DWTS 10: There's a Whole Lot of Swingin' Goin' On

Tonight on Dancing With the Stars, the stars have two dances for the first time.  They all participated in the Swing Marathon after dancing the Samba or an Argentine Tango.  Who ruled the dance floor?  Could Pamela bounce back from her bottom two placement of last week?  Would the two professional dancers show the others up?

Jake/Chelsie up first with the Samba.  He looked like he was loosening up after doing so well last week.  He has his shirt open trying to look sexy, but he doesn't do it for me, lol.  He almost tripped again on the stairs near judges table, but kept his footing.  He did a pretty god job, but it just looked awkward to me ... very high energy though.  Len said that he showed more confidence, showing more polish, but he was lacking in rhythm a little bit.  good job, well done.  Bruno said he lacked rhythm and bounce.  He didn't wiggle correctly.  Carrie Ann said he pushed himself to the max, but he needs to connect to the music.  Scores:  three 7's for 21/30 so far.

Evan/Anna - Dang, this kid's hair looks funky even without the hair shellac.  He hit his head when Anna flipped him in Swing dance practice, got a mild concussion, but he's okay to dance.  Evan is such the performer, his Samba looked so good.  He has such good lines.  I think this may be the band 'Massacre of the Week' for 'Rewind'.  Ugh, but the dance was really good to me.  Bruno said he had good lyrical lines, but it didn't work in this dance.  His legs were turned out, kept the hips from working right.  Carrie Ann said that she felt like he lost thebattle with this Samba.  His lines didn't work.  Len called it his worst dance.  It was too balletic. Evan did take the criticism well, though.  Scores:  Three 7's for 21/30, his worst scores this season.

Niecy/Louis will be attempting a comedic Argentine Tango.  Oh my ... looked like she handled those leg locks or whips or whatever they're called...  I thought it was kinda cute.  She was going after food in the dance, lol.  Carrie Ann told Niecy that it was nice to see her finally dancing, improved from last week.  She was in the zone, but they didn't need the comedy.  Len enjoyed the performance, thought the comedy worked with the dance.  Lacked a bit of intensity, but it was good.  Bruno thought she put a lot of work into her footwork, lacked a bit of intensity, but she worked hard and it showed.  Scores:  Three 7's for 21/30.  I don't understand the scoring this week ... whatevah...

Erin/Maks got the sexy Samba this week.  Okay a samba to a remixed Beethoven?  Ahhh ... Maks stripped off his shirt.  Erin who?  Was she out there?  I know I didn't like her costume, though.  That hot pink feathery skirt was ugly.  Len said that she's getting a 7 but she should be getting 8-10.  He wants to see her dance, she can do it.  He's fed up with the hijinx of Maks, ie the shirt tonight.  Bruno said that she did dance tonight and did it well all the way through.  Carrie Ann said that Samba one of the hardest dances, but she nailed it.  Scores:  Two 9's and a 7 from Len for 25/30.

Chad/Cheryl hoped to rebound with the Argentine Tango.  He looks very sharp.  I'm loving this dance.  He really brought out the big guns this week.  He did that very well, he looked good.   All three judges responded to Chad's comment during his practice video that the judges were very tough on him.  Bruno nannered on, but said that tonight Ochocinco proved that he can dance.  Carrie Ann said that tonight he nailed it.  Len said that on dwts you either grow or you go.  Tonight Chad grew.  Scores:  Three 8's for 24/30, their highest scores ever.

Nicole/Derek had the Samba.  She was all excited thinking she'd get to do her Ricky Martin and Gloria Estevan moves.  She confused the Samba with the Salsa.  Once again, they're trying to convince the viewers, during their practice video, that she's not a ringer.  Once again, they were unsuccessful.  And once again, she made the dance look effortless.  And I swear I saw some PCD moves in there.  Carrie Ann said 'Opa!'.   She said that she was afraid that Nicole couldn't grow, she was so good.  The only criticism she had was some of Nicole's facial expression.  Len said that the line at the end was ugly, but the choreography was tough.  He called it a hodgepodge of gyrations and sexy moves, but not a samba.  Bruno called it one singular sensation and other stuff, he liked it.  Scores:  10 from Bruno, 9 from Carrie Ann, and a 7 from Len for 26/30.

Pamela/Damian hoped to escape the bottom with an Argentine Tango.  Um, she's a brunette tonight.  Dang, she's sexy even as a Brunette.  this is a very sexy, understated Argentine Tango.  Her makeup isn't very good tonight, though.  Len said that the Argentine Tango is about seduction, and she does it very well.  The lifts were good, overall very good.  Bruno said another week, another great character from Pamela.  She played the sexy Latina very well.  Carrie Ann called it unquestionably sexy, but her legs were a little too loose, technique not as good.  Scores:  Two 7's and an 8 from Bruno for 22/30.

Last, but not least, was the Swing Dance Marathon.  All stars side by side dancing for comparison and bonus points.  Couples eliminated one by one, last couple standing gets 10 points.  Jake/Chelsie out 1st for 4 points.  Niecy/Louis cracked me up, but 2nd out for 5 additional pts.  Lots of swinging and lifts.  Evan/Anna 3rd out for 6 more pts.  Chad/Cheryl 4th out (7 more pts).  Pamela/Damian hanging in there, but they are the 5th out for 8 more pts.  Erin/Maks and Nicole/Derek were the final two.  Erin/Maks next out for 9 points.  And to no one's surprise the judges picked Nicole/Derek to win and receive 10 additional points.  Actually, though, I thought Maks/Erin did a better job.  More dancing, less tricks.

So tonight's final leaderboard looks like this:
Nicole/Derek 26+10 for 36/40
Erin/Maks 25+9 for 34/40
Chad/Cheryl 24+7 for 31/40
Pamela/Damian 22+8 for 30/40
Evan/Anna 21+6 for 27/40
Niecy/Louis 21+5 for 26/40
Jake/Chelsie 21+4 for 25/40

I really do not understand the judges scoring tonight.  Maks, in his TVGuide blog, commented on how inconsistant and unconstructive the judging has been.  He makes good points but I hope he doesn't sabotage his partner making his point.  My leaderboard actually looks about the same.  The numbers would be different, but the rankings similar.  I don't understand Evan, Niecy and Jake getting all the same scores.  I thought Evan deserved higher.  But oh well.  With the judges scores so close tonight, it all depends on fan base.

Who will go home tomorrow night on Dancing With the Stars?  I'm sure I don't know.  I think the judges tried to help Pamela by keeping her in the marathon longer for more points.  Jake and Niecy may be in the most trouble unless their fans get to votin'.  What do y'all think?