“America’s Favorite Ballroom”

Each of the couples had to perform two solo dances tonight. First a ballroom dance and then in the second round, a latin dance.

Round 1: Ballroom

Laila Ali & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Quick Step
Their quick step was really good. There is no way that John Ratzenberger could ever do this dance. Laila’s straight hair looked good. While they did have a few technical criticisms, the judges seemed to feel Laila and Maksim set the standard for the evening.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli:10
Total: 29 (Great start!)

John Ratzenberger & Edyta Sliwinska
Dance: Foxtrot
John & Edyta really needed to step up last week after another bottom two performance last week. Judges thought this was his best performance so far. All three agreed that John really got into character and sold the routine. They also felt that John & Edyta seemed graceful and elegant for once. I didn’t think they did that great, in fact I thought John messed up a few steps half way through the performance.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 8
Len Goodman: 7
Bruno Tonioli: 8
Total: 23

Apolo Ohno & Julianne Hough
Dance: Foxtrot
These two finished on top last week so they strong coming in to tonight’s performance. Julianne planned a performance that she felt was risky. They weren’t going to play it safe to stay on top. Their dance was really beautiful, but I wouldn’t say it was risky. Carrie Ann and Bruno thought the performance was great, elegant and sophisticated. Len thought the complete opposite. He did not think they were dancing up to their normal level. Julianne looked cute as always.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 8
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 26 (They won’t be on top tonight).

Ian Ziering & Cheryl Burke
Dance: Tango
Billy Ray stopped by during training to visit Ian to help him bring out the passion in his dancing. I have to say it was better, not all the way there yet but way better (and Cheryl looked great). All the judges liked the performance. They thought the passion and drama was there. Len and Bruno still had technical problems with the performance.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 27 (Thats good for them)

Billy Ray Cyrus & Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Waltz
Billy Ray made the choreography decision on this dance to showcase Karina at the beginning which is highly unusual. Karina didn’t like the idea, but went along with it anyway. It was enjoyable but nothing to get excited about. The judges really didn’t feel like this dance cut it. Carrie Ann said it best, “there wasn’t enough content.” Bruno described it as “Vanna in the Wheel of Fortune.” Needless to say Billy Ray & Karina are in deep trouble. Definitely a bottom two worthy performance.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 5
Len Goodman: 6
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Total: 17 (Ew, not good.)

Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson
Dance: Foxtrot
Joey ended their training segment with a little smack talk directed at Ian and Apolo. Wow, this was definitely the best performance of the night if not of the competition so far. The judges absolutely loved it too. Although our British curmudgeon had to add, “just a little too much razzle-dazzle for me”.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 9 (Booo!)
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 29

Round 2: Latin

Laila Ali & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Samba
Maksim made the comment, “If Joey Fatone can do it so can we.” It was good, I didn’t like it as much as their first performance, though. You can definitely tell that Laila has toned down thanks to all of the dancing. Bruno, Carrie Ann, and Len all loved it. Len thought this was the best dance of the night.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30

John Ratzenberger & Edyta Sliwinska
Dance: Rumba
Edyta was very conscious of the age difference between them when planning this performance. The Rumba is a dance of love and she didn’t think that really made sense with their ages. So she decided they would focus on technique instead of performance. I think this is risky as they have never been technically sharp but have survived by acting and selling their routines. Their actual performance wasn’t even in the same class as the other couples. It wasn’t entertaining, there was no emotion, and technically didn’t seem as difficult as the others. Len and Bruno thought this was John’s best dance. Carrie Ann missed the passion from the Rumba.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 8 (Hmm, that was the same score he gave Apolo & Julianne)
Bruno Tonioli: 7
Total: 22

Apolo Ohno & Julianne Hough
Dance: Rumba
Much better than their first dance. This one was hot (as was Julianne). They must have spent most of their time practicing this one. Len again only thought this was average for them. Bruno thought it was fantastic. Carrie Ann agreed that there was a few problems with it.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 28

Ian Ziering & Cheryl Burke
Dance: Mambo
That was fun. Cheryl looked great. Ian did well again showing the drama. I thought his movements could have been a little more exaggerated (like I actually have any idea). The judges thought it looked like they enjoyed dancing together for the first time this season.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 27

Billy Ray Cyrus & Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Samba
Billy Ray did really well on his footwork (you know, for him). He did not look comfortable with the hip movements though. The judges agreed and were amazed that Billy Ray’s determination and personality outweigh the fact that their performance is technically awful.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 7
Bruno Tonioli: 7
Total: 21

Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson
Dance: Jive
Another great performance. These two have it all. Like Laila Joey seems to have slimmed as well. The judges had nothing but good things to say about this dance (even Len!).
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30

Judges Leader Board
Laila & Maksim: 59
Joey & Kym: 59
Ian & Cheryl: 54
Apolo & Julianne: 54
John & Edyta: 45
Billy Ray & Karina: 38 (Hmmm, I wonder who might be going home tomorrow?)

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