Dancing with the Stars 2, January 26: Judgemental

Last week on Dancing with the Stars, our couples performed either the tango or the jive. Giselle Fernandez and Jonathan Roberts gave a dry, yet sound performance, but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition. Tonight, our remaining seven stars and their professional dance partners move one step closer to determining who the champion will be.

After our welcome from Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris, we’re ready to begin. Tonight’s featured dances are the paso doble and foxtrot.

The first couple to perform is Edyta Sliwinska and George Hamilton. Edyta says that she doesn’t want George to lose his personality just to correctly execute the steps of the dance. We see George dressed at practice in an outfit that is similar to what he wore in the move Zorro, the Gay Blade.

Edyta and George are performing the paso doble to a song that has no words, so I can’t possibly begin to guess what it is. Readers, if you can help me, please do! George looks like Zorro again. He comes out brandishing a sword and wearing a mask. Throughout the performance, he does a few basic moves, which aren’t bad, but I fear the judges will call him on his theatrics and lack (almost) of dancing. At the end of the routine, he whips off his mask dramatically. He looks like he really enjoyed the performance.

Len Goodman tells us that the paso doble should have passion, blood, and fire. I hope he’s exaggerating. He then runs through a list of George’s props and states that what his performance lacked in technique, it made up for in entertainment. (He thinks this is a good thing; I’m surprised.) Carrie Ann Inaba says that he should not have worn the mask because it hid one of his best features… his facial expressions. Bruno Tonioli says that George always gives a great performance. George tells us that he had a prop problem; something happened to his horse. Oh, that George. All three judges award the dance with a seven. Cheryl and George’s score is 21 out of 30.

Our next dancing duo is Tia Carrere and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The couple goes to New York so that Tia can meet Maksim’s dance students. She says that the kids are amazing and they certainly are. Some of them don’t look like kids at all with their moves. An 18-year-old hits on Tia innocently. Maksim says that the couple’s foxtrot will be great.

They are performing to “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” The dance is playful; they are certainly telling a story through their moves and expressions. As I mentioned earlier in the competition, Tia has nice lines, but she should extend her arms and legs fully. Also, there are some well executed moves and interesting choreography; Maksim spins her on one foot very slowly and gracefully. Tia puts her acting skills to good use as she places a hat on Maksim’s head and fans herself passionately as she walks away from him at the end of the dance. Overall, this was an entertaining performance.

Len educates us again by explaining that the foxtrot should be elegant and full of flowing movements. He points out that Tia had a flaw early in the routine, but that she did beautifully overall. Carrie Ann says that there was no blunder; her chainé was off, but that’s it. Bruno says that Tia’s interpretation was radiant, but she had some problems with her footwork. The crowd boos and he tells everyone to calm down. He then wins everyone over by saying again that she was radiant. Carrie Ann gives the couple a nine, while both Len and Bruno give it an eight. Tia and Maksim’s total score is 25.

Tia looks surprised by the high scores. As Samantha talks to the couple, she mentions that each couple will be performing two dances starting next week. Tia then says that George and P are both from the hood, but she’s from the original hood… motherhood.

Before we continue, we see the professionals demonstrate the foxtrot and paso doble. Tom explains the essential elements of them.

Up next are Ashly DelGrosso and P. Miller. We’re reminded of Len’s rude comments to P the week before; P says that he and Ashly are praying for Len. Ashly tells him that she wants to see more aggression. She takes him to Utah to meet her family for inspiration. I can’t even imagine what that trip was like. P refers to a Mormon he meets on the street as brother. He can be a funny guy at times.

The couple is dancing the paso doble to “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” P doesn’t have his ball cap on this evening; that’s an improvement. The dance has a rhythm and blues flair to it, which is unique and enjoyable. P is moving a lot more tonight and he looks OK; however, it’s when he doesn’t have a lot to do that he looks awkward. I give Ashly credit; she’s making the best of a difficult situation and getting a little vivacity out of him in the process.

Bruno starts by saying that the performance was a nightmare. The crowd boos and he says, “Shut up.” At this point, he’s getting out of hand. He then tells P that he came across as a child who was lost and looking for his mom. Len says that the viewers think they are being kind by keeping P in the competition, but they’re actually being cruel to P, Ashly, and everyone else. Again, I know that Len means well, but I think he’s being hurtful. Carrie Ann says that tonight’s performance was P’s best so far; however, she would have liked to see him behave more like a matador in the paso doble. Carrie Ann gives Ashly and P a four; Len and Bruno (with attitude) give them a two. Their total is eight.

Backstage, Samantha says that P has only trained 20 hours total since the competition started. P says that the judges are hung up on his shoes. He also tries to promote his new album. Samantha wants none of that! She asks if what he is doing is ballroom dancing and P says that it is. I’m more annoyed with Samantha than I am with P; she asks questions, but doesn’t let him answer even when he is giving legitimate responses. Ashly says that in some ways, P is committed and that she can’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to do. She points out that the greatest thing about the competition is the friendship they have developed. How can you not respect her and her positive attitude?

Stacy Keibler and Tony Dovolani are ready to perform. Stacy says that she is overwhelmed and exhausted; she needs a day off from practicing. The two of them go to a spa. Tony has cucumbers on his eyes. He says he feels like a salad. (I feel like a martini.) We then see him in a tub. As the camera moves from his lower extremities, which are covered in bubbles, to his face, he looks at the camera and says, “You thought you were getting Stacy.”

This evening, they are doing the foxtrot to “Cold, Cold Heart.” While Stacy’s long legs might have hindered her tango, it is certainly helping her with the foxtrot. Her lines are beautiful and her moves are elegant. She even throws in some steps that both sultry and classy.

Carrie Ann says that Stacy did a good job, but she looked tired. Bruno interrupts and criticizes Carrie Ann for her comments. (I’m so done with him.) He then tells Stacy that she has the best legs he has ever seen and she puts the foxy in the trotty or something to that extent; the judges are speaking at the same time and the crowd is getting loud, so I don’t know exactly what he said. Carrie Ann gets another chance to explain herself; she says that Stacy is fantastic, but she wasn’t 100% tonight. Len says that Stacy has talent and wonderful technique. While Carrie Ann gives the performance an eight, both Len and Bruno give it a nine for a total of 26 points.

The next performance of the night comes from Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey. We see Drew practice his posture, which is extremely important in the paso doble. Cheryl brings in an actual matador to help Drew with his issues. It’s great to see the time and effort they are putting into their routines.

The couple is dancing to “Thriller.” Heaven help us. Drew does a couple of moves that are actually from the song’s video. There are also some more traditional moves in the dance as well; however, I am not thrilled (Ha!) with the routine. I generally like this couple and they perform well, but I don’t like their performance tonight. I think it is because it doesn’t remind me of the paso doble. Overall, this is my least favorite performance from Cheryl and Drew, but I have to give them credit for their execution and technique.

Len says that they gave it everything; he even enjoyed the choreography. Carrie Ann says that the routine was fun. Her only real criticism is that Drew needs to watch his shoulders. Bruno says that the paso doble is the most difficult dance for a man. Also, this performance was the best he has seen this season and last. Carrie Ann and Len give them a nine; Bruno gives them a 10. Their score is 28. I have already stated in previous articles what I think of giving people 10s, so I won’t pontificate about that again… just know that I don’t like it or agree with it.

After receiving their score, Cheryl is so excited that she almost hits Drew in the head. Drew shows us his rhinestone shoes and red socks.

Anna Trebunskaya and Jerry Rice are next with their routine. Anna comments on Len’s previous “geriatrics” remark by saying he is 102 years old. She is worried about Jerry’s posture for the foxtrot, so she has him take a ballet class. As he goes through some moves, he moans and groans. He is absolutely adorable as he tries his best. Jerry says that he still has the fire; I’m sure this is taking him back to the happiest days of his professional life!

Anna and Jerry are dancing to “Why Don’t You Do Right.” As with some of the other performances of the evening, the couple tells a story with their routine. Jerry’s footwork isn’t perfect, but he does have some nice moves. I think this is his best performance in the sense that he is beginning to look like a dancer. Cheryl and Jerry move well together, and when they separate, the moves are equally pleasing.

Bruno says that Jerry is back on track. He was smooth, but he still has to watch his posture. Len interrupts, of course, and Tom has to remind them that only one person should speak at a time. (That’s right; I can’t hear otherwise.) Bruno demonstrates Jerry’s posture for us. Now we officially go to Len. He says that Jerry took the criticism provided last week and learned from it. Jerry is thrilled with this feedback. Carrie Ann says that tonight is Jerry’s breakthrough. His grape vine looked a little like a football drill though, but otherwise, he did a great job.

Jerry tells Samantha backstage that his nine-year-old child was upset last week. That should all change tonight. Samantha tells him that she is getting him a tutu for his next ballet lesson. All three judges give Anna and Jerry an eight for their performance. Their score is 24 points out of 30.

The last couple of the evening is Lisa Rinna and Louis van Amstel. We see Lisa get up at 6:00 AM to begin her day. She meets up with Louis and they take her daughters to school. They also go to work together in order to practice during any free time Lisa might have. Louis talks about sweat and I gag a little. Lisa says her performance is for the girls in the hood… motherhood. Did she and Tia talk before this?

The pair is dancing the paso doble to “The Final Countdown.” The dance is very energetic and it certainly incorporates some of the required elements (for example, stomping and sharp moves). When the performance ends, Lisa collapses on the floor; she’s exhausted yet energized at the same time.

Carrie Ann says that Lisa nailed it. Lisa screams with delight. Bruno was worried Lisa was going to eat Louis. I gag again. Bruno then says that he loved Lisa and the performance. Len says she did a beautiful job. Lisa and Louis receive a nine from Carrie Ann and Len, and an eight from Bruno for a total of 26.

While Lisa speaks to Samantha backstage, Louis makes a calling motion to the cameras. He’s right; don’t forget to vote (via telephone or online) for your favorite celebrity.

Before the program ends, Tom tells us that on the results show, we will be subjected to, I mean, treated to a performance by the Pussycat Dolls. He is extremely excited about this. Personally, I would rather see more dancing from the stars.

Now for some ranting and raving – While I commend P for taking a chance by coming on the show, I have to agree with the judges this week; after seeing everyone perform, I think it is time for P to leave the competition. I don’t like the way the judges speak to him, but I do think their message is precise. Tia and Lisa in particular have improved tremendously over the past several weeks. P has been given an opportunity to do the same, but he’s not putting the dedication into it that the others are. Giselle was voted out of the competition way too early in my opinion; I’d hate to see that happen again with one of the other stars. OK, now back to your regularly scheduled article.

Currently, Cheryl and Drew are in first place, while Ashly and P are last. Which couple’s dance card has expired? Tune in to ABC for the live results show and RealityNewsOnline for a complete recap.

Jill is an east coast mama who loves sharks, zombie movies, and reality television. She welcomes your comments about these and other subjects, and can be reached at jilljones@verizon.net.

Be sure to sign up for our e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on the site! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find out more about this show at our Dancing With The Stars page. And check out the rest of the site, like our Survivor: Guatemala page; and don't miss The Reality TV Hall of Shame. You can even buy reality show stuff at our Reality TV Store!

For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out SirLinksALot: Dancing with the Stars!