Dancing With the Stars 8 -- Week 6

A bit of an upset tonight, with Gilles and Cheryl slipping all the way down to third place. Still, the same four strong couples are shifting around in the top spots.

Tonight’s jive and rhumba dances are an interesting mix of fun and romance. At least, that’s the theory.

I thought it was kind of a weak night overall. There were a few standout performances, but the rest were just all right.

I’m ready to narrow down the contestants a bit more and get on to the two dances a night per couple phase.

My take on tonight's dances:

* Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower
Jive: 18

I’m not a country fan, but these outfits coupled with the line dancing worked really well. Except for the fact that there was a bit too much line dancing and not enough jive, especially in the beginning. Ty’s timing was off and his technique wasn’t so great, but he’s still so sweet to watch. I know I should judge on dancing, but I just like Ty and Chelsie.

* Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas
Rhumba: 26

An “age appropriate” rhumba. (Think the producers have warned Mark about Shawn being under age?) I actually thought this was the sexiest rhumba of the night. Their sustained gazes, the intense expressions with the small, secret smiles teasing through, and those sensual holds -- what prompted Carrie Ann and Bruno to call this innocent?

* Lawrence Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska
Jive: 22

The jive was a great dance for LT and I didn’t see that coming! He had fun with the dance and that makes such a difference! The last few weeks it was obvious that he wasn’t enjoying himself and that just made me want to see him go home. But this was enjoyable. Except for that same sliding through the legs move from last week. That just bugged me.

* Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani
Rhumba: 27

What an odd song. I know they don’t pick their music, but those lyrics were terribly distracting, even on the second watching. There were a few great moves, but some odd ones too. I liked where Melissa’s slow vertical split ended up, but until Tony stepped in to catch her it looked awkward. Otherwise, this rhumba seemed much more light and innocent than Shawn and Mark’s dance. There was an airy, floaty feel to most of it that I didn’t particularly like.

* Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough
Jive: 28

DWTS would give Lil’ Kim Jailhouse Rock for her jive! It was theatrical. It was over the top. And it was the best dance of the night. I’m not surprised that Len wanted more jive content, but it was so fun to watch, that I just didn’t care about what was missing. Plus, Derek’s jive hair is always fun.

* Steve-O and Lacey Schwimmer
Rhumba: 16

Why is it that the nice/funny/timid guys try to show passion with immobile angry face? Or in Steve-O’s case, immobile angry but struggling to hold back a laugh face? Carrie Ann connected to the emotion of this rhumba, but I didn’t. Steve-O is endearing though and Len’s 4 was harsh. I’d have gone with a 6.

* Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
Jive: 26

For awhile now, I’ve been wondering how Gilles would handle a jive and it was so much better than I expected! The edgy (for ballroom) pleather outfits and bad-boy of jive style was a good call. It did come off a bit hectic, but it was also powerful, which Gilles can pull off, instead of 50s sock hop, which might not have been as sexy on him.

* Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough
Rhumba: 23

What was with that lacy sequined shirt, on Chuck? Actually, with both of their outfits and the red lighting it sort of had a metro-sexual hires a hooker vibe. Or ice-dancer hires a hooker? I guess Bruno and Carrie Ann were happy with the “raunch factor” but I agreed with Len. I like rhumbas that are romantic and sensual, sexy but not sex.


Leaderboard:
28 -- Lil’ Kim and Derek
27 -- Melissa and Tony
26 -- Gilles and Cheryl
26 -- Shawn and Mark
23 -- Chuck and Julianne
22 -- Lawrence and Edyta
18 -- Ty and Chelsie
16 -- Steve-O and Lacey

Tomorrow night we’ll see who goes home and who gets to stick around for next week’s big 60s group dance-- which has to be better than last season’s hip hop number!