Our Dancing With The Stars couples looked much better last night than they did the week before. Mario & Karina in particular made a big splash last night. As for Crisitan & Cheryl, where did that performance come from? It was awesome. Here is how the leader board looked following yesterday’s performances:

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

To start with lets just rule out Kristi & Fabian and Mario & Karina as possibilities to be eliminated tonight. Its just not going to happen. Cristian & Cheryl really should stay but they just have not had the love from the fans that many of the other couples have. Hopefully last night turned that around for them. Even if they are safe this week, they are now going to have to continue to produce high quality performances to stay on the show. I was frankly unimpressed with Marissa & Tony’s Waltz last night. The judges liked it. For some reason she also seems to have a big fan following, so I think this couple will be safe again. Jason & Edyta also put in a mediocre performance last night. In previous weeks though they have been close to the top of the leader board. As a football hero, JT will also get a lot of fan support so they should be safe for another week as well.

That only leaves two couples, doesn’t it? There is your bottom two, Shannon & Derek and Marlee & Fabian. I like Shannon & Derek a lot. Each week Shannon does a little better. They just need their big break out week. Marlee & Fabian have been fading over the course of the season. Marlee seems to be having a harder and harder time over coming her handicap. In my opinion, it should be Marlee & Fabian going home tonight. However, I think the fans may cut Marlee a little bit of a break and give her some sympathy votes. Fair or not, it will probably be Shannon & Derek going home tonight.

In addition to tonight’s elimination, Ashlee Simpson sings Boys, Irish-dancing troupe Riverdance performs, and the it is the thirteen year-olds’ turn to hit the dance floor.

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