Dancing With the Stars 6, March 24: Dinner and a Show

Last week on Dancing With the Stars, the couples performed for the first time together in front of a live audience. Tonight, the stars and their professional partners have one last chance to impress the judges and the viewing audience before two pairs are sent home.

Before we get to the first dance, I want to thank Kari for recapping the show for me last Tuesday. I could barely keep my head up and my eyes open, so I can only imagine what my recap would have been like. Thanks, Kari; I owe you! Also, my thanks go out to Bradley. This kind reader helped me identify some of the songs I didn’t recognize. My recaps are certainly enhanced by the input of my readers!

Tom and Samantha welcome us to the program. They are very dramatic.

The first couple to dance this evening is Anna & Steve. Anna’s mom joins them in practice and tells Steve she likes Police Academy.

Anna & Steve are dancing the mambo to “I Got a Girlfriend.” Steve seems heavy on his feet and some of his expressions are cheesy. I eventually find myself paying more attention to Anna than to Steve.

Len compares Steve’s dancing to his cooking; he tries, but it isn’t always successful. Bruno feels that Steve’s energy went into his facial expressions and not his technique. Carrie Ann tells Steve his musicality was off. Anna reminds the judges that this is only Steve’s second dance. Carrie Ann tells her the competition has already started. Steve says he respects the judges.

Samantha talks to the couple backstage. I’m mesmerized by Anna’s hair; it’s beautiful.

Len and Bruno give the dance a five. Carrie Ann awards it a six. Anna & Steve have 16 points for the evening and an overall score for the first two weeks of the competition of 34 points.

Up now are Cheryl & Cristián. Cheryl tells Cristián to be serious. She also works on his posture by making him wear a Navy uniform. He says he’s in the Air Force, but ready to do the quickstep nevertheless.

They are dancing to “Americano.” Cristián’s posture is better this week, but it still seems a bit awkward. He even appears to be out of breath, which is surprising given his background. The dance is fine, but not mind-blowing.

Carrie Ann tells Cristián he obviously worked on his posture. Len didn’t like the wildness of the dance. Bruno wants Cristián to concentrate on his footwork.

Carrie Ann and Bruno score the dance with a seven. Len gives it a six. Tonight, Cheryl & Cristián have 20 points.

You’ve probably read the nasty rumors about Cheryl and Drew Lachey, her partner from Season 2. But did you hear the good news about Sara Evans? People magazine is reporting she’s engaged to her boyfriend, Jay Barker. Congratulations!

The next pair to dance is Monica & Jonathan. Monica says she’s uncomfortable with the facial expressions she’s supposed to make. She and Jonathan go to Japan to practice while she takes care of business. I’d be happy with some sushi.

They are performing the mambo to “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It).” The dance begins with Monica being sassy and shaking her hips. She seems uncomfortable with some of the moves, but overall, she gets into the dance. Her footwork is excellent.

Bruno tells Monica that she was off from the rhythm. Carrie Ann loves that Monica attacked the mambo. Len wants Monica to bring her tennis skills to the dance floor. Really? I rather enjoyed the dance. And I haven’t even touched any green beer tonight.

All three judges give the dance a five. Monica & Jonathan have 15 points.

Kym & Penn are ready to dance. Penn shows us how big his feet are. He also practices with the dreaded posture bar; it’s too small for him, though. He lets his hair down and it scares me.

They are dancing the quickstep to “Man With the Hex.” Penn’s posture is not good at all, but he keeps up with Kym and even dares to do a jump. He’s also heavy on his feet, but really, how can he not be. I know that technically, this wasn’t a great dance, but I enjoyed it.

Len tells Penn he convinced him he could do a proper quickstep. Bruno calls the footwork bad. Penn talks back the entire time. I don’t think these judges are ready for him. Carrie Ann says she enjoyed the performance. As Penn leaves the dance floor, he trips. Ha!

Carrie Ann and Len give the dance a six. Bruno gives it a five. Kym & Penn have 17 points for the evening.

The next couple to dance is Priscilla & MY Louis. Priscilla calls her first dance a rush. Louis wants her to have fun.

They are performing the mambo to “Bossa Nova Hand Dance.” Priscilla holds back on some of her moves, but when she lets loose, she’s fabulous with a capital FAB. She also seems comfortable dancing by herself or away from Louis; she doesn’t have to constantly watch him.

Carrie Ann tells Priscilla she has “it.” I had it for lunch, but it isn’t sitting well with me. Len feels the dance was a little too precise, but he enjoyed it. Bruno says something and Carrie Ann disagrees by saying she’s glad Priscilla didn’t overdo it.

All of the judges award the couple with a seven for a total of 21 points.

Up now are Shannon & Derek. Shannon feels the judges were generous with their scores for her. She struggles with the quickstep and her stamina.

The couple dances to “Swing with Me.” The routine is choreographed beautifully and Shannon does a great job. She keeps up with Derek and doesn’t miss a beat. OK, maybe she missed one or two of them, but you know what I mean.

Bruno tells Shannon she is in the game. Carrie Ann feels Shannon nailed the dance. Len calls the performance the best of the night.

The judges are in harmony; they all give Shannon & Derek an eight for a total of 24 points.