Last night on Dancing With the Stars….another enjoyable evening! I did find myself disagreeing with the judges more than usual, especially where Ralph Macchio’s dance was concerned, but, overall, everyone really did bring it. Even the lowest scorers from last week showed improvement this week.

Having watched the second attempts now, there are some groups who are more firmly establishing themselves on my Yay List, a few that are on my Eh, Not So Much list, but the thing I liked the best was that everyone truly gave it their best shot. Even Wendy.

The dances that just had me smiling the whole time…Ralph & Karina. I think pairing Karina with adorkable Ralph ups her likability factor by about a thousand. I absolutely loved the whole dance and totally anticipated the judges gushing over him. So, color me surprised when they thought it was too frantic a performance. I thought it was exactly what the dance called for and that he was one of the only ones who really pulled it off. Whatevs. Loved Hines & Kym. I’m a Steelers girl, so he has all my votes, but how lovely were they? And his street slang mixed with Kym’s Aussie slang is hilarious. I heart them together. And while Kirstie wasn’t as in control as last week, she had the killer Quickstep to dance, and given that and Maks’ tough choreo, I think she handled it admirably. I love them, too. Then there were Chris & Cheryl, also bringing the joy and the laughter. Love the two of them together.

Growing on me…Believe it or not, Chelsea Kane & Mark. I’m not a Mark fan. I’m just tired of Mark. But I am really liking Chelsea this week (had never heard of her before) and I thought their performance was a lot of fun last night. I got what the judges were saying about there being too much stage choreo and not enough true jive content — for them — but their out of the box interpretation (for a song that otherwise completely sucked for any style of dance) I thought was clever and charming and actually made me like them more. Go figure. The other dancer who grew a few points with me was Romeo. I mean, he’s a kid, so…I just have to get over expecting him to act more mature than he is. But he seems to have lost the attitude and is more humble towards the demands being placed on him, and that was good to see. And I appreciated his comments for the kids out there at the end. A lot. Anything to boost morale in young people. We need all the help we can get.

And, on a more superficial note (moi?) I loved Chelsea’s dress, she looked lovely dancing with Romeo. So swishy! Actually, I loved a lot of the costumes this week. Other Chelsea’s, Karina’s, and especially Kym’s…

Better this week… Lacey got an actual performance out of Mike and his self deprecating humor might actually get him through a week or two. I hope so. I enjoy the guy. He knows he’s hopeless, but he works hard and his humor about the whole thing is super endearing. Plus? Easy on the eyes. And easier on pretty much everything else than Wendy is. Yes, she was better this week, too, but she’s one that just rubs me the wrong way. I’m simply not a fan. I respect the improvement, but honestly…I do hope she goes home. And if not her? Well, I’m really sorry to say, it would be the other “Poor Meeeeeeee!” contestant, Kendra. Also, just not a fan. I know. And I know she’s also working hard and I would otherwise normally be more sympathetic to the whole “I’m trying to learn to be a girrrrrrl!” thing, but with Kendra, it just makes me roll my eyes. Sorry! On that same score? I heart’d Petra. She’s so lovely and so beautiful, we should all hate her. But her sort of gawky, awkward tallness makes her more endearing to me. And she just seems so nice. I don’t think she’s long for the program, overall, but I hope she outlasts those other two. I know I’ll enjoy her a heckuva lot more while she’s here. Well, and she dances with Dmitry. Keep her around, keep him around. Win-win, really.

So, who are your frontrunners? Who are you enjoying? Who needs to be off your tv screen soonest? Tonight we get the first results of the season. (Whereupon I will be fast forwarding right through Chris Brown’s performance. Because…no. No support for that guy from me.) Will be interesting to see how America responded to this new group!

Don’t forget to enter this Free Stuff Friday contest! Just send an email to me at donna@donnakauffman.com with “More chances! Pick me!” in the subject line. Two winners announced this Friday! And if you haven’t entered to win the free Cupcake Cookbook over on Cakes by the Cup Blog, well? What are you waiting for? Click here, and read the latest Adventure in Cupcake Baking post, then leave a comment. It’s that simple. Winner announced tomorrow! It’s a short contest week there, so your chances, they are good!

Then come back here and DISH!

Tags: Writing //