SAN ANTONIO – This week, the top twelve take on a fast dance – either the jive or the quick step. Thankfully, no messing around tonight. It's right to the dancing!
COUPLE: Melissa & Tony
DANCE: Jive
Melissa didn't get to do a jive during the live show in Season 8 because she was hurt. Once they got going, Melissa kicked really well. And often. This had a lot of energy. I wanted more. That's not Melissa's fault. Too many contestants = less dance time.
Recommended Videos
Len said Melissa set the bar high. He said it was full of energy, great technique. Bruno said Melissa is the fastest gal in town. He said it was one of the fastest jives he's ever seen. He spotted a couple of moments of bad footwork. Len told him to shut up. There was talk of donuts and holes. I'm confused. Carrie Ann said Melissa was made to jive.
SCORE: 23.5
COUPLE: Bristol & Mark
DANCE: Quick Step
Bristol is excited to show off her redneck side. She shot guns. She's dancing in cowboy boots. What part of ballroom is this? Not the booty shorts and line dancing. Oh, wait. They're in hold. That's a quick step. More line dancing and some grinding. Wait. They're back hold. Oh, shenanigans. Bristol ended the dance by smashing a bottle on Mark's head. Entertaining? Yes. Quick step? Not so much. I do give Bristol credit for having fun. She didn't do much of that when she was on the show last time.
Bruno said it was different – like watching the quick step goes Gangnam style in the wild west. He said they were not in hold enough. She had missteps and her hold wasn't good enough. Carrie Ann said Bristol has come so far. She said Bristol sold herself short by not following the rules. Len liked the fun and enthusiasm, but he didn't like the break in the middle. He said he liked the hoe-down but thought the technique was low down.
SCORE: 18
COUPLE: Helio & Chelsie
DANCE: Jive
As far as I could tell, Helio had the footwork down. I was so focused on the rest of his performance. He knows how to sell a dance! So much fun!
Carrie Ann said Helio's body caught up to his feet. Len said Helio has style with a smile. He said Helio had lovely sharp kicks and flicks – sometimes over-enthusiastic. Bruno said it was a delicious treat of a jive. He said Helio landed on the wrong foot off the steps, but he said it doesn't take away from the fun of the dance.
SCORE: 23
COUPLE: Apolo & Karina
DANCE: Quick Step
If a speed skater can't make it through a quick step without incident, I don't know who can. Oh. My. Hold. Now THIS is a quick step! This was absolutely incredible! The footwork was impeccable! Thank you, ABC, for having a camera on their feet through most of this dance. WOW! Best dance so far!
Len said, "gold medal." He said Apolo combined speed with control. Bruno said Apolo's footwork was incredible. Carrie Ann said "someone put on his competition pants tonight." She said Apolo was striving the dance.
SCORE: 24.5
COUPLE: Sabrina & Louis
DANCE: Quick Step
Sabrina hurt her arm during rehearsal. She didn't lose it, so I think she'll be OK. Oh, gimmick. They were back stage when their names were called. They rushed to the stage then, started dancing. I'm wearing my Len face of disappointment. After watching them skip around, I have lost my Len face. They managed to run up the stairs without falling (and re-injuring Sabrina's arm). I liked it. I think I need a nap after watching that!
Bruno said Sabrina was a true dazzler. Carrie Ann gave it a "woo hoo!" She said she's never seen a top line like Sabrina's. She said it was awesome. Len said Sabrina kept her upper body calm and under control and her legs were working fast. He said it was a great quick step.
SCORE: 26 (Carrie Ann gave them the first 9 of the season)
COUPLE: Kirstie & Maks
DANCE: Jive
Maks was not so gentle with 61-year-old Kirstie – reminding her about the 20-something Olympians in the competition (he called her grandma). I wanted to really like this. It wasn't awful. I just felt like Maks out-danced Kirstie. She was working real hard on keeping up. Maybe kissing Len at the end of the dance will get her a little bit of a higher score than last week?
Carrie Ann said Kirstie is working it and age is just a number. She said Kirstie needs to match her movement in her partnership. Len called her flirty, dirty Kirstie. He said it was neat, precise and had a lot of recognizable jive. He said it was a great improvement from last week. Bruno said "experience counts." He said Kirstie played it beautifully. He also called her a raunchy mama.
SCORE: 21
COUPLE: Emmitt & Cheryl
DANCE: Quick Step
Emmitt said the other contestants were good, but he wasn't going to be intimidated by any of them. Emmitt has a head problem – apparently his leans one way from his football days. Emmitt might be the best at selling a dance! It didn't look like he was working hard here. It was good, but maybe he made it look too easy?
Len liked Emmitt's cool cat attitude. He said Emmitt needs wide elbows, a flat back, a sway in the shoulders. He liked the overall feel of the dance. Bruno said Emmitt has red hot chemistry with Cheryl. He said Emmitt lost timing a little. Carrie Ann said Helio and Apolo did a little better. She wants Emmitt to bring it.
SCORE: 22.5
COUPLE: Drew & Anna
DANCE: Jive
Drew asked Anna to hit him. And she did. Many times in rehearsals. Then, she did it in the dance. This was a rockin' jive! Sometimes, it looked a little like Anna was working more than Drew. It was good – but not my favorite jive.
Bruno said Drew got flat-footed and lost the correct foot placement. Carrie Ann said, "Welcome home, Drew." She said he needs to watch the footwork. Len said Drew needed to get on the ball of his feet. He said Drew would not be in the bottom two this week.
SCORE: 22.5
COUPLE: Joey & Kym
DANCE: Quick Step
I swear it looked like Joey was holding his breath through so much of this dance! I know it's impossible at the speed he and Kym were running around the dance floor. This was light and fun – light on content but still fun to watch.
Carrie Ann said Joey nailed the performance, but had a few mistakes. Len said Joey had poor posture, bad body contact, frame was off – but he liked it. He said Joey entertained them. Bruno said it was fun, big and bold. He said it could have been better.
SCORE: 22.5
COUPLE: Shawn & Derek
DANCE: Jive
Shawn wanted to put a little gymnastics in her dance. She and Derek started the dance by doing a cartwheel down the stairs. This was fun and bouncy. I STILL WANT MORE KICKS!
Tom pointed out Shawn wasn't breathing hard, Derek was panting. Len said there was just enough technique. He wanted more than enough. Bruno said it was vibrant, exhilarating, eye popping. He said you couldn't find fault from those two under the microscope. Carrie Ann said they were the all star sweethearts.
SCORE: 25
COUPLE: Kelly & Val
DANCE: Quick Step
During rehearsal, Val told Kelly she had too much bounce happening up top. So, she got a bra and filled it with water balloons for Val to rehearse in. Oh, I love these two together! This might have been the sweetest quick step of the night. In fact, I think I may have a new love for this dance (it's almost always been my least favorite dance). I was a little worried about Kelly running up the stairs – that bounce Val was talking about was clearly visible.
Bruno said Kelly sometimes loses her frame (he referenced her chest). He said she messed up on a few steps. Carrie Ann said Kelly also needs to watch her lines when she's out of hold. She said Kelly needs to dance bigger. Len said he preferred the part that was out of hold. He said in hold, Kelly gets "hunchy crunchy."
SCORE: 22
COUPLE: Gilles & Peta
DANCE: Jive
Gilles pulled his hamstring. A doctor said Gilles needs to rest for a week or two. He's going through therapy. I don't know if I'll keep watching if Gilles has to sit out! It looks like Peta has figured out the strategy – no shirt for Gilles. He's dancing like he's not hurt. His kicks are flying. He's not flinching like he's in pain. Oh, I almost forgot to mention Peta's fringe pants. Those have grown on me. It's like wearing a Muppet. Only cute on the dance floor, though.
Carrie Ann said Gilles's kicks and flicks were the best of the night. Len said the jive was fast and dynamic. Bruno said Gilles has the kicks (I think that's what he said) and the cleavage (I definitely heard that). He said, "Let the good times roll!"
SCORE: 25.5
Tuesday, Kathryn Jenkins returns to sing with Placido Domingo. A Macy's Stars of Dance performance will be part of the show. AAAANNNDDDD one couple will go home (looking at you, Kelly – I think Bristol and Kirstie are in this for another week).
If you want to watch the show online, click here.