‘Dancing with the Stars’ 2011 Fall Season Week 3 Recap — Ricki Lake, Chaz Bono Rumba to Top, Bottom

The “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 Fall season returned October 3 on ABC with a third week of competition. Wondering which celebs got into the spirit of their most memorable years and scored big with the judges and which fell short? Here’s a first trip to last dip review of the whole show.

Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet kicked off the evening’s festivities by confirming the theme of the night, which required the 10 remaining celebs to tell a personal story through dance. Oh, so much emotion in store, oh my! And then they got to it.

Up first to dance were reality star Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke. Rob chose 2003, the year that his father died, as his most memorable. He called growing up without “his best friend” who he’d loved “more than life” “tough”. He showed Cheryl his tattoo, and she confirmed that Rob looks like his dad. He chose Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”, one of his dad’s favorites, for his Foxtrot, and planned to make the dance “a celebration of his life”. Okay, so maybe I do need to mozy into the kitchen for some tissues.

Rob looked cute in his simple get-up: Black shirt, pants, hat and vest, and green hat band and tie. He’s certainly not the most skilled dancer in the bunch, but he had a good time, his smile was big and sincere, and it was a fun routine. A fitting tribute to his dad for sure. Head judge Len Goodman declared “you just put the dash into Kardashian” and praised his posture and footwork as good. Bruno Tonioli liked how he “started to toy and play with Cheryl” and appreciated the “Guys and Dolls” storyline of the dance, which confused poor Rob. (Man, I’m old.) Carrie Ann Inaba called the dance “a debonair, charming and very smooth performance” and said she enjoyed how he improved each week. Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke’s “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 3 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

Next up to hoof it personal-style were singer Chynna Phillips and her partner Tony Dovolani. Chynna selected 1990 as her most memorable year, a turning point in her life when she began to move beyond the pain of her childhood. She chose her own song, “Hold On”, as the backdrop for her Rumba, and struggled with her emotions during rehearsals. Chynna hoped that she’d be able to show that there’s always “light and always a way out” of bad situations.

Chynna’s Rumba was elegant and she once again showed off her graceful extensions. She really let herself go and felt the moves. Goosebumps, baby! Bruno declared “I knew you could do it” and called her “a smoldering siren”. He told her “you belong in a museum to admire, my darling”. Carrie Ann said she was “stunning to watch” and that her lines were smooth “like butter”. Len declared “dancing like that you’re going to be here for weeks and weeks” and “you have taken this whole competition to a new level”. Sounds like good scores in store! Chynna Phillips and Tony Dovolani’s “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 3 scores: 8, 9, 9 = 26. (Tony was pumped! But really, Carrie Ann, Rob’s dance was the same calibur? I think not, chiquita!)

“DWTS” week 2 leaderboard bottomdweller Chaz Bono and his partner Lacey Schwimmer were up next with their Rumba. Chaz declared 2011 his most memorable year because he’s finally happy with where he is and where things are, and opted to dance to his dad’s song “Laugh at Me”. Chaz called the tune his “theme song”. He wanted the dance to be a tribute to his dad.

Chaz and Lacey’s dance was, uh, well, interesting. It was definitely the most tentative Chaz I’d seen at times. His facial expressions were really inconsistent and he looked oddly uncomfortable at times, as if he had trouble remembering the choreography. But it was okay. Carrie Ann said she was impressed that he’s competing, but noted that he’d looked “distracted” and “not quite focused into the dance”. She said it broke her heart, but he didn’t do enough dancing. Len called it his “best dance” so far and praised him for getting out there and doing his thang. Bruno appreciated his “endearing quality” and noted that he’d looked “lost” at times, but praised him for his effort at a tackling “a difficult dance”. Uh, Len? No way. Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer’s “DWTS” week 3 scores: 6, 6, 6 = 18.

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas followed with a Samba. The reality star chose 2005, the year that she moved to Los Angeles, for her “Crazy in Love” routine. Kristin said she was “dreading the Samba because everyone says it’s the hardest dance”, but Mark didn’t seem to hold back with the choreography. He was confident that she could handle it. Kristin hoped to “bring out my inner Beyonce this week” with “hair whippin’ and booty shakin’”.

Hmm, what to say. Well, first off, Kristin looked hot in red. But she always looks good so that’s a given. The dance was energetic. She looked a bit tentative at times, but it was pretty good all in all. And Jay Cutler, Kristin’s ex, was there watching. Hmm. Len didn’t care for “the Beyonce stuff” but appreciated “the other 80%”. Bruno called it “crazy lust” and deemed her a “fast-moving devil woman… who can say no after that? It’s yes yes yes for me all the time and all the way”. Carrie Ann called the performance “pretty darn good” and noted that she was doing “some very difficult choreography”. Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas’ “DWTS” week 3 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

The adorable fashion guru Carson Kressley and his partner Anna Trebunskaya kept things movin’ along with a Tango. Carson chose 2003, the year that his show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” came out, and opted to dance to “It’s My Life” by No Doubt. He appreciated 2003 as the year that he finally felt comfortable in his own skin. Anna choreographed their Tango “all around his sense of style” and Carson hoped to inspire “dweeby kids who don’t get picked” for sports to become ballroom dancers.

Carson and Anna really do offer up the most purely entertaining numbers. They’re such a cute couple and they have so much fun that it’s hard to not love them, shiny pink blazer and all. And he owned the kicks! Boo-yah! Bruno called it “insanely brilliant, a tantrum on the catwalk” and then he launched into a lot of other commentary I couldn’t understand. Carrie Ann declared “I love you” and praised him for good technique and “a little bit of girly girly, a little little masculinity”. Len said “you put the boy in flamboyant” and praised their Tango as having actual “merit”. Carson Kressley and Anna Trebunskaya’s “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 3 scores: 8, 7, 8 = 23.

Soap star and veteran J.R. Martinez followed with a Rumba. He chose the year that he was injured in Iraq as his most memorable. He shared memories of the days following his accident with partner Karina Smirnoff, and said that his mother’s encouragement impelled him to choose to be positive. He chose to dance to Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This”, and deemed his dance “a tribute to the men and women who didn’t make it home”.

J.R. and Karina once again put them awesome chemistry on display. It was an extremely emotional, moving dance and J.R.’s emotion was written on his face throughout. Wow. Carrie Ann held back tears as she said that “heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things” and praised him for performing “one of the most profound, honest dances I’ve ever seen on this show”. Len said he hadn’t expected a performance like that from him, and called it “wonderful” and “poignant”. Bruno called him “a source of inspiration” and said “you dance from your heart” and praised him for stretching his foot “and skimming the sand” like he wants dancers to do. J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff’s “DWTS” 2011 week 3 scores: 9, 8, 9 = 26.

Legal expert Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus kept the show moving along. Nancy chose 2007, the year that her twins were born, as her most memorable, and selected the song “Moon River”, the first lullaby she sang to her babies, for her Waltz. Tristan called Nancy “funloving” when around her kids, and hoped to show America that side of his partner via their routine. Nancy wanted to do something “magical” for her babies. What mama doesn’t?

Nancy looked elegant in her flowing gown, which featured multiple layers of different shades of blue fabric. She was very calm and peaceful. But her carriage looked a little awkward, as if her shoulders were hunched. Len appreciated how they got right into the dance, but said to work on her posture. Bruno called her “soft and dreamy like a mother’s embrace” and agreed with Len’s assessment. Carrie Ann said “I was transported” and “it felt to me like a live-action lullaby”. Nancy Grace and Tristan MacManus’ “DWTS” week 3 scores: 7, 7, 7 = 21.

Week 2 leaderboard topper talk show host Ricki Lake and her partner Derek Hough Rumba’d their way onto the scene next. Ricki chose 2010 as her most memorable year, which she called “very, very tough” but also very good, thanks to having met her current fiance. She opted to dance her Rumba to Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity”.

Ah, The Hough still has that choreography magic going on; the whole ‘figure out my partner’s strengths and capitalize on them’ gift. It was, of course, a strong dance because Ricki is a strong competitor. Bruno said “every step was as expressive as a word in a poem” and “every move was absolutely essential to the dramatic tension of the story”. He called her “the actress dancer at her best”. Carrie Ann called it “breathtaking” and “sensual”. Len congratulated Derek on “a great routine” and congratulated Ricki on “dancing it so well”. Ricki Lake and Derek Hough’s “DWTS” week 3 scores: 9, 9, 9 = 27. Really? It was better than Chynna’s? And J.R.’s? I don’t get the Ricki love. Nope. Sorry.

With the clock winding down, soccer star Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy danced a Cha Cha inspired by Hope’s most memorable year, 2011. Hope chose her team’s song, Enrique Iglesias’ “Tonight”, as their music. She struggled with being sexy during rehearsals, but hoped to master the dance by showtime.

Uh. Their Cha Cha was, uh, awkward. Hope looked oddly uncomfortable. Or maybe stiff is the word. It definitely didn’t look particularly natural. Maybe strained is the word. I don’t know. Just… weird. Carrie Ann called it “very sexy and very hot” but said “I want to take you and work on your walk”. Len found it “a little bit provocative for me” but called “the actual Cha Cha Cha very, very good”. He called it her best dance so far. Bruno said “the sexy minx is out of the cage” and “it’s good to see you embracing your gorgeousness”. Okay, so apparently I know nothing. Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s “Dancing with the Stars” week 3 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24.

Week 2 bottom 2 survivor David Arquette closed out the string of personal story-inspired routines with a Rumba. The actor selected 2010, the year that his marriage to Courteney Cox fell apart and he turned to alcohol, as his most memorable year. He chose “Oh Child” as his music in homage to his daughter Coco. He hoped to be able to “light up the dancefloor” with their routine.

I wanted David to do well with this, especially as the show-closer. And it was a decent effort, but he didn’t knock it out of the park, gosh darn it! Len called it “a mix of motion and emotion” and extended “well dones” to both. Bruno appreciated the “achingly romantic” quality of the dance and called it “wonderful”. Carrie Ann deemed it a “very nice comeback” and appreciated David’s “raw emotion”. David Arquette and Kym Johnson’s “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 3 scores: 8, 8, 8 = 24. Wow, holy score inflation, Batman.

And thus ends the week 3 performance show. I find it amusing that the highest score handed out prior to tonight was a 23, but a whopping 7 couples earned a 24 or better for their personal stories week dances. Go figure! So who gets the boot? I’d guess David, but there’s often a surge of votes for contestants who survive the bottom two. Chaz had the weakest routine of the night, but he has a lot of voter support so he’s likely safe. So I’ll guess Nancy, if only because she had the second-lowest score.

Tune in to the “Dancing with the Stars” 2011 week 3 results show Tuesday at 9 PM on ABC. Or you can just check in with me. You know I’ll be watching.


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