Dancing with the Stars 5, October 1: Quick Quicksteps and Red-Hot Cougars

Tom and Drew open the show by introducing the couples. Some of the costumes tonight are interesting to say the least; I love Jennie’s dress, though.

Dancing first this evening are Mel & Maksim. They discuss the quickstep. Maksim says that he has to control Mel. To help him, he brings in Diana Olson, who is an etiquette coach. Diana works with Mel on posture and refinement. Mel tells us that she is going to be Lady Spice.

They are dancing to “Take on Me.” Mel looks beautiful; the hard work that she did the past week really shows. She and Maksim stay in sync throughout the dance. Their movements are energetic. I love it. Yoko perks up at the sight of Maksim.

Len tells Mel that she held her posture well and moved beautifully. Bruno says that Mel has the twinkle toes of Ginger Rogers. (I wish I had a roast beef sandwich from Roy Rogers.) Carrie Ann calls the dance solid and compliments Mel on her posture. She then gets critical, but says she’s doing it because Mel has great potential.

Drew talks to Mel about the etiquette coach. I think he makes a joke, but I’m not completely sure.

Carrie Ann gives the couple a seven, while Len and Bruno give them an eight. Mel & Maksim have 23 points. Drew tells people to give Mel what she wants, what she really, really wants. Mel throttles him.

Up next are Kym & Mark. Mark tells us that he was pumped last week after his first performance of the competition; however, he was disappointed to end up in the bottom two. Kym says that Mark works hard and is an exceptional man.

They’re performing the mambo to “Ride Wit Me.” Mark begins by shaking his pelvis ever so slightly. Kym’s & Mark’s moves are playful, yet sexy. While Mark seems to be a bit heavy on his feet, he has fun and is quite entertaining. I like his performance a lot better tonight than last week.

Carrie Ann tells Mark that his face dances as much as his body does. She says she isn’t convinced that what he did was a mambo, but she loves his exuberance. The audience boos. Len says that Mark should get the prize for hard work. He also explains that Mark danced on the second beat, which is hard to do. Bruno says that Mark isn’t technically the best dancer, but that he has determination.

Tom tells us that tomorrow night, Queen Latifah will be on the show. I love the queen!

Drew talks to Kym & Mark backstage. Mark tells Drew he’s working hard in order to not let his supporters down.

All three of the judges give Kym & Mark a six. The couple has 18 points.

The next couple to perform is Cheryl & Wayne. Wayne says that he isn’t a great dancer. He also tells us about his crazy schedule. At one of his concerts, he moves his hips for Carrie Ann. Cheryl travels with Wayne so that they can practice.

They are dancing the quickstep to “Viva Las Vegas.” Wayne messes up his footwork, but he tries hard. Also, the dance is on the slow side, but I give Cheryl credit for choreographing a routine that looked good and could be done by Wayne.

Bruno tells Wayne that the dance wasn’t quick enough to be the quickstep. Carrie Ann says that Wayne brought Las Vegas to the dance floor. Len explains to Wayne that tonight’s performance was not an improvement over last week’s.

Carrie Ann, Len, and Bruno give the dance a five. Cheryl & Wayne have 15 points. Drew says that the score is a good one. Huh?

Marie & Jonathan are set to perform. Marie explains that she can’t coast through the competition. Jonathan helps her do some crazy moves including the death drop. I’m scared; hold me.

They’re doing the mambo to a song I don’t recognize. Does anyone know the piece? The routine is fun and flirty. Marie is a bit heavy on her feet, but she certainly gives it her all. She may not be the greatest dancer, but she is a wonderful entertainer and the audience, including her brother Donny, seems to enjoy her performance. I just wish it had involved more footwork and less theatrics.

Len says that the dance was great, but that Marie should work toward her strengths. Bruno says something about Puerto Rico. He tells Marie that she can perform. Carrie Ann calls Marie a red-hot cougar. She also compliments Marie on the trust that she has for Jonathan.

Each of the judges gives the dance an eight. Marie & Jonathan earn 24 points.

Up now are Anna & Albert. Albert explains that he’s doing the show for his late grandfather, who loved ballroom dancing. Anna delivers a message to Albert from his grandmother; he appreciates it. The couple gets to work.

They are dancing the quickstep to “99 Luftballons.” Albert messes up his footwork early on, but when he gets in sync with Anna, the dance is fun.

Carrie Ann tells Albert that he made his grandfather proud. She also wants Albert to maintain his joy throughout his performances. Len calls Albert the dark horse of the competition. Bruno says that Albert’s posture is good, but that he lost some of his energy during the dance.

The judges all give Anna & Albert a seven. The couple has 21 points.

Drew talks to the couple backstage. Anna tells Albert that he’s a great partner. The two start goofing off while Drew reviews the different ways to vote.

The next couple on the dance floor is Julianne & Helio. Helio says that there is pressure on him to do the mambo well; he is Brazilian, after all. Julianne wants to push him as far as she can. The two accidentally smack each other around during practice. He eventually puts on the helmet he wears when he’s racing. At one point, he says, “I’m dancing mambo… I think.” Cute!

They’re dancing to another song that I don’t know. The routine that Julianne has choreographed is exciting and full of energy. Helio’s moves aren’t as crisp as they could be, but for only being in the competition for two weeks, he’s doing a great job. He has fun and puts everything he has into the performance.

Bruno gets tongue-tied. He eventually tells Helio that he did some difficult moves. Carrie Ann calls Helio the real deal. Len uses phrases such as “pit stop” and “overdrive.” Basically, he enjoyed the dance.

Oh, look, there are cavemen in the audience. Thanks, GEICO and ABC.

Drew talks to the couple backstage. If anything significant comes from his interviews, I’ll let you know.

The judges award Julianne & Helio with a nine. The couple has 27 points.

The next couple is Jennie & Derek. Derek explains that they are doing the quickstep. Jennie giggles over some of the positions she and Derek have to get into. He tells her to not think of him as a 22-year-old from Utah, but rather as George Clooney. She continues to giggle.

They’re performing to “Suddenly I See.” Jennie does a wonderful job, but she needs to keep her shoulders up and not be afraid to let go. She keeps up with Derek and is lighter on her feet than some of the other dancers. The two almost wipe out at the end as she tries to slide between his legs. Other than that error, the dance is well done. Jennie looks like she is going to cry. Poor thing.

Len tells Jennie to work on her posture, but encourages her on. Bruno says that Jennie has a lot of potential. Carrie Ann tells Jennie to be in the moment.

Once again, the judges give the couple three sevens for a total of 21 points. Everyone backstage is very supportive of Jennie.

The next dance is from Edyta & Cameron. Edyta tries to get Cameron to shake his shoulders. She also sports her leg warmers. Cameron swears a lot and then has a breakdown. Edyta tells him that whatever he does is good enough.

They’re doing the mambo to “Mas Que Nada.” I don’t know why Cameron was worried about his performance; the dance is hot and he does a fantastic job. He and Edyta show a lot of hip action. His posture is excellent and his moves are crisp.

Carrie Ann tells Cameron that he looks great. Hey now! She says that he hit some nice lines, but was off from the music. Len tells Cameron to shake and bake. Bruno explains that Cameron needs to relax.

The judges all give the couple a seven. Edyta & Cameron have 21 points.

The next dancing duo is Karina & Floyd. Floyd becomes frustrated during practice. Karina feels that he wants to do his best.

They perform to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.” Floyd needs to work on his posture; he’s used to holding his body a certain way for boxing and it shows. On the other hand, his footwork is fantastic; he does a wonderful job of keeping in sync with Karina and the quickness of the dance doesn’t faze him. At the end of the dance, he puts Karina on the judges’ table.

Bruno says that Floyd is light on his feet, but that he has to work on his feet. Carrie Ann says that he improved since last week. Len agrees with the other judges.

I feel like I’m repeating myself; the judges give Floyd & Karina a seven for a total of 21 points.

Jane & Tony are up next. Jane practices her hip movements. Tony wants to turn her into a snake, so he brings in an actual snake for inspiration. Jane promises to rise to the occasion.

They’re dancing the mambo to “Cuban Pete.” Jane watches Tony too much, but I’m sure with time, she’ll become more confident. Her lines are beautiful and the couple performs some cute moves. Tony is a great choreographer and it shows in this routine.

Len says that the dance wasn’t raunchy enough. The crowd boos. Bruno calls the dance elegant; he wants Jane to get her fangs out instead. Carrie Ann disagrees and says that Jane was elegant and played to her strengths.

For the love of… the judges all give the performance a seven. Jane & Tony have 21 points.

The last couple of the evening is Sabrina & Mark. Sabrina thinks that the quickstep will be quick. Mark explains that Sabrina is used to dancing as an individual. She acknowledges that she has to work on her frame. They call each other “dude” a lot during practice.

They’re performing to “They’re Red Hot.” Sabrina’s footwork is once again spot-on. (I’ve always wanted to say that.) As she noted, her posture is a bit off, but with practice, she’ll improve. The dance is energetic and a great way to end the show.

Carrie Ann tells Sabrina that she didn’t miss a beat. Len says that Sabrina has great control. He then babbles on and Bruno interrupts him. Len tells Bruno not to be a smart-ass. Bruno calls the dance blistering and in command.

Carrie Ann and Bruno give the couple a nine; Len gives it an eight. Sabrina & Mark have 26 points.

Tom and Drew recap the performances and the standings.

I’m predicting that Kym & Mark and Cheryl & Wayne will be in the final two with Kym & Mark being eliminated. Do you agree with me or does Yoko have a better chance of guessing the outcome? Tune in tomorrow to find out.

Jill is an east coast mama who loves Michael Kors, Bea Arthur, and reality television. She can be reached at jillcjones@zoominternet.net to discuss these and other topics.