Dancing with the Stars 2, February 3: Schwing!

Last night on Dancing with the Stars, the couples performed the samba and a group salsa. Stacy and Tony received a perfect score of 30, while Tia and Maksim found themselves at the bottom of the pack after the judges’ vote. Who will be eliminated this evening? We’ll know soon; just hang in there.

Tom and Samantha welcome us to the show. We’re reminded of the tension among the judges. We had to live through the fits and tantrums once; do we have to do this again? At least Lisa was happy that the judges were fighting because of her. We also learn more from the dancers:

• Drew says that he needed to shake his butt more last evening; Cheryl tells us that she’s going to rip his pants off during their next performance. Yikes.
• Maksim offers a free dance lesson to anyone who can do what Tia’s doing. I know of a lot of women who would accept.
• We see Jerry’s pelvic thrusts again. Thank you, producers. Jerry is still upset over his score and I don’t blame him. If the judges can be so generous with Stacy and George, then they can show some love for Jerry. Seriously, I just wish the scoring and standards would be consistent.

At this point, it’s time to review the standings:

Tonight’s encore performance is from Stacy and Tony as determined by the judges. I said it last night and I’ll say it again… I smell favoritism.

After the dance, Samantha talks to three of the couples. We see part of Tia and Maksim’s routine. While it wasn’t perfect, I give them credit for doing something different; starting out slowly and letting Tia’s inner tigress out (as she put it) was unique.

Next, we see a clip of Lisa and Louis. I feel that she has really improved and a dance that allows her to move quickly (e.g., Latin style) shows offer her talent. The best thing about Lisa is her attitude though; she is having fun and is grateful to still be in the competition.

Again, we watch Anna and Jerry’s samba. Jerry says that he is still disappointed; Anna gives him props for his efforts.

After a short break, Barry Manilow performs “Copacabana” while Cheryl and Louis dance. Their dance is very energetic and lively. Barry encourages everyone to join in while he sings. I have to admit that my toes are tapping. Awwww, Cheryl and Louis dance their way over to Barry and end the performance with him.

Samantha is back stage with more of our couples. We watch Edyta and George’s performance from the previous evening. It looks like Edyta has been tanning with George. Now we watch Cheryl and Drew, and see the part of their dance where she rips the sleeves off of his shirt. No wonder she wants to move onto his pants. He says that next week, if they return, he’ll have to wear a rubber band and a peanut shell.

In order to fill up time, I mean, entertain us, we’re shown what happens after the show ends for the week. Basically, the couples receive their music on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning, they start to practice. Stacy says that the first day of learning a new dance is frustrating. Louis explains that choreography is teamwork; Lisa says that it is their dance, not his, because she has input. It sounds like Anna takes the same approach with Jerry.

Finally, we’re ready to find out the first two couples that will return next week. Drum roll, please.

Stacy and Tony are safe. At least the producers didn’t try to fool us by not announcing this couple up front and making us sweat.

The next couple that will return is Lisa and Louis. They are thrilled.

The judges now shower some of the couples with praise. Carrie Ann talks about Stacy and Tony’s talent, while Len tells Lisa that he didn’t think she and Louis started the competition off very well, but that has changed. Bruno talks up Jerry and the crowd goes wild, well, as wild as a ballroom dance crowd gets. He tells Jerry that he is an inspiration.

Joanna Zacharewicz and Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine, the 2005 world professional mambo champions, perform for us. Their routine is as crisp as a head of lettuce. I can see why they are champions.

Next, we see how the dancers interact after the show. Several of the stars talk about the friendships that have developed. George says that he’s going to have someone break Drew’s legs… of course it’s all in good fun.

We’re back stage again with Samantha. Jerry tells us that if he returns, he’s going to keep working hard and having fun. He also references his MVP ring again, which I mistakenly called a charm in my previous recap. Sorry. Samantha scolds the dancers for picking on one another like children; all she wants to do is talk to them about the dance they will be performing next week. George teases Drew; Drew says he would have George’s children if he could. This show has really taken an unexpected turn.

Barry returns to sing “Unchained Melody” from his new CD. I love how Tom announces the name of this song, which 98% of the population would know, but not once during the performances are the titles of the songs mentioned. Oh, well. While Barry sings, clips of the couples dancing are shown in the background. I feel like I’m at some kind of bizarre prom. Great… as the song goes on, I become melancholy; this song always does it to me. Where’s Yoko? I need consoled. Sniff. Darn you, Barry Manilow.

You’re probably wondering who else has been voted through to next week. I was thinking the same thing too since this is a results show. As if they can read my mind, Tom and Samantha reveal two more couples that will remain in the competition.

Cheryl and Drew will return; they are obviously happy.

Anna and Jerry are also safe. He looks so surprised, but after last night’s performance, he deserves to remain in the competition.

Despite being in the bottom two, Tia is all smiles. Are she and Maksim safe, or will Edyta and George return? After a dramatic pause, we learn that Tia and Maksim have been eliminated. They receive a standing ovation and we get footage of their time together. It’s amazing when you look back, and see how much weight Tia has lost since the start of the show. She looks amazing, but the most beautiful thing about her is her personality. She seems like a kind, compassionate person. Schwing, Tia… schwing indeed.

Tia reveals that she thought she would be eliminated the first week. She also states that she is somewhat relieved that the competition is over for her; she’s exhausted and the last week was tough.

When asked what he will miss most about Tia, Maksim says that hopefully, he won’t miss anything because he wants to continue their relationship. That is absolutely sweet. Maksim also says that his favorite moment of the show was the first five minutes he spent with Tia; he realized that with her, anything is possible.

The pair dances one last time together while Barry sings for us again. With that, Tia and Maksim’s time on the show comes to an end.

Next week, the couples will perform a group Viennese waltz in addition to individual performances, and another dancing duo will be eliminated. As we get closer and closer to the end of the competition, who are your favorites? Will Drew and Stacy face off in the finale as expected, or will an underdog such as Lisa claim the victory? Stay tuned to Dancing with the Stars and RealityNewsOnline for all the details; I can’t think of anything more perfect than that.

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.

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