Dancing with the Stars 3, October 10: Hot Stuff!

Last week on Dancing with the Stars, our favorite celebrities and their professional partners performed either the waltz or paso doble. Jaws dropped as Vivica A. Fox and Nick Kosovich were eliminated from the competition. Tonight, the challenge intensifies as we move one step closer to crowning a champion. I’m giddy with excitement!

Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris welcome us once again to the program and introduce the couples. Tom also mentions that tonight is tiny costume night and boy is he right – the women have on some revealing outfits. Tom and Samantha also explain the samba and rumba for us. Basically, the samba should be fun and energetic. It also includes samba walks and botafogos (not to be confused with Joey Buttafuco). The rumba is the dance of love, and contains seductive body movements and crisp turns.

The first couple to perform is Edyta Sliwinska and Joey Lawrence. Edyta tells us that Joey is having fun, but he’s uncomfortable with some of the moves that he has to perform. At one point during practice, he drops Edyta and lands on her.

They are doing the samba to “Freedom.” The dance is very sexy and provocative. Edyta and Joey seem to be enjoying themselves. We even see Joey successfully do one of the moves he wasn’t comfortable with during practice. (I think he referred to it as “the chicken.”) Joey also gives the impression of being at ease on the dance floor.

Len Goodman says that he always feels that Joey won’t do wrong. He does believe though that the routine lacked some spontaneity and he doesn’t want Joey to be inhibited. Bruno Tonioli disagrees; he says that Joey should be praised. Carrie Ann Inaba states that she saw a lot of mistakes and wasn’t impressed.

Carrie Ann and Len give the pair an eight; Bruno gives it a nine. Edyta and Joey start off the evening with 25 points. That is a great score considering some of the judges’ comments.

Next, Willa Ford and Maksim Chmerkovskiy are set to dance. Maksim takes Willa to the beach for inspiration and practice. Can you imagine walking down the beach and seeing Maksim dancing in front of you? Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! The couple is having fun and watching the sun set together.

They’re performing the rumba to “Every Breath You Take.” The routine is sexy, slow, and dreamy. Willa shows off her lines and has a smile on her face throughout the entire performance.

Carrie Ann tells Willa and Maksim that if they aren’t going out, they should. She also says that the routine was amazing. Len thinks Willa is doing great despite the fact that the pressure is on. Bruno says that Willa is improving in both her Latin and ballroom dances.

All three judges give the couple nine points; Willa and Maksim have 27 points. Samantha asks Willa about her relationship with Maksim. Willa becomes giddy as she talks about her chemistry with him.

Up next are Sara Evans and Tony Dovolani. Tony explains in an interview that he is going to bring Sara back out of her shell. We watch as Sara sings “The Star-Spangled Banner.” She says that performing gives her confidence, so she’s going to sing while she dances.

Sara and Tony are doing the samba to “I Wish.” I don’t see Sara singing like she promised. In fact, I barely see her dance. She shakes her butt a few times and does a split, but other than that, there isn’t a lot to judge. Also, she appears stiff again tonight.

Bruno tells Sara that she was sexy. Huh? Carrie Ann says that she is happy; she enjoyed the performance. Len explains to Sara that he bought one of her CDs… at a second hand shop. Ha! He then states that Sara interprets each dance in her own way and that she did a great job tonight. I really think I must have stroked out or something; I didn’t see the same routine that the judges saw.

All three judges give the performance an eight. Sara and Tony now have 24 points. Since the show is still 90 minutes long and we are down to seven couples, Samantha continues her assault on the couples backstage.

The next couple to perform is Karina Smirnoff and Mario Lopez. Mario says that he would rather get goobers from the judges than a scolding. Karina feels that Mario needs a break, so they go swimming at his friend’s pool. They seem to be growing closer to one another… if you know what I mean. He says that they will be friends for a long time.

They are dancing the rumba to “The Way You Look Tonight.” The routine starts off playfully with both dancers in character. Karina does an amazing spin that makes me dizzy just watching it. Some of Mario’s moves are a little too “disco” for me, but overall, the routine is solid.

Len says that Mario is the opposite of Joey; he isn’t inhibited. I don’t think it is fair to compare the two and single them out. Bruno questions what the couple is doing after hours; he then says that whatever it is, it’s working. Carrie Ann tells Mario that his movements are too stiff, but he is still a fabulous dancer.

Each judge gives the performance a nine; Karina and Mario have 27 points. Samantha attacks the couple and asks about what is going after hours. Mario answers, but doesn’t really tells us anything. Samantha then surprises him with a birthday cake. Feliz cumpleaños, Mario!