Apr 13 2009
Gilles Surrenders Top “Dancing” Spot
Lil’ Kim’s fancy footwork finally paid off- she and partner Derek Hough claimed first place with the judges for the first time on Dancing With the Stars’ eighth season. (picture courtesy of AP/Chris Pizzello)
Gilles Marini put his shirt back on, and- go figure- he loses the top spot on Dancing With the Stars.
Not that the actor has needed bare-chested appearances to secure first place (as he’s demonstrated on a weekly basis). Nonetheless, after scoring highest with the judges for five consecutive weeks (including one three-way tie), Marini and partner Cheryl Burke tied Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas for third place with a 26 out of 30. Marini/Burke performed the Jive (to a non-traditional Jive song choice, Fall Out Boy’s “Dance Dance’), while Johnson/Ballas took on the Rumba.
Landing in first place for the first time this season on the ABC competition was rapper Lil’ Kim and Derek Hough, who scored a 28 for their Jive. Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli each awarded the pair a 10, but Len Goodman thought the dance lacked true Jive elements and was more theatrical. Rebounding two points from last week were The Bachelor’sMelissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani, as the twosome’s Rumba scored a 27.
Dropping down to an 18 were rodeo king Ty Murray and Chelsie Hightower. Murray looked like he was doing more of a country line dance than a Jive, and his movements were awkward and stiff. Same goes for the perennially dance-challenged Steve-O, who week after week drags partner Lacey Schwimmer further down the dancing ladder; after scoring a season-high 18 last week, the couple’s Rumba failed to sizzle, earning just a 16. Len and Bruno reiterated just how bad his dancing is, while Carrie Ann said she could not take her eyes off the dance, giving Steve-O and Lacey a seven, their best individual score to date. However, she rightfully pointed out that he needs to work on his dance floor grace, of which he has absolutely none.
The night’s hottest dance came via country star Chuck Wicks and girlfriend Julianne Hough. Both Bruno and Carrie Ann liked seeing Wicks’ animal side emerge during their steamy Rumba, but Len complained that the dance had moments that were more appropriate for the bedroom than the dance floor. All agreed, though, that Wicks still needs work on the technical aspect. For all the heat, Wicks and Hough could only muster a 23, which tied their season high (achieved on two prior occasions).
Up until this week, retired NFL linebacker Lawrence Taylor had scored no higher than a 20 (which he did on three occasions). Loosening himself some for the Jive, he and Edyta Sliwinska danced to their highest numbers yet (22). Perhaps it was Warren Sapp’s assistance during rehearsals that provided the boost? Taylor best not take any chances; if he survives this week, it may be wise to have Sapp on super speed dial (the big man finished second last season, after all).
Who will battle for survival tomorrow evening? With the lowest score for a second consecutive week, how could Steve-O avoid the bottom two? Well, he did just that last week, despite scoring lowest. If his luck with Jackass fans and viewers continues this week, look for Taylor and Murray to comprise the bottom two.
Then again, maybe third time as bottom feeder will be the “charm” for Steve-O. That’s how many times Steve Wozniak held that distinction before getting the boot, and Steve-O continues to prove that he’s just as worthy of dismissal as Wozniak.
