Dancing With The Stars
Dancing With The Stars week two of double eliminations. Monday's show each pair of dancers needed to learn two dances: one to dance as a pair while the other would be part of a team routine, the teams were split into two a paso doble team and a tango team .
Following the opening routines from the professional s Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova took to the floor, last week Michael was in the dance off. This week, it was the elegant and graceful foxtrot that Michael and Anna were required to dance. Much to every ones surprise NFL pro Michael convinced with a smooth polished dance which earned the pair praise from the judges panel.
Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson, the pair needed to step up their performance after what was a disappointing performance last week so they had a lot riding on this weeks quickstep. Donny though lost his normal excellent posture and on a couple of occasions fell behind with his timing but the quickstep is another crowd-please, Bruno Tonioli praised his ability to cover up "all the mistakes" admirably, and Len Goodman pointed out that there were mistakes partly because Kym had worked in some difficult choreography.
Michael looks vulnerable as does Mark although it must be said an unfamiliar partner didn't aid his cause
Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer should have been up next but Lacey was sick. Mark trained first with Tony Dovolani before stand in partner, Anna Trebunskaya took over. The result was a less polished samba than Mark often produces, giving his routine a making it appear somewhat disjointed. The judges took these issues into account but Carrie Ann Inaba still felt compelled to say the performance was "a mess." Mark and Anna scored low as a result.
Mya and Dmitry Chaplin struggle last week with Len expressing criticism of Dmitry's choreography for the pairs jitterbug. The foxtrot. gave them the opportunity to bounce back. The resulting performance was simple with some theatrical elements, but once again ,Len was not pleased criticising the choreography causing Carrie Ann to comment "Len is officially smoking crack."
Aaron Carter has come in for some justified but never the less harsh comments so this week, he and Karina Smirnoff had the chance to have a go with a jive. Apart from Aarons tendency to pull faces the routine really worked for him even receiving a couple of 10s and a 9.
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel struggled last week, comments such as flat footed hit home. Louis pushed Kelly a lot harder during the training sessions. Their salsa was neat and solid, but somehow it seemed flat without zest, The judges were easier on her this week scoring Kelly with three 8s, but if she is to progress much further in the competition she needs to overcome her nerves and step up a level.
Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough last week tied at the top of the leader board for the individual sessions before going on to win the mambo "dance-off." Could they continue this with their rumba. Derek as usual joked his way through, while Joanna was smooth sexy and elegant to produce a seductive and enthralling rumba. The judges loved it handing out four 9s.
Time for the team dances with Paso doble 'People' taking to the floor first. The team was made up of Mya and Dmitry, Aaron and Karina, Michael and Anna Demidova, and Mark and Anna Trebunskaya - replacing Lacey. Michael enjoyed the drama of the dance while Mya and Aaron were solid, the team though lacked any real 'ooomph' and the judges gave the team 24 points, which was added to each team's solo score.
Enter the Tango troupe of Donny and Kym, Joanna and Derek, and Kelly and Louis. With sharper routines from the outset, and a notable convincing tango from Kelly had all three couples looking strong, and they worked as a team. A high-kicking flourish to conclude the routine could not help but impress the judges. Len called it "much more superior." Tango scored 28 giving them each a four point advantage over their Paso doble counterparts.
Who could be in danger Michael looks vulnerable as does Mark although it must be said an unfamiliar partner didn't aid his cause, another surprise contestant that could also be in danger was Mya after a couple of bad weeks and the lack of team points left her near the bottom of the table.
Top Three Scores
Joanna & Derek (Rumba: 27) + (Team Tango: 28) = 55
Aaron & Karina (Jive: 29) + (Team Paso: 24) = 53
Kelly & Louis (Salsa: 24) + (Team Tango: 28) = 52 (tie)
Donny & Kym (Quickstep: 24) + (Team Tango: 28) = 52 (tie)
Highlights of the night:
Aaron Carter & Karina Smirnoff's Jive. Bruno called it "unstoppable momentum—your best performance!"
The Team Tango. Joanna & Derek, Donny & Kym, and Kelly & Louis in striking synchronized kicks to Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name