DWTS Race for the Final Two

Last Monday, May 17, 2010, the four remaining dance couples of the TV hit Dancing With The Stars competed against each other during the semi finals. Their goal: to get to the final two spot. The competition was heavy as the level of these couples is unlike anything seen before on the show.

Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough, Evan Lysaceck & Anna Trebunskaya, Erin Andrews & Maks Chmerkovskiy, and Chad Ochocinco & Cheryl Burke had to show two dances each, a Ballroom and a Latin Dance.  Each star had to perform a Solo Dance during their Latin dance routine. Erin and Maks started the Ballroom dances with a Viennese Waltz. Erin, who showed great posture and lines, impressed not only the public but also the jury. Erin seemed to get her confidence back, and the 27 points the judges gave the couple should boost Erin’s self esteem even further.

The next couple to perform was Nicole & Derek with an Argentine Tango. It was uncertain how they would perform as Derek hurt his neck during the rehearsals. The couple managed to get the crowd on its feet by performing an amazing Tango dance despite of this handicap. Judge Carrie Ann wept, and Bruno’s review was ‘typically Bruno’:"Nicole, you were like a divine enchantress, using each move to draw us deeper, and deeper, and deeper, from which there is no escape, enslaved by you, enchanged by the dance!" The three judges each rewarded Nicole & Derek with a perfect 10 adding to 30 points.

Chad and Cheryl, the Dancing With The Stars underdogs, were next with a Waltz. Chad’s elegance and his improved posture evoked big compliments from the jurors. Len compared Chad’s growth with climbing mountains in comparison to the rest of the competitors’ hill climbing. The pair deserved the 27 points the judges rewarded them with. Evan and Anna’s Foxtrot was fun to watch, as Evan clearly had loads of fun while dancing. His shining personality helped the pair gain 29 points.

Latin!

The audience had a chance to view a segment out of the stars’ childhood before their Latin dances. This turned to be very insightful. Erin & Maks Paso Doble enchanted the judges. Len did not like their “funky monkey” type of Paso Doble because it went completely against his traditionalist view of how the dance is supposed to be. Erin & Maks’ dance was entertaining, which is exactly in line of DWTS: fun and entertainment. Their score was the highest since joining the show: 29 points. One of the crowd’s favorite Latin dance acts would be the Cha-Cha-Cha Nicole & Derek performed on Prince’s “Kiss”: 29 points. Lady Gaga’s tip for Chad and Cheryl to do their Samba on “Alejandro” paid off, but the judges rewarded the couple with only 25 points despite of Chad removing his shirt for his solo. Evan and Anna’s Twilight-inspired, powerful and passionate Paso Doble was rewarded with 30 points which tied them with Nicole & Derek.               

The Dance Couples' Final Scores:

Nicole and Derek: 59 points
Evan and Anna: 59 points
Erin and Maks: 56 points
Chad and Cheryl: 52 points