'Dancing With the Stars': Michael Jackson tribute, Natalie Coughlin cut

Note: Your regular recapper, Tamara, is having computer difficulties this week.

Catching up for tonight's "Dancing With the Stars," this appears to be the perfect elimination night to come in on. The wheat has been separated the chaff (and the klutzes from the sequins) and we're going in with the dancers all within eight points of each other.

We start with an update on Kelly Osbourne (my personal fave of the contestants), who hurt her foot during last night's performance. After a trip to the doctor it was determined that she suffered a sprain and a contusion but will be fit to dance again next week ... assuming she doesn't go home tonight.

The judges have Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson repeat their Argentine Tango. On the second night, Donny comes across a little less focused and a little more like he's visibly counting in his head.

Oh, look, Norah Jones is performing. She's still around? Actually, it's been seven years since "Don't Know Why" took me on the like-it-love-it-hate-it-please-stop-playing-it-at-Starbucks roller coaster. So, hi, Norah, good to see you. Like the short hair.

Last night's three top scorers -- Donny, Mark Dacascos and Mya -- all learn that they are safe.

I thought these things were usually padded. This appears to be moving along at a pretty good clip. Of course, we're only a third of the way through.

Wait. I spoke too soon. We're now wasting five minutes on a "Slacker"-style segment where all the contestants walk us through a typical performance days, passing off between each other. Fas-ci-na-ting.

Back to the eliminations. Kelly is safe. Aaron Carter and Joanna Krupa are not.

Joanna's regular partner Derek Hough has left his sick bed to be by her side for the news, but it looks like he just threw a blazer on over the t-shirt he's been sleeping in for the past few days. Still, points for making the effort.

More results. Michael is also safe, while Natalie Coughlin is in jeopardy.

Norah Jones is performing again? What do they think this is? "Saturday Night Live"? Still like the hair though. I'm about due for a new style ... Oh, sorry, just typing out loud there for a minute.

Louie Vito is safe. Melissa Joan Hart is not.

To recap (so to speak), that means either Aaron Carter, Joanna Krupa, Natalie Coughlin or Melissa Joan Hart is going home. Personally, I'm fine with any of them other than Melissa. More than likely because I've watched more than a couple episodes of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." Plus, she was in my favorite teen movie of all time, "Can't Hardly Wait."

It's time for the Michael Jackson Tribute! Finally. Video reel followed by an introduction from Michael's sister LaToya then we get to the dancing.

Eh. It's ok. For some reason the group numbers on "So You Think You Can Dance" always seem more interesting than the "Dancing With the Stars" ones. It feels like "DWTS" relied more on the Jackson songs they choose to pump up the audience than giving killer performances. Two minutes later and I'm thinking about Michael Jackson's signature moves, not about a single thing I just saw. Then again, maybe that's what a tribute is supposed to accomplish.

See for yourself:



In quick order, Melissa is safe (yay!) as is Joanna (sure, fine). The suspense is drawn out a little longer before Natalie Coughlin is eliminated.

She seems sad while Aaron appears momentarily befuddled as to whether they meant to say he was out instead.

Next week: The return of the dreaded double elimination.

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