Short post tonight.  The kid competition was very cool.  The Bryan Setzer Orchestra performing a 20+ yr old song was OK.  The dance thing was ok. More fake posturing from the stars about who is gonna win, etc.

As usual, I was shocked when Cloris & Corky was one of the first couples declared Safe.  At least they don’t draw out the eliminations as much as they used to, and by the end of the hour, we found Toni Braxton and Alec Mazo, and Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani in the bottom 2.  Toni was eliminated, and probably rightfully so, but I still can’t see her going before Cloris!

Next week, they do a group dance, along with another dance. So we’ll see how they can manage with the new pressure.

Everyone went into week 4 with the knowledge that their scores from the previous week would be combined with this week’s scores.  With Misty & Max being unexpectedly removed from competition, it was anyone’s guess who would go this week.  The dances this week, the Tango and the Samba, were so different from star to star!

I also watched Julianne & Cody Linley on Ellen this week and Julianne confided that she thought their biggest competition is probably between them and her brother Derek (& Brooke).  I tend to agree.

As I predict every week, I think Cloris & Corky are to go home this week – however, I’ve been wrong 4 times so far! 

On the results show, the judges requested that Lance & Lacey re-do their tango, and then we were subjected to Flamenco dancers, who even felt it would make their dancing better to remove their shirts.  Whatever.  The ballroom kids competition began again this week, and it’s just too cute to see these 10 & 11 yr olds dancing somewhat better than those of the adults that started the show LOL

Also, because we obviously haven’t had ENOUGH election ads, the stars all ran their own ads exposing the “dirt” on their other rivals.  They were very funny, though -  much more fun to watch than McCain/Obama!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwVG6T81Zfc&hl=en&fs=1]

Finally, the results!  Rocco & Cloris in the bottom 2 – and inexplicably, Rocco goes home.  Well, maybe not inexplicably, but still – really? 

Anyway, Rocco & Karina were voted off, and now we’re down to 8.

Next week, they are introducing FOUR brand new dances to the competition!

Jitterbug
Salsa
West Coast Swing
The Hustle

I can’t wait to see how that turns out!

Tonight, in honor of Misty’s departure, her partner, Max, danced the Jive he was supposed to do with Misty.  He danced with Edyta Sliwinska and it was (obviously) SO good – they’re awesome   Max looked like such a dork, so that was fun to watch.

\With the first wave of people who were going on to the next week, incredibly, was Cloris & Corky.  Another gawking at the screen by me, too.

Kool & The Gang performed and then the stars talked about their experiences & strengths and what they bring to the dance floor.

Next, we had the Rockettes – no idea why, really, except that they have to fill the hour. LOL  Then, Jennifer Hudson performed while brother & sister Derek & Julianne danced – which is a treat because they’re both so very talented.

Then we heard from some of the “best” choreographers talking about the choreographers on the show and their favorites.

Again – filling an hour.

Surprisingly, they announced that no one would be eliminated this week, due to Misty & Max having to leave. However, their votes from this week will be added up and added to next week’s scores.  In the end, the lowest scoring couple was Rocco & Karina – and would have gone home.  Big mountain to climb for them next week.

Well, this was an interesting week!  With such a difference between styles – the jive and the Viennese Waltz.

First up, Susan Lucci & Tony Dovolani.  They did the Jive and Susan was pretty stiff and looked a bit unsure of herself.  She kept looking at her feet, and Carrie Ann even noticed. Turned out, Susan had rolled her ankle during rehearsal, so that explained it somewhat.  They scored 7 – 7 – 7.

Next up came Lance Bass & Lacy Schwimmer doing the Viennese Waltz.  They looked nice, and stayed with the traditional waltz, instead of hip-hopping it up like they have in weeks past. The judges were mostly impressed, and they scored 8 – 7 – 7.

Maurice Green & Cheryl Burke did the Jive, which would seem to be a perfect dance for Maurice, a former Olympic champ.  They certainly did move! I think I’m just expecting too much, because I thought it was kind of subdued, but the judges loved it.  They scored 8 – 8 – 8.

Chef Rocco Dispirito & Karina Smirnoff did the Viennese Waltz.   There was a point where it was obvious that Karina or Rocco screwed up but no one else seemed to noticed.  7 – 7 – 6. (Bruno wasn’t thrilled with them at all LOL)

Former football player Warren Sapp & Kym Johnson danced the Waltz as well and he moved so much smoother than Rocco did, and he probably is at least 6” taller than him.  They did a really nice job!   The judges loved them too.  The scores showed it, too.  9 – 8 – 8.

Cody Linley & Julianne Hough did the Jive and did a really good job.  Fast feet and lots of energy – it was fun to watch.  The judges weren’t so thrilled.  They did have a lot of repetition, and that was their biggest complaint.  They scored 7 – 7 – 7.

[At this point, I have to mention – Samantha Harris, who had a baby at the beginning of last season, is looking downright anorexic.]

Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo did the waltz… with her dressed as ummm Marie Antoinette?  Scary, really.   The music was horrid, truly.  There wasn’t much of a waltz.  Lot of spins, lot of posing – not so much waltzing. Len & Bruno didn’t like it – Carrie liked it.  8 – 7 – 7.

Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas were up next with their Jive … I’ll say, the practice footage was bizarre LOL  Their dance was fu to watch – even when her wig fell off LOL  Seriously, though – this lady got a work out. LOL   Not surprisingly, they didn’t score too well.  6 – 5 – 5 (and that was a mercy score, I think)

Brooke Burke & Derek Hough were last and did the Viennese Waltz as well.  As usual, they danced beautifully – they work really well together.  The judges just LOVED them as well. 9- 10 – 9.  LEN gave them a 10. Amazing LOL

Throughout the show, Tom Bergeron kept teasing with news about Misty-Mae Traenor – apparently, she was injured during a practice, she hobbled out on crutches and they showed the tape – what a horrible sound.  She’d torn her Achilles tendon and so she & Max Chermikovski are done for the season.  IMO, it’s just as well because she just wasn’t made for dancing.

This week, I’ll AGAIN take a guess and say Cloris is going home – but she seems to have some sort of hold on this show – so if not her, perhaps Rocco & Karina.

Uuuuummmmmm – wtf?  In another stunning jaw-dropper of result nights, ala Sabrina & Mark’s outster from Season 5, Mark and his partner of this season, Kim Kardashian, were booted in last night’s results show.  People, People, People!  How can you seriously think that Cloris Leachman deserves to stay longer than last season’s WINNER?

I am left wondering who the hell votes at all.  I admit to not voting this week but I somehow doubt that Cloris & Corky won by just 7 or 9 votes.  Seriously?

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwS47g3Eip0&hl=en&fs=1]

With just 4 days to practice their new dance routines, this week promised to be quite challenging for everyone.  The costumes were a bit disturbing, and of course, barely there, and the dances – the rumba and the paso doble’ – wow.

Toni Braxton & Alec Mazo started the show off with a rumba that left the judge’s jaws on the floor.  They really moved well together, very expressive dance. Problem for them was they did a lift – it was barely there, but of course, Carrie Ann noticed and deducted a point from them.  Otherwise, great job and they scored 7 –8 – 8.

Next was Brooke Burke & Derek Hough.  They danced the paso doble’ with an awesome amount of tension and drama.  Although I’ve seen more expressive paso dobles on this show, they did a good job and looked great.  I thought Brooke was going to have a wardrobe malfunction, though! LOL They scored 8 – 8 – 8.

Rocco DiSpirito & Karina Smirnoff danced the rumba.  Rocco showed up on stage wearing a chef’s apron LOL  That was probably the best part of the dance.  All he did was pose.  He looked like the hulk, stalking her LOL  They scored 5 – 6- 5.

Lance Bass & Lacey Schwimmer danced the paso doble’ and went with what they called a “non-traditional” style.  It was ummm… different LOL  Len haaaaated it LOL  The other 2 liked it a bit better but in the end, they only scored 7 – 6 – 7.

Kim Kardashian & Mark Ballas danced the rumba – with her wrapped in a sheet or something LOL  The dancing it self was nice – the whole *posing* thing that they have to do in the rumba… it just does NOT translate well – guys or gals.  The judges really didn’t like it, though – all 3 told her how she was distant -there’s really not a whole lot of connection between her & Mark.  They scored 6 – 6 – 5.

Misty-Mae Traynor & Max both danced like serious leather club rejects – geez. LOL  They weren’t very coordinated – there was absolutely NO chemistry.  Misty looked scared TO DEATH.   Len even commented about it, although they all seemed to enjoy it more than me.  Tom Bergeron mentioned, as Misty & Max were going back stage “I liked it better when Mel B did it” LOL  They scored 7 – 7 – 7.

Maurice Greene & Cheryl Burke danced the rumba… sorta. Again with the posing while the pro did all the dancing. Ugh.  The judges felt like he clunky – I’d agree.  They scored 7 – 6 – 6.

Cloris Leachman & Corky Ballas (I’m sorry – but who names their child Corky? Seriously.)  They danced the paso doble and actually did a pretty good job – except for some weirdness at the end.  Sorry, but the granny shoes just doesn’t work, Cloris LOL  Also, Corky dragging her around.  The judges were mixed. LOL   I really thought they did better than their scores of 5 – 5 – 5.

Susan Lucci & Toni Dovolani danced the rumba and it was good, very pretty – not quite so much posing – and damn, that woman still has a beautiful body LOL   They scored 7 – 7 – 7.

Warren Sapp & Kym Johnston did the paso doble and did it up. LOL  The judges just loved it too.  The costumes were just WEIRD – looked like something out of the Matrix – but they kicked butt.  It’s amazing how fast that boy can MOVE.  They scored 8 – 8- 8.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igVWL2ssBzg&hl=en&fs=1]

Finally, Cody Linley & Julianna Hough danced the rumba too.  As Carrie Ann said, it was very age-appropriate for the 18 yr old Cody and I thought it was really nice.  They also scored 7 – 7 – 7.

I renew my previous prediction – Cloris Leachman is out this week. I hope LOL

Unexpectedly, this new season of DWTS has already produced some obvious talent, as well as some obvious NONtalent.  I think it’s funny to see the women who are in their 40s or 50s and move like stick figures – they simply do not know how to move their hips?  How is that possible?  Susan Lucci danced just the same as last season’s first few eliminated celebs, Monica Seles, Priscilla Presley & Shannon Elizabeth.  They all had the same problems.  Luckily, Susan’s found her hips and hopefully, will loosen up!

To be honest, I can’t believe people voted to keep Cloris Leachman.  Perhaps it’s out of some sense of respect for her age, but seriously?  Ted McGinley deserved to stay – Cloris? Not so much.

Comedian Jeffrey Ross being voted off was definately deserved, but it’ll be a shame to not have Edyta around all season (other than for group stuff).

A happy surprise this season is Brooke Burke – she can MOVE.  So can Rocco DiSpirito!  There is seemingly a lot more talent in this first week than I’ve seen in years past.  It looks to be an exciting season.

My prediction for next week’s elimination:  Cloris Leachman.