(S10E06) The format of 'Dancing with the Stars' continues to borrow from other reality shows by creating different themes each week. This week the contestants will be scored by both technique and performance. The scores are still out of a 30. For the rumba and the tango, the judges will be looking for three specific dance moves.

As the couples walk down the stairs, Maks tries to signal someone by tugging his ear and almost trips down the stairs. Kate continues to tell her children that she loves them via bad hand signs.

I had a problem with Brooke tonight. Not only did the crossing ribbons on her midsection make her look fat, was she pronouncing celebrity names incorrectly? Luckily, the filler this week were very interesting demos from professionals that didn't make the cut this season.

Tango Demo - Jonathan & Anna D. - If the couple was being judged, I have to point out that one turn became a lift when Anna lifted her leg off the ground. The couple perform Viennese Crosses, Outside Swivel, and Contra Check while fire blasted in the background. Something about Anna felt too stiff, even for a tango.

Erin & Maks - Tango - Len gave specific advice: fix the footwork. Erin is paranoid during practice and also has trouble with her back. Erin starts behind the judges desk and plays coy with Len. Her kicks have a sharpness, but there was a slight unsteadiness about the whole thing. I wasn't a big fan of the fact that Erin continued to kick by the judges near the end. My biggest pet peeve was that whenever Erin wants to be fierce, she purses her lips like a model that puts all her passion in her mouth instead of her body.

Len loved the opening and appreciated that there was more content. Erin needs to walk with her heels, not her toes. Bruno thought the dance started strong, but she never recovered. Carrie Ann thought the performance suffered from technique instead of performance. She continues to point out the death grip. Technique: 18 (6,6,6) Performance: 21 (7,7,7) Overall: 39

Evan & Anna - Tango - The advice that Len gave was about improving his footwork. While I liked the chair work, I worried about Len criticizing them about the prop getting in the way. The song was not a good fit for a tango; I felt like the song forced them to dance too hectic than they should have.

Bruno thought there was strength combined with the details. Carrie Ann thought the technique boosted the performance. Len thought he nailed the Viennese Crosses. Technique: 26 (9,8,9) Performance: 26 (9,8,9) Overall: 52

Rumba Demo - Dmitry & Kym - Kym must have taken a note from Edyta as she danced around in underwear and a men's button shirt; it's an odd day when Dmitry had more clothes on. The couple demonstrated Opening Out, Sliding Doors, and Spiral into Rope Spin.

Niecy & Louis - Rumba - Louis dedicates the performance to Niecy's brother Michael as a form of therapy. My biggest concern with this technique is that Louis is forcing all of this emotional pressure, while not making sure the physical aspects are strong enough. As for the dancing, I liked the stair extension. Niecy had really sharp movements and wasn't mouthing the words. I'm impressed about how she has no fear when it comes to the movements and almost-lifts.

Len thought the technique was strong, but he wanted more hip action and highlights. Bruno thought she danced in a trance and had no hips. Carrie Ann understood the tribute, but the emotion felt internal. Technique: 18 (6,6,6) Performance: 18 (6,6,6) Overall: 36

Aiden & Edyta - Rumba - Len's advice was that he needed more performance quality. Aiden in reality is quite shy, so the couple go to Rock the Soap and Edyta removes his shirt and forces him to perform shirtless. While Edtya continued to over-emphasize, Aiden had a bit more slickness in his movements. I disliked the area when he stood there in the middle. His arm is unnatural when he extends.

Carrie Ann thought Aiden was more confident, but the movement went from the shoulders instead of the bottom. Len thought the dance was well-acted, but there was no flow. Bruno thought the look was good, but the movement was like stop-motion animation. Technique: 15 (5,5,5) Performance: 18 (6,6,6) Overall: 33

Nicole & Derek - Rumba - Len gave advice to balance performance and technique in the routine. When they danced, you could see Nicole trying to hold back her sexiness. While the dress wasn't flattering, Nicole had a lot of hip action, but there was something shaky about the performance, in general. Her spit was pretty, but did you see the shakiness in Derek's arm? He did his best not to fall right there.

Bruno thought it was beautiful to watch, but there was hesitation. Her hip action could have been better. Carrie Ann saw the nerves, her ankles quivered. She liked the traditional lines. Len thought the balance was correct, but she needed better arm work in the sliding doors. Technique: 25 (9,8,8) Performance: 25 (8,8,9) Overall: 50

Jake & Chelsie - Tango - Jake shows up with a shirt trying to prove that he trusts Chelsie; unfortunately, he keeps the negative mentality. As much as I love the song the two got, I think the tango wasted time with the unnecessary spins in the beginning. I don't think the expression on Jake's face really matched the emotion of the performance. I liked how the couple spun down the stairs. It went downhill as Jake caught his shoe and tripped. From there Jake was flustered.

Len liked that he attacked the dance, but he fell apart by the end. Bruno saw the energy, but the performance was really messy. Carrie Ann's problem was that he wasn't holding her emotionally and physically. Technique: 19 (6,7,6) Performance: 19 (7,6,6) Overall: 38

Kate & Tony - Tango - Kate continues to ask questions and make excuses about her custody battle being in the public eye. Tony tries his best to pep talk her and comfort her. Kate is less of a shopping cart this week, but the weird face continues. I think the performance was better than last week, but it still doesn't have any wow-factor. The end turn was really interesting to watch because of how quickly she whipped.

Bruno thought there was a small breakthrough, but the technique needs improvement. Carrie Ann applauds her determination, but she still considers the end-turn a lift. Len thought that Kate did her best dance so far. Technique: 14 (4,5,5) Performance: 18 (6,6,6) Overall: 32

Chad & Cheryl - Rumba - Chad thinks that his hips should come naturally, but he struggles in practice. He's trying too hard to flirt with Cheryl that it's painful to watch. Cheryl starts the performance alone, shortening the amount of time Chad had to dance. Chad still has too much force in the performance. Cheryl is better with sharp movements, so the two looked too sharp for a rumba. I didn't really understand the feathers or the dragging of Cheryl near the end.

Carrie Ann thought he turned on the heat. His posture improved and his hip action was strong. Len agrees, it's his best dance. Bruno thought Chad's hips were great and he was fluid in his movement. Technique: 21 (7,6,8) Performance: 23 (8,7,8) Overall: 44

Pam & Damien - Rumba - Len suggests that she refine her dancing so it's not too raunchy. She suffers from timing because the dance is their slowest. Pam likes the chemistry between the two of them and unlike Chad & Cheryl, their flirting comes off quite naturally. Pam does a good job with the musicality of the performance. The spit at the end was pretty, I just felt like there was no wow-factor from it.

Len thought it was sophisticated and she aced the spiral. Bruno understood the refinement and elegance; it was her best technical performance. Carrie Ann saw the sophistication, but once in a while, Pam had strange arms. Technique: 23 (7,8,8) Performance: 24 (8,7,9) Overall: 47

Final Scores

High
Evan & Anna - 52 (26 + 26)
Nicole & Derek - 50 (25 + 25)
Pam & Damien - 47 (23 + 24)

Middle
Chad & Cheryl - 44 (21 + 23)
Erin & Maks - 39 (18 + 21)
Jake & Chelsie - 38 (19 + 19)

Low
Niecy & Louis - 36 (18 + 18)
Aiden & Edtya - 33 (15 + 18)
Kate & Tony - 32 (14 + 18)

Kate's previous weeks have had such a large score disparity from the rest of the competitors that being only one point away from Aiden should make him nervous. I can see Jake and Niecy making the bottom because of Aiden's apparently dedicated soap fans, and people want to see how Kate does. Who do you think will be eliminated? Leave comments below.

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