Len Goodman returned this week — hurray! He may be irascible, but he is fun. This week Dancing with the Stars got a bit complicated with the addition of a team competition. The couples were split into two groups and their group dance scores were added to their individual scores.
So how did everyone do? First, Tom Bergeron welcomed “Mr Cranky” aka Len Goodman back. Then Warren & Kym took the floor for the Fox Trot and came up with the lowest scores of the evening. On the other end of the spectrum — and dancing last — Brooke & Derek blew everyone away receiving perfect scores for their efforts. In between Lance & Lacey continued to piss Len off with their unorthodox approach — this time dancing the Rumba barefoot, Maurice Greene again proves that he is Mr Inconsistent — this time in a good way, Cody Linley looked a bit stiff waltzing with Edyta, and sadly, Warren seemed to have lost some of his earlier smooth moves.
How the Judges Scored the Individual Dances
- Brooke Burke & Derek Hough: 30 points regaining their lead position after only one week out of the top spot.
- Lance Bass & Lacey Scwhimmer: 25 points while receiving raves from Carrie and Bruno (“That was fantastic, your best dance” – Carrie Ann Inaba). Len was having none of it giving them a 7.
- Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke: 25 points coming back from finishing last in the previous dance. Maurice is consistently inconsistent.
- Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani: 24 points while getting good reviews from all three judges, it was still only enough to put her in fourth place.
- Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinska (filling in for Julianne Hough who had her appendix removed last week): 22 points getting mixed reviews from the judges with Carrie Ann Inaba giving them a thumbs up while Len and Bruno were not impressed.
- Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson: 21 points Len pointed out that Warren was “A little bit heavy, your posture was not as good as usual..” The first week to see the big man in last place.
At least that was how it stood until the team dances took place.
The first team out danced the Cha Cha and did not fair at all well with the judges. Carrie was horrified by their lack of unison. Only Lance & Lacey’s solo in the middle received positive comments — even from Len! I KNOW!
Team Cha Cha — Lance & Lacey, Susan & Tony, Cody & Edyta: 20 points
The second team out dance the Paso Doble and faired much better both with the comments and the scores. Team Paso Doble — Brooke & Derek, Maurice & Cheryl, Warren & Kym: 29 points
The huge disparity in the group dance score created some major shifting of the combined placements. Warren & Kym vaulted from sixth place to third place.
Combined Scores for the Evening
- Brooke Burke & Derek Hough: 59 points
- Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke: 54 points
- Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson: 50 points
- Lance Bass & Lacey Scwhimmer: 45 points
- Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani: 44 points
- Cody Linley & Edyta Sliwinska: 42 points
The results show will not be until Wednesday because of that other vote that is taking place on Tuesday. Who will go home? The bottom two on the leader board are the most likely candidates. My vote for retirement goes to Susan Lucci: she looks tentative and fragile and is my least favorite star to watch. My second vote would go to Maurice Greene: he dances well half the time while the other half he is pretty bad.
Cloris Leachman’s absence was felt — her mischief was missed though not her dancing. Honestly, I am ready for the show to come to its inevitable conclusion. It is a bit like how I feel about the presidential election: it’s been going on long enough.
Grumble 'n' Grin 