It’s rumba and paso doble week on Dancing With The Stars. Normally these dances are performed much later in the season, and while I don’t know that it mattered much with the rumba, as that one is normally kind of meh anyway–you either get it or you don’t–the paso definitely suffered for coming so early on.

Also…was the costume designer purposely trying to punish the contestants? And, for that matter, the pros? Because….yikes! And they seem really stuck on the Mel B Paso tiny shorts/bra/long coat outfit from several seasons back, bringing it back in every possible combination, including, last night with Misty, a close interpretation of the original. Kym was the only one who really pulled it off, with Toni in the kind-of category. I could hardly concentrate on Maurice’s dance because Cheryl’s dress flapping was so distracting, and they made poor Kim K look like a swaddled lollipop, with the pop part in the middle. Actually, Cloris was the only one who actually looked better, figure-wise, in her crazy Spanish dominatrix outfit, so you know someone was smoking something at the design table last week.

They had 4 days to learn the dance this week….and it showed. But while I was pleasantly surprised by how well they pulled off what are typically difficult dances to do, I was also disappointed the paso was so early as I think we’d have gotten some really wow performances with that one later in the season.

Okay…Faves of the Night:

Big Poppa & Kym Do The Matrix: I kind of thought he’d lose the Neo jacket after a while, but then, no. Still, the man is pretty incredible moving that bulk around the floor like he does. I actually thought the praise was a little over the top for his actual dance skills displayed during the dance (arm placement and posture, etc) but given how fast and furious it was, and how incredibly well he kept up with it, and the fancy footwork, I can’t complain overly much. Plus, I heart them, so I’m okay with them doing well.

Julianne & Cody: I know his boy/man schtick should be getting old by now….but it’s not. Not with me anyway. I think the Julianne pairing has a lot to do with that, as they play very well off each other. And Bruno summed up exactly what I was thinking the entire time when, after they finished the rumba, he said to Cody, “It was kind of like being in a candy store, wasn’t it?” HA! I love Bruno. But Cody manages to stay pretty level and not overplay it, and I like that about him. And Twinkies and some chicken? Double HA. I think he’s actually a pretty good kid with a good head on his shoulders who will make a really sweet partner for someone, some day.

Lance & Lacey: I wish Lacey would go back to a softer hair color, as edgy doesn’ have to equal sleazy. But that’s about my only complaint. I do like that they are bringing a looser, more youthful/edgy interpretation to their dances. We’re getting ten other couples giving us the straight scoop and it’s nice to see some new flavor being added. I like it and I hope they keep trying to blend the two together. Plus - great song choice or what? HA!

Good, But Didn’t Grab Me:

Toni & Alec. I loved his karaoke, because wow, who is that bad? And they actually danced really, really well, and I like Toni and think she looks great. But for whatever reason, they don’t really connect with me. I’m not drawn into them as I should be. Not sure why. But I do enjoy watching them.

Derek & Brooke: Actually, I enjoyed them more last night than I have before, but though they are undeniably the best out there at the moment, there is still some kind of disconnect there for me. Plus, I spent most of their performance fearing a major wardrobe malfunction. I kept looking at Brooke’s bulging cleavage and thinking, doesn’t that hurt? So maybe that was the disconnect. I don’t find myself looking forward to their performance or Toni’s with near the anticipation I do for Warren, Cody, or Lance, so that is why they fall into this category.

Not Bottom Two, but Not Doing It For Me:

Misty & Maks: I know, I know! She’s attacking it and I love Maks, but she’s SO attacking it I find myself not really enjoying it. I sort of sit on the edge of my seat and wait for her to calm down and ease into the dance and really let herself feel it. I still think she’s kind of graceless out there. Not exactly clomping around, but some weird hybrid between the two that keeps me from loving her. But I do give her props for giving it everything she’s got. (Kim, pay attention here. This is what trying hard looks like.)

Susan & Tony. She did well this week, and I actually thought she looked prettier and less fragile flower. She’s just a tiny little thing. But I connected more with her than I have. Still, she’s just a bit too stiff and doesn’t use her willowy frame to her real advantage. I am glad she has Tony for a partner, however, as I think he’s the best at making her feel as comfortable with this as she can.

Maurice & Cheryl: The judges are right with him, too. He has all the ingredients, but there’s just a hitch missing in his giddyup. Still, I like their personalities and everyone competing seems to really like Maurice, but there is truly no natural chemistry between them at all.

Back of the Pack:

Rocco, who I adore, and who was totally cute last night, is trying very hard, but he is in the Ted Slot this week. It will be a shame if he leaves, as I’d rather watch him than either of the two listed below here, but I fear he may be in danger! Save the chef!

Cloris & Corky: I was kind of like the judges…glad to see her take it more seriously, but then missing a little bit on the wackiness, even though I would have sworn I was glad to have it removed from their program. Still, she’s bottom two for me this week.

The other bottom two, still, is Kim & Mark. She just doesn’t seem to get it. Carrie Ann was dead on when she said that her dancing skills haven’t improved at all from the first dance. She’s just learning the new steps and performing them with the exact same approach and skill level as she has from the start. And I would still send her home before Cloris.

Who should go home? Cloris or Kim. Who will go home? Anyone’s guess! What do you think? Who are you loving? Who are you hating? And is Stoner Music Dude back? I think…perhaps, yes. Tonight, the results!

Aaaaaaaand, DISH!

Tags: Writing //