TV Review: DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 8 – “Instant Jive Night”

By PAMELA HARLAND / Contributing Editor

Posted: November 8th, 2011 / 10:35 AM

Stars: Nancy Grace, Robert Kardashian, Ricki Lake, J.R. Martinez, Hope Solo
Network: ABC, airs Mondays, Tuesdays
Original Telecast: November 7^th, 2011

It’s Instant Jive night on DANCING WITH THE STARS and all the couples had two dances to learn. In record speed – 20 minutes as co-host Brooke Burke Charvet kept repeating – the dynamic duos had to put the moves they’ve practiced all week together with music they just heard, just like last season’s Instant Cha Cha Cha. The results – mixed.

Some, like middle-of-the-packers Hope Sole & Maks Chmerkovskiy rose to the challenge. Others, like front runners Ricki Lake & Derek Hough languished a bit. And Nancy Grace & Tristan Macmanus, well, if this dance didn’t say send me home I don’t know what will. Am I the only one sick and tired of her verbally abusing Macmanus? Enough, already! Does Grace think it’s funny or is she just a b**ch? I am not sure if she is just playing it up for the cameras or not but either way…please make it stop! Send her home. Put Macmanus out of his misery.

The bigger and better news of the night – is J.R Martinez and Karina Smirnoff getting two, not one, but TWO perfect scores! Awesome. He kicked butt out on the dance floor, giving it his all and the judges awarded him for it. Keeping their tap, tap, tapping feet in the game was Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke, who came in third while Solo & Chmerkovskiy tied for second with Lake & Hough.

Rob Kardashian (reality star) and his partner Cheryl Burke
A weak start but a strong finish. Len Goodman was pleased to see his buttocks tucked in during the Quickstep. Carrie Ann Inaba said he was smooth. Bruno Tonioli also thought it was a clean performance.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 8

Nancy Grace (TV host) and her partner Tristan Macmanus
Her dancing is uneventful and her mouth is tiresome. Goodman said her Tango was well done. Inaba told her it was a great job. Tonioli said she had the right attitude.
Inaba – 8, Goodman – 8, Tonioli – 8, Harland – 7

Hope Solo (Soccer Olympian) and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Clunky beginning but better results towards the end. Inaba gave Solo a hug cause she was so proud of her. Tonioli commended her on moving so well throughout her Quickstep. Goodman called it her best dance.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 9, Harland – 8

J.R. Martinez (U.S. veteran/actor) and his partner Karina Smirnoff
He makes it look so easy. Goodman said he came back this week with all guns a’blazing. Tonioli called his Waltz a musical valentine. Inaba said it left her with a wonderful feeling.
Inaba – 10, Goodman – 10, Tonioli – 10, Harland – 10

Ricki Lake (TV host/actress) and her partner Derek Hough
She is so graceful and elegant on the dance floor. Goodman said her Waltz was beautifully executed. Inaba said she loses herself completely in her dances. Tonioli said she was deliciously dreamy.
Inaba – 9, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 10, Harland – 9

INSTANT JIVE

Rob Kardashian (reality star) and his partner Cheryl Burke
He totally blew it in the beginning and then the whole thing seemed to be off. Goodman told him to sharpen his feet. Inaba thought he showed complete control. Tonioli said it was obvious that there wasn’t enough time to perfect the dance.
Inaba – 8, Goodman – 8, Tonioli – 8, Harland – 8

Hope Solo (Soccer Olympian) and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy
They made the music fit the dance amazingly. Goodman thought it was fantastic! Tonioli called her the fats and the furious. Inaba saw definite improvement.
Inaba – 8, Goodman – 9, Tonioli – 8, Harland – 8

Ricki Lake (TV host/actress) and her partner Derek Hough
Great job of matching the steps with the music. Goodman thought Lake coped well. Tonioli said some sections didn’t flow. Inaba said her energy was great.
Inaba – 8, Goodman – 8, Tonioli – 8, Harland – 8

Nancy Grace (TV host) and her partner Tristan Macmanus
She’s the Ann Coulter of the ballroom, oh and she lost her place continuously. Tonioli said her Jive was a little laid back. Inaba told her she got lost too. But Goodman said it best when he called her Cinderella and said it is midnight and time to go home.
Inaba – 7, Goodman – 6, Tonioli 7, Harland – 6

J.R. Martinez (U.S. veteran/actor) and his partner Karina Smirnoff
Perfection!! Goodman said it was the most fantastic Jive! Inaba said Martinez is in a class all of his own. Tonioli told him he went off like a rocket.
Inaba – 10, Goodman – 10, Tonioli –10, Harland – 10

Who will go home? PLEASE SEND NANCY GRACE HOME! That’s all I have to say. Stay tuned.

Click on Link: Analysis: Is DANCING WITH THE STARS a Popularity or Talent contest?

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Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 7 Recap – “Halloween Celebration”

Click on link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 6 elimination

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 6 Recap – “Broadway Week”

Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 5 elimination

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Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 4 elimination

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Click on Link: TV Review – DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 3 elimination

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Click on Link: DANCING WITH THE STARS – Season 13 – Week 2 elimination