DWTS All-stars: Top 7 stars add one pro for trio dance

Couples hope to avoid double elimination

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani perform a cha cha cha and fox trot during the dance fusion competition on "Dancing With The Stars: All-Stars."

SAN ANTONIO – Seven couples remain in the final two weeks of the competition. Somehow, it appears something went wrong at the beginning of the show. There was a shot of the audience applauding and then they went to commercial before anything happened. Technical difficulties so late in the game? They came back and Tom pointed out that was not how the show was supposed to start. This week, the couples perform two dances – including a trio dance. Up first, the couples perform their Veterans Day tributes. WARNING: There are so many couples and so many dances, I didn't have time to really get into them to make many notes. Apologies.

COUPLE: Shawn & Derek

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DANCE: Viennese Waltz

This was lovely, but I didn't feel like Shawn was showing me a whole lot of emotion. When I couldn't see her face, I kept thinking she was flawless. She seemed so focused on the dance and not on the feeling.

Len said the dance was quiet, gentle and louder than any music you could hear. He wanted to see more dancing in hold. Bruno said it was heavenly perfection. Carrie Ann said something magical happened.

SCORE: 29.5

TRIO: Shawn, Derek & Mark
DANCE: Samba

This was like something out of "The Lion King." Only naughtier. And with gymnastics. It was crazy entertaining, but not much samba.

Len said if he was in the audience, he'd be cheering with the audience. He said the problem was it was self-indulgent. The dance had very little samba content. He said if Shawn goes home tomorrow, she should blame Mark and Derek. Bruno said he had jungle fever. He said as art, it was fantastic. He said the dance wasn't really a samba. Carrie Ann disagreed with them. She said sometimes you have to take risks. She said what they did of samba was executed to perfection.

SCORE: 26 (Carrie Ann gave them a 10)

TOTAL SCORE: 93.5 (this includes last week's scores)

COUPLE: Apolo & Karina
DANCE: Tango

Apolo started by using a zipline from the balcony to the stage. My inner Len hates the gimmick like that! He didn't need it. This was one of Apolo's best dances – even if Karina was counting through the whole thing.

Bruno said it was a dare devil of a tango. He said it was like Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible." Carrie Ann loved it. She said Apolo's lines were ridiculous. Len said Apolo danced with verve and passion. He said it was great.

SCORE: 29.5

TRIO: Apolo, Karina & Sasha
DANCE: Jive

This started with some break dancing moves, then they got to jiving. But only briefly, there were some crazy flips. It was fun, but I wanted more jive!

Bruno said they took a huge risk, but Apolo conquered it brilliantly. He said Apolo did a fantastic job. Carrie Ann said it was Apolo's most vibrant performances. Len said it was fast, sharp, tight and together.

SCORE: 29 (Bruno gave it a 10)
TOTAL SCORE: 91.5

COUPLE: Kirstie & Maks
DANCE: Viennese Waltz

Kirstie's acting skills come in handy here. She showed emotion through the dance. This wasn't complicated, but she did well.

Carrie Ann said the musical interpretation and Kirstie's lines were beautiful. She said it was one of Kirstie's best dances – she wants more difficult choreography. Len said it was Kirstie's best dance. Bruno said it was stylish, elegant, nice and well-danced.

SCORE: 27

TRIO: Kirstie, Maks & Tristan
DANCE: Paso Doble

Three words: giant angel wings. Once they lost those, this went full-on paso doble. Kirstie did her best and it was good enough. It might have had the most content of the other trio dances (so far).

Carrie Ann loved the theme, costumes – but thought it was sloppy. Len said there were no incidents. He thought it had attitude but lacked finesse. Bruno said it was like watching "The Valley of The Dolls." He said it could have been more refined.

SCORE: 24

TOTAL SCORE: 79

COUPLE: Kelly & Val
DANCE: Viennese Waltz

Most of this dance was spins, but once they started to move across the stage, they were dreamy. I think Kelly's feet came off the floor (unless Carrie Ann didn't see it – then it didn't happen).

Len said he enjoyed the flow of it, but it was sharp on occasion. The audience booed. Len said, "I have my standards, (Carrie Ann) has none." Bruno said it had wonderful drive and she never lost the beat. He said Kelly was giving all of her soul. Carrie Ann said Kelly always pushes herself to the edge and beyond. She said Kelly's emotional commitment was beautiful. She said it was "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." Not sure I spelled that right.

SCORE: 28

TRIO: Kelly, Val & Louis
DANCE: Jive

Oh! This has so much potential! I think Kelly delivered! I don't know that she needed to kiss both of these guys, but this was my kind of jive! It was super kicky – and it ended with Kelly kissing Len. That should get her a good score!

Len liked the end. He said it was fun, fast, flamboyant and fabulous. Bruno said he loved the sequence when she was leading with the boys behind her. Carrie Ann said the transitions were fantastic. She thought Kelly could have pointed her toe just a little more.

SCORE: 28.5
TOTAL SCORE: 92.5

COUPLE: Gilles & Peta
DANCE: Quick Step

This guy makes dancing look easy. From the waist down, it was like a marathon. From the waist up, it was like he was just going about the dance floor – no biggie. Incredible!

Bruno said Gilles took off like an F-18, then crammed so many steps in such a short amount of time – "Top Gun." Carrie Ann said there were a few slips of his feet. She said it was so close. Len said it was thunder and lightning. He said Gilles had energy, speed and control.

SCORE: 29.5 (Len gave them a 10)

TRIO: Gilles, Peta & Chelsie

DANCE: Salsa

Oh. My. Honey Boo Boo. That's what I think of the ladies in their costumes. At first glance, it doesn't look sexy. Then, they danced. Gilles practically had a solo for much of this dance. When he danced with both of the girls, it was like magic. I can't believe he didn't trip up on their long hair and skirts.

Bruno said Gilles handled it very well. He said Gilles lost timing a couple of times. Carrie Ann agreed with Bruno. She said Gilles just took control over the dance floor. Len said he didn't see what Bruno and Carrie Ann said. He said Gilles wasn't hiding behind the girls. He said it was full on and well done.

SCORE: 29 (Len gave it a 10)
TOTAL SCORE: 92

COUPLE: Emmitt & Cheryl
DANCE: Viennese Waltz

Oh, this was lovely! Emmitt might have gotten his groove back!

Carrie Ann said it was smooth and effective, but Emmitt slipped a little bit. Len started mumbling. Carrie Ann wanted Emmitt to push himself. Len said Emmitt puts the "oo" in smooth. He wanted a little more fluidity in Emmitt's arms and he noticed a slip. Bruno said it was classy with a slight stumble, but it was nice.

SCORE: 28

TRIO: Emmitt, Cheryl & Kym
DANCE: Salsa

And Honey Boo Boo's future dresses are back! These three move so well together! At times it did seem like the girls were moving a whole lot in front of Emmitt. I wanted to see more of him dancing!

Carrie Ann said Emmitt was the red hot saucy jalapeno. She said Emmitt can handle his women. Len said it was like working two yo-yos at the same time. He thought the choreography was clever. Bruno said Emmitt does it naturally with great precision.

SCORE: 30
TOTAL SCORE: 92.5

COUPLE: Melissa & Tony
DANCE: Quick Step

I think Melissa is my pick to win this competition. She is as good as dancing gets this season! She attacked this dance and was practically perfect! I didn't love the beginning – I thought she might be lost before they got in hold. Loved it!

Len said it was quick, there were lots of steps, it was great. Len called it the bees knees. Bruno said it was wonderful – like watching Ann Miller and Gene Miller. Carrie Ann said they were amazing. She said Melissa is on fire.

SCORE: 30

TRIO: Melissa, Tony & Henry
DANCE: Paso Doble

This girl is seriously in it to win it! There was not one thing wrong with this dance! She was incredible! I can't think of anything else to write to end with an exclamation point!

Len said Melissa was like a Frisbee being passed from one to another. He said of all the celebrities, Melissa impresses him the most. Bruno said Melissa was flamboyantly fabulous. Carrie Ann loved seeing Melissa in control. She said Melissa owned the dance.

SCORE: 30
TOTAL SCORE: 99

Tuesday, Kylie Mingoue and Ne-yo will perform. Most importantly, two couples will be sent home (eyes on you, Apolo & Kelly).