This week on Dancing With The Stars each of the seven remaining couples performed a different dance. In addition to their normal performance the couples had to learn a second routine. Tonight all of the stars and their partners performed in the first group performance of the season. The group performance was a country routine which featured the women as the sheriffs and the men as outlaws. They saved the group performance until the end of the show but I’ll tell you up front it was OK. Everyone seemed like they were having fun but the whole routine was a little hokey and the lack of practice showed through. Dancer, Choreographer, and American Idol Judge, Paula Abdul was the special guest in the audience tonight to watch the group performance.

Jason Taylor & Edyta Sliwinska
Dance: Cha Cha Cha
I’m not really sure that JT got his Cha Cha on, but I know Edyta’s shorts were a way too long. Len thought he did marvelously. I though it was just OK overall. Bruno liked Jason being more flamboyant and being more exposed. Both Len and Bruno pointed out Jason’s timing problems. Carrie Ann didn’t think he was dancing big enough.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 8
Len Goodman: 8
Bruno Tonioli: 8
Total: 24

Shannon Elizabeth & Derek Hough
Dance: Rumba
I really liked Shannon & Derek’s Rumba. Shannon looked much more graceful and elegant. This was a much better better performance than last week. Bruno thought Shannon committed the cardinal sin of the Rumba, hip action. Carrie Ann thought Shannon had the ability to make great shapes but needed to learn how to maintain them. Len thought they had great chemistry. He agreed that there was a little to much hip action but he was very pleased with their performance.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 8
Len Goodman: 8
Bruno Tonioli: 8
Total: 24

Marlee Matlin & Fabian Sanchez
Dance: Mambo
It seemed like Marlee had problems with her footwork and her timing again this week. Marlee actually seemed a little stiff, even uncomfortable. I didn’t think that was one of their best performances Carrie Ann thought they looked like they were struggling. Len also said that they looked uncomfortable. Bruno agreed. They also of course acknowledged what she had to over come to perform.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 7
Bruno Tonioli: 7
Total: 21

Cristian De La Fuente & Cheryl Burke
Dance: Foxtrot
Their performance was pretty cool. I liked the whole jazzy theme. It was fun and entertaining without any glaring flaws. Len said, if they were in the bottom two tomorrow he would show his bum in the supermarket. (I tried my best not to visualize that too… and failed. ) Len told them that was their best performance of the season. Bruno agreed that was Cristian at his dashing best. Bruno especially liked his footwork. Carrie Ann called them perfect and refined.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 27

Marissa Jaret Winokur & Tony Dovolani
Dance: Viennese Waltz
While I think Marissa is a great performer and has an awesome voice the Viennese Waltz is not for her. Marissa is not elegant or graceful. She is a little too frumpy to pull it off. Bruno and Carrie Ann both really liked it. Len was pleased to see her confidence grow. I also find the way she jumps around and screams when she sees her scores highly annoying.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 8
Bruno Tonioli: 9
Total: 26

Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas
Dance: Jive
Kristi did a great job both technically and performance-wise tonight. Carrie Ann said this was her favorite dance this season. Len said it was absolutely great, a smörgåsbord of dance. Bruno agreed with Carrie Ann that this was the best performance all season. Bruno called it top notch high definition entertainment.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 10
Len Goodman: 10
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 30 (There it is! First 30 of the season!)

Mario & Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Rumba
Their Rumba was good. I thought they were a little off the music at points. I’m not really sure how steamy their performance was though. Len said they did a good job but he didn’t like the story. He thought they looked like a strumpet and gigolo instead of a pair of lovers. It was actually too raunchy for Len. Bruno thought it was absolutely fabulous; primal savage lust. Carrie Ann called it better than good sex. Len and Carrie Ann both pointed out their lift as well.
Carrie Ann Inaba: 9
Len Goodman: 9
Bruno Tonioli: 10
Total: 28

Judges Leader Board
Kristi & Mark: 30
Mario & Karina: 28
Cristian & Cheryl: 27
Marissa & Tony: 26
Jason & Edyta: 24
Shannon & Derek: 24
Marlee & Fabian: 21

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