(S10E11) We're at the halfway point on 'Dancing with the Stars' and I still can't tell much of a difference between Brooke's execution with Samantha Harris'. Her clothing choices are still questionable and only once in this episode did she have any genuine emotion. The show quickly announced that Erin & Maks are safe. Later on in the episode, when several safe couples got interviewed by Brooke, I realized that Erin should take Brooke's job; her sarcasm and quick wit could match Tom's.

Encore - Chad & Cheryl's Argentine Tango - I'm still convinced that Chad stands too long for several bars in the dance while Cheryl does more of the work, but that is the standard in couple dancing. The dance is smoldering and with Chad not flirting with Cheryl as much, it wasn't bad.
Musical Guest - Melissa Etheridge, 'Fearless Love' - I'm happy that the results show has been getting higher caliber performers, but it makes me wonder why Harold Wheeler couldn't hire better performers. To coincide with the idea of fearless, Anna and Chelsie are basically flung around by Maks and a very happy looking Tony. Chelsie has such a carefree nature as she is turned by the professionals. After the score breakdown, Chad & Cheryl are safe.

Musical Guest - Benise, 'Salsa Salsa' - Salsa is what Nicole was actually thinking of and she probably would have fit better with the gyrations of salsa. The performance had the essence of a Latin party. Not surprisingly, Carrie Ann looked like she had the most fun at the judges table, matching white hat and all. I was a bit surprised that the only live performer was Benise; the over-dubbed trumpet confused me.

Sport Science - We get to see a lot of unnecessary, but very pretty, graphics of skeletons and mannequins. Watching Dmitry and Edyta dancing, it doesn't matter, they are smoldering and precise. The people of Sport Science didn't have to convince me that dance was heavily athletic. If that wasn't true, shows like 'Dance Your Ass Off' wouldn't have existed or Kelly Osbourne's amazing weight loss last season wouldn't have happened.

Musical Guest - Melissa Etheridge, 'Come to My Window' - Melissa Etheridge is still amazing after all her trials and tribulations and I have to admit that she's maintained that strong voice. The long hair is great on her and marks a return. After the Sport Science analysis, Edyta and Alec give a very sexy performance. The eliminations continue and Nicole & Derek are safe. Jake & Chelsie is still in limbo. Somehow Tom's teasing is easier to deal with than Ryan Seacrest.

The competitors continue to talk about how hard the competition is, now that they've made it to the halfway point. Pam & Damian are safe. We get another score breakdown where we watch Jake trip and look awkward shaking, Evan looking like a contemporary dancer, and Niecy hitting Louis in the crotch. With Evan & Anna safe, the bottom two are Jake & Chelsie and Niecy & Louis. Len comments about Niecy's bubbly personality and Jake's willingness to win. He suggests polishing the routines for whomever returns. Jake & Chelsie are eliminated. Jake gets as as emotional as Kate and thanks everyone. Brooke is equally as choked up, probably the first time I saw actual emotion from her.

I am happy to see that the Free Tony voters must have banded together to free Chelsie. Jake was on limited time when he showed his passive-aggressive nature to Chelsie and it was on video. Also his choice of costumes for Chelsie was atrocious and that in itself deserved elimination.

Next week, Pam has the Samba, Chad has the Viennese Waltz, and the rest will have an unperformed dance from the previous weeks. There is also the Team Challenge; this season it's the Cha-Cha.

How did you find the eliminations and performances? Leave comments below.

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