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.

Starting the second, Latin round are Kristi & Mark doing the samba to “Volare.” Her outfit makes her look like a Muppet with all the small feathers and beads. Her timing seems to be a little off towards the end as they seem tired. She does a little spin at the end that just doesn’t work.

Carrie Ann doesn’t like it and says it was awkward and ungraceful, though she’s apologetic saying it. Len liked the speed and energy, but says that it lost some energy. I have no idea what Bruno’s point is other than it was a little more technical than the rest, maybe?

Carrie Ann gives them an 8 and the men give her 9s for a score of 26. That may be Kristi’s lowest to date, I think.

Mario & Karina liven things up with a jive to “Little Bitty Pretty One.” Mario does a cartwheel off the stage to get it started. Their dance is energetic and entertaining. At the end, Mario flips and rolls Karina around him and they struggle with it. They manage to pull it off, but it’s not pretty.

Len doesn’t like the footwork, Bruno likes the spirit, and Carrie Ann liked the energy. She and Bruno drop a pair of 9s and Len, an 8 for a total of 26 for their jive.

My favorite girl, Marissa, is up next with Tony doing the mambo. They have such an exciting energy about them. She shimmies her way through the dance and is completely believable. Her red dress is completely flattering.

Bruno says that she “can do sexy,” Carrie Ann likes that she just goes for it and Len likes it but it wasn’t hot enough for him. Len and Carrie Ann give them an 8 and Bruno tosses in a 9 for a total of 25.

Jason & Edyta perform a hot samba. It looks as if Jason is counting early in the performance and doesn’t have enough hip action for the samba, but he has fleeting moments of oozing sexiness. They pull off an absolutely incredible lift that lasts for several seconds where Edyta is vertical high above Jason’s head. It’s amazing he has the strength to pull that off. Wow!

Carrie Ann appreciates the effort, but notices that Jason had his head down for most of the performance, as if he were trying to remember it. Len thinks it was just alright, but added that Jason just didn’t look comfortable with the rhythm. I think Bruno says something about Tom Cruise, I think, then goes on to similar comments as the other judges. They receive the lowest scores of the night with Len giving them a 7 and the other two handing out 8s for a total of 23. I hope the final team can do better with these cranky judges.

For the closing performance of the night, Cristian & Cheryl are up with the mambo. He is off his steps early, but seems to recover. His single arm performance is much more noticeable this time. Cheryl literally dances rings around him and he doesn’t move much.

Len says it’s full of energy and it was well done. Bruno calls it one-armed magic with a bunch of energy. Carrie Ann says it was on fire. Did I miss something or did the judges? I’m stunned. Carrie Ann and Bruno give them a pair of goobers and Len, a 9. They lead again with 29 points.

So to recap the night, Cristian & Cheryl lead the pack with 57 points and Marissa & Tony at the bottom with 50. The scores are close so the audience votes are going to be crucial tonight. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to see which couples will stay to move on to the semi-finals and which will go home on the 100th episode.

Kari has the dancing skills much like an elephant. Fortunately for you all, she enjoys writing and reality TV much more. You can send her comments at flystorms2@yahoo.com.

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