Just five couples remain to hoof it on “Dancing with the Stars” 2011, and the November 7 episode featured the dynamic duos performing not just one but two all-new routines each: One unlearned style as well as the ever-challenging Instant Jive. Who reached perfection and who fell short of the mark, by a lot? Here’s a complete, start to finish recap.
Reality star Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke opened round one of the “DWTS” week 8 competition with the speedy Quickstep. During rehearsals, Cheryl said that they needed to work hard on technique and on keeping Rob’s much-maligned booty in check. He viewed the Quickstep as “the perfect opportunity to take that top spot”. But will he? We shall see.
Well, for one, Rob managed to keep his bottom under control for once, so boo yah for that. He also had a good time out there, judging by his grin. (Either that or he really likes Cheryl in that special way. Could be either.) Len Goodman called the opening segment “terrible” but liked it after they got into hold. He even admitted to having gotten a “good look at your buttocks”. He summed up his observations by deeming it Rob’s best dance yet. Bruno Tonioli agreed, calling him “speedier than a drag race”. He also agreed with the booty-revelation, saying “once you know what to do with your bum everything else falls into place”. Carrie Ann Inaba (at least I think it was her hidden underneath some bushy bangs) called him “the ideal contestant” for “DWTS” and praised his growth over the course of the competition. Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke’s “Dancing with the Stars” November 7 scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27.
And then, Rob and Cheryl randomly drew their Instant Jive music from the mirrorball: “Maneater” by Hall and Oates.
“DWTS” season 8’s most contentious couple –soccer star Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy– followed their own Quickstep. Rehearsals saw Maks apologizing for becoming “too competitive” during a heart-to-heart, and Hope vowed to “turn down the intensity” and “enjoy” the rest of the show. Maks introduced Hope to his parents and brother Val, and they had a good time hanging out and hanging loose.
Lennie won’t care for the bandying about that kicked off the routine, but hey, it was cute. And cute is okay. Hope really conquered the 50s housewife vibe in her floral dress and yellow scarf. I hope that’s what she meant to do. She could’ve been a little more delicate, but it was high-energy and Quicksteppish and much better than previous dances they’d done. Bravo.
Bruno declared “rebooted, reenergized, light, breezy, radiant, you never moved so well” and deemed it “your best dance yet”. Carrie Ann called Hope forward to give her a hug and praised Maks for his work. She enjoyed the “joy and love”. Len called it “a blend of speed and control” and gave her kudos for fulfilling her “potential”. Woohoo for the rebooted pair! Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s “Dancing with the Stars” season 13 week 8 scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27.
Hope and Maks’ Instant Jive tune? “The Best Damn Thing” by Avril Lavigne. Which neither of them recognized. Rut-roh.
After a break, co-host Brooke Burke did an awkward check-in with Rob and Cheryl as they worked on putting their Instant Jive together. Dude, leave ‘em alone.
Up next to dance during round one were talk show host Ricki Lake and Derek Hough. The pair worked hard to help Ricki to keep her shoulders down as they prepped their Waltz. Ricki met up with former “DWTS” champ Jennifer Grey, who encouraged her to have fun with the competition. Ricki came away from the meeting determined to “live every moment” of her time on the show.
There was a stunning gracefulness to their “Natural Woman” dance, though I admit I didn’t care for her apparently Snooki inspired pouf. Or whatever it’s called. It was bouffanty enough that it distracted me from watching a lot of the actual content. Hmph. Carrie Ann noted “a little stumble at the end” and said her shoulders still rose a little, but she praised Ricki for her ability to “lose herself” when she dances. Len said “it was like a river” throughout and really enjoyed the “beautiful” flow. He did say, however, that in order to get 10s, she needs to work on her footwork. Bruno called “it deliciously dreamy, floatingly soft” and loved the “artistic detail”. Ricki Lake and Derek Hough’s “DWTS” week 8 scores: 9, 9, 10 = 28.
And the Instant Jive music… dum da dum… “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett. The Brooke bugged Hope and Maks. Hope was confident, saying “I don’t fear this dance”. Boo yah again. You go girl.
Meanwhile, TV host Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus got ready to take their turn with a Tango. Tristan planned to create a “love hate” relationship within their dance (which wasn’t much a stretch for the pair), and appropriately, the two went at it during rehearsals like they do every week. Ah, the ongoing Tristan versus Nancy power struggles. Just before their pre-taped segment aired, Nancy acknowleged her position as the underdog, but declared “it ain’t over yet”.
Mmm, mmm, I love me some Tristan MacManus. (Maybe that’s why Nancy is still in the competition.) It wasn’t technically perfect, but Nancy did a great job of getting into character. Len praised her for rising above her “plateau”. Bruno called her a “brazen jezebel” and appreciated her attitude. Carrie Ann called her “the friskiest little girl I’ve ever met” but told her to “give Tristan a break once in a while”. She enjoyed her “clean” and “sharp” performance, but wished for pointed toes and noted a stumble near the end. Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus’ “Dancing with the Stars” November 7 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.
And their Instant Jive music… “Upside Down”. Nancy vowed to listen to Tristan!
Then Brooke bugged Ricki and Derek, who seemed strangely confident.
Waltz was the word for veteran and actor J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff, who brought round one to a close. Following a down week that featured a “Ghostbusters” routine that fizzled, Karina pushed J.R. to be serious and nail the style. He hoped to “deliver a flawless Waltz” and make the semis.
Their “What the World Needs Now” Waltz was super sugary sweet. J.R. had great posture, great form and a great smile. And methinks I spied heels leads! Oh la la! Bruno said “it was like a musical Valentine card” and “you danced with your heart on your sleeve”. Carrie Ann appreciated his “incredible natural grace and fluidity”, but said that tonight in particular, he’d captured “magic”. Len said “just like the soldier you are, you came back guns blazing”. Woot! J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff’s “DWTS” week 8 scores: 10, 10, 10 = 30. The first of season 13! J.R. thanked “my mom, God… Justin Bieber, I will never say never…”
And their Instant Dance music? Little Richard’s “Tutti Fruitti”. J.R. was pumped. Hide the Red Bull. Now.
With the round one routines complete and J.R. Martinez atop the leaderboard with the season’s first perfect score, round two arrived to shake thangs up. Maybe.
Up first to Instant Jive were Rob and Cheryl. Rob seemed to have a little bit of trouble getting started, but once he got into it, he had some moments of genius. But those striped pants? Not so cool. Len appreciated that there were “no glaring mistakes” but told him to “sharpen up those feet a little bit”. Bruno agreed with Len’s evaluation, but liked his improvement. Carrie Ann appreciated how Rob is “in control on the dancefloor” but told him to work on being sharper. (Or something like that.) Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke’s Instant Jive scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24. 51 out of 60 on the night. Then Brooke hounded Tristan and Nancy. Awkward. Yes, kiddies, awkward.
Hope and Maks kept the instant Jive round going, and the soccer star hoped to make the dance her “cup of tea” this go-round. She didn’t go off the beat out of the gates, so that’s a goal right there. And she had a good time, which is half of the “DWTS” battle, so there’s another goal. Her black Samba pants were oddly distracting when combined with the frenetic kicking, but all in all, a good performance. Bruno likened her to “a wild child” and liked her attitude and energy, but told her to keep the weight on her toes and finish her moves. Carrie Ann called it a “definite improvement” over her first Jive, but noted that her hands were “a little crazy” at times. Len called the dance “fantastic” and “everything a Jive should be”. In fact, he rose to his feet and declared it “bloody brilliant”. Lennie! Hope Solo and Maks Chmerkovskiy’s “DWTS” week 8 scores: Hope Solo and Maks Chmerkovskiy’s Instant Jive scores: 8, 9, 8 = 25. 52 out of 60 on the night.
Of course Brooke had to bother another couple. This time it was J.R. and Karina. J.R. said he was “exhausted” but hoped their perfect score adrenaline would carry over.
And then more Instant Jive, this time from Ricki and Derek. During rehearsals, Derek made Ricki practice to several different pieces of music in order to get used to potential speed variations. Her goal? To “stay calm and not panic”. Whoa, Derek cannonballed himself out on the ballroom floor! He’s like Gumby on speed. And that ain’t a bad thing, kiddies. I’m not sure that I saw quite as much Jive action from Ricki as I did from Hope, but again, the modified pouf was distracting. Carrie Ann liked aspects of the dance, but noted a few stops and starts. Len thought she “coped very well” and called it “good”. Bruno agreed with his colleagues, noting a lack of flow. Ricki Lake and Derek Hough’s Instant Jive scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24. 52 out of 60 on the night.
Instant Dance noobs Nancy and Tristan followed with their offering. As usual, they butted heads during rehearsals. But they worked it out. And then they hit the ballroom. And it was, er, rough. Nancy had a few good moments, but she seemed to struggle with remember the moves and the overall effect was disjointed. Len called Nancy’s tenure on “DWTS” “a Cinderella story” but added “it’s midnight, and it’s time to go home.” Zing! Bruno called it “a little bit laid back and loose for a Jive”. Carrie Ann noted that she’d gotten lost, but enjoyed Nancy and Tristan’s chemistry. Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus’ Instant Jive scores: 7, 6, 7 = 20. 44 out of 60 on the night.
And then, ta da! The final performance of the night: J.R. and Karina’s Instant Jive. Like Hope and Maks, the couple hoped to redeem their previous Jive, which was deemed too Lindy Hoppish for the judges. J.R. rocked it, baby! It was fast, furious and fabulously fun. This guy’s in it to win it. And he’s actually making me like Karina, who I’ve never particularly cared for before. He’s a magician! Bruno shouted “you were off like a rocket” and called his side kicks “sensational” before screaming “you’ve got it man, you’ve got it!” Carrie Ann said they were in a class of their own. Len said “you’ve got the X factor and the feel good factor mixed together” and called their Jive “fantastic”. J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff’s Instant Jive scores: 10, 10, 10 = 30. 60 out of 60 on the night.
So that’s it for “Dancing with the Stars” week 8. Who gets the boot tomorrow? Uh, Nancy Grace. She’s trailing the pack by a significant margin, and the others have done more in the ballroom to earn spots in the semis. But you never know what will happen when America votes. To see how it shakes out, watch the results show on ABC at 9. Or you can just check in with me. You know I’ll be watching.