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Learn more- The final of the "Big Dance" was happening on another network, but "Dancing with the Stars" was just getting started. After a surprising elimination in which Shannen Doherty was 9021-out, head judge Len Goodman laid out a challenge last week to all the dancers to come up with a performance that would tell a story, but without props or gimmicks. How would they respond? Monday it was time to find out.
The pros demonstrated the waltz, paso doble and quickstep in a performance meant to convey a story of "a tempestuous relationship that ends in true love."
Evan & Anna: Figure skating champ Evan Lysacek found himself near the top of the leader board last week. He and partner Anna Trebunskaya worked on a story of a husband and wife who are at odds because the wife is late to arrive for their quickstep. Len loved the story and said it cheered him up. Bruno Tonioli said Evan gave Anna "the ride of her life." Carrie Ann Inaba called it "great," and said it had all the right parts. Evan told Brook Burke afterward about "a couple broken toes" he had, but he pushed through. Scores: 9, 8, and 9. Total: 26.
Buzz & Ashly: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin was looking to rebound from low judges' scores, even though his fans pulled him through. His partner Ashly Costa gave him a story of him playing a man coming home from the war and she was his daughter. They danced a waltz. Bruno said it was more like the return of the king, but said Buzz's movement "didn't really go anywhere." Carrie Ann said that in the week about storytelling, she enjoyed the story and wanted to know more. Len said it had an "innocent charm" that he liked, but the technique was poor, the routine was over-simplified and there wasn't much performance. Scores: 5, 4, and 4. Total: 13.
Jake & Chelsie: "Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka was in the middle of the pack last week, but the judges could feel his determination. Jake got upset in rehearsal because he said Chelsie was talking to him in a "disrespectful" way. They did a quickstep in which Jake was an explorer who found Cleopatra (Chelsie) in her tomb, and they danced. Carrie Ann thought it was nice storytelling, but that it kept in line with the quickstep. Len said Jake's legs were messed up, but called the dance "great entertainment." Bruno agreed with Len that Jake at times lost his steps, but he enjoyed the performance. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.
Niecy & Louis: Comedian Niecy Nash got on Len's good side last week with her second performance. They took on a story of being an interracial couple in the 1960s, when such a love would have been forbidden. Niecy cried when she thought about it, and her partner Louis Van Amstel asked her to help him fight his battle, too. She said she hoped America would see the story. Len said it was brave to attempt the story with no props, and he saw all the emotion. He told Louis to work with Niecy on better technique. Bruno said they acted their tale of love very well, but there was a stumble at the beginning and Niecy had to work on her feet. Carrie Ann said it was an important story to tell, but she didn't understand the ending. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21.
Chad & Cheryl: NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco did alright in his first performance, but tripped up in his second dance. He and partner Cheryl Burke were focused on bouncing back and refocusing. Cheryl told Chad their paso doble would be about him trying to seduce her despite her rejections. He said art was imitating life. Bruno said the power and presence were back for Chad, but at times he still veers off course. Carrie Ann said Chad used the energy of "wanting the girl" to his advantage. Len enjoyed Chad's determination, but told him to work on his posture. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20.
Pamela & Damian: Pamela Anderson admitted she didn't worry much about the voting, but after finishing in the bottom two she was going to take it more seriously. Pam, an animal rights activist, incorporated some of her beliefs into her routine, and she got some tips on the performance from Charo. Carrie Ann said she got the story that Pam didn't like the bullfighter, but she threw herself off a few times. Len said Pam had an intensity about her, but needed refinement in the dance. Bruno said that under the sexpot surface, there is a good performer in Pamela. Scores: 7, 7, and 7. Total: 21
Aiden & Edyta: Soap star Aiden Turner threw up after last week's performance, and was hoping things would go a little more smoothly this time around. His family, including his wife and 7-month-old daughter, came to visit on his birthday, and he said it made his quickstep a little quicker. Len said the quickstep was a little careful and said he'd like to see Aiden just go for it. Bruno thought Aiden looked happier than he did last week. Carrie Ann agreed that she saw some improvement in Aiden, but he was a little too light on his feet. Scores: 7, 6, and 7. Total: 20.
Erin & Maks: ESPN host Erin Andrews, who's had some issues this week with e-mail death threats surfacing and has had bouts with the paparazzi and a man who videotaped her nude through a peephole in a hotel room, turned over all her trust and faith into her partner Maks by dancing most of the performance blindfolded. Bruno said her dancing in hold was fantastic, but when they danced side by side she lost it a bit. Carrie Ann said the prop added dimension and a sense of danger. She called it "breath-takingly artistic." Len said the dance had the most boring start he'd ever seen. He said the waltz they did was good, but there wasn't enough of it. Scores: 8, 7, and 8. Total: 23.
Kate & Tony: TLC star Kate Gosselin apparently believed she's had bigger issues with cameras and the paparazzi, so she did a dance about her trials with photographers. Her partner Tony Dovolani brought in an acting coach to help Kate get outside of herself. Kate said her icy exterior was because she's had a hard year and was protecting herself. They danced a paso doble. Carrie Ann called it "odd," and "hard to watch." She said she didn't feel like the emotion got to Kate's face. Len it was "too pedestrian." Bruno said she did play a character, but it didn't translate into movement and she looked like she was walking. Scores: 5, 5, and 5. Total: 15
Nicole & Derek: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger landed the first two 10s of the season last week and was nervous about how to top it. She and partner Derek Hough came up with a quickstep in which they played sailors who take a break from mopping the deck to dance. Len said it was beautifully danced, but it was "just a load of Vaudeville." Bruno said it was like seeing Anne Meara and Gene Kelly back in Hollywood after 50 years, but Len was right about breaking too many rules with it. Carrie Ann also called out a lift and broken holds, then said, "but when you guys take that act on the road, I want a front row seat." Scores: 8, 6, and 9. Total: 23
LEADER BOARD:
Evan & Anna: 26
Erin & Maks: 23
Nicole & Derek: 23
Jake & Chelsie: 21
Niecy & Louis: 21
Pamela & Damian: 21
Chad & Cheryl: 20
Aiden & Edyta: 20
Kate & Tony: 15
Buzz & Ashly: 13
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