DWTS 9 Week 3: Len Brings Back the Grumpy!

[Erika]

Week 3:
Len Brings Back the Grumpy!

Hello dance fans! For those of you that didn't get a chance to watch the performances tonight because you were watching Brett Farve play his old team, no need to fear, I'm here with all the highlights for you! Tonight Len Goodman is back and I must say crankier than ever, especially in the scoring department. Each couple took on either a sexy Rumba or a fiery Samba and some delivered, while many really weren't very good at all.

First on the night was Mark and Lacey doing a Rumba to 'Don't Lie'. Apparently Mark has a hard time slowing down, as Lacey is shown trying to get him to calm down. Mark does a little solo in the beginning, but still looks very quick in his movements, which doesn't lend itself to the Rumba. It was a solid performance by my standards. Len notes how hard the Rumba is for the male celebrities and says that Mark's interpretation was a like bit 'hard'. Bruno didn't believe the chemistry and he also noted that it was too staccato, lacking the fluidity of movement that the Rumba calls for. Carrie Ann starts off by saying that technically Mark is probably up there with Aaron and Mya, but something is lacking. She believes that he is concentrating too hard on each step. Finally she said that it was an uncomfortable dance to watch.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
6 + 6 + 6
Total: 18

Second on the night was Joanna and Derek performing a Samba to 'La Bomba'. In training Derek notes that Joanna is very ambitious and is ready to try anything. The dance opens with Derek flying in on some sort of wire. The dance is pretty good, but Joanna still looks a little unsteady at times on her feet. She was also wearing a ridiculous wig that was very distracting. Bruno took it was full of excitement and life, but there were a couple of mistakes in the footwork. Carrie Ann noted the bobbles as well, but likes that she is fearless. Len thought it had great rhythm and had quality stamped all over it.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
7 + 8 + 8
Total: 23

Next up was Mya and Dmitry with a Rumba to 'Underneath Your Clothes'. Dmitry notes that they are sticking to traditional choreography since Len is back on the judges panel. This dance was far and away the best Rumba of the night and in my opinion the best dance of the season thus far. I think Mya is going to be around for a very longtime in this competition. Carrie Ann thought it was great and said she could have seen a lift, but isn't sure because she was so memorized by the performance. (It was indeed a lift) Len said it had chemistry and romance, but there was too much going on. This comment brought a parade of boos from the audience and I agree. Bruno called Mya the embodiment of the supreme seductress - he loved it.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
10 + 7 + 10
Total: 27

Melissa and Mark came out next with a Samba to 'Turn on Me'. Melissa is having a tough time getting into this dance, but Mark says he's going to keep pushing her. I thought the dance itself was quite good. Melissa is a bit quirky, so it came across a little strange at times, but I think it was pretty good overall. Len notes that parts of the dance were very good and she came out and performed it, but she was lacking a little rhythm in the hips. Bruno notes the improvement from last week, but she did lose timing a couple of occasions. Carrie Ann said she is improving, but that she's not believable.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
6 + 6 + 7
Total: 27

Louie and Chelsie then performed a Rumba to 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'. In practice Louie has combed his hair back and I am a fan! The dance was quite good and I think these two are adorable together. Bruno loved the chemistry of the dance, but noted that there is work to do. Carrie Ann noted how cute they were and also complimented him on his frame. Len thought it was wild and without finesse.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
8 + 5 + 7
Total: 20

Last week's bottom 2 couple, Debi and Maks performed a Samba next to 'Love is in the Air'. Debi is determined to do well in the competition despite being in the bottom 2. Maks brought in Mel B. to encourage her. Unfortunately for Maks, Debi is no Mel B. on the dance floor. Maks is crazy hot by the way. Debi does well in keeping up, but that's about the best I can say, as it wasn't very good. Carrie Ann felt it was safe and she needs to work on expressions. Len though what she did, she did well, but it lacked flavor. Bruno saw two mistakes and noted it wasn't fiery enough.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
6 + 5 + 6
Total: 17

Next out were Donny and Kym dancing a Rumba to 'Endless Love'. Donny admits that while he is known as an entertainer and performer, he is far from a latin lover. His dance was far from the most convincing Rumba I've ever seen, but it was remarkably well performed and it was enjoyable to watch. Len remarks on his legs not being flexed, but he thought it was a great job. Bruno said it looked pretty and it was airy-fairy and then Donny proceeded to kiss Bruno. Donny now believes Utah won't be voting for him. Carrie Ann loved that there was genuine vulnerability in the performance.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno = Total
7 + 7 + 7
Total: 21

Last week's comeback couple were next - Michael and Anna D. performed a Samba to 'Hard to Handle'. Anna seems to be pushing Michael very hard and he admits to having a hard time keeping up. They have come to an understanding though and are ready to tackle the dance. I thought it was cute, but very slow moving for a Samba. It did show a lot of effort for sure. Bruno said he danced on the wrong foot the whole way through and it wasn't good. Carrie Ann thinks that he is dancing far too small for being such a big guy. Len admits the Samba is hard for a big guy, but he was dissappointed with the performance.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
5 + 4 + 5
Total: 14

The next couple to take to the floor was Natalie and Alec, as they performed a Rumba to 'In the Air Tonight'. Natalie was a bit uneasy about the sexiness of the dance, but Alec brought Edyta (his wife) into training to give her approval. The dance was really well done. I think this is my favorite couple and Natalie really moved up into the ranks for contenders this week. Their dance was fluid, sexy and well performed. Alec too is hot! Carrie Ann thought it was gorgeous and intense. Len thought it was expressive and she had great leg action. Bruno called Natalie a sexy beast and said he loved it.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
9 + 8 + 9
Total: 26

Chuck and Anna T. took to the floor next and performed a Samba to 'Mas Que Nada'. Somehow I don't see this working out well. Chuck went for a pedicure with his daughter, to try to bring out his softer side. It just looked crazy and weird for me, but I will admit I can see that he put a lot of effort into it. Len thought Anna did a great job with Chuck and they both entertained. Bruno notes that it looked like a Samba from Zombietown, but it was a hit. Carrie Ann loved the spirit, though it was rough.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
6 + 5 + 6
Total: 17

Last week's high scores Aaron and Karina were out next and performed a Rumba to 'Spotlight'. Karina tried to impress on Aaron the slow and fluid movements of this dance, but I don't know if he was getting it. I thought it was a good dance, but it wasn't really the essence of a Rumba. Bruno said that lacked fluidity and needed more light and shade. Carrie Ann noted that he was over-exaggerating his movements. Len said it lacked musicality and his arms were getting flung around and should have been more fluid.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
8 + 6 + 7
Total: 21

Tom and Cheryl performed a Samba next to 'Why Can't We Be Friends'. We learned that Tom was in danger of not performing at the top of the show because he has stress fractures in both of his feet. His doctor and the producers advised him not to dance, but at the last minute he went on with the show. They are donned in red, white and blue and it isn't the best dance, far from it, but it was pleasant. Tom counted most of the dance the whole way through and looked really goofy for sure. Carrie Ann says that there is something about him that makes him easy on the eyes in dancing, but it wasn't very exciting, though she gives him a lot of credit for performing. Len thinks he's a hero, but it was a bit careful. Bruno called him a supertrooper, but the performance did suffer from his injury.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
6 + 4 + 5
Total: 15

The final performance of the night came from Kelly and Louis as they did a Samba to 'Love Game'. Kelly is very nervous about dancing in general and Louis tries to put her at ease. Louis, though not hot, is one of my favorite pros because he seems to good to his stars. Their costumes were terrible, but the dance itself was lively and fun. Len thinks Kelly lacks confidence, but he's convinced she's a good dancer. Bruno thinks she's back and though she had a couple stumbles, she has improved. Carrie Ann thinks her technique is ridiculous, but she needs to stayed focused and not doubt herself.

Carrie Ann + Len + Bruno
7 + 6 + 7
Total: 20

Leaderboard
Mya & Dmitry 27
Natalie & Alec 26
Joanna & Derek 23
Donny & Kym 21
Aaron & Karina 21
Kelly & Louis 20
Louie & Chelsie 20
Melissa & Mark 19
Mark & Lacey 18
Debi & Maks 17
Chuck & Anna T. 17
Tom & Cheryl 15
Michael & Anna D. 14

Len was terrible with his scores and if they don't improve, I suspect we'll be hearing boos all season long. I think he was terribly unfair to Mya in particular and this is two times now, so either he hates her music or has something against Dmitry...time will tell.

We still have a bunch of rotten dancers in this competition, but there are certainly some stars emerging. Tom, Michael, Chuck, Debi and Melissa have no shot at getting anywhere close to the finals - I don't know why we're prolonging their agony. I think that Mya is going to be tough to beat, but Aaron, Donny and Natalie as a dark horse might take her to task.

Tune in tonight on ABC at 9/8c to find out who gets their walking papers. Agree with me? Comment below or drop me a line at Erika@tvfunspot.com

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[wicked_witch]

yes he does but he makes me laugh ...some of the things he says dont make any sense at all

[kungfuhippie]

I like Len as well, the judges on this show are great. But he was pretty cheap with his scores. Apart from the front runners, I'd like to see youngsters Kelly and Louie getting a bit more encouragement. I think they're pretty great!