DWTS: Showing Off New Moves

Dancing with the Stars expanded its repertoire last night with four new dances: lambada, Texas two-step, Charleston, and bolero. I still don't know what "bolero" means, or what it's supposed to really look like, but the Charleston helped Clarissa, er, Melissa Joan Hart and Kelly Osbourne rise from the ranks of the pack. Clarissa especially needed a big win, she hasn't stood out much this season, and she possibly benefited from being an early dancer, because the judges started off the night inflating the grades, perhaps feeling guilty about last week's 5- and 6-fest: but a 10? I mean, her Charleston was good, but not really a 10, even from Bruno.

DWTS is best when you see a couple rising to the occasion and improving each week....and also when a star is possibly on the brink of burning down completely. Aaron Carter wept last week after his low scores, which endeared him to Michael Irvin (I loved the footage of them holding each other in the hallway, Michael murmuring in his ear that he's a real competitor and that's why he cares so much), but I'm not sure America is quite as taken with his big black hole of emotional need. Aaron Carter wants your approval real bad, but I am feeling less inclined to offer it each moment. If there is going to be a shocker in this season, I predict it will be him getting voted off earlier than expected....possibly even tonight?

Even though Mya is still holding strong at the top spot with her baby-oil coated lambada, it was Derek and Joanna's performance of the dance that is more memorable (see clip above). Or maybe it is just Derek's shirtless chest. I'm glad the judges were watching the blonde model spin because my eyes were always fixed elsewhere.

-- A. RAYMOND JOHNSON

Previously > DWTS' Surprise Double Elimination!