So, this week on Dancing with the Stars we have 8 couples remaining, who will dance either the waltz or the paso doble.

Pretty much as long as they keep showing Maksim swinging that cape around with all those biceps of his, I’m going to be perfectly happy with this entire program this evening.

First up tonight is Monique and Louis(!) doing the waltz. I like their behind the scenes, I think Monique is probably the best student Louis could have asked for in the pure sense of student-teacher relations, because she’s clearly dedicated to doing her best.

The dancing begins, and once again, it’s Whack Music for $500, but what can you do? At least it sounds in the general neighborhood of waltz like music. I don’t think Monique’s top does her any favors, but Louis (!) looks quite dapper. I’m so glad he cut his hair off last season (and that Maks followed suit this season.) Anyway…they do a lovely, if serviceable job. Louis can always be counted on for developing choreo that flatters his partners strengths and he definitely does so here. But this dance tonight is where their teacher-student chemistry is obvious in a not-as-flattering way, but there is really nothing they can do about it. It is what it is. And they do their best with what they have between them. As I said, lovely routine, and the spinning sequence was really nice, she’s doing all the right things, but I wasn’t moved. Okay, until that very last moment when she had tears in her eyes. Yay them!

Judges? Uncle Len says it was lovely, well done. Bruno says she was a little mermaid. Carrie Ann says she felt they were a united couple tonight. She saw what was there at the end, that I missed. Scores - 8, 8, 8 for 24.

Next up is Emmitt and Cheryl dancing the paso doble. He’s so charming. I just love him. And I agree that he was robbed, in comparison to other dancers last week. I hope he kicks butt this week. Out they come, all in red and black, and is it me, or does Emmitt look like he’s losing weight? Could be the cut of his outfit, but he’s looking almost slender. For Emmitt. They get actual paso music (thank you stoned music gods) which stuns me - why don’t they do this more often anyway? Cheryl looks quite sexy and Emmitt very macho as he pulls her across the floor on his back in the opening sequence. So far, so good. Cheryl is really on it tonight, she’s making Emmitt’s job a lot easier, all eyes on her. He’s doing a good job himself, as well. Great ending, perfect choreo with the outfit there, Cheryl. Nice work!

Judges? Bruno says he was commanding. Carrie Ann says he was a beast and had moments of brilliance. Len says it was great, well done. And may I just say here that Samantha’s backroom interview skills? Lamer every week. I like her spunk, I do. But she’s not meant for this. We need someone like the So You Think You Can Dance hostess. She would be perfect!! Just a suggestion, stoned executive producer gods. Scores - 8, 8, 8 for another 24.

And, it’s a very lovely looking Willa and an always hot Maksim. They have the waltz and Willa is going to bring out her inner lady. Their behind-the-scenes edit was kind for once. Hope it helps. They get doable music and they do look elegant during their dance, very polished. Perhaps not as advanced as Louis’s choreo, but quite lovely all the same. Well done.

Judges? Carrie Ann says she was swept away. Uncle Lenny says it was delightful. Bruno says it was technically perfect and a love story, too. Wow, yay them! Scores - 9, 9, 10 for 28

Now it’s Sara and Tony with their version of the paso. They get whack music albeit with some latin flavor. I think. The opening called for command of the steps and Sara sort of minces through them rather than commands them, but you can tell this is not her natural arena. There were moments of beauty, but just as many moments of awkward. (Is this Phantom of the Opera music or something? It’s….so not right and very disruptive.) She mostly walks through the dance, which might be just as well. (Oh my god this is the most hideous music ever.) The rose at the end was just too funereal for me. I’m so crabby tonight, I know. But that? Was not good. Will she go home? Not with her fan base she won’t.

Judges? Len agrees that this is not Sara’s dance. (And in this light, while she’s standing there, she looks sooooo tired. Under her eyes, even the makeup isn’t helping. I feel bad for her.) Bruno implores her to dance with her passion again. Carrie Ann says she saw the character role playing in her dance but that she lost her power. All agreed. Scores - 6, 7, 7 for 20 That’s about right. (And Sam, just leave it alone already. Sheesh.)

Now we get Jerry and Kym finally getting to do the dance he came to learn, the waltz. He interviews that he really wants to do this one without the showmanship angle, but seriously, so he can dance with his daughter at her upcoming wedding. Awww. They look good, Kym is always so lovely, but has a real Kim Novak feel tonight. They get a lovely song, the Tennessee Waltz, and he does a wonderful job. Kym looks lovely. It’s clearly a sentimental moment for him, and so we’ll let him have it. Yay, Jerry! And what a great ending with his daughter (who looks scarily just like him.)

Judges? Bruno says it was very touching. Carrie Ann says he touched them all. Len said he had great style and thought it was a delight. Scores - 7, 7, 8 for 22.

Up next is Vivica and Nick with the paso. This should be right up her alley. She looks great, hair and dress, all work. They both look good tonight. So the music is bizarre (Bon Jovi???) but it is commanding, and they just paso all over the damn place. I think this is her best dance thus far, mostly because it’s just tailor made for her personality. (Although watching the other paso’s thus far, makes you realize how stellar Emmitt’s really was. Of course, he’s the only guy who’s done it so far.) They miss a spin move at the end with a crucial hand hold, but cover it well. All in all, well done for her.

Judges? Len says it had a lot of ole’s and a few oh no’s. Bruno essentially agrees. Carrie Ann says it was hot, but needs a bit of femininity as well. Scores - 8, 8, 8 for 24 which I think is a wee bit high, but that’s cool. It’s very very close tonight.

(And I love Tom!)

Up next, we get the two bad boys. First is Joey and Edyta doing the waltz. Edyta has the most bizarre Clan of the Cavewoman meets 80’s Madonna thing going in her rehearsal togs, but whatever. More Joey is never a bad thing. Joey and Family are very sweet. Awww. Loved his mom’s comment. Now it’s dance night, and he looks very elegant in all white, while Edyta and the Girls are risking a Fashion Malfunction, but we love her anyway. The music is doable, which is nice. (Singer? That opening note? Yow.) But we soon totally forget about tone deaf singers because the pair dancing are absolutely lovely. Now that is chemistry and beauty (not to mention extreme flexibilty) in motion. It looks effortless. (But watch on mute. Just sayin.) Okay, that last side split was sooo……not pretty. What was up with that? After such a gorgeous, flowing dance….I dunno. I don’t get it. But golf clap for a lovely dance anyway.

Judges? Carrie Ann says it was lovely and brought tears to her eyes and that Joey truly led his partner. Len says it was a wow of a waltz. Bruno says it was heavenly. Joey is truly thankful for the judges comments. Scores - 9, 9, 9 for 27 Well earned.

Last tonight is Mario “the scorpion” Lopez (what is up with that jacket? His idea?) and Karina with the paso. This is as tailor made for him as it was for Vivica. He’s so good and I am so over him. A shame really. And here we go. Okay, so Antonio Banderas? Eat your heart out. Damn, he’s just really great at this. Because that? Was perfect. Figures.

Judges? Bruno loses his collective mind. Carrie Ann says they are too hot to handle. Uncle Lenny is cranky. Scores - 10, 9, 10 for 29.

Standings:
Mario - 29
Joey - 28
Willa - 28
Monique - 24
Emmitt - 24
Vivica - 24
Jerry - 22
Sara - 20

My favorites of the night were Emmitt and Willa, in terms of performance. Joey was up there, too. And, if I liked him more, I’d be all drooling over Mario’s dance. It was really All That. And a bag of Doritos. Going home? Should be Jerry or Sara. But honestly, it’s a real toss up. I think those two have very strong fan bases, so we’ll see!

What is your prediction?

Happy Hump Day y’all!

Tags: Writing //