Dancing With the Stars – Latin night heats up the ballroom

It’s Latin Week (and the halfway point) on Dancing With the Stars, and I was hoping to get a bunch of snarky comments in this week (just to prove to Tara that I can do it!), but dang it if the stars didn’t turn it all out this week … well, most of them at least. But as the show started, I was left with a couple of questions — (1) Why are there so many items of clothing being worn during the couple intros?  It’s Latin Week! (2) Eww, is Gavin’s T-shirt intentionally dirty? Thankfully, these questions were answered throughout the show as many of the men did shed their shirts (or unbuttoned), and Gavin’s shirt was part of his costume of a shipwreck victim. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s recap the dancing, shall we?

Jaleel & Kym, Samba — Urkel is ripped! Seriously, who knew those pecs and that six pack (eight pack?) was lurking beneath those shirts? Definitely his best dance since week one, with good rhythm, hip action and footwork. Jaleel is back (sorry, Tara). Score: 24

Melissa & Maks, Salsa — Wow! Melissa should have head injuries more often! She attacked the dance, but sometimes she still seemed to rely on Maks for direction. I’ll chalk the awkwardness at times to her shortened rehearsal time due to her injuries. But she really let herself go this week and it was probably her best dance so far. Score: 21

Maria & Derek, Salsa — There’s just one word for their salsa — HOT! Loved Derek milking the audience during the kiss (no “did they or didn’t they” this week). But Carrie Ann thought the kiss was a sell out. It had everything a salsa should have, plus the girl is dancing with (a) broken ribs, (b) a fractured foot, and (c) a bruised chin. Judges totally under-scored her. Score: 27

Katherine & Mark, Argentine Tango — These two are in perfect sync, and Katherine had some amazingly difficult leg work that she pulled off without a hitch. There were some great holds as well. The dance had smoldering passion and a hint of anger and danger … simply perfection. I think this is going to require another apology from Len for under-scoring with a 9. Score: 29

Gavin & Karina, Samba — Poor Gavin. He dances like a baby giraffe. No form at all, no sharpness to the footwork, it’s seriously time to send Gavin packing. Even Gavin admitted, “It was more of a struggle than a samba.” He was right in his pre-taped package when he said he was going to have to rely on fan votes this week, because he is at the bottom of the leaderboard. This week, I’ll have to call him the least improved (and that backs up my comments last week that someone got on my case about!). Score: 19

William & Cheryl, Argentine Tango — Smokin’ hot! Anything less and William would have had to turn in his Latin card. The dance was sharp, with precise footwork and some great kicks and flicks and a lot of passion. Carrie Ann called him the Latin dancing James Bond. Score: 29 … really, Len, another nine?!

Gladys & Tristan, Samba — Good on Gladys for giving the crowd her shimmy and shake. Maybe not the most steamy samba ever but she did a good job, and she is nimble on her feet. But will the poor woman ever get a waltz? Score: 22

Rochon & Chelsie, Salsa — Rochon has the moves and it’s amazing that he was in bottom two last week. Maybe his moves were a little too frantic for a sexy salsa, but like Carrie Ann said, it was a Disney kind of sexy. Score: 26

Donald & Peta, Argentine Tango — I’m sorry, but I was underwhelmed by this dance because Peta did all the work. Donald was a good partner with the lifts, but the rest of it was walking while Peta flicked, kicked and flew around Donald. His biggest move was holding her in pose while he spun around back to their starting point. Compare his dancing to William’s and I think you’ll agree with Len’s 8. Score: 27. Carrie Ann definitely over-scored with a ten.

But the pressure is really on this week after Sherri’s shocking elimination last week. William and Katherine are tied at the top of the board with 29, and anyone below them could be in danger. I have to think Gavin is going to be bottom two this week, and I’m reluctant to say Miss Knight will be joining him even though Melissa had a lower score (she’s got to get a boost in votes for coming back after her injuries). Luckily, it will be up to the judges to decide who goes home this week after the first dance-off, and I am sure that Gladys or anyone else can mop up that dance floor with Gavin. Do you agree?  Is it Gavin’s time to go? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!

Clacked by Chuck Duncan
on Apr 16, 2012 @ 23:21 EST5EDT