The third week of performances

The men once again seem to be held to a lower standard. Rocco and his puffy poet's shirt were a wild, ungainly mess (I thought Karina was going to go flying -- and doesn't that count as a lift?), and yet the judges gave him raves. Cody barely danced a step during the jive. How the fuck do you stand in place during a jive? His most animated was gnawing Julianne's legs in an icky manner. Yet he still got a 21. How?

I also wasn't too fond of the snippy attitude from Julianne and Cody when the judges dared to criticize them. I'd forgotten how huffy Julianne gets when the judges don't kiss up to her.

Warren wasn't fantastic, but was much better at the waltz than I expected. I wish the judges had praised Kym's choreography, because I thought it was superb.

I was afraid Susan would have a Jane Seymour jive, but she was slightly more lively. She also seems to be showing more personality and isn't so reserved.

Poor Toni. I hope she isn't going to go tomorrow.

OMG, can we send Cloris home? Bruno was right - calling that dance tacky is the understatement of the year. In a way, it was kind of sad.

I love Fur Elise but Toni ruined it for me. Why destroy such a beautiful composition?

Susan was okay. I did not think she let go of herself enough to enjoy the jive. She was quite stiff.

Warren was great! Love the fact that he seems to enjoy himself.

Lance, enough with the passive aggressive comments about Len and tradition! We get it, you secretly (or not-so-secretly) think he's an old fart. Also, somebody knowledgeable in ballroom can correct me, but there seemed to be something wrong with Lance's frame. Like it wasn't sharp enough.

I still think Cody's a cutie, but I'm getting really tired of his "young gun" edit. I don't need to see his fellow Disney Channel starlets giving him props. And "twinkling twinkie"? Bruno, no.

Derek was an ass in this week's rehearsal footage. And -- this is a huge pet peeve of mine -- I hate it when people do the whole "I'm sorry IF I hurt your feelings" crap. Plus, "Your mind is lazy"? "I'm not actually going to hear you because I know what I'm doing"?? GTFO, Derek (and once again, quit the mugging!).

Too bad about Misty. Ouch.

Didn’t like Toni/Alex tonight. Warren was great again’ Maurice was better. Susan was decent.

Cloris. <sigh> I think she would have done okay with the V. Waltz. Cartwheel? Get real. AS much as she annoys me, it was sad – especially the hair/wig malfunction. She looked genuinely embarrassed and scared. I don’t think it was a put-on. Those were pity scores. Ridiculous.

For the most part I agreed with the judges in terms of the leaders. I enjoyed Brooke and Warren's dances the most and thought Maurice showed a good deal of improvement.

I do agree that there were whole periods of Cody's dance where he was doing nothing and I thought Rocco was pretty bad tonight. There is nothing really to say about Cloris in the sense that CA told her to bring the crazy and it's not like Corky was going to get much actual jive out of her.

I'm guessing nobody is going home tomorrow and they will do what they did with Sara Evans.

I know Lance/Lacey didn't plan the trip to the old folks home, but how freaking condescending was that? Again, I know they didn't plan the trip themselves but shut up about Len and just dance.

I also agree that Derek was a bit of an ass in the rehearsal footage. Totally sided with Brooke there.

Brooke continues to impress. Fantastic choreography by Derek. If she continues to be this good, the trophy is hers for the taking. I'm surprised to see Len giving that a 10 not because the dance didn't deserve it but because he's usually the most stingy when it comes to doling 10s out.

I also liked Maurice and Cheryl's dance mostly because Cheryl's choreography was pretty good. Warren and Kym never fail to bring a smile to my face. Love those two. I want a Brooke/Derek and Warren/Kym final two with Toni/Alec coming in third. Speaking of, Alec is sooooo hot. Stating the obvious, I know, but we haven't really been exposed to him the past couple of seasons so I'm glad he's got a good partner this season.

Did not like Cody/Julianne's jive and I agree with Len and Bruno. The guitar thing with the leg went on too long and should have only been done once. Julianne, come on. Your choreography was disappointing there.

Misty. *cries* Maks looked really uncomfortable. Hmm.

ETA:



I agree 100%. They all complimented Derek and Cheryl during their dances and I was perturbed that they didn't even say anything to Kym.

I think that the judging on this show is so biased it's crazy. Warren Sapp gets a 9 and two 8s for plodding and stumbling through that routine? Come now. Len called out Lance for being flat-footed and I noticed that Warren's feet rarely lifted off the soles the entire time. Plus I noticed a stumble or two. Seriously come on. The credit for that routine is all on Kym as it was beautifully choreographed and danced wonderfully by her. Warren did not look good to me. Then Karina and Rocco do that mess of a routine and still get a 20, bah humbug I say. Cody didn't dance so i'm unsure as to what they scored just all over the place with the scoring and critiquing.

Also i'm over Brooke Burke. That little kiss to the kid was just too much. I can't imagine how some other people may have gotten dinged if they involved a relative in their routine. Seriously, just stop it.

Oh band. You have wrecked plenty of songs, but What's New Pussycat?! I think my soul died more than just a little. (Watches Cloris and Corky) No, now my soul is just dead. And my eyes have gone blind by the sight of it all. But of course with those antics, she may still stick around for another week. Judges, you're going to have to enter Master P levels of scoring if you REALLY want her gone. Giving her 16 for that mess is ridiculous.

Poor Misty about her tendon. But she's also right: she robbed me of Maks for the rest of the season! This show better get more fascinating quick since my fave duo is now out, and it does NOT mean Rocco and Karina's showmance (though they would look like a more swell couple than Karina and Mario Lopez.)

Poor Misty. Hope her surgery goes well. Maks looked so sad like he was about to cry. I think he is taking it harder than Misty. I can't believe TPTB can't find some way to keep him on the show in some other capacity. His face tells it all.

What the heck did Cloris do? Because it wasn't a dance, it was...bizarre. I can't believe they got a 16 for that. It deserved MAYBE a 10. I kind of figured this to be their "don't vote for us, please" dance, but then Misty injured herself, so I guess no one is going home and Cloris lives to dance another week.

Otherwise--I enjoyed Warren and Brooke's dances; both brought the grace to the dance floor and were fun to watch.

Maks will stick around. They will definitely find something for him to do. He did look emotional though, but Misty did too IMO.

What I want to know is how can he go on about showing the old folks up when he moves like he has arthritis? Shouldn't a young kid dance every once in a while? Are Julianne's partners contractually required to stand in place?


I thought they were much better this week, but did anyone else think they had a slow jive? I blame the music.

At least Cheryl jumping that rope so expertly may help stave off the media speculation on her health.

I felt uncomfortable watching Cloris. It's degrading.

Much improved from last week, dance wise. Though I will miss Misty tremendously. I thought Maurice improved a lot and Rocco continues not to impress me. I thought Rocco and Cody barely danced while Karina and Julianne did all the dancing. Rocco wins worst song choice award. Tom Jones? I was disappointed with Toni/Alec's dance. I got what they were trying to do, but I agreed with Len's comments. I was also annoyed by Alec's comment about the straw hats when Toni said vietnamese. I like Alec, but that was a stupid comment.

Warren and Brooke continue to be my favorite. I knew the producers were overdoing the "drama" since Brooke said on her blog how much she enjoyed learning the waltz. I agreed with Brooke about how that fight brought them closer. I also liked that Derek learned from it and said he needs to remember the person first. I think in general for all the pros, that can get overlooked. Probably UO, but I have no problem with celebs/pro fighting. I take issue when the fighting is not productive and just all emotions. Like Cheryl/Cristian last season and Brooke/Derek here, I thought it was beneficial and moved them along. I did not see any lingering tension like Helio/Julianne in season 5. Kym and Warren though, who I enjoyed tremendously, seem to be getting the winner edit. Like Len, I really thought that dance would be his down fall but he handled it so well. He is reminding me more of Emmitt and Kym continues to impress.

Samantha's hair was bugging me tonight and I am annoyed by Cloris, but her cutting Cloris off just seemed a bit cold.

I am going to miss Misty. I am disappointed because I thought she would be the non-ringer female winner. That tendon rupture was loud! I cannot imagine how painful it must be for her. I am glad to hear though that she has time to heal and not disrupt her sports career.

Apparently Mark did not just get the guppy face from his dad but his fashion taste as well. Or his father was embracing his inner Millhouse.

Lacey needs to remove that foot from her mouth. As soon as she made that Cloris comment, I did not even bother rolling my eyes. I just shrugged my shoulders as more Lacey. My viewing group agreed that in the Lance, take all that rebel, edgy talk aside, Lance is just not that good.

I think this is her first time using her daughter. It was appropriate considering the song. I agreed with Bruno, fantastic choreography but also fantastic choreography by Kym. BTW, I do not think Mel was dinged for using her husband at the start of a routine in season 5 or Rocco with his mother a couple weeks ago.

Cloris is painful to watch (besides being a big ham again working the room after her dance), but I didn't like Lacey's remark that Cloris would be going to the senior citizens' home after she was through with the show. I thought it was kind of insulting to the people there and to Cloris.

Rocco just doesn't have it as a dancer, but I kind of like him and hope he sticks around a couple more weeks.

Brooke's waltz was lovely. Quite the little tiff with Derek in the practice session.

What was with that slow tempo on "Rock Around the Clock"? I'm sure they don't want anyone passing out again, but that seemed to be at turtle speed.

Misty looked like she was in a lot of pain. I admire her positivity throughout everything. It's too bad we won't get to see more of them and I hope we will see a Jive from them in the future.

I hated the majority of the songs that stupid band plays. Oh my ears, my ears!

I was a little disappointed with Toni/Alec. It could have been a great dance if they did it properly. I couldn't stand the rock version of Fur Elise.

Brooke and Derek did dance the best but I didn't think it was a 10.

I totally agree about Cody not dancing the Jive. I saw Julianne doing most of the work...again.

Please send Cloris home! I couldn't bear to watch it. I was so grossed out by the dance.

Feel so sorry for Misty. That "pop" sound was ungodly. Here's hoping her surgery is a success and she recovers fully. I'll miss her as I thought she had great capacity for improvement.

Poor us! We lose Maks and probably end up with another week of Cloris. Tonight was just beyond embarrassing. ITA with those who called it tacky and degrading. Stop the nightmare!

That was an ignorant remark. I completely forgot about that.

My favorites of the evening were Warren and Kym and Brooke. I think Derek is an ass who thinks he knows everything and it felt like he was putting wanting to win this year ahead of Brooke as a person. Not cool, like she said. I think he could have got a great performance without that bs. I'm not sure that she shows no emotion as much as that they have no connection as a pair.

I also think they may eliminate no one tomorrow to keep things on schedule but I'm very sad to see Maks leaving. I hope he at least does some results night dances if they have them with the crapass singers they usually put on.

I felt bad for Misty not just for the show but for her career as well. Hope she recovers well.

Corky and Mark really look so much alike!

I really liked Warren's waltz, seem very romantic and flowing to me. I think he is fast becoming my favorite celebrity. I also thought that he was very graceful.

I am just not feeling Brooke, I can see that she is one of the top dancers but I am just not feeling her.

Toni and Alec's VW could have been better as I feel Toni/Alec have chemistry if they stuck to the classical version and called it a day. Also loved that she said "Vietnamese Waltz"...ahh memories.

Poor Misty indeed, I feel bad for her and hope everything turns out okay. I felt really bad...

I kinda felt sorry for Cloris, although I disliked their jive, it had cute parts but he ending was a little bit too "sexual inuendo" for me.



Oh Lord, I almost choked on my grape laughing at the above comment.

Misty looked more beautiful tonight than at any other time this season. Why is it as she's leaving she gets the best hair and makeup? I am very sorry to see her go, I wish her the absolute best in her recovery. She seems like a truly sweet, wonderful person and I’m glad Maks was able to appreciate that as well. Sad that we’ll only see him probably in a few group numbers now.

Dear Brooke: Shut Up. If you’ve been practicing for four days and you still can’t remember the how to do the moves properly, I have no sympathy for you. I know Derek meant to say your mind was lazy instead of that you were lazy, but I agree with his slip – you were lazy. He’s not going to just tell you what to do over and over again – you have to freaking learn it yourself. I am on his side for this. As for the performance, I thought when Derek kissed her on the forehead before they began was very sweet. Also thought the performance was overall lovely, but ultimately it lacked what I’ve thought she lacked all along – emotion. She doesn’t perform; she doesn’t feel the dance. She just does the moves (very well), but doesn’t embody the dance. I won’t root against her for that, but I won’t vote for that either. The judges are making me roll my eyes with their comments about her, too.

Um, did anyone else get the vibe that there is some SexyTime going on between Warren and Kym now? And boy did he move surprisingly well in that Waltz! Love Kym and her choreography more and more with each dance.

I never started watching the series with total geeky fervor until last season, so I really couldn’t get an overall sense of Julianne’s choreography style (as how could I take anything seriously when she had Adam as a partner?), but what I’ve read as negatives seemed to be on display tonight. The dance was way too much about her. I know it was 30 seconds longer (and I totally felt that extra time for all of the dances tonight, yikes), but Cody can totally do it – the endurance for the jive and the moves. The dance didn’t need to be half about her, but I really saw it tonight.

Yay Maurice – bringing it! Loved how he tripped in the tires in the background while Cheryl was talking to the camera.

What happened to the handstand thing that Toni was practicing with Alec? I guess I don’t know enough about the Viennese Waltz to know how ‘rebellious’ the judges said they were being, it seemed to fit the music to me.

Susan needs to let go and kick it! She’s so careful – no one can freaking tell she’s in her sixties (and thank goodness no one has brought it up), so maybe I’m expecting too much.

The old folks were mean to Lance and Lacey. I think there’s something missing in Lance’s technique that I can’t quite out my finger on, which I suppose is good as I have no qualification to do so, but he’s not that bad.

Please send Cloris home. I don’t know how much more she and Corky (did you see the “Clorky” on his jacket?), or the rest of us, can take.

Seeing Carrie Ann giggle hysterically in the background during Rocco and Karina’s dance was just too funny. I thought Rocco was much better than last week, although still needs a lot of work. Figure out a way to feed me through the TV screen and he can have all my votes.

Good lord, please, please put Cloris out of her (and my) misery. That was so bad it hurt my eyes to watch.

I partly blame Corky for the hammy and creepy choreography. And the camera crew for a horrifying shot of Cloris's cleavage.

I agree that she was royally ticked about the wig.

He sucks as a dancer but I think Rocco is such a cutie. I will cry if Cloris outlasts him.

Really, it's not her fault she had crappy music and a bad costume...and that wig?? WTF!

Cloris needs to go ASAP. Corky Ballas just doesn't know how to do choreography.


I agree. There's just nothing behind the movements. no emotion or something. No feeling.

This show is getting so repetitive. Maybe we need new judges or something. Same old, same old every week.

Did Corky pull Cloris's wig off? I thought he did.

She was ticked and, for once, embarrassed.

Maybe it was the music but I found that Viennese waltz absolutely bloodless (Brooke and Derek). It didn't have the emotion, IMO. Len loves the pretty and bloodless, I guess.

The only two I enjoyed tonight were Maurice and Warren which infuriates me because this is supposed to be another woman's season, in my mind. Maurice improved somewhat, still pretty rough, still not that musical, but the most coherent performance he's done so far. I have to say it was his good nature tonight that I really enjoyed. THAT's frustrated Maurice? Somebody still obviously good-natured and kind towards his partner, simply admitting that this dance is more challenging than any other he's tried? I always enjoy, too, when calm and sensible Cheryl surfaces in potentially tense situations, she knows how to put things in perspective and defuse, not that Maurice really needed defusing. He was really a breath of fresh air this week.

Warren is IMO the best performer on the show. He really knows how to inhabit the character of the dance even if he physically can't embody the technique of the dance to the utmost. He's a natural performer, he understands the mood and he can hear and be moved (performance-wise) by the music. This is going to carry him a long way, maybe even to the win if he continues to sharpen up his technique. I really enjoy how into it he is. From the beginning, even though he's competitive, he is the one who is the most into the dance. He's not obsessing over the judging, Kym's coaching, or anything but getting that dance down, figuring it out, and then setting new goals. I thought it was really charming when he said he had been flying around the floor wtih Kym and waltz night was the first time he really got to dance with her.

Lance's feet are a mess. His frame is no great shakes either but his feet get incredibly pigeon toed and sometimes it seems like he does a few non choreographed checks and adjustments with those feet. He can turn, he's got rhythm, but what the hell is Lacey doing other than teaching him routines? Cody I don't know what the story is. He came out and appeared as if he had a jive planned and then all of a sudden it was here we go, Julianne is going to kill time. He can't sustain step sequences or can't do transitions or what? He's another who has weird feet. He and Lance are sort of similar in the details and then opposite in the framing - both are sort of sloppy overall, but Cody is a little stiff and Lance is slouchy, and both are still kind of awkward. I don't think Julianne actually gets uppity when she's criticized, I take it as her partnering up with her celeb - she sees her job as defending them and cheerleading them. Cody really didn't play it right in front of the judges.

Was that Rocco rubbing Misty's shoulder and back after she injured herself?

Yes, Misty said Rocco and Karina were the first two people who rushed to her side when she went down.

Yes, Tom said that Karina and Rocco were there at the time so they were the ones who rushed over. Misty said she saw Maks finishing the dance and when he saw her his face went white.

ETA: I forgot to add that I loved Len with the pussycat "eyes".

I have to admit that i'm completely biased not to like Warren no matter how well he does. I had a bad run-in with him once when the Bucs played my 'Skins and i've never forgotten it. This whole teddy bear image he is playing up is so full of shite it's ridiculous. That colors every single thing he does and I can not enjoy it. I spend the entire time picking out every single flaw in the dance. I do like Kym and her routines so I regret that I don't want her to win this year. Hate Sapp, HATE.

Susan and Tony - Choppy but the all the personality to the dance was there
Cody and Julianne - Sloppy
Rocco and Karina - Lacking in character
Maurice and Cheryl - Fun
Lance and Lacey - Traditional and likable
Toni and Alec - Great entertainment - I liked it!
Warren and Kim - Smooth and enjoyable
Brooke and Derek - Beautiful, I loved it
Cloris and Corky - OMG, LOL

Sad about Misty and Maks.

Cloris is becoming tolerable, so I don't care if she sticks around. Toni, Warren and Brooke are the only ones I'm really interesting in seeing stay around, so whomever goes next, I can live with.

I have a feeling there will be no elimination tomorrow, but who knows!

It was and IMO also stupid. I like Alec but that annoyed me the most tonight. It did not help that Toni's dance underwhelmed me. What they showed in rehearsal and what I saw was not what I expected at all. I still voted for her because she is in that dreaded middle spot.

I still think Brooke needs to improve on her performance and emotions, but I agree with Bruno about her lyrcism. Lovely and her lines are beautiful. I find John Mayer bland so I do not think the bland music helped.

Cloris needs to leave, but I just did not care for that choreography. It was just juvenile (the humor) and just not fun to watch. I appreciate Corky not outdancing Cloris as a way to overlook her, but I also thought think the choreography is not helping.

I may have missed it, but are they revealing the bottom 2 tomorrow? I just heard Samantha say it will be a shocking results show.

ITA, waltzinspringtm. It is frustrating as I want Toni or Brooke to win, but I see Warren winning this and while frustrating in the wanting a non-ringer woman to win, I am okay if Warren takes it. Mostly because of Kym. But also he has what Brooke is missing which is inhabiting the character of the dance and moving to the music.

My main emotion during tonight's ep? Annoyance.

First with the show's continual, "when we come back, what's going on with Misty May-Trainor!?" And... they wait till the end of the show.

Then, with the continual... priss in Susan Lucci's dancing. I certainly won't discount the power of the soap opera fen's votes, least of all Erica Kane's, and wouldn't be at all surprised to see her carried all the way to the Finals on its back. But seriously, SL, bring some of EK to the dance and you might get there based on ability, too.

So "Traditional" naturally equates with "Old" to L&L? Both of 'em, needin' a thwap upside the head for the immaturity and the arrogance. And Lacey saying Cloris will be coming to the home after the show? Totally classless.

Cody is one... young 18 year old. Another thwap upside the head.

And next in the thwap line, perhaps needing it the most, Derek for his "You're lazy. Your mind's lazy." and "I"m not actually going to hear you because I know what I'm doing." Oh, Derek. The Ego has landed, has it?

Corky was almost as embarrassing as Cloris tonight, both on the dance floor and backstage, with all the mugging and Cloris-enabling.

Hmm, my annoyance seems to have overcome most of my enjoyment of the dances tonight. Hopefully, next week...

And on that note, does anyone buy that the show will eliminate another dancer tomorrow, thereby cutting the season short by one week and losing all that ad revenue? I'd be shocked if they do.

I was predisposed to not like him either, but -- but -- Kym seems so happy! I think my love for Kym is outweighing my hate for Warren.

Heh, now that I think about it, that was my main emotion too. Pretty much the only people who didn't annoy me were Kym and Warren (which is ironic, considering my earlier statement). Derek pissed me off, Susan's dance was too slow and tentative, Lance and Lacey were argh-worthy, Cody is going way too over the top with his "I'm a man" shtick, etc. At least Kim wasn't around, because she would have been the annoying icing on the cake.

Cody danced his little ass off. For about 20 seconds in the beginning of the routine. Much better than any of the other men in my opinion. And then went straight to hell for the other minute and 10 seconds. I can only assume he got those scores from the judges for that first little bit.

Lance. Nice. Boring.

I liked Toni's number, somewhat. But did I miss the upside down kick thing they showed 72 times in the practice footage?
I liked Warren's number too, and Brooke's and amazingly, Rocco's little mess of a waltz as well.

Maurice and Susan . Eh. I wish Cloris would go home. I'm sure she's nice off camera, but she annoys the bejesus out of me.

This show was lack luster and annoying to me. I loathed the way the dragged they Misty thing on all f&$&ing night.
Actually I'm not super excited about this season at all. I could not care any less who wins so far.

It is Toni's fault if the costume was hard to dance in as the pro/celeb do tell wardrobe what sort of costume they want. So the costume was either Alec or Toni's idea.

I'm putting my money on no elimination this week with this week's scores and next being added together for the final result. They'd be a week short, and that'd screw with not only ad revenue but the overall TV schedule, especially since the finale is so blasted long.

How would she know since the voting has hardly finished?


Why, why, why?? It's still bad.

She said a "dramatic night" - nothing about a shocking result. Just finished watching it.

Poor Misty, hope this doesn't mess with her volleyball career. I was sorry to see one of my favorites go.

I can't take much more of Cloris and am still vastly annoyed at the producers for creating this situation by casting her. Horrible choice with predictable results. She and Corky were beyond cringe-worthy tonight. I hated every moment of it.

When Cloris/Corky finished and she walked out thanking the applauding audience, I couldn’t help but think of Bette Davis/Baby Jane Hudson – although Cloris doesn’t look quite that bad.

How did Bruno get her wig - Tom? Fortunately he didn’t put it on his head (like Len and those goofy sunglasses).

Thanks. I am guessing it will be a no elimination which is not dramatic or shocking. Yes, if Kim was still around, her mere presence would have annoyed me to no end. Same here, GoldenWoman. Funnier because unintentional and he is so entertaining.

Tonight was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I started out enjoying the night but at the end I was crying. I really hate that they kept playing the injury clip over and over. It made me feel very uncomfortable. Misty and Maks made me sob. I am really going to miss them. My favorite dances tonight were: Warren, Maurice, and Brooke. I agree with the judges on Toni "If it's not broke don't fix it" I really hope that doesn't cost her in the end. Susan bores me, Rocco is still a mess and Cloris can be funny but should be the next to go. Cody probably would have done well tonight if Julianne hadn't made it all about her. Her choreo tonight sucked and I was glad the judges didn't treat her with kid gloves. Lance and Lacey weren't good tonight either. I am so sick of the Len doesn't like me shit. Also Lacey SUCKS at ballroom. I was sad to see douche Derek come out again. I was hoping after last season he would calm down but he seems to just have a certain temperment. It was uncomfortable watching that segment. I laughed so hard when Maurice tripped doing the tire training while Cheryl was talking.

I will go on record saying that I am also a Red Skins fan. I don't think Warren is any more aggressive than other quarter back sackers. I'm from the Tampa area and Warren took his football very seriously, as he was paid to do. But he's retired now, and the charm and humor he exibits on the dance floor, and in the competition, is 100% genuine to me. He is obviously laid back and fun off the football field. I must say that because he is such a large man, I never expected him to dance well. He's been a pleasant surprise, and he and Kym are a joy together. Their take on the V. Waltz was lovely. All of these celebs have probably had their diva/divo moments. It almost comes with the package. But I chose to take Warren on the surface and keep enjoying him.

How many times did they mention Misty May's injury? I just knew they were going to drag out her "explanation" to the bitter end. It reminded me just how many times Marie Osmond's fainting clip was shown. Not a happy memory.

Has Rocco and Karina's fauxmance been commented on by the press? It seems to me that she looks at him completely doe-eyed and smitten. Folks have commented on it. Does anyone here think they are an item? I know so much press was made of her and Mario II, which didn't ring true to me. It seems much more likely with Rocco.

Brooke is lacking emotion and not selling the performance aspect. But Kristi Y. was perfect in a robotic way, and it didn't stop her from the glitterball. Brooke isn't in Kristi's league. But if she technically outshines her competition, she may win without having the other.

Glad to see Maurice do so well.

Due to Misti's mishap, looks like everyone will get another dance. Couldn't that be enough for Cloris?

So, with Lacey and Lance actually trying a traditional dance, can anyone who actually knows ballroom fill us in on how *her* technique is? I guess I was wondering if all of her 'I put a modern spin' schtick was happening because she really is more of a contemporary dancer and is insecure that her ballroom skills are not up to snuff compared to a classicist like Maks or Karina?

Brooke bores me. She kind of has no personality, does she? And I think Derek is kind of a jerk sometimes. I am rooting for Cheryl and Kim and their partners.

I understand the reasoning but I have to say Alec coming out with that costuming felt so damn random. I think for me the problem is that as a dancer, Toni isn't a performer in the sense that she does much more than feel and move to the music in a very simple way, emotionally speaking, and if I were Alec I'd treat that as a strength and just encourage her to do so even more, but I wouldn't get into themes and costuming and all this, not this early. I kind of half-watched them so this is just an impression.

I meant to do a shout out to Kym earlier - she is such a sharp cookie, such a great fit for this show. Kym is such a totally specific type, there's even a name for it, but it escapes me and all I can think of is sexy musical comedy blonde. Curvy, bubbly, NICE, good-natured. She never ever makes herself the issue, not ever, so it's easy to take her for granted. But she is so good on DWTs. She's a wonderful dancer-actress, it doesn't come across as mugging. Her routines are very clever, and they make sense as well. When she was waltzing with Warren I was thinking man, what a good job she's done, how beautifully she's relating to her partner and what a nice routine. And smart costumes also. I've said before they are the two having a conventional DWTs experience; I don't see anybody else having it. Kym is strategizing. Nobody else has their sea legs underneath them enough to strategize. And saying that, I think that expresses my sense of this season. Nobody has their sea legs. Often you'll see performers who know who they are, hit their routines, and they need to clean up their technique, quit fooling around, be taught a lesson, or whatever, but the sense of who they are on that floor is already present. Just to mention a bunch of non-winners who nevertheless were three dimensional - their personality was strong, they used what technique they had - even if very little - to the utmost, and they danced pretty full out. Jerry Springer, Heather Mills, Mario Lopez, Stacey Keibler, Christian de la Fuente (He was a mess for a long time but every time he went out there he went for it). This is a bunch of celebs who are all in one way or another locked in their heads, except Warren, and except Maurice (who sadly, isn't talented enough for it to make a difference).

I didn't see any dancing, I saw a lot of standing in place and then some walking around, and once or twice, he deigned to do his own version of Ashlee Simpson's SNL hoedown. I thought Maurice had a much more content-filled and disciplined jive, even though Maurice bores me.

All Cody ever seems to do is pose. The gawky boy who wants to show up gramps and granny. It's interesting that the judges never, ever call him out for his arrogance, even when they repeatedly upbraid Lance and Lacey for their own sense of entitlement. I know he's not as pushy as they are, but I'm still tired of hearing him say it.

WaltzinSpringTm, I agree with what you said about Kym. She's one of the shining lights of this season for me, whether the show knows it or not.

My problem with Sapp has nothing to do with his on the field play and everything to do with having had a personal run-in with him. I am a 'Skins fan but my brother is a 'Bucs fan. At this particular game, the 'Bucs had beaten us, and my brother and I were waiting afterwards so that he could get an autograph from Sapp and some of the other players. At the time we were teens, I forget exactly what year it was. Anyway, Sapp comes out, and after a great game, so it's not like he had cause to be a dick. My brother approaches him to ask for an autograph, Sapp says to him "I don't sign shit,get lost kid". Totally unnecessary and a sign of someone who doesn't care about his fans. So I don't buy his big old lovable guy routine. He has a history of being nasty both on and off the field.

It does seem unfair to me when a celeb, such as Toni tonight, is critisized and then probably marked down for choreography and/or costuming when all that seems to be in the hands of the pro dancer.

I don't particularly think that Susan Lucci is the best dancer on this show, but by golly she is the classiest contestant on this show. She and Tony do their dance and receive the judges' comments and say thank you and then the audience completely forgets about them as the show desintegrates into the Cloris/Cody/Corky farce. So Susan, yay for you for being a true class act.

Derek Hough is still as much of an ass as he was with Shannon Elizabeth last season. Perhaps Brooke can trade him for Maks???

I can't help but think that Cloris might not be so painful to watch if Jonathan hadn't taken this season off...

Agreeing here as well and Kym has always been one of my favorites but this season, she officially my favorite now. She just gets it. She never showboats in her dancing, choreographs to show case her partner and gets good results whether the celeb is a "ringer" or a non-performer like Mark Cuban. You see basics, not just flashy choreography. I hope the show knows what they have with her.

milner-It does seem unfair for Toni but I felt the judges marked Kristi down last season for choreography which were not in her hands either.

What. Was. THAT?!?! Bore-us and Dorky (as I've taken to calling Cloris & Corky) walk, stomp, slide, and oh let's not forget DOGGY STYLE it around the dance floor (and hell, how COULD we forget? There isn't enough brain bleach on earth) and they get a SIXTEEN? I thought they deserved 2's & 3's for that hot mess.

I seriously could not believe my eyes/ears during the rehearsal footage when it looked like Dorky was humping Bore-us and she ACTUALLY started barking! *attempting delete...delete failed...corneas permanently seared*

I think maybe Cody isn't working that hard. The references to his attention span and focus. Julianne often makes it about her but really apart from Apolo she has had to make it about her. Well, with Helio, Adam and now Cody, I guess she had/has the option of developing her partner as a dancer, but Julianne always tries to open big with her routines (lots of "shazam!") and then work on the finer points on the down low. I really really hate when her partner becomes a pole she dances around. I compare her to Kym and when Kym gets somebody who needs the help, such as Jerry Springer, somehow she builds the routine so that it's minimized.

I also think maybe Cody isn't that coordinated. I think he may have a little in common with Jason Taylor - although Jason is better. He has nice lines. He can hit poses. But transitions, moving from one step sequence to another - is just over his head. It doesn't help that there's no chemistry there. I've never seen Julianne make less impact on DWTs.

I didn't even have the sound on when Lance/Lacey went to the Old Folks home and I knew they were insulting ballroom done properly with that bullshit. They can stuff it. Yeah, bad dancing is so modern, you two. The poor posture, the pigeon toes, the little shuffly steps is so young.