Dancing With The Stars: An Outbreak Of Tens

We usually have to wait another week or two for so many tens handed out in a Dancing With The Stars performance show. The routines this week were all about the paso doble and the Viennese waltz. These dances are absolute extremes of each other. The paso doble is meant to be a sharp and commanding game of cat and mouse while the Viennese waltz is a romantic and flowing number.

There were a few great routines tonight. Kristi & Mark started the show off (a tip-off that it would be a good routine) and their paso doble was serious and very complicated. These two scored the first 10s of the night and wound up with a 29 out of 30. Jason & Edyta were the next couple of the night that scored 10s. Their Viennese waltz was absolutely beautiful and extremely seductive. I don't usually like the Viennese waltz but I loved this one! They were actually my personal favorite tonight and I was thrilled they weren't scored down (29 out of 30) for Jason's little stumble on the floor. The last 10 awarded went to the duo of Derek & Shannon for their Viennese waltz. The show caught us up on Derek's neck injury he received during practice but it didn't seem to make a difference in their routine this evening. I really hope that their score of 28 keeps them around for another week and they get the votes to continue on because they have a chance at going really far this season.

I was a little irked at the scores Adam & Julianne received on their paso doble. Yes, the unicycle was cheesy but it was cute! I felt that their score of 19 out of 30 was too low. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they deserved 10s but two 6s? I was even more irked to see the scores of two couples after them over-inflated. There's no way that Marlee & Fabian deserved triple 8s. Their Viennese Waltz was pretty but it was very simple when compared to the others. And Carrie Ann remarking that it made her cry? Barf! Marissa & Tony were the other couple this evening that I felt had puffed up scores. Also awarded triple 8s, their paso doble was better than their jive last week but it wasn't that much better. I know that Marissa came from Broadway and they have to be heavy on their makeup, but does she not see how ghastly she looks before stepping on to the dance floor? I'm tempted to say she must be doing her own makeup because for a second week in a row, her eye shadow was over-the-top ugly and her lipstick was even worse. I see nightmares in my future if she continues like this.

Priscilla & Louis danced a nice Viennese waltz and their scores would have been nice except both of her feet came off the ground while he spun her around at one point. As soon as it happened, I wondered if they would be called out on their lift and indeed they were. They were only given a 22 for the night. You know, as much as I don't want to like them in this competition, I think Priscilla is beginning to grow on me. We'll see if that keeps up next week. Mario & Karina's paso doble was very good. They took a chance on dancing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Higher Ground". It was an interesting musical choice but it wound up working out for them. Their score of 24 should have been at least one point higher. Come on Len! A 7?

My second-favorite routine of the night belonged to Cristian & Cheryl. I loved the traditional Spanish music they danced to for their paso doble and I couldn't keep my eyes off of them when they were on the floor. Cristian has really improved a lot this season and it showed in their scores. A 26 out of 30? They'll take it!

Tuesday, on the results show, one couple will be given the boot. Also, Sheryl Crow will perform as will some child ballroom dancers. Those kids are always so cute! Who do you think will be exiting the stage this week?