Traditionally Entertaining
Cloris Leachman said that she knew she was in trouble due to her low scores last week, so this week, she asked her partner Corky Ballas to choreograph a technically strong Tango for her. She told him that she would “try for the very best that [he] can come up with.” Corky noted that Cloris really was working hard and he gave her a bit of a break to visit with her family, which was when we learned that not only does Cloris have grandchildren, she has a great grandson! Cloris’s dance was certainly very traditional and had the basic steps of the tango, but there’s no denying that her age places certain limitations on her dancing. The audience loved her performance, however, and gave her a standing ovation. Carrie Ann said that she “owed [Cloris] an apology” because Carrie Ann “underestimated [Cloris].” She noted that Cloris “pushed [herself] to the edge of her capabilities.” Bruno said it was like “watching a silent movie” and noted that “grandma. . .transformed into the Grand Duchess.” Len said that if he “hadn’t seen it, [he wouldn’t] have believed it.” It was “absolutely fabulous.” Bruno and Len gave Cloris 7’s, while Carrie Ann gave her an 8 for a total of 22.
On the Brink
Rocco DiSpirito was the celebrity who benefited the most from Misty May-Treanor’s untimely exit, as he would have been eliminated last week. He stated that he was “determined to work extra hard” this week to stay in the competition. Dancing the Samba with his partner, Karina Smirnoff, Rocco couldn’t quite lose that awkwardness, not even when his mother came to rehearsals to cheer him on. Carrie Ann said she was “so sorry, [but] the dancing was still lacking.” Bruno stated that he really liked Rocco but “[he doesn’t] have a musical bone in [his] body.” Len said it was “very good” because he did what his mother told him to – he “came out and had fun.” Rocco got 6’s from all the judges for a total of 18.
Timid, Moi?
Susan Lucci expressed surprise at the judges’ comments from last week, particularly Carrie Ann calling her timid. Susan noted that “no one has ever called [her] timid before.” Her partner, Tony Dovalani wanted to tap into Susan’s soap opera roots, and “bring drama into the dance.” Susan’s tango was nice, but we thought it was a little boring and not very dramatic, except for the fake slap she gave Tony at the end. Carrie Ann said that was what she had wanted from Susan, and that Susan was “staring [her] down” the whole time. Carrie Ann said that if “dance is a moving art, that’s what that was to me.” Bruno said that he “knew underneath that polished appearance, there was a tough broad waiting to explode.” Len said there was “nothing timid about [her performance]” and that it had “drama [and] passion.” He thought it was her “best dance so far.” The judges all gave Susan 8’s for a total of 24.
Sexy Samba
Still on a high from getting the first 10 of the competition, Brooke Burke and her partner, Derek Hough were having some fun rehearsing the Samba. Derek said that it was “time to get crazy” and Brooke noted that Derek was being quite goofy in rehearsals. She said that she loved the dance and that “mama’s ready to samba!” Her dance was very entertaining, with some good moves in there. Carrie Ann said that Brooke had a good blend of “athleticism and grace” and predicted that she “could go all the way.” Bruno declared that the “sex goddess was in this building” and that it was one of the “sexiest samba” he’s ever seen. He joked that he “needed a smoke” after watching it. Len said that Brooke set “such a high standard” and he had very high expectations that she didn’t quite meet. He thought the dance was “slightly too exotic” for his tastes and he didn’t like “all that nonsense” of her ripping Derek’s shirt open. Carrie Ann and Bruno gave Brooke 9’s, while Len gave her an 8 for a total of 26.
