'Dancing with the Stars': Joanna Krupa, Mya, & Kelly Osbourne shine on second night

Ladies' night on "Dancing with the Stars" brings just as many surprises as the premiere. Some dazzle with potential, others need way more polish.

After a recap of last night, tonight starts with the pro ladies dancing to "She's A Lady" a la Tom Jones. It's Cha Cha-ish in flavor but really is just full of hotness. I find it really interesting that Chelsea and Lacey both danced barefoot. They also had the most technically dazzling solos - lots of spins and splits. It wasn't as full of content as the guys soli but...well, it really didn't have to be.

As was the case yesterday, hosts Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris introduce all the couples as they come down the Dreaded Stairs of Doom. Only the female celebs are performing so we'll finally get a clear picture of the competition as a whole.

1. Debi Mazar & Maksim Chrmerkovskiy
Dance/Song: Salsa/An appropriate Latin song
I've always liked Debi. It's hilarious because she talks a lot in rehearsal which drives Maks crazy. She has a natural sass that translates to the dance floor well. She looked a bit flustered at times, but it was fleeting. The technique is inconsistent but she has potential. Her legs are nice but her feet can be flat and she doesn't always follow through with her lines but there were some nice moments in there. I suspect she'll be better in the Ballroom relay.
Judges: Len noted that her hips weren't going but there was a lot of energy and she has potential. Bruno also thinks she has promise. Before her opening critique, Carrie Ann wanted to make the point that it's harder for the female contestants to shine since they're being judged against professional ladies. That being said, C to the A thought it was a nice start but she could see all her thoughts on her face. Also, Maks pinched Tom's behind before leaving the floor.
Score: 16 (6-5-5)

2. Melissa Joan Hart & Mark Ballas
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"Time of My Life" a la David Cook
It's so cute that Mark wears a suit when he meets his partners. One of Melissa's goals is to show people she's all grown up and can be elegant and womanly. She definitely was elegant. The lines of her shoulders and arms could use a little more work - at times they were lovely, sometimes a little short. I couldn't see her feet but she moved across the floor well. It was a very good start though and she gets a standing ovation as proof.
Judges: Bruno called it "prim, proper, and adequate" but it lacked "magic." Carrie Ann saw there were some great moments but notes she needs to connect to the music more. Len hated the sweet opening but thought she was good in hold.
Score: 18 (all 6's)

3. Mya & Dmitry Chaplin
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"Vision of Love" a la Mariah Carey
Mya entered rehearsal week fairly confident but quickly realized it was going to be way harder than she thought. Her arms are lovely and she completely surrendered to the character of the dance. Her turns were graceful, her face always looked serene...nothing but hearts and puppies, really. Dmitry's got himself a live one this season. The best performance so far tonight, easily.
Judges: Carrie Ann called it "gorgeous." Len didn't like that it at all because it wasn't a true Viennese Waltz. He barely got his explanation out before Bruno jumped down his throat. Bruno loved it and got the crowd all riled up. He did say she's a fantastic dancer and that Dmitry let her down by not doing a true Waltz. Poor Mya. She didn't know what to do.
Score: 21 (8-5-8)

4. Kathy Ireland & Toni Dovolani
Dance/Song: Salsa/Another appropriate Latin song
Kathy is not particularly coordinated and is having trouble hearing the beats. Troublesome. She was much better than I thought she was going to be. Is she a bit stiff? Absolutely. But she had good choreography to work with and some cute moments. She carries herself very well though so she'll probably do much better at Ballroom.
Judges: Len thinks she has potential but it lacked energy and was too careful. Bruno thought it looked like she was dancing on eggshells. Carrie Ann says she has great posture but she needs to work on loosening up.
Score: 16 (6-5-5)

5. Natalie Coughlin & Alec Mazo
Dance/Song: Salsa/"1 + 1 = 2" a la Lou Bega
Natalie's big rehearsal week hurdle is that she makes angry concentration faces. On the plus side, I'm sure she's very flexible. She's the first lady with consistent hip action so bonus points on that. She has a lot of potential and Alec threw a lot of really good special moves/tricks in there. She's a front-runner for sure.
Judges: Bruno thinks she could go far but gives the tip not to freeze in the middle. Carrie Ann loved the performance and calls her a "diamond in the rough." Len didn't dig it and thought it was plain. What's up with him tonight? He's mega-cranky.
Score: 19 (7-6-6)

6. Macy Gray & Jonathan Roberts
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman)" a la Aretha Franklin
Macy is as much as an eccentric hippie as you think. They had to train during her European tour. Okay, I've got to give it to her. She was way better than I thought she'd be. She has technique issues but she has such a distinct charm to make up for it. Jonathan truly is the Dance Whisperer.
Judges: Carrie Ann called it "beautiful in its own bizarre way." Len agrees that she has a vulnerable charm and would vote for her. Bruno called it endearing and likened it to a child taking it's first steps into the real world. During the Samantha Interview, she said something that got bleeped and everyone was cracking up.
Score: 15 (6-4-5)

7. Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough
Dance/Song: Salsa/"Meddle" a la Little Boots
During the rehearsal package, Joanna admitted she took some dance lessons as a kid but couldn't continue due to financial restraints. Aha. She's moves much better than I expected but will she be any good? Actually, yes. It seems like she's moving her hips really well but the fringe pants are kind of a cheat. There are a few weird parts - she's randomly stiff or she's off balance or something else that's off. That being said, she could do very well in the competition provided she's likable in the long run.
Judges: Len is happy because it's finally a "hot, smoking Salsa." Bruno said the choreography made the best of his partner. Carrie Ann agrees and thinks she could go far.
Score: 24 (all 8's)

8. Kelly Osbourne & Louis Van Amstel
Dance/Song: Viennese Waltz/"Trouble" a la Ray LaMontagne
Kelly is another one of the contestants I've always liked. I just want to hug and have curse word filled conversations with her. It was a very lovely dance. Her arms and lines were great, she floated across the floor, and her smile lit up the room. She got a standing ovation while her mom cried in the audience. She went over and hugged her dad afterward. Adorable! I want to squeeze them all. If she can move her hips well, Kelly could be a serious contender.
Judges: Bruno said she had "impeccable style." Carrie Ann thought it was great but, in true Carrie Ann style, got all Lift Police on her (Kelly says she tried really hard to keep her foot down). Len called it "the best Viennese Waltz of the night."
Score: 23 (7-8-8)

The relays return tonight and work in the same way as last night - two groups of four couples who get ranked by the judges and receive 10 points for 1st down to 4 points for last place.

Foxtrot Relay
Song: "The Best Is Yet To Come" a la Frank Sinatra
Natalie & Alec kick it off. Her frame is nice but there's a little weirdness with her shoulders. Her legs looked great though. Kathy is much better here than with the Salsa and had more personality. Tony delivered on the choreography. Joanna's shoulders were a bit weird too, which Derek was trying to work on in rehearsal. Debi looked like she was having fun. Everyone did either very well or better than the first number so hazzah for improvement.
Judges: Carrie Ann was surprised by Joanna being elegant and hot, thought Kathy looked as if she "was going to the Oscars," and enjoyed Natalie and Debi giving the latter the tip to relax a bit more and let Maks lead. Len thought Natalie had lovely extension, wanted Kathy to move a little more but thought she looked lovely, and loved that Debi & Maks were in hold pretty much the whole time. Bruno thought Natalie was more relaxed, Kathy was still a little careful, Joanna was still hot, and gives the tip to Debi to control her energy.
Score: 4th: Kathy & Tony, 3rd: Debi & Maks, 2nd: Natalie & Alec, and 1st: Joanna & Derek

Cha Cha Relay
Song: "Angel Is The Centerfold" a la J Geils Band
Macy & Jonathon start it. It was...yeah, not so much. Melissa & Mark are next. I like her costume. She was good overall but could use a little more motor in her hips. Mya & Dmitry were working it. They're going to be fire as the show goes on. Kelly & Louie bat clean-up. She has really good legs and lines. A little more hip would really put her over the top but that will come in time.
Judges: Len thinks Macy's busy schedule caught up with her, Melissa kicked up the performance level, applauded Mya & Dmitry's content, and said Kelly produced two first class dances. Bruno felt Macy's timing improved, Melissa looked like she was having fun, was over the moon for Mya's footwork, and find Kelly to be unbelievable. Carrie Ann thinks Macy needed to capture the essence better, thought Melissa came out of her shell, Mya was really good but gave the note to make sure her kicks are always shard, and complimented Kelly's legs.
Score: 4th: Macy & Jonathan, 3rd: Melissa & Mark, 2nd: Kelly & Louis, and 1st: Mya & Dmitry

Overall Thoughts: It'll be a very interesting competition this year since so many more celebs really have a shot to excel. Clearly Kathy and Macy were at the bottom of the pack tonight - which I was expecting. I also expected Natalie to do well because female athletes generally do. Joanna was a total surprise but I question if people will find her more likable than say Kelly. Speaking of Kelly, I'm really glad she and Mya did so well because I have a preexisting bias. Debi and Melissa can really excel since they have the perfect partners. Kelly and Mya for sure are front runners as is Joanna, again assuming the audience connects to her. Oh, and clap it up for all the Latin songs actually being appropriate for a change.
Who's Out: Elimination night will axe one male and one female celeb. It's clearly between Ashley Hamilton and Tom Delay and Macy and Kathy. My gut says Tom and Kathy but my gut's been wrong before.
 
Now that we've seen everybody, what do you think? Who are your front runners? Think you know who'll be eliminated? And what was up with Len tonight? Anything thing else you want to add?

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