Dancing With the Stars 8 -- Week 5

Tonight was the Viennese waltz and the paso doble, two dances that couldn’t be more different. The Viennese waltz is light, airy, and romantic. The paso doble is passionate and powerful, the dance of bullfighters. (I think I channeled Len for that description.)

The different dances made for an interesting night, but I was left with one thought... Why can’t laryngitis last more than a week?

Samantha Harris has her voice back. I try not to join in the Samantha bashing, but tonight she had some really uncomfortable ad libs that had me missing her feeble croaking of last week. I wonder which the couples dread more, waiting for their scores or having to endure Samantha’s questions before getting them.

How did they do this week?

* Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough
Viennese Waltz: 23

The night was off to a sweet start with this pretty in pink waltz. A little too sweet for my taste. Like a Disney Princess dancing with the butler. I didn’t like those sweeping arms when they were out of hold. Chuck did an admirable job of pretending to be comfortable with those big fluid motions, but they felt too theatrical to me. I did like his firm but simple “no” when Samantha asked her tacky question about whether there was more to his ending the dance on bended knee.

* Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
Paso Doble: 20

This was a difficult song, but the beginning was painful to watch. Not having a steady beat left LT so out of sync that I didn’t think he’d ever get back in time. Once the music kicked in, he found the beat they had some impressive moments. Edyta should spend some time counting out the rhythms of the songs with him before teaching the dance.

* Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas
Viennese Waltz: 26

Lightness and grace. This felt like a Viennese waltz. Shawn’s arms were lovely, well controlled but still showing a natural fluidity. She and Mark moved together beautifully. I wonder sometimes if their height difference makes it more difficult to dance in hold, but it doesn’t seem to bother them. I think Shawn and Lil’ Kim will be jockeying for a shot at the finals over the next few weeks.

* Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani
Paso Doble: 25

Tony may have pushed Melissa just a bit beyond her ability with this Paso, but it was still wildly entertaining. This wasn’t a song I’d have pegged for a Paso, but it worked. I would love to see this dance again when it wasn’t being judged because I think Melissa was nervous and it threw her concentration. But not in a dance off! I’ll take it as the encore dance, please.

* David Allan Greer and Kym Johnson
Viennese Waltz: 22

Poor David. His frustration at being in the middle of the pack is building and I can’t figure out what is holding him back either. He clearly has rhythm and agility. I think it’s a matter of presence and a disconnect from the character of his dance. This was a sexy song that needed a strong male figure. All those leg extensions just didn’t feel manly. Kym had a lot of power in this dance and DAG wasn’t able to match it.

* Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
Paso Doble: 29

Another perfect performance -- or just about. You practically need to light up a cigarette when this man takes the floor! Gilles is passionate about each dance he performs. (I’m a bit passionate about liking him in those bullfighting pants) Cheryl’s choreography cuts to the emotion at the heart of each dance style and the two of them together are breathtaking.

* Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
Viennese Waltz: 18

There was something delightfully demented about this Viennese waltz. I loved the music, the purple, and the Marcel Marceau nod. The whole routine could have been pulled from a silent movie. In fact, I would love to see a clip of this with a scratchy black and white treatment (though it would lose the purple). Steve-O’s expression throughout the judges’ comments was worth watching twice.

* Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower
Paso Doble: 21

Beneath that shy smile I’m sure Ty is all sinew and strength, but his dancing-timidity kept him from having a powerful Paso. The judges said he was stiff, but I think that was his attempt at getting into the Paso character. It’s hard for someone so naturally sweet. Then, Samantha’s stupidity struck again. At least Ty had a great comeback when she asked him if his bull riding helped him in a dance inspired by bull fighting. Oh, Samantha.

* Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough
Viennese Waltz: 26

Like Shawn and Mark’s earlier performance, this felt like a true Viennese waltz. This dance, with its simple beauty, had me smiling throughout. Lil’ Kim and Derek move together so effortlessly that they are a joy to watch. And if you’re still confused about her comment to Carrie Ann, Lil’ Kim said she’d been drawing on her Buddha board -- it’s a Zen thing, a small board that you draw on with water then let the design fade and draw again.

Leaderboard:
29 -- Gilles and Cheryl
26 -- Shawn and Mark
26 -- Lil’ Kim and Derek
25 -- Melissa and Tony
23 -- Chuck and Julianne
22 -- David and Kym
21 -- Ty and Chelsie
20 -- Lawrence and Edyta
18 -- Steve-O and Lacey

Depending on how the fan votes factor in, the next two eliminations may not be too surprising. Although you never can tell. Tomorrow night we’ll see if the dance off returns and whose dancing shows will be burned by Jimmy Kimmel.