Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower
Dancing With The Stars shook things up on Monday night as they brought in dances previously never performed on the show. The Lambada, the country two-step, the Charleston, and the bolero, how did this pan out read on
Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya were first out. Chuck seemed more at home in jeans and able to use some of his Ultimate Fighting skills on Anna throwing her around... But despite being nearer to his comfort zone (if he has a dancing comfort zone) his routine still lacked any real rhythm.
Next up was Melissa Joan Hart premiering the shows first Charleston, both her and partner Mark Ballas suitably attired in nineteen twenties flapper clothes. The dance routine matched Melissa's personality, so again a celeb dancer entered her comfort zone she looked less nervous than usual. She pumped up the energy levels got the audience on side earning praise from the judging panel.Bruno Tonioli even scored her with a ten..
Natalie Coughlin and partner, Alec Mazo,premiered the Bolero, the pair wanting to build on last weeks 'sexy' rumba. Natalie turned in a strong performance continuing to learn, her physical grace and musicality helped her produce a performance that although the judges did not take to it as much as last week she delivered..
The Lambada was brought to the show courtesy by Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff. The Lambada with its flamboyant moves somehow just didn't work with Aaron appearing as plodding gracelessness, though he produces the steps he lacks any kind of panache put this performance with the kiss of death "I like your enthusiasm," from Len and the guys in trouble.
Mark Dacascos' partner Lacey Schwimmer wanted more in the way of performance so during practice she went all out to get him into character for the country two-step. Though a touch rigid her coaching worked as he also pulled off an impressive performance. The judges voted accordingly he certainly out danced the other men on the night.
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel, danced the Charleston to the theme from "Cabaret." Kelly a couple of wobbles aside infectious, happy style connected both with the judges and audience alike.
Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough worked a Lambada, For these two this should have been a breeze and in similar vii to last weeks Samba a shirtless Derek and almost dressed super model raised temperatures in a routine that looked good. The judges rewarded them, to the point of perhaps making too much out of how sexy it was. Carrie Ann went to far as to call it "fuelled by the crotch area," in an odd little moment of bad taste.
Donny Osmond was perfect for the Charleston, and his partner, Predictably, it was a great routine, which Donny sold like it was his car salesman, To be fair look past the corny style Donny often puts in and the sequence contained some good dancing and stunning choreography from Kym Johnson. Donny may lack in some things but he always delivers an entertaining performance.
Michael Irvin partner Anna Demidova have a lot to prove after finishing in the bottom two last week so Anna called on the services of Tony Dovolani to help boost Michael's bolero. Michael could not do the heavy romance the Dane required but Tony persisted with his coaching to inject some feeling. On the night though he failed miserably with the judges let him know.
Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower both struggled during rehearsal with the country two-step. Chelsie drafted in her partner from last season, cowboy Ty Murray, to help Louie find cowboy roots. Again, to no avail on the live show Chelsie ended up doing most of the dancing, Louie seemed unable to connect to the music, at one point Chelsie almost kicked him in the head, whether by accident or as an attempt to liven her partner up we don't know. .
Mya closed the dancing with partner Dmitry Chaplin, hoping to continue on from last week's stunning performance that earned the first 10s of the season. The Lambada gave Mya an opportunity to shake her 'booty', even involving herself with the choreography. Compared to Joanna and Derek's overblown and shirtless Lambada, Mya and Dmitry's was as they say sweet, a little breathless, and contained subtle sexiness in the way the dance is meant to be.Len managed to express disappointment, maybe sexy just doesn't sit well with our Len though Carrie Ann and Bruno scored 10s anyway.
So who is in trouble on Tuesday? Louie maybe, Michael Irvin dull bolero and Chucks stiff performance could all be in trouble, favourite to leave must be Louie who does not have a loyal fan base to keep him in when times get tough.