Opposites Day on 'Dancing with the Stars'

This night is always kind of weird to me. It's Paso Doble/Viennese Waltz time on "Dancing with the Stars," matching one of the potentially most interesting dances with one of the potentially most yawn-inducing. I'm surprised which one was which.

Spoilers!

After nearly losing her voice last week, it seems Samantha Harris is all better and holy crap what is Cheryl wearing? That's a whole lot of pattern, man. Kym's hair is very big tonight, Lil' Kim is mega-unbeweavable, and Steve-O is dressed like a mime minus the facepaint. Awesome.

1. Chuck Wicks & Julianne
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"Feels Like Today" by Rascal Flatts
Based on last week's comments from the judges, they worked extra hard and pushing Chuck to the next level and putting some emotion in everything. Well, he's certainly performing bigger than he ever has. During the more complicated footwork patterns it seemed like he was concentrating very hard. Overall it was good - the footwork wasn't perfect but he did have much more oomph. There was a cool bit where we swept Julianne accross the floor in a circle by one arm but that might have been a lift.
Judges: When Len congratulates Chuck on the higher performance level (he does a "slap-n-ride" dance of celebration) but the finesse and footwork lacked a bit. Bruno says he's emerging from Julianne's shadow and gives the tip to mantain his confidence the whole number. It didn't really work for Carrie Ann who expressed frustration at him not quite being at the level he should be. Plus she mentioned the quasi-lift.
Score: 23 (7-8-8)

2. Lawrence Taylor & Edyta
Dance/Song: Paso Doble/A delightfully appropriate instrumental piece (I want to say it's from the "Desperado")
Like last week's Tango, LT's having some issues connecting with the Paso so Edyta tells him to be more aggressive, the rest will follow. Considering his pro career, I don't think channeling aggression will be a problem. I like Edyta's outfit...shiny. The number was solid - he had the right intensity but it took awhile for the technique to click. The problem with LT is that he's not as body aware as he should be so he doesn't connect all his movements causing him to appear stiff at best, clompy at worst.
Judges: Bruno was disappointed by the lack of consistency and wants him to work on it. Carrie Ann says he has a limited range of motion in comparison to most of the other contestants but works well within that box. She also compliments him for dancing so well to a difficult piece of music. Len, who agrees with Carrie Ann about the limited motion, liked the intensity (which they all dug) and thought it was his best dance so far.
Score: 20 (6-7-7)

3. Shawn Johnson & Mark
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"Ordinary Day" by Vanessa Carlton
Shawn kind of looks like a Barbie tonight. I dig it. It was a very sweet, airy number. Her technique was very good and the choreography was creative. There was a moment I was afriad they were going to accidentally do a lift but Shawn controlled her legs fantastically. Hopefully Carrie Ann won't tweak about the end move where Mark sweeps her up and carries her off-camera.
Judges: Carrie Ann thought it was beautifully simplistic and let that end lift go based on artistic merit and placement. Whew. Len appreciated that it was romantic but noted she wasn't leading with her heel in the footwork. Bruno said she was "pretty as a picture" and gives the tip to keep her shoulders down.
Score: 26 (9-8-9)

4. Melissa Rycroft & Tony
Dance/Song: Paso Doble/"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga - Really?
Considering her ballet background and how smiley she is, I'm not sure if she'll be able to conquer this one. The choreography is good but Melissa's movements are lacking some gravity for me. Like they're too big for her body and she can't control them. Does that make sense? The technique overall was solid as usual, she just didn't own it. Maybe it's because of the less than stellar song...
Judges: Len appreciated the choreography but it wasn't aggressive enough for his tastes, Bruno thought she was stunning despite a few mistakes throwing her off a little, and Carrie Ann agrees that she was a bit off-balance which messed her up but likes that she's attempting difficult choreography.
Score: 25 (8-8-9)

5. David Allen Grier & Kym
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"I Put A Spell On You" by Nina Simone
David's concentration level in rehearsal is impressive. I liked the sexy vibe Kym put in the choreography. When it was over I was a little disappointed - I wanted to see more. It held my attention for sure. DAG's technique was mostly good, there were a few moments where it dipped a bit but I wouldn't score it less than Chuck's number for sure.
Judges: Bruno liked the more traditional parts of the choreography, the more progressive bits didn't work for him. Carrie Ann says to work on their connection because she's not able to get lost in their performance (she also says he's got great lines). Len loved the story and thought it was very good execution of a difficult dance.
Score: 22 (7-8-7)

6. Gilles Marini & Cheryl
Dance/Song: Paso Doble/A modified "Habanera" from "Carmen"
For those of you who miss Dmityy, Gilles was nice enough to start this number shirtless. It was a good number but I felt that he needed a little more gravity at times. Or something. I was getting more Flamenco than Bullfighter. But really, it was very good.
Judges: Carrie Ann thought it was breathtaking and loves that they bring the heart and soul to life. Len liked the strength and passion but found it hectic at times. Bruno says they nailed it.
Score: 29 (10-9-10)

7. Steve-O & Lacey
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/A pretty French song
The theme is Steve as a mime trying to cheer up a sad Lacey. The last half was stronger than the first but I thought it was very pretty in spite of the technique deficiencies. The posture was a big problem. But that last part really clicked
Judges: Len thought it was his best dance so far. Bruno thought the Marcel Marceau influence really worked and his timing was on tonight. Carrie Ann appreciated the innocent quality of the number and advises to work on his posture.
Score: 18 (all 6's)

8. Ty Murray & Chelsie
Dance/Song: Paso Doble/"Barracuda" by Heart
Ty's timing was good this week, he didn't get off-beat much. Sadly, there was a mechanical quality to his movements most of the time. He started and ended with great intensity but there was a small dip in the middle. It wasn't horrible, he had the steps down, it just wasn't as strong as it could've been. Like LT, he's really got to work on his body awareness and start connecting all his moves.
Judges: Bruno agrees with me that the steps were there but he was too stiff. Carrie Ann thinks he was concentrating too hard and he should let go like last week. Len didn't think it was as bad as Week 1 but it wasn't good as the last two week.
Score: 21 (all 7's)

9. Lil' Kim & Derek
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"I'll Be" by Edwin McCain
One thing I love about Lil' Kim is that you never question her focus or character on a dance. She's always spot on. Her lines were great as usual, there was a sweetness to the routine, and the technique was there. Great job.
Judges: Carrie Ann was beaming and loved how they finish and compliment each other's movements. Len dug the musicality but it lacked some Waltz content for him. Bruno thought she made it look sassy and agrees that she and Derek match well.
Score: 26 (9-8-9)

Overall Thoughts: I'm normally not a Viennese Waltz fan as I find it to be bland and boring often but I was impressed tonight. In fact, overall I enjoyed the Waltzes more than the Pasos. Crazy.
Bottom Two: Hmm...LT, Steve-O, David, and Ty are all contenders but I think it'll be LT and Steve-O.
Who's Out: It's a toss-up but I think it just might be LT.



Were you surprised by the overall lackluster Pasos? Think anyone was over/under scored? Any other thoughts?