judges scores

1. Brooke and Derek:  23
2. Lance and Lacey:  22
2. Toni and Alec:  22
4. Warren and Kym:  21
4. Misty and Maks:  21
6. Kim and Mark:  19
7. Cody and Julianne:  18
7. Maurice and Cheryl:  18
7. Ted and Inna:  18
10. Cloris and Corky:  16
11. Susan and Tony:  15
12. Rocco and Karina:  14
13. Jeffrey and Edyta:  12

My scores

1. Brooke and Derek:  8
2. Lance and Lacey:  8
3. Warren and Kym:  8
4. Toni and Alec:  8
5. Misty and Maks:  7
6. Cody and Julianne:  7
7. Kim and Mark:  6
8. Maurice and Cheryl:  6
9. Susan and Tony:  6
10. Ted and Inna:  5
11. Rocco and Karina:  5
12. Cloris and Corky:  5
13. Jeffrey and Edyta:  4

Tomorrow night the couples will dance another dance and someone will be eliminated and I think it will be Jeffrey or Rocco, which is too bad for Edyta or Karina!

Nuttin’ But Stringz is in the top 5.  The Wright Kids are going home.

Queen Emily is in the top 5.  Joseph Hall is going home.

More results after Natasha Bedingfield!  Love her!

Neal E. Boyd is in the top 5.  Kaitlyn Maher is going home.

Donald Braswell is in the top 5.  Paul Salos is going home.

Eli Mattson is in the top 5.  Jessica Price is going home.

I think America pretty much got it right, although I’d have traded the always entertaining Elvis impersonator Joseph Hall for the great story but kinda boring Donald Braswell.  But, in the end, it’s a pretty competitive top 5.