Holly Madison & Dmitry Chaplin – Quickstep – Holly stated in her pre-dance interview that she wanted to be the most improved this week, and I will say, she was better this week – but she seemed to be running along, trying to keep up.  (also, She’s got this nervous laugh that’s highly annoying!)  Bruno & Carrie Ann agreed that she seemed like she was being dragged along.  They scored 6/6/6. 18 + 18=36

David Alan Grier & Kym Johnson – Salsa – David specifically asked Kym to put him through more difficult moves. However, it really did not translate to the dance floor.  As Len said, it was all Kym.  Of course, doing the salsa so early in the season is hard for all of them because of the foot work and hip action, so their score of 6/5/6 was rather expected.  Bruno was pretty harsh, though, perhaps because he didn’t like David’s impersonation of him, but nonetheless, harsh.  17 + 19=36

Denise Richards & Maksim Chmerkovskiy – Quickstep – Denise definitely loosened up this week and the two were much improved, just in the way they worked and moved together.   They scored 7/7/7.  21+18=39

Belinda Carlisle & Jonathan Roberts – Salsa – Belinda also seemed to open up and let go this week also some parts seemed to be in slow motion.  Also, why would you want to end a dance with a woman (of any age)  doing a handstand?   Why, Jonathan, Why? LOL   They scored 6/6/6  18  +17=35

Ty Murray & Chesie Hightower – Quickstep – Big improvement for them as well.  Ty didn’t look nearly as terrified as he had last week LOL  Their score reflected that, as well – 7/6/7.  20+14=34

Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas – Salsa – with her gymnastics background, it was difficult for Shawn to use her hips, and in the Latin dances, it’s essential.    She did pretty well, though.  The judges loved her, and they scored 8/8/8.  24+23=47

Chuck Hicks & Julianne Hough – Salsa – you would think that with Julianne as his partner, he’d be a shoe-in for this competition, but this week’s salsa sizzled out for him.  The judges complained that it was all Julianne – but seeing as Julianne is the choreographer, shouldn’t SHE be the one taking the criticism?  just sayin.   Their scores weren’t too bad, though. 6/7/6. 20+20=40

Steve-O & Lacey Schwimmer – Steve-O was injured during rehearsals, so he was unable to dance tonight.  The judges will base their scores based on his performance in dress rehearsal (when he was injured).  They danced the salsa… I even cringed when he fell on his mic pack.  Len didn’t enjoy it, and said there was no salsa in the dance.  The dance was very strange and eclectic, and the judges really did not like it.  They scored  5/4/5.  14+17=31

Melissa Rycroft & Tony Dovolani – Salsa – just wow.  It was like watching an instructional video on the salsa.  Even I, a layperson, knew that this was exactly what a salsa should be.  They rocked the judges and the audience.  They scored 9/8/9  26 +23=49 – In week 2!

Lawrence Taylor & Edyta Slywinska – Quickstep – They did good this week.  Despite his size, he was able to move across the floor QUICKLY (hmm… seems coincidental).  THey scored 7/6/7  20+16=36

Steve Wozniak & Karina Schmirnoff – Quickstep – another injured dancer!, Steve dressed & resembled Jerry Lewis this week.   I thought he moved pretty well, considering he’s got a fracture in his foot!  They scored 6/5/6.  17+13=30

Lil Kim & Derek Hough – Quickstep – She danced with her mouth open the whole time, and it was just bizarre LOL  The dance itself was pretty good.  Len was the only one who didn’t like it, Bruno & Carrie Ann were very complimentary.  They scored 8/7/8. 23+21=44

Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke – Quickstep – I think that despite the fact that Cheryl comes off as being a bitchy teacher, she must be pretty good because their quickstep was really good – clean, quick.  They scored  9/9/9!27+24=51.

As for voting, this week my votes were split between David Alan Grier, Melissa Rycroft and Shawn Johnson. 

A new twist this season for the bottom two couples.  They will now be required to compete against each other in a dance-oiff.    Their prior scores will be thrown out and only the votes + the judges new scores will count.  This will happen tomorrow night during the elimination show.  I’m not sure how I feel about this, and will wait and see what happens.   I DO estimate that those bottom two will be Steve-O and Steve W.

[As a sidenote, I think it’s pathetic when they show the bottom two and Karina’s there, rolling her eyes.  Grow up!]