'Dancing with the Stars' - 'Performance #1 Part 2' Recap

(S10E02) We continue 'Dancing with the Stars' with round two and the contestants performing the Foxtrot and the Jive. The order was shuffled this week with Kate Gosselin closing the show to an amazing train wreck ending. It was well worth having to sit through some painful performances.
It was interesting to see that the dancers who got the fast Cha-Cha last week got the slow Foxtrot, while the Viennese Waltzers got the Jive. It would have been really interesting to see how much bounce Pamela Anderson would have provided in the Jive, but I'm sure she'll survive until the second time Jive shows up again.
As the show started, I've gotta say how much I love that in the opening, Nicole Scherzinger's hair does the perfect whip. Years of Pussycat Dolls training did something.
Shannen & Mark - Jive - Shannen is worried about choreography being difficult. The bitch I remember finally rears as she curses up a storm and wants things to be easier. Fortunately, Mark is having none of it. Shannen's legs looked out of place as the two danced. By the chorus of the song, Shannen lost her choreography. Her hand wiggles were weak, and she just didn't have the enthusiasm that Mark was displaying.
Len saw the energy needed in a jive, but there was a loss of control. Bruno agrees about the energy, but her kicks need more help. Carrie Ann actually thought a simpler jive may have been better, but the dance showed passion. She suggests fixing her musicality for next week. Score: 20 (7,6,7).
Aiden & Edyta - Foxtrot - I like Edyta as a person, but I'm not sure about her teaching skills. Aiden threatens to quit when he gets all stressed out, but she gets upset about the pressure. As the two dance, Aiden lacks a light glide on the dance floor and gets elbowed in the face by Edyta. They recover and do decently until the end.
Bruno sees some hope with moments of good frame, but he loses flow. Carrie Ann thought he did a nice job with solid connection. Len thought the movement needed flow, but the footwork has improved. Score: 19 (7,6,6).
Evan & Anna - Jive - Evan decides to work on chemistry, but the two believe the jive should be easier. Evan went back to Naperville, Illinois (his home town) to give a talk about how dreams can come true. Evan looks looser this week with a more upbeat dance. The choreography was a lot of fun, even with Evan mouthing the words to the song. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of the split kicks in the future.
Carrie Ann loved the great energy and the connection with both partner and audience. Len agrees; Evan overcame the lanky arms and legs; but his feet need help. Bruno thought the partner work was spot-on, but his feet needed to be pointed. Score: 24 (8,8,8).
Niecy & Louis - Foxtrot - Niecy worries about communication, until Louis uses food analogies. Niecy was never graceful, but with Louis' smart choreography, she glides smoothly across the floor. While I worry that her chin was pointed almost too high, she kept up with Louis. She continues to lip sync her way through the performance, but in a really fun way that was incorporated into the choreography.
Len liked the musicality and improvement from last week. Bruno loved how light Niecy performed. Carrie Ann thought she was spectacular because she understands how her body moves. She suggests to go bigger next week. Score: 21 (7,7,7).
Jake & Chelsie - Jive - Jake started off overwhelmed with learning the jive, but tries his best to laugh it off. Jake is worried about the choreography, but Chelsie pushes him further. Jake starts off with some microphone dancing. The energy is there but his arms still look odd. He was off on his timing. I like that Chelsie left him time to do more solo work near the end.
Bruno likes the determination, but he needs to work on precision and technique. Carrie Ann calls Jake out on a lift, but she loves the attack. Len knows that the jive can be hard for men; he may have been a bit heavy on his feet, but it was still strong. Score: 20 (6,7,7).
Buzz & Ashly - Foxtrot - Ashly decides to show Buzz the steps by mapping them out. Lois, Buzz's wife, shows up to give support during practice. The couple dances to "Fly Me to the Moon" combined with a lunar theme. The dance is an improvement from last week, only because it was at a slower pace. I loved the way the dance gained energy by the end, and the final pose behind the American flag was cute.
Carrie Ann thought it was charming and tender, but the dancing wasn't the best. Len can't criticize Buzz, but sees that anything is possible. Bruno thought he looked like he was avoiding craters. Score: 12 (4,4,4).
Nicole & Derek - Jive - Nicole learned a traditional jive, but the producers gave the couple a modern song. Nicole is very worried that the song may make Len worry that it's not traditional enough. I like the interaction of Derek with Pam in the beginning and the dancing was strong from the get-go. The song was nowhere near a jive's tempo and it felt too rushed, but the two did the best they could with a non-jive song. They bulleted through step after step without fear.
Len was ambivalent. He wasn't a fan of the Lindy hop section, but the traditional section was better. Bruno thought it was phenomenal for week two. Carrie Ann thought it was perfection. Score: 28 (10,8,10).
Erin & Maks - Foxtrot - Erin still thinks that she's a tomboy, but she thinks that Maks will be her prince. She freaks out quite a bit, and Maks has to calm her down. Erin starts off with some brave solo work. They have a lightness as they spin and split around the floor.
Bruno thought Erin was a natural with elegance, he suggests to finish the movements. Carrie Ann commends her for her solo, but she needs to lighten the hold. Len liked the movement and posture, but she needs to trust her pro. Score: 23 (8,7,8).
Pamela & Damien - Foxtrot - Pamela is strong at getting into character, and this week she is channeling Marilyn Monroe. She does a good job channeling the Old Hollywood theme. Damien's choreography is very clean so it really showcases Pamela without too many bells and whistles. Pam flows gracefully throughout the whole dance.
Carrie Ann loves the versatility, but suggests lowering her shoulders. Len uses the word "titivating" and likes the elegance, but she needs to work on her center. Bruno thought it was well executed and she can dance. Score: 22 (7,7,8).
Chad & Cheryl - Foxtrot - Chad worries about being graceful. Chad flirts unnecessarily with Cheryl. His butt sticks out in practice, so she offers a kiss if he goes through practice without sticking it out. Chad manages to be soft. There's something quite awkward about his dancing, possibly because of his long limbs. There were some minor stumbles throughout.
Len thought the performance was terrible and clumsy. Bruno thought he looked uncomfortable and lacked musicality. Carrie Ann knows there's potential, but he needs to understand his movement. He needs to think less. Score: (6,5,5).
Kate & Tony - Jive - Tony is worried because Kate is stressing out and Tony doesn't know how to teach her. She asks too many questions, she wants to learn, but Tony doesn't get it. Kate manages to break Tony and he storms off. After a "to be continued" moment Tony comes back and asks for forgiveness. She doesn't blame him, though. The dance started awkward and she continued to look at Tony for help. She missed several steps and you can see her counting. It was just painful, but amazing to watch.
Bruno thought it was a nightmare, Kate needs to portray a character. Carrie Ann gives her the one positive that she made it through the routine, but her feet came off the floor. Len thought the nerves are breaking her. He wants her to come out fighting. Score: 15 (5,5,5).
Combined Scores:
High
Nicole & Derek - 53 (25 + 28)
Evan & Anna - 47 (23 + 24)
Erin & Maks - 44 (21 + 23)
Pam & Damien - 43 (21 + 22)
Middle
Jake & Chelsie - 40 (20 + 20)
Niecy & Louis - 39 (18 + 21)
Shannen & Mark - 38 (18 + 20)
Chad & Cheryl - 34 (18 + 16)
Low
Aiden & Edyta - 32 (15 + 19)
Kate & Tony - 31 (16 + 15)
Buzz & Ashly - 26 (14 + 12)
Is Nicole being over-scored too early? She may just get eliminated too soon if people think she's safe like Sabrina Bryan a few seasons back. Clearly, Nicole, Evan, and Pam are safe. Erin has happily exceeded my expectations, as has Niecy.
On the low end, Kate managed to score higher than Buzz, but I doubt that either are going home. It clearly is Aiden who has the deadly combo of low scores and no fanbase. I've heard rumors that Kate managed to get the most votes, and the sadistic in me hopes she survives a few more weeks just to watch the train wreck. Do you think she performed better than Master P. back in Season Two? Who do you think will go home? Leave comments below.
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