DWTS - S9 Week 6

Don't know who decided to pair Waltz and Jitterbug on the same episode, but it definitely makes for an odd combination of costumes in the lineup. Gotta say that they put together some pretty cute-looking ones for Jitterbug, including a one that features not only our old friends Kym's Boobs but Kym's Abs as well. One odd costuming choice is definitely the massive high collar on Aaron's shirt.

Hugely looking forward to the "Group Marathon" event at the end of the episode. Our good buddy Maks explains why it's an important addition to the show, since it's the closest DWTS has ever gotten to an actual (or, as Len would say, "proper") ballroom competition format.


Mya & Dmitry: Their nickname: Team D-Mya. She's enjoying dancing more. This is the most physically demanding dance they've done. Jitterbug. A long, but cute intro. Great bounce and energy to it, nice expression. A couple of good lifts, but just not explosive enough. 8.5/10.0

Melissa & Mark Time to step up and be serious. The slow speed proving a challenge. In comes Mark's mom Shirley Ballas to coach: "Puppies up," says Shirley to Melissa, echoing Anna T last week. Waltz. Starts hesitant and unsure, posture good for about 3/4, good frame. Not enough swing in legs or sway in body, balance off. 7.0/10.0

Looking at Mark's short hair on the floor and long near-fro in the video, I wonder out loud if Shirley told her son to cut it. Tom: "Later on, I'll be telling you how you can bid on Mark's hair from last week." Great minds.

Mark & Lacey: To make him stand out, she's giving him all the tricks. They go to a Swing club dance for inspiration. Jitterbug. Nice intro and loads of solo work for him. Massive energy, huge tricks, he's really throwing himself into it. Bouncy and happy, a couple of missed connections. 9.0/10.0

Aaron & Karina: He brings flowers and wears a suit to prove his serious commitment to work hard. Waltz. Awesome frame and posture. Very controlled and nicely musical. Good footwork and excellent driving leg action on long steps. Should have realized he's built like a Smooth dancer, it suits him well. 9.0/10.0

There are Jacksons once again in the audience, along with some Osmonds. Len is enjoying showing his "9" paddle to the crowd to get some applause.

Michael & Anna D: On his sports talk radio show, he thanks his fans. They're working to finish strong. Waltz. Nice posture, good frame, very solid footwork. Some good expression and definitely a good feel for the music. The content not especially difficult, but well executed. 7.5/10.0

In the audience: Julianne Hough. Len, it seems, is in a particularly good mood.

Kelly & Louis: She fears failing and is worried she's not good enough. He makes her swing from a trapeze to feel just jumping in, and suddenly there's much more Osbournes-style bleeped cursing. Jitterbug. Manages some good bounce and energy on injured foot. Cute, but flat and contained. She's having fun. 7.0/10.0

Video package: double elimination tomorrow night and knockout dances. For the dance-off, the couples are picking their own dances and music for 30 second routines. Only the judges will decide who's eliminated in the dance-off.

Louie & Chelsie: Feeling the pressure of three dances, really beating up on himself physically. She uses his snowboard videos to teach him. Jitterbug. Lots of energy and good tricks, but clumpy feet and no control and off time. He drops her coming out of tricks twice. A nice try. 6.5/10.0

Tom: "Women fall for Maks all the time-- he told me so himself."

Joanna & Derek: Total change with the slow time and feeling of the dance. Time for Derek's frustration to start showing. Waltz. Gorgeous flow and sway, excellent smoothness and lightness. Great footwork and posture, solid frame and very nice follow. Terrific layback spin, really impressive. 9.0/10.0

Donny & Kym: Starting with a clean slate. They're doing some crazy pretzel moves, and he's finding the lifts and tricks taxing. They do a dance class for challenged kids. Jitterbug. Packed full of tricks and choreography. Awesome fun and energy, great expression. A little frantic on timing, maybe. 9.0/10.0

Okay, time for the Group Marathon event, our dance being Mambo. A video package outlines the different skills that this will test: technique (they will still have to dance properly and well), endurance (the music will play until there's a winner, up to four minutes) and floorcraft (the ability to avoid problems with other couples on the floor as well as get the judges' attention). Each couple has different ideas for strategy and have different challenges. All couples will take the floor, dancing until the judges indicate their elimination (with a stagehand doing the actual tap on the shoulder). The order of elimination determines their score. The couples walk out, all of them color coded to one another except Aaron & Karina for some reason. There are also helpful spotlights to give them their starting spaces.

Their elimination order: Michael & Anna D (2 points)... Louie & Chelsie (3)... Melissa & Mark (4)... Kelly & Louis (5)... Mark & Lacey (6)... Donny & Kym (7)... Aaron & Karina (8)... Mya & Dmitry (9)

Joanna & Derek win, taking 10 points. He puts her in a neck drop and bounces her about ten time before bringing her up. I would have been very upset if Mya took it, as she and Dmitry fell off correct Mambo rhythm.

Results show. The scores feature their fifth different leader in five weeks. Clips now feature the RED VIDEO OVERLAY FILTER OF DOOOOOOOOOOM. They're not wasting time with this episode, as there'll be three musical performances.

Musical guest: Taylor Swift, "Jump Then Fall". I gotta notice her band is a little emo'y looking, oddly. On the floor are Theater Arts couple DJ Guthrie and Kersten Todey (Guthrie, who also choreographed, is Lacey's boyfriend).

Several couples are wearing the most brightly-colored costumes ever to be seen on DWTS.

Safe: Joanna & Derek, Mark & Lacey.

In the audience: From Eastwick, 2 of the 3 witches and Sara Rue. Rebecca Romijin decides to display all eight feet of her legs. I'm noticing they're getting very creative with the light patterns on the floor this season.

Video: the competitors' fear of the double elimination. Tom: "They pulled out all the scary music for that."

Safe: Donny & Kym, Aaron & Karina.

Musical guest: Tiempo Libre, "Tu Conga Bach". Seven guys from Cuba whose story is apparently being adapted into a musical. Two couples doing some very good showy Salsa.

Video: The celebrities are designing the costumes for their partners next week.

Safe: Mya & Dmitry, Kelly & Louis. The bottom three in the RED LIGHT OF DOOOOOOOOOM: Louie & Chelsie, Michael & Anna D, Melissa & Mark.

Musical guest: Taylor Swift, "Love Story". Is it just me or are her vocals a bit lower-pitched than the recording? Three couples dance, Jonathan & Anna T, Tony & Cheryl, Maks & Edyta. They're wearing sort-of period costumes with the girls in awesome flowy skirts and Ren Faire-ish bodices, guys in more Edwardian ruffled shirts and vests. Anna T looks gorgeous in emerald, and Edyta looks way better than usual, probably because she had no say in the costume. Jonathan choreographed.

Video: Three athletic champions describe competition. Nadia Comaneci, Greg Louganis and Bill Walton.

Eliminated (Lowest Score): Melissa Joan Hart & Mark Ballas. She was very nervous, they get a standing ovation. Her family was going to visit next week, so now she's coming home.

Dance-Off. They start with both couples in a big RED SPOTLIGHT OF DOOOOOOOOOOM on the floor. Michael & Anna D choose Samba. Lots of hips, but just not correct, loose and fun. Louie & Chelsie (or rather, Louie) picks Jive (because it's fun). Off time and he loses his steps at the halfway point.

Bruno elects to save Louie, Len picks Michael and Carrie Anne does, too.

Eliminated (Dance Off): Louie Vito & Chelise Hightower. He does a twisting flip off the stage and is very happy and gracious. I wonder if they were having too much fun for him to progress. Or it could be the fact that they're dating.

See you next week.