DWTS - S10 Week 2

"The pressure has never been so intense," says Tom. Uh-huh. Already, we see video of people stressing out. I notice for the first time that the new credits include a cast-standing-abreast-walking-slo-mo-towards-camera shot, and that the band singers are actually vocalizing the "ba-ba-ba-baaa, ba-ba-ba-baaaa" of the theme music. The hell?


Shannen & Mark: She wants simpler, but Mark is making it harder. Jive. Not bad, off time as she's on her own count. Good energy, starting to feel character. Shuffly but good speed. 18/30

Aiden & Edyta: Drama faces, tension, Edyta breaks down and he has to comfort his teacher's nerves. Not cool. Foxtrot. A little more stuff for him to do, but still no challenge. Better feel for music, better posture and frame. She elbows him in face. 18/30

Evan & Anna: He tries to get her to smile in practice, they dance for his hometown. Jive. Excellent energy and expression, good focus on partner. Nice footwork and kicks, but still no pointed toes. Big, fun and light. 24/30

Niecy & Louis: Trouble communicating until he talks in food terms. Foxtrot. Light and graceful, great musicality. More lip synching to help her "feel" character. Solid footwork, nice arms, very clean. 22/30

Jake & Chelsie: Conflict between his potential and his comfort zone. Jive. Bright and high feet and good speed throughout. Nice feel for music, loses time on the same grapevine figure that Shannen lost it on. 20/30

Not only is Chelsie dressed just like Cha Cha DiGregorio from Grease, they cribbed some of the choreography from the "Hand Jive" number.

Buzz & Ashly: He applies himself to the new challenge; his wife Lois visits. Foxtrot. "Fly Me to the Moon", of course. You can see her helping him with steps and counting. A cute, sweet little number. Crooked frame, but that's not what his numbers are about. 14/30

Okay, judges-- 4's? Really? If you ever used a consistent scale, maybe.

In the audience: Louie Vito, Jerry Rice.

Nicole & Derek: They were thinking 50's theme, but got a new song switched on them, so they're scared of Len. Jive. Intro w/ him in the Celebriquarium flirting w/ Pamela. Great choreography to un-Jive music. Super sharp footwork, excellent follow, solid side-by-side. 27/30

Len, of course complains. I'd like to see him choreograph a "traditional" Jive to that song and not have it look ridiculous.

Erin & Maks: She's getting frustrated and upset, and he stays calm. Foxtrot. Great reach and balance. Solid footwork with heel leads. Nice flexibility, good solo work. Nice flow and graceful lines. 25/30

With all the videos of celebs bagging on their pros, Len has "three" words for them which Carrie Ann & Bruno parrot: "Turn up, keep up and shut up."

Pamela & Damian: She's way more focused and into it than expected. Foxtrot. Marylin Monroe character that she is solid on. Great smoothness and feel for music. Ironically, she is not filling out the top line of her frame and needs posture work. 21/30

Tom FTW on her character: "A busload of Kennedys just pulled up."

Chad & Cheryl: Cheryl's tough and he's too flirty all the time, but gets a kiss on the cheek for being good. Foxtrot. Lost the looseness of last week. Tight up top, posture off, butt out. Needs to work on feeling. 15/30

Kate & Tony: She's questioning his teaching technique, so he quits (!) then comes back. Jive. Stiff and awkward, counting out loud and struggling to keep up. Scared to death during the whole thing. 12/30

No, we did not get to see the scene of the producers talking Tony into coming back to work with such a disrespectful student. Bruno FTW: He totally calls her a Stepford Wife.

RESULTS SHOW

And we're getting right to it. Safe: Buzz & Ashly (Whoa, last place in scores and safe. Interesting.) RED LIGHT OF DOOOOOOOOOOM: Pamela & Damien.

Video package: Len reviews Monday night. No excuse for some of the harsher comments he made.

BTW, Erin & Maks are dating. Big surprise.

Encore: Nicole & Derek's Jive. This time, Derek is consoling Pamela up in the Celebriquarium.

Pro number: Ballroom "Fusion" routine choreographed by Travis Payne & Stacy Walker. Derek, Anna, Tony, Cheryl, Maks, Chelsie, Louis, Ashly, Damien & Edyta (basically, everyone but Mark).

Video: "Between the Mirrorballs" with Adam Corolla (who I thought was funny at the time, but now I don't like the guy, long story).

Safe: Aiden & Edyta, Niecy & Louis.

The female celeb for this season's Design-A-Dance will be Melissa Rycroft.

Musical guest: Beach Boys with John Stamos (who I have also recently learned is a tool), with a medley. Cheryl, Ashly and Anna come out during "California Girls" (Anna being the "northern girl" LOL), with Damian, Maks & Louis.

Video: "The Len Commandments". Thou shalt not: ...kill time; ...take the judges' names in vain; ...steal each other's dance moves; ...interrupt Len; ...do lifts. Thou shalt: ...have rhinestones; ...honor the judges with gifts and attention.

Safe: Evan & Anna, Jake & Chelsie, Nicole & Derek.

Macy Stars of Dance: Tribute to the Haiti with Haitian performers, including the World Mambo Champion who lost his young son in the earthquake. Awesome dancing.

Video: Brooke Burke's new workday.

Safe: Erin & Maks, Chad & Cheryl. Interesting to note the last three are all supposed "divas" (Pamela, Shannen & Kate). Kate & Tony, and the bitchface is strong in reaction. RLOD: Shannen & Mark.

Eliminated: Shannen Doherty & Mark Ballas. Surprised to see Mark being helped down the stairs by Tony. They reveal that Mark injured his knee and will be out for 6 weeks after surgery, so she would have been dancing with Corky Ballas if not eliminated. She is happy to have made it long enough to honor her father.

Challenge for next week: every routine must tell a story. There are definitely pros for whom this will be a strength, and some it will not.