Dancing With the Stars 6, May 5: The Changing of the Guard

Your regular reality host, Jill Jones, is off on special assignment this week, so you’re stuck with the second string Dancing with the Stars recapper for the night.

Starting out the night are the super team of Kristi & Mark. Last week, she slipped below the number one spot for the first time, taking second in the judges’ scoring. Because of this, she is ready to be back on top and is working hard on the precision of her routines. She’s also hoping to throw a lift into one of the routines to catch the attention of the judges – since they’re allowing it this week.

They dance a quickstep first, decked out in royal blue costumes. I don’t recognize the song to pass on to you, but it’s a delightfully, bouncy, ‘40s song I can imagine my grandma dancing to back in the day. The dance itself is crisp, perky, and should be right on target.

I think Len will be pleased. Sure enough, he loves it, as do Bruno and Carrie Ann. The pair get a 9 from Carrie Ann and a pair of goobers from the men for 29 points to start the show.

Next up are Mario & Karina. They decide to give lifts a shot as well, but practice in the pool where Mario can do less damage if he drops her. Fortunately, the worst thing that happens is a little hypothermia.

This pair begins the night with a Viennese waltz to an easy R&B song that again, I can’t recognize. Karina’s dress is sexy and stunning. Wow! She springs into his arms for an incredible lift that takes my breath away. Oh I like that the producers added this element. This was a good dance and I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least one goober out of it.

Bruno calls him Prince Mario and Carrie Ann likes his stiffness and elegance this week. Len tops the comments by saying that his ballroom normally looks a little like Britney Spears getting out of a car – not very elegant and sometimes seeing odd things you’d rather not (which gets a round of boos from the audience). He follows up quickly by saying that this week, it’s nothing like that and he loved their routine.

The scores? He gets a string of 9s for a total of 27 for the first dance. Not bad at all.

Next up are Marissa & Tony. I am amazed at how much more toned she is from when the show started. You can really see it in her face especially. This week, they’re doing the mambo and foxtrot. Tony says that he’s going to add in a lift to show her that she can do it.

The foxtrot is first to “New York, New York.” She has improved so much over the whole show and you can tell that she is still having the time of her life. This dance is good, smooth, and it keeps her contained. She’s elegant and glowing. Tony lifts her and spins her around.

I don’t think they’ll get a high score, but would expect a good mix of 8s and 9s from the judges. I’m right! Carrie Ann gives her a 9 and the other two hand out 8s for a total of 25.

Last week’s leader, Jason, is up next and is ready to hold his lead. Edyta has a great time getting him to loosen up enough for the samba routine by making him laugh. Oh and she also makes sure he gets a spray tan, for which he says that he already has one built in. Snort!

Jason & Edyta move well to the tango to an instrumental piece. Their moves are crisp and sexy, but Jason seems a bit stiff and unfeeling. They manage to work in two minor lifts and one grand one at the end. I think this will go over well with the judges.

Len and Bruno bicker before Bruno hands out huge praise for both Edyta and Jason. Carrie Ann called the performance intriguingly great. With a total of 29, Len hands out the lone 9 between the goobers.

Next we get a full account of Cristian’s arm injury and his trip to the hospital. The doctor clears him to dance for a couple more weeks, but says that he can’t use his bicep. We see Cristian & Cheryl struggle through rehearsals and doing their best to avoid the lame arm. They know that they will be at a disadvantage without the lifts, but will work their magic other ways. I laugh as he says, “No pain, no mirror ball trophy.”

Their first dance will be the tango to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” They do a fabulous job of hiding the injury to his arm and minimizing its use. They do even manage to work in a remarkable lift with him only using his one good arm. I think they’ll manage to get good scores, despite the arm.

All three judges like it with Len pointing out the choreography Cheryl did this week. Carrie Ann throws yet another 10, this team’s first, and the men drop a pair of 9s for 28 points.

At the end of the ballroom round Kristi & Mark and Jason & Edyta are tied in the lead with 29 points and Marissa & Tony trail with 25 points. The competition is tight and minor mistakes could send anyone home.