Oct 12 2009
Sabrina Finally Works Her “Dancing” Magic
Moving beyond her years as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart (seen here on the dance floor with partner Mark Ballas on September 28) enjoyed a huge climb in her score this week on Dancing With the Stars. (picture courtesy of ABC-TV)
Dancing With the Stars debuted four new dances Monday evening- and one celebrity contestant not only cracked a 20 with the judges for the first time this season, but she also tied for the night’s highest score.
After struggling to find their footing over the last few weeks (never scoring higher than a 19 for three individual couples dances), actress Melissa Joan Hart and partner Mark Ballas wowed the judges with their roarin’ Charleston, earning a 28. Hart easily was the week’s biggest gainer, up nine points from the prior week. Last week’s leaders, singer-actress Mya and partner Dmitry Chaplin, tied Hart and Ballas, who steamed up the ballroom with their sexy Lambada. However, judge Len Goodman continued to score her lower than the other two judges, stating that he has high expectations for Mya and he must score her based on those expectations.
Also delivering an effectively raunchy Lambada were model Joanna Krupa and partner Derek Hough, who jumped three points from last week and scored a season-high 26. Olympic gold medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin and partner Alex Mazo dropped two points to a 24, though their Bolero earned solid across-the-board eight’s from the judges.
Failing to sizzle in their Lambada were pop star Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was flat out turned off by Carter’s trying-too-hard efforts, but stressed that she likes him and wants him to “chill out.” Over the course of two weeks, Carter has seen his score nosedive from a 27 to to an 18.
Iron Chef America’s host Mark Dacascos and partner Lacey Schwimmer two-stepped their way to the night’s second-highest gain, up four points to a 24. Advancing three points each- and both dancing the Charleston- were showbiz veteran Donny Osmond and partner Kym Johnson (24), and reality TV star and singer Kelly Osbourne and partner Louis van Amstel (23). Staying consistent with last week was UFC champ Chuck Liddell and partner Anna Trebunskaya (17).
The week’s biggest dropper comes via champion snowboarder Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower, who plunged four points and scored their lowest thus far of the season (16). Dancing the Two-Step, Hightower’s enthusiasm could not compensate for Vito’s sluggish and flat showing. Tying Vito for the night’s lowest score was NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin and partner Anna Demidova, whose Bolero went nowhere. Judge Bruno Tonioli commented that watching Irvin is like watching the economy- every week, we hope it improves, but nothing happens. On the plus side, Irvin did see his score two points over last week’s season-low score of 14.
Who will comprise Tuesday evening’s bottom of the barrel, after the show adds viewer votes to judges scores? Irvin likely will find himself fighting for survival yet again. Joining him should be Vito and Liddell. Carter has been sliding for two consecutive weeks, but his fanbase may be strong enough to carry him through- but unlike others who coasted by on the strength of viewer support (Steve-O? Ty Murray?), Carter actually has strong potential. He just needs to- what was it, Carrie?- CHILL OUT, and let the appeal and talent flow naturally.
Carter promised not to cry like he did last week (when he dropped from a 27 to a 21), but we’ll find out Tuesday night whether he was able to keep his word. If he slips, Irvin could lend a shoulder yet again- though with the scores he’s been pulling, Irvin may need to borrow a shoulder himself.
