Dancing with the Stars 9, September 28: Quicksteps, Tangos, and Jives

Hello again, Dancing with the Stars fans! I hope you enjoyed week one as much as I did! Before I jump into tonight’s action, a word about the songs to which our couples dance. When I know them, or have a hint of what they might be in my mind, I will list them here.

But since this is a dancing show and not a singing show, I’m not going to go crazy trying to figure out what a song title is. If you hear a song you really like and I didn’t mention it, you can check the list at the end of the episode guide on abc.com.

Tonight we have a special guest judge, Baz Luhrmann. He is a Golden Globe and Academy award-nominated Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer whose mother was a ballroom dance teacher. His credits include Moulin Rouge. I don’t remember a guest judge appearing in past seasons, this should be very interesting.

Tom and Samantha welcome us and introduce our remaining stars. Our stars sure look happy tonight! Ooooh, Baz is sitting in the center spot on the judge’s table. I wonder where Len is. Everyone claps for Baz as Tom asks him what he’s looking for tonight. He says the work has been done and it’s time to embrace it and perform it. We don’t want to see the work, we want to see the dance.

Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough are up first this week. They are dancing the jive and Derek feels the high energy makes it the perfect dance for them. Joanna says she was out of breath the first few times they rehearsed the dance. They’re having a great time together and they want to bring that fun out in their performance.

Joanna & Derek look great tonight as they dance to “What I Like About You.” Their jive is fast-paced but their footwork is somewhat iffy. They’re pretty well in sync, though a few times I feel like Joanna seems a bit tentative in her moves. Overall a fast, fun performance!

Carrie Ann has fixed her hari this week. She loved the way Joanna gave her all to it but her feet were spastic at times and got away from her.

Bruno says he can see her thriving at being driven hard. She doesn’t hold back and that’s good, but the jive needs to be controlled.

Baz would like to see more connecting moments throughout the dance.

Tom gives his first voting plug. Everyone gets 14 votes this week.

Score time: Carrie Ann gives them a 6, Baz gives them a 7, and Bruno gives them a 7, for a total of 20.

Natalie Coughlin & Alec Mazo are up next with the quickstep. Natalie has problems because her swimming has trained her to hold her breath for long periods of time and on the dance floor that comes across as stiffness. Alec works with her to learn how to breathe and relax. She wants to have a good time.

Natalie & Alec look very elegant in white and lilac this week. They quickstep to “I Want You Back” and Natalie appears to have overcome her stiffness issues for the most part. Not entirely but it’s still early. The footwork is pretty good and they appear to be having a lot of fun, which makes it a very enjoyable performance.

Bruno says there is an incredible buzz in the room tonight and Natalie is a part of it. He tells her to relax a little bit more but at times she is too tense.

Baz agrees with Bruno and says she needs to be in the moment like she was in the second half of the dance and it will be better.

Carrie Ann says Natalie is one of her favorites. She encourages her to think of Alec as an extension of herself.

First results show plug of the night! Tom tells us that Joss Stone and Selena Gomez will perform. And another couple will be sent home. Be there tomorrow at the new regular time of 9E/8C. Those of you on Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii time can do your own math.

Score time! Carrie Ann awards Natalie & Alec a 7, Baz awards them a 7, and Bruno awards them a 7. Their total is 21.

Our next couple is Chuck Liddell & Anna Trebunskaya. Last week Len told Chuck to get in touch with his feminine side. But this week they are performing the tango so Anna tells him not to worry about that, especially because Len won’t be there. Chuck says the tango is as close to his world as it gets on the dance floor and he is planning to bring his success in the fighting ring onto the dance floor.

Chuck & Anna start mid-stage under two spotlights. It’s very dramatic! There is definitely no femininity in this dance as they tango to “Seven Nation Army.” Chuck has the most intense look on his face. Hmm, that was kind of a strange leg kick there. Not sure what that was all about. Overall a good performance but it didn’t blow me away.

Baz says Len would rip Chuck to pieces over that dance, but he is so strong and his ability to take a chance is fantastic.

Carrie Ann says she was a bit frightened. Chuck’s dance had impact and she can’t wait to see what he does next.

Bruno calls Chuck savage and primeval, but always a tango. He obviously worked hard and did all the steps, even if they weren’t perfect.

Another results show plug! Macy’s Stars of Dance will feature 62 performers, including the USC Trojan Marching Band and dancers from Stomp the Yard. Don’t miss it! Oh and there will be another elimination. Tune in at 9E/8C!